Charles Smith | Riding A Horse With Your Daughter

The afternoon sun hung low over the plains, washing the grass around Horseshoe Overlook in warm gold.

Charles sat tall in the saddle, Taima moving at a slow, steady walk.

Ada was nestled directly in front of him, her little back pressed comfortably against his broad chest. She was so small that Charles nearly surrounded her completely.

One of his large hands rested gently across her little belly, keeping her secure against him.

Ada’s tiny fingers reached down and curled around two of his fingers.

Charles glanced down.

Her whole hand could barely wrap around them.

He didn’t say anything.

He simply let her hold on.

Ada looked out at the landscape, quiet and observant, her head occasionally moving whenever something caught her attention.

A breeze brushed softly against her face.

Ada’s mouth opened slightly.

“Oh...”

Charles looked down at her.

“Wind.”

She blinked.

Then she tightened her tiny fingers around his.

Charles’ thumb gently brushed over the back of her little hand.

“Got you.”

Taima continued along the trail.

A patch of yellow flowers appeared beside them.

Ada’s eyes widened.

A tiny gasp escaped her.

“Ah...”

Charles followed her gaze.

“Flowers.”

Ada watched them until they disappeared behind them.

Her fingers were still wrapped around his.

Charles looked down at their hands.

His own was rough, scarred, and enormous compared to hers.

Ada’s was soft and impossibly small.

She gave his finger another little squeeze.

Charles’ expression softened.

“You like holding on?”

Ada said nothing.

She simply leaned further back against his chest.

Charles’ chin nearly rested against the top of her head.

“Alright.”

His arm stayed firmly around her.

The ride continued in silence.

Every so often, Ada gave another soft gasp at something only she seemed to find interesting.

A bird.

The grass.

A cloud.

Sometimes absolutely nothing.

Charles never questioned it.

He just watched her.

And whenever Taima moved a little too suddenly, Ada’s tiny fingers instinctively tightened around his.

Charles would gently squeeze her hand back.

“I’m here.”

Ada relaxed again.

And the two of them continued slowly through the quiet countryside, her tiny hand wrapped around his enormous fingers while she watched the world pass by.