Westward Bound by Linda Bridey

Author:Linda Bridey [Bridey, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mail Order Bride Dept, Gold Crown Press
Published: 2014-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

After they’d eaten, Claire changed back into her regular dress but didn’t put all of her petticoats on. She’d gotten used to the freeness of the Indian dress and didn’t want to be quite so encumbered as they rode to the ranch. She looked around at Marcus’ house. It was a mess, but she thought it could be charming with some work.

She ran her fingers over all of the books that lined the shelves and looked at the titles of a few that sat in stacks on the floor. Claire wondered if he’d read all of them and she wouldn’t be surprised if he had. She was amazed at how intelligent Marcus was and how much he had retained. That he was self-taught and could hold his own with her impressed Claire. She thought it a shame that he hadn’t had the opportunity to attend college. He would excel in his classes, she knew.

Marcus told Seth that he wanted to go get his things from the ranch and Seth said that they should come with him so he could act as a buffer for Marcus. Marcus was unsure of taking Aiyana with them, but Seth said that Maddie could watch her at their place in case things got heated with Dean.

Seth also offered to carry Aiyana so Marcus and Claire could ride double.

Marcus said, “Why? I have another horse.”

Claire looked at him and said, “Marcus, I can’t ride alone.”

“You’re gonna have to learn. You never know when it’s going to be necessary for you to do so. What if I’m not around?” he said.

Seth nodded. “He’s right, Claire. Maddie learned and you will, too. It just takes some practice.”

She rolled her eyes and said, “All right.”

Marcus had brought Arrow out of the barn. The horse wore only a hackamore. The black horse tossed his head. He pawed the ground, a sign that he was anxious to be off.

“Where’s your saddle?” Claire asked.

“I don’t need one,” Marcus answered.

“You don’t?”

“Nope. Let’s get you up on that horse,” Marcus said.

She went over to Rosie and stroked her neck. “Please don’t make me fall off,” she said.

Marcus stood close by, ready to offer assistance. Claire’s mount was a little shaky, but altogether not too bad. She settled into the saddle and took up the reins. Marcus smiled up at her. “Well done.”

“Don’t praise me just yet. As long as I don’t fall off I’ll consider it a job well done,” Claire responded.

“We’ll call it an auspicious start then,” Marcus said.

Claire nodded. “Agreed.”

Marcus gave her thigh a little squeeze and turned to his own horse. He took a couple of quick steps, grabbed Arrow’s mane and pulled himself up onto the horse’s back. Seth shook his head and said. “That’s amazing. I didn’t know you could do that. Of course, there’s a lot I still don’t know.”

Marcus avoided his gaze and said, “In due time, Seth. In due time.”

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