Originally, Deanna wanted to choose a pony, but the staff at the stable told her that ponies were suitable for people under fifteen.
With no other option, she chose a gentle-looking mare.
Even so, she was still afraid to approach the sturdy mare.
The stable master noticed her fear and kept reassuring her.
"Don't worry, this is our gentlest horse. Just follow the steps I showed you, and you'll be fine."
"No, I'm too nervous," Deanna shook her head and refused again.
Meanwhile, Lance was teaching the two little ones and had already taken them halfway around the stable.
When they returned, they saw that Deanna still hadn't mounted her horse.
"Mommy, why haven't you started yet? My brother and I have already gone around once."
"Mommy must be too scared to get close to the horse," Gregory said innocently, blinking his eyes but hitting the truth.
Deanna's expression turned awkward.
Lance found it amusing and offered again, "How about I teach you?"
"No need, I'll learn slowly," Deanna refused without thinking, feeling that Lance was there to laugh at her and also feeling useless herself.
It's just horse riding; what's there to be afraid of?
With this thought, she gathered her courage and approached the mare, trying to mount it as the stable master had shown.
But whether due to nerves or something else, she couldn't get on after several attempts.
Chloe couldn't hold back her laughter. "Mommy is so clumsy; she can't even get on."
Gregory wanted to laugh too but held back and lectured his sister. "Chloe, you shouldn't say that about Mommy."
"Got it," Chloe blinked with a guilty expression.
Their conversation reached Deanna's ears, making her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
At that moment, she regretted agreeing to come horse riding. Wasn't this just asking for trouble?
Just as Deanna was about to give up, a figure approached from behind. A slender arm reached out and grabbed her wrist, guiding her.
"If you're not steady with this hand on the reins, you can hold onto the saddle here. Then use your left leg to secure the stirrup first before using your arm strength to jump up and swing your right leg over the horse's back."
Lance stood behind Deanna, explaining each step in detail.
They were very close now.
Deanna felt surrounded by his presence and blushed even more.
Lance noticed her discomfort but pretended not to see it. "Let's try what I just taught you."
"Step back a bit; I'll try," Deanna quickly said, looking for an excuse to put some distance between them.
Lance didn't argue and stepped back to give her space.
This time, following Lance's instructions, Deanna finally managed to get on the horse.
She was determined not to let Lance teach her again; otherwise, she feared her guarded heart might crack open uncontrollably.
Lance had no idea what was going through Deanna's mind.
He saw her sitting stiffly on the horse and wanted to laugh but held back. "Relax. If you're too tense and squeeze the horse's belly, it won't be comfortable and might start moving around."
Hearing this made Deanna want to get off immediately. She couldn't relax at all with such a high perch.
"How do I get down? I want to get off," she said stiffly, looking around cluelessly.
Lance couldn't help but laugh at her obvious thoughts. He had never seen Deanna so scared before. "Since you're already up there, let me take you for a ride."
Before she could refuse, he grabbed the reins and led the mare forward.
Feeling the mare move beneath her made Deanna panic. "Stop! Stop! I'm afraid I'll fall!"
Lance laughed softly. "Don't worry; with me here, you won't fall."
"But what if I do?!" Deanna glared at him angrily.
Lance turned back and looked at her intently. His dark eyes were filled with unreadable emotions. "If anything happens, I'll fall first and be your cushion."
Hearing his confident tone made Deanna's already unsettled heart ripple even more.
Her face flushed again as she turned away awkwardly and mumbled softly, "Who needs you as a cushion? You're so hard; it might hurt more than falling on the ground."