Hope in Defiance by Heather Blanton

Author:Heather Blanton [Blanton, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-06T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Oh, it was…” Hope shook her head as she helped Hannah make up a bed. “I can’t describe it. I was riding a horse. A huge, powerful animal and I steered him…and…we trotted…”

“But?”

“I can understand the exhilaration of it. It is quite freeing. But it was also—I was so nervous the whole time. And then those vile boys had to show up.”

“That was unfortunate, but at least you didn’t get hurt.”

“Yes. At least.” And she could have. So easily. The thought made her stomach flutter.

“Naomi wasn’t very good when she first started riding. Now she loves it. In fact, she’s quite skilled at it.”

Another concern crossed Hope’s mind. “Surely, she’s not riding anymore. Not until the baby comes?”

“I’ve told her. You’ve told her. Charles has told her.” Hannah fluffed the pillow and centered it at the head of the narrow bed.

“And we’re all assuming she’s listening?”

“Yes.”

“And Naomi is good about this sort of thing?”

Hannah opened her mouth, closed it, shook her head. “I suspect she was riding some before Christmas, but I don’t think she is now.”

“Let’s hope she’s sticking to the wagon. But I can certainly see how quick and agile a person could be responding to emergencies on horseback, especially in difficult locations or far out from town. A single horse is faster than a wagon. But it terrifies me, the thought of riding out alone.”

“Well, don’t worry too much about it. The more you’re around horses, the less they’ll scare you.”

“So, you went through with it?” Edward’s highly disapproving tone brought them both up short. But Hope would not allow herself to be bullied by this interloper. She turned to find him standing in the room’s doorway. He immediately started unbuttoning his coat with short, angry motions.

“Yes, I am taking riding lessons. Lane is teaching me. And I’m keeping my horse down at the livery.”

“Good Lord, Hope, have you no idea how dangerous this is? You could be thrown and seriously injured. Killed even.”

She and Hannah exchanged quick, guilty glances, but Hope rushed past it. “I could slip in the snow and break my neck. Life is a gamble, Edward.” Whether she ever sat in the saddle again was irrelevant. She wouldn’t be talked to like a child.

A sigh escaped him that was more like a growl and he dragged a hand over his mouth. “If you won’t think of yourself, think about the town. If you get hurt, we’re down a doctor. I can ride. I can take calls that might require one to saddle up, as they say.”

Hope wanted to tell him she hoped he wouldn’t be around much longer to respond to such calls, but bit her tongue. Especially since she might not, either. The riding lesson had choked her with fear. It was a wonder she was able to keep the tremor from her voice when she’d been talking to Lane.

“I find it highly irresponsible of Mr. Chandler to teach you. Doesn’t he care if you get hurt?”

“That’s why he’s teaching me, Edward.

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