Read Online Cowboy to the Rescue by Louise M. Gouge - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Louise M. Gouge
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Northam sent her.”
“But—” An odd sensation swept over her. Not quite censure, but not quite approval, either.
“Miss Susanna, I am a Christian and a servant.” Angela’s warm gaze exuded understanding of her confusion. “Nothing improper will happen. On this, you have my word.”
“Mine, too.” Daddy chuckled and paid for it with another spasm of pain. Again he clutched his ribs, then gave her an artificial glower. “Are you going to obey me, daughter?”
“Oh, very well.” She returned to his bedside and kissed his forehead. “Thank you, Angela.” She wagged a finger in Daddy’s face. “Now, you behave and get your rest.”
Her heart light, she hurried back to her room to don her brown woolen skirt. Rosamond had promised a sidesaddle was available for her, as though that was unusual. Then Susanna noticed the other two girls wore skirts that were split to accommodate riding astride. With some difficulty, she hid her shock. On the other hand, their boots appeared to be much more appropriate for riding than her walking shoes. If she rode often, she’d have to get a pair of those boots.
The three of them had talked late into the night until travel weariness had overcome Susanna. Strangely, she woke feeling refreshed, and the younger girls seemed just as energetic. While she’d checked on Daddy, they’d gone downstairs to fix an early breakfast, so she mustn’t keep them waiting. Happiness kicked up inside her. Nate would be waiting, too. It took a few moments for her to remind herself that this was a Yankee household. As kind as the children might be, their father’s behavior more than negated their generous actions.
* * *
Nate drank his second cup of coffee while the girls cleaned up after their breakfast and packed a picnic. Mother had a rule that they had to leave Angela’s kitchen the way they found it, so they were taking special care. Still full from last night’s steak and potatoes, he’d managed to eat a plate of griddle cakes and eggs so he wouldn’t get hungry on the trail. After waking up early to prepare the horses, he couldn’t wait to head out.
As restless as he felt, he kept an eye on the kitchen door hoping, even praying, that Susanna would join them. The Colonel had sent him out on chores after supper last night, so he hadn’t had a chance to invite her on today’s outing. He knew he could count on his little sister to think of their guest, even if it turned out she had to refuse the invitation because of her father’s condition.
The door opened, and Susanna peered in almost as if she doubted her welcome. Nate jumped to his feet as relief flooded him. This lady’s presence would make today a lot more tolerable. No, make it downright enjoyable.
Before he could speak, both Rosamond and Maisie rushed over and hugged Susanna.
“I’m so glad you decided to come.” Rosamond spoke in a hushed tone as befit the early hour.
Maisie retrieved a plate of griddle cakes they’d set back. “You hurry and eat while we finish the cleanup.”
She then ushered Susanna to the kitchen table, and Nate held out a chair for her.
“Oh, thank you.” Susanna, always the lady, laid her napkin across her lap, bowed her head briefly, poured a dainty amount of chokecherry syrup on her griddle cakes and began to eat.
Nate sat across the table from her and propped his chin on his fists. “How’s your father?”
“He had a hard time sleeping last night.” Worry skittered across her face, but then she smiled. “Your mother very kindly asked Angela to see to him, and he insisted that I come with you.”
“Well, you can see we’re all pleased you can go.” Nate glanced at the other two girls, who were watching them with identical smiles. He shot them a frown. The last thing he needed was to have them tease about Susanna and him. “I haven’t had a chance to ask if you ride, but I put Mother’s sidesaddle on a sweet little mare for you, so you’ll be all right even if you
“But—” An odd sensation swept over her. Not quite censure, but not quite approval, either.
“Miss Susanna, I am a Christian and a servant.” Angela’s warm gaze exuded understanding of her confusion. “Nothing improper will happen. On this, you have my word.”
“Mine, too.” Daddy chuckled and paid for it with another spasm of pain. Again he clutched his ribs, then gave her an artificial glower. “Are you going to obey me, daughter?”
“Oh, very well.” She returned to his bedside and kissed his forehead. “Thank you, Angela.” She wagged a finger in Daddy’s face. “Now, you behave and get your rest.”
Her heart light, she hurried back to her room to don her brown woolen skirt. Rosamond had promised a sidesaddle was available for her, as though that was unusual. Then Susanna noticed the other two girls wore skirts that were split to accommodate riding astride. With some difficulty, she hid her shock. On the other hand, their boots appeared to be much more appropriate for riding than her walking shoes. If she rode often, she’d have to get a pair of those boots.
The three of them had talked late into the night until travel weariness had overcome Susanna. Strangely, she woke feeling refreshed, and the younger girls seemed just as energetic. While she’d checked on Daddy, they’d gone downstairs to fix an early breakfast, so she mustn’t keep them waiting. Happiness kicked up inside her. Nate would be waiting, too. It took a few moments for her to remind herself that this was a Yankee household. As kind as the children might be, their father’s behavior more than negated their generous actions.
* * *
Nate drank his second cup of coffee while the girls cleaned up after their breakfast and packed a picnic. Mother had a rule that they had to leave Angela’s kitchen the way they found it, so they were taking special care. Still full from last night’s steak and potatoes, he’d managed to eat a plate of griddle cakes and eggs so he wouldn’t get hungry on the trail. After waking up early to prepare the horses, he couldn’t wait to head out.
As restless as he felt, he kept an eye on the kitchen door hoping, even praying, that Susanna would join them. The Colonel had sent him out on chores after supper last night, so he hadn’t had a chance to invite her on today’s outing. He knew he could count on his little sister to think of their guest, even if it turned out she had to refuse the invitation because of her father’s condition.
The door opened, and Susanna peered in almost as if she doubted her welcome. Nate jumped to his feet as relief flooded him. This lady’s presence would make today a lot more tolerable. No, make it downright enjoyable.
Before he could speak, both Rosamond and Maisie rushed over and hugged Susanna.
“I’m so glad you decided to come.” Rosamond spoke in a hushed tone as befit the early hour.
Maisie retrieved a plate of griddle cakes they’d set back. “You hurry and eat while we finish the cleanup.”
She then ushered Susanna to the kitchen table, and Nate held out a chair for her.
“Oh, thank you.” Susanna, always the lady, laid her napkin across her lap, bowed her head briefly, poured a dainty amount of chokecherry syrup on her griddle cakes and began to eat.
Nate sat across the table from her and propped his chin on his fists. “How’s your father?”
“He had a hard time sleeping last night.” Worry skittered across her face, but then she smiled. “Your mother very kindly asked Angela to see to him, and he insisted that I come with you.”
“Well, you can see we’re all pleased you can go.” Nate glanced at the other two girls, who were watching them with identical smiles. He shot them a frown. The last thing he needed was to have them tease about Susanna and him. “I haven’t had a chance to ask if you ride, but I put Mother’s sidesaddle on a sweet little mare for you, so you’ll be all right even if you
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