Page 68 of Journey to Love

Marissa nods understandingly. “Yeah, I get that. And how are you holding up?” she inquires, her gaze probing.

I furrow my brows in confusion. “What do you mean?” I ask, unsure of where she's going with this.

She offers me a sympathetic smile. “Anya has been through quite an ordeal, and you weren’t there. If I know you like I do, you're probably beating yourself up for not being able to protect her.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she holds up a hand, silencing me. “From what Mom told me, Anya had a really rough night, and she was alone,” Marissa continues. I nod, feeling a knot form in my stomach. “She was alone, and you were miles away, feeling helpless. But Jacob, her getting hurt was not your fault. You did the only thing you could at the moment and called the authorities. It may have been a misunderstanding, but at the time, you didn’t know that.”

I take in her words, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt swirling inside me. “Yeah, but it gets me thinking, you know? Anya has a past, and I’ll let her tell you if she wants, but all I can say is that she has been through a lot of rough times. When I leave for the Army, who's going to protect her? There are going to be times where I won’t hear from her for days,” I admit, my voice tinged with worry.

Marissa stops and looks at me, her eyes full of conviction. “From what both you and Mom have told me, I believe Anya is strong. She would not be out here with you if she wasn’t. You say that she has a hard past, but yet she is still here. She is strong, and there will be times where she forgets that about herself. But that’s why she has you. Because you are strong too. The universe, fate, or whatever you want to call it, would not have brought you two together if you both weren’t strong enough to handle all that life throws at you,” she says, her words ringing with truth.

With a newfound sense of reassurance, I nod, grateful for Marissa's wisdom. We resume our walk, the weight on my shoulders feeling a little lighter.

We return from feeding the animals, and I quickly hop in the shower. When I come back downstairs, Anya is sitting at the table, engaged in conversation with Mom and Marissa. Her smile lights up the room when she sees me, and I can't help but feel a surge of warmth.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I greet her with a hug.

“Good morning,” she replies, blushing slightly.

“Did you sleep okay?” I inquire, concerned for her well-being.

“Yeah, surprisingly it was the best sleep I’ve had in a while,” she answers, pausing for a moment. “I think it’s because it's so serene and peaceful here.”

“Yeah, it's definitely a different scene compared to New Jersey, especially around this time of year when everyone flocks to the shore for vacation,” I remark.

Anya laughs, nodding in agreement. “Oh, you have no idea how crazy it really gets!”

“Oh, I'm aware. I was there for the Fourth of July, remember?” I tease, recalling the chaos of the beach during the holiday.

Anya chuckles, her eyes glimmering with memories of beachside chaos. "Yeah, that’s pretty much how it is every weekend at the beach. And since I live so close to it, the roads are always packed, and the nightlife near the beach is even crazier.”

“I think that’s why I love it here,” she adds thoughtfully. “Here, it feels like the world stops, and you have time to enjoy the simple things of life. Like, don’t get me wrong, I will always be a beach girl, but it's nice to enjoy some peace and quiet every now and then,” she concludes, her tone carrying a hint of nostalgia.

We all nod in agreement, savoring the quiet moment before diving into our breakfast and continuing our conversation, cherishing the simplicity of the morning.

After breakfast, we all chip in to tidy up. Despite my protests, Anya insists on tackling the dishes, saying it’s the least she could do for making breakfast. As she finishes the last dish, I sneak up behind her and plant a kiss on her cheek.

“So, are you ready to learn how to ride a horse?” I ask, excitement evident in my voice. Anya's face lights up, and she nods eagerly.

“Absolutely!” she exclaims.

“Okay, as much as I absolutely love seeing you in your shorts—and believe me, I could ogle those beautiful, thick legs all day,” I say with a playful grin, glancing down at her attire, “you'll need to wear loose fitting pants to avoid saddle chafing. Plus, it will help you keep your legs at the side to give you more control.”

Anya laughs. “Got it! Jeans it is then?”

“Yes, the thicker, the better,” I reply with a grin of my own.

Anya emerged a short while later, clad in blue jeans and a short-sleeve button-down shirt. The jeans fit her loosely, Anya following our recommendations to the letter. Their dark wash, almost navy hue, gave them a subtle sheen under the sunlight, while the rugged denim material hinted at her readiness for outdoor activities.

Her short-sleeve button-down shirt, in a complementary light blue shade, offered a striking contrast against the dark jeans. Tailored to perfection, it hugged her figure in all the right places, emphasizing her curves and showcasing her smooth arms. Together, the ensemble exuded effortless charm and understated elegance, perfectly complementing Anya's natural beauty.

As she stepped out, she pulls her hair up in a low ponytail, there was a certain ease in her demeanor, a sense of belonging that seemed to blend seamlessly with the rustic charm of the countryside. She looked every bit like she belonged here, amidst the sprawling fields and rustic landscapes, embodying the spirit of adventure and outdoor living.

"Is this okay?" Anya asks, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she adjusts her attire.

I smile warmly and nod, unable to resist teasing her gently. "You look beautiful in anything, Anya," I reassure her, leaning in closer to whisper in her ear. "And you also look beautiful in nothing at all," I add playfully, watching as a faint blush colors her cheeks and she returns my smile coyly.

As we begin to make our way toward the stables, I notice her choice of footwear and pause. "Umm, do you happen to have high boots of some sort?" I inquire, realizing the importance of proper riding attire.

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