Page 58 of Claiming What Is Mine

“How’s it feel? Being back in the saddle, I mean. Natural, like riding a bike? Or unnatural, like you’re about to fall off a horse?” Gabe asks as he prompts his horse in my direction.

“Uhh, too soon to tell?” I take a breath to steady my nerves while I reorient to being on horseback.

“Why don’t I take the lead out of the barn? We can walk the fence until you’re comfortable, sound okay? Henrietta will do most of the work if you let her.”

I lean forward and rub Henrietta’s neck while I whisper into her ear. “Be gentle with me today, okay? I’m carrying precious cargo.” She responds with a quiet nicker.

Gabe clicks his tongue and calls to Henrietta. Chk chk. “Come on girl.” And, voila, the mare eases us forward.

What would otherwise be a hot, uncomfortable August afternoon is picture perfect. Fluffy clouds fill the sky, tempering the summer sun. A breeze blows, steady and cool across the grassland as we explore the ranch. Gabe patiently leads, occasionally falling back to check on me and sharing stories about his experiences growing up on the land. We cross a small creek and climb a narrow path that seems like it leads nowhere, but after cresting the hill our view opens to a beautiful, sloping hillside adorned with a single twisted pine.

“Gabe. The view. It’s…” I struggle to find a word befitting the sight in front of me. “…awesome.”

He pulls on the reins and halts his horse until I catch up. “Wow. You’re right. I’ve only ever been out here when I was working cattle, I guess I never stopped long enough to appreciate the landscape. Gabe points to the tree. “Looks like someone has, though. Judging by that circle of rocks.”

“Who would’ve done that?” I ask.

“It could only be Chet. I don’t think Hank is capable of appreciating this.” Gabe sweeps his arm in front of him, indicating the view of the mountains in the distance. “Best case, he’d come flying over the hill on a four-wheeler and crash into the tree.”

“I can almost see it.” I laugh. “Want to stop here for a while?”

“Well, how are you feeling? I actually had another spot in mind, if you’re up to it.”

I pat Henrietta’s shoulder. “She’s taking good care of us both.”

Gabe smiles. “Good. Let’s get to it then, shall we?” He leads us down the hillside and around a bend in the path. We wander through a meadow, sprinkled with wildflowers.

Gabe is several lengths ahead. “How lovely,” I call out. “Is this the spot you wanted to show me?”

Gabe turns back. “This?” He chuckles. “No, this is just a pasture that’s overdue to be cut or get the cows out grazing. The place I want to show you is a little more impressive. At least, I hope you think so.”

More impressive than the view of the mountains before? More impressive than this? “Alright then, lead on.” Eventually, we make our way across the meadow to the tree line.

Without turning back, Gabe calls out, “Almost there.”

With Henrietta doing all the work, I lose myself to my thoughts, appreciating the temperature change, thanks to the shade overhead. I wonder how many other jaw dropping panoramas the Wilde’s have just outside their door.

“Hey.” Gabe’s voice catches my attention. “You better stop or she’s liable to take you right up to the water’s edge for a drink.”

My jaw drops as I take in the landscape. Smack dab in the middle of an otherwise thick area of spruce and pine trees, we stand in a small clearing carved out by a quaint little pond. The faintest sound of running water from a small stream that feeds the pond mixes with birds chirping in the trees. I exhale a deep breath. “It’s so peaceful. Is this a place you come when you need to get away from, whatever?”

Gabe climbs down from his horse, allowing him to wander over to the water. “Honestly? The thought never crossed my mind before today.”

“You’re kidding.” I lift my leg over the saddle. “Even with the effort it takes to get here, I’d want to come back every day.”

“Whoa. Just hang on a sec, would you?” Gabe rushes over to steady the mare as I attempt to climb down. And not a moment too soon, because she shifts, causing me to fall back. “Easy. I’ve got you,” Gabe says as he catches me in his arms.

I look up at him. “My hero.”

“Jeez, woman. Are you alright?” His eyes are filled with worry.

“Never been better.” I smile.

Gabe retrieves a couple of blankets from the horses and lays them out for us to sit. “I’ve probably been here a hundred times over the years. Usually tracking a straggler who wandered into the woods and found the water. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always thought it seemed like it was worthy of a love scene in a movie, but when you’re trying to keep up with a head of cattle, you don’t always have time to stop and smell the roses. You know? Until today. I wanted to bring you some place special and this seemed like it fit the bill.”

I wrap my arms around his waist. “It most definitely fits the bill. Thank you,” I say, before leaning in and kissing him. Gabe and I lie on the blankets and stare up at the sky, calling out the different shapes we see in the clouds while we enjoy the sounds of nature.

Gabe sits up, resting his weight on his elbows. “I hate to leave, but we should probably head back soon.”

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