Texas Cinderella by Winnie Griggs

Author:Winnie Griggs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Riley abruptly released her and stepped back.

Clearing his throat, he reached for Duchess’s reins. “Why don’t you get our picnic set up while I tend to the horses?”

“All right.”

He heard the confusion in her voice. Was it because of what had almost happened? Or because he’d broken it off before anything could happen?

Best not to ponder that question. Instead he focused on tending to the animals while she retrieved the picnic basket and blanket.

By the time he had the horses taken care of she had the blanket spread under a tree and was unloading the food and dishes.

When he neared, she looked up and offered an easy smile of greeting, as if that little moment of awkwardness between them had never happened. Relieved, he sat down on the blanket across from her.

He wasn’t going to push his luck by getting too close to her right now.

“So what did our friends pack us for lunch?” he asked.

“They did very well by us. There’s some cold fried chicken, bread, cheese and a couple slices of pound cake.”

“A feast, indeed.”

Cassie filled their plates, and then Riley asked the blessing.

As they began eating, she gave him a smile. “I can see why you enjoy riding so much. It makes one feel on top of the world.”

“So you don’t think that’ll be your last ride?”

“Not if I can help it.”

If only he could stick around here to go on some of those rides with her.

Once they’d finished the main portion of the meal, Cassie placed a piece of cake on two plates and handed one to him. As he took his first bite, though, he realized she was just picking at hers with her fork. Was something worrying her?

“Not hungry?” he asked lightly. “Or do you just prefer pie?”

She glanced up guiltily and then smiled sheepishly. “Last night, you asked me for a favor and shared something very personal with me in order to explain exactly what it was you were asking.”

He nodded. “And I truly appreciate your ready agreement to help.”

“I was wondering if perhaps I could turn the tables on you now.”

“How so?”

“I have a favor to ask, but it involves something a bit personal.”

Now this sounded interesting. “Ask away.” Whatever this favor was, it must be something big. She seemed unduly nervous and slightly embarrassed.

“The thing is, I don’t have much experience speaking to men besides my pa and brothers.” She pushed a stray tendril behind her ear, not quite meeting Riley’s gaze. “I mean, of course there are shopkeepers and such, but I’m talking about speaking to men on a more personal basis. In fact, there’s only you and maybe Mr. Chandler.”

Who was this Mr. Chandler? And why had she been speaking to him on a personal basis? But Riley supposed that was none of his business. “Go on.”

She fidgeted a moment, then seemed to gather up her courage. “I need to propose marriage to someone, and I don’t quite know how to go about it.”

That completely unexpected confession set him back, hard.

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