Roping the Rancher (Harlequin American Romance) by Julie Benson Page B

read anything in the material you gave me that said I can’t be present during the session.”
    “Most people take my word for it when I’ve said it’s better if they wait here.”
    Everyone else hadn’t watched their father get trampled to death. “I’m not most people. Now we can stand here wasting more of everyone’s time or we can get on with Ryan’s therapy. Which is it going to be?”
    “We’ll give it a try, but there better not be any trouble.”
    When they reached the mounting block area in the barn, Colt introduced them to Nikki, the young woman who would be the leader for the session, and her friend Sarah, who’d act as the sidewalker. Then Ryan clip-clopped up the steps to stand on the block. When Nikki led the massive horse, saddled and ready to go in front of him, Stacy started chewing on her lip. She knew from her research what everyone’s job was, but that failed to ease her anxieties.
    From the information she’d read on Healing Horses, she knew Colt was a registered instructor. That meant he ran the session and worked with a physical therapist to create a program suited to Ryan’s needs. He was trained. Certified. Regulated. But the others helping with the session were volunteers.
    The leader’s responsibility was the horse. This volunteer maintained the horse’s pace and kept the animal calm. The sidewalker’s role was to help the client with balance. But Stacy couldn’t let go of the fact that they were volunteers. How much experience did this skinny cowgirl have? She was only a couple of inches taller than Stacy’s own five foot six, and couldn’t be more than twenty-one. “Colt, excuse me. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
    Was that squeaky, panicked voice hers?
    He stalked over. “First of all, calm down. If your voice gets any higher only dogs will hear it.” He nodded toward the horse. “If you get upset and agitated Chance will sense that.”
    “Then maybe he’s not the right horse for Ryan. I know I mentioned this yesterday and you weren’t concerned, but he seems even bigger out here than he did in his stall yesterday. Don’t you think Ryan might need a smaller horse?”
    The bigger the horse, the more damage he could do if something went wrong.
    Colt shifted his stance and stiffened. “Chance is the right size. Ryan’s a big kid.”
    “What about your leader? Is she capable of controlling an animal that size? How much experience does she have?”
    “Nikki is a champion barrel racer. She’s been around horses all her life. There isn’t one in the state that she can’t handle.”
    “Why is there only one sidewalker?” Often clients had two people to focus on them, help interpret instructions and provide physical and emotional support.
    Instead of answering her, Colt walked to Nikki and whispered something. Then the woman led Chance away. When he stalked to Stacy, determination filled his gaze. He closed the distance between them in two long angry strides.
    “We need to talk.” Colt clasped her upper arm and tried to lead her away. When she attempted to pull away, he stopped, leaned down and whispered in her ear. “We can do this one of two ways. You can come with me of your own free will, or I can toss you over my shoulder. Which is it gonna be?”
    “You wouldn’t.”
    “Try me.”

Chapter Four
    Colt knew he needed to nip the situation with Stacy in the bud right quick. This first session would set the tone for every one to come. With Stacy more jittery than a mama bear with her first cub, they’d never get around to helping Ryan.
    Stacy stared at him for a minute with hard determination and he thought she might defy him. That might not be a bad thing. The thought of getting his hands on those great curves of hers did have a certain appeal and could end up being the bright spot in his day.
    “Lead the way,” she conceded at last, leaving him a bit disappointed.
    Once they rounded the corner out of sight and earshot of Ryan and Sarah, Colt said “I