nodded. “I understand. It’s scary to be on an animal so much bigger than you. But Sloane and I are right here. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Phoebe looked at the horse again, not totally willing to let go of her apprehension. “Okay.”
It wasn’t the most enthusiastic response, so Sloane took her time easing Phoebe into the saddle and settling her little feet in the stirrups. Then she gently squeezed the girl’s jeans-clad leg and gave her an encouraging smile. “You’re very brave.”
Jason led the horse slowly around the same path all the other kids had taken. All was going well and she could see Phoebe gradually relaxing when all of a sudden the horse whinnied and sidestepped. She’d been around horses long enough to realize the animal was about to rear.
Phoebe cried out in alarm in the same moment and released her grip on the saddle horn. Sloane acted on pure adrenaline-fueled instinct and grabbed Phoebe, pulling her free of the saddle. She held the girl close and took several quick steps away from the horse just as Jason shot her a meaningful look and gripped the bridle to lead the horse in the opposite direction.
Sloane didn’t have to hear the rattle to know what had spooked the horse. Her heart raced at the thought that Phoebe could have been thrown and injured, that the horse could have hurt any one of them in its fear of the rattlesnake, that Jason, leading the way, could have been bitten. But none of those things happened, and she had to focus on calming Phoebe.
“Shh,” she said. “It’s okay. The horse just got a little feisty. See, everything is fine now.” She turned so that Phoebe, who was attached to her like cling wrap, could see Jason rubbing the horse’s face to soothe him.
Jason noticed what she was doing and offered Phoebe a big smile and a wave. “You did great. All those barrel racers in the rodeo better watch out. You’ll give them a run for their money.”
Sloane wasn’t sure Phoebe would ever get on a horse again, but it was good of Jason to try to reassure the girl and get her mind off her fear. Sloane felt as if she could use some soothing herself, but she couldn’t allow her inner turmoil to show. Not with the kids all watching. She wanted them to go away from this weekend with a positive experience and something they could look back on with fondness.
Jason casually looked toward where the snake no doubt was, then gave a slight nod to her in the opposite direction. Unwilling to put Phoebe on the ground even if she thought the girl would go for it, she took a circular route back toward the area where the rest of the kids were sitting. As she drew close, she saw the hint of worry in her sister’s and mom’s eyes. They, too, were trying to hide it from the kids.
“Well, that was exciting,” Sloane said where everyone could hear. “I think Phoebe and the rest of you make a fine bunch of cowboys and cowgirls. Don’t you all agree?”
Claps and cheers filled the air, and Phoebe leaned back to look her in the eye. “Is the horse okay?”
Sloane pointed at Jason, who was leading the horse toward the back side of the barn. “Yep. I think he’s just tired.”
“Maybe he can take a nap now.”
“Maybe he can.” Sloane smiled, grateful the little girl’s fear was beginning to subside.
If only she could slow her own racing pulse as easily.
“Well, I think it’s time we all enjoy one more brownie,” her mom said. “Anybody agree with me?”
As expected, the kids were in complete agreement and followed Diane toward the house. Phoebe gave Sloane a hug before wriggling down to the ground and joining the others. Angel appeared as if she was about to ask Sloane a question, but Sloane motioned for her to go with the group.
She took a couple of deep breaths before she headed toward the barn. When she stepped into the shady interior, she found Jason with a gardening hoe in hand. He was watching the line of kids file into the house, obviously wanting them safely out of sight before he went back into the field to dispatch the rattler.
“I can do that,” she said. Though she normally shot the snakes, that wasn’t the best option with all the campers within earshot.
“I got it.” He looked at her. “I think you better sit down. You look like you’re about to faint.”
“That happens when a kid in my care almost takes a tumble out of the saddle.” She pressed her palm against the sudden sick feeling in her stomach.
She was barely aware of Jason moving before he pulled her close. “It’s okay. Phoebe’s fine. The horse is fine. The only one not going to be fine is that snake.”
Some part of Sloane’s brain was screaming, Danger! Abort! And the danger had nothing to do with the snake. Maybe the common sense telling her to pull away from Jason would engage later, but right now she gave it a boot to the backside and let him comfort her.
And tried really hard not to think about just how good it felt to be held in those strong, muscular arms.
Sloane sure didn’t feel thorny as Jason held her in his arms. In fact, while he could tell she was fit and strong, there was still a feminine softness to her, a sweet scent despite the fact that she’d been out in the sun and around the barn and horses. Unfortunately, he was only able to enjoy the feel and smell of her for a few moments before she pulled away and stepped free of his touch.
Probably for the best.
A quick glance at her face didn’t show embarrassment or even anger. Rather, she acted as if they’d done nothing more than say a passing hello to each other.
“Thanks for taking care of the snake,” she said without making eye contact, reminding him of what he’d been about to do.
Jason turned and headed toward the rear exit of the barn.
“Jason.”
He stopped and glanced back at her.
“Just, uh... Thanks again.”
She didn’t elaborate, and he got the impression that maybe it might be difficult for her to even do so. Thinking he wouldn’t mind holding her any time she needed it, he gave her a quick nod and headed out in search of the rattlesnake. He was usually a live-and-let-live kind of guy, but the thought of that snake striking one of the kids... Well, it wasn’t going to happen if he could help it.
It took him a bit to find the rattler, but only a moment to dispatch him to the reptilian afterlife. He headed back to the barn, leaving the carcass for the buzzards.
When he reached the barn, Sloane was gone. That didn’t surprise him. Though he hadn’t known her long, he was still pretty certain she wasn’t one to show weakness very often. She probably saw accepting a hug from him as a character flaw. As he replaced the hoe where he’d found it, he wondered what made her so independent. While her sister seemed every bit as able to handle herself, there was an extra wall around Sloane.
As he exited the barn, he eyed his truck and considered leaving. Chances were if he took Mrs. Hartley up on her offer of dinner, things would just be awkward with Sloane after the impromptu hug in the barn. But he hadn’t been able to help himself. He’d understood why she’d been upset. Having one of her campers injured or bitten by a poisonous snake would have been really bad for a number of reasons, including the fact that it might have spelled the end for her camps. And it didn’t take Einstein to figure out they meant a lot to her. Why, he didn’t know, but the why didn’t really matter. It was a good thing she was doing, and he hoped she would be able to continue doing it.
The sound of horses approaching drew his attention to the right. Sloane’s dad and brothers rode into view and headed toward the barn. The oldest, Neil, saw him first, then scanned the rest of the area. As he came close, Neil’s gaze fixed on Jason.
“The