Chapter 4. The Ride
Julia swallowed hard when she realized they were alone again. Nathan walked over to Newton, and started tending to him.
Julia slowly removed Nathan's serge and held it out to him. Nathan looked at her and said, "You can keep it a bit longer if you need."
Once she had left it's warmth, Julia realized just how cold it was outside.
Julia insisted, "Nathan, don't be silly. It's really cold out, and I need you to drive the horse." At her comment, Nathan chuckled. Julia realized she must have said something wrong, related to horse riding. She pulled the blanket tightly around her shoulders, but was unwavering in her insistence that he have his serge back. He reluctantly took it, put his arms through, and then went into the cabin to retrieve his saddlebags. From one side, he pulled out a small feed bag, and brought it over to Newton. He emptied the water and poured the feed into the basin, and Newton ate happily.
While Nathan watched Newton eat, he buttoned up his serge that now smelled very lovely. Her scent, (was it roses and lilies?), had seeped into his serge and was making it hard to concentrate.
"He is such a beautiful horse." Julia stated simply. "Why did you choose the name Newton?" she asked.
When Newton finished the feed, Nathan went back over to the pump and gave him more water, which Newton lapped up gratefully.
"He is named after Isaac Newton, because he once saved me from what would have been a very tough and painful lesson in gravity." Nathan flashed his crooked smile again, complete with a little laugh.
"I feel there is quite a story there." Julia surmised, curious and amused.
"Indeed, but not for today, we need to get on the trail." He went back inside and Julia followed to help tidy up. Nathan carried in Newton's water basin, full of fresh water, and used it to put out the fire. Julia made up the bed, and tried to leave the cabin as they found it. She looked around to see if there was anything else they needed to put back in place, and he moved the chairs back where they found them, at the table.
Once back outside, Nathan saddled Newton. First the blanket, then the saddle. He adjusted the stirrups, and he checked the cinch three times. She watched him work, detailed and meticulous, and safe. Then, Nathan led Newton over to where Julia was waiting. He could see she was apprehensive.
Nathan stood just in front of her. "Please don't be nervous, I will take good care of you." he said huskily, just above a whisper.
Julia's heart was beating fast as looked up at him. "How does this work?" she asked shyly, in a quiet voice.
"Have you any horse riding experience?" he asked low.
She shook her head no.
"Our best option is for you sit in front, down in the saddle. In the dark, it will be safer and warmer, and I will be better able to protect you." Nathan told her, "I will sit behind the cantle, on Newton's rump." he said, just as shyly. Julia nodded in agreement.
"How do I get up?" she asked, as she started to walk over to one side of Newton.
Nathan gently took her elbow and led her around to the left side. He spoke close to her ear, "Always mount and dismount a horse from the left side, we call it the "near side"." He said. "To mount, put your left foot in the stirrup, and push off with your right foot. Swing your right leg around and down, till you are comfortably seated in the saddle. I'll be here if you need help," he said, still holding onto her elbow.
Julia nodded and swallowed nervously. She put her left foot into the stirrup, just as instructed. She reached up to grab the horn of the saddle, surprised that she could even reach it. Julia pushed off with her right leg and swung it up and over, skirts flying, and landed perfectly in the saddle. Of course, Nathan's hands were securely on her waist all the way. He had forgotten to mention that part, and for good reason, she never would have agreed.
"Impressive. Not too many people make it the first time." Nathan encouraged her, trying to lighten the tension between them. He assumed the tension was due to her embarrassment, as he had put his hands on her waist, without really telling her in advance. He knew she probably would have protested if he had given her warning, and he really needed to get her back to Hope Valley.
Julia was blushing now, and Nathan tried not to notice as he fixed her skirts and adjusted the stirrups on one side. He then went over and did the same to other side. To further add to her embarrassment, in order to fix her skirts, it seemed to her that he had touched her legs a lot. She knew Nathan was a man of character, so touching her legs in order to tuck in her skirts, was probably unavoidable. And, he was likely just as embarrassed as she. But, she knew her cheeks must be burgundy red by now.
Nathan quietly took her left foot out of the stirrup, put his in, and was up and behind her in one swift movement. Julia was taken aback at how close they were. Nathan said quietly into her ear, "Julia, you can put your foot back in the stirrup now." She did as she was instructed, and sat stark upright, cemented to the saddle. If Julia had been a little bit light-headed at his scent on his serge, now she was even more so, at the feel of his muscular chest just behind her. In fact, he was so close, that she wasn't sure if she was even breathing. He slipped back behind the cantle, putting a little more space between them. Nathan said softly, again into her ear, "I have to take the reigns with both hands, which means I need to slide my arms under yours."
