Page 48 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“Thank you,” he added belatedly.
They laughed together.
“What are we looking for?” she asked.
“That there is grazing and water. Mostly, I want to make sure everything is good.”
“The grass looks dry.” It was a bleached brown color.
“It still has food value. We’ve cut that area for hay.” He pointed and she saw the grass there was shorter and greener.
In a short while, they reached a stream of water and rode to the edge. He dismounted and reached up to assist her. She gratefully accepted his help, forcing her legs to be steady. If she was already feeling unused muscles, what would she feel like by the end of the day? Her discomfort didn’t matter. She meant to make him understand that she could adapt to ranch life. She turned toward the sparkling, tumbling water. “Running water is such a cheerful sound.”
“I suppose it is. Let’s walk a little.”
Why wasn’t he riding? Did he think he had to take this break for her sake? But before she could protest, he held out a hand and she took it, not caring why he’d stopped. There was no reason not to enjoy this moment. She clung to his hand, grateful that the rocky bank provided an excuse and gave herself to the enjoyment of how he guided her.
Trees crowded close to the edge of the stream. Perhaps that was his reason for walking.
“Hang on. It’s a little precarious here.” He tucked her close to his side as they navigated the narrow path beside the trees. He stopped, bringing her gaze from watching her footing. She gasped.
“It’s beautiful.” An azure blue lake lay before them. The surface reflected the clouds in the sky and the mountains to the west.
“Pa named it Alice Lake after my mother.”
“Because of its beauty?”
Riley chuckled. “Because it’s deep. Still waters run deep, he’d say and grin. He’d tell us our mother was not only beautiful but had a heart as big as the sky.”
“That’s nice.Hmm. A rich girl that proved herself. I like her more and more.”
He turned and began the return journey. “Thought you’d like seeing it.” His tone informed her he didn’t want to be reminded that his mother came from a well-to-do family.
She chose not to press the matter. For now. They reached the horses, and he helped her mount. They rode in a silence that made her uncomfortable. How was she to ease things between them? She urged her horse closer to Riley.
“Will we see a line cabin?”
His eyes widened as if her question surprised him. She added, “Honor told me about spending time in one with Luke.”
“They were married.”
She nodded. Then realized what he might be thinking. Her cheeks burned. “I was only asking out of curiosity.” She didn’t hope to repeat Honor’s experience.
“We won’t be going that far today.”
She nodded and fell back enough that she could study him without him realizing it. He was a well-built man, his shoulders wide and square. His dark hair hung over his collar. She guessed he hadn’t bothered with a haircut for a long time. He was a stubborn man, as were all the Shannons if she believed what she’d been told.
Too stubborn to ever confess he wanted her to stay? She sighed. She wasn’t leaving. How long would it take for him to accept that? And marry her?
The sun climbed upward, burning hot. She wished she could submerge herself in Alice Lake. They climbed a hill that allowed them a wide view of the grasslands to the east. Riley stopped, shaded his eyes, and studied the scene. Olivia looked too though she didn’t have any idea what he sought.
He grunted. “Don’t see any cows. That’s good.”
“What’s that?” She watched three brown animals near a grove of trees. They were too far away for her to identify them.
“Deer.”
“I see them often.” They came frequently to Shannon Valley for water. Other times, leaping across a meadow. “Every time I think…” Did he really care?
