Free Cowboy to the Rescue by Louise M. Gouge

don’t.”
    “Humph.” That playful glint, which he hadn’t seen since yesterday at the river, returned to her eyes, sending an odd little thrill through his chest. “La-di-da, Mr. Northam, what must you think of me? We Southern ladies know very well how to ride. But mercy me, where are my manners? I do so appreciate your accommodating me with that sidesaddle.”
    Her mention of being a Southerner reminded Nate of the Colonel’s assumption that she and her father were lazy, which Nate found nothing short of unfounded prejudice. On the other hand, he noticed she didn’t seem to hold the bitterness he’d seen in some Southerners. That alone showed real character. He couldn’t ask her, of course, for he’d learned long ago not to open discussions about the war with those on the losing side. He could only hope she would overlook the few times he’d slipped.
    While he ruminated on that, the other two girls giggled softly, as if they were enjoying this exchange. He needed to take Rosamond aside and tell her to quit it or else. For now he’d stick with teasing Susanna.
    “Well, then, if you’re an expert rider, maybe I should go put that sidesaddle on our stallion, Malicia.” He puckered away a grin. “In case you’re wondering, Malicia is Spanish for maliciousness. ”
    “Don’t you dare, Nate Northam.” Maisie came over and punched Nate’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t even ride Malicia, and I’ve been breaking horses since before I could walk.”
    “Shh.” Rosamond held a finger to her lips. “Don’t wake the whole house. Let’s get going.” She nodded toward the broad window, where sunlight had begun to brighten the eastern hay field. “The sun’s crested Mount Blanca, and we have a long way to go.”
    The group left the kitchen and made their way through the narrow hallway to exit the house through the enclosed back porch. Bringing up the rear, Nate noticed Susanna eyeing the boots lined up by the back door.
    “Rosamond, hold on.” He touched Susanna’s shoulder to stop her, too. “Let’s see if a pair of Mother’s riding boots will fit.”
    A quick try-on proved successful, and the group was soon out the door and on their way to the stable.
    * * *
    With no mounting block available, Susanna relied on Nate to help her onto the horse. He gripped her waist to lift her, and a thrill streaked up her spine. One would think she’d never had a gentleman’s help to get on a horse before. As he adjusted her left foot in the stirrup and made sure her right knee was comfortably positioned over the pommel, she shushed her irrational feelings and settled into the saddle. As if equally pleased with their arrangement, the pretty little brown mare nodded her head agreeably.
    “Her name is Sadie.” Nate handed the reins to Susanna. “Her mouth is soft, so a little direction is all you need to give her. Just use the reins, and she’ll know what you want her to do.”
    His frown revealed more than a little apprehension for Susanna, a notion she found altogether appealing. After her long, arduous trek across the country, during which she’d stifled every complaint and worked as hard as any of the other ladies, it felt good to have a gentleman worry about her. If only the gentleman in question weren’t a Yankee. Summoning the willpower to dismiss her foolish inclinations, she leaned down to pat Sadie’s neck.
    “Never you mind, Mr. Nate Northam. Miss Sadie and I will get along just fine.”
    If his sudden grin was any indication, he rather enjoyed her flippancy. “All right, then.” He ambled over to his own horse and swung into the saddle. “I’ll put my worries to rest.”
    “If you two are finished jawing, I’d say it’s about time we hit the trail.” Maisie reined her horse away from the stable, dug in her spurs and led out with a whoop.
    Rosamond followed, urging her gelding into a slow gallop. Mindful of her own need to reclaim her riding skills, Susanna stayed back with Nate. He set a slower