Page 51 of The Taste of Deceit

“I won’t.”

She gives me one last look over her shoulder before disappearing through the barn doors. The silence settles in behind her.

Ford picks up a comb from the hook beside Buck’s stall and begins working it over the horse’s shoulder. He doesn’t look at me right away, and I don’t rush him. I stand a few feet away with one hand in my jacket pocket, my fingers resting against the velvet ring box.

For a while, the only sound between us is the steady scrape of the comb.

“You treat my daughter well.”

It’s a statement, not a question.

“I do my best.”

He nods once.

“I’ve watched the two of you since you got here.” He brushes another slow circle across Buck’s shoulder. “She smiles more than she used to.”

I glance toward the open barn door where Sarah disappeared a few minutes ago.

“She makes me smile, too.”

“I can see that.”

He sets the comb aside and reaches for a stiff brush.

“Sarah’s always had a big heart. Sometimes bigger than her own good.” He runs the brush down Buck’s neck. “When she loves somebody, she doesn’t do it halfway.”

“I know.”

His eyes lift to mine for the first time.

“So I need to ask you something.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What are your intentions with my daughter?”

My fingers tighten around the ring box in my pocket, and I draw a slow breath.

“I was hoping you’d ask me that.”

I pull my hand from my pocket, the small velvet box resting in my palm.

“I’d like your blessing to ask Sarah to marry me.”

He doesn’t say anything right away. He rests both hands on the saddle and studies me.

“How long have you two been together?”

“Four months.”

One of his eyebrows lifts.

“Four months.”

“Yes, sir.”

He looks back at the horse.