Devil's Deception by Doreen Owens Malek Page B

feet. She ambled forward. “Lots of horses will take a man on the back easier than a bit in the mouth. The Indians knew that. I avoid the gear if I can, and Blossom here doesn’t need it.”
    “Is that why you’re taking such time with her? Harry said she was gentle.”
    “Why, sure she is, but she didn’t know me before today. Why scare her if I don’t have to?”
    Blossom cantered in a circle, perfectly happy. He handles me the same way, Angela thought, not without a note of rancor. A female was a female to him, equine or human.
    “I’ll just run her a little and bring her back. Wait here. I won’t be long.”
    Angela nodded, and leaned against the door as Devlin led Blossom to a trail and headed for the woods. He gripped the animal’s flanks with his knees as she speeded up and took to familiar ground.
    He doesn’t even know the trail, Angela thought dreamily. She wasn’t concerned. He was as at home on a horse as she was on an elevator.
    Devlin returned a few minutes later and slipped off Blossom’s back.
    “No problem,” he said. “She’s as consistent as sunrise. Doesn’t balk at tree limbs or stop short at ruts. She’s a lamb.”
    “Okay. Let me try.”
    Devlin got the saddle and harness, speaking softly to Blossom as he got her ready. She obviously trusted him, and stood docilely while he added each piece of equipment, accepting the bit without complaint.
    “I’ll walk her a little. Watch me,” Devlin said.
    Angela observed him as he led Blossom around the yard.
    “She’ll be able to tell that you don’t know what you’re doing,” Devlin said, stopping next to Angela. “So I’ll lead you first, or she might try to take advantage of your inexperience.”
    “Is she that smart?”
    He grinned. “Haven’t you ever heard of horse sense?”
    Angela squared her shoulders. “I’m ready.”
    He cupped his hands and gave her a leg up onto the horse’s back. Blossom whinnied and reared slightly. Angela clung to the pommel for dear life.
    “What is it?” she asked, panicked. “She didn’t do that with you.”
    “Talk to her, touch her,” Devlin instructed. “You’re being too shy with her. Go on, now.”
    Angela patted the horse’s mane gingerly, trying to relax.
    “That’s good,” Devlin said. “Now take the reins. And don’t yank on them or you’ll hurt her.”
    Angela accepted the leather straps nervously. “I didn’t realize that I would be so high,” she said to Devlin. “I feel like I’m sitting on an elephant.”
    “Calm down,” Devlin said soothingly. “I’m right here.”
    “You’re not on the back of this horse!” Angela said sharply.
    “I’m too heavy to ride double with you,” he answered. “We don’t want to overburden Blossom.”
    “You’re more worried about this damned animal than you are about me!” Angela exclaimed, outraged.
    To her further annoyance, Devlin burst out laughing. “Believe me, Your Highness, that animal needs more protection than you do at the moment. There’s nothing worse than a frightened rookie rider.”
    Angela’s mouth became a grim, determined line. “Fine. Show me what to do and I won’t be a rookie anymore.”
    “That’s the spirit. First, straighten up, don’t slouch. Relax your back muscles.”  
    “How can I relax my back muscles and straighten up at the same time?”
    “Like this,” Devlin said, reaching up to run his hands down her spine, then position her shoulders. “Feel the difference?”
    “Yes,” Angela answered grudgingly. Damn him, he did know what he was talking about.
    “Now hold the reins loosely, tight enough to retain control but not tight enough to pull back on Blossom’s mouth.”
    Angela adjusted her grip.
    “Good. I’m going to smack Blossom’s rump, and she’ll walk forward. Just let her go, I’ll walk beside you.”
    “What if she runs off into the woods?”
    “Then I guess we’ll never see each other again.”
    Angela glanced down at Devlin, who was staring at her wide