"Scared?" I ask, letting a hint of taunting lace my tone.
"No." She turns all the way, stubborn streak visible in the immediate way she crosses both arms. "I just don't know how."
I shrug. "So I'll teach you."
Her eyes narrow. "Why?"
"Do I need to have some big reason?" I laugh. "It'll be fun. The weather is perfect right now. We'll pack a picnic, take the trails out to the creek where we can rest the horses while we have lunch, and then we'll ride back taking the long way through Three Corners. Lots of deer in the park this time of year. The kids will love it."
Her nose twitches. And I don't need to hear her answer to know what it is.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LIZ
I'm on a fucking horse. How did I let this happen? Worse. Why do I like it? It's not like I have some aversion to horses. Visually, they're stunning and I've interacted with them enough over the years through Lena and Trent to know that they're smart and kind creatures. And I'd never admit it, but I like the damn horsey smell of them, too.
Fine. So maybe I made a pact with myself to never participate out of some stupid, twisted principle that involved never wanting to share an interest with Jovi.
And I blew it.
Because I'm on a horse. And I fucking love it.
Bear, the gelding I'm riding, is massive and solid black but with the personality of a cuddly teddy.
Remmi let slip that he was one of her dad's 'problem' horses, but as usual, Jovi worked his magic and whatever issues Bear had with people have resolved themselves to the point that even I, a total beginner, feels completely safe as we plod along the trail.
Surrounded by tall pines on either side of our path, Jovi is in the lead on his mare, Kimber, Gavin tucked in the saddle in front of him, while Remmi rides a delicate looking mare named Shamrock.She's a flea-bitten color with a light mane which she's wearing in braids thanks to her rider.
Bear and I bring up the rear. A spot I might have felt leery of if Jovi hadn't spent an hour teaching me the basics in the arena before we left. Not that I'm an expert now by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel confident enough that Bear and I have a basic means of communication and trust between us.
Trust that only grew deeper when a breeze swept through, tossing a dead branch into our path, startling Bear. Despite his obvious instinct to bolt, he merely sidestepped twice before settling and walking around the obtrusion.
"The creek will come into view after this bend," Jovi says, twisting in his saddle to catch my gaze. "Once we're riding alongside the water, it's up to you and Gavin to find the perfect picnic spot," he adds, pointing a finger a Remmi.
"On it!" she tells him and it strikes me how her voice sounds stronger. Happier. More like her old self.
"Don't forget, I brought my camera," I tell her, nudging Bear to come up beside her as the path opens up to make room for it. "We need a pretty backdrop for pictures."
She grins. "Like big rocks and hanging moss?"
I smile back, remembering the fairy photo shoot I did with her when she was four. "You know I like those fairy tale vibes."
"Maybe we can find a patch of wildflowers too," she says, enthusiasm growing as we keep talking.
"Definitely." With the end of summer blending with the onset of fall, we could get lucky and stumble upon some Hollow Joe Pye Weed. The pretty purple blossoms would make for a lovely backdrop.
She smiles. "I'll find the perfect spot."
"Good," I tell her. "I'm counting on you."
We follow Jovi out of the trees and into a clearing, the sound of water running in the creek immediately catching my attention. I don't remember the last time I came out here. High school, probably. Back then, people would gather by the creek for bonfires and beers and make out sessions. Not that I made it to many of those, but Brennan brought me out once or twice.
"It's beautiful out here," I say, Bear slowing to a stop beside Kimber where Jovi has already dismounted and is busy gathering Gavin into his arms, down from Kimber's back. "You ride out here often?"
"Every chance I get." He sets Gavin down and moves on to untie the rolled-up blanket he secured to the back of his saddle along with the picnic he packed into his saddlebags.
I frown, suddenly aware of how easily he put it all together.
