My Queen

This is a brief diversion for those who love or dream of love. Enjoy.

Alice’s hair streamed out behind her, catching the light and turning to gold. She leaned closer to her horse’s neck, urging it to go faster. She could hear his horse’s hooves beating against the hard earth as he caught up to her. They neared the barn and her mount instinctively slowed, coming to a walk as it turned its nose to the closed gate.

Samuel caught up to her, dismounting swiftly to open the gate for her. He followed slowly, leading his horse into the corral and closing the gate again. He released his horse, watching it canter to the opposite side of the corral before turning his attention back to Alice. She patted her horse’s neck gently and turned to him. He raised his arms toward her, waiting impatiently for her to dismount.

“How did you think of this?” She slid down from the horse into his waiting arms.

“Doesn’t every little princess love horses?” He whispered into her ear as he held her close.

She pulled away, glaring and smiling as she patted his chest softly with her balled up fists. “Little?”

“You’ll always be your father’s little girl.” He smiled sinking to his knees in the hard-packed mud.

A warm blush crept up her cheeks. “Are you…”

He held up one finger to quiet her as he fumbled in the pocket of his jacket. “At least, that is what he told me yesterday when I asked him an important question.” He smiled and shook his head as she opened her mouth to speak and continued. “Now, I have a question for you…”

“Ye…”

“Wait for me to ask.” He smiled up at her. “Will you be my queen?”

“Yes.” She sank to her knees, wrapping her arms around him.