Homespun Bride

his smile with all of her heart.
    He thought this was funny, did he? She stepped through the open doorway and let him help her into her coat, aware of her family members’ careful and excited scrutiny.
    “Goodbye, now!” Henrietta practically sang. “You be back in a couple of hours, Mr. McKaslin.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Thad sounded as if he were smothering laughter, and the moment her coat was fastened and he took her hand in his, she could feel the connection between her heart and his. That rare, emotional bond they’d always had was here again, anew, and she felt the strong bright happiness that matched her own.
    He’d come for her as a friend, just as he’d said. She let him guide her down the steps and along the path.
    She was going to enjoy these moments she had with him because she had learned the hard way in life that nothing lasted. Everything changed. Before she knew it, Thad would be busy with his ranch and his dreams, and she would never see him again.
    She waited until the door shut firmly behind them before she apologized. “I don’t know what has overcome my aunt, but she has jumped to conclusions.”
    “So I heard. Everything.”
    “Angelina’s comment, too?”
    “Yep.”
    He was probably not put into a panic at the mention of a wedding the way of men in general—probably because it was a bold impossibility. As surely as the ground was at her feet, there was no way Thad was harboring any wedding thoughts for her.
    She knew better than to think it. When he let go of her hand, she stood in darkness, listening hard to hear what he was doing. There was the softest rustling sound—of a lap blanket, perhaps?—and then the prettiest jingle of bells sang out in a short burst. The horse must have shaken his head with impatience.
    “Whoa there, boy. Stand still for the pretty lady.” Thad’s patient voice must have reassured the horse for there was no more shaking of the bells.
    Just the ring of appreciation in her heart. “You’re taking me for a sleigh ride?”
    “Yep, and I’m grateful you’ve agreed to come along with me. I need the help.” His hand found hers again.
    “Help? What do you mean?”
    “I bought this saddle horse for Finn, and I want to break him to the harness. So I need to take him out for a drive, and I was afraid I’d get lost.”
    “You need me to help you find your way around the countryside?”
    “Don’t think I could do it without you.”
    “Then it’s good you came by, although the reason for asking me is going to disappoint Henrietta terribly.”
    “Funny. I didn’t think she liked me much.” He took her by the elbow, helping her, always helping her. Tenderness filled him right up. “I’ve got the riding blankets out of the way, so go ahead and climb on in.”
    “Do you know what my aunt values in a man more than affluence and social position?”
    “Ah, I’ve got the good sense not to buy a horse that will kick me.”
    “No.” She chuckled; she couldn’t hold it back as she settled onto the cushioned seat. “Character.”
    “Character, huh?” He leaned to tuck the soft fur robes around her. “Then I’m all out of luck.”
    Oh, she loved his humility. She loved how caring he was with her, and how his sense of humor could make a cold February afternoon seem like a treat. When he had settled in next to her beneath the warm robes and had gathered the reins, she decided not to tell him that ever since her accident she didn’t like driving fast.
    She took a deep breath and let the icy air tingle in her lungs. The tingling seemed to drive out the last of her uncertainty. She would not allow herself to be anxious, not with Thad driving. He could handle any horse and any situation. She trusted him.
    “Why isn’t Finn training his own horse?” she asked, because she was curious. “Does that mean that he’s not doing well?”
    “Oh, he’s doing just fine. Finn doesn’t have the patience for serious horse work. He’s better at other things. We have him putting on the sides of the new barn Aiden and I put up before the last set of storms came in.”
    “In this weather?”
    “We figure it’s penance for all that he’s putting us through. Work him hard, and maybe he’ll get on the straight and narrow.”
    “What was he in prison for?”
    “Stealing a horse. He was lucky he wasn’t hung. There’s still a lot of vigilante justice in these parts.” Thad’s chest closed up. It was hard to talk about, espeally to her. The differences