Page 29 of If the Boot Fits

Apparently she had, for when Asher turned and started walking both horses over to where she stood, Samantha failed to recall a single reason why she shouldn’t allow her pulse to leap about like a sugar-fed rabbit at the sight of him.

Square jaw shaved clean. Tanned face and hands. Wide shoulders. Lean hips. A sauntering stride that instilled confidence without the need for arrogance. Soft brown eyes full of concern and chivalry. Courageous. Capable. Kind. This was the type of man she’d been waiting to meet. One who valued family and was willing to help a woman accomplish her goals instead of placing her in a box of his own making.

“You all right?” His brows arched, and he slowed his approach. “Don’t worry. I’m not gonna put you up on Dolly. You can ride with me on Bruno. I’ll lead the mare behind us.”

Good heavens. He must think her a complete ninny. Arms frozen above her head, hairpins dangling from her mouth as if she’d forgotten what she’d been doing. All right, she had forgotten what she’d been doing, but not because of the horses. She’d been too busy cataloging the finer points of her companion to do more than register the animals’ existence. Not that she’d admit that truth to anyone save herself.

Giving her head a little shake, she ignored the rising heat in her cheeks and finished winding her hair into a simple bun. Extricating one pin at a time from between her lips, she secured the knot in place.

Samantha offered a smile as she reached for the hat she’d set upon the ground near her feet. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “Just got swept up in my own thoughts for a moment.”

She straightened and set the small beribboned toque on her head, feeling around with her fingers to position it just above her bun. Finding what she hoped was a central location, she held it in place with her left hand while extracting and repositioning the hatpin with her right.

“Does it look straight?” She lowered her hands to her sides and waited for a response.

Mr. Ellis blinked at her as if he couldn’t believe he’d been asked to comment upon her personal appearance. “Uh . . . yes?”

Nothing like an uncertain answer to invigorate feminine confidence. Oh well. It would have to do.

“Daddy will be less likely to overreact if I don’t look like I went through a harrowing experience when we show up at the ranch.”

“But you did go through a harrowing experience.”

She waved off his concern as she swept past him to coo over Dolly. “The cart lost a wheel, but you intercepted Dolly before any serious damage could be done.”

The hand she lifted to pet the mare’s neck trembled, belying her casual tone. She’d likely have nightmares about clinging to that narrow wooden shelf. And that horrifying moment when she’d nearly been catapulted to her death? A shudder coursed through her, threatening to weaken her resolve.

The danger had passed, she reminded herself as her fingers tangled in Dolly’s mane. God had seen her through. God and Asher Ellis. No good would come from getting worked up by a list of things that could have happened. What could have happened didn’t. She was safe. That’s what mattered, and that’s what she’d focus on when she saw her father. They were just beginning to mend things between them. She didn’t want to jeopardize their truce by antagonizing him. If he decided to play the role of overprotective patriarch, he might try to ban her from future tutoring. She’d be unable to comply with such a prohibition, of course. Jonathan Ellis needed her, and she’d not allow a little mishap to keep her from fulfilling her calling. No, it was best for everyone if she took steps to reduce the likelihood of a flare-up of overprotective tendencies.

“Hey.” The gentleness in Asher’s voice seeped into her and smoothed the raw edges of her nerves. Then his hand settled against her back, and her racing thoughts stilled.

Samantha twisted to face him, and his eyes nearly melted her where she stood. They brimmed with kindness, patience, and more sympathy than she likely deserved.

“It’s up to you how many details you want to share with your father, but remember, pretending something didn’t happened isn’t the same as dealing with it. You have someone who already knows all the details, so don’t hesitate to come find me if you need to talk, all right?”

Samantha’s eyes stung with new tears as she pressed her lips together and nodded.

“Good. Now, let’s get you home before we lose all our daylight.”

****

Despite the fact that darkness stalked them, Asher slowed Bruno to a walk when the Three Cedars ranch house came into view. He was reluctant for this particular ride to end. Having Samantha’s arms twined loosely around his waist and her body pressed close against his back tempted him to find a longer route to the Three Cedars. She’d been stiff at first, her inexperience evident. But after he’d encouraged her to relax and hold on to him for balance, she started to absorb the horse’s movements instead of fighting them. Her tension seemed to be returning, however. The closer they came to the house, the stiffer she became.

He couldn’t blame her. He’d gone a little stiff himself. Seeing the house again had tied his stomach in knots. His forehead throbbed as if the truth of the crime he’d committed when last here was trying to climb through his skin to declare his guilt in scarlet letters upon his forehead. He tugged his hat brim a little closer to his eyes.

The outline of a man separated itself from the shadows of the porch. Fellow was a little on the short side, but when he cupped his hands to his mouth, his voice boomed across the yard. “She’s home!”

Clinton Dearing jogged forward, his gaze locked on his sister. “You had us worried, Sam.”

Miss Dearing shifted behind Asher. “Help me down,” she whispered, her tone urgent.

Asher reined Bruno to a stop and offered his arm to her. “Grab hold, then lean to your left and slide off,” he murmured. “I’ll steady you.”

It wasn’t the most graceful dismount he’d ever witnessed, but she made it to the ground in one piece and even managed to fluff out her skirt before her brother squashed it flat when he wrapped his sister in an embrace.

“You shouldn’t scare me like that,” he scolded, emotion causing the words to tremble slightly.

She rested her cheek atop his head as she rubbed his back. “I’m sorry. But I’m fine. I promise.” She lifted her head and looked him in the face. “I had a little trouble with the cart, but Mr. Ellis saw me safely home.”