Page 57 of Captivated

Nate stared. “That looks really high.”

Zeeb grinned. “Wait until you see the view from the top. It’s awesome.” He shook his head. “Been three years or more since I was last here. ’Bout time I came back.”

They got out and walked around to the rear of the horse trailer. Zeeb led Sorrel out first, tied him to the post, then repeated the action with Bailey. Nate saddled Sorrel, remembering everything Paul had shown him, and it wasn’t long before they’d left the parking lot behind and they were out in open country.

Nate gazed at the vast meadows on either side of the trail, lined by tall pine trees. Here and there were groups of hikers, and they waved as Nate and Zeeb trotted past them.

It’s so tranquil.

Sorrel’s gentle movement, the smell of grass and pine, the breeze that played with Nate’s hair, and the absence of conversation combined to set him at peace with both himself and his surroundings. Zeeb appeared content to lead the way, relaxed in his saddle, at one with Bailey who seemed in tune with his rider.

He’s probably been riding his whole life.

Nate had seen plenty of farms and ranches when he was growing up in Oregon, and he recalled fields where horses ran or rolled on their backs, sometimes venturing up to the fence to poke their velvety noses over the rails, as if greeting the passers-by.

By the time Nate reached eight or nine, he’d asked if he could learn to ride a horse.

The man Nate had been unfortunate enough to call Dad had said no, and that was the end of that.

Nate liked that Zeeb wasn’t forever turning around to see how Nate was doing, or asking if he was okay. He simply left Nate alone to enjoy the experience.

So far, it was magical.

And I’m going to ache tomorrow.

It was worth it.

They drew closer to the trees, and the trail crossed a creek into woodland.

“Gotta take it easy this next bit,” Zeeb called out. “Ground’s kinda rocky, so we’re gonna go slow, okay?”

“Got it.” Nate gazed at the terrain. Roots snaked across the ground, but Sorrel and Bailey stepped over them. Nate leaned forward to pat Sorrel’s neck. “Good boy.”

They reached a creek, and Zeeb twisted in his saddle. “This is just the first, an’ they get wider the nearer we get to the lake.” He chuckled. “The last one’s a doozy. You’ll know what I mean when you see it.”

Nate followed Bailey’s sure steps, and sure enough, they crossed so many creeks that Nate stopped counting. He lost himself in the soft murmurs of the water, a low musical sound that blended with the peaceful scene around them.

When they reached a fork in the path, Zeeb pointed left to where water cascaded down over rocks, a kind of mini waterfall.

“We go that way.”

Nate loved the way the sunlight sparkled on the tumbling water, shining like diamonds as they trotted across the top of it, the water louder than before. Once they reached the other side, they were back in the trees, riding in shadows, the trail narrowing as it climbed, the wind whistling through the forest. The air was different, fresher, and Nate inhaled deeply, drawing its scent into his nostrils.

To the left, the hills climbed, the gradient steep. Nate stared at the rocky terrain and slowed Sorrel after noting Zeeb doing the same. Exhilaration flooded through him.

Thisis riding.

Still the trail climbed, and Nate’s ears popped. “How high do we go?”

“The trail climbs two thousand feet in about three miles.” Zeeb twisted again to grin at him. “Not long now. Almost there.”

Then he pointed to behind Nate. “And take a look at that.”

Nate turned, and caught his breath at the sight—rolling hills covered in lush green, dipping into denser forests, below a cloudless sky.

“It’s beautiful.”

Zeeb chuckled. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” He moved off, and Nate followed him through the trees until they reached the lake at last.

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