OLIVER: WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Blackwater Canyon Ranch Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and they headed back to the barn.
    “Think you can handle the next one on your own?”
    “No,” she said with a laugh even though she was quite serious.
    “You’ll be fine.” He patted her on the back. “I’m right here if you need me.”
    His reassurance didn’t help in the least, but he walked away as though he had all the faith in the world in her.
    “Okay…” she whispered under her breath. She walked to the next occupied stall and opened the gate. Before she could move inside, the horse stepped forward, firing up the fear inside her. She held up a defensive hand. “Whoa.”
    The horse continued toward her. She took a step back, but the intimidating beast was relentless in its pursuit. She lifted the rope and held it up hoping it would take a hint and stop. Instead, her back hit the stall on the opposite side, with the horse right in her face.
    “What are you doing?” Oliver strode forward and put his hand on the horse’s neck, bringing him to a stop.
    Her heart thundered. “Trying to put that halter thing around its neck like you said, but I think it wants to kill me.” She slipped from between the horse and stall, and found safety behind Oliver.
    That huge beast could have knocked her flat. Killed her if it had stepped on her. Horses didn’t look so big on TV, but standing next to one was a whole different story.
    “Always make sure you have an out so a horse can’t pin you against the wall.”
    “I didn’t do it on purpose. Maybe you should move the horses, and then I’ll finish the rest.” She tried to step away, but Oliver caught her arm.
    “Don’t be afraid. Bastian won’t hurt you.”
    “Then why is he chasing me out of his stall?”
    “He’s not chasing you, Daisy, but he is super friendly.” A genuine smile tilted his lips. “When you leave the gate open, he assumes you want him to walk out.”
    She put her hands on her hips. “Well, I did, eventually. But I didn’t want him to knock me over while doing it.” A herd of shivers rolled through her. The horse was magnificent, truly, but much too big for her to manage.
    Oliver took her by the elbow and tugged her from behind him. “Come here.” He kept one hand on Bastian’s neck while he placed her between him and the massive horse. She pressed as close to Oliver as she could, trying to keep as much distance as possible between her and the horse.
    The horse whinnied and shifted. She tried to turn, but Oliver held her in place. “Don’t be afraid. They can sense fear.”
    “That doesn’t help. Now, I’m more worried because I know that he knows.”
    Oliver chuckled, the sound close to her ear, and she became aware of every space their bodies touched. His warm chest was against her back, her thighs next to his, his mouth only inches from her hair.
    “He doesn’t want to be here anymore than I do,” she said and followed with a nervous laugh.
    “Pet him. Let him know you’re his friend.” He took hold of her hand and placed it on the horse’s neck, sandwiching her between them. Instead of releasing her, he guided her hand with gentle strokes across the animal’s hair.
    “He’s warm. And so big.” So incredibly big.
    “He is.” Oliver finally removed his hand from hers. “Take the halter and slip it gently over his head.”
    The idea rekindled her fear. “I can’t. You do it.” She tried to hand the leather to him.
    “No, you need to learn. Don’t be afraid. Lift it slowly and place it over his nose.”
    She searched the horse’s eyes, trying to slow her pulse. “Hello, Bastian,” she said softly. “I’m going to put this on you, okay? I promise I won’t hurt you.”
    With slow movements, she did as Oliver had instructed. Bastian remained still until she finished, and then he shook his head.
    She squealed in surprise and stepped back, right into Oliver. He steadied her by slipping an arm around her waist.
    “Easy now.”
    Daisy inhaled a quick breath and slipped from his grasp. With the big stallion