by A. E. Murphy
Nathan remains silent as he inspects the area. Then he finally asks, “So… what do you think?”
“I think I like it even more than the place in London!” I smile with glee and launch myself at him so he feels the full power of my excitement in my hug. “I’m so proud of you, Nathan.”
The loving look he gives me as he holds tight to my hips, keeping my body flush to his, makes me tingle with warmth. “This is the start of such a bright future, don’t you think?”
“That I do. And with Italy around the corner, what more could I ask for?”
“Exactly.”
“I am on cloud nine.”
“Me too.” His thumbs slide under the edge of my top and tickle the bare skin of my hips. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
His secretive grin only makes me giddier. “I really hope that whatever we’re doing today, it involves coffee.”
“We could scout out the local cafes before we leave?”
“Let’s go.”
We wave to the joiner and make our way onto the busy street. That’s the one thing I hate about living in the city; it’s always too busy. If the locals aren’t cluttering the streets, the tourists are and the paths just aren’t wide enough to accommodate.
The worst part about pushing through the crowds is the cigarette stench. Instead of stepping off to the side to smoke and then continuing their journey, people deem it okay to smoke as they wade through limbs. It’s gross and unfair. Just because they want to smoke doesn’t mean I do. I’ve had many of my clothes marked because people can’t keep their cigarettes to themselves. Nathan feels the same; he’s voiced this many times and it’s always evident on his face.
Fortunately, we don’t have to shuffle too far before we come across a cute little Italian style café with garlic braids hanging in the windows. Just for that detail alone I skip inside and order us both drinks and a muffin to go. Fingers crossed it’s good.
When we both agree that it is exceptional, I make a note to commute to this store more often, purely for the coffee only a few buildings down the street.
“Okay, so we have our coffee,” he grins, tapping his cup to mine over the console of the car. Taking a sip, he puts the paper cup in the cup holder next to mine and buckles his seatbelt. “We have each other.” When he taps his forehead to mine in the same manner that he tapped his cup to mine, I burst into a fit of giggles. Playful Nathan is the best kind of Nathan. “We have our instruments.”
“Our what?” I ask, still laughing, but then he starts to fumble with his jeans button. Images of him trying to tap said instrument against mine force me to slap his hand, laughing even harder. Turning to me and smiling, he finally places his hands on the steering wheel and asks, “Ready?”
“Yes.”
“You have the most beautiful smile.”
“Can we just go already?” I giggle, eager to get to my surprise.
“Fine, but you’re paying,” he jests and somehow manoeuvres the car onto the busy road.
I sigh dramatically. “I kind of maybe left my purse at home.”
“Clever.” His hand goes to my thigh and squeezes. “You’ll just have to pay me in other ways.”
“Now? While you’re driving?” I reach over and start to pull on the zipper of his jeans. “Well okay then.”
“Gwen!” His tone is panicked yet happy as he grips my hand in his to stop my assault. “Behave.”
“Boring.”
My thigh stings when he slaps it. I try not to react, knowing how much he loves it when I squeal. “Nob.”
“Language.”
“Language,” I mimic in a whiny, annoying tone.
“Don’t start that again.”
“Don’t start that again.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m…” His hand covers my mouth, which only makes me laugh harder. I’d lick his palm to get him off but he’s wearing his leather gloves so I’ll settle for nipping at it with my teeth instead.
“You’re such a child,” he smirks, finally releasing my mouth.
“Yet you love me.”
“I do. Without you my life would certainly be missing a lot.”
I melt over the console and nuzzle his shoulder and neck. “You’re the best.”
A solemn wave seems to pour from him into the space between us and his eyes cast a sad glow onto the road ahead. What I said has clearly upset him and my heart flutters painfully with the need to know what.
For now, I’ll continue to live in a state of blissful ignorance because I know that whatever it is, he’ll talk to me about it later, as promised. Please, whatever it is, don’t let it be so bad that I can’t deal. Whatever powers are out there in the universe, give me the strength to handle this alongside my future husband. Don’t let me fail.
The drive is fairly long and I’m totally unsure of where we are. I wasn’t following road signs; I was too busy annoying the love of my life by poking him repeatedly whilst asking, “Are we nearly there yet?”
Also I was texting Sasha about the kids. She’s unresponsive and part of me wonders if they’ve killed her. It wouldn’t surprise me; my kids are vicious.
I miss them.
“Almost there,” he grins, breaking the short break of silence between us.
“How close is almost?” I ask, pressing my face up against the glass of the door window. The weather is lovely, the sun shining over vast amounts of countryside. Are we going for a picnic? Or a stroll? This is so frustratingly exciting!
Nathan switches off the air con and rolls down the windows with a flick of a button. The scent of fresh fields in full bloom assaults my nose in the best way. Regardless of the fact I’m sneezing, I’m still enjoying every second.
“That breeze is the best,” I sigh wistfully and relax back into my seat. “Right?”
“Most definitely,” Nathan grins, looking as relaxed as I feel.
We finally slow on the long road and I see a large white house in the distance. Horses canter and play around a field across from it.
They are beautiful. There’s a particular horse with a large white patch across its rear that calls to me the most.
