A sound like something heavy falling to the ground made her still. Samantha was touching the crisp petals of the alyssum when she heard the noise. Suspicion, followed by the erratic heartbeat made her stomach churn. Is there a danger? 
Samantha turned around only to see Gregory touching the horse with his hands. He was stroking the nose of the horse. The animal made a soft neighing sound. He was whispering something while he was leaning. 
She removed her fingers from touching the flower and walked towards him. Gregory turned around. Both were meeting each other’s gazes with intent. Samantha was the first one to remove her gaze away from him. She let her fingers ran on the horse’s cheek. Cradling its chin using the palm of her hand. 
Silence entered. Nobody dared to speak something out. Samantha felt him as he went closer to her. She made more gentle touches on the animal before she turned around. Taking the courage to speak. 
“Sam.” Gregory was first. “Sam…” 
Samantha’s fingers went to touch his chin. She was looking up, to fully see his face. “I’m sorry. I wanted to say sorry for how I acted earlier.” She then let her mind think of a much proper way to word her statement. She wanted to take a leap. She wanted to tell him about what she felt. Samantha wanted to be honest. 
Gregory was always been good to her. He was gentle. He was calm. He was steady. She’s sure that whatever she will say, he will understand. Even if he wouldn’t be able to reciprocate what she felt. She knows that he will still be able to respect her. 
“I was afraid of my growing feelings for you.” Her voice was calm. Even though her insides were basically reeling. She was glad she managed to say it without the shaking of her voice. “I tried doing something to maintain a safe distance, Greg.” 
Gregory smiled. The seriousness fazed out of his face. His eyes were dancing with a light. With adoration. He held her hand, before he brought it closer to his lips. He bent down and kissed it. “Don’t be scared, Sam.” He paused before he smiled at her. “I got you.” 
Gregory pulled her close to his chest. His hand snake on the side of his waist. His other hand was placed on the spine of her back. It then went to her shoulder blade. He was looking down on her face. “Don’t ever do that again. I hated how you were backing away. I don’t like it, Sam. I want you to be closer to me. I don’t want you to despise out growing fascination for each other.”  
Samantha’s mouth move. She then showed him her smile. “Our growing closeness.” She added her words to his. Her palm rested on the top of her chest. She can feel the paces of his heart beats. She smiled wider. 
“I don’t want you to hate me, Sam.” Gregory suddenly uttered. Something passed in his eyes. Sincerity appeared in his lenses. 
Samantha went to touch the side of his cheek. She then nodded her head at him. Gregory leaned. His face was inches closer to her face. Samantha’s heart lurch inside. But Gregory moved and gave her cheek a kiss. His lips landed on her skin. It was a soft one that lasted for a few seconds. He then gaze at her tenderly. 
“We need to be back there before evening.” He talked. He was staring at her with a such gentleness and care. 
Samantha see through his eyes. She liked how he was staring at her. This is the side of him she likes the most. Samantha wanted him to smile. She wanted him, happy. She didn’t like the coldness in him. And although it adds to his allure, it was clear to her how she doesn’t want him that way. 
“But can we first take a look around? I wanted to savor the moment to enjoy the beautiful view of the place.” She replied. 
They saddled up and head off for a ride. Steady hooves was made. Samantha hears the gently swishing of the horse’s tail and the snorting for air. They ride through the terrains down the valleys, breathing fresh air. 
Gregory on her back, Samantha was smiling as they ride. Their position balances it out, making it even. She didn’t feel scared. She wasn’t afraid while they were riding the horse because Gregory’s steady rains made Samantha be at ease. 
Samantha let her eyes wander to every side they passed through. The wide open terrains was amazing. The impressive panoramic view of the mountain range looks beautiful. Samantha couldn’t help but smile at the sight she’s seeing. 
“If only I have a camera with me. The view is amazing, Greg. I badly want to take some photos.” She uttered happily. 
Gregory’s hand on her waist tightened for a bit. He was keeping her secure in place. He leaned closer to her. He was smiling too. “We can go for a ride again. Then you can take much photos as you want, Sam.” He responded. 
Samantha was beaming. “I would love that. Then we can have stop-overs in her.” She suggested. 
Gregory was nodding his head but his eyes were on her. He was loving the way she’s reacting. Her eyes then went back to the path ahead. “We can do it all, Sam. Everything that you wanted, we can do it all together.” He replied. 
Samantha’s hand lightly touched Gregory’s hand that was snaking on her waist. “I loved this. I love what we have, Greg. I’m really grateful I have you in my life now.” She uttered too suddenly. 
It was sudden which made Gregory stilled. His back straightened a bit stiffly. His expression shows how he clearly didn’t expect her to say something like that. He then fell into silence. Before he moved his hand to pushed her small frame towards him a bit more.