“I guess you could say both,” I answered.
Her face lit up with a wider smile. “I was hoping you’d say that. Is there something I can help you with?”
I shook my head. “Nah, just snuck down here to see if I could get a jump on picking out a horse.”
“Ah, you must be going on the group trail ride. I’m Kris, I’ll be one of the guides.”
I tipped my hat. “Yes, ma’am I am in that group. So tell me, Kris, which one would you put a five-year-old on?”
She frowned. “I didn’t see where there was going to be any young children on this ride.”
I laughed. “There isn’t, well unless you include Josh; he acts like he’s five.”
Giggling, she walked over to a stall. “This here is Peppermint. She’s a very sweet and timid girl. Likes to lead the pack and set the pace which is usually a very slow pace.”
My hand ran along her neck where she treated me with a couple of head bobs. “She’s perfect.”
The young lady leaned against the stall. I couldn’t help but notice how she let her eyes roam over my body. “Excuse me for saying this, but you don’t seem like the type of guy who needs a gentle horse. You look built to ride. Hard.”
Well, all right then. She got right to the point and so will I.
“I wasn’t looking for a horse for me, but for my wife who is pregnant. She’s been on horses her whole life, but she has fallen and lost a baby before, so I want to make sure she is safe.”
The girl’s cheeks blushed. “I’m so sorry … about the baby and even more for my shameless flirting.”
I lifted my hands. “It’s all good.”
“I’m really embarrassed. But in my defense, you’re not a bad looking guy and it’s early in the morning. We’ll use that as my excuse.”
Laughing, I shook my head and focused back on Peppermint.
“Is this your first?”
I motioned to go into the stall. “Yes, please go on in. She’ll love the attention.”
“To answer your question, this will be our second child. We have an eleven-month-old little boy. Luke is his name.
“How adorable. I love that name.”
I lifted up each leg on Peppermint and checked out her shoes.
Kris walked up to Peppermint’s stall. “I promise your wife is going to be safe. She’s the best horse we’ve got.”
“So this is where you snuck off to, huh?”
Peeking up, I saw Ari and Ellie standing there. “Hey, just thought I would come down and see the horses.”
Ari narrowed her eyes at me. “Uh-huh. Have you personally checked each shoe on every horse in here?”
Kris laughed. “He was asking about a horse for you to ride.”
The second Ari’s hands went to her hips, I knew I was in for it.
“Jeff Johnson. I’ve been riding horses since I was little. I don’t need you treating me like I’m a piece of glass.”
Kris took a few steps back as she looked between Ari and me. “I think I’ll go ahead and start getting ready for the ride.”
“Ari, I’m not treating you like a piece of glass. I love you and I love our baby. I’m being careful. That’s all.”