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her
she was afraid she would forget why she’d sought him out in the
first place. “So I suppose I should just say to you that…well, I’m
a novice who has always loved horses from afar and always dreamt of
having a horse of my own to ride…” She looked to him and bravely
added, “To ride astride…and whenever and wherever I like.
Therefore, I’m thinking I need a horse that is experienced and
patient. One that will be tolerant of my learning to ride astride
and things.”
    She was worried when Gunner frowned and
studied her a moment. “You’re a novice? Meaning…you’re new in
ownin’ a horse, right? Not that you’re gettin’ ready to become a
nun in a convent?”
    Briney laughed—wholeheartedly burst into
laughter. “Oh no! No, of course not, Mr. Cole. I definitely mean
that I’m new to dealing in matters of horse sales and stabling.”
She laughed again for a moment, adding, “Oh, believe me, I’m the
furthest woman from becoming a nun you’ve ever known.”
    Gunner Cole’s handsome browns arched in
astonishment then as he asked, “Really? The furthest from being a
nun? Do you mean you’re a…a…”
    “Oh, heavens no!” Briney gasped, mortified as
she realized what he must’ve thought she meant. “No! No! I just
meant that…I’ve never had any intention of becoming a nun. I’m not
even Catholic or anything! I just meant…well, I just meant that I’m
an average woman, simply looking to buy and hopefully board a horse
of my own.”
    Gunner’s smile reappeared, and he said,
“Well, good. Because I will admit that I don’t have too much
experience in matchin’ up horses with nuns.” He chuckled, adding,
“No experience come to think of it.”
    The horse named Sassafras nuzzled Briney’s
arm once more, and she giggled. “This horse certainly seems to have
a sweet character,” she said.
    “Oh, she does,” Gunner assured her. “Here,
take off them gloves you’re wearin’ and really give her some
attention. Let’s see how you two get along here for a minute or
two, all right?”
    “Well, if you’re sure I should,” Briney
paused.
    “I’m sure,” Gunner assured her.
    Briney stripped off her kid gloves, handing
them to Gunner when he offered a hand in which to hold them.
    The moment Briney touched Sassafras’s velvet
nose with her bare hands, she began to silently pray that the
Horseman would allow her to choose this horse as hers.
    “She likes you,” Gunner said. “And you should
be flattered because ol’ Sassy…well, she’s pretty picky about who
she likes.”
    “Really? But she seems so sweet,” Briney
commented.
    “Oh, she is,” Gunner affirmed. “Just shy
sometimes is all.” Gunner reached up, combing his fingers through
Sassafras’s mane. “She’s a very special horse, and I’ve been
waitin’ for just the right person to take her.” He looked down at
Briney a moment, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “Maybe
you’ll be that right person, hmmm?”
    “Oh, I hope so!” Briney couldn’t keep from
admitting. “She’s so sweet! It’s almost like she…well, like she
likes me or something. Though I know that sounds like
nonsense.”
    “Not at all,” Gunner said. “I think horses
are like people. They know when they’ve found someone who’ll care
for them as much as they care for the person. As I said, Sassy is
usually pretty shy. The fact that she came right to you like she
seems to have done…that says a lot.” He paused and actually winked
at Briney, adding, “It says a lot about you, Miss Thress.” He
stroked Sassy’s jaw a moment and, speaking to the horse, said, “Me
and Sassy, we go way back. I was there waitin’ for her when she was
foaled.”
    “Oh! Then she’s your horse?” Briney
asked, hoping the disappointment wasn’t too obvious in her voice.
She could see that the horse was special to Gunner, and she feared
he wouldn’t want to part with it.
    “Nope,” he said. “She was my mother’s. Mama
rode her up until the