Free Cassandra Austin by Hero Of The Flint Hills Page A

sit up straighter.
    As the horse walked toward the house, Lynnette became more aware of the ride itself. It was rather fun feeling the horse’s movement beneath her, seeing the world from about eight feet off the ground instead of five and a half. What would it be like to actually sit in the saddle and control the horse herself? She would have to ask Arlen to take her the next time he wasn’t busy.
    Emily came out the back door to meet them as Christian drew the horse to a stop. He helped her down the same way he had helped her up, though she was sure she was even more awkward the second time. With her feet on the ground again she removed her hat, which was hopelessly askew, and looked up at him. She would have loved to retreat to the housewithout speaking, but good manners forced her to smile. “Thank you for finding me and bringing me back,” she said.
    His smile brought out his dimples. “I’ll tell Arlen that the lost is found.” He touched his heels to the horse and headed toward the trail beyond the barn at a pace that made her realize how slowly the horse had walked while she was aboard.
    She stared after him until Emily touched her arm. “Your nose is sunburned. Come inside and get cleaned up. Martha will know what to put on the burn.”
    In the washroom, Emily pointed out the pump and showed her where clean towels were stored. “You can have a bath, if you like. It won’t take long to heat some water.”
    “No, thanks,” Lynnette said, pumping a basin full of water. “I’ve delayed lunch long enough. Besides, the cold water will feel good.”
    When Emily had left to find Martha, Lynnette slipped out of her dress and washed. She had loosened her hair and was running her fingers through the tangles when she heard a knock on the door. “It’s me,” Emily said.
    Lynnette kept herself hidden by the door as she let the girl in. “Are the men back yet?”
    “I heard them ride in while I was in the kitchen. They have the horses to unsaddle. You want to make a dash for the stairs?”
    “I don’t think so,” Lynnette said with a grin. “But I am afraid I’ll have to change my dress before lunch.
    It’s terribly wrinkled, and I seem to have torn the hem in a couple places.”
    “I can bring what you need down here,” Emily suggested.
    “Thanks for the offer,” Lynnette said, pulling the wrinkled dress on again. “But I’ll go up myself. The men might want the washroom.”
    Emily shrugged. “Oh. Here’s the ointment Martha sent for the sunburn. If it’s really bad, she said she’d make a baking soda paste.”
    Lynnette sniffed the ointment and drew back.
    Emily laughed at her reaction. “It’s punishment for staying out in the sun.”
    Lynnette screwed the lid back on the jar. “My nose is barely pink,” she said. “I’ll see if a little cold cream doesn’t take care of it”
    “Good thinking,” said Emily.
    They left the washroom laughing and nearly ran into Arlen. His stern expression made Lynnette sober immediately.
    “Lynnette, darling, I’ve been so worried. Whatever possessed you to wander off like that?”
    “I didn’t mean to—”
    “I thought you had fallen or been bitten by a snake.” Arlen took her arm and drew her into the living room. At the nearest chair he took both her shoulders, and Lynnette wondered if he would have pushed her into the chair if she hadn’t sat down. “I want you to promise not to walk alone again.”
    “But Arlen—”
    “I suppose you were upset that I was busy.”
    Lynnette shook her head, too stunned to speak, butArlen was pacing across the room and didn’t notice. “If it was possible, I would spend every minute with you, but the ranch and the campaign are going to take some of my time.” He paced in the other direction, barely looking at her. “You will have to find some other way to amuse yourself. I had hoped Emily would prove a suitable companion.”
    A glance toward the doorway revealed Emily with her hands on her hips, glaring