Nathan pulls into the wide driveway by the even larger country house, mindful of the two cars already parked.
My heart begins to quicken, my palms tingling with excitement.
“What’s going on?” I ask when the front door of the home opens and an older man steps out, beaming from ear to ear.
Nathan, still grinning, opens his door and climbs out to greet the man. I don’t wait for him to assist me in exiting the vehicle; I’m too excited to find out what on earth is going on.
“Mr Weston.” The man takes my fiancé’s gloved hand for a brief moment before turning to me. I can tell he’s a grafter simply by the coarseness of the skin of his hand that envelops my own. “Soon to be Mrs Weston, am I correct?”
“Well if you were wrong you’d have made my mistress very uncomfortable,” Nathan deadpans. I roll my eyes and slap his arm before telling the man, “Just Gwen is fine.”
“I’m George; this here is my farm and those are my horses…”
I want to scream for him to get to the point but that would be rude.
“The stable help are ready for you both.” He leads us around the house to a large area hidden by tall trees.
Stable help? Now I’m even more excited.
“We chose for you; I hope you don’t mind.”
“You know their temperaments better than anyone else, I’m sure,” Nathan says as he folds me under his arm and helps me walk along the cobbled path.
The walkway is narrow, surrounded by beautiful flowers in pots and hedges hiding what lies beyond from view. By now though I have it sussed but I don’t want to say it out loud until I’m sure.
Finally the large barn style stables come into view and I can’t help hissing out an ecstatic, “YES!”
Nathan winks at me and George finally allows us entry where two well d
ressed employees suit us up in the proper horse riding attire. I’ve never seen Nathan in breeches before. I need to see him in them again. I wonder if they’ll let us keep them. His legs look so powerful, toned and smooth. I have never been so turned on by the sight of such shapely man legs before. I’m officially weird but I have no regrets.
“These are yours too.” We’re passed helmets and Nathan helps to tighten the buckle of mine under my chin before allowing me to help him buckle his. I scratch at the scruff of his beard, kiss it and give an excited squeal when they inform us that we’re ready to meet our horses.
“I can’t believe you’ve done this,” I whisper, feeling all kinds of emotional. “This is…”
“Save it for later.” Nathan brings my gloved hand to his lips, his eyes holding mine. “Let’s go and meet our horses.”
The scent of the stables is exactly how I imagined it to be. It reminds me of rats. Everything in nature reminds me of rats but my happiness at the situation overrides my fear of the mini demonic buck tooth creatures with tails like a dying worm and…
“You look pale,” Nathan whispers.
I shake my head to rid myself of the thoughts. It doesn’t take much to distract me as I’m too busy inwardly screaming at the sight of a beautiful dark brown horse coming my way. It’s a lot bigger than I imagined.
“This gorgeous boy is Retro.” George pats his beautiful, long brown nose and tugs on the saddle. “He will be your chauffeur for your ride.”
Nathan walks me around the side of him. My nerves are shot. I’ve never ridden a horse before, although I’ve always wanted to.
He takes my hand as the others verbally guide me up a set of wooden steps. I’m instructed to put one foot in the stirrup and swing the other over the horse’s wide back. This is extremely nerve wracking.
“I’m going to fall,” I laugh and Nathan uses this as permission to place a firm hand on my rear. “Stop.”
“I’m just helping,” he jests and I count down out loud before hopping onto the horse. I’m not very graceful but after sliding around on the saddle a little I finally get my leg over and breathe a sigh of relief.
“Are you okay?” Nathan asks, gripping my thigh as the horse takes a sideways step.
“Oh my god.” I feel the power of the beast beneath me and my fear floods a huge amount of adrenaline through my system. I’ve never felt so tall, high and powerful. “This is amazing.”
“Am I okay to leave you so I can situate myself?” Nathan asks, rubbing my thigh with his thumb.
I nod, smiling down at him, and watch as he’s guided to his own even larger horse than mine. It’s pure black with the most beautiful braided mane.
Nathan slips onto his horse without guidance and with such ease. He aims a smug grin at me and I flip him off and show him my tongue.
“What’s your horse called?”
“Moon Vessel,” he chuckles and I follow suit. What an odd one. I love it though. It suits him.
“You certainly planned this on the perfect day,” George comments as he brings out his own horse. “Zephyr and I love walking in the sun.”
“I’m glad,” I state because I’m not sure what else to state.
“I’ll be taking point, but I won’t bother you as promised. I’m a safeguard because you’re new to the horses and you,” he nods at me, “Are new to horse riding.”
I smile sheepishly and scrunch my nose up at Nathan.
“Are you clear on all of the instructions you were given?”
We both confirm we are. I can tell by the quickness of Nathan’s tone that he’s as eager to actually start as I am.
“Let’s go.”
It’s the moment of truth.
With little nudges from the heel of my boot, Retro takes his first steps. My body sways with it. It’s surprisingly comfortable at the moment, but I have no doubt that will change with time.
“Pull to a stop just beyond the doors and I’ll take lead,” George calls as Nathan spurs Moon Vessel to my side.
