Chapter 20
Wrath
M y bride and I are up early this morning. We’re going horseback riding. All twenty-four of us, including my parents. Brian arranged with a couple local stables to borrow the sixteen horses we’d need, including having them delivered to the trail.
I kiss Millie gently. Her lashes flutter open. Brilliant green eyes look my way.
“Good morning, wife.”
She smiles up at me. My heart skips a beat.
“Good morning, husband.”
“Are you ready to rise and shine? We have a big day planned.”
“We do?”
“Yes, we’re going trail riding. Lisa said you love riding through Cades Cove. We’re taking the Indian Grave Gap, Crooked Arm trail.”
“Is your ass ready for that many hours on horseback?”
I smile and nod. “Hours of riding my sled has to be worth something.”
“It’ll help for sure. Are your parents coming?”
“They are. Everyone is coming.”
“That’s two-dozen people. This is going to be so much fun.”
After a quick shower and heavy petting session, we head to the common building. The smell of food greets us. A breakfast buffet is spread out and waiting. It looks like we’re the last to arrive.
Brian and Lisa thought of everything.
We’re greeted with catcalls and whistles.
“They came up for air,” Papa yells.
The room laughs. I look at both sets of parents. They’re smiling and laughing too. It’s fun to see Mom and Pop dressed in jeans, boots, and tees. Millie and I load our plates and join our friends and family. We spend the better part of an hour eating and chatting.
“Are you ready to ride?” I ask my parents.
“As ready as we’ll ever be, son,” Dad replies.
After everyone’s finished with breakfast, we all load up into vehicles. Brian texted me earlier to let me know they’d hired someone to drive the horses to the trail. Millie and I drive our SUV. Roman, Shellie, and Nathalie ride with us.
The forty-minute drive is through beautiful scenery. The mountains are in bloom. Trees are unfurling their leaves. Spring flowers are popping up out of the ground. The grass is green. I pull the SUV beside the Barnes’ truck and get out.
There’s a large barn where everyone is headed. I have a surprise for Millie waiting inside. I thread my fingers through hers and walk into the barn with the group.
“Hey Millie, there’s something here for you,” Micah yells from the back of the barn.
Millie looks up at me. I shrug and lead her further into the barn. At the very back of the barn is Micah, holding the reins of a dapple-gray horse. My wedding present to my wife.
Millie
I ’m deliciously sore as we walk from the vehicles to the barn. The barn is a new structure and wasn’t here when we came last time. I keep thinking this is a dream. A wonderful, fantastic dream that I never want to wake up from.
I can’t believe his family and club brothers came to Tennessee at a moment’s notice. Not only that, but they’re going horseback riding with us. And not a short trail either. We’ll ride for two to two and half hours before taking a break and having lunch. After some leisure time, we’ll saddle up and ride back.
I hear Micah yell from the back of the barn. Hmm, what could there be for me. Do I want to know? My brothers are famous for their pranks. The crowd parts to reveal Micah holding the reins of an absolutely stunning horse. As I walk closer, I note it’s a gelding. I put him around sixteen hands. He has a dapple-gray coat and two white socks. When I get to his side, Micah lifts the reins.
“Your man got you a new ride.”
“His name is Magnus. He’s a seven-year-old Andalusian.” Wrath says.
“He’s mine?”
“He is.” My husband acknowledges.
I swallow the squee. I don’t want to startle Magnus or any of the other horses.
“Lisa said Soldier doesn’t like to travel. I thought you might like a horse to ride in New Orleans.”
“Can we keep him at Dakota’s ranch?”
“We can, unless you want to keep him at a stable that is closer.”
I shake my head. “No, with my shift, a twenty-minute drive isn’t that much different from a forty-minute drive.”
“Wait a sec, Micah,” I say, as he offers me the reins, before turning around and throwing my arms around my husband. I stand on my tiptoes, bringing our lips together. I pour all my love and passion into the kiss. I can feel him grow hard.
“Sorry, I whisper.”
He chuckles. “It’s worth it.”
I turn back and take the reins. I offer my hand to Magnus and let him smell me before I run my hand over his nose and up his face. He’s already saddled now. When we’re done with the ride, I’ll unsaddle him and groom him. I’ll touch him more and we can get to know each other better.
“Let’s roll,” Dad says loud enough for everyone to hear.
It takes a few minutes to get everyone mounted. Dad leads the way. Wrath and I wind up in the middle. While my brothers are bringing up the rear. That way, the experienced riders are interspersed and can help if needed.
The birds are singing. The sun is shining. It's a beautiful day and I’m a married woman. I’m married and this is my honeymoon. How fucking wild is that?
We chat as we traverse the wooded trails. Cades Cove is one of my favorite places on the planet. It’s like seeing the face of God. So peaceful. And with such beauty. I love being out in nature. Doing it on horseback makes it even better. At least for me. It’s heaven. I wonder if this is how Wrath feels about riding motorcycles. It’s exhilarating.