Hunter whinnied with delight as Waylon put his breakfast down.
“That’s a good boy.” Waylon tutted to Hunter as the horse started to rip apart the hay and nosh.
“I have to go check on the students and get this day rolling.” I put my arm around Waylon’s waist, stroking Hunter’s chin with the other hand. “But, why don’t you come back later around sunset so we can go for a ride?”
“I think that is an excellent idea.”
With a quick kiss goodbye, Waylon made his way out.
* * *
“Which horse doyou want to ride?” I asked, looking up at Waylon as we stood in the barn.
The chill from the sinking sun sent a brisk breeze through the walkway.
“Any one you want me to,” he responded, looking at all of the different name plaques.
“How about Cletus?”
“Dealer’s choice.”
Jessup threw Cara’s western saddle up into his arms in the tack room right in front of us. “Not to eavesdrop, but Stark hasn’t been ridden since Cara found out she’s preggo. Mind taking him out instead?”
I glanced over to Waylon. “As along as y’all don’t mind. It would be an honor.”
“I’ll get him ready for you.” Jessup went over to his wife’s horse to tack him up.
“You’ll like Stark. I helped break him when he was a baby. Super feisty with a heart of gold. Hunter really likes him too, so that’s a huge plus.”
After making sure Waylon was all set with Stark, I brought Hunter out of his stall. Swinging up, I hopped on bareback.
“Why do I have to have a saddle and you don’t?” Waylon teased as we started out for the field.
“Because I don’t trust you yet.” I snickered back, sticking my tongue out at him.
“I guess that is fair.”
When I gave Hunter a gentle kick and slapped the reins against his neck, he burst into a full gallop.
“Try to keep up,” I hollered back to Waylon.
Laughing along, we strode through the pink- and purple-kissed meadow. The feeling of the wind whipping through my hair with Hunter galloping under me was thrilling. It had been too long since I let my horse just run, and it was showing. I could feel how happy he was in his gait.
“This is incredible,” Waylon yelled.
I glanced over my shoulder, and the smile that filled Waylon’s face made my heart gush.
“Follow me,” I shouted over to him.
Turning Hunter, I slowed him down as we made our way onto a tree-canopied trail.
“Wow, this is gorgeous,” Waylon muttered as he looked around at all the old oaks and weeping willows.
“This is my favorite part of the property. We have a few acres of this.” I waved Waylon up to ride by my side. Reaching out, I grabbed his hand. “Thank you for coming here tonight.”
“Thank you for sharing this with me.”
After going through the whole looped trail, we galloped back to the stable, making it just in time before the sun completely set.