Adopting Love

Chapter Seven

Garrett-

It seems to be a busy time, even for our little town, it took a bit longer to get to the other side, weaving around different obstacles, while trying to stay out of the way. Thankfully, heading out to the country side will be less hectic. Once I wasn't dodging a car passing by, I started getting into my own head for a moment. Pepper must have felt my body tense up, as the thoughts threw me into a frazzled frustration, cause he let out a clamorous neigh that distracted me. Although, the view from horseback riding is just magnificent, it's absolutely breath taking. The pavement didn't take long to switch to a dusty dirt road, which means the second right was the trail we're looking for. It only took another ten minutes before I was tugging the reins to head towards the right and we were heading towards the peaceful open fields at the end of the trail. This was always my getaway, when Sam and I would be quarreling. The trees lined each side of the trail perfectly, it was a little rugged but that's the best part of being surrounded by nature. Every thing was different and never the same, the unexpected was always expected.

Admiring our surroundings a bit more, the trail started getting wider the further we got. Few more paces and the opening extended as far as the eyes could see. Stretching out to the mountain tops, it was a remarkable as always. Up on the first hill sat a female and her dog taking it all in. I continued to look all around to decide which way I'd lead Pepper next then I did a quick double take back to the lady and her dog. It couldn't be, could it. The dog had heard, either Pepper or I at that point and started to get restless.

When he turned to check out what he heard, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was him. It was Scout. His ears perked up when he realized who he had just seen. Pausing for just a second for it to sink, the lady beside him had turned around too. Soon as he bolted, I knew he remembered. I jumped off Pepper, almost busting my ass in the process, and ran his way. Since he was a dog and clearly faster, he covered more ground and jumped up into my arms, licking all over my face. Losing my balance from his shift in weight I fell backwards and landing on my back, holding him tight the entire time. When I was just about to sit back up, a shadow casted over us. The lady was leaning over and asking if I was ok then apologized for Scout knocking me down. Shocked by her beauty and her ginger hair that glistened with sun, I almost didn't comprehend what she was actually saying.

Raelle-

When Scout ran down towards the horse, I jumped up as fast as I could to catch up. Last thing I wanted was for him to spook it and the poor man get thrown off. Oddly enough, the man jumped off and ran towards Scout. I mean I have heard of people being crazy about animals, but this takes it to a whole other level. Before I could catch up, Scout jumped onto the man cause him to fall. At least the man stopped him from spooking the horse, cause the last thing I want to spend the day doing is helping a complete stranger catch a horse spooked by my stubborn dog. I finally stood over them, I apologized over and over again.

"I'm so sorry, sir." I pleaded. "He's never done this before. I hope he didn't hurt you."

The man just stared at me and didn't say a word. After a few moments, he sat up and when I could really see him, it kind of took my breath. His muscularity was easily seen through the cotton tee he was wearing. Half his face was hidden behind his full beard, the other half mesmerizing me with his heavenly deep blue eyes. His hat had fallen off exposing his dark brown hair, now covered in dust. Acknowledging that it's probably clear that I was gawking at him, I stood up waiting for him to stand back up himself. I'd offer a lending hand but even when he was on the ground, I could tell he was much larger and would tower over me.

"I'm sorry." I apologized, again.

He looked at me and chuckled then he reached over my way. I took a step back as this caught me off guard, since he was a total stranger. Noticing my discomfort, he said "Don't worry, I was just gonna remove the leaf from your hair."

Unfortunately, he didn't respond before I had taken that step backwards. Before I knew it, I had tripped over one of the boulders poking up throughout the fields. Rolling and doing semi somersaults for a few feet, abruptly, coming to a halt. Once I came to grasps with what had just happened, I started to get back up on my feet. A little wobbly, I almost lost my balance, but not before I felt his large, calloused hands grabbing my elbow to help steady me.

Feeling like a fool, I refused to make eye contact. This magnificently, fine looking specimen, just watched me fall on my ass numerous times like a kid tumbling around during recess. Only difference was that they do it on purpose. Although, my tumble didn't seem to faze him at all, from a quick glance up all I seen was concern. The small smile he had at the top of the hill was gone, replaced with tension and sorrow.

The entire situation was halted when Scout got in between us, jumping up and placing his two front paws on my thighs. He was desperate for my attention, I knew in my heart that this was his way of checking to make sure I was okay. The tension on his face was now gone, and he was back to smiling with a small chuckle as he watched Scout anxiously paw at me. I knelt down and rubbed in between his ears followed by a tight hug him. Taking his snout into both of my hands, I looked directly into his eyes saying, "I'm okay." Accepting that, he flopped over for the infamous belly rub.

Standing up straight, I started dusting off my shoulders. Instead of one dried up leaf in my hair, I now look like I took a leap into a freshly raked leaf pile. Try to knock off as much as I could, I noticed him getting closer again. He took another step towards me to try again, this time I didn't step away. I could feel the warmth of my cheeks turning red, the closer he got. He seemed to notice to too, which made him chuckle under his breath, "Like what you see, ma'am?"

With that question, I instantly looked down towards the ground, making sure to immediately, cut eye contact. Between the effect this man had on me and making my self look so clumsy, this has to be go down in history as one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. Not sure how to respond, I managed a "It's been a rough day, sorry." I knew that was the most ridiculous excuse that he has ever heard, to be honest, it was for me too. I couldn't really look him in the eyes and tell him 'yes, you're the most gorgeous man I've ever laid my eyes on.' Doing what I do best when put on the spot, I reverted the topic back to something more reasonable. So again I apologized, "Ugh, sorry again for my dog trying to spook your horse back there. We're working on manners, but he seems to love them."

His manner seemed to switch again, shifting his weight he crossed his arms. Not saying anything for a minute or two, like he was debating on how to respond. He suddenly, dropped one hand down to his side and ran the other through his hair a a few times. Seems as though when he was done thinking, he put his right hand out to shake hands while saying, "Maybe we should start over......"

"My name is Garret, Garrett Hudson."