He paused, looking at her pensively. “All right, Katie, if that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
Danny followed her around to the back of the wagon and leaned against the tongue as she set out their cold meal. All this rain meant no fire. He raised an eyebrow at her. “So Chimney Rock, eh?”
“What about it?”
“Nothin’,” he mused, absently slapping his gloves against his knee. “I’ve heard it’s quite the sight.”
She knew where this was going. “Yes, I’ve heard that as well. Quite the sight.”
He sighed dramatically, gazing forlornly out at the rain. “Sure’d be a sorry thing if a body crossed this whole wilderness without seein’ somethin’ like that.”
“Yes, quite sorry indeed.”
“Just sayin’, I’d be willin’ to drive the wagon tomorrow for a chance at joinin’ an expedition.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Kate cracked a smile. Holding out her hand, she said, “Deal.”
He whooped and pumped her arm, dashing away to fetch her horse. Kate was actually relieved he was coming. She didn’t know if she could trust herself being alone with Jacob. He made her feel things, things she knew she shouldn’t be feeling. She stamped down hard on the enchanting memory of that kiss.Just friends, she reminded herself.That’s all we could ever be.
Danny returned within minutes, breathless and somehow muddier than he’d been before. “Here, sis, you know that Sadie doesn’t like gettin’ saddled by anybody but you. I’ll not risk gettin’ bit by some ornery mare.”
“Thanks, Danny. Would you pack us some biscuits? And while you’re at it, why don’t you let Ma know where we’re off to?” Kate walked away with Sadie before he could stop her.
“Oh, I see how it is!” He called after her. “You just want me along to do your dirty work for you!” She shot him a mischievous grin over her shoulder.
Kate was just throwing her saddle over Sadie’s withers when Jacob rode up, tall and strong and handsome, on his buckskin mount. Kate busied herself with the cinch.
“You almost ready, Miss McGrath?”
“Nearly,” she said, not looking at him. Pulling the cinch tight, Kate waited for her mare to let out the breath she held, then tugged it into place.
Jacob chuckled. “Does she do that every time?”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Every time. She’s as ornery a mare as you can get, but she’s worth the hassle, most days.” She patted Sadie’s neck fondly. The mare laid her ears back and took a nip at Jacob’s gelding. They both laughed.
Jacob dismounted, keeping a little distance between the two horses, and came closer, looking Sadie over from tip to tail. “Nice confirmation. Good sloped shoulders. High withers.” He ran a gloved hand down her foreleg and picked up her hoof. “Long legs, but not too dainty. Responsive.” He let the hoof drop gently. “You’ve got yourself a nice cow pony here.”
Kate grinned. “Thank you kindly, Mr. Munroe. I picked her out as a foal and trained her myself.”
“You’re kiddin’?” He glanced between her and her horse, blue eyes full of curiosity, as if deciding whether to believe her. He nodded. “Well done, Miss McGrath.”
The compliment warmed her to her toes. He was making it difficult to keep convincing herself that she didn’t want anything more between them.
“You thinkin’ of breedin’ her?”
“Just as soon as I find a stud worthy of her,” Kate responded resolutely.
“Might be hard pressed to find one out here.”
“I’ve heard the wild mountain mustangs are really somethin’.”
He laughed. “You gotta catch one first!”
“Maybe I will!”
“I’d like to see that,” he said with a wink, and Kate didn’t think he was being the least sarcastic.