“Where are we going?” I ask, staring down at my horse with wide eyes. He’s holding such a steady and controlled pace; does he know I’m new? Somebody once told me that horses can read people better than people. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know, but I sure hope he isn’t getting spooked by my fear. I’m trying my hardest to be calm.
“See that footpath just across the street?”
I nod in response and shield my eyes with one hand so I can get a better glimpse of where I’m looking. The sun is so high in the sky it seems. Its heat is beautiful. I feel as though I’m in a foreign country.
“I’m going to take you along there to an opening in the fence. The route is all mud paths. Just follow my lead and keep off the fields and you’ll be fine.
Fields. Shudder.
I wonder if Nathan put a lot of thought into that too. Did he ensure that I wouldn’t have to be crossing through any kind of grass that is higher than my ankle?
“This is crazy,” I whisper when Nathan lags a little to fall into step beside me.
“It is,” he agrees, grinning widely.
Seeing him sitting on his horse, his posture relaxed, his hand holding the saddle between his legs as the other lazily holds the reigns, I feel as though I want to climb onto his lap, wrap my legs around his hips and ask him to gallop. The horses aren’t the only things that are going to be ridden today.
The sun hits his face, lighting up his beautiful features, shining on his easy smile and making him glow with a calming aura that I hope to absorb into myself. He’s stunning. Every part of him.
“You’re staring,” he tells me, but instead of being irritated like he would have been once upon a time, he only seems amused.
“Sorry,” I mumble and look ahead. George has kept his word as he keeps his distance. He only glances back every so often to ensure that we aren’t up to no good. “I wish I had the time, patience and money to adopt such beautiful creatures.”
“Agreed.” Nathan leans forward and pats the strong neck of his broad beauty. “Alas, I think I’ll stick to just hiring one out every now and then.”
“Amen,” I giggle.
“I’ve missed you.”
“Huh?”
His eyes hold that same sadness to them that they did earlier and it twists my heart. “Every day that I’ve been away has been torture.”
“For me as well.”
“It’s wrong that I’m relieved to hear you say that.” He shakes his head, smiling, and then stretches high, releasing both hands off the reins and saddle. He’s crazy. I daren’t even scratch my nose with my pinkie. “I really wish I’d insisted on wearing my own attire. This shirt is itchy.”
“You look so sexy though.”
To further prove my statement, he wags his brows at me and gives me just a glimpse of his teeth as he smiles a seductive smile.
We’ve come such a long way he and I. Sometimes I think back to those first few months together and how lost and hostile he was towards me. Underneath it all was such a wonderful person just aching to connect with somebody. I’m fortunate enough to be that somebody.
“What’s wrong?” His smile fades to concern. He can read me like a book.
“I’m just happy.”
When his smile returns, so does mine, but it soon vanishes when he reaches out a hand to me for comfort.
I shake my head, “Are you crazy? I’ll die.”
He laughs and off we trot into the horizon. Literally.
Chapter Seventeen
I was right earlier about aching after a few hours. My thighs are killing me but I don’t regret a second of it.
Nathan truly has made this day so special. Immediately after we finished riding, we used a guest room in the house to shower together. That was nice. I was sweating so badly, it really ruins the romantic image. It was especially hard keeping our hands to ourselves but it had to be done or we’d have been late for our dinner reservations at a highly exclusive little cottage restaurant in pract
ically the middle of nowhere.
All it serves are home cooked grandma meals as Nathan refers to them. Stews, hotpots, dumplings, proper mashed potatoes and sausages, etc. Personally, I love mash and gravy so I chose that whereas Nathan chose a lamb hotpot. Then for dessert we received home cooked pie and custard. It was lovely. I’m almost crying at the thought that we have to go home, back to reality where a certain conversation awaits us.
I can tell that Nathan is dreading it too. The closer we get, the quieter he becomes until finally, he’s as tense as a rod with the personality to match.
His breathing quickens and I worry that this might be the beginning of a panic attack.
“I’ll put the kettle on,” I say softly, hoping to give him a minute to gather himself. I hate that whatever he’s bearing is weighing so heavily on him. He needs to let it all out. He also needs coffee because once he sees how ridiculous he’s being, he’ll hopefully be up for that ride I promised myself earlier.
“My mother contacted me,” he blurts. Clearly the pressure just burst because I’ve never heard him speak so quickly before. It’s followed by a hefty exhale.
Luckily, my back is to him as I’m filling the kettle so I gather what little I have left of my composure and turn to the kettle base. “Oh.”
“After my dad was released of charges.”
“Okay… and?” I place the kettle on the base and flip the switch. The side glows blue and I focus on that so I don’t explode along with Nathan’s pressure switch.
“And… umm…” He scratches his growing beard. He’s hiding something. “Nothing really. I just wanted to know how you felt about that I guess.”
“You know I hate your family… all of them.” And I don’t have a single apology for it. “What did she say?”
“Just that she wanted to be in the kids’ lives and that she’s left my dad.”
Is that why she’s been coming to my restaurant? To make contact?
“What did you say?” His silence panics me. “Nathan… what did you say?”
“We spoke a little, but nothing.” Stepping into me he cups my cheek with his hand. “I can see you’re upset.”
“I can’t stand her.”