She felt it before she saw it happen; the slight tightening of his hand muscles that were around her and holding on to the reigns; the horse reared suddenly in response and then came to a stop.
She wouldn't have noticed this if she had not been holding onto one of his arms tightly. A few seconds passed, which felt like a million lifetimes, and Mirabel was frozen in her position, with her whole-body trembling like she was drenched in cold water!
Talk of a memorable first time riding a horse! She did not even have the mind to get angry at him as she tried to get her bearings back; one hand still clutched tightly to the horse's mane to stabilize herself.
Jorge swung down from behind her expertly, and she immediately added her other hand to clasp more tightly on the horse, her eyes still tightly closed.
