Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
So, here I am, part-owner of a successful riding business, which means I officially own some horses! The one I’m riding on is my favorite. Her name is Lacy and I adore her. She’s never tried to throw me off or go faster than I’m comfortable with and she always gets so excited when she sees me, swinging her tail and pawing at the ground. She’s a real sweetheart.
“How are you feeling?” Tyler whispers, leaning in close. “Any nausea again?”
“I’m fine,” I say with a tight smile, even though I am feeling a bit nauseous. It’s the lavender flowers from the field up ahead. Usually, I love their smell, but right now, it’s making me want to shove my head between my legs.
Oh, yeah. I’m pregnant!
We found out a few weeks ago when the pregnancy test showed up positive. Tyler was so thrilled. He picked me up and spun me around, hollering like someone who just won the lottery. When he put me back down, he had tears in his eyes.
I can’t wait to see him as a father. He’s going to be an amazing dad, I just know it.
“You look a little green,” he whispers.
Oh great. He’s looking like a mountain God and I’m looking like a female version of Oscar the Grouch. It’s not fair. I want to be at my sexiest for him. We’ve only been together for a few months, which is much too early to be at my worst.
“I can finish up,” he says. “If you want to get some rest.”
I’m about to fight him on this, but then decide against it. He’s such an amazing man. He doesn’t care that I’m not looking my best. He would still be in love with me if I was green, purple, or turquoise. He loves me for me.
“Okay,” I say as I gratefully squeeze his hand. “That would be nice.”
I’m still getting used to having someone watching out for me and wanting to help with everything. It’s going to take me some time to fully embrace it.
“Your pregnant guide is feeling a little bit nauseous,” I say to the group, “so Tyler will be taking over the rest of the ride.”
They all give a collective awww, even the girl who hasn’t taken her eyes off Tyler.
Oh yeah, I’m sure you’re really disappointed, I want to say to her with a roll of my eyes. I give her a tight smile instead.
“Rest up,” Tyler whispers with a nod. “You’ll need your energy later.”
I smile as I rub his arm in gratitude.
They continue on their way and I hang back on my horse to watch as Tyler points out different things around them. “Those are Eastern white pine trees and look on that one, you can see a brown-headed cowbird.”
“The other lady said that was a brown princess woodpecker,” an older man in the group says.
Whup! Time to go!
I quickly turn Lacy around and hurry back down the trail as a few riders turn back to look at me.
Brown-headed cowbird and not a brown princess woodpecker. Noted.
I giggle to myself as I hold my stomach. I’m about three months along and I’m so excited for this baby to come out into the world so we can all be together as a little family. I have no idea what the sex is, but I have a feeling it’s a girl.
Lacy takes me down the mountain trail and the cool breeze hits my sweaty skin. The view of the Montana mountains is spectacular and I’m feeling so damn lucky that I’m here. I still can’t believe it. It all feels so surreal. I have an amazing new life with a perfect man and nothing can ruin it.
Uh-oh. Another lavender field.
I leap off my horse as another intense wave of nausea hits and I promptly puke my guts out into the grass.
Well, almost nothing can ruin it…
Epilogue
Tyler
Fourteen years later…
Gratitude fills every inch of my body in a warm glow as I hang back, watching my family riding up the mountain on horseback. I’m in the rear spot with our six-year-old Lauren in front of me, then our nine-year-old Luca, then my beautiful loving wife Carrie, and then in the lead spot as usual is our thirteen-year-old, Eric.
We’ve done this ride countless times, but there’s something about today that really hits me. Maybe it’s the perfect weather—the warm summer day with the cool breeze, or the nice breakfast we shared—waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream. Carrie was playing some oldies and dancing around the kitchen as we cooked. I joined in and then so did the kids. No fights, no tears—just a Sunday morning dance party in pajamas.
I feel so lucky. So thankful to have my wonderful family to share this beautiful moment with.
To think that in my early thirties, I didn’t want any of this. That I wanted to be left alone. I shake my head, wondering how I could be so wrong. How could I have been so stupid?