Read Online Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon - Free Book Online Page A

engaged to a woman in Philadelphia."

    Glory dried a glass and handed it to Abby to put
away in the cupboard. She studied her young sisterin-law closely. "Yes, but that puts her back north,
and he's here, isn't he? And... unless I miss my
guess, Major Tremain has just met a beautiful girl
he can't get out of his mind."
    Abby shook her head. "What the two of you
don't seem to understand is that we don't like each
other. And furthermore, I am not even pretty, much
less a beauty."
    Glory gave Crystal a calculating glance. "Let's
finish quickly so we can all join the men."
    When they had finished the dishes, Abby
reluctantly went along with Glory and Crystal. She
would much rather have escaped to her bedroom
than join the family in their worship of the major.
    Her brothers were sitting in cane-bottom chairs,
and Jonah was leaning against the wooden porch
post. "Where's Papa?" Abby wanted to know.
    "At the stable;' Brent said, anger lacing his
words. "It seems he has a new racehorse that won
one of the races yesterday. He said something about
hand-feeding the victor."
    Both brothers got up and gave their wives their
chairs, then seated themselves on the steps. Abby
wandered to the other end of the porch, where she
stood half in shadow. She was in a good position to
study their guest without his knowing it. His posture
was as erect as if he were on parade. The brass buttons on his uniform glistened from the lamplight that
spilled out the front door. His uniform was definitely
not army-issue, but had probably been tailored from quality material. At least he wasn't wearing his
sword and holster, as he had been earlier in the day.

    Abby noticed that even in repose he kept his coat
buttoned; she supposed to remind everyone of his
rank. He was lean and tall, his shoulders wide, his
body beautiful. His black boots came almost to his
knees and held a high polish. She wondered how
many aides it took to keep him so splendidly clothed.
    Jonah was amused by something Brent had said;
his deep laughter sent warmth throughout Abby.
She turned to look at the moon, wishing she had
gone to bed instead of joining the others. Once
again she was reminded how alone she was. Brent
looked at Crystal as if she were the only woman in
the world, and Quince couldn't keep his gaze from
wandering to Glory.
    She was so caught up in her own thoughts that
she was startled when Quince called out to her.
"Abby, you wouldn't mind taking Jonah around the
ranch tomorrow morning, would you?" He turned
his attention to Jonah. "I would take you myself, but
one of our mares has the colic, and she is only
weeks away from dropping her foal. Besides, Abby
will help you choose the best horse for your needs."
    She moved out of the shadows and sat on the
wooden rail of the porch. Good manners and her
brothers would require that she be gracious. "If you
need me to," was all she could manage to say. She
didn't enