Page 63 of Montana Groom of Convenience
He turned to study her, a smile creasing his face. “I consider that a fine compliment.”
“Now then, wouldn’t Father be pleased to hear it.”
They smiled at each other. She had no thought in her head, just the heartfelt enjoyment of the moment that hovered motionlessly between them.
He shifted his gaze to her right and then brought it back to her. “How did you find the cows?”
“They’ve moved west a mile or so. About twenty more calves.”
He took her hand and pulled it through his arm, and they walked along the path toward the river. “I am impressed with the look of those calves.”
For a while, they discussed the cows and Father’s breeding program. They reached the trees along the river, and he took her hand to lead her down the path, keeping her fingers wrapped in his when they reached the edge of the water. He crossed his arms, still holding her hand, pressing it to his chest. “Tomorrow is Saturday. We should do something special now that the crop and garden are in the ground.”
Her heart picked up speed. “Special? Us?” Who exactly did he mean, and what did he have in mind?
“You and me and Jill if she wants to come. I’d include Father, but he can’t ride anymore. Poor man.” He paused. She waited. “As I worked, I’ve been eyeing that hill past the barn. Been wondering what’s beyond the top of it.”
She could tell him, but she’d far sooner show him. “We could ride out and see.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “Kind of what I thought.”
“Let’s do it.”
“Yes, let’s.”
The next morning, Carly woke up early, an eager smile on her lips. It didn’t make sense to be so excited about a ride across familiar land, and yet she was. She sprang from her bed and rushed to the kitchen to make breakfast.
Jill followed to let Skippy outside.
Sawyer came from his room, looking as pleased about the day as Carly felt.
“Jill,” Sawyer said. “We’re going for a ride today to see what’s west of the hill behind the barn.”
“Aye, I can tell you,” Father began.
“Let them see for themselves,” Carly said.
He nodded, a twinkle in his eyes. “’Twill be for them to discover.”
“Can I take Skippy?”
“Ye can leave the kitten with me,” Father said. “She’ll like that better than being carried on the back of a horse.”
Jill considered her options, looking from one adult to another and then whispering something in Skippy’s ear. She handed Skippy to Father and went to Sawyer’s side. “Okay. I’ll go with you.”
Because of all the baking she’d done over the last week, there was plenty of food to take with them so they could spend the day out if they wanted. She made sandwiches using the roast meat she’d cooked the day before and packed the food in saddlebags. They were soon on their way.
Carly and Sawyer rode side by side. Jill sometimes rode beside them but more often ventured ahead or fell behind and seemed lost in her own thoughts, leaving Carly and Sawyer to visit with each other.
Sawyer asked about who lived in every direction, and she told him about the distant neighbors. She told him more about the Marshall family and how Annie and her brothers had all married in the last few months. She told him of adventures she and Annie had experienced.
He listened with a thoughtful look, and she grew silent. Then asked, “Do you disapprove of how I’ve conducted myself?”
He chuckled. “Not at all. If you weren’t a daring young lady, you would have never agreed to my suggestion of marriage. No, I was thinking how nice it is that you have friends you share the past with.”
At the lonely note in his voice, she reached out to touch his arm. “You can have that from now on.”
Their gazes found each other and stayed there while their horses moved restlessly.
