In the Paths of Righteousness (Psalm 23 Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that was nothing new. She was afraid of getting up on a horse and wasn’t looking forward to being stuck in the middle of nowhere on one. However, if she didn’t go she’d just be using Martin’s death as an excuse. Looking at Traci she saw the pleading look in the other woman’s eyes.
    Cindy knew firsthand how hard it could be to deal with the trauma of finding a dead body. Anything she could do to make the next few days easier for Traci she should do. She slowly nodded. “Okay. If we’re all agreed, then let’s get this show on the road.”
    Fifteen minutes later she was regretting those words as she stood on the ground next to her horse. She was holding the reins in her left hand. She regarded her mount distrustfully. It was a tall horse, very beautiful and bright white. It eyed her, ears flicking back and forward and she felt like it was actually daring her to mount.
    Kyle came over. “I picked the prettiest horse for you. I remembered how much you loved the Lone Ranger when we were kids. This horse is even named Silver after his horse. Beautiful, isn’t he?”
    “He’s a bit tall,” Cindy admitted. “But he is very pretty,” she hastened to add.
    “He can be a little on the spirited side, but I’m sure you’ll have no problems.”
    Her mouth went dry. “I don’t think I can do this,” she said.
    “Why, what’s wrong?”
    “Kyle, I’ve never even been on a horse before. If I’m going to do this I need a nice, short, slow horse. I appreciate the thought, but I can’t ride this horse.”
    He frowned. “I can switch horses with you today I guess until we get this sorted out. My horse is much shorter and from what I can tell pretty gentle.” His face lit up again. “This will work great, actually. Since I’m the host it makes more sense for me to be on the flashy horse anyway.”
    “Yes, thank you,” she said, feeling relief flood through her.
    He took the reins from her. “No problem. My horse, Petite, is right over there, the bay with the white stockings,” he said, pointing to a horse that was still standing, reins tied to the fence.
    She turned and made her way to the horse. “Good, Petite,” she said when she got up close. She patted the animal’s neck gingerly and she didn’t move. Cindy took it as a good sign.
    “You want me to show you how to mount?” Jeremiah asked, coming up beside her.
    “That would be great.”
    “I can give you a boost or you can try to get up on your own,” he said.
    “How would I get up on my own?” she asked.
    “Put your left foot in the stirrup, grab the reins and the pommel in your left hand, the back of the saddle with your right. Then bounce up and down on your right foot and then hoist yourself up.”
    Cindy realized very quickly that she was going to have to take up yoga or something when she got home. Just trying to get her foot up and into the stirrup proved challenging.
    “Here, I’ll just give you a boost,” he said after a moment.
    He bent down slightly and laced his fingers together. “Put your right foot in my hand and I’ll give you a boost up. When you’re on your stomach across the saddle, swing your right leg over and sit up.”
    “What if I just slide over the other side?” she asked dubiously.
    “Don’t worry, I won’t let you.”
    Had it been anyone else telling her that she would have had her doubts, but she trusted Jeremiah. If he said he wouldn’t let her fall off the other side then she wouldn’t. She put her boot into his hands and he heaved her up in one quick, powerful movement.
    A second later she found herself swinging her leg over and sitting up just as he had told her and she was on the horse. He helped her get her feet into both stirrups, adjusting the length for her. He showed her how to hold the reins in her right hand and when he was finished he stepped back.
    She felt a momentary flare of panic as she realized it was just her and Petite.
    “Now, to get her to back up, pull the reins straight