FIVE

 

Jeff sat amiably at my side. Apart from his mother, he was a different child, relaxed, full of chatter, everything I could hope for in a cousin-companion. I wanted to squeeze him until his freckles hopped. “I love fried chicken.” Jeff licked his fingers noisily. “And I love picnics. You don’t have to have manners at picnics.” He jumped up, then pulled at my hands. “Let’s go check out the horses!”

“Oh all right. I guess I can’t put this off any longer. Are you sure you don’t want to go for a swim instead?”

“You can ride, Ashby.” My cousin’s look was earnest. “Hey! I know! We’ll get Luke to teach you. Luke teaches lots of people to ride. Let’s ask him! Come on, Ashby.”

“Hold on, Jeff. Let me get my hat.” I scooped up my baseball cap, then grabbed his hand.

He dragged me behind him as he ran. “When you’re good enough, you ’n me can go riding together and Dad won’t have to worry.”

“I’d rather learn to water ski.” But I had to laugh at my cousin’s determination.

Stepping inside the stable was like entering another world. Instantly, I was back five years ago at summer camp, inhaling the same earthy smells, hearing the nickering and snorting and grunting from the shuffling animals in their stalls.

Jeff led me to a stall. “This is Sunshine, my palomino pony.”

From his stall, Sunshine eyed Jeff. The dark eyes shone and the silky mane lay like gold on his neck.

“He wants a treat, don’t you, Sunshine, old boy?” From his pocket Jeff drew a peppermint candy, which he held to the eager, nibbling lips of the golden horse. Instantly, the red-and-white disk disappeared. Sunshine pushed his muzzle against Jeff’s empty hand for another treat. I watched this boy-to-horse bonding with a new appreciation. This was obviously a well-loved ritual between my cousin and his pet. “Wanna try, Ashby?” He handed me a candy. “Give Sunshine a treat.”

“Will he bite?”

Jeff threw his head back and laughed. “What a wimp. Here. Hold your hand flat.”

“Better be careful. Sunshine’s been known t’ nibble on fingers,” a strong voice intruded.

I turned and faced the square frame of Luke Murley.

Jeff hopped up and down. “Luke! You’ll teach Ashby to ride, won’t you? Huh? Please?”

Before Luke could answer, from behind, something pushed my hat until it fell over my eyes. Tipping the cap back into place, I whirled to face Sunshine. He flapped his wet lips right in my face—a horse kiss, I suppose. More likely, he wanted another peppermint. I jumped, blurting out the first thought I could articulate: “Don’t you feed this animal anything? He’s trying to eat my hat!”

Luke and Jeff exploded in laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“Aww, Ashby,” Jeff said when he’d regained his breath. “Chill. See, Sunshine only does that to people he likes. He’s trying to get your attention is all.”

I backed away from the omnivorous horse and watched Jeff turn his persuasive powers on Luke again. “Luke, y’ know, if Ashby learns to ride good enough, she can go riding with me when you’re too busy.” His eyes flickered from Luke to me and back again. “Anyway, I want you guys to be friends.”

Luke hesitated, then gave a casual shrug of his shoulders. “Okay with me. I c’n work with her, if it’s all right with your Dad.”

Jeez. Is my uncle that controlling? I wondered. Do I have to have his permission to put one foot in front of the other, just like Jeff does?

Opening my palm, I held the candy under Sunshine’s lips, then jumped as the horse wet-lipped my hand. Oh, what the heck. I’d conquer my fear, learn to ride again, just to show Luke Murley that a city girl can take to horses. Anyway, it might be fun. And it would be a good way to get to know Luke. I stroked the horse’s nose. The warm, soft hair felt pleasant under my fingers.

“When do we start?” I asked.

Luke handed me the rubber curry comb. “How ’bout now? Jeff keeps Sunshine squeaky clean, but Sasha, here, could use a good brushin’.” He pointed to a dappled gray horse in the next stall. “Sasha will be a good horse for you t’ learn on. He’s gentle, but spunky enough fer fun.” Luke led Sasha out of his stall and put him in crossties, then tapped the curry he’d given me. “Use circular motions. Rub hard. All over. When you’re done, use this soft brush. I’ll be in th’ tack room when you’re through.” He looked at my cousin. “You c’n help her.”

Jeff nodded. “I’ll show her how to comb Sasha’s mane and tail.”

“Thanks.” Luke turned to me again. “Oh, be sure t’ talk t’ Sasha so he can get used t’ you and th’ sound of your voice.”

“Okay Boss,” I saluted. “When can I ride him?”

“Y’ got some things to learn before that. First, y’ gotta learn your parts.”

“Parts?”

“Parts of the bridle, parts of the saddle, and parts of the horse.” I must have looked disappointed, because he added, “You’ll get your seat in th’ saddle soon enough.” With a flicker of a smile, he turned and left.

“Do you also teach water skiing?” I called after him.

Luke stopped and turned slowly. “I’m a man of many talents,” he said. I thought I heard him laugh under his breath as he walked away.

“See!” Jeff exhaled. “I told you Luke is a great teacher. “I’ll help you. I know how.”

With Jeff by my side, I put all my energy into working over every inch of Sasha’s spotted coat, being careful to pull my hair back into a pony tail and well away from his mouth, just in case. As long as he was secure in the crossties, Sasha couldn’t step on me or kick me, so there was no need to be afraid. The currying was darn hard work, and I found myself pausing to wipe the sweat from my brow. Jeff and I kept up a steady rhythm. The reward was Sasha’s shining, silky coat. Luke himself couldn’t do a better job, Continuing to fuss over Sasha’s grooming, under my breath I found myself singing, “Flow gently, sweet Afton.”