Page 47 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“You can ride?”
“Of course, I can.” Her haughty look almost made him laugh.
“Astride?”
“If I must.”
“All day?” He didn’t want to be slowed down by complaints that she’d had enough.
“Let me show you.” Her chin jutted out. Her eyes flashed with determination.
He considered it a moment. This might be the thing that would prove to her she wasn’t ranch-wife material.
“Very well.”
* * *
Olivia almost cheeredat being invited to accompany Riley. Though invited might not be the right way of describing it. Allowed was closer to the truth. “I’ll need a few minutes to get ready.” She had to clean the kitchen, pack food, and change her clothes.
“That’s fine. I have to take the money to the office and saddle the horses.” He squinted at her. “You’re sure about this?”
“Absolutely.” Before he could voice any more argument, she put her hands in the cooled dishwater.
He shrugged and left the house. Olivia did the dishes in record time. She filled sacks with food, grateful for the abundant supplies available. She changed into her riding habit. At Sylvia’s insistence, she’d purchased a split skirt and although she’d demurred at the time, she was now glad she had. She pulled her leather shoulder bag from the trunk and put in her larger sketchbook and several pencils—both black and colored. Then she took the sack of food and went to the barn.
She circled the horses, speaking softly to them and letting them sniff her hands, while Riley watched her. She thought she detected approval in his look but that might have only been wishful thinking on her part.
“You know about horses.” She was certain she heard surprise in his voice.
“I’ve had plenty of lessons.” She wouldn’t tell him that they’d been very formal. She’d only ridden sidesaddle around the park or along fenced laneways.
“This is the one you’ll be riding. He’s a gelding named Star.”
“I can see why.” There was a white patch in the middle of his forehead. She patted his neck and crooned to him. “What do you call your horse?”
“King.”
She nodded. “A good noble name.”
Riley took the food and tied the sack to his saddle then cupped his hands to help her mount. She adjusted herself, finding it strange to be sitting this way.
They rode down the trail past the houses, along the valley. He was kind enough to go at a walk, allowing her time to feel balanced. Or perhaps it was only because he didn’t want to risk one of the children running into their path.
The trail was familiar. They’d come this way on Sunday. Were they going to the falls? But no, they soon shifted away from the valley and rode across rolling hills with the mountains to their left.
“Guardians.” The word came out as an exclamation.
Riley turned to her. “Pardon.” He eased closer to her so they could talk.
“I was thinking how the mountains are like guardians.”
“Ma thought so too. She’d often quote a verse from the Psalms. ‘As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever.’ I’d forgotten that.”
“You’re welcome.” She spoke airily.
“For what?”
“That I reminded you.”
