Page 16 of Falling Like Leaves (Bramble Falls #1)

“Yeah, come here.” He walks Ink around the trailer until he’s standing beside the bench. I keep my distance as I approach. “You have to get closer to get on him.”

“Um, what? I’m not getting on that thing. He hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. He just happened to shake off flies when you were going to pet him. This is your chance to live out your equestrian dream. Sort of. I’ll hold the reins and walk with you. Your only job is to not fall off.”

“No. Nope. Not happening. I’ve seen enough movies to know that if something spooks this guy, I’m done for.”

Cooper laughs. “All right, fine. What if I ride with you? Just a short walk down the trail and back.” I gnaw on my cheek, considering. “I’m not going to make you. If you say no, I’ll drop it. I just think you’ll enjoy it.”

Climbing on the horse with Cooper is a chance to take a step forward in our friendship and leave behind the mistakes I made with him.

And remembering the heat that fizzed through me when he gave me a piggyback ride at the apple orchard, I can’t say I’m not tempted by the thought of being that close to him again….

So, against my better judgment, I say, “Yeah, okay. Let’s do it.”

Cooper grins, his dimple popping and his eyes bright.

I follow him up to the bench, and he climbs onto the giant horse. He takes the reins and scoots forward on Ink’s bare back, leaving space for me to climb on behind him.

“Just swing your leg over and hold on to me,” he says. My limbs shake as I slide on and grip the back of his shirt. He lets go of the reins, reaches for my hands, and moves them to his waist. “I’d feel better if you weren’t relying on my T-shirt to save you from falling.”

“Got it,” I say, my body thrumming at the electrifying feeling of being this close to him.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Not really.”

“I’m not going until you’re ready,” he tells me.

“Okay, fine. I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be.”

He nods and squeezes his calves, and we’re off. I squeal and grasp on to him tighter.

“You good?” he asks.

I’m not falling off. I’m not being kicked. I’m fine. “Yes?” I answer. But it comes out with less conviction than I intend.

We’re walking down the dirt path when Cooper veers left and heads into the woods.

“Um, where are we going?” I ask.

“Just for a walk.”

The woods are filled with birds chirping and bugs buzzing and trees rustling in a whispering breeze. I close my eyes and listen. It’s a calming symphony I’ve never heard in the city.

It almost doesn’t feel real.

I open my eyes to the sound of rushing water. Cooper has brought us to a river lined with trees and brush. Ink walks along it, carrying us back in the direction of the stables.

“How’d you learn to ride?” I ask.

“Dad used to be a farmhand here when he was younger. I spent every summer here with him. Except for our summer—I ditched him that year. Anyway, he taught me, but it’s not something I really do a lot. Or ever, anymore.”

“Why not?”

“I never wanted to be an equestrian,” he says, smiling as he looks back at me out of the corner of his eye. He shrugs. “And I got busy with other stuff.”

“Like working at the Caffeinated Cat?”

“Yeah, among other things.”

Cooper steers us left again, and after a minute we come out of the woods and ride into a large meadow full of wildflowers in the back of the farm.

“Oh my god, it’s so pretty,” I say.

“Is that why you’re squeezing me to death?” he asks with a laugh.

“Oh.” I loosen my grip and give him space, the warm autumn air suddenly feeling cold against the areas of my torso no longer pressed against him. “Sorry.”

“If you apologize to me one more time, I’m throwing you off this horse.”

I laugh. “Okay, sorry!”

“Ellis!”

“It just comes naturally. I can’t help it!” My head falls against his back as I laugh harder, and his body shakes with his own laughter.

We get back to the stables, where someone has already taken care of Coffee. Cooper hops off Ink, then helps me down.

“Well, thanks for helping me overcome my irrational fear of horses,” I tell him.

“You’re welcome.”

“And I’m totally not sorry about your nose.”

His dimple sinks into his cheek. “Good.”

We stand there for a second. There’s nothing else to say. The day is over. But I don’t want to leave.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mitchell.”

Right. “Okay. Yeah. See ya.”

I leave the stables and grab my warty pumpkin from the trailer. Then I head to Aunt Naomi’s home-base building, where Mom said she’d wait for me at the end of the day. And the whole time, all I can think about is hanging out with Cooper tomorrow.

Maybe there’s still hope for our friendship after all.

I’ve just finished eating dinner and clearing the dishes when my phone buzzes in my hand. I freeze halfway up the steps when I find Cooper’s name lighting up my screen.

Summer Cooper: How are your thighs? Sore?

I smile at my phone.

Me: Are you stalking me or something?

Summer Cooper: You’ve never been on a horse, and we rode for a while. Plus, you were so tense, Ink probably has bruised ribs. So, logic says you’re probably a little sore.

“Hey,” Sloane says as she’s passing the steps. I look up to find her watching me, and she waggles her eyebrows. “You talking to Mr. Hot Dog?”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “Mr. Hot Dog? What on earth are you talking about?”

Sloane lets her hair fall into her face, hiding her rosy cheeks. “Dog as in, like, a golden retriever. You know, because my mom referred to Jake as a lost puppy? And he’s obviously hot….” She chews her lip for a moment. “Maybe Mr. Sexy Puppy is better.”

I snort. “Or maybe let’s just call him Jake.” My phone buzzes.

Summer Cooper: Leaving me on read. Okay, I see how it is.

“I gotta go, cuz.” I sprint up the steps, ignoring the burning in my thighs and Sloane calling behind me, “Tell Jake I say hi!”

Me: Sorry, I was in the middle of CRAWLING up the steps because, yeah, my thighs hate me right now.

I lie back on my bed and bite my nails as I watch three dots appear on the screen.

Summer Cooper : What are you doing now?

I press my lips together, trying to suppress a grin. We’re casually texting again.

Me: Not sure. Maybe putting on a movie? Aunt Naomi brought up some old DVDs. Unless I want to watch Practical Magic again, I have to choose between the ‘90s live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or Spirited Away.

Summer Cooper: All solid choices. My vote is for Eternal Sunshine.

Me: But it’s so depressing.

Summer Cooper: It’s a perfect movie.

Me : Well, I’m not a masochist, so I’ll probably put on TMNT. Donatello’s hot.

Summer Cooper: wow lol such high standards

Me: What are you doing?

Summer Cooper: Falling asleep

Me: It’s not even 8pm.

Summer Cooper: Well some of us had to get up at 5am to work at the coffee shop only to then be given a concussion while volunteering at the pumpkin patch.

I wince.

Me: How IS your nose?

Summer Cooper: it’s fine. I’m just giving you a hard time.

Summer Cooper : But I am going to get some sleep. Just wanted to check in on you. I’ll see you tomorrow?

Me: yeah.

Summer Cooper: Enjoy ogling Donnie.

I laugh out loud.

Me: Will do.

Summer Cooper: Night, Mitchell. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.

Summer Cooper: But if they do, get a shoe, and beat ’em till they’re black and blue.

I let myself grin at the silly rhyme he used to say to me all those years ago, when he was the last person I’d talk to each night.

Me: Sweet dreams, Coop.