The Cottage (Amor #4)

In Ober Corner

They left Stonehenge and the visitor centre, driving back in the direction they came. Thor wanted to show Amara as much as New Forest as he could show her. They drove down to Brockenhurst Village.

"Oh, my God," Amara exclaimed as she saw horses, ponies, and cows trotting down the road. Thor grinned at her reaction.

"I told you. They just wander."

Amara pushed the window button down and the window came down. They passed auburn colored horses.

"Hi," she said in a childlike voice. "Hello, beauty." Amara looked back at Thor, her hand covering her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I'm such a girl. I always wanted a horse and pony."

Thor chuckled. They stopped into Tesco Express for a short shopping trip. They emerged from the store, turning into the parking lot.

Amara looked at the bag in Thor's hand. "So what are you going to do with those apples and carrots?"

"We are going to feed the ponies."

Amara's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Thor nodded. "You ever hand feed a pony?"

"A few times...at the zoo."

He laughed. "Well, welcome to the New Forest."

They drove out of the parking lot onto Rhinefield road. Five minutes later, they pulled into Whitefield Moor, into a open car park with a few cars scattered upon the dirt and gravel. They got out of the car. Amara took in the vast openness of land and cultivated wilderness,

They each carried a bottle of water and Thor held the bag of snacks. They proceeded onto the grass field. Thor offered his hand to a beaming Amara who took it.

"This is the first time we held hands out in the open."

Thor grinned. "This is just a weekend of firsts. And seconds."

They ventured through the ancient woodlands of Ober Corner. Sunlight filtered through the high trees. Stepping into a clearing, they spotted a family of red deer. Amara took snaps with her cellphone.

"Sending this to my family back home."

After some minutes later, they progressed into Ober Corner. They approached the nearby stream. In the stream was a family of three ponies and a growing foal, drinking their throat away.

"Wow," Amara marveled as she sat down, her back against the tree. Thor planted himself next to her. The orchestra of the New Forest was their only sound.

"So beautiful," she sighed, taking in the sights. "I would love to live out here."

"In the summer, this place is crawling with tourists," Thor said. "I like to be out here when there's no one around."

Yman raised an eyebrow. "No one?"

"Save you, of course." Thor wrapped his arms around her. Amara caressed his embracing arms.

"But you live on an estate with your own woods."

"Yeah but there's no animals like here."

"Excuse me, Mr. Peacock."

"Well," Thor stuttered. "There's no deer or ponies."

Amara laughed. "Privileged."

"I don't want to own them. I just want to be close to them."

"I can imagine you running with them."

"Really?"

Amara nodded. "Mmhmm. In a clearing. Your hair down. Shirt off." Thor bellowed as she continued. "Chest exposed. Body glistening in the sun," Amara giggled.

Thor removed his arms from and lifted himself up from the ground.

"Well...," he proceeded near the stream. "I can kind of make that dream come true."

"What are you doing?"

Thor took off his shoes and socks. He pulled the shirt over his head.

"Oh, my Goodness," Amara placed a hand over her mouth, concealing her amusement. He rolled his pants up around his calves. He looked up at Amara and gave a quick eyebrow raise as he turned around and proceeded closer.

Thor stepped into the stream, the cool water rushing around his feet and ankles. He took small careful steps near the equestrian family.

"Thor," she whispered harshly as she came out of her comfortable position. "Thor, don't."

He turned to her and lifted a finger to his lips. One of the ponies noticed Thor approaching. It hesitantly stepped away from the group, near Thor. Amara watched with awe.

"Hey," Thor said softly as the pony treaded closer. His left arm stretched out. "Hello, beauty." Contact was just inches away.

Thor gave the pony a scratch underneath.

"Oh, my God," Amara whispered. She reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone. She quickly swiped and opened her camera app. Part of her felt guilty, feeling like one of those people who took pictures of everything instead of just enjoying the moment. But seeing a wealthy lord would transform into Tarzan and wade in a stream to pet a pony in front of her eyes had to have some kind of capture.

Thor turned around, his hand maintaining his steady pace. "Hey," he whispered, gesturing with his head to come over. Amara shook her head, mouthing "No". A pleading look appeared. "Please."

That face is going to get me in a lot of trouble.

Amara took off her footwear and rolled up her pants. She rose up and walked to the edge. She carefully stepped into the water, right foot first. She sucked in a breath as she felt the briskness of the water on her toes. She stepped in all the way, following with her left. She treaded slowly to Thor, his hand ready to take hers.

"It's okay," he whispered as their hands joined together. His hand gently guided hers to the long face of the pony. Amara exhaled as her palm went down the velvety exterior.

"Wow," Amara whispered.

"Follow your instincts," Thor said softly in her ear.

Her other hand found its way, playing with its forlock.

"You're so beautiful." Amara stayed entranced by the wild creature tamed under her touch. She didn't notice Thor wade back to land, heading for the bag of treats. He pulled out the apple slices and carrots. He stepped back into the water, carefully walked back.

"Here." Thor offered a carrot to Amara. Amara took the carrot in her hand and offered it under the pony's mouth. The animals sniffed it and then took it up with its tongue. Amara guffawed as she heard its teeth crunch the carrot into pieces. She turned to see Thor a few feet away from her. His outstretched hand was holding apple slices and carrots. The trio of ponies came closer to him and began taking the mix with their tongue.

She watched as Thor returned to her side.

Thor noticed her gaze "What?"

"You are a rarity. Seriously, fancy dinners and parties pale in comparison to this."

Thor grinned. "Who knew a way to a woman's heart was through Nature?"

"A way to my heart is being yourself. And yourself is like myself in many ways."

He wrapped his arms around her and brought her in for a kiss. Her arms found their way up touching his bare back.

"Get a room," a voice bellowed interrupting the synergy. The lovers turned to see kids on the other side.

"Quit spying, punks," his annoyance dissolved when Amara burst out laughing.

The kids ran away. Thor looked at Amara. Her amusement contained in a close mouth and puffed cheeks.

"They're probably running to their parents. We should go."

"Aww, I wanna stay."

"Leaving this spot but trust me. There are many other spots like this one here."

Amara smiled as she let him guide her out of the water onto the land.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Freaking love writing these two in Nature.