To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

Author:Tamera Alexander
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
ISBN: 0310291062
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2012-10-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter

TWENTY-NINE

Well, General Harding …”

The veterinarian exited Seabird’s stall, towel in hand, and Ridley tried to sense which way the man’s pronouncement would go. The warm air in the stable grew even more so as all gathered seemed to hold a collective breath, waiting to hear the news.

Word about Doc Fleming’s visit today had traveled fast. Most of the stable hands working at Belle Meade had been here when Seabird lost her first promising foal, and they felt a vested interest Ridley hadn’t predicted. He was certain the unusual circumstances surrounding Seabird’s possible pregnancy were also contributing factors to people’s curiosity.

Even Olivia stood with Elizabeth Harding at the far end of the hallway, waiting and watching, though never directly meeting his gaze. But it was the doctor’s expression Ridley tried to read.

“The mare appears to be in fullest health, sir,” the veterinarian said. “Which is a fortunate thing … because she is most definitely with foal.”

Impromptu cheers and laughter skittered through the crowd, and Ridley accepted a moment or two of congratulatory pats on the back. He couldn’t deny, this was the outcome he’d hoped for — had prayed for. Though his prayers had felt somewhat stiff, and his petitions to the Almighty uncomfortably foreign.

Hoping to see Olivia, he glanced down the corridor, eager to catch her reaction to the news. But the hallway was empty. She was gone. Since their midnight stroll over two weeks ago, things had been different between them. She was still friendly and they talked, but she was more distant with him. He sensed she’d been evading him. Only yesterday, as he left the general’s office, he’d glimpsed her coming out the front door of the mansion only to see her duck back inside, presumably thinking he hadn’t seen her.

But that was all right. He was biding his time.

Even at fifty-six hundred acres, Belle Meade was an awfully small place for a woman who insisted on traveling everywhere by foot. He remembered what Betsy had said the night she’d shaved his beard — that she hoped the woman he’d set his sights on could get a runnin’ start. He wanted to tell Olivia Aberdeen that she could run all she wanted. It wouldn’t matter. The night they’d walked together and she’d reacted to the news of him going to Colorado like she had, she’d given him reason to hope. And that was all he needed.

Besides, it was time for August inventory, and he’d decided to exercise some of his “supervisory” rights. Just a few questions here and there about what she was doing or if she needed any assistance. He couldn’t wait to see her face when he asked. She didn’t much like being questioned. Especially by him. Which, of course, just made him want to do it all the more. And if Olivia Aberdeen thought she’d seen the last of that little horse cart he’d built for her, the lady was mistaken.

Uncle Bob, standing a few feet away, caught his attention and motioned. Ridley turned to see Doc Fleming walk back inside the stall, General Harding trailing close behind.

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