Frontier Secrets by Anna Zogg

Author:Anna Zogg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-06-21T13:06:53+00:00

* * *

“Easy, boy.” Rhett ran his hands over Tripper.

Although the gelding’s ears flicked with nervousness, his flesh no longer quivered. With care, Rhett felt along the horse’s back leg. It felt less inflamed. More importantly, Tripper no longer held his leg as though it pained him to put weight on it.

Even so, Rhett located the tin of salve that Ellie provided and smeared some of the grassy-smelling contents over the wound. As he worked, he flexed his own hands. Between using the medicine and wearing gloves, his palms had also healed well.

He had just put the tin aside when a creak of the barn door alerted him that someone else entered the building. Enemy or friend?

In seconds, he climbed up into the rafters.

Flickering light from a lantern danced along the dark walls as the person approached the stall. Long before Rhett could see her, he knew Ellie was the visitor from the sounds of her swishing skirts.

Taking care to make no sound, he peered below. Her golden hair came into view, then her creamy gown. A dark shawl wrapped her torso.

“Hello, Tripper.” Before entering the stall, she hung the lantern on a nail.

Tripper nickered to her, his welcome far different from the one he’d given to Rhett. His first inclination was to call to Ellie and let her know he was there. But he decided to enjoy watching her interact with the gelding.

You have gifted her greatly, Lord.

The truth of it affirmed itself in Rhett’s mind.

“I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you.” Ellie rubbed her palm over Tripper’s neck. “I was gone far too long today, but I came as soon as I could. And I brought you a present.”

She drew something from her pocket that Tripper took eagerly. From the crunching sound, Rhett guessed it was sugar cubes.

“No, I don’t have any more.” She giggled as he nosed her. For several moments, she merely stroked his neck. “Mind if I look at your leg? You’re not going to kick me, are you?”

As Ellie continued to chat with the horse, she smoothed her hands over his back and sides, working her way behind him. She made some sound of satisfaction as she examined the wound before moving back to his head.

For several minutes, she stood back, merely watching Tripper.

“I know you’re in here.”

Rhett puzzled at her quiet words, apparently spoken to the horse.

Ellie swiveled around in a half circle, glancing about the stall, then looking over the half gate. “I can’t see you. Where’re you hiding?”

Understanding dawned when Rhett realized she was talking about him. He chuckled quietly.

Without descending from his hiding place, he poked his head out. “How’d you know?”

She peered up at him. “Tripper. He kept looking away. Obviously seeking you.”

“Ah.” Foolish of him to forget the horse. However, Ellie had been far more captivating.

“And I could tell someone just put salve on his wound.” She pursed her lips. “I figured it was you.”

“True.” The smell alone would’ve been enough. Ellie truly did addle his head if he ignored the clues he had left.

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