It was the very last thing she'd expected him to say, and she couldn't help but turn to him.
His expression was closed off, his hands on his hips beneath his jacket. "I freighted him up here. He's built for speed."
She had to swallow hard. What kind of an offer was that? "What's the catch? I have to return him to you in person after the race is over?"
If he smiled at all, it was fleeting. "There's no catch. You said the race is important to you." Skepticism rang in his tone. "If it's so important, you should have a winning horse."
She didn't know whether to be flattered or annoyed. "You've seen Buster race."
"This isn't a sprint."
No, it was a race that would exhaust them both, rider and horse. She'd have to be careful or risk injuring her animal. But she knew Buster, knew every trick, knew when he had more to give and when there was nothing else.
She didn't know Adam's stallion.
"Thank you, but no."
He nodded as if he'd expected her refusal. And then he turned and walked away without even a good-bye.
She should be used to this feeling. She'd frustrated Tommy, refusing his invitation to the picnic. She frequently frustrated her family when she didn't meet their expectations.
Adam had expected her to stay at home like a well-mannered young woman. He had a right to his anger.
But it still hurt to see the way he looked at her now. On Sunday, Adam’s warm gaze had saidI appreciate you, just as you are.
Now that appreciation was gone.
She steadied herself with a deep breath. So be it.
Well met, Adam. And good-bye.
Adam fumedas he strode toward the livery, where he'd secured Domino before he'd gone to find Breanna.
Seeing her again had tied him up in knots. She’d been dressed like a man in trousers and a vest, her hair tucked into a braid down her back. Even dressed like that, there was no mistaking she was a woman. He'd wanted to pull her close. Claim her as his own.
She'd have probably punched him for it.
He shouldn't have come. Not to Wyoming and not here once she'd run away.
He didn't have to be married to run Father's paper. He'd wanted it, wanted something for himself as he learned to navigate being editor-in-chief and running things.
Breanna was frustrating. Independent. An enigma. He'd seen the vulnerability she'd tried to hide when he'd loosed some of his own frustration on her. Called her unreasonable.
She was, but maybe this was his fault. He'd pushed too hard. Scared her. Couldn't keep his hands off her. She might've responded to his kiss, but that didn't mean she'd been ready for it.
I won't return to Philadelphia. He walked Domino out of the stall as his mind replayed her words.
He knew, given enough time, he could change her mind. Philadelphia was a beautiful city. She didn't have to be chained to the house while he was working at the office. She could do whatever she wanted. Join a gardening club. Or a sewing circle. Raise their children. Partner with Frank to raise race horses. All right, so that last one was the only one he could really see her doing. He needed more time to convince her.
The problem was, time was the one thing he didn't have.
He didn't understand her continued refusal. He fancied her. She fancied him. It was that simple.
I won't return to Philadelphia.
It hit him like a lightning strike. She hadn't refused him. Not really. She'd run from him under the guise of joining the race not because of him but because of where he lived.
He'd gone about it all wrong. If she fell in love with him, found him irresistible, it wouldn't matter where they lived.
