Page 61 of In Search of a Husband
Nearly half an hour later, they were both riding back to the castle as a sharp wind whipped through the forest, and black clouds loomed overhead. She adjusted her bonnet and focused on the passing scenery, mulling over anything to say to Gabriel which didn’t involve kissing him.
“The inn will be ready in time for the festival,” he said. “Thanks to ye, Kate.”
“I might not be a governess, but I am sufficient at managing a project.”
“The girls adore you.”
“Lorna dyed my best dress black yesterday except it came out a sickly orange.”
“I’ll buy ye a new dress.”
She gripped the rein harder. “Not everything can be bought, Gabriel.”
“I was a verra wealthy man once, lass. I’ve found almost everything can be.”
“Yet you are here, repairing what needs to be done yourself and struggling to legitimize the distillery.”
“Some things are best done yerself.”
The clouds opened up and fat, freezing raindrops cascaded from the above.
Kate tossed her head back and laughed, holding out her arms as the horse slowly moved forward.
“Are ye daft, woman? Ye’ll catch yer death. Let’s ride.”
She sat up, already feeling the chill sink into her bones. “What is the point?”
“The point?” He circled her on his horse, and the mare whinnied, unsettled. “Ye’re talking like ye hit yer head.”
She tilted her face toward the rain and smiled. Smiled not because she was happy but because this storm couldn’t scare her, and she wouldn’t allow it to break her either.
Then a flash of lightning streaked across the sky before a loud echo boomed, as if the heavens were being ripped in two.
Her horse jolted, racing off through the woods. She hung on, the mare out of her control.
“Kate!” Gabriel hollered over the whistling wind.
She braced an arm in front of her face as branches whacked against her, nearly knocking her to the ground.
“Pull the rein,” he shouted. She could barely hear him over the storm and her heart drumming in her ear.
With another lightning strike, the mare attempted to jump a stone wall but didn’t clear it, stumbling instead and sending Kate tumbling over the other side.
“Ahh,” she screamed. Pain seared her arm and back as she struggled to breathe.
The horse whinnied in pain as Kate heard Gabriel’s approach.
“Are ye hurt? Can ye stand?”
“We can’t leave her,” Kate cried, pushing up onto her knees. She wiped the rain pelting against her skin, struggling with the ringing in her ears. “I don’t think I broke anything. Please, Gabriel. We can’t leave her out here.”
A dark scowl possessed Gabriel’s handsome face. “We need to get out of the storm.” He held his hand out for her as she scaled the small wall. The stones wobbled beneath her boots, and she nearly fell again.
“Damn it,” he cursed. “Ride with me and we’ll find her.”
The rain felt as if it was slicing her with each strike. She pressed back against Gabriel’s chest, searching the forest for the runaway horse.
“Ye’re safe now, lass,” he said against her ear.
