Page 79 of Crossroads of Love

“Ready to check out the rest of the acreage?” Gavin asks, grinning over at me, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“I thought you’d never ask,” I say, nudging Honey forward with a gentle tap of my heels. She responds easily, her gait smooth and steady as we fall in step beside Gavin and Buck.

The wind picks up slightly, brushing loose strands of my hair across my face, but I don’t mind. There’s something freeing about it. The way the air feels against my skin and the open sky seems to stretch on forever. The world is wide and endless, and the troubles weighing on me seem so much smaller from up here.

They’re not, but I can pretend for now.

We ride along the fence line, the path winding gently through Henry’s sprawling acres of land. Tall, golden grass sways in the breeze, dotted with wildflowers that catch the sun in vibrant bursts of yellow and purple. The hills roll lazily, and in the distance, I can see the blue outline of the mountains, their peaks just barely visible against the horizon. The trees are starting to turn, their leaves a mix of green and gold, and I realize how much I’ve missed this, how much I’ve missed being outside, feeling the earth beneath me, the air in my lungs.

I glance at Gavin, watching him guide Buck with ease, one hand holding the reins loosely, the other resting casually on his thigh. There’s something about him, something so steady, so solid, that makes me feel safe. Like no matter what happens, he’s got it handled. And right now, that’s exactly what I need.

He looks so handsome up there, so calm and stoic.

“You doing okay over there?” he asks, his voice cutting through the wind as he turns to look at me, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

“I’m great,” I reply, smiling back. “I forgot how good this feels. I think I needed this.”

“See? Told you I had a good idea for once.”

I laugh softly. “Just this once, huh?”

“Don’t push your luck,” he teases, giving me a wink that spreads warmth through my chest.

After that, we fall into a comfortable silence; the only sounds are the rhythmic thud of the horses’ hooves on the soft dirt path and the occasional rustle of the wind through the trees. It’s peaceful out here, a world away from the drama, the lies, and the mess Aaron left behind. It’s just me, Gavin, and the wide-open sky out here.

I take a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill my lungs, clearing my head. It feels like a reset, like I can leave all the bullshit behind me, at least for a little while. I steal another glance at Gavin, noticing the way his broad shoulders shift with the horse's movement and his easy confidence in handling Buck. It’s hard to believe that not long ago, I was buried under a mountain of heartache, yet here I am, feeling lighter and freer with him next to me.

“Looks like you’re getting the hang of it again,” Gavin says, his eyes flicking to me, full of warmth and amusement.

“Don’t act so surprised,” I retort, grinning. “I grew up on horses, remember?”

“I remember.” He chuckles. “But I also remember you saying it had been a while.”

“It’s like riding a bike,” I say with a shrug, though I can’t help the playful smirk tugging at my lips. “You never really forget.”

“Oh, so now you’re an expert?”

“I wouldn’t say expert, but…” I raise an eyebrow at him, challenging him a little.

He looks at me, and a teasing smile spreads across his face, and I know exactly what’s coming. Before I can react, Gavin clicks his tongue and nudges Buck forward, the horse springing into a canter.

“Oh, you’re so going to regret that!” I shout, laughing as I kick Honey into a faster pace, the wind whipping through my hair as we take off after him.

For a moment, it’s just the thrill of the chase. Honey’s muscles move powerfully beneath me, her strides long and smooth, and I lean forward, feeling the rush of speed and the ride's exhilaration. Gavin glances over his shoulder, his grin wide as Buck thunders ahead, and I push Honey harder, determined not to let him get too far ahead.

The landscape blurs around me as we race across the field, the golden grass bending in the breeze. It’s like flying, like nothing else matters except the feel of the horse beneath me and the laughter bubbling up inside me.

Finally, Gavin slows Buck, and I pull Honey to a stop beside him, both of us panting, laughing as we catch our breath. The horses snort, their sides heaving, but they seem just as exhilarated as we are.

“I think I won,” he says, looking far too pleased with himself.

“Did not!” I protest, shaking my head. “I was right behind you the whole time!”

“Right behind isn’t winning, Lena.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” I quip, grinning as I reach over to swat his arm playfully.

He grabs my wrist before I can make contact, his touch sending a little jolt through me. Our eyes meet, and everything around us fades away for a second. It’s just us, the space between us charged with something unspoken, something I’ve been trying to ignore for too long.

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