Page 61 of The Wedding Ranch
“We’re going to have to go single file for a bit, then the horses will climb up the bank where it widens again.”
“I’m following you.”
It was an easy pace, and he enjoyed her quiet company. As they approached where they were going to climb the bank, he twisted around in his saddle. “Okay, let Dottie take care of the climb. Sit and balance, that’s all you have to do. She’ll take it slow.”
Thunder bounded up the bank. Ryder spun his horse around to keep an eye on Lorri, but she didn’t flinch, just let Dottie do the work. Lorri smiled with every step. He got down off of Thunder and helped her from her horse.
“We’ll tie them up over here.” He grabbed both lead lines and took care of it.
“That was wonderful,” she said. “Thank you so much.”
“You haven’t even seen the mill yet.”
“I can’t believe it’s going to get better.”
“Better start believing.” He gave her a quick wink. “Get your land legs.”
She jogged in place. “Ready to go.”
They walked along the bank. She stopped and picked a wide blade of grass. “When I was a little girl my grandfather taught me to whistle with grass.” She licked her thumbs and put the grass between them, puffing between them. “That was not the way I remember it.”
He snagged a piece and made a loud duck-like whistle. “Like that?”
“Yes! What am I doing wrong?”
“Try again.” It only took her a couple of tries to get it right, and by then they were trying to name songs. He guessed “Jingle Bells” to her “Stairway to Heaven.” Laughing so hard, she could barely blow.
“The mill is just behind the tall rhododendrons over there.”
They marched through the thick brush near the water, and then there it was.
“That building looks so tired.”
“It’s old, but we’ve shored it up over the years.”
“It’s built so well. Look how thick the wood is. My house isn’t even framed with wood that heavy.”
“No, it’s not.” He reached for her hand. “It’s safe. Come on. You can see the stone wheels in here. The water used to be much deeper and would run this mill. Unfortunately, years of land development, well drilling, and grading have affected the waterway through here. I played here as a kid.”
“It’s really neat. It should be a landmark.”
“People don’t appreciate this kind of stuff much anymore.”
“They should.” A hint of sadness hung in her words. “This has been such a great day.”
“It’s only half over. We still have to get back.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to forget to thank you. I thought you were going to drive me past a waterwheel off the side of the road. I had no idea I was in for an adventure like this. And lunch too.”
“You’re welcome, my friend Lorri.” He liked the way she wrinkled her nose when he called her that. It was silly, but it was nice to have that special little something between them. Just their own. “You know, I should have done this sooner. I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“The other day. The only thing I can come up with, and it’s stupid, is that I was showing off a little. I never break a confidence. I don’t know why I told you about that celebrity wedding.…” He let out a breath. At least he’d set the record straight. “Anyway, I hope you’ll forgive me. I really am a man who is good to his word. I want you to believe that.”
“I understand,” she said. “It’s fine. I’m kind of flattered in some weird way, but don’t you turn out to be the town gossip.” She shook her pointer finger at him. “I won’t be impressed by that at all.” She bent down to pick up something. “A feather. Just out here in the middle of nowhere.”
She took a few steps then tossed the feather in the air, letting it spin to the ground.
