Free Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart

impressed. “Now, that’s excitement. Is it like they say? Singing the cattle to sleep and using your saddle for a pillow?”
    â€œI mostly use my saddlebag, as it’s a might softer.” Thad’s baritone rang with an equal amusement.
    That was the sound she recognized—the ring of Thad’s easy, warm, good humor. If she’d met him anywhere else, and not in a blizzard with fear thrumming in her ears, she would have recognized him no matter what.
    â€œA saddlebag, eh? That doesn’t sound much better. I suppose it’s true what they say about the dust in the air and those long hot days.”
    She waited for Thad’s answer, realizing that the lid on her heart was a little ajar. Had Thad found whatever he’d been looking for? Down deep, beyond her disillusion and her hurt, she truly hoped he had.
    â€œSir, that doesn’t begin to capture it. Hundred degrees in the shade, a herd of cattle, say anywhere from a hundred to a thousand kicking up dust, why, it makes a Montana blizzard look like a clear day.”
    â€œThat does not sound quite as thrilling. I imagine there’s a lot of gain to that lifestyle despite its hardships. Sleeping under the stars must be nice.”
    â€œIt surely does make for a good night’s sleep. Nothing like having the heavens and the wonder there for your roof.”
    Yes, there was the Thad she remembered from long ago. A pang of longing and remorse knelled through her, and she was surprised by the intensity of it. It was a longing for that sweet, innocent time in her life when the world had been so sunny and colorful. When her future was nothing but a long stretch of happy possibilities.
    Not anymore. Noelle heard the catch in her throat, like a sob, although it wasn’t. She hadn’t realized how much she had changed from the girl who knew how to dream, that was all. How much she had lost.
    â€œGoodness, are you all right, dear?” Henrietta dropped onto the sleigh’s seat, all motherly concern. “Are you catching a chill? I predicted the wind was too cold for you to sit here and wait for me, and now I fear the worst.”
    Ashamed, Noelle nodded. What was wrong with her? She did not know, and she had the feeling that if she did, she could not find the right words to describe it. She cleared the regret from her throat before she could speak. “I’m not too cold. Truly.”
    She feared Thad had noticed, that he was watching her even now. What did he think about her blindness? Did he pity her? Did he think that she was damaged, less than whole? How could he not? “D-did you post your letter?”
    â€œCertainly I did. Robert, untie Miss Bradshaw for me. I intend to get Noelle out of this bitter wind. In her delicate state, this cold cannot be good for her. If she does not succumb to pneumonia, I shall be amazed!”
    Robert’s chuckle was loving. “Yes, dear, go on. If you two lovely ladies wish to frequent the dress shop, I’ll come by for the horse and sleigh and fetch the girls from the schoolhouse.”
    â€œMind you don’t be late! The school bells ring promptly at four o’clock.” Henrietta took up the reins with plenty of shuffling. “Good day to you, Mr. McKaslin.”
    â€œGood day to you both.” Kindness enriched his voice.
    She imagined he was tipping his hat’s brim once, the way he always used to do. She tried to picture more of him, tried to imagine the young man she’d known, in his prime now. It was hard to do, for he had surely changed as much as she had. Maybe more.
    â€œGoodbye, Noelle.”
    His words sounded so final. “Goodbye, Thad.”
    As the cold wind scorched her face, she listened to his boots strike crisp and steady on the boardwalk as he walked away. She could not allow herself to imagine how his wide shoulders would have broadened, how his lean frame would have filled out with muscle and a cowboy’s strength.