Murphy's Law by Jennifer Lowery

Author:Jennifer Lowery [Lowery, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jennifer Lowery
Published: 2014-02-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Justine’s words haunted her at dinnertime. Sara stared at Murphy and his scar and thought of the cruelties done to him. He didn’t deserve such brutal treatment. No one did.

He looked up and met her eyes. She had seen so little of him since their arrival, the intensity of his gaze made her stomach flip-flop. She wanted to get him alone so they could talk. They needed to discuss so many things, she didn’t know where to begin. She wished he would confide in her about his scars and make amends with his family. They cared about him, just wanted to help him through it, and so did she. She missed him.

Conversation continued around them, but Sara didn’t notice. She was caught in Murphy’s stare and he didn’t seem to be in any hurry to let her go. She couldn’t read his thoughts, but she did notice the heat that suddenly flared and dropped her fork on her plate with a loud clatter. Heat crept up her neck into her cheeks as she forced her eyes away and took a drink of iced tea. She glanced up to see Alice looking from her to Murphy and wanted to crawl under the table. Had Murphy’s mother seen the look he gave her? She certainly hoped not.

“Jon, why don’t you saddle up a couple horses and take Sara out for a ride,” Alice suggested. “She hasn’t seen the rest of the ranch yet.”

“I was going to ride out to the north fence and do some repairs. She can ride along.”

Her face flamed beneath Murphy’s direct gaze. “No, that’s okay. I’ve never been on a horse in my life. I wouldn’t want to slow you down.” Maybe he’d let the subject drop.

“Nonsense, dear, you can ride Maude. She’s as gentle as they come. She’ll give you a good ride. Abby and I have a date with Candy Land and a bowl of homemade ice cream tonight.”

Sara had planned on playing with them. Maybe Alice hadn’t noticed the heat between her and Murphy. She wouldn’t be pushing them together if she had.

Murphy pushed his empty plate away and stood. “You coming?” he asked her, with a hint of challenge.

Meeting his challenge, she said, “Yes.”

“Be at the barns in fifteen minutes.”

Alice smiled after he strode out of the room. “It’ll do you good to get out of the house for awhile. And don’t worry about Abby, she’ll be in good hands.”

“Let me help clean up--”

“Nope, you go on down. The girls can help me with dishes.”

MaryAnn and Justine shooed her out of the room and Sara got the feeling they were all in cahoots. Even James and Paul were grinning when she walked out of the dining room. They couldn’t possibly see her attraction for Murphy, could they? No, she and Murphy steered clear of each other, there was nothing to see.

Worried now they had gotten the wrong impression, Sara walked slowly toward the barns. She was almost there when Murphy rode up on an enormous black horse, towing a docile-looking gray mare.

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