Page 9 of Meadowsweet and Marigold (EverAfter CozyXverse #1)
Marigold took a deep breath, steeling herself. She placed her left foot in the stirrup, gripping the saddle tightly. As she began to push off, her body tensed, throwing her off balance.
She felt herself tipping forward, a gasp escaping her lips as she tumbled.
In an instant, Meadow was there. His strong arms caught her, wrapping securely around her waist. Marigold found herself pressed against his chest, her face flushed with embarrassment and something else entirely.
"I've got you," Meadow murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.
Marigold looked up, meeting his eyes.
Time seemed to slow as she took in the flecks of gold in his warm brown irises. Her Omega senses went into overdrive, every nerve ending suddenly alive and crackling with energy.
A wave of heat rushed through her body, pooling low in her abdomen.
Her mouth went dry, a sudden thirst overwhelming her.
This…is unreal. Control yourself, Marigold. He’s not the first Alpha you’ve ever met…or touched.
"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, struggling to form coherent thoughts. "I don't know what happened."
Meadow's scent enveloped her – earthy and warm, with hints of leather and sun-warmed hay. It was intoxicating, unlike anything she'd experienced before.
Her body hummed with a primal need that both thrilled and terrified her.
She wouldn’t acknowledge how much closer she was leaning toward the thrilling excitement side of the spectrum.
"No need to apologize," Meadow said gently, still holding her steady. "Everyone loses their balance sometimes."
Marigold nodded, unable to look away from his eyes.
She felt safe in his arms, protected in a way she hadn't felt in years. It was a fleeting moment, but one that left an indelible mark on her soul.
"Should we... should we try again?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Meadow's hands lingered for a moment as he helped Marigold regain her footing, his touch gentle yet firm.
He stepped back, giving her space, but remained close enough to offer support if needed.
"Whenever you're ready," he said softly, his calm voice a balm to her frayed nerves. "No rush. Take your time."
Marigold smoothed her hands down her jeans, trying to compose herself. Her heart still raced, but now from a mix of determination and lingering awareness of Meadow's proximity.
"I can do this," she murmured, more to herself than to him.
Meadow nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"I know you can."
She wasn’t expecting his encouragement, but it helped giving her even a greater boost of confidence to achieve something so simple as mounting a horse.
Taking a deep breath, Marigold approached the horse again. She placed her left foot in the stirrup, gripping the saddle horn tightly.
"That's it," Meadow encouraged quietly. "Now push up with your leg and swing your right over."
Marigold hesitated for a split second, then pushed off the ground.
This time, her movements were more controlled and more deliberate. With a fluid motion that surprised even herself, she swung her leg over and settled into the saddle.
A small, triumphant laugh escaped her lips.
"I did it!"
"You certainly did," Meadow affirmed, his eyes crinkling with genuine warmth.
Sitting atop the horse, Marigold felt a surge of accomplishment. It was a small victory, but after so much loss, it felt monumental. She straightened her spine, muscle memory from her ballet days kicking in as she found her seat.
"How does it feel?" Meadow asked, his hand resting lightly on the horse's neck.
Marigold took a moment to consider, relishing the new perspective.
"Empowering," she said finally, a hint of wonder in her voice. "Like I can see the whole world from up here."
As they set off at a gentle walk, Marigold felt the rhythmic sway of the horse beneath her.
Each step sent a gentle ripple through her body, a new kind of dance she'd never experienced before. The countryside unfurled before them like a living canvas – rolling hills dotted with wildflowers, the distant treeline a deep green against the azure sky.
"This is... incredible," Marigold breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Meadow rode beside her, his posture relaxed and natural in the saddle.
"It's a different world out here," he said softly. "Take it all in."
The steady clip-clop of hooves against the earth became a soothing metronome, gradually easing the tension from Marigold's shoulders. She found herself matching her breathing to the horse's gait, a calming synchronicity.
"How am I doing?" she asked, glancing over at Meadow.
He nodded approvingly.
"You're a natural. Just remember to keep your heels down and your back straight."
Marigold made a small adjustment, feeling more secure in the saddle.
"Like this?"
"Perfect," Meadow confirmed. "Now, if you want to turn left, just apply a little pressure with your right leg and guide her with the reins."
Following his instructions, Marigold gently steered the horse towards a flowering meadow. As they meandered through the tall grass, she marveled at how responsive the animal was to her subtle cues.
"I never imagined I'd be doing this," Marigold admitted, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "After everything... I thought I'd lost my ability to try new things."
Meadow's gaze was understanding.
"Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is to start again."
His words resonated deeply with Marigold, stirring something within her that had long been dormant. For the first time in months, she felt a flicker of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, she could rebuild herself here in this peaceful place.
As they rode side by side, Marigold found herself stealing glances at Meadow.
His quiet strength and gentle guidance were so different from what she'd known before. It made her wonder what other surprises this new chapter of her life might hold.
As the sun began to dip behind the distant hills, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape, Marigold and Meadow guided their horses back towards the stables.
The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves on the packed earth filled the comfortable silence between them.
Marigold's muscles ached pleasantly from the unfamiliar exertion, a physical reminder of the day's adventure. She took a deep breath, savoring the crisp country air tinged with the scent of grass and wildflowers.
"Thank you for today, Meadow," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that surprised even her. "I haven't felt this...alive in a long time."
Meadow's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.
"It's my pleasure, Marigold. Sometimes all we need is a change of scenery to remember who we are."
As they dismounted, Marigold's legs wobbled slightly, and Meadow's steady hand was there to support her elbow.
The brief contact sent a flutter through her chest, and she found herself wondering about the possibility of friendship – or perhaps something more – in this new place.
While they brushed down the horses, Marigold's mind drifted to the future. For the first time since her world had shattered, she felt a spark of excitement about what tomorrow might bring.
The ache of betrayal was still there, a dull throb in her heart, but it no longer consumed her entirely.
"Will you come back?" Meadow asked, his quiet voice breaking into her reverie. "To ride again, I mean."
Marigold looked up, meeting his earnest gaze.
It was taking everything for her to not blush or even attempt to think of him wanting her to come back simply because of this brewing connection she wished wasn’t obviously one-sided.
"I'd like that," she replied, surprised by how much she meant it. "Very much."
As she walked away from the ranch, the setting sun warm on her back, Marigold felt lighter than she had in months.
The encounter with Meadow, the gentle rhythm of the horse beneath her, the vast open sky – it all pointed to possibilities she hadn't dared to consider before.
Here, far from the glittering stages and crushing expectations of her past, Marigold sensed the first tentative shoots of healing beginning to take root.
And for the first time in a long while, she found herself looking forward to tomorrow.