The Lawman's Bride (Harlequin Historical Series) by Cheryl St.John

Author:Cheryl St.John
Format: mobi
Tags: American Light Romantic Fiction, Man-woman relationships, Fiction - Romance, Sexual abuse victims, Kidnapping victims, Kansas, Waitresses, Romance - Western, Romance - Historical, Fiction, Romance, Romance: Historical, Criminals, Marshals, Historical, American Historical Fiction, Peace officers, General, Love stories, Western
ISBN: 9780373294350
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-01-31T23:30:00+00:00

Sophie had purchased a ready-made split riding skirt at Miss Kirkpatrick’s dress shop, and it had needed only minor alteration, which she’d done herself.

Sunday morning Amanda helped style her hair so it wouldn’t escape her straw hat, which she’d adorned with fresh new flowers and a lavender grosgrain ribbon that trailed down her back.

Goldie Krenshaw burst in, exclaiming that the marshal had arrived.

Hat in hand, Clay waited in the courting room, half a dozen young women directing questions and fluttering their eyelashes at him. Relieved to see Sophie, he ran an appreciative gaze over her spring-colored lavender shirtwaist and serge riding skirt and offered a smile. “You look lovely, Miss Hollis. Ready for a ride?”

“I am, Marshal.”

She took his arm and he led her out of doors where two saddled horses waited at the hitching post. One of them was a brown-speckled Appaloosa, taller than an Indian pony, but bearing familiar color and markings. Her smile was genuine. “He’s beautiful!”

“She.” He guided the horse close to the porch so she could climb easily to its back. “Hold on.” He indicated the pommel of the saddle. “Your foot goes here, then pull your weight upward with your arms and use your foot for leverage. Once you’re high enough, throw your leg over.”

Effortlessly, she did just as he directed and beamed at him from atop her mount. Just as she reached for the animal’s mane, Clay handed her the reins.

He mounted his horse, nudged it forward with his knees and instructed her to do the same. It all came back to her, though she couldn’t remember ever riding with a saddle, and that took some getting used to. It was more comfortable than feeling every movement of the animal’s hips as it stepped.

The morning was cooler than any day had been in weeks, the sun partially hidden by a layer of filmy clouds. Sophie drew in a breath and detected the fresh smell of the countryside. It was good to smell something besides burning coal or horses or food.

“It won’t rain, will it?” she asked.

“Doesn’t smell like rain.”

She let the breeze blow her hat off. She’d wisely added a ribbon that caught around her neck and let the hat hang on her back. The gentle wind in her hair felt delightful.

Clay held the horses to a moderate gait, and she was grateful for the chance to get accustomed to the brisk bouncing. The clouds dissipated and the sun warmed her clear through. By the time they reached the same riverbank lined with cottonwood trees, Sophie was ready to slide to the ground. She did so without his assistance.

“Shoulda let me help you,” Clay said.

She nodded. “I should have. My body didn’t want to wait.”

He chuckled and tethered the horses in the shade where they could crop grass.

“How far is your place from here?” she asked.

“Couple o’ miles that way.” He indicated a north-westerly direction.

“Are we going there today?”

“Still want to?”

She nodded.

“Then yes. I’ll make us lunch. Nothin’ fancy.”

They took seats on the lush grass.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.