“What do I do?”
“Just hold on to the horn there and grip the reins loosely. Peaches will take care of everything else.”
“Peaches, huh?” She stroked the mare’s cream-colored mane. “What’s your horse’s name?”
“Herb.”
“Wait. We’re riding Peaches and Herb?”
“Yes.” He grinned back. “Long story.”
He pressed his heels against the sides of the horse and tugged lightly on the reins. Herb moved forward, Peaches at his side.
“Hey! I’m doing it!” Bree’s smile was brilliant.
“Yes, you are. Just relax, hold on, and enjoy the ride.”
Cage led them to a path through the woods, and within a matter of minutes, the rest of the world was left behind. They were surrounded by forest, and the air was pleasantly cool and fragrant. Shafts of sunlight pierced the thick canopy, giving everything a magical feel. The only sounds to be heard were the soft snorts of the horses and the clops of shoed hooves on the path. He kept the pace slow and a watchful eye on Bree. After only a short while, she seemed to relax.
“You’re a natural,” he praised.
He felt her resulting grin deep in his chest.
“This is wonderful. Do you do this a lot?”
“About once a week or so for trail and perimeter checks.”
“Why do you do trail and perimeter checks?”
He wasn’t about to get into the issues they’d had with the local malcontents sabotaging their equipment and doing damage, so he opted for a partial truth instead. “It’s a matter of safety. We like to keep the trails clear and hazard-free as well as ensure that the Private Property signage is visible and intact.”
“Have a problem with trespassers, do you?” she pressed.
“Sometimes, hunters wander in unaware, especially during deer season. We don’t want anyone getting shot inadvertently.”
“You or them?”
“Both.”
After about half an hour or so, he stopped and dismounted, then helped Bree off her horse. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. He tried not to think too much about the feel of her waist beneath his hands or the way her small hands gripped his shoulders. When she looked up at him with those beautiful, dark eyes, he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
He could do it. She seemed to be right there with him. But what if he were misreading signals? It would make the rest of their time together awkward, and he had a full agenda.
Instead, he released her—dare he hope that there was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes?—and took the reins of both horses, leading them to a natural mountain spring just off the path.
He handed her a canteen. “Fill ’er up.”
“Is it safe?” she asked skeptically.
“Best water there is. Try it.”
He filled his own canteen and drank deeply, challenging her to do the same. She did, sipping tentatively at first and then drinking more.
“You’re right; it is good. I probably shouldn’t drink so much though. I don’t imagine there’s a restroom around here anywhere.”
He pointed to a clump of bushes. “Sure there is. Right there.”
She scrunched up her nose. “I had to do that when my rental car broke down and I couldn’t hold it any longer. I spent the next twenty-four hours hoping I wouldn’t wind up with poison ivy.”
He laughed. “I can tell you from personal experience that you really don’t want that.”
“You didn’t.”
“I did. Let me tell you, it’s not a mistake you make twice.”
“I bet,” she murmured.
“No worries though,” he said with a wink. “I’m a seasoned pro now. Should you feel the need, I’d be happy to pre-inspect whatever location you like.”
Once the horses were watered, he led them to a shady area a little farther on, then tied them loosely, and grabbed a large rucksack from one of the saddlebags.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Stuff.”
“What stuff? Where are we going?”
“You ask a lot of questions, you know that?”
“Kind of my job,” she reminded him, amusement in her voice.
Somehow, he had to remember that. It was difficult, especially when she kept distracting him with smiles.
“So it is. Come then and get your answers.”
He slung the rucksack over his shoulders and reached out. She took his hand, and once again, he felt a telltale tingle from the contact. He led them up a boulder-strewn incline, emerging onto a large, flat stone.
“Wow.”
She stepped out onto the scenic overlook, getting a bird’s-eye view of the miles of Sumneyville valley below. He pointed out birds and explained migratory paths while they shared a snack.
Afterward, Bree leaned back on her hands, closed her eyes, and lifted her face to the sun. Cage took a moment to enjoy the view himself. She really was a beautiful woman. Relaxed, a hint of a smile on her face, the glints of purple amid the shiny black of her hair. He no longer simply felt the desire to kiss her. He imagined crawling on top of her body and pressing his lips to the delicate column of her neck ... working his way down her body inch by luscious inch ... enjoying a snack of his own until her cries of pleasure joined those of the birds of prey circling around them.
Unnerved by the intensity of his desire to do just that, he got to his feet and once again put out his hand. “We should get moving.”
One eye blinked open and peered at him; her lips turned downward. “We don’t have to go already, do we?”
“We do if we want to make it to the campsite.”
“Campsite?” Both eyes opened, and she sat up excitedly. “You mean, there’s more?”
There were so many things he wanted to show her. To share with her. Things that were part of his daily life now. He just hoped he could keep his baser urges in check, so he didn’t screw it up.
“Much more.”
She took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. In those moments, time seemed to stand still. There, on the rocky overlook, the rest of the world faded away as he got
