Free Diamond Duo by Marcia Gruver Page B

vision, except Charlie saw her, too.
    Thad stared hard at the woman’s face. “You’re right. It is Bertha. What the devil’s she doing way out here, and on foot?”
    Charlie nudged him. “There’s only one way to find out. Come on.”
    Charlie walked fast toward the road, and Thad followed. They reached it just as the clouds started to make good on their threatand the occasional plump raindrop became a scattered shower.
    Bertha, facing down with her hands up to shield her hair, picked up speed. She hurried their way, very distressed by the look of her, and didn’t seem to see them yet. Thad cupped his hands around his mouth to call out to her when she raised her head and looked about, likely searching for shelter. Her gaze fell on Thad and Charlie, and she halted, staring as if unable to believe her eyes.
    “Stay there, Bertha,” Thad called. “We’re coming.”
    He rushed to his horse and mounted in one fluid leap then whirled and rode hard in Bertha’s direction. Drawing even with her, he slowed and reached for her hand. She latched on and allowed him to swing her up behind him. Thad felt her arms go around his waist and her cheek rest against his back, and he tasted bliss.
H
    It seemed the space of a heartbeat from the time Bertha saw Thad until he pulled her onto his horse. She sat sidesaddle on the back of the galloping filly, clinging to Thad for all she was worth. The rain came down in sheets now, and she fought the improper urge to crawl up under his shirt. Instead, she cuddled close against the heat of his back and closed her eyes.
    The rumbling thunder overhead, pounding hooves beneath her, and the rapid beat of Thad’s heart against her face made her feel giddy and reckless. She had no notion where he might be taking her, or why. Such earthly details held no merit. She wanted only to cry out for Saint Peter to open wide the Pearly Gates, because surely the mare would carry them straight into heaven.
    Too soon the road to Beulah Land became the trail to Crawford Street when Thad reined firmly to the right and into Julius Ney’s pasture. The horse roared up the path to Mr. Ney’s barn.
    Bertha clung so tightly to Thad she feared for his ribs, but any less of a grip and she’d spring off into mud and certain disaster. No matter how marshy the surface, the harsh summer sun had baked a brick-hard crust on Jefferson’s soil. Bertha doubted she’d bounce if she went down.
    With Charlie fast on their heels, Thad galloped the horse past the barricaded front of the structure and around back where the wide doors faced the open fields between the barn and the main house.
    In the distance, Bertha saw Mr. Ney running from the outhouse, suspenders down off his shoulders and shirttail flapping. He waved a permissive hand in their direction just as they ducked beneath the threshold and dove inside.
    Thad eased Bertha to the ground and dismounted. Charlie led his horse to a post in the corner and tied him up. Thad did the same with the mare. When Charlie turned, Bertha couldn’t help but laugh. Mud spattered him from head to toe in big gray blotches like the markings on a dappled hound.
    Thad followed Bertha’s gaze to Charlie then halted and stared. “Followed a mite close to my heels, didn’t you, old friend?”
    Charlie looked down at himself and grinned. “Never intended to follow. I was trying to gain the lead.” He brushed at his clothes. “I’ll think better of it next time.”
    Thad took the handkerchief from around his neck and began blotting raindrops from Bertha’s head and shoulders. She watched him while he worked, his face close and intent on the task. When he dried her to his satisfaction, he took a rolled-up blanket from behind his saddle, shook it out, and spread it on the hay. Then he took her arm and led her to it. “Sit on this side. It’s still mostly dry.” After he saw her well settled, he sat beside her on the blanket, a shy smile on his lips.
    He loves me.
    The truth of it