They mounted their horses in comfortable silence, and soon they were on the trail, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves the only sound at first. The trail wove through the open meadow and into the wooded hills, where the scent of pine and sagebrush filled the air. Capri felt a little calmer now, her body falling into the familiar rhythm of riding. But every now and then, she’d catch Jake’s gaze flicking toward her, and her stomach would do a somersault.
As they rode, conversation came easily.
Capri toyed with the reins, glancing at Jake. “So, what’s your guilty pleasure? How do you like to fill your free time?” she asked with a smile, hoping to keep the conversation light.
Jake chuckled softly, rubbing his chin as he thought. “Okay, don’t judge me, but I’ve got a serious thing for reality cooking shows.”
Capri raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Seriously? Like the competitive ones?”
“Yep,” he grinned. “There’s something about the intensity, the chaos in the kitchen, and how they whip up something amazing from nothing. Plus, I can’t cook to save my life, so I guess I live vicariously.”
Capri laughed, the sound easy. “You? That’s not true. The brisket you prepared was delicious.”
“I’m not a real cook,” Jake admitted. “I can grill a decent steak or fix a recipe or two my mom shared with me, but anything more complicated than that, and it’s a disaster.”
“Well, good thing you’re handy with construction and renovations,” Capri teased, feeling her tension ease even further.
Jake shot her a playful look. “What about you? What’s something no one would guess about you?”
Capri paused, thinking for a moment. “Well, in addition to my Gilmore Girls addiction, I have a ridiculous obsession with old murder mysteries—Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, that sort of thing. I can spend hours curled up with one of those books or binging the old TV adaptations.”
“Didn’t peg you for the mystery type,” Jake said, surprised. “Do you solve the cases before they reveal the culprit?”
“Sometimes,” she replied, grinning. “But half the fun is trying to piece it all together. I especially adore a couple of new mystery authors I’ve stumbled upon—Jana DeLeon and Tonya Kappes.”
As they continued down the trail, the conversation meandered into unexpected territory—favorite childhood memories, secret ambitions, and the quirks that made them who they were. Capri found herself laughing more than she had in a while, and with each passing moment, she realized how easy it felt to be with Jake, even if the undercurrent of fear still lingered. But for now, she pushed apprehension aside, allowing herself to enjoy the ride and the company.
Their legs brushed occasionally as the trail narrowed, and every time, a jolt of awareness shot through Capri. Once, as Jake reached to adjust his saddlebag, his hand grazed hers, and the simple touch sent a thrill up her spine. Each brush of skin, each subtle connection, felt charged, and it was becoming harder to ignore the pull between them.
After a while, they reached a quiet clearing. The vista stretched out before them; a valley spread wide beneath the towering peaks. Capri dismounted first, her legs stiff but her heart beating with anticipation. Jake followed suit, walking over to where she stood by a large rock. He stood close and when she turned to look at him, her breath caught at the way his eyes lingered on her face.
“This is beautiful,” he said, but his gaze never left hers.
“It is,” she agreed, though she wasn’t sure if he was talking about the view anymore.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, and Capri could feel her heart now racing—the magnetic pull drawing her closer to him, inch by inch. Before she could stop herself, she reached up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, and in that moment, Jake stepped forward. His hand gently cupped her face, his thumb grazing her cheek.
“Capri...” he murmured, his voice low and full of something that sent a shiver through her.
And then, he kissed her.
The world seemed to still in that moment, the wind holding its breath, the trees standing silent witness. His lips were soft but sure, and the kiss was slow, tender, like he was savoring every second. Capri’s breath caught as she leaned into him, her hand instinctively finding its way to his chest. The heat of him, the solidness of him, was both overwhelming and comforting all at once. A rush of warmth flooded her chest, spreading through her, making her forget, for a moment, all the reasons she had to be afraid.
But as much as she wanted to stay in that moment, the familiar panic began to creep in. The kiss deepened, and with it came the realization of just how fast this was all happening. She wasn’t ready. Not yet. Not for this.
Capri pulled away, breathless and shaken, her heart hammering in her chest. “Jake, I...” Her voice faltered as the words tangled in her throat.
Jake stepped back immediately, his hand falling away, though his eyes stayed locked on hers. He looked concerned but not surprised, as if he knew this might happen. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “We don’t have to rush anything.”
Her chest ached with the weight of her own fear. She wanted this—wanted him—but the fear of what it all meant, of what it could lead to, was suffocating. She could do casual relationships that were meant to lead nowhere—but this?
“I just...” She shook her head, frustrated at her inability to explain the turmoil inside.
Jake’s expression remained calm, and his eyes held hers with quiet understanding. He didn’t push, didn’t question her hesitation, just let the moment settle between them. After a beat, he spoke, his voice soft and steady.
“Capri,” he began, his tone gentle but firm, “I get that you’re scared. Life throws a lot at us, and sometimes it feels like we have to handle it all on our own. But no one’s meant to go through this stuff alone. When hard times hit, that’s when we need each other the most.”
He took her shoulders and turned her toward the clearing. “See those sunflowers?”
