gelding ahead of her.
Charlaine smiled at the back of his head. Indeed, old habits died hard! Still, she could not imagine riding a side-saddle with her legs strapped into leather boots on a hot summer’s day like this. No, it was much more preferable to ride bare-legged and feel the soft breeze brush over her skin.
Nathanial would simply have to make his peace with her oddities as he called them.
Over the past few weeks, she had succeeded in persuading him into trying all sorts of things. Most, he had first deemed childish, like climbing a tree, or girlish, like picking flowers. Still, in the end, he had not refused her…and he had enjoyed himself.
“Only a little farther,” Charlaine exclaimed before urging her mare into a gallop once more. “Race you to the horizon!” she called over her shoulder as she shot past him.
A faint chuckle drifted to her ears from behind…and then the skies opened and she felt the first drops of rain land on her heated skin. They felt wonderful and refreshing, and she closed her eyes and lifted her face to the heavens.
“Charlaine!”
At the sound of Nathanial’s voice calling her name, Charlaine reluctantly reined in her mount, then turned to see him pull to a halt only a few paces in front of her. “Isn’t it wonderful?” She held out her hands, palms facing upward as more and more drops began to fall.
He laughed, then cast an uneasy glance at the sky. “We’ll get soaked.”
“I thought we’d already agreed to that.”
He eyed her through narrowed slits. “Are you saying you have no intention of returning to the house before the storm breaks?”
Smiling at him, Charlaine shook her head. Then she opened her mouth to catch a few raindrops on her tongue. “Try it,” she urged him.
Attempting to hide a smile, Nathanial ran a hand over his face, a sure sign that he was uncomfortable or otherwise emotionally overwhelmed. “You’re mad!” he told her, finally allowing his smile to show. “Mad beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
Charlaine bowed her head. “Thank you, kind sir, for that most wonderful compliment.” She pressed her hands to her heart and blinked her lashes at him. “I shall treasure it always.”
Nathanial laughed. “I’m glad my words are of such amusement to you. But what will Pierce and Caroline think when we return soaked to the skin?”
Charlaine shrugged. “They’ll no doubt laugh about us.” Then she released the reins and let her mare go where she pleased.
The rain slowly grew in intensity as the dark clouds drifted closer. The drops’ splats upon her skin felt heavier and, after a few minutes, Charlaine felt small streams run down her temples as well as her arms and legs. The wind picked up as well, whipping the rain about.
Nathanial urged his gelding closer. “We should return to the house,” he told her with a worrisome glance upward.
Sighing, Charlaine playfully kicked his shin, his skin warm against her own. “Race me to the horizon first, then we’ll ride back,” she dared him, curious to see what he would do. Would he give in or would he stand his ground?
“No!” The moment she made to urge her mare onward again, his hand whipped out and grasped her reins, stopping her from riding off. “We return now,” he told her with a steady gaze. “I’ve seen storms like this before and, believe me, you do not want to be caught outside when they hit.” His eyes held hers, and Charlaine knew that there was no use arguing.
“Very well,” she said with a nod, proud of his insistence. Ever since they had first met, his behavior had been marked by indecision, reluctance and the fear to fail or disappoint. The man looking at her now, however, showed none of them.
A sigh of relief left his lips. “Ride ahead then,” he told her, releasing her reins. “I’ll follow.” Again, his gaze drifted to the darkening sky.
Seeing the deep concern in his eyes, Charlaine directed her mare toward home, noting the way the animal tossed her head, agitation in the way she moved. “It’s all right, girl,” Charlaine mumbled, gently patting her neck. “We’ll be home soon.”
A low roll of thunder crashed in the distance and Charlaine’s mare reared up with a frightened shriek.
Thrown off guard, Charlaine lost her grip and was flung off, hitting the ground hard. Her left hip throbbed, but the pain quickly lessened. Scrambling to her feet, she watched her mare dart off in the direction of home, her legs