Page 406 of Conveniently Wed
Her eyebrows shot up, and she laughed into the wind. “You’re on.” She kicked the flanks of her old mare and lit out into a gallop. The picture she made flying across the meadow filled his chest with pure joy. Her wild spirit brought life and youthful zest to his world, which had been dead for way too long.
His horse could easily overpower the mare. He drew neck and neck, smiling at the look of sheer determination on her profile. If he let her win, she would think him old, but if he won, it would take away her pleasure. A tie might be the mostprudent, so he reined in his horse. The look of delight that flushed across her face as they slowed the animals to a walk made his heart swell to twice its size.
“That was the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time.”
He couldn’t help grinning back. “Was I right?Likenumber three?”
“Yes indeed.” She said without hesitation. “How did you know I liked to race?”
A laugh bubbled up from his chest. “Oh, there was little doubt.”
He wouldn’t tell her that, after that incident in the woods, he made a point of following her from a distance to make sure she got home safely. He remembered how his heart had stopped as she jumped the split-rail fence to her pa’s land. She had sailed over it as if she’d sprouted wings and landed with the grace and skill of an Indian warrior. In that moment, two things had become clear. Her riding skills could rival any man’s, and she was unlike any woman he had ever met.
“Let’s stop here and eat a little of what Delilah made, or I’ll have the wooden spoon taken after me.”
She giggled as she swung her leg over and jumped smoothly to the ground. “You two have a wonderful relationship, don’t you?”
“After my parents died, Abe and Delilah became everything to me. They’re family, plain and simple. I know its unconventional. I hope that doesn’t bother you.” He spread a blanket on the ground and waved her over.
“Me, no.” She knelt down beside him and opened the cloth that held the corn cakes, then offered him one. “Never been raised to think I was better than anyone. In fact…” But her words trailed. Whatever she hadn’t said left a twinge of sadness on her face. She took a moment to speak. “I’ve heard talk from some white folk blaming the blacks for the war and their lost families.Sad to say, but there’s a fair bit of hostility in this valley toward colored people.”
He was surprised by her astuteness. “I agree. Abe, Delilah, and I are careful in public to keep things formal, but at home we’re family. And if anyone tried to harm them—let’s just say I would not stand idly by.”
“Feeling that strongly, I would’ve expected you to have a discussion with me before we married.” She bit into a piece of chicken. “What if I had been the type who thought?—”
“I talked to your pa at length about this subject that first time I visited him. How your family viewed black people was of utmost importance to me. No matter how much I lo—.” He caught himself just before the word slipped out. “Likeda woman, I was not about to jeopardize Abe and Delilah.”
She nodded. “Hmm, that’s good, and so is this chicken. I’ll have to get Delilah to teach me how to make it like this.” She licked her fingers, and his blood ran hot.
He rose in one swift movement, in need of space, and headed for the edge of the orchard. The apples hung ripe and heavy from the sagging branches.
“Would you like an apple?” He plucked one free and held it up.
She nodded, and he lobbed one her way. She instinctively lifted her hands and caught it. Her eyes danced with merriment. Everything about her filled the emptiness in his life.
As she bit into the juicy fruit, a look of pure enjoyment pulled at her lips. A spray of apple juice dribbled down her chin. He wished he had the freedom to kiss it away. The heat rose in his body, and his heart pumped faster as his mind wandered to places it could not yet go.
“What?” she asked. Her head cocked to one side with a question in her eyes.
The innocent had no clue what she did to him. How would he have the discipline to take it slowly?
“We better go.”
He hated to share his new bride, but company was a safe option to the alternative.
11
Katie could have ridden far longer, but she was thankful for the time Josiah had taken to show her around.
“Just through the trees, you’ll see your parents’ new home.” Josiah pointed ahead as he drew up beside her.
The orchard opened to a clapboard house nestled in the arms of two massive oak trees on the edge of a field. A gorgeous sight.
And… Who was that person stepping from the house? As recognition took hold, Katie squealed in delight. In seconds, she was off the horse and into the arms of her sister Amelia. She soaked up the familiar scent of her sister, hugging her as if they’d been apart for years.
The door of the two-story building opened, and the rest of her family poured out. They flocked around her like chickens at the sight of grain. She picked up Gracie and twirled her youngest sister in a circle, relishing the giggle that filled the air.
She caught the gaze of her husband as she lowered Gracie to the ground. He was still astride his horse. His eyes held a wistful, haunted look. One that twisted in her chest.
