“Great. I can’t wait to see them.”
They rode to a knoll and stopped. Rory gasped as she looked at rows and rows of trees. She could even smell them.
“I can’t believe there are so many. How does he keep up with this?”
“He has help. He’s always busy. There’s trimming to keep their shapes, and the next acre starts the newly planted trees.”
“I told him I was going to buy one.” She smiled.
“Good. You could pick one out if you’d like.”
“Now? It’s summer.”
“Yes, but the closer it gets to the holidays, the more people show up. Nick lets people tag their trees if they want. Some come here in August to tag one.”
“I’ll look, but there are so many.”
“Yep, but all gorgeous. With the high ceilings in your house, you could get a big tree.”
“I can’t wait to get one now.” Rory smiled.
“Well, let’s look then,” Wilder dismounted, walked to Rory’s horse, and put his hand up to her. “Let me help you.”
She put her hands on his shoulders and he pulled her from the saddle, and let her body slide down his. Wilder took her hand and they walked to the first row of trees.
“What about the horses?”
“They won’t go anywhere if the reins are touching the ground. Come on, let’s get you a tree.”
Rory laughed, let go of his hand, and ran to the trees. As she did, her foot caught on a branch growing along the ground, and she tripped. Though she could feel herself falling, she put her hands out to brace herself, but it didn’t help, and she did a face plant in the grass.
She pushed herself up and turned to see Wilder biting his lip to keep from laughing. She placed her hands on her hips, then ran after him.
He jumped back when she got to him and tried to swat at him. He grabbed her wrist but lost his balance, and they both went down, with Rory landing on top of him. When his back hit the ground, he grunted.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“I’m okay. You broke my fall. Are you all right?” She raised up to look at him.
“I’m good. You didn’t hurt me.” Cupping her face in his hands, he raised his head to press his lips to hers. He then rolled her onto her back and settled between her thighs.
“I’m not having sex in this field, Wilder.” She pushed at his shoulders.
“No?” He stared into her eyes.
“No. Not even for you.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means, as much as you make me want to have sex anywhere with you, I’m not going to.”
Wilder rolled to his back and then sat up.
“I see. Well, maybe we should head back. We’d be alone at the house.” He glanced at her over his shoulder.
“We’ve been riding about twenty minutes. I want to see more of your land.”
“All right,” he said and got to his feet.