Page 80 of A Legacy of the Light

“I told you,” I say, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“Could you be any more smug right now?” he laughs.

“I could, but I’m going to be gracious in my win.” I lift my chin and lower my upper half delicately, like a well-trained lady.

“But you’re dying to rub it in my face though, aren’t ya?”

I hold my thumb and forefinger close together, indicating a tiny bit.

Tavish drops his head and laughs. Atlas huffs and shakes out his mane, as if he’s pissed he lost to us.

“Where did you learn to ride like that?” Tavish asks as we walk at the slowest possible pace, allowing the horses to catch their breath.

“I told you I used to ride when I was younger. Granted, it’s been a while, but it’s how I spent every weekend. Granny was even better than me. She taught me everything I know.” With the adrenaline still running through me, I feel nothing but warmth when I think of all those lessons with her.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Trust me, she was wicked fast. I used to tease her and tell her it’s because she was so small.”

Tavish grins and we continue our path down the bank of the lake. “I sort of wish we weren’t racing so I could just marvel at how happy you looked riding Mabel like that.”

I smile warmly at him. “Thank you for bringing me here today. I forgot how much I love this and that feeling. Besides, I can always race you on the way back, too.”

“Ha! No thanks. You’ve shamed me enough for one day.”

“Sore loser,” I jest.

“But we can go again on the way back. Just for fun, no race this time. I already owe you three honest answers and frankly, I have no idea what you’re going to ask me.”

“I will have to think of some juicy ones to ask you. Really peel back Tavish Logan’s layers and see what’s underneath all that muscle.”

Tavish chuckles. “You let me know when you’ve thought of them.”

“I will,” I reply, and we remain in companionable silence as we continue.

“What’s this lake called?” I ask after fifteen minutes. I remember seeing it labelled on the map but I can’t remember its name.

“Ederline,” Tavish informs me. “Is that one of your questions? I have to say I expected more from you.”

“Yeah, that was my first question, Tavish.” I roll my eyes in sarcasm and Tavish huffs a laugh in response.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Tavish nudge Atlas into a trot. “Come on, we’ve still got a way to go before we get there.”

“Get where?”

“Still not telling you. You’ll have to wait and see!” he calls, pulling ahead of us.

I urge Mabel to up her pace and we follow Tavish back onto the path. There’s another fork ahead and Tavish takes the one that leads into the forest. We don’t slow down as we head deeper into the trees.

“How do you know your way so well?” I ask, since Tavish guides us through the pathways without any problems, and seems to know exactly where he is going.

“This question thing really is easier than I thought it would be.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

I sigh loud enough so he can hear me. “How about I tell you when I’m about to ask one of my three questions?”

“Seems logical enough,” he replies. “We’re going to one of my favorite spots. I come here as often as I can, so I’ve memorized the way.”

“How many times did you get lost when you first found it?” I query, recalling what he said when I asked about the building of the roads.