CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
MARCUS
Marcus got the invitation while he was putting away his luggage in the guest suite after lunch.
“Come join us for a horse ride on the grounds,” the note said. It was signed by Jay and Talia.
Marcus hoped Katy would be there too.
Minutes later, changed into jeans tucked into riding boots, he came down two levels to the front foyer.
A servant saw him. “This way, sir.”
It wasn’t frigid, but a stiff wind crept under his fleece-lined leather bomber jacket. He took out his gloves and put them on.
As he walked, anticipation built within him to see Katy once again.
The barns were as big as most mansions in New York. He entered the paddock where Talia and Jay were standing, horses in hand. Talia moved her horse, revealing Katy grooming a white horse.
She was wearing a riding cloak in deep red, setting off her pale skin and rosy lips. White fur trim framed her lovely face. She lifted her eyes to his and gave him a tentative smile.
Marcus returned her smile, his heart feeling lighter.
“I grabbed this gray horse for you, Marcus,” Talia said, gesturing to a handsome gelding. “I didn’’t know how much riding you’ve done, but he’s fantastic for anyone.”
“Sounds perfect,” Marcus said. He walked over and got his horse ready, stealing a glance at Katy, whom he caught watching him.
She averted her glance and soothed her horse. “There now, how handsome you are…”
Talia flashed them a knowing look.
They walked the horses out of the heated barn and into the cool afternoon air. Marcus had been to Mondragón on business trips before. He admired the medieval city, with the sun slanting across the lush forests.
They mounted the horses, and his horse pranced with excitement. Despite his resolve, he couldn’t help but look over at Katy, whose cloak looked magnificent against her white horse.
He veered his horse’s head so that Jay and Talia rode between him and Katy.
Talia broke off, leading the way on a semi-groomed path, followed by Jay and then Katy. Marcus formed the caboose.
Katy looked over her shoulder at him, her lips curving up.
Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful and loving woman, Marcus prayed.
Mondragón was the stuff fairy tales were made of, with craggy mountains and pine trees and little clumps of cottages on hillsides surrounded by sheep and cows. Who knew there would be diamonds under all that farmland?
They rode into a clearing that led the eye up to a plateau, surprising a herd of horses drinking at a pond.
“Your horses?” Marcus asked Jay.
“They’re wild,” Jay said. “And they’’ll stay that way, especially if my wife has any say in it.”
Talia’s sighed contentedly. “Aren’t they the most beautiful creatures?”
Everyone murmured their agreement.
“Just don’t let Katy get hold of one of them,” Talia said.
Katy’s face turned pink. “I got kicked by a retired horse once, right on the eye,” she explained to Marcus.
Picturing her with a black eye, Marcus felt sorry. “Ouch.”
“I had to wear an eye patch.”
“I bet you looked good in one.”
Katy blushed.
“Do you feel comfortable running your horses?” Talia looked from Marcus to Katy.
“I think so,” Katy said, patting her horse on the neck.
Marcus eyeballed his horse. “Sure.”
“Let’s go, then,” Talia said.
Talia led the way once again, her long hair flying in the wind as her laughter echoed in the valley. Jay thundered behind her on his horse, trying to beat her to the lead.
Marcus’s horse moved with brute speed, and soon Marcus didn’t know where the horse ended and where he began. They flew over little rills and rises, coming abreast with Katy, whose hood had flown back.
She flashed him a wide grin, and his spirit soared.
Leaning forward, he spurred his horse on, trying to get ahead of her.
Katy surprised him by spurring her horse faster too, and soon they were riding neck and neck, Katy’s hair streaming wild behind her, their horses moving as one.
When they came to the top of the mountain, they slowed and came to a stop. The horses circled each other until they stood side by side.
Katy’s smiled faltered, and then she turned serious. Color suffused her cheeks. Her beautiful eyes glowed amber.
His heart crashed like the waves they could see along the coast below, rough and unruly. His hand moved to touch her face and then froze, asking her permission silently. When she didn’t flinch, he trailed a finger on her cheek. She smiled and moved away.
After the ride, they went back to the castle where hot drinks waited for them in one of the living rooms. Katy moved with her drink to the window, and Marcus brought his cup over and stood beside her. She glanced at him from under her lashes.
Could he dare hope that she looked happy?
“What would it be like to grow up here as a child?” Katy asked.
“A lot of room to run around,” Marcus observed.
“I ran like a wild boy,” Jay chimed in. “My brothers and I hunted in those mountains.”
“For what?” Marcus asked.
“Stag. Rabbits. Dragons.”
Katy sucked in her breath. “Dragons?”
“We never found one,” Jay said, winking, “but it’s legend here.”
“And there are unicorns here too,” Talia teased.
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” her husband said.
Talia walked up to Jay, and he kissed her on the cheek.
Marcus turned back to the window, a lump in his throat. He missed Amanda, but more importantly, he missed family. Loving someone. A tender touch. Glances meant only for him.
His gaze crossed and held Katy’s. She could be the one to help him heal again. Her eyes held a promise.
Reconciliation. Hope. Love. Affection.
In his excitement, he lifted his mug to his lips so quickly that he burned his tongue.