The Horseman's Frontier Family by Karen Kirst

Author:Karen Kirst
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Gideon had hoped that by throwing himself into his work, he’d be able to forget the betrayal in Evelyn’s eyes, the hurt he’d inflicted. But burning muscles and sore fingers weren’t enough to distract him. Working on the rear cabin wall, he hoisted another notched log onto a stack that nearly reached his knees. The dense elm didn’t go easily. When it at last shuddered into place, he straightened and tried to shake the stinging tension out of his shoulders and upper back.

A light breeze rustled the leaves. The quiet bothered him. There was no activity at the stable, only his horses grazing peacefully in the midafternoon sunshine. One thing about Evelyn’s new quarters: he couldn’t easily check on her. This time of day she was usually helping Walt catch crawdads or sitting on the bank with her nose in a book while he splashed around.

Funny, he didn’t mind their presence anymore. He’d grown accustomed to it...even enjoyed it. So what happens after they leave? Or you?

He tugged off his gloves, mopped his face with a handkerchief and set off to check the tack room. Maybe they’d decided to seek shelter from the heat.

But the door stood ajar, revealing an empty room. He went back outside and, executing a complete circle, searched all directions. When he saw no sign of them, he tried not to jump to conclusions. They could’ve gone for a walk. Considering Walt’s curious nature, that could take hours.

Just to be safe, he fastened on his gun belt. He whistled for Star, who met him at the gate, and hauled himself onto the palomino’s broad back. Lion and Shadow did not like his command to stay put, but they did as ordered. He wondered what would happen when the judge handed down his ruling. The boy had grown attached to his dogs and vice versa.

He frowned, unhappy with the thought of Walt missing them. Dreaded the dogs’ mournful eyes and mopey attitudes. And what about you? Can’t deny you’ll miss the boy’s smiles and spontaneous displays of affection. And Evelyn’s singing. Her heart-stopping smiles.

How had he come to this place? His goals used to be clear-cut, his stance on the stake and the claim unshakable, his view of anything Chaucer related set in stone. And now? Everything had blurred. The widow and child had tilted his world so that he saw everything at an angle, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.

Heading north, he covered about three acres before he saw them in the midst of a rolling field, shaded by a copse of trees. Drawing closer, he saw that they were sleeping, Evelyn propped against the trunk and Walt sprawled out on the blanket, his head in her lap.

He dismounted and quietly crossed to the edge of their picnic blanket. Evelyn’s hair was loose about her shoulders, the black-brown waves a stark contrast to the filmy peach dress she’d changed into upon their return from the infirmary. A vision of graceful beauty. A delicate, exotic bloom.

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