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"Jen, you don't know what you are asking me to do."

"Oh, yes, I do. I love you. And I am asking you to love me enough to trust me." Jen placed a hand on Taylor's. There was a kind confidence in Jen's eyes.

"What if I can't do it?" Taylor pleaded.

"Then you'll know you tried."

"But—" she started, her eyes turning to Coal and the saddle on his back.

"Yes," Jen replied with a soft smile. "I want your butt in that saddle. And so do you." Jen saw something in Taylor's face. She didn't say it, but Jen knew this was the time. She kissed Taylor's cheek then rolled her wheelchair into place next to the lift. Taylor didn't argue as Jen hooked the slings under her legs and around her back. She carefully raised Taylor out of the wheelchair and rolled her down the ramp. Taylor held onto the straps, her eyes big and her face pale as she was raised up next to Coal's back. With the skill of a surgeon, Jen positioned her over the saddle. Coal never moved a muscle as Taylor was slowly lowered into place, one of her lifeless legs draped over each side of the saddle.

"Unhook the sling, Taylor," Jen advised.

"I don't know about this. Maybe I'll just sit like this." She held tight to the canvas straps.

"I want to move the lift out of the way so Coal doesn't get hit by it. Just release the hooks. I'll bring it back as soon as you are ready."

"Don't take it too far," Taylor said, nervously releasing first one hook then the other. As her body settled into the saddle, she grabbed onto the saddle horn with both hands. "Wait," she gasped as her body shifted slightly. "I can't pull myself up straight." She leaned forward and grabbed onto Coal's neck.

"I've got you," Lexie said, grabbing one of her legs and easing her up straight. "Sit up, kid. Sit up straight. Square your shoulders over the cantle." Lexie looked up at her, offering an encour­aging smile. "That's it."

Jen rolled the lift out of the way, leaving Taylor alone on Coal's back.

"Does it feel different?" Jen asked.

"Yeah," Taylor replied, swallowing hard as sweat formed on her upper lip. "I think I better get down now."

"How about walking around the yard? Coal will take it slow." Jen smiled up at her.

"No," Taylor snapped immediately. "This is fine. Bring the lift back."

"I'll lead him real slow," Lexie acknowledged.

"I don't need to be treated like a child. Get me down from here."

"You're fine," Jen said, looking up at her.

"No, I'm not. Get me down. I'll fall," Taylor said, scowling down at her. "I can't stop myself if I slide off the side. I'll fall. Get me down. Get me down," she yelled, the veins popping out in her neck.

"Taylor, you are all right," Jen said calmly, touching her leg.

"Jen, I can't do this." Taylor hissed, unable to control her anger or her fear.

"Lexie, help me up," Jen said, reaching for the saddle horn. She strained to get her toe into the stirrup, the height of it above her thigh.

"What are you doing?" Taylor scowled.

"Move your hand," Jen said, grabbing hold.

Lexie gave Jen a boost, pushing her up behind Taylor. She swung her leg over Coal's rump and hitched herself in behind Taylor, folding her arms around her.

"Oh, geez. This is the tallest horse I have ever seen," Jen gasped as she locked her legs around his middle. She wiggled her way up tight against Taylor, their bodies molded together. Jen swallowed hard and refused to look down.

"I've got you now. You can't fall." Jen gave Taylor a squeeze. "Give Taylor the reins, Lexie. We are going for a ride."

"Here you go, kid," Lexie said proudly, holding them up to her.

"No, wait," Taylor argued but her hand took the reins.

"Please, Taylor. Go slow. I'm not used to tall horses." Jen gave a nervous giggle.

"I don't know about this," Taylor said.

"I do," Jen whispered.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Jen," Taylor asked.

"There is nothing I want more," Jen replied, holding tight to Taylor, her legs locked around Coal's broad middle.

Taylor adjusted the reins in her hand then gave a little whistle. Coal responded with a slow but steady pace across the yard, his long strides surprisingly smooth. Taylor fought the urge to grab onto the saddle horn. Instead, she sat proudly in the saddle, steering him with light neck pressure. It took several circles around the yard before Taylor relaxed into Jen's embrace. Jen could feel her body melt into the rhythmic sway of Coal's walk.

"Are you comfortable?" Jen asked.

"Yes," she replied. "Are you okay?" Taylor dropped her hand and molded it around Jen's thigh.

"I'm fine. And so are you," she added, kissing Taylor's neck. "I'm so proud of you."

"I didn't think I could ever do this again," Taylor said, a lump rising in her throat.

"Oh, sweetheart, I did. You love this too much not to."

"Thank you," Taylor said, squeezing Jen's leg gently.

"For what?" Jen asked innocently.

"Satin sheets," Taylor replied softly. She turned her head to Jen's lips and leaned into them. "And for being here with me."

"I'm not going anywhere, darling," Jen said tenderly.

Taylor gave a whistle and Coal moved up to a soft trot. She steered him through the open gate beyond the corral. Jen held tight to Taylor, as much to reassure herself as for protection for Taylor. They floated across the pasture at an easy lope, the Texas wind in their hair. Jen couldn't see the tears rolling down Taylor's face, tears pinched out by her broad grin.

"Don't worry, Jen. I'll never let you fall," Taylor said.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14