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She closed her eyes tightly and tried to focus. She knew her family’s fields and pastures like the back of her hand, but she now had to think of everything backward from what she knew. “Right, about two miles from home.”
She heard him swallow hard but didn’t reply.
“If you’re willing, let’s go look,” she said.
He answered with a light heel to his horse, forcing her to hold onto him tighter. If she were asked in a court of law, she’d claim she hated it, but her heart knew the truth. Her arms fit perfectly around Kent and they didn’t want anyone else in that place.
* * *
Kent grittedhis teeth against the warmth radiating from his chest where Alice’s arms circled him. Bless him, but it was a blissful torment. He’d told himself time and again that he wasn’t worth the dirt on her boots. She would tire of looking at him and eventually, even if she claimed it wouldn’t, her stomach would turn just looking at him.
Monster.He flinched and pushed the thoughts from his mind, wishing he could grab another Nyal from his pocket. Hopefully, she attributed his racing heart to the ride because there was no way she could miss it, with her hands so very close.
Her horse had made a noise. He’d heard it. Hopefully, the poor thing hadn’t gotten too entangled in the briars, but with as terrified as the poor beast had been, he wouldn’t doubt they’d find him cut and panting, waiting for help.
Kent had noticed the bull racing off from where he’d been up by the barn. He’d followed, wondering what could’ve spooked him. When he’d seen Alice racing through the pasture, his heart had leaped to his throat. He’d tried to chase the bull away, but that only seemed to make him duck his head and dig in.
When her horse spooked, he’d prayed for the first time in years. Really prayed. Maybe God wanted nothing to do with him, but He should protect Alice. He’d even gone so far as to thank God for the available tree, small as it was.
As they crossed the soft slope of the rise just before it dropped into the valley of the river, he heard the horse more clearly. Stealing himself against the inevitable, he slowed his horse to avoid frightening the poor animal further.
“Oh, no!” Alice’s cry tore him apart inside. “What have I done?” She rested her head against his shoulder, and he stiffened as the pleasant feeling rolled through him.
“What do you mean? The horse ran in that mess all on his own.”
She lifted her head and slowly shook it. “No. He wouldn’t have even been in this fence if I hadn’t been running from my demons. Stop here and let me down.”
He didn’t want to leave her like that, and the animal needed his help. If he had no knowledge, he might have let it go. But to know and ignore the horse’s discomfort was criminal to his mind. He stopped and helped her dismount, then followed suit.
“You can’t go down there. You’ll scare him.” She held out her arm to stop him.
Her words slashed at him like the truth they were. He hated to see that worry on her face, her wide blue eyes. He should stop himself, but he reached up slowly and cupped her cheek. “You should find your hat. You’re going to get a burn.”
She stepped back, her mouth slacked in surprise. He dropped his hand, feeling scolded by her glance, though she said nothing. Her eyes narrowed, squinting, and he watched her study him. She reached for his face and he backed away just as she had. She probably knew he was home, but he wasn’t ready to talk to her yet. Not until he could be sure she’d found someone else making him safe.
“I’ll go check on your horse.” He ducked his head and dodged around her.
As he came within a few feet of the horse, the animal bobbed his head and his eyes rolled.
“Easy, now. No one is going to hurt you. Poor guy. I’ve got some salve for those cuts in my bag, but we’ve got to get you out of this tangle first.” He did his best to ignore the woman behind him, though he could feel her eyes on his every movement.
“What’s his name?” He didn’t bother to turn away from the horse. One moment of distraction and the animal could charge him. Scared horses did strange things.
“Blaze,” she answered quietly. Alice whistled softly, then clicked her tongue.
Blaze tried to turn and untangle himself from the bush, but the thorns gripped around his legs. Kent took his knife from his pocket and set to work, carefully cutting away each branch until Blaze could walk out freely. Scratches covered his legs.
“I can help him. I carry some salve and bandages in my saddlebag.”
“Of course you do,” Alice grumbled. “Every cowboy I’ve ever met carries bandages in his saddlebags.”
He didn’t miss the sarcasm. Perhaps he’d given himself away but caring for the horse so he didn’t get an infection in any of those cuts was more important than hiding his identity. “Maybe you should keep an eye out for the bull while I do this. Wouldn’t want to be caught unawares.”
“Are you telling me to go away?” She crossed her arms and cocked her hip.
“I wouldn’t dream of telling a Johlman to go anywhere.” Though maybe if he annoyed her enough, she would let him be while he tended the horse, then he could ride away.
“Good. Glad we’re in agreement.” She stomped closer.
