All the Blue of Heaven by Virginia Carmichael

Author:Virginia Carmichael [Carmichael, Virginia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780615821894
Google: 8GJQnQEACAAJ
Publisher: Gumbo Books
Published: 2013-02-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Allie didn’t answer. She saw the same gentleness, the familiar movements she had seen a thousand times as he cared for her family’s horses. Her heart pounded like a drum. She could almost smell the grass near the carriage house, almost hear him whistle his welcome notes as he came to feed them every morning and evening.

“No fine suits here. This is how he spends most of his days.” It was obvious that he meant this to be very shocking. And it was, in a strange sort of way. Allie didn’t remember his arms being as muscular or the tendons standing out in sharp relief under his tanned skin. Her parasol dropped to the ground and the dust flew up in a puff, little bits of straw carried on the breeze. What she had felt blossoming in her chest during the dinner, or on the porch, was nothing compared to the fierce feeling that clamored within her at that moment. This was the Thomas she remembered, a man whose skill and care with these giant beasts was nothing short of miraculous.

“Not a fit profession for a gentleman, not even with that fancy degree he has.” Mr. Bascomb bent down to retrieve her parasol. He gingerly shook off the dust and offered it back to her. She stood motionless, eyes wide, and moved to take it from him.

He grinned. “He does present himself as a gentleman, and I must say your mother encourages his deception. But now you can see for yourself what sort of man Thomas Bradford is. Louise Lloyd has set her sights on him and she would do well to visit this foul-smelling place, as well. No lady will want to be a horse doctor’s wife.”

Allie flinched at the girl’s name. She had guessed as much, but felt her chest constrict with the harsh words. Louise, with her perfect skin and her flawless face, would be a perfect match for Thomas’s rugged handsomeness. Allie’s stomach knotted at the thought of them together. Of course Louise was right to pursue him. It was evident the sort of man he was. The sort of man he had always been, even at dinner. He was patient and thoughtful, but there was power in his movements. She felt the small hairs on her arms stand up as he went about his work oblivious to her. The odd sensation that she was looking into the past and the future at the same time made her dizzy.

The two men moved toward a light chestnut mare. With the same careful steps, Thomas went about checking the smaller animal. The two young men stepped close, clearly more at ease with the docile mare. The young sweeper trotted across the dusty floor, and spoke to Thomas.

With a start, Thomas straightened from the position he had assumed under the mare’s mouth. His eyes flew to Allie and he glared. She started, surprised by the unwelcome expression.

He handed the metal instrument to one of his assistants and strode toward them.

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