Maureen's POV:
The place was so warm, vibrant, and luminous because of the trees being so tall with dark leaves that partially blocked the heat, and brightness of the gauzy sun, allowing only some rays to pass through the gaps. The soft, light-green-colored grass was well-trimmed and there were these little yet full of yellow flowers growing in between, like each flower on its own was resembling a mighty sun.
I quickly removed my slippers and walked barefoot on the tickling grass, a very old habit of mine. I felt so nostalgic since all the reminiscence of my childhood with my sister playing in our huge, palace garden came on me like a massive wave striking the shore.
"Now tell me, isn't it wonderful?" Noah asked, stood beside me and crossing his arms against his broad chest.
I nodded and beamed in awe, "Of course it's wonderful! Only a fool would disagree with you!"
He looked pleased but covered it up by talking in a solemn voice, "Glad to know, but you agreed."
"I don't know what you're implying by that," I mumbled and pouted, my eyebrows drawing into a deep frown. He glanced at me and smiled brightly, his smile so contagious that I couldn't hold back, so I turned around and smiled surreptitiously.
"I know you're smiling," Noah stated nonchalantly and was standing right behind me.
"Nope," I denied playfully since of course, he couldn't see me. I mean how could he, my back was turned to him and...
"But the car's rearview mirror cannot be mistaken, strawberry."
I looked towards the car and saw Noah smirking at me. Oh, stupid, stupid me! I mentally facepalmed and scowled. Behind him, I noticed an old shed at a distance which immediately caught my attention. I ran towards it while Noah was jogging after me, chuckling all the way.
"Look at these horses, I wonder to who they belong?" I asked in wonder and entered the shed.
"They're mine."
"Really?" I squealed and Noah nodded which made my eyes lit up like a five-year-old on Christmas, eagerly waiting for a gift from Santa. The only difference was that Noah was my Santa and it was not Christmas yet.
But the point was, Noah, owned these well--built horses! These horses reminded me of Prince Nicholas horses I missed him dearly.
"My dad bought these horses eleven years ago," Noah explained. "We hired an old couple to take care and feed them, they come in the morning. They are really affectionate towards these horses like these horses are their own babies."
"Awesome!" I chirped enthusiastically and followed Noah. He led both horses into the field were then let loose. Noah quickly went out of the field and locked the door.
"Hey! I'm still inside, but f course you didn't hear me," I muttered and silently saw Noah disappear. These two horses looked harmless and I didn't mind staying with them since I had a lot of knowledge about them.
I patted the two horses and caressed their back tenderly while delightfully humming the tune of 'Cowboy take me away' by Dixie Chicks. I would be delighted if a certain blue-eyed boy took me away...
"Huh?" I looked at Noah who was standing right in front of me, snapping his fingers to draw my attention.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Noah asked and I shook my head frantically.
"Come out of your little world, will you?" Noah said as he chuckled.
I nodded slightly, suddenly becoming conscious and aware of the little space between us one step forward by either of us and our lips will touch my cheeks became hot pink and flushed sensing my discomfort Noah took a few respectable steps back.
I shyly looked down at his hands which were occupied by a polo stick and a ball. He then threw it on the grass delicately kicking a random stone.
"Next month, we have a polo match which is held after every five years, here in Benignton---"
"Oh, good."
"--Yeah and I'm in the team. This would be the first time though."
"That's great! So why are you so unsure? Don't you know how to play?" I asked curiously and his sardonic laugh conveyed the answers to my questions. "Then how on earth did you land up in the team?"
He let out a sigh and said, "My dad was a great Polo player, and the best in the town. So they automatically assumed me to be one."
"Your father didn't teach you?"
"Sure he did. He taught me how to hold a stick and how to ride a horse," he said bitterly and kicked the ball in annoyance.
I asked dubiously, "So what's the problem?"
"Do you expect me to play, when I barely know how to hit the ball?" He snapped at me and I faintly nodded in agreement.
He started walking towards the shed and I quickly grabbed his wrist
"Wait! I can help you with that!" I offered while patting the white horse.
"Can you?"
"You don't believe me, do you?" I asked with a smug expression on my face while he just gawked at me. Sitting comfortably on the horse, I kicked it gently, grabbed the polo stick, and grinned at Noah.
* * *
"Where did you learn this?"
"Back in London, I used to enjoy this game a lot. My dad taught me," I said proudly, and mind you, it was the truth. Noah was pretty impressed by my skills in horse-riding and in polo too which made my chest swell in pride.
We were now near the river, a little away from the shed. The water in the river was flowing swiftly, turning the usually bluish brown water milky white. The rhythm and sound of the flowing water were soothing to my ears as I smiled faintly. Noah and I were both sitting on the horses. I was on the gorgeous, vanilla white one while he was on the shiny, caramel brown one.
"What are the names of these horses?" I shouted the question since Noah was a little away and all one could hear was the river singing. He probably heard me since he turned around and came quickly ridding his horses in my direction, a little faster than usual.
He looked marvelous riding a horse, his sultry, dark brown hair bouncing all the way and his deep blue eyes looking into my green ones. His chest broad and his arms quite strong to lead the horse. He just lacked a cowboy hat on his head, but it didn't matter much.
"Noah, what are the names of these horses?" I repeated the question once he was near to me.
"The brown one is called Coco and the White one is Scarlette, Kai had named her Nate before finding out she was a girl." He said and gently ran his hand over Coco's back.
I just smiled and also thought of the memories I had with my dad and my horses.
Noah continued to tell tales of Kai and we both laughed lightly at some.
And then suddenly an idea popped in my head from nowhere which made me grin like a fool and Noah raised his eyebrow in question.