You May Kiss the Bridesmaid - Camilla Isley Page 0,34

ever realizing. Did I write something majorly uncool? I’m tempted to go back and re-read the entire thread, but his next text comes in, preventing me.

How’s it going over there?

The bus is already pulling up at our destination, the riding ground. Wow, that was quick, I barely noticed we were moving.

I read the question again. I could tell Archie about my earlier conversation with Daria and Susan, but I don’t want to spoil our chat. Soon I’ll be out in the fresh air, riding. And I’m pretty sure only my sister, Lana, and I will make it to the more advanced group—LA isn’t famous for its riding grounds, and I bet we’re the only ones to have ever been on the back of a horse before. My family, from my mother’s side, is originally from Indiana, and my grandparents used to own a ranch near Bloomington. When we were little, Lana, Winter, and I would spend many summers on the farm doing all the Midwestern activities California kids probably never learn: how to ride a horse, how to shoot rifles, crossbows, and every other weapon known to mankind. Or, more harmlessly, how to milk a cow. All important life skills.

Most people, Daria and Susan included, will be stuck in the beginners’ practice ring, riding a pony held on a leash by the instructors, while I’ll be taking the scenic ride out of the manège.

No need to ruin my day obsessing about people I no longer care about and who no longer care about me, except as meat to grind in their gossip machine. I opt for a flirty reply, teasing Archie with the same double entendre I tortured Logan with last night:

We’re about to meet the studs

Studs?

I was led to believe these would be very PG 13 hen and stag parties

What do you mean?

No strippers for you?

The only thing this bunch would be interested in seeing stripping is a mummy

And only so that they could properly analyze it and date the corpse to the right Pharaonic era

Ew

No, seriously, what are you guys doing?

Gourmet lunch aboard a historic train car while we reach more wineries to have tastings at

Yawn

You gals?

Once all the hens are gathered in the riding ground courtyard and the pink-mobile is gone, the manager comes to greet us. After a short welcoming speech, he asks us to raise hands accordingly to our riding experience and, as predicted, it’s just me, my sister, Lana, and two female archeologists from Logan’s half of the invitation list in the advanced group.

We follow a boy to the stables where he introduces us to our rides. I’m with Thunder, a beautiful gray stallion. I pat the horse and caress his muzzle, whispering small words to get him used to my voice. And while we familiarize with each other, I compose a quick reply for Archie.

I’ve just met Thunder

He’s going to be my ride today

Archie replies with a yellow emoji holding its chin questioningly.

That’s a very bad name, even for a male stripper

I chuckle; time to put the guy out of his misery. I lean my face next to my equine companion and snap a selfie. I caption the pic: Archie, meet Thunder

Archie’s reply is a head-exploding emoji.

In the background, the tour guide calls for everyone who’s going on the long ride to gather at the trail entrance. I grab Thunder by the reins and guide him out of the stables, following behind my sister and Lana’s rides.

Before mounting, I compose a quick text for Archie.

We’re about to leave

The guide has asked us not to use our phones while on the trail

They have a history of people getting distracted and falling off their horses

Talk later?

I’ll be gone for about two hours

A reply comes within seconds.

Those are going to be two long hours

His words make my heart flutter. Even more when they’re followed by a cat-face emoji blowing me a kiss. This guy is unbelievable. So big and strong, with the bad-boy bike and everything, sending me kiss-blowing catmojis. I shake my head. He’s sure full of surprises.

I store my phone in a saddle’s pocket made for this specific purpose, and then place my right foot into the corresponding stirrup to haul myself atop Thunder.

The ride is as scenic and filled with breathtaking vistas as advertised. Once we come back to the ranch, we are spoiled with a perfect pairing of estate wines served with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, spreads, fruit, and nuts.

Honestly, Napa is ruining wine for me. How will I ever go