Page 384 of Conveniently Wed
She twisted her fingers in her lap so firmly, her knuckles turned white. Ma and Pa believed what they wanted to believe. The thought of sitting for another afternoon tea, faking pleasure, made her stomach churn.
The urge to do something finally got the better of her, and she pushed to her feet. “When he arrives, tell him I’m in the barn saddling up Uncle John’s new horse. I want to go for a ride.”
“You can’t take that horse.”
She glanced back at Pa. “Why not? I can ride most anything.”
“Your uncle got it for next to nothing because that horse was mistreated in the war. It’s going to take time to simmer that one down. Any little noise, and you’ll be bucked right off.”
“Bucked off?” Josiah’s rich timbre voice interrupted their conversation as he skipped up on the porch.
She hadn’t noticed his arrival.
“I left my horse in the shade of the barn. Hope that’s all right?”
Pa nodded, then motioned toward her. “Seems Katie wants to get out for a ride, but the one horse we have is?—”
“Never mind.” Katie threw out her hand. “It was just an idea to do something different.”
“That girl really knows how to ride.” Pride resonated in Pa’s voice.
Josiah smiled. “I know.”
“How would you know that?” Pa scratched his head. “We haven’t had a horse for her to ride since before the war.”
Heat crawled from Katie’s neck to her hairline. She was extremely thankful when Josiah didn’t answer.
He moved across the porch until he stood beside her chair. “Come on, Katherine. If you want to ride, we shall ride. Fireball is more than big enough for the both of us.”
The thought of doubling up with that huge man made her heart pump right out of her chest. “No. I don’t need?—”
“Come on. We’ll ride for a bit together, and then I’ll let you take him for a gallop.”
She rose to her feet. The thought of a good gallop on his beautiful stallion versus the sheer horror of having him so close… Oh, that was a tough one. She pursed one finger to her lips. “Give me a few minutes to change.”
A slow easy smile split free. “Take your time.” He eased into the chair she’d just vacated and stretched out his legs in relaxation.
How could she have been so stupid? Did she really want to be in such close proximity? She stewed while she changed into her old dress and slipped a pair of cut-off dungarees underneath. After one step into the kitchen, she swung around to reverse her decision.
“Good heavens, what are you up to now?” Ma asked. “Don’t you know Josiah is here for a visit?”
That was all it took to make up her mind. Ma’s disapproval rankled. “We’re going riding.”
“In that? You look like?—”
“Like what? Like I’m poor? That’s because I am poor. It’s why I’ve agreed to marry the man, because we’re all poor.” She stomped across the kitchen and slammed the screen door behind her.
“Come on, if we’re going.” She gestured toward Josiah, who smiled in response, which only annoyed her. She looked like a ridiculous rag-a-muffin, and he was acting like he didn’t notice.
They walked across the yard in silence. “Front or back?” He pointed to the saddle.
“Front for sure. Then I have the control.”
He grinned. “Agreed.”
She swung up into the saddle, surprised at the height of the magnificent horse as he pranced beneath her weight. At the slight tug of the reins and a gentle word, the horse settled.
“You do have the touch.”
