Meredith

Gabe leans around the wall separating the horse stalls. “Need help getting the bridle secure?”

“No, I think I’ve almost got it.” I fiddle with the last buckle.

Gabe leans back around the wall. “And you are sure this is safe for the baby?”

I nod. “According to the internet, as long as we keep it at a walk, it’s perfectly safe through the first trimester.”

He furrows his brow. “If you’re comfortable with it, I’ll trust your judgement. No such thing as being too careful, though. You know?”

I turn to look Gabe in the eyes. “If you had your way, I’d be bedridden already.”

“So? You’d be safe.”

“Really? I’m ten weeks pregnant.” I bring my hand to my hip. “You want me to spend the next six months in bed? Just in case?”

Taking the hint, Gabe changes the subject. “How long’s it been since you rode, anyway?”

I stop to think before answering. “The last time I can remember was…just after college.”

“You’ve got to be kidding? And you call yourself a farm girl?”

I laugh out loud. “I don’t think that’s something I’ve ever called myself. At best I’m a girl who grew up on a farm.”

Gabe walks over with his pinto Jigsaw in tow. “Sorry, Doll, but I fail to see the difference.”

“Maybe there isn’t one, but the ranch was always my dad’s thing—and my brothers’ too, to a lesser extent. We didn’t have horses so, outside of collecting eggs from the chicken coop, all growing up there meant to me was I didn’t have friends nearby to play with.”

“Didn’t have horses—it didn’t make sense to me then, and it doesn’t make sense to me now.”

I shrug. “Our place isn’t as big as this and Daddy always used to say horses take too much care and feeding, and they aren’t any more reliable than a four-wheeler.”

Gabe scoffs. “I don’t know about that. I’ve never seen a four-wheeler that could manage to get you home if you’re passed out drunk. But Jigsaw here?” He gently rubs the animal’s snout. “I trust him more than about any person I know. Present company excluded, of course.”

“What about your family?”

“Ha. I definitely trust him more than my brothers.” Gabe rubs his chin as he thinks. “I guess I trust Chet…and probably Jack too. But I’d never tell them that.”

I shake my head. “You have a very different relationship with your brothers than I do with mine.”

“Jealousy—it’s not a pretty thing,” he says.

“Huh? Your brothers are jealous of your horse?”

Gabe stares at me blankly for several seconds. “No. Of me. My brothers have always been jealous. I mean, I guess I can’t blame them. I kind of am the total package.” He smiles. “You need help getting up on Henrietta?” He bends down to pick up a stepstool tucked against the wall. “Here. Let’s start with this, and if it’s not tall enough, I’ll give you a little shove—from the rear.” Gabe’s face is all smile as he thrusts his hips forward, making little air humps.

I laugh. “You are ridiculous.” When he finishes thrusting, he places the stool next to the horse and I slide my foot into the stirrup. With my hand firmly holding the saddle horn, I attempt to push/pull myself up. Fail. “Those soft chuckles I hear better not be coming from you,” I warn as I make a second attempt.

“It’s not me. I think it was...” Gabe thumbs at his horse. “Here, let me help.” I feel his strong hands take hold on my hips. “Ready?”

His touch melts me. “Hmm?” I snap back to reality. “Oh. Yeah. Ready when you are.” The third time is the charm (thanks to some assistance from Gabe’s magic touch).

He inspects the buckles for tightness before strolling over to his animal and climbing into position, unassisted, in one quick motion.

“Show off,” I tease.

“How’s it feel? Being back in the saddle, I mean. Natural, like riding a bike? Or unnatural, like you’re about to fall off a horse?” Gabe asks as he prompts his horse in my direction.

“Uhh, too soon to tell?” I take a breath to steady my nerves while I reorient to being on horseback.

“Why don’t I take the lead out of the barn? We can walk the fence until you’re comfortable, sound okay? Henrietta will do most of the work if you let her.”

I lean forward and rub Henrietta’s neck while I whisper into her ear. “Be gentle with me today, okay? I’m carrying precious cargo.” She responds with a quiet nicker.

Gabe clicks his tongue and calls to Henrietta. Chk chk. “Come on girl.” And, voila, the mare eases us forward.

What would otherwise be a hot, uncomfortable August afternoon is picture perfect. Fluffy clouds fill the sky, tempering the summer sun. A breeze blows, steady and cool across the grassland as we explore the ranch. Gabe patiently leads, occasionally falling back to check on me and sharing stories about his experiences growing up on the land. We cross a small creek and climb a narrow path that seems like it leads nowhere, but after cresting the hill our view opens to a beautiful, sloping hillside adorned with a single twisted pine.

“Gabe. The view. It’s…” I struggle to find a word befitting the sight in front of me. “…awesome.”

He pulls on the reins and halts his horse until I catch up. “Wow. You’re right. I’ve only ever been out here when I was working cattle, I guess I never stopped long enough to appreciate the landscape. Gabe points to the tree. “Looks like someone has, though. Judging by that circle of rocks.”

