Tarah's Lessons by Tracey V. Bateman

Author:Tracey V. Bateman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-04-08T16:00:00+00:00

Eight

“Tarah, stop!”

The near panic in Anthony’s voice sent Tarah’s heart racing. She halted the team and spun around in her seat to wait for him to catch up. “What on earth is the matter?”

“Are you crazy?” he thundered, a deep frown creasing his brow.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“What were you thinking, driving out to the Jenkinses’ by yourself?”

Taken aback by his accusatory tone, Tarah’s temper flared. “I have things to deliver for the children. Besides, why shouldn’t I go out there alone?”

He slapped his hand against his thigh with a resounding smack. “The man’s a drunk and a ne’er-do-well, Tarah. You don’t know what he might be capable of doing.”

“Honestly.” Tarah dismissed his words with a wave of her hand, though she had to admit, his concern thrilled her to the core. “You heard Laney say her pa sleeps the day away. He probably won’t wake up for a couple of hours yet.”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

“I do know if we sit here arguing all day, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll catch him awake.”

“Let’s go, then. If he wakes up, I can speak to him about our idea to help with repairs to the homestead.”

She cut her gaze upward and flashed a coquettish smile. “Why, Anthony, did you come all the way out here just to accompany me?” she asked in a singsong voice that would have put Louisa Thomas to shame.

His lips twitched, and one eyebrow shot upward. “I wasn’t exactly planning to sling you over my shoulder and force you back to town.”

Stung by his less-than-flattering response to her attempt at flirting, Tarah tossed her head. “I’d like to see you try,” she challenged. “Besides, you needn’t have bothered. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” he drawled. “But just in case, I think I’ll tag along.”

“Suit yourself.” She flapped the reins to nudge the horses forward.

Astride Dodger, Anthony stayed beside the wagon. Silence hung between them like a heavy fog.

Tarah felt like a fool for believing that just because Anthony worried about her safety, he was growing to care for her as a man cares for a woman. Louisa had set her cap for him, and obviously he had put up no resistance.

Still, in her mind Tarah replayed the image she often conjured up these days—of Anthony realizing Louisa was not the woman for him. Of his declaring what a fool he’d been and begging Tarah to forgive him and be his wife.

Anthony’s voice broke through. “What’s in the box?”

Pulled from her dreams of a white gown made of silk and lace, Tarah jumped at the intrusion. “Pardon me?”

“The box? What are you delivering to Laney and Ben?”

“Oh. Some clothes I picked up at Tucker’s.”

“I thought we were going to ask for donations.”

The memory of Laney’s humiliation came rushing back, and Tarah spoke with conviction. “We did. But I didn’t want Laney to wear the other children’s cast-off clothing. I seriously doubt she would, anyway.”

“Sounds like you are encouraging her to be prideful,” Anthony admonished.

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