Chapter 28 #2
“Rise and shine, love. Happy Thanksgiving.”
After two months together, I’ve learned that Ethan’s adorably slow to wake up in the morning. His response to my greeting is to offer me a slumberous gaze and a sulky pout. When he rolls over onto his stomach and buries his face in his pillow, I playfully swat his ass.
Ethan’s head pops up.
“It is now,” he replies, waggling his eyebrows. “Are we having an early morning workout?”
“Not that kind. We’re heading to Angel Lake so I can teach you how to row.”
Ethan’s arm snakes around my waist and pulls me in close. I don’t resist. It’s futile.
“I thought you were gonna teach me to ride a horse.”
“Later. First we take the truck and head for the lake so we can watch the sunrise. Then we come back, eat a mountain of eggs, and tend to the horses.”
“Tend? What does that mean?”
“It means you get to meet them, feed them, and clean out their stalls.”
Ethan hums and kisses my shoulder.
“Will you wear your chaps?”
I burst out laughing. Ever since we started planning this trip, it’s all Ethan talks about.
“I will.”
“Then I will bravely face my fear of large animals and the horrible task of cleaning their mounds of shit.”
“We’ll make a cowboy out of you yet,” I whisper.
I lean down to kiss him, and his responding groan has me questioning whether we’re going to make it to the lake at all.
“Do you have one of those tight rowing outfits for me to wear?”
“Nope.” I chuckle. “Sweats. It’s cold this morning.”
“Damn. I was hoping to tease you in those lycra shorts.”
“It’s not helpful if your teacher is distracted.”
Half an hour later, with coffee mugs in hand, we head for the lake.
The drive takes no time at all, and we pull into a spot near the dock to unload the two-person shell and oars.
As the sun inches up over the mountains, the midnight sky turns a beautiful shade of blue, as pale as a robin’s egg.
Everything out here always feels bigger and brighter.
I glance at the shoreline, dotted with rocky inlets, sandy beaches, and wooden docks that I know so well.
I’ve explored every part of this lake, and like a siren, it calls me back again and again.
“Wow, I can see why this place is special to you. It’s beautiful. And so quiet.”
“No motorboats allowed except on weekends.”
We head for the water and as per my instruction, Ethan slips into the shell first, in the seat ahead of me. Since it’s easier to learn how to scull, that is, rowing with two oars, I show him the correct way to make a full stroke.
“Is it wrong that I’m getting turned on by this?” He chuckles.
“Pay attention, love.”
“It’s hard to do that when you’re touching me and talking about stroking.”
I can’t contain my laughter as we push away from the dock.
“This is so cool,” he remarks. “But it’s definitely more difficult than it looks.”
We’re in danger of tipping over a few times because Ethan keeps turning around to talk to me, throwing off our balance.
It doesn’t matter. I’d gladly tip over and risk a dunk in the cold water rather than temper his enthusiasm.
I’m distracted in the best way as I spend more time watching and listening to Ethan rather than teaching him to row.
We pause when we get to the middle of the lake, the sun climbing higher. I risk another tip and lean forward to kiss his neck. Ethan turns his head, and our lips meet in a languid kiss.
“We’re in danger of falling overboard again,” he teases.
“Not to worry. If it happens, I’ll rescue you.”
“I know. It’s one of the many reasons why I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He gives me another long, sweet kiss.
“But don’t go easy on me on the way back to the dock,” Ethan quips. “I want to learn so we can do this more often.”
Ethan’s been teaching me how to skate back at Sutton, so it’s only fair I return the favor.
The journey to the dock is surprisingly smooth. Ethan’s a fast learner, and when he puts his mind to something, there’s no stopping him. I’ll make a rower out of this hockey boy in no time.
An hour later, after a rest to enjoy the sunshine, we pack up the shell and head back to the ranch for breakfast. Cate, Harry, and my grandparents are gathered around the kitchen table, where platters of biscuits, fried eggs, and gravy are laid out.
“Mornin’,” Pops comments with a grin. “You boys were out early.”
“I took Ethan to Angel Lake.”
“I think I’ve found my second favorite sport,” Ethan announces and claps his hands when he looks at the breakfast spread. “Ooh, this smells incredible.”
“Eat up,” I encourage. “We’ve got chores to do.”
“We’ll help too,” Harry offers. “I can’t wait to see Ethan face off with a horse.”
Cate giggles, and I bite back a laugh as my boyfriend reaches for a biscuit. For a second it looks like he’s contemplating throwing it at Harry’s head, but then he shoves it in his mouth instead and makes a loud groan of approval.
“Your food is spoiling me,” Ethan admits to my nan. “Thank you.”
“No thanks needed, honey, but it’s appreciated. Now, eat up before everything gets cold.”
We do as we’re told, and once our bellies are full, we head back to my room to change.
Ethan slides on his jeans and a denim button down with the sleeves rolled up. When he slips on a pair of my boots, he fits right in on the ranch.
“You look so fucking hot,” I admit and slide my finger into his belt loop, tugging him closer.
“No time for that, Sugar,” he teases me. “Chores first.”
I reluctantly let him go and reach for my favorite pair of worn denims and a green plaid button down. Then I pull on my oldest pair of cowboy boots and we head back through the living room to meet up with Cate and Harry.
Ethan reaches for my hand, and I notice it’s unusually clammy. He really is nervous about being around the horses. We’ve got cattle on the ranch too, but I think I’ll save that introduction for tomorrow.
“We’ll take this slowly,” I whisper to him. “You’ll be fine in no time. Trust me?”
Ethan looks at me with a tender smile.
“You know I do.”
When we arrive at the stables, I ask Ethan and his siblings to wait as I head for the tack room.
I know exactly how to distract Ethan from his nerves…
It takes me a few minutes to get ready, and when I head back out, I find my grandfather joining our group.
As I stalk toward my boyfriend, the worry in his expression falls away and he’s my Ethan again. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the way he looks at me or the way he makes me feel.
“Time to meet our equine family.”
“Harry, Cate, you come with me,” Pops directs.
They head down to the far end of the stable, leaving me alone with Ethan.
“Baby, are you going to wear those leather chaps all day?” Ethan whispers.
“What do you think?”
Ethan moans.
“I have so many fantasies that aren’t appropriate given where we are and who’s around.”
“Still nervous?”
Ethan shakes his head.
“Not as long as you’re near.”