Free Aubrielle's Call by C. Marie Bowen

heels of her hands were scraped raw from her ordeal. For a moment, she couldn’t look away from her injuries. His voice brought her head up.
    “Éclair?” John chuckled as he patted the small horse’s neck and scratched the hair along his crest. “He doesn’t mind being named after a pastry?” John grinned at Aubrielle.
    A short laugh mixed with a sob escaped, and she pressed her knuckles against her lips. She shook her head. “ Non . Mama named him.”
    “Well, then. Come along, Éclair. Let’s take our Lady home.”
    She rested her sight on the width of his shoulders as he led Éclair through the park. Without prompting, he turned along the Seine and crossed the Alma Bridge.
    Uneasiness curled in her stomach, and she sat straighter, staring a hole in his back. She had seen the American before, watching her through the fog at the park, and again, standing at the window, outlined by light.
    “You followed me,” her voice choked out. She cleared her throat. “Stop!” She rapped her knuckles against the wooden seat. “Is that how you know where I live? You followed me home?” Panic turned to nausea, and she swallowed a bitter lump in her throat.
    John eased Éclair to a halt along the side of the road. He stroked the pony’s neck, then squinted up at Aubrielle, sunlight bright on his face. “I bought a bouquet of lilies from you yesterday.” He shrugged and watched a couple cross the street, arm in arm. “I know no one in Paris. I had hoped to speak to you, and ask if you knew of an apartment for rent near the park.” John ran his hand across his mouth and faced her. “But you hurried off before I could make your acquaintance.”
    Aubrielle leaned forward and whispered at him, aware of the people around them. “So you followed me home? Do you think that is acceptable?” Aubrielle blinked. For a split second, an American cowboy stood before her, one hand on his hip, while the other rubbed along his chin. The image so clear, she gasped, and her heart clenched. Her eyes fluttered in time with her heart, and the tall, well-dressed man who saved her in the park stroked Éclair once again.
    “It shames me to admit it.” John bowed his head. “But I did follow you home.” He looked into her eyes and held out his hand in supplication. “I never meant to frighten you.” His face and eyes were sincere. “And I would never harm you.” He dropped his arm to his side. “I rented an apartment not far from where you live, and I returned to the park today to introduce myself.” He shook his head. His eyes pleaded with her to understand. “I didn’t even know your name.”
    Aubrielle pulled her dark hair back from her face. A breeze had picked up, and she crossed her arms across her chest, chilled in the cold sunlight. “Just take us home.”
    John nodded, and without comment, continued to lead Éclair down the street.
    He walked beside her pony until they reached her back gate. He opened it and waited as Éclair pulled the cart into the yard. As she passed, their gazes met.
    She looked away. “You don’t need to stay. I can take care of Éclair.”
    “I’ll look after your animal,” he said as he closed the gate. “But first, I’ll see you inside with your feet up and a warm drink in your hand.”
    Her brows rose at his audacity. “ Non, you shall not.” She scooted to the edge of the high seat and began the short climb to the ground. Her arms felt unaccountably weak and her knees burned when her legs bent. In the short drop from the cart, her ankle caught wrong and twisted. She yelped in surprise and pain, but instead of falling to the ground, strong arms captured her.
    “You couldn’t wait for my help?” He lifted her and settled her weight against his chest. “You’re always so stubborn.” He walked past the small horse and mounted the stairs to the residence.
    Aubrielle put her arms around his neck and ducked her head. It was too much. She ached from head to toe and continued to tremble.