Page 44 of Montana Groom of Convenience
“As long as you’re able to walk, you aren’t too tired.” Father had drilled that into Carly. The animal has carried you without complaint. The least you can do is treat him kindly.
“I’ll do it this time,” Sawyer said.
Carly sensed the weariness in his voice, as if arguing with this child took too much effort. Or perhaps he was tired of arguing with Carly. It didn’t matter. “We can both help her, but she’s old enough to be responsible for the animal she rides.”
Neither of them spoke. Jill scowled at Carly. Carly didn’t look at Sawyer. She didn’t want to see hisdisapproval of how she dealt with Jill, but Carly knew she must establish her role as an adult in charge, or things could get difficult in the ensuing weeks.
“Oh, whatever you say.” Jill flounced past Carly to take up Daisy’s reins.
Carly was glad to see she didn’t jerk the horse’s head around.
She followed, instructing Jill on loosening the cinch. Carly lifted the saddle. “Always put it on the saddle rack so it stays in shape.” Step by step, she talked Jill through the process. “You did a good job.” She left the girl brushing Daisy to tend to her own horse.
Sawyer watched her. Did he disapprove of how she’d handled the situation, or did he see the wisdom of what she’d done? She couldn’t tell and wasn’t about to ask because she didn’t care to hear criticism of her actions.
But she decided one thing. Instead of taking the crocuses to the graveyard as she had intended, she’d put them in a bowl of water to place on the headstone later. She’d make supper right away. Poor Jill was probably hungry as well as tired.
Done taking care of their horses, the three of them went to the house. Grandfather Marshall was gone, Father sat in his big armchair, a stack of newspapers on the table beside him. He came to his feet, struggling with his crutch as they entered. “How did you find things?” He looked at Sawyer.
Carly pushed aside the bit of resentment that Father should seek the answer from Sawyer. And she didn’t give the man a chance to answer. “The cows are in the hollow to the north. About thirty calves on the ground. Grass is looking good. Cows are looking good.”
“Fine. Fine.”
“What’s new with the Marshalls?” Not that she expected there was anything. They’d seen them all just last night.
“No news. Just two lonely old men keeping each other company.”
Deciding to ignore his sorrowful tone, she went to the stove. “I’ll get supper on right away.” She’d left meat stewing on the back of the stove. There were cooked potatoes to warm up.
As she prepared the food, Sawyer, without being asked, filled the wood box, brought in more water, and carried out the ashes.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Least I could do.”
Hearing the strain in his voice, she faced him. “I was only doing what I thought best.”
They studied each other. She wished she could erase the differences between them and have nothing but the pleasant hours they’d spent earlier in the day.
After a moment, he nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I have no experience in this.” He circled his hand.
She didn’t know if he meant raising a child, being married, or sharing duties on a ranch. She grinned. Likely all three. “It’s all new to me, too, you know. We’ll have to learn together.”
His eyes changed first, growing less dark. And then the skin around them lifted. Then, his mouth curved into a smile. And the weight of a thousand regrets slipped from her shoulders.
A few minutes later, she served the meal. At first, Jill ate slowly, but as the food warmed her stomach, sheperked up. “I almost got throwed,” she told Father. “Daisy ran away.”
“Daisy, you say. Nothing fazes her.” Understanding came. “Except a snake.”
“You should have seen her. She stood on her back legs like this.” Jill illustrated. “Then she ran so fast I didn’t think anyone could catch her.”
“And Jill hung on and didn’t panic.” Carly smiled her approval. Jill ignored Carly and beamed at Father.
“Aye, child. You did good.”
Jill practically glowed from the praise.
Carly looked at Sawyer. He met her look and raised his brows, nodding so slightly no one would notice if they hadn’t been watching carefully. Carly understood he, too, saw Jill’s reaction to Father. Carly felt that they shared something private and special in that moment, though the feeling fled as quickly as it had come.
