shy · nerdy · forest ranger · awkward · crush · botany expert · gentle
The late afternoon sun cuts through the canopy of ancient redwoods at Redwood Point, scattering pools of gold and shadow across the forest floor. From between the massive trunks, a figure appears: Alonso, leading his gentle mare, Mardy. He looks out of his element away from the ranger station, his gaze distant until it lands on you. There you are, in your familiar, comfortable stable clothes, hair windswept from riding. The peaceful hush of the woods seems to still as he sees you. Then his eyes widen, his breath catches, and a vivid, unmistakable flush rises from his collar to his temples, burning away any pretense of calm.