Six
He led me inside. Stacks of hay climbed the back wall. Dust motes danced in sunbeams let in through the door and tickled my nose. The stall door held back a stunning black stallion that neighed and stomped his hoof as we neared. Ben grabbed two apples from a bucket and handed me one before holding the other in the palm of his hand for the horse to crunch.
“This is King,” Ben said, running his hand down the horse’s face. “I’ve had him for a little over a year.”
“He’s beautiful,” I said, feeding my apple to the horse. “So what is this? Are you trying to tell me you’re a closet rancher in your present life or maybe giving me a glimpse of the future life you want?”
“Neither.” Ben moved me back and unlatched the hook on the gate. Entering the stall, he brought the horse out. He placed a blanket on her back before adding a saddle. “This is how I unwind. I’ve never shared my secret with anyone, until now.”
“Riding a horse is hardly a scandal,” I said, watching as Ben mounted the horse. He held out his hand.
I shook my head. No way was I getting on that beast. He was huge. “Not happening.”
“There’s something I want to show you, and it’s too far to walk. I won’t let you fall. Trust me.”
Trust him. That was a foreign concept. The conversation with Malcolm about living life, not watching it go, by flashed in my mind. I’d never been on a horse. Why was that?
I grabbed his hand, taking the olive branch and adventure he offered, and put my foot in the stirrup, swinging my leg over King’s back and holding on to Ben’s waist for dear life. “If I fall, I’m taking you with me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He clicked his tongue and nudged his heels, and King started in a slow trot out of the barn.
My grip tightened, and I closed my eyes. Maybe Malcolm had been right. I was a control freak, and it was evident that I had no control over the powerhouse horse between my legs. It was like riding a roller coaster without a brake.
As the horse continued to gallop, and I felt the rise-and-fall rhythm of its strides between my legs, I slowly opened my eyes at the beauty passing me by.
The rush of my heartbeat, and the thrill I felt stepping out of my comfort zone had me smiling. Truly smiling.
Fifteen minutes into the ride, Ben reined in King until we came to a full stop.
“We’re here,” Ben announced and held out his hand to help me dismount before he, too, jumped down.
“Judging by that smile on your face, I think you enjoyed it.”
“I did,” I said while turning in place. “Now where are we? Is this where you bury all the broken hearts?”
Ben’s smile slipped. I’d struck a nerve. It was about time.
Ben tied King to a nearby tree before returning to grab my hand. He led me up a hill before he sat down and gestured for me to do the same.
I cautiously sat down and stared over the rocky ledge. It was a long drop. One that I wouldn’t survive.
“This is my favorite place,” he said. “It’s beautiful on a clear night when the stars are shining above. I come here to think. It helps clear my head.”
“I can see why. It’s peaceful.” I smacked at a blood-sucking mosquito attacking my neck.
He slipped his fingers through mine. “I’m not a saint, Lizzy. I don’t have everything figured out, but I try my best.”
“None of us have things figured out,” I said, jostling him with my shoulder. “We’re all a work in progress.”
He gave me a sincere smile. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
My heart clenched at the memories.
“I’ve changed.”
“I’m sure you have. I’ve changed too.”
“My grandfather proposed to my grandmother here. My dad did the same with my mom.”
