Closing her eyes, Ellie held tighter to Vincent’s arm. Would she be next to fall from the vehicle? He leaned against the turn, which made the buggy settle back on both wheels. She released a sob as she pressed her cheek against his strong arm.
“How is your maid?” Vincent asked in a panicked voice.
“She seems to be all right.” Ellie’s voice shook.
Determination etched across Vincent’s features as he concentrated on the reins. Holding her breath, she said a silent prayer that someone would help. Vincent’s mouth tightened, and he lunged for the reins and nearly pulled her from off the seat. This time, his fingers wrapped around the reins. He yanked hard, finally bringing the horse to a stop. The animal continued to buck, fitfully.
Three men rushed up to assist. One took hold of the strap around the horse’s head. The second man gripped the front of the buggy, while the third man raised his arms up to Ellie to help her down.
With trembling hands, she reached for the man. Vincent’s large, warm hands took hold of her waist and guided her. Within seconds, he jumped down himself.
Ellie’s body shook, so she wrapped her arms around her middle. Ladies hurried toward her. One elderly woman slid her arm around Ellie’s shoulders, pulling her away from the buggy. Questions exploded all around her, but she couldn’t concentrate enough to answer. Her attention stayed on Vincent as he ran a comforting hand over the animal’s back, and down each leg, as if searching for what could have made the horse act in such a way.
Vincent pushed his fingers under the blanket lying across the horse’s back, and then quickly yanked them out. He muttered something Ellie couldn’t understand as the horse jerked again. The other two men tightly held the horse, trying to keep him still. Vincent lifted a side of the blanket to display bunches of sticker weeds.
Ellie gasped. No wonder the horse went wild when Vincent tried to pull the reins. Moving would have caused the animal great pain. She broke away from the crowd of women who had gathered around her, and moved next to Vincent.
“Where did they come from?” she whispered, staring at the burs.
“I was wondering the same thing.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. “The only way these would have gotten under the blanket was while we were strolling around the rosebushes. If the burs were there before, the horse would have acted like this before I picked you up.”
“I know.” She held her breath, not daring to think the thought that suddenly popped into her head.
“In other words,” Vincent continued in a soft voice for only her ears, “someone wanted to spoil our outing.”
Slowly, she nodded. “But who?”
“I don’t know.” He smiled teasingly. “Perhaps I made one of your beaus upset that I took you to the park instead of them escorting you.”
She chuckled softly. “Aren’t you humorous, since we both know I have no beaus.”
With the help from the other men, Vincent was able to remove the burs from between the blanket and the horse’s back. The women asked questions, but Ellie didn’t know how to answer. She tried to reply without worrying them. From up the way, two women were assisting Mrs. Jackson as the maid limped toward Ellie holding her right arm. She broke away from the crowd to help the servant.
“Are you all right?” Ellie asked as she took over for one of the ladies.
“I think my wrist and ankle are twisted, but nothing worse, thank goodness.”
They reached the buggy, and Mrs. Jackson sagged against the vehicle. Finally, the crowd trickled away, leaving Ellie with Vincent again. He stroked his palm over the horse’s back, murmuring soothing words. Obviously, his touch was magical, because the animal relaxed. It amazed her how quickly Vincent could calm the horse. The deep timbre in Vincent’s voice nearly put her under a spell as well.
He turned to the maid. “Here, allow me to help you inside.”
Mrs. Jackson nodded and carefully climbed into the vehicle.
Using the reins, Vincent led the horse and buggy back to the main path in the park. Ellie walked beside him, noticing the horse had returned to normal. She breathed a sigh of relief. At least one of them was tranquil. Her nerves continued to jump all over the place.
Her mind replayed their wild ordeal, and it surprised her how well Vincent had handled the situation. It pleased her to know he was worried about her, too.
They reached the road, and he stopped the horse. Turning toward her, he smiled. “Are you ready to climb back in the buggy?”
She really wasn’t, but gazing into his warm bluish-gray eyes comforted her in an odd way. A soft smile bracketed his face as he cupped her cheek.
“Are you all right? There isn’t much color in your face.”
Laughing uncomfortably, she pushed his hand away. “I’m still a little shaken, but I shall be fine.”
“The horse won’t become wild again, I assure you.” He held out his hand for her to take.
As she slid her palm against his, tingles grew inside her belly. She lifted the hem of her dress and climbed inside. Anxiously, she waited for him to join her, and when he did, it took all of her willpower not to snuggle against his arm again.
