Chapter 30
Millie
W rath and his brothers went to one of the local gyms to work out. He apologized but said he ate way too much fried food yesterday. We’ve been hitting the high fat, high calorie foods hard these last couple of weeks.
While Wrath was occupied at the gym, I seized the opportunity to go horseback riding. My friends left this morning after breakfast. They had to get back to their jobs.
I dress in riding pants, a white V-neck tee and riding boots. My hair is up in a bouncy ponytail. I grab my hat and sunglasses before heading out to the SUV. Wrath took his bike... err sled this morning. On the way home, we’re taking the sled part of the way. Havoc or Mayhem will switch with us if my ass, legs and back can’t handle all nine hours from Pigeon Forge to New Orleans.
The drive to the stables only takes a few minutes. I can’t believe Lisa found a whole barn to rent on such short notice. She’s a dynamo and the best mom a girl could ask for. I may have gotten her when I was six, but I claim her as mine, nonetheless. She’s the example I’ll use and the person I run to when I have children of my own. Although I’m not sure if I want to adopt first or have a biological child first.
Something else to add to the list of where we’re living when we get back to New Orleans. With Wrath’s encouragement, I emailed my official resume to Gambit and Stormy.
The ride to the barn didn’t take long. I passed on, riding Magnus for one of the local horses. The people who own the barn also rented us the extra horses we needed to ride the other day. Lisa arranged for the horses to be available for our entire stay. I forgot to ask mom and dad who owns this place. It’s close to the Goodwyne’s, friends of the family.
Since I’m riding alone today, I think it’s best to use one of their horses. They’ll know the land better. Plus, if I get lost, they’ll know the way to the barn. I take my time looking in each stall. I’ll groom Magnus when I get back from my ride. I still can’t believe Wrath got me a horse and that they have stables an hour away.
I foresee a lot of riding on my days off. If I can talk Wrath into it, we can ride the sled to the stables. After several minutes of perusing the stalls, I choose a leggy buckskin gelding. It doesn’t take long for me to get him saddled. I studied the trail maps earlier and have one marked in my phone.
I clip my water bottle to the saddle and mount up. It’s a beautiful spring day. The sun is shining. The clouds are white and fluffy. The kind you lay on your back and watch the shapes as they drift by.
Our family and friends are all leaving over the next few days to allow us to have a couple days by ourselves. Honestly, I couldn’t have planned a more perfect wedding and honeymoon. I'm glad that we waited until after we were married to have sex.
Of course, the entire romance has been a completely unexpected whirlwind. I leave work single and exhausted. I’m returning as a happily married woman in need of losing five pounds. We’ve eaten our way through the surrounding area, including going to North Carolina.
We even went to Asheville one day to see the Biltmore Estate.
I wonder if my hubby will make this an annual trip. I love riding in the Smokies at spring’s first blush. The flowering trees are in full bloom. Daffodils are poking up from beneath the earth to turn their delicate faces to the sun. Brown grass is replaced by a blanket of lush green.
The path leads into the woods. I spot a blanket of wildflowers to my right. There’s blue phlox, lady slippers, and columbine. I hear the snap of twigs close by. I look around and don’t see anything. Could be a squirrel or a rabbit. This area is full of wildlife.
I turn my attention back to the path. The woods are becoming thicker. The trees blocking out most of the light. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting long shadows on the well-worn path. It’s peaceful out here. One of the many reasons I love the area. Cades Cove is a special favorite of mine, with buildings that are over a hundred years old.
Black bears still roam the area. I’ve seen bear cubs at least a dozen times growing up. Dad made sure we knew to stay away from the cubs and to never get in between a mama bear and her cub.
I hear something big crashing through the branches the same time the gelding smells something. The gelding takes off at a sprint. I hold on as the trees fly by me. A roar splits the air, and I don’t need to turn to know there’s a bear on the trail.
Question is why? They don’t just attack randomly. The bear is not my primary concern now. Holding on is. My heart is pounding louder than the horse’s hooves on the compacted dirt. I turn back to see the bear running across the trail rather than down it. It’s running from something.
Then suddenly I’m airborne. I have time to tuck my arms and legs in as I hit the dirt and start rolling down a steep hill. My body slams against a giant root or a rock before continuing. I don’t know how far down I fall, hitting who knows what along the way.
“Congrats on your wedding, sis!” I hear before maniacal laughter. Then I black out.