Page 169 of Banter & Blushes

“I know.”

After breakfast, we headed to the stables for a trail ride and picnic lunch. The shady uphill path through the trees was lined with evergreens and white birch. The scent of the ocean blended with the pines, creating a fragrance that I was growing to love.

Up ahead, the weather-distressed red barn and fenced-in paddock were quiet, unlike the other day when we picked up the girls. As we drew closer, a pregnant woman with a long brown ponytail emerged, followed by Jamie and Rodeo.

“Hi!” she greeted us. “I’m Kat Crane. You must be Arwyn and Zaki?”

I nodded. “We are. Hey, Jamie.”

The boy grinned. “Uncle Easton and me got your horses saddled. Buttons for you.” He pointed to Arwyn. “And Elvis for you.” He pointed to me.

“I can’t wait,” I said.

“We selected the horses based on the riding experience you shared in your waivers,” Kat explained. “It’s not an exact science, so if you require a change, we can bring a different horse out to you.”

She motioned for us to follow her as a tall, bearded man in a western hat led an impressive black horse out of the barn. Jamie ran to him to take the reins, and he disappeared back inside.

Kat gestured to the horse. “The picnic lunch you ordered is in the pack strapped to Elvis here. Buttons will be out in just a minute. She’s got a blanket on her back. The trail map is on the CW app, as is our contact info should need any assistance.”

“Thanks,” Arwyn said.

I looked into the barn. Six stalls on each side at this end of it. Tack room, office and supply area farther down. “Nice stables.”

“We like ’em,” Kat said with a smile.

We mounted our horses, and I gestured for Arwyn to lead the way to the trailhead. The trail itself was too narrow to ride side by side, but I didn’t mind. Watching Arwyn ride had me grinning like a fool. I’d convinced her to buy a pair of jeans just for this purpose. She rarely wore pants, always dressing in old-fashioned or ultra-feminine dresses. I loved her style, but when she realized her old riding pants would need to be replaced, I suggested jeans instead. She’d get more wear out of them—potentially.

The trail wound upward through the back of the property and opened into a meadow. “Hitching post over there.” Arwyn pointed.

I pulled up next to her and dismounted. She swung her leg around and over Buttons’s back, and I was right there when her feet hit the ground. Taking her hand, I tugged her to a nearby tree and backed her up against its ample trunk. Before she could protest, I rested my arm on the tree above her with my palmflat against the bark, and bent to kiss her, using my free hand to trail my finger along her cheekbone and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. Just a quick brush of my lips, but I wasn’t done yet.

“We’re alone,” I said huskily. “Likereally alone.”

Arwyn replied in a singsong voice. “Whatever shall we do about it?”

“I can think of a few things.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mm-hmm.” I nuzzled her nose.

“Like what?” She maneuvered her head, trying to catch my lips.

I pulled away. “Collect berries. Climb trees. Picnic lunch.”

She smirked. “Or?”

I twisted us around so that my back was against the tree now. She melted into me and sighed. I took the opportunity to pull off her sun hat and reach for the hair claw that held her auburn waves on top of her head. I tossed the hat like a Frisbee, clipped her claw to the hem of my shirt, and ran my fingers through her silky hair.

“I can’t think of anything else.” I rubbed the scruff on my chin, pretending to think.

“I can.” She cupped my face in her hands. “Can you guess?”

“Maybe. But I’ll hear your ideas.”

“If you stop teasing me.”

I grinned. “But Iliketeasing you.”

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