A Place Called Home

Author:Lori Wick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

31

“Aren’t they a bit tight?” Christine stood in front of the full-length mirror in Mac and Julia’s bedroom, scrutinizing her jeans-encased legs.

As she pulled on a boot Julia answered, “Maybe a little. But with no one around to see us, I wouldn’t worry about it.”

Christine shook her head, her voice rueful. “Even if someone does see us, it’s better than riding in a skirt!”

“Oh, I heartily agree. My brother thinks I’m rebellious, but he’s never worn a riding habit.”

“How does Mac feel about pants?”

“If I go right over to the ranch and back, I can go alone. If not, I have to ride with someone and stay on MacDonald or Cameron land.”

Once mounted and ready to go, Julia knew a moment’s pricking in her conscience. She knew she had stretched the truth, but she shoved her guilt aside, not wanting to spoil the day.

Christine and Julia moved past the MacDonald cornfields, ready for the harvest. They rode in silence, taking in the beauty around them. The horses’ sturdy legs ate up the acres as the crisp October air surrounded them.

The fall days brought cool mornings and brisk nights, but by ten in the morning the sun was warming things up to a comfortable temperature that didn’t call for sweaters or coats.

Julia pulled her horse atop a small mound and Christine followed suit. Below them sat the Cameron ranch. The house was a single-story rectangle about a hundred feet from the stable, a low-ceilinged structure set at the edge of a well-built corral area.

Christine’s eyes took in the horse barn. It seemed enormous to her. “How many horses do they have?”

“I think the three that just arrived made it 26, but the stables will hold well over 30.”

Julia sat still for a spell, letting Christine take in the beauty of the ranch setting. After they turned their horses away, Julia led them down along the creek. They let the animals rest and graze, each woman taking a rock and getting comfortable in the morning sun.

“How did you meet Mac?” Christine asked. For the first time in her life the relationships between men and women weighed heavily on her mind.

“He came to the ranch to see my father. Well, actually, it was the first time I had seen him in many years. He had left home when I was still quite young. But when Mac’s dad got sick, he came home to work the farm. I was only 13 but already showing signs of being tall, and Mac was so big and acted so grown-up.

“He was 18 at the time, and very kind. He never told me to get lost like Luke and Silas did.” Julia laughed softly. “I used to lie awake at night and think about him. Because of his size, I would dream he would come and take me away and then beat up my brothers when they were mean.”

Christine laughed at this before asking, “When did he first notice you, I mean…” she grew flustered and silent.

“You mean as a woman.

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