Free Montana Sky by Nora Roberts Page A

to the fence. Any of them would come for him at a quiet call. He handed the bucket to Lily. “Just give it a shake.”
    She did, then watched, delighted, as several pairs of ears perked up. Horses trotted over to crowd at the fence. Without thinking, she dipped a hand into the grain and fed a pretty buckskin mare.
    â€œYou’ve been around horses before.”
    At Adam’s comment, she pulled her hand back. “I’m sorry. I should have asked before I fed her.”
    â€œIt’s all right.” He was sorry to have startled that smile away from her face. That quick light that had come into eyes that were somewhere between gray and blue. Like lakewater, he thought, caught in the shadows of sunset. “Come along, Molly.”
    At her name, the roan mare pranced along the fence toward the gate. Adam led her into a corral and slipped a bridle over her head.
    Self-conscious again, Lily wiped grain dust on her jeans, took one hesitant step closer. “Her name’s Molly?”
    â€œYes.” He kept his eyes on the horse, giving Lily a chance to settle again.
    â€œShe’s pretty.”
    â€œShe’s a good saddle horse. Kind. Her gait’s a bit rough, but she tries. Don’t you, girl? Can you ride Western, Lily?”
    â€œI—what?”
    â€œYou probably learned on English.” Keeping it light, Adam spread the blanket he’d brought along over Molly’s back. “Nate keeps some English tack if you’d rather. We can borrow a saddle from him.”
    Her hands reached for each other, as they did when her nerves jittered. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œYou want to ride, don’t you?” He slid one of Willa’s old saddles onto Molly’s back. “I thought we’d go up in the hills a little way. Might see some elk.”
    She found herself caught between yearning and fear. “I haven’t ridden in—It’s been a long time.”
    â€œYou don’t forget how.” Adam estimated the length of her legs and adjusted the stirrups accordingly. “You can go alone once you know your way around.” He turned then, noting the way she kept glancing back toward the ranch house. As if gauging the distance. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”
    She believed him. That was what she was afraid of—that it was so easy to believe him. How often had she believed Jesse?
    But that was done, she reminded herself. That was over. Her life could begin again, if she’d let it.
    â€œI’d like to go, for a little while, if you’re sure it’s all right.”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t it be?” He moved toward her, stopping instinctively before she shied again. “You don’t have toworry about Willa. She has a good heart, and a generous one. It’s just hurting right now.”
    â€œI know she’s upset. She has every right to be.” Unable to resist, Lily lifted a hand to stroke Molly’s cheek. “Even more upset since they found that poor cow. I don’t understand who would do something like that. She’s so angry. And she’s so busy. She’s always got something to do, and I’m, well, I’m just here.”
    â€œDo you want something to do?”
    With the horse between them, it was easy to smile. “Not if it involves castrating cows. I could hear them this morning.” She shuddered, then managed to laugh at herself. “I got out of the house before Bess could make me eat breakfast. I don’t think I’d have held it down for long.”
    â€œIt’s just one of the things you get used to.”
    â€œI don’t think so.” Lily exhaled, barely noticing how close her hand was to Adam’s on the mare’s head. “Willa’s natural with all of it. She’s so sure and confident. I envy that, that knowing just who you are. To her I’m just a nuisance, which is why I haven’t been able to work up the