Chapter Nine
Ruth clung to a coarse hank of horsehair as she made her way back down to the saddle, her heart wildly beating. Thank god she was strong from lifting weights at the gym every week. Climbing up had been a lot easier and less scary than climbing down! She almost fell when the horse shivered – and then the animal shook his head and stomped his foot.
Ruth released a strangled scream as she swung wildly for a moment, then slid down the mane in an uncontrolled descent. She frantically wrapped her arms and legs around the wiry strands, jerked to a stop, and buried her face against her hands.
“Ruth…,” Koorgan quietly called.
“I’m okay – just… just give me a second,” she said.
“I will try to keep him calm,” Koorgan replied.
She nodded, knowing that he couldn’t see her. “That woul
