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“Sure. I think we’re coming over there Saturday afternoon to ride. Chris is supposed to be here tonight.”
“Oh, good,” Maggie said. “And I’ll see you in the morning at the park.”
They said goodbye. She finished cooking and called Justin in for breakfast. They were just finishing up when the nanny pulled in next to Justin’s truck.
“It looks like our day is beginning whether we like it or not,” Maggie said, sorry the morning’s peace was about to be disrupted.
“Let’s go for a ride,” Justin said. “Rhonda can take care of this mess. I have some time before I have to go into the clinic.”
“It’s a deal,” she said.
It took another half hour to get the horses saddled up after the nanny came in to take over. The couple started out slowly, holding hands, side by side, laughing as they rode through the yard. They could hear Tina screaming with either delight or frustration, wanting to get on horseback so badly.
“Did I tell you my dad said Dave led a horse to the fence and then climbed the fence to get on horseback when he was about four? My mother on Dale had to chase after him, going through the woods. He could have been killed.”
“But he wasn’t,” Maggie said. “Katrina says Dave is like a lunatic, wanting to ride all the time now. By the way, you didn’t tell me that Annie and Chris were coming over tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’m sorry. I just take it for granted that my family is going to impose upon us for the rest of our lives.”
“Aw, Justy, their girlfriends are my best friends. They’re welcome to impose.”
“Thank you for being so generous,” Justin said. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“Are you?”
“Yes, and I’m sorry I don’t tell you that more often.”
“Asking me to ride this morning was about as wonderful as it gets,” Maggie said, emotion welling up. “I’m sorry I’ve been so chilly lately.”
“I understand why, though. That’s what makes me feel bad. I know you’re doing everything you can to please me, a lot against your will.” They laughed together. “Like the wedding.”
“It’s not the wedding I object to, Justin. It’s the marriage.”
The horses walked side by side as the land made a gentle incline. There didn’t seem to be a reply to that.
“Do you want to make love?” she asked, pointing to a copse of cypress that made a private, shadowy place.
He nodded, sliding off the horse. Leading Dale and Spooky to the fence, he tied them up there with their backs to the trees as Maggie got off Dale. She dug through the saddlebag for a blanket. Justin offered his arm, and they walked under the Spanish moss. Spreading the blanket out, she worked her boots off, and he did the same.
“I love you, Justin,” she whispered, threading her arms around his shoulders.
“I love you, too.”
They had not shared a long, passionate kiss like this in a while. Stepping away from each other, they pulled their T-shirts over their heads. Maggie struggled with her bra fastener, and Justin walked around her to help. Standing behind her gave him the best angle to feel her body.
“This is different,” she murmured. “I like it.”
“Me, too.”
They took their time, away from the world, and the importance of the small rift they’d had the day before evaporated.
“I want it up against the tree,” Maggie said. If Justin remembered he’d admitted that was how he’d done it with Amber, he didn’t let her know, lifting her around her waist and pushing her up against a tree trunk.
“Is that hurting your back?” he asked.
“No, it’s perfect.”
When Justin touched her, she melted—there was no other word. Crying out for him, at that moment she didn’t care that her voice might carry. In the here and now, it was all about Justin.
