Page 27 of More than a Memory
“When we get to the woods, we’ll take the trail single file until we reach the open field, then from there we’ll head on down to the river,” Sam said. “It’s a beautiful ride.”
The sunny day, with blue skies and big puffy white clouds with an expected high of seventy degrees, was more than they could have hoped for. The trees were hinting at their fall colors but still several weeks away from their peak. Everyone was silent, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the land. The horses occasionally let out a snort and the ground crunched under their hooves. Whiskey had a tendency toward tailgating, so Darcy leaned back in her saddle and made sure she wasn’t putting any leg pressure to his sides. Since they were best mates in the field, Cody didn’t mind too much having Whiskey riding his tail.
“How’s everyone doing back there?” Sam called out, completely in his element.
“Fantastic!” Annie said enthusiastically.
“Me too!” Darcy said.
“Domino is doing real good! He’s a bit worried, but for the little he has been out on the trail, I’m impressed. As long as we don’t come across any lions, tigers, or bears, I think he is going to do just fine,” Gabe said happily.
“Does this mean we might get to canter?” Annie asked excitedly, turning her head to look at Gabe.
“Most certainly,” Gabe smiled, appreciating the view of Annie’s backside and her ease with riding. He could tell she was a natural. “Before we get to the river, there is a long stretch of field where we can let loose a little,” he promised.
Darcy was pleased to note that Whiskey was alert but relaxed, his ear movements signaling to Darcy that he was paying attention to her cues. The more she relaxed, the more he followed her lead. The wooded trail was well-worn and maintained by Sam and Gabe, who worked hard to keep the invasive honeysuckle from taking over and fallen trees off the path.
“Well, what do you think?” Sam asked Darcy.
“I think I never want this to end,” she replied wistfully.
“It doesn’t have to Darcy,” Sam said, suddenly serious.
“If you say so,” she replied.
“I do. Not too far up ahead is the field Gabe was talking about. Let’s pick up a trot now,” he called out and, not waiting for an answer, urged Cody into a trot. All the horses followed suit.
Exiting the woods, they reached the open field and Gabe turned to Annie and said, “Race ya!”
“You’re on!”
Putting leg on Gil, she asked for a canter. Gil was willing and ready, springing forward as he lunged ahead of Domino. Domino was not having it, and he accelerated, passing Gil, who was also in this to win, as he broke into a gallop. Annie’s long hair flowed out behind her, eyes alight from the thrill of the race. She threw back her head, laughing out loud, riding as one with her mount. It was exhilarating. Domino and Gil were evenly matched, so just when one would pull ahead, the other would overtake again.
Darcy and Sam had picked up a canter but had left the racing to the wild pair ahead of them. It felt amazing to be riding again, Darcy thought. She looked over at Sam and was moved to witness his unadulterated happiness. It matched her own. The sheer joy in his eyes provoked her to shout out, “Yee haw!” and, throwing caution to the winds, she urged Whiskey into a gallop. Sam and Cody quickly joined in and they all galloped across the field, only slowing down to a walk when the topography became uneven and rocky.
“Beat you!” Darcy taunted. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled like jewels as they walked the horses to cool them down.
“It was only due to the element of surprise,” Sam said, defending his loss.
“Don’t be a poor sport.”
“Don’t be a show-off,” Sam countered. “Next time, it will be a fair race and we’ll see who comes in first.”
“You’re on!” Darcy said.
“This path is a little more uneven and rugged heading down to the river, so just let your horse have his head and pick his own footing,” Sam said as he once again pulled into the lead.
They wound down and around, walking through open meadows and grasslands on well-worn horse paths. The wild weeds and grasses displayed their feathery plumes, and the fall palette of greens, golds, and oranges with the golden rays of the sun bouncing off the landscape was breathtaking.
When they reached the river, Darcy gasped at the massive sycamore trees sprawled alongside the river like an ancient circle of friends. When shedding its tight, old skin much like a snake does, the brown bark flakes off, leaving in its wake, a mottled but smooth light gray and white surface reaching far into the sky. Darcy knew if trees could talk, my, what a story they would tell.
In a shallow section of the river, they let the horses wade into the water. Gabe’s horse, a little tentative at first, began playfully pawing at the water, behaving like the youngster that he was. The others leaned down to drink from the stream. Sun shining, the gentle sound of the river rippling and bubbling over the rocks, flowing to some distant lake, the majestic beauty of the sycamores, all made Darcy feel in awe, aware she was in a sacred place that they were privileged to enter.
At that moment, she happened to glance over at Sam and caught him staring at her with an inscrutable expression. His eyes were hooded, and his normally cheerful countenance seemed heavy in that moment.
“Everything alright?” Darcy asked.
Shaking off whatever had been troubling him, Sam responded, “Of course, just admiring the beauty.”