Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
She opens it, wearing a green T-shirt and gray sweatpants. Man, she makes anything look good.
“Hi, Ben.”
“Did you bring any jeans with you?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Because I need you to put them on, along with the sneakers you wore on the plane.”
She cocks her head. “What’s this about?”
I beam at her. “It’s a surprise. I’ll wait here while you change.”
“Ben, I kind of want to…” She sighs. “You know what? Yeah. Okay. Give me a minute.” She closes the door.
I can’t help smiling. She’s going to love what’s coming.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Tessa
“Oh my God!” I widen my eyes as Ben and I walk toward a beautiful stretch of beach.
We took a limo ride away from the resort, and Ben has been close-lipped about what he has in mind.
Before us stands a young man dressed in jeans and a white tee, and with him are…
I can’t even believe I’m looking at such magnificent creatures.
Horses. Three horses. Two are shiny brown, and the third is golden with a white tail. A palomino. They’re perfection, and for a moment, I forget about my first communion.
“Surprise!” Ben smiles.
“What’s going on?”
“You said you love horses. So I got you horses!”
“When did I…” A smile spreads over my face. “When we were talking about Nana at the Oyster House. I told you how she used to read me horse stories.”
“Right.”
How sweet of him to remember. But… “Ben…” I return his smile, but I shake my head. “I do love them. But I’ve never actually ridden one.”
“Then we’re even. I haven’t, either. Come on.” He reaches for my hand but doesn’t take it.
Boldly, I grab his as we walk toward the man and the animals.
“You must be Mr. Black,” the man says, holding out his hand. “I’m Cole, your guide.”
“Nice to meet you, Cole. Call me Ben, and this is Tessa.”
“It’s a pleasure, Tessa. Ben here says he hasn’t ridden before. How about you?”
“I haven’t,” I say. “Is that a problem?”
“Not even slightly. Hannibal here is great with beginners.”
Ben widens his eyes. “Did you say Cannibal?”
Cole tilts his head back in raucous laughter. “No, Hannibal. With an H.”
“Like Hannibal Lecter?” Ben furrows his brow. “Not feeling a lot better.”
“Hannibal like my uncle Hannibal,” Cole says. “And this is the gentlest horse I’ve got, so we’ll let this lovely lady ride him.”
Hannibal is the palomino, and his saddle is vibrant blue. “What kind of saddle is that?” I ask.
“It’s waterproof,” Cole says.
“Why would it need to be…” Then I glance at the sparkling blue water. “You don’t mean…”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean,” Cole says. “We’re going to ride along the beach and even go into the water.” He hands me a life jacket. “Put this on.”
“It’s okay. I can swim.”
“Sorry. Rules are rules.” He hands one to Ben. “You too, Ben. Now, Tessa, let’s get you mounted onto Hannibal here.”
I swallow. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
“Place your left foot in the stirrup.”
I breathe in deeply and slide my foot as instructed.
“Good,” Cole says. “Now hold the reins in your left hand and the saddle with your right hand. Then gently swing your right leg over Hannibal’s back and settle into the saddle. Make sure you’re comfortable and balanced.”
I laugh out loud. “I’m on a horse!” I look around, taking in the sights from the new vantage point.
Cole helps Ben onto one of the brown horses and then mounts his own. “All right! Let’s start with a gentle walk along the beach. Keep your reins relaxed and look around. The horses know what they’re doing. They won’t start galloping away. You’re perfectly safe.”
Without me doing anything, Hannibal follows Cole and his horse. His movement beneath me is unsettling for a moment, but I get used to the sway of his gait quickly. Once I’m comfortable, I look out at the ocean—at the turquoise hue near the shore that darkens to a mysterious navy near the horizon. A fresh breeze, along with the light mist of saltwater from the crashing waves, drifts over me. Hannibal’s mane flutters when the soft wind rustles through it.
Ben rides alongside me on his horse, Sunny. “Enjoying yourself?”
I can’t reply for a moment. Words aren’t adequate for what I’m feeling. I settle on, “Wow. Just…wow.”
“Is this really the first time you’ve been on a horse?” he asks.
“It is.”
“I think you’re a natural.” He smiles. “You move with the animal, as if you’re one.”
I glance over at him. He looks…uncomfortable. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just a little bouncy for me.”
Cole looks over his shoulder. “We’re going to go into the water now. Are you both ready?”
“Yes!” I shriek.
Hannibal follows Cole and his horse to the shoreline, walking into the frothy waves.
“They love the ocean,” Cole shouts over the sounds of the water. “They may get a little playful. Keep a gentle grip on the reins and you’ll be just fine.”
Hannibal adjusts his steps as he walks in up to his knees. I tighten my grip on his reins for a moment but then ease up, determined to enjoy every minute of this outing that Ben planned just for me.