“Who would’ve done that?” I ask.

“It could only be Chet. I don’t think Hank is capable of appreciating this.” Gabe sweeps his arm in front of him, indicating the view of the mountains in the distance. “Best case, he’d come flying over the hill on a four-wheeler and crash into the tree.”

“I can almost see it.” I laugh. “Want to stop here for a while?”

“Well, how are you feeling? I actually had another spot in mind, if you’re up to it.”

I pat Henrietta’s shoulder. “She’s taking good care of us both.”

Gabe smiles. “Good. Let’s get to it then, shall we?” He leads us down the hillside and around a bend in the path. We wander through a meadow, sprinkled with wildflowers.

Gabe is several lengths ahead. “How lovely,” I call out. “Is this the spot you wanted to show me?”

Gabe turns back. “This?” He chuckles. “No, this is just a pasture that’s overdue to be cut or get the cows out grazing. The place I want to show you is a little more impressive. At least, I hope you think so.”

More impressive than the view of the mountains before? More impressive than this? “Alright then, lead on.” Eventually, we make our way across the meadow to the tree line.

Without turning back, Gabe calls out, “Almost there.”

With Henrietta doing all the work, I lose myself to my thoughts, appreciating the temperature change, thanks to the shade overhead. I wonder how many other jaw dropping panoramas the Wilde’s have just outside their door.

“Hey.” Gabe’s voice catches my attention. “You better stop or she’s liable to take you right up to the water’s edge for a drink.”

My jaw drops as I take in the landscape. Smack dab in the middle of an otherwise thick area of spruce and pine trees, we stand in a small clearing carved out by a quaint little pond. The faintest sound of running water from a small stream that feeds the pond mixes with birds chirping in the trees. I exhale a deep breath. “It’s so peaceful. Is this a place you come when you need to get away from, whatever?”

Gabe climbs down from his horse, allowing him to wander over to the water. “Honestly? The thought never crossed my mind before today.”

“You’re kidding.” I lift my leg over the saddle. “Even with the effort it takes to get here, I’d want to come back every day.”

“Whoa. Just hang on a sec, would you?” Gabe rushes over to steady the mare as I attempt to climb down. And not a moment too soon, because she shifts, causing me to fall back. “Easy. I’ve got you,” Gabe says as he catches me in his arms.

I look up at him. “My hero.”

“Jeez, woman. Are you alright?” His eyes are filled with worry.

“Never been better.” I smile.

Gabe retrieves a couple of blankets from the horses and lays them out for us to sit. “I’ve probably been here a hundred times over the years. Usually tracking a straggler who wandered into the woods and found the water. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always thought it seemed like it was worthy of a love scene in a movie, but when you’re trying to keep up with a head of cattle, you don’t always have time to stop and smell the roses. You know? Until today. I wanted to bring you some place special and this seemed like it fit the bill.”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “It most definitely fits the bill. Thank you,” I say, before leaning in and kissing him. Gabe and I lie on the blankets and stare up at the sky, calling out the different shapes we see in the clouds while we enjoy the sounds of nature.

Gabe sits up, resting his weight on his elbows. “I hate to leave, but we should probably head back soon.”

“Do we have to?” I whine.

“At a walking pace, it’ll take a while. Plus…” He pauses.

“Plus, what?” I ask.

“Plus, who knows how long it’ll take to get you back up on that horse.” Gabe shifts away, laughing as he anticipates my reaction.

I narrow my eyes. “You think you’re pretty funny, huh?”

“Uhh.” Gabe clears his throat. “Usually.” His voice cracks. “Yes.”

“Imagine how funny it’ll be when we show up back at the house, with both horses in tow and me riding on your back. Because that’s plan B, if you don’t get me up on my horse, bub.”

Gabe stands and extends his hand to help me up. “Got it. Well then, let’s get you squared away. As many tries as it takes. I’m in. It just means more time touching your ass.” Gabe smiles as he takes my hands in his and pulls me to my feet, then rolls up the blankets and tucks them under his arm.

I sigh. “I hate to leave, it’s so peaceful.”

“If it’s any consolation, I have something else in mind for us when we get back.” Gabe looks around. “Not quite the same as this, but I think you’ll like it.”

While Gabe secures the blankets, I rub Henrietta’s neck and whisper into her ear. “Remember what I said earlier? Please be patient with me, now. I’m not the most graceful. Okay?”

“Ready?” Gabe asks as he takes the reins.

I blow a heavy breath out through my mouth. “As I’ll ever be.” My foot barely lifts high enough to slide into the stirrup, but with both of his hands on my waist, Gabe practically lifts me up into position on his own.

“There, that wasn’t so bad. We got it on the first try.” He mocks me with deep heavy breaths as he pretends to barely have any strength left to climb back onto his horse.

“You really know how to make a lady feel special.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll follow you,” I say, as we leave.