“How you doing, Kylo? Long time no see.”
Lo shook his hand. He’d known Nate since he was a young boy. As a friend of the family, he’d watched Lo and his brothers grow up.
“What’s up, Nate? You been good?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s been smooth sailing ever since those people tried to take my land. I’ve been good though, thanks to you.”
Lo nodded, then grabbed Bria’s hand. “This is my wife, Bria. Bria, this is Nate.”
They exchanged pleasantries and handshakes.
“What a beautiful woman, Kylo. You two look good together.”
Bria peered at him, tittering like a small child.
“She wanna ride the horses. You cool with that?”
Nate gestured with his hand for them to follow him. “Of course. Let me take you out back.”
The couple followed the older gentleman toward the back where the horses were. Bria’s smile widened the closer they got to the stable.
“Oh, my God, this one is so pretty.” She rubbed on a black horse. “What’s her name?”
“This one right here is called Midnight.” Nate opened the gate. “Would you like to ride her?”
“Yes, I would love to.”
Nate grabbed the reins and aided the horse out of the stable. They all walked out on the ranch, and he saddled up. Nate then helped Bria by mounting her on the horse.
“Aye, watch those hands, OG,” Lo warned playfully.
Nate chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare disrespect you like that, Kylo.”
Like a pro, Bria whipped the reins and the horse took off. There was a smile on her face that Lo wanted her to keep, permanently. How did one smile brighten his day? Bria beamed brighter than a 100-watt light bulb. Her ponytail glided in the wind while her body bounced in unison. Did she not know that she was Lo’s escape? A literal hideaway from his woes, past, and troubled mind. That was too much to put on her and Lo felt guilty for it, but taking flight with Bria had become his antidote.
“How long y’all been married?” Nate asked.
“Like three months.”
“Newlyweds.” He chuckled. “That’s the best time in a marriage.”
Lo hesitantly peeled his eyes away from Bria and asked, “Why is that?”
“Because everything is fresh. The love is still young, and those vows are taken seriously in this stage. Everyone is on their best behavior in newlywed season.”
Lo mulled over his words while watching Bria. This marriage was initially an obligation, but it had transformed into a yearning he hoped to never be without.
“The goal is to keep if fresh,” Nate preached. “People lose sight on that. They start going by their own agenda and forgetting about their spouse. But always keep your marriage first. Put it before anything in your life. Okay?”
Lo nodded, leaning his arms against the wooden beams. He watched Bria the entire time she rode and didn’t get bored. Her happiness had somehow affected him. When she smiled, Lo was in a better mood. She had easily become his serotonin. After a while, Bria had come to a stop. She climbed off the horse andran into his arms. Lo picked her up, inhaling the scent of her skin. Bria drew back and kissed his lips.
“Thank you for this. You’ve made me so happy today.”
Not as happy as you’ve made me…
Lo kept his thoughts to himself and kissed her again. Lowering her to her feet, he grabbed her hand.
“I got something else for you.”
