Page 385 of Conveniently Wed
She smiled inwardly at his praise…until he swung up behind her and placed his hands securely around her waist.
Then, fear took over.
“Off we go,” he said into her ear. “You have control.”
The warmth of his large hands penetrating her muslin gown set her heart to racing. She kicked the flanks of his horse, and they shot ahead.
“Whoa, we’re not in a hurry. I rather like sitting this close to you.”
She turned and shot him a scowl.
He laughed out loud. “Never seen such a pretty frown.”
She ignored him, but her feelings tumbled one over another—from panic to pleasure and everything in between.
A slight breeze cooled the heat at the nape of her neck. Dappled sunlight filtered through the overhead trees. The sound of a babbling brook and the cadence of the beautiful stallion stirred an unfettered pocket of joy. She almost forgot her troubles until the arms wrapped around her middle tightened. Then all pleasure faded.
“Head to the creek. We’ll stop a bit and give the horse a break and a drink.” His breath tickled her ear. “Then you can take him for a gallop. He’ll like that.”
When they reached the water, she pulled the reins, and the stallion instantly stopped.
Josiah swung from the horse and, with both his hands raised, encircled her waist as she slid down. She tried to control the tremor through her body, but could not. He lowered his head within inches of her lips, and she froze. The longing in his eyes was not difficult to read.
Maybe he recognized her fear, for he pulled away, grabbed the reins, and led the horse to the creek. He removed his hat, dipped both his hands in, and lifted water first to his lips, and then to his hair. The russet-brown color glistened in the light of the sun. “Ah, that feels better. It’s a hot one today.”
She tried not to stare as he unbuttoned his crisp white shirt halfway down.
“Come on. I know you like the water. At least get your feet wet.”
That was all it took for her to peel her boots and stockings free, lift the hem of her skirt, and step into the cool clear water.
He joined her.
A bubble of laughter slipped free.
“What’s so funny?”
“Never thought I’d see the high and mighty Mr. Richardson enjoying the simple pleasures of life like wading in a creek.”
“That’s because you don’t know me. If you did, you wouldn’t call me high and mighty.”
“Yet you want to marry me?” She unpinned the coil at the nape of her neck and flipped her long braid back.
“We’ll have a lifetime to remedy that.”
He stepped out of the water and pulled on his boots. “I have a great swimming hole on my property where you shall be able to swim to your heart’s content.”
“Really?”
“Really. Now, are you ready to take Fireball for a gallop?”
She nodded, trying to keep her excitement from showing as she laced up her boots, then swung up on his magnificent steed.
“Do come back for me.” He laughed as he leaned against the oak, slid to the grass below, and tilted his hat to shade his face.
At last, she lit out. Now, this was joy. For the first time in a long time, she laughed into the wind. At least two good things would happen when she married Mr. Richardson. She would be able to ride again, and she’d be able to swim.
The household bustled in excited anticipation of the wedding. Katie noticed smiles on her parents’ faces for the first time in years. Her sisters chattered excitedly about no longer being crammed together in the loft with their young cousins. Aunt May and Uncle John couldn’t help but show a measure of relief, and Katie couldn’t blame them.
