“Yeah. It’s pretty nasty on the posterior until you’ve been riding a couple of times. That’s why we take a break in between the first and second lessons if the student mounted on the first day.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Lollipop is so darn gentle.”
“She is. She’s my mama’s favorite. Hell, she’s everyone’s favorite.”
“I can see why.”
Gunner leads me into a large, rugged area, but I hear the distinct sound of a trickle, like a small waterfall somewhere, and, wouldn’t you know it, there’s one right up the path. In the middle of the brush is a small stream, with tiny peaks and valleys, drawing the waterway through the area. There’s a small bridge ahead, so passersby can cut across it, and there is a small cottage in the back woods, a fire pit, and a set of chairs next to it.
“My brothers and I come out here sometimes to fish. And when we were younger, if we had friends over, we’d sleep in there.” He gestures with his chin to the cute little dwelling, fit only for a handful of people, if that. “There’s just a flush toilet inside, and a small sink, no kitchen, just bedrooms. It was the old shack that my great peepaw built when he first bought the place, before he cleared the land and erected the ranch house.”
“Wow. It sounds like this place has a lot of history.”
“Sure does. It’s been in my family for generations. My great peepaw bought the land with money he inherited when his own peepaw died. He wanted to get away from his family. Earlier in his years, they had a falling out, and he didn’t talk to them for a long time. Then my peepaw was born, and they reconciled. They once owned all these parcels of land, but over the years, especially when the Depression hit, they had to sell a lot of it off.”
“Does your mama ever want to get it back?” I ask, as Gunner dismounts, and comes over to me, offering me a hand to help me down off Lollipop.
“Na, she’s happy with what we’ve got. My daddy never wanted more than what we had and mama’s no different.”
“Your mama’s real nice.” I say honestly. Emma has that ‘I love everyone, but don’t mess with the ones I love’ kind of attitude.
“She is. She really likes you. I can tell.”
“Oh yeah? How’s that?”
“She didn’t give you the cold shoulder. It’s a vibe my mama puts out there when she doesn’t like someone. She doesn’t sugar coat anything. That’s sort of a double-edged sword with her.” We sit down on the chairs while the horses drink from the stream. It’s so peaceful out here I could live here.
“You come out here often?”
He sighs, pulling his hat off, raking a hand through his hair. I can’t help but watch him. “Often enough, I suppose. This is where we come when we’ve got something on our minds and riding doesn’t help as much.”
“But riding helps, too. That I can vouch for now.”
“Sure does. I ride a lot. I missed it like hell when I couldn’t ride on account of my arm.”
“Oh yeah, that must have been horrible.”
“It wasn’t easy. The worst part is I couldn’t come out here much. Mama watched me like a hawk, so I was pretty much stuck in my room, resting. Doctor’s orders.”
“I bet you’re glad that’s over.”
“You can say that again.”
“I bet you’re glad that’s over.”
He looks at me and smiles. My eyes are dancing. His eyes go to my lips for a split second, but then they go back to my eyes. For that second, I get a thrill through my veins that I can’t ignore. Gunner is the only man that has ever ignited that flame inside me. I felt like I’d never have it again, but just being near him is bringing it all back. I just don’t know if he’ll ever feel like that around me again. Or if we could possibly ever have what we once had. We’re smiling at each other when he says. “How’s that butt of yours feeling?”
I want to get up and ask him how it looks, as a joke, but I think better of it. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
Our gazes are locked, but it isn’t awkward. Gunner is a different person out here. Or maybe it’s just because we’re both different. I don’t know. But I like it. The atmosphere is easy and simple. Serene.
“You hungry?” he asks me.
“Not after that cinnamon roll.”
“I should have had one.”
“You had your chance.”
