Читать книгу The Rebel - Jan Hudson - Страница 2

Gabe made a step of his hands.

“I can check my own stirrups, and I don’t need a boost.” Belle climbed into the saddle in one easy motion. “They’re fine.”

“Good. The ground is rocky around here, so stick to the paths,” Gabe said as he mounted.

They rode at a granny pace for ten or fifteen minutes—until Belle couldn’t stand it anymore. She resettled the red hat on her head, yelled, “Race you!” and took off like greased lightning.

She glanced over her shoulder to find that Gabe was gaining fast. The mare wasn’t a match for the big brute he rode, so she slowed, then pulled up.

“What the hell are you doing?” Gabe shouted when he stopped beside her and grabbed the reins.

Her eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”

“You could have gotten yourself killed!”

“On a horse? I don’t think so. With equal mounts, I could ride bareback and beat you any day of the week.”

He glared at her for a minute, then his expression softened and morphed into a grin. “You probably could.”