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We chat the entire way, laughing and having a great time as we drive down the beautiful mountain roads with all of the stunning views.
“Oh, look! Ducks!” I say when we pass a small lake next to a rocky cliff.
Noah yanks the truck to the side of the road even though we’re going like sixty and I hold on until we bounce and skid to a stop. A cloud of dust flies into the air with our chaotic entrance and the ducks get so freaked out that they fly away, quacking in annoyance.
I turn to him with my mouth hanging open and my eyes wide. He bursts out laughing and then so do I.
“I’m sorry,” he says, laughing as he drops his forehead onto the steering wheel. “I really wanted you to see them.”
“I saw them,” I say with a giggle. “I saw them flying away in terror.”
We wait for a few minutes to see if they come back.
“Think they’re going to return?” Noah asks hopefully as he looks into the vast blue sky.
“I think they’re probably halfway to Canada by now.”
He laughs as he shakes his head and starts the truck. “You’re probably right. Maybe we’ll catch them on the way back. Sorry.”
I wrap my arms around his thick forearm and kiss his bicep. “I forgive you.”
We arrive at the Greene Mountain Stables before the first group of the day. The owners, Tyler and Carrie, are saddling up the horses as we walk over.
“Hey, Noah,” Tyler says as he walks over and shakes his hand. He nods politely at me, but then does a double-take when he recognizes me. “Are you doing okay? I’m so sorry about that. I thought Thunderbolt got over his fear of thunder.”
“Nope,” I say flatly. “He’s still very much afraid.”
“If there’s anything we can do,” Tyler says. “We’re happy to give you another free ride while you’re in town.”
“No, thank you,” I say as I wave my hands in panic. “I’d like to keep my feet on the ground where they belong, thanks.”
“Actually, we came to make amends with Thunderbolt,” Noah says as he shows the bag of apples. “Is he around?”
“Oh my gosh, it’s you!” Carrie says as she comes rushing over. “I can’t believe that happened! I’ve been worried sick about you. Are you okay?”
Awww. Her concern is touching. “I’m fine,” I say as the men continue talking. “Just a couple of mosquito bites and I met this hunk of man because of it so you won’t be getting any bad reviews from me.”
She laughs and exhales in relief. “Thank goodness. I was worried you were going to sue us or something.”
“No, I would never.”
“That’s a relief,” she says. “We’re saving our money because we want to buy a house and I was worried that—“
“You want to buy a house?” I say, perking up.
She nods with excitement. “Yeah!”
“Well, I can help you with that!”
“Really?”
“Yes! I’m a real estate agent. In the area.”
She tilts her head, looking confused. “I thought you were from out of town.”
“Nope. I live here. Right, honey?”
“Yup,” Noah says as he proudly puts his arm around me with a big smile. “She lives with me.”
