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.”“Will’s my friend.”She smiled, wishing she could see him in a better light.He stood close to his father.“I’m pleased to know that.Do you think I can be your friend, too?”“You’re pretty big.”She couldn’t resist a laugh.“Big people make good friends.”In the darkness, the boy looked to his father.“I’ll have to ask my dad.”“Of course,” she agreed.“Well, good night.I’ll see you Saturday.”“Are you alone?” Jack asked as she turned.“Pardon?”“Is someone seeing you home?”“I got myself here.I’ll get myself home.”“We could ride alongside until you’re close to your place.My mount is right over here.”“Thank you, but that’s not necessary.I’ll see you in a few days.”He remained where he was, but watched as she untethered the horses and climbed up onto the seat of the wagon.It wasn’t a fancy enclosed rig like her aunt and uncle and cousins drove, but that had never bothered her.What bothered her was that she was alone.And that this man was feeling protective of her.The attention was flattering, she couldn’t deny that.No one besides her father had ever expressed concern over the fact that she elected to take a team to town on her own.But he had taught her to handle the horses and protect herself and that was that.After she’d been on the road a few minutes, the sound of hoof-beats reached her.Knowing instinctively who it was, she looked over her shoulder to see the horse and rider approaching in the darkness.Her heart leaped in anticipation.The horse drew alongside her wagon, and in the moonlight Jack was clearly visible, his son seated behind him.He said nothing.“I told you I didn’t need an escort,” she said as the horses lumbered onward.“Daniel wanted to take a ride.”“This is out of your way, isn’t it?” She knew it was.He lived southeast of Copper Creek and she to the west.“Not much.”Charmaine couldn’t remember ever being at a loss for something to say before, but this situation felt awkward, and so far Jack Easton wasn’t much of a conversationalist.They rode along in silence, an occasional raccoon scurrying out of their path.The creak of Jack’s saddle and the plodding of his horse’s hooves accompanied the sound of the wagon wheels.When they reached the fields that her father had tilled and planted, she said, “This is our farm.”He rode another half mile, then reined in his horse.Over her shoulder, she observed them in the moonlight, his wide shoulders and the tilt of his hat, Daniel’s head peeking around his arm.She gave a little wave, then faced forward.When she looked back minutes later, she could no longer see them, and the sense of loss was unexplainable.Jack was an unusual man, indeed.A lot of men seemed uncomfortable around womenfolk, but with him it was something more.Almost as though he didn’t trust her…didn’t like her….Now that thought was silly.On Saturday, Charmaine helped her father hook up the team.She drove the spare wagon past Copper Creek to a fork in the road, and followed directions to the Easton house and stables.A few of the parents were already there, and Glenda Harper greeted her.“Hello, Charmaine! I brought sandwiches and drinks for a lunch.”Glenda was Mildred Sweetwater’s housekeeper, and Charmaine had eaten her delicious cooking more times than she could count while visiting Annie over the years.“How thoughtful of you.I should’ve thought of it.”“I’m guessing this will be our longest work day, what with the men having to figure out how the structure will be built and getting the frame together.”“I’m sure you’re right.”Glenda’s husband, Tom, joined them.“This is the wagon?”“It is.Do you want me to take it into the barn?”“Why don’t we leave it out here for now,” he replied.“We can move it inside when we’re finished for the day.”She tied the reins and climbed down.Jack had been standing to the side, but he walked forward now to unhitch the team.He spoke to the animals in a soothing low-pitched tone.The horse nearest him, nudged his chest in a friendly manner, and Jack scratched its forehead.He led both horses to one of his corrals and released them [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]