right,” Danny offered. “Ry and Josie raise some mighty fine mounts. It’s where I’d go if I was looking to make a purchase.”
Eli met Miss Lassiter’s gaze. “And can you make deals on his behalf?”
She lifted her chin as if taking offense. “Of course. Ry was the one who taught me most of what I know about horses, so he trusts me. And Henry, Ry’s foreman, will know which animals are for sale and which are not.”
Something flashed in her expression, there and gone so quickly he didn’t quite make it out. “In fact, since Cora Beth mentioned that we’ll have someone else in to do the cooking tomorrow, I was thinking I might take a trip out to the ranch. You’re welcome to accompany me to look over the stock if you like.”
Eli hesitated. Something about her smile made him a trifle uneasy. On the other hand, a horse was an important purchase and he wasn’t inclined to wait the month or so until her brother returned from his trip.
Besides, if she was up to something, he was certain he could handle it. “Thank you for your kind offer. Just let me know what time you wish to depart.”
Sadie placed the hamper next to the sack Mr. Reynolds had already loaded in the back of the buggy for her. As she stepped back she noticed him eyeing her suspiciously.
“Are you making deliveries to the ranch?”
She allowed him to take her hand and help her up. “You could say that. Kestrel is Viola’s home, remember? She wanted to send gifts to her friends there and Cora Beth let her raid the pantry. There are a couple of pears to feed to her pony, a few jars of preserves for the cook, a jug of apple cider for Henry—that sort of thing.” No point mentioning the items she herself had packed just yet.
She cast around for a change of subject as he climbed up beside her and decided the weather was as good a topic as any. She waved a hand to draw his attention to the clouds scattered against the dark blue field of sky. “Looks like we’re in luck weather-wise. If we are in for more rain today, it’s several hours out.”
He nodded as he picked up the reins. “I agree. We should be back in town well before any foul weather sets in.”
After that the conversation lagged. Sadie tried not to fidget as she wondered when and how she should broach her plans for her little side trip with him.
Dear Father above, help me find the right words. This all felt like the right thing to do last night when I planned it, but I’m just not certain he’s going to see it that way.
After about five minutes, Mr. Reynolds finally broke the silence. “There is something I wish to speak to you about.”
“Oh?” From his tone, this did not sound like a conversation she was likely to enjoy.
“In case it has escaped your notice, my sister is young and very impressionable. As are the other children in Mrs. Collins’s household. I think it would be best if you refrain from reading that weekly serial to them in the future.”
His words took her completely by surprise. “Why ever not? The children enjoy it and it seems harmless enough.”
He raised a brow at that. “Do you truly think it appropriate reading material for children?”
“I wouldn’t have read it to them if I didn’t.” Did he think her so irresponsible? And what would he think if he knew she was the author? “The heroine exhibits high morals, healthy curiosity and steadfast courage. Have you even read the story?”
He brushed her question aside. “I didn’t need to. I’ve seen its ilk before. It’s a frivolous piece of work, one that is liable to put notions in innocent young minds that are at best nonsensical, and at worse dangerous.”
How dare he! She shifted in her seat to face him more fully. Did the man realize how pompous he sounded? “Dangerous? That’s a bit melodramatic, don’t you think? I suppose you’d prefer that I read to them from school books or perhaps morality plays.”
He didn’t seem at all ruffled by her sarcasm. “If you must read to them at all I will be happy to furnish you with copies of suitable material.” He glanced her way with a stern look. “Penny is my sister, and I must insist that you accede to my wishes in this matter.”
Sadie took a deep breath. As much as his criticisms stung, and as much as she disagreed with his perspective, he was Penny’s brother and guardian. It was not her place to argue with him about her upbringing.
I’ll trust in You to look out for the girl, Father. Goodness knows she’ll need some sort of intervention if she’s to be allowed any fun at all in her brother’s household.
“Very well.” Sadie was proud of the calm tone she managed. “I won’t read to her about Annabel Adams’s adventures without your permission.” Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d have much opportunity anyway. The installments came out once a week and he’d be moved into his new home soon. And she’d be headed back to Hawk’s Creek before long, putting even more distance between them.
Hoping to lighten the mood, she changed the subject. “So tell me about where you and Penny come from. That’s definitely not a Texas accent you speak with.”
“We come from Almega, New York, a city about thirty miles southeast of Albany. It’s much bigger than Knotty Pine with a nice variety of theaters, museums, fine restaurants, and even a hospital. All of the latest modern conveniences are available there and you can find more shops on one street than there are houses in Knotty Pine.”
She supposed she should be impressed, but it all sounded terribly crowded to her. “So what made you leave such a fine place to come out here?”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. She was probably being too nosy again.
“I thought the change would be good for Penny,” he finally said. “And the bank here was a good investment opportunity.”
He’d done all this for his sister? He must care a great deal for her. “Penny sure is a sweet girl and bright as all get-out. I know Cora Beth’s kids and Viola are all quite taken with her. She seems a mite shy, though.”
He stiffened. “She’s just naturally quiet.”
Sadie heard the note of defensiveness in his voice. “Of course. I didn’t mean to imply I thought there was anything wrong with her.” She smiled. “Any more than there’s anything wrong with Audrey for her natural chattiness.”
He seemed to relax at that, and his lips twitched in a smile. “True—no one would ever accuse Audrey of being a wallflower.”
Oh my, he really should smile more often. Then she caught site of an oak with a double trunk and a twisted branch. “You need to turn on that road off to the left up ahead.”
When he followed her directions without question, Sadie felt a twinge of guilt. She’d wait just a few minutes more, she told herself. Once they were off the main road a piece, she’d fill him in.
She kept up a stream of chatter hoping to keep him distracted from his surroundings as she watched for the milestones Danny had told her about.
Fifteen minutes later, he interrupted her mid-sentence. “Miss Lassiter, are you certain this is the right way? I haven’t seen any farmhouse
