Cody placed his hand over his heart. “You wound me, Shannon Kilmartin.”
Laughing, Shannon carried back the pumpkin and placed it at Cody’s feet with a flourish. “Your game, sir. It will make an excellent pie.”
Brandon fired next, duplicating Cody’s marksmanship. Shannon went to collect another unharmed pumpkin. For the next hour they took turns shooting. The pile of pumpkins at Brandon and Cody’s feet grew while Shannon managed to shatter another—one she was actually aiming for this time. When Brandon finally called a halt to target practice, he and Shannon loaded Cody’s arms with the booty and sent him in the direction of the house to incur Martha’s wrath alone.
“That was mean,” Shannon said as Cody walked off awkwardly, carrying his harvest and protesting good-naturedly.
“It’s tradition,” Brandon shrugged.
“Cody already mentioned that.”
Brandon was no longer looking at Cody. Shannon’s profile held his attention. His eyes held the soft curve of her lips, the fragile stem of her neck. It seemed forever since he had been able to look at her this way, with no other eyes intruding. “Let’s walk.”
Shannon stiffened, and some of the afternoon’s pleasure faded. “I don’t think—”
“Just a walk. Clara’s with Addie, and Aurora’s out riding.”
“She rides a lot, doesn’t she?”
“Yes. It’s the one pleasure she’s always had,” he answered easily. “But I don’t want to talk about Aurora now.”
Shannon realized that she didn’t want to either. On the subject of her sister it seemed better that they agree to disagree. “Instead of walking, let’s ride,” she said. “Two mounts,” she added when he looked at her with playful lechery. “I’m feeling quite the adventuress today.”
“I’ve noticed. All right, we’ll ride.” Brandon called to one of the grooms lounging on a barrel outside the stable to ready two horses. Twenty minutes later he and Shannon were crossing the fields at a leisurely pace. “You’ve improved,” he noted with an appreciative glance at Shannon’s seat.
Shannon fairly glowed under his compliment. “I made a decision to be fearless. I am not about to be bested by an animal.” She laughed self-consciously. “It also helps that you’re here. Anthem wouldn’t dare misbehave.”
Brandon smiled. “It’s been too long since we’ve done anything together. I miss spending time with you—alone.”
“I know. I miss it, too.”
“I spoke with Reverend Whittaker again. He wants to meet with Aurora.”
“Has she agreed?”
“Yes, but I think it is because she hopes to convince him a divorce is not necessary.”
“I’m certain that’s what she intends.” Shannon reached forward and patted Anthem’s mane. “Sometimes I think I can’t blame her, that she is right to try to keep you. But I also think, that if Parker hadn’t turned her out, she wouldn’t have cared what you did. She’s like a—what do they call it?—a dog in a manger. She doesn’t want you, not really, but neither can she allow anyone else to have you.”
One of Brandon’s eyebrows kicked up in surprise. “I didn’t think you understood that.”
“Well,” she said firmly, “I do. I feel sorry for her, Brandon. I even understand her feelings on occasion. But that never meant I approved of the things she’s done.” She sighed. “Somehow we always come back to her, don’t we? In spite of our intentions.”
“It’s difficult to avoid discussing the sole obstacle to our happiness.”
“Let’s try anyway.”
He nodded and nudged his mount closer to Shannon. “I saw you kissing Cody this afternoon.”
“What?”
“I saw you. From the window in the dining room,” he explained. The whisper of a smile around his mouth belied the seriousness of his tone. “Just before he gave over the rifle.”
“Oh. I remember now. It didn’t mean anything,” she finished quickly.
“Don’t tell Cody that. I’m sure it would break his heart.”
She looked at him consideringly. “You’re teasing,” she accused.
