Homespun Bride

you know. Really likes you.”
    “You mean Thad?” Noelle ran her fingertips over the lace edging the pillow slip. “You’ve told me this before, but I only have f-friendly feelings for Thad.”
    And there were practical reasons, of course, why she could never risk her heart on him again. Reasons that could not be changed. She groped for the edge of her sheets to pull them up to her chin.
    Matilda’s mattress ropes squeaked as she leaned to put out the light. “Good night, Noelle.”
    “Good night, Tilly.” She rolled onto her side and closed her eyes, knowing she would dream this night of a wide-shouldered man and his wild horse.

Chapter Twelve
    A s Thad watched Noelle standing at Solitude’s stall alongside her uncle, who was leaning heavily on his stout wooden cane, he tried not to take it as a sign. Of course Robert was feeling strong enough to venture outdoors. It only made sense the first place he’d visit was his horses and had asked Noelle to accompany him.
    It didn’t mean that she’d changed her mind about his offer. That was the story he was trying to sell himself. He wasn’t sure it was working. As he patiently waited for the stallion to approach him, he knew one thing—Noelle’s face and manner, when she’d greeted him earlier, had been warm and friendly. Not polite and cool, as it had once been.
    It didn’t hurt to hold out a little hope, did it? “You’ve done wonders with these spirited horses of mine,” Robert praised as he limped closer, leaving Noelle alone at Solitude’s stall. “I knew you were helping out with the stable work and heavier chores around here. What I didn’t know was that you’ve been working with these horses.”
    Thad kept eye contact with the ill-tempered stallion and kept the apple in his pocket. “I’m only doing what needed to be done.”
    “But your work with the horses. Triumph is standing still. A first for him, I believe. It’s amazing.”
    “Just a little horse know-how is all.” Thad shrugged, keeping his attention on the horse because looking at Noelle would hurt too much. He wasn’t sure what risk his heart could afford to take. He’d been up half the night, unable to sleep for working out his plans for the day—his plans for her. “It doesn’t much seem like work to me.”
    “You’ve made an impressive difference.”
    “Hate to argue with you about that, sir, but in my view, these horses have a long way to go.”
    “They’ll get there.” Robert leaned heavily on his cane, but despite the obvious pain he was in, he was grinning ear to ear. “I’d best get back in before my wife hunts me down and drags me back. She’s not keen on this horse-raising venture of mine.”
    “Do you need help, sir?”
    “I’ll manage.”
    There she was, right in his line of sight. Thad gulped hard, and, since Triumph had decided to be a gentleman and stand still without showing his teeth, he palmed him the apple. The stallion took the treat and then lunged back with it, his temper showing as he shook his head like a bull in full charge.
    “That stallion does sound more well behaved than he has been.” Noelle sparkled with good humor. “He doesn’t sound as ornery when he kicks the wall.”
    “This one has a long row to hoe, but he’d be all right in the end. I’m happy to work with him.”
    “That’s good of you.”
    “I can’t have your uncle getting kicked like that again, not if I can help it.” That had her smiling. He loved her smile; he loved everything about her. She tilted her head slightly to one side, as if focusing on the approach of his footsteps, and the soft fall of her hair brushed her face.
    “I think we’re alone now.” She paused to listen. “Yes, we are. There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
    “Uh-oh. That sounds plenty serious.”
    “You have no notion of just how much.” She reached out to him, her sensitive fingertips finding first the air, then the edge of his sleeve. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you to bring me to see Stormy. Robert asked me and he was so excited to be feeling well enough to venture out here. I didn’t have the heart to turn him down.”
    “Sure. I understand that. The question is, do you have the heart to turn me down.”
    “Turn you down? Why ever would I—” She paused, tilting her head to the side to listen closely. “I hear something. A clink of metal.”
    “Yep.”
    “What are you up to, Thad McKaslin?” There was rustling, too.
    His chuckle