Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

and Joey motioned them over. "Hand him the reins and we'll show him how to steer."

    Stone placed the leather loop over the horse's head and handed it to Preston. "Like this."

    Stone took Preston's hands and showed him how to hold the reins, their skin touching, and he felt a small shiver run through him. "That's better. If you want to change direction, all you need to do is lay the reins against her neck in the direction you want to turn. I'll be right here with you."
    Preston was almost shaking with nervous excitement. "Okay. Um, how do I make her go?"
"Just nudge her side with your foot and click your tongue."
    Preston wasn't sure he had the strength in his legs yet, but gave it a try, clicking his tongue and kicking slightly. To his surprise, the horse began walking forward and started traveling around the ring. He was riding, actually riding, a horse. Preston could hardly believe it. After the accident, he'd figured things like this wouldn't be a possibility. The doctors hadn't been hopeful he'd ever be able to move his legs again, let alone walk, and here he was riding a horse. Granted, his legs weren't strong enough for him to walk yet, but it was happening.
    Looking around, he saw Stone standing in the center of the ring, watching him intently.
    Preston wanted to think he was looking at him, but he figured he was just doing his job. "Why don't you turn to the left and walk her straight across the ring." Stone's soft voice carried straight to Preston's ear. "She's used to walking around the ring, and I want her to know that you're the one in control."
    "Okay, I'll try." Preston rested the reins on her neck, and she looked that way and eventually began to turn. Preston picked up the reins, and she immediately went back to her old path around the edge of the ring.

    "Try it again and tug slightly." Preston did as instructed, and this time Belle turned and began walking across the ring. "Excellent. When you come to the other side, have her go halfway around the ring in the opposite direction from before and then cross the ring again." "Okay." Preston found himself smiling as he sat tall and rested the reins against the right side of Belle's neck. She turned again and began walking around the ring. Partway around the ring, he turned her again, and they walked across the ring.
    "That's great. See how she responds to you?" Stone walked closer, smiling brightly up at him, and Preston returned the grin, looking into those hairshaded eyes, and he felt his body respond in a big way. Damn, his face lit up when he smiled. "What you did was show her that you were in control. Do that and she'll do what you want."
    "Is it always that easy?"
Stone laughed, and Preston felt himself jerk in his pants as that fluttery feeling increased.
    "God no! Belle's used to novices and has a great manner. With some horses, it's a constant battle, but for advanced riders, the challenge is to build the trust and respect needed to work together."
    "How are your legs feeling?" Joey's voice cut across the ring.
Preston turned toward him and pulled back on the reins, stopping Belle. "Good."
"Do they feel tight?"
He saw a smaller man carefully make his way toward Joey and saw him slide an arm around the newcomer's waist. "A little, but in a good way."
    "Okay. Another fifteen minutes should be enough for today," Joey said as Jasper joined the two men near the rail, and Preston started Belle walking again. He noticed the men talking whenever he passed by and sometimes wondered what they were talking about, but Stone kept him occupied until the session ended, and then they helped him back in his chair.
    "That was great." Preston said, smiling. "Thanks, Stone."
"You're welcome." Stone smiled back briefly and then walked away, leading Belle back toward the barn.
    "Preston." Jasper's voice brought his attention back to what was happening. "This is Joey's partner, Robbie. Robbie Jameson, this is Preston Harding."
    Robbie held out his hand and waited, his attention off somewhere else. "Pleased to meet you."
Preston took the hand, and Robbie's face turned toward his. "Good to meet you too."
"Are you going to continue with the sessions?"
"I'd like to, if you have time available."
    Joey and Jasper conferred and agreed that two half-hour sessions a week would be good to start. They made the appointments and, after saying their good-byes, Preston wheeled himself through the passage and out into the barn. He saw Stone working and stopped. "Thanks again,