Bride of the Wolf by Krinard Susan

Author:Krinard, Susan [Krinard, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: American Light Romantic Fiction, Romance - Paranormal, Fiction - Romance, Werewolves, Fantasy Fiction, Paranormal, Romance - Historical, Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Historical, American Historical Fiction, General, Romance - Fantasy, Love Stories
ISBN: 9780373774777
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2010-03-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

RACHEL WALKED SLOWLY around the gelding Maurice had saddled for her, pressing her damp palms to her skirts. The Frenchman had assured her that Jericho was gentle enough for a beginner, and she prayed his judgment in such matters was sound. She had hoped to ask Joey’s opinion this morning, but he, like Holden, was still absent.

Worrying about Joey would serve no purpose until Holden had returned and could look for him. And she certainly didn’t want to think about Holden. She smiled at Maurice to conceal her unease and turned her attention to the gelding. He eyed her mildly and blew air through his lips.

“Do not worry, madame,” Maurice said, looking almost as nervous as she felt. “He is un cheval admirable.”

“Yes.” Rachel wet her lips and looked at the mounting block. It did not seem sufficient to help her climb up on the animal’s massive back, but she was determined to try. At least she would not be compelled to leap into the saddle as Holden seemed so adept at doing.

The idea had come upon her in the sleepless hours before dawn. She had thought it might be easier to go about her work after Holden had left, but the opposite had proved true. She had scrubbed dirty clothes and sewn and mended until her fingers were raw and her back ached, but not even complete exhaustion had been sufficient to give her a good night’s rest. When she’d slept at all, she had suffered from dreams of Louis and Holden, violence and betrayal.

It was after one of those nightmares that she’d thought of learning to ride. She was beginning to feel just how isolated one could be in Texas. She would be all but useless on a ranch without an ease around horses and an ability to handle them. Once she could ride on her own, she could leave the immediate area of the house, go to town, even visit the neighbors, without relying upon Holden or one of the other men to take her.

If Jed were here, she wouldn’t have to rely on Renshaw for anything.

The more she could reduce her dependence on him, the better. At the moment, she feared his return every bit as much as she feared this docile animal. Conquering one fear might make it easier to conquer another.

Now she stood in the yard, a few stray chickens scratching and pecking around her feet, hoping Jericho couldn’t sense her fear the way some animals were supposed to do. Fixing her mind’s eye on her goal, she approached the mounting block. Maurice murmured to the horse and stroked his cheek. Jericho bobbed his head as if to offer encouragement. She lifted her skirts—the widest and least constricting she owned—and climbed onto the block. The plain Western saddle seemed as far away as Ohio.

Maurice had shown her how to mount. She grabbed the saddle horn, gripping it so tightly that her fingers stung, and put her left foot in the stirrup. Jericho didn’t move.

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