Frontier Engagement. Regina Scott
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Название: Frontier Engagement
Автор: Regina Scott
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Вестерны
isbn: 9781474036016
isbn:
She sighed as if she saw the beauty too. Down by the lake, frogs chirped a chorus and something splashed in the water. The breeze touched their cheeks with gentle fingers.
“There now,” James said. “Not so very scary.”
“Only because I have an escort,” she said. “And the cabins remind me that there are others just across the way. It was another matter when I was alone in my room.”
“And a strange room at that,” James commiserated. “Though, mind you, I think my sister’s designs are always a little strange. Those wide skirts and puffy sleeves.” He shivered as if the very idea was unthinkable.
She didn’t laugh. “Your sister is a dear. I just feel a trifle unsettled.”
“I know what you need,” James said. “Horses.”
He’d been trying for a smile or at least one of her scoldings that he was talking nonsense again. Instead, she straightened, squeezing his hand. “Oh, yes. That would be wonderful!”
Bemused, James escorted her to the barn.
The cool of the night had yet to penetrate the log structure. Earthy smells and familiar calls greeted them as James pulled open the door. He lit a lamp and led Rina toward the back of the barn, where Lance and Percy had their stalls.
The pair were standing, heads down and backs toward the aisle, their dark coats gleaming in the lamplight. Both turned to greet him, hanging their heads over the door of the stalls and nickering. James stroked each velvety nose in turn. Lance’s dark eyes were stern.
“Yes, I know it’s after bedtime,” he told the horse. “But you’d never been properly introduced to the lady. Rina Fosgrave, meet Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival.”
Rina spread her skirts and curtsied like a grand lady greeting the president. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my fine sirs.”
Lance raised his head as if he were above such things. Percy craned his neck to demand her attention.
Rina reached out and touched his cheek. “Such a bold fellow. I bet you are your master’s favorite.”
James pressed his hands to Lance’s ears. “Shh! Not so loud. He’ll hear you.”
Lance shook away from his touch and turned in the stall to put his back to James.
“There,” James declared. “Now you’re done it. I’m going to have to bring apples for a month to make it up to him.”
Rina giggled. It was a soft, silvery sound, brightening the barn, lifting his heart. A man would do almost anything to hear that laugh again and know he’d been the cause of such joy.
“Why don’t we go for a drive?” he asked, reaching for the stall door.
She dropped her hand from Percy, and the horse nudged her shoulder to urge her to continue. Instead, she stepped away with a frown. “I would never take them out after dark for fear they would fall into a hole and break a leg.”
There was that. He never had been all that good about thinking through consequences. “Of course,” he said. “You just looked so happy with them.”
Her frown eased. “They are impressive fellows. And if we have an opportunity after school some time, I would be glad to go for a ride.” She raised her voice. “Especially with you, proud Sir Lancelot.”
Lance snorted as if he couldn’t care less, but James saw his ears tip back to listen.
They stayed a while longer, then James walked Rina back to the school. The farther the barn lay behind, the more he felt her stiffen. Was she still worried about teaching?
“You’ll be fine tomorrow,” he assured her as he opened the door for her and the light from the teacher’s quarters spilled across the boards of the porch.
Her stiff smile told him she didn’t believe him.
“I imagine every teacher is nervous her first day of school,” he tried again. He nudged her with his elbow. “Just think how nervous your students must be. They’ve never been in school before. At least you’ve been a student.”
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