you like to take a trip into town?” He played with the brim of his hat.
“Honestly, I’d rather hide out here, but I suppose I’ll need to go talk to him sooner or later.” She peeled the potato in her hand and sighed. “I never knew I was such a coward, but where that little girl is concerned, I am.”
“What are you afraid of?”
Laura tried to smile at him but failed miserably. She swallowed before answering. “I’m afraid that he’ll tell me her ma and pa have been looking for her, and I’ll lose her. If only we could stay out here forever and I’d never have to give her up.”
“I wish that were possible, too, but the sheriff knows you are out here.” He shook his head. “By now, the whole town knows you are out here.”
“True.” She dropped the last peeled potato into her bowl and stood. “So, I’ll face the inevitable.” Laura realized he must have had a reason for coming to the house midafternoon. “Did you want to talk to me?”
Clint grinned up at her. He stood also. “I am headed out to the west pasture and thought maybe the girls would like to take a swim in the stream while I check on the fence line.”
His grin and the sparkle in his eyes set her heart to doing flip-flops. What was it about this man? Her breath quickened, and she nodded. Thanks to an overly hot spring this year, the water should be perfect for the girls to splash about in. “I’ll need to get them up from their afternoon nap. Can you give us a few minutes?”
At his nod, she turned to enter the house.
“Laura?”
She turned back to look at him. “Yes?”
“If you don’t want to go, I’ll understand. Not all women like roaming around a ranch.” A frown replaced the smile. Was he thinking of Grace’s mother?
She smiled to ease his concern. “Good thing I’m not one of those women.”
He tipped his hat at her. “Then I’ll go ask Richard to help me hitch up the wagon.”
“Why in the world would you hitch up the wagon for a trip across the pasture?”
Clint tilted his head to the side. “I just thought...”
The frown was back. “I know you did. But honestly, if you don’t mind holding Grace in front of you, I’d rather ride out on one of the mares.” Laura smiled sweetly. “I’ve missed riding.”
He laughed. Not a soft gentlemanly laugh but a flat-out laugh. It warmed her toes to hear the sound, and lightning bugs started fluttering in the pit of her belly. “Then I’ll go saddle the lady a horse.” Clint started whistling as he left the porch.
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