Wild About the Wrangler by Vicki Lewis Thompson

own. That would be a real triumph.
    She might set her sights on Jasper because he was the first horse she’d worked with. He wouldn’t mind losing out to her if it meant she had come far enough to think of buying a horse. Frank might be more likely to sell to her, too, because he’d watched her grow up here.
    Sometimes Mac envied the people who’d lived in Bickford for years. They shared a special connection with one another that he couldn’t expect yet. Vince had more of an inside track, even though he hadn’t bought property and Mac had, because Vince was engaged to Georgie. That had given him an instant seal of approval.
    Jasper turned to look at him as he walked up with the bridle. Fortunately Jasper was pretty good about taking the bit, although Mac anticipated Anastasia wouldn’t be crazy about that part.
    â€œFirst thing,” he said, “is to make sure the horse can’t walk away from you while you’re putting on the bridle.”
    â€œThey’ll do that?”
    â€œSometimes, so I’ll start by slipping off his halter and fastening it around his neck. That way he’s still attached to the hitching post. Then I’ll put the bit in position and ease it into his mouth. Can you see what I’m doing?”
    She crouched down and gazed up. “Now I can. He has gigantic teeth.”
    â€œWhich he uses on hay and grass. He’s a little resistant this morning, so I’ll stick my thumb in his mouth so he’ll accept the bit.”
    â€œYikes. Good-bye, thumb.”
    â€œNot if I do it right. There’s a gap between his front teeth and his back ones. That’s right where my thumb goes.”
    â€œAnd if you do it wrong?”
    â€œI won’t do it wrong and neither will you when it’s your turn.”
    â€œI definitely won’t do it wrong because I’m not doing it at all, Charlie.”
    â€œThe name’s Mac.”
    â€œI don’t care if your name is God. My thumb is not going in that horse’s mouth.”
    He held back a smile. He also chose not to argue the point. Technically he could skip all of this and teach her to ride well enough to go out to the canyon with him. On the surface he would have satisfied her request. He or someone else could groom, bridle, and saddle her horse for her.
    But he didn’t go along with that for anyone who wanted to learn to ride, and especially for someone who was afraid. Having someone else do those things would distance her from the animal. She might be able to minimize her fear that way, but she’d never completely erase it.
    He wanted her to stop thinking of a horse as somehow
other.
The more intimate her interaction, the less she’d believe that, or at least that was his theory. He was operating largely on instinct, though. He’d never met someone as terrified of horses as she’d appeared to be.
    â€œNow that he’s taken the bit, this part goes over his ears. Ease them forward because they’re cartilage and sensitive.”
    â€œI love Jasper’s ears. The sun’s shining through the little hairs right now. So sweet.”
    â€œAll of him is sweet, even his mouth.” But he took the time to glance at Jasper’s ears and see what she meant about the sun shining through the tiny hairs lining the edges. It was kind of cool.
    â€œHis teeth aren’t sweet. They’re enormous and could end my career in seconds.”
    â€œThat won’t happen. Are you watching how I’m finishing this up? This is important.” Maybe it was time to be more assertive. She was right that she could get a little spacey. He could see the danger if she allowed herself to be distracted by something visually interesting and forgot what she was doing.
    â€œI’m watching.”
    â€œAll right. Now I’ll reverse the process so you can do it. You’ll need to come around to this side. He’s used to being bridled from the left.