Julia nodded her head and lifted her arms a little. His arms slid in just on either side of her waist, and he clearly felt the little gasp she made at his nearness. This was another part of the deal he had neglected to tell her, knowing a protest wouldn't help them get home any faster. Nathan gave her as wide a berth as possible, and she continued to sit as upright as possible. He knew it was her effort to avoid contact. Nathan felt her apprehension and tried to make it less awkward for her.
"Are you ok? Comfortable?" he rasped. Julia nodded yes.
Nathan made a clicking noise and they were off. He started Newton off very slow and gentle. Now, Newton was a very large horse, and Julia felt so high up. He couldn't see, but as they gained speed, Julia started to smile, and she smiled big. She had always dreamed about riding, and even under the circumstances, once she got comfortable in the saddle, Julia couldn't help but smile. It felt so nice to ride, a small dream come true for her.
Nathan tried to keep his focus on the trail in front of them, but he could see her face from the side in the moonlight. And he was sure of it, she was smiling. Was he imagining it? Riding through the dark was already complicated enough, even with first light in the sky helping him make out the trail by the contrast of the tree line. And her hair was bouncing in his face, just under his chin, smelling so good- was it also lilies? Actually, all of her smelled good, and he was trying to keep his focus on the task at hand: getting down the mountain safely. And, on top of it all, she was smiling?
"What's so funny?" Nathan finally asked into her ear, now unable to contain his own smile.
"It's not funny, it's amazing." Julia said, and then added, "I can't believe I'm riding." Almost a whisper, as she turned toward him, trying to look up at him. Nathan was so close, she almost bumped her nose into his neck. He could see her now, she was most definitely smiling. From ear to ear.
He liked her smile.
They rode for quite a while in silence, while the sun began to make a masterpiece in the sky. The colors were amazing, and she couldn't help but marvel at God's creation. Julia wondered how people could see such a sight and in the very next breath, question if God exists.
As they rode close to the edge of on overlook, Julia looked over, and could see for miles and miles.
Julia attempted to turn again and said, almost into his neck. "Nathan, it's incredible. Can we please stop?"
Nathan pulled Newton to a stop and in one brisk movement was down. He grabbed Julia by the waist, and helped her down, too. When she hit the ground, Julia grimaced, feeling the effects of the ride. She looked up at him, and realized he had noticed her grimace. Julia could only laugh at her stiff legs, and he couldn't help but smile at her amusement.
Julia walked right up to the edge, startling him. For a split second, Nathan thought she was going over. Though she didn't even realize, he lunged as if to grab her, but stopped himself just in time. Nathan took a few steps back and a deep breath. Finally, he relaxed and stood a ways behind her, just taking her in, a lone gray shadow against the myriad of colors.
Julia looked out over the valley, her golden hair loose and cascading across her shoulders and down her back.
Finally, Nathan stepped up to stand beside her, and his breath caught. The sky was painted a million different colors beyond description, and the mountains reflected each color back to them, hue after hue. And he gazed, as though seeing it for the first time. He just stood there, dumbfounded, drinking it in.
Julia, mesmerized by the sky, whispered breathlessly. "Isn't it so very beautiful?" Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan caught sight of her, the light reflecting in her beautiful, crystal blue eyes.
Nathan answered, though his gaze was fixed on her as he spoke. "Yes, very beautiful indeed." He turned his gaze back to the sky, unyielding in its show of color. It was if God was showing off, just for the two of them.
And, then Julia whispered, "the poetry of earth is ceasing never…" quoting Keats. Nathan raised an eyebrow and looked at her, curiously.
Nathan answered her back, without missing a beat. "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting," quoting Emerson. And just like that, it was her turn to raise an eyebrow and smile over at him, as he looked out at the sky. Nathan was bathed in reds, oranges, golds, and yellows, looking even more handsome than before.
This humble Mountie had just surprised her, and that was not easy to do. And, he had surprised her several times in the last 24 hours. What other surprises could there be?, she thought to herself.
Nathan looked down at her, met her gaze, and they smiled at each other.
"Welcome to Hope Valley," he told her, just above a whisper. At those simple words, her stomach turned over, and she knew she was in trouble indeed.