At this point, Tommy doesn't care that she's laughing at him, he just wants to get his foot out of the damn stirrup. Kate's trying to help, and he's trying to keep his balance (because hopping uncontrollably obviously makes things easier), but Duncan has had enough of him.

Just as he manages to wriggle his boot out of the stirrup, his grip slips from the saddle horn, his foot slips out from under him in the soft grass--

"Ah, fffu--!"

The expletive is cut off as he lands flat on his back.




"-ughhk."