Page 43 of Montana Groom of Convenience
She guessed Sawyer did his best to hide his reaction, pulling his face into the mask he normally wore. Disappointment at losing sight of his smile colored her thoughts but not enough to quench her anger.
“Forget I said it.” His voice was so flat a marble wouldn’t have moved off center.
“How can I forget when I know that’s what you think? What have I done to give you that impression?”
“Nothing. Leave it be.” He rode after Jill.
Carly followed him. “I deserve an explanation.”
He pulled to a halt. “I suppose you do. Very well. I heard you mention several times that you had lost brothers. And when your father insists on a man on the place, and you marry a stranger, all the while telling him you are in charge...well, I guess I jumped to conclusions.”
“I guess you did, all right. Best you disabuse yourself of that notion here and now.” At least he hadn’t mentioned her little slip of the tongue while they sat at Annie’s table.
“I’ll do that.”
They faced each other. Her insides curled with disappointment that the pleasant morning had turned bitter. Daisy snorted. Jill screamed. A tremor of fear ran down Carly’s spine. Daisy was the most placid of animals unless...
She reined about to see Daisy rear and then gallop away in panic.
Carly forgot everything else and kicked Sunny into his top speed. “Hang on,” she yelled to Jill, not knowing if her words carried that far. “Grab her mane. Grab the saddle horn.” Grab anything to keep from falling off.
Sunny’s hooves thundered. The wind tugged Carly’s hat off, and it strained at its strings. She leaned over her horse’s neck as Sunny stretched out. It took only a few minutes to catch up to Jill...minutes that seemed an eternity. She guided Sunny close and reached out to grab Daisy’s reins. “Whoa. Whoa, Daisy. You’re okay.”
The horse slowed and came to a panting halt.
Sawyer rode up on Jill’s other side, snatched the girlfrom the saddle, and held her against his chest. “I thought this was a gentle, old horse.”
“Only one thing will make her do this. A snake. Jill, did you see a snake?”
Jill nodded, her eyes wide.
“Are you okay?”
Jill stared at her without giving any indication one way or the other.
Carly dismounted and went to Daisy. She rubbed her neck and soothed her. “You’re okay, old girl. That mean old snake didn’t stand a chance against you, did it?” She spent a few minutes calming the horse, then led her close to Sawyer. “It’s okay now, Jill. She’ll be fine. You can ride her home.”
Sawyer’s jaw clenched. “She can ride home with me.”
When he would have ridden away, Carly blocked the horse. “That’s not a good idea. A person should always get back on after a scare. It’s the only way to overcome fear.” She met his stubborn look with one equally as stubborn.
Jill shoved from Sawyer’s grasp. “I’m not afraid.” When Carly would have assisted her to mount, she pushed her away. “I don’t need help.” She managed to climb into the saddle and gave both Carly and Sawyer a look of pure defiance as if to say she took pride in proving them wrong.
For her part, Carly was pleased to see her reaction. “Good for you. You’re a little trooper.”
A flash of acknowledgment sparked in Jill’s eyes before she could think to hide it.
Smiling, Carly remounted, and they resumed their journey with Sawyer staying close to Jill.
Carly spotted a patch of palest purple. “Crocuses. I’m going to pick some.” She rode that direction and hurried to gather up a handful. She’d put them on her mother’s grave when they got back. “Mother loved crocuses. She said they were so brave, pushing up through the snow, enduring the cold. She said we should strive to be like the flower, willing to overcome challenges and adversity.” Remembering her mother’s words renewed Carly’s inner strength. She had willingly, knowingly entered into this marriage. Disagreements or difficulties would not deter her from the path she’d chosen. She would make the arrangement work.
Feeling as if life would be all she wanted, she remounted, and they continued homeward.
They reached the barn and led the horses inside. Jill dropped the reins and headed for the house.
Carly stopped her. “Father says the animals must be cared for first. You need to take off the saddle, brush Daisy down, and make sure she has feed and water.”
Jill crossed her arms and gave Carly a mutinous look. “I’m too tired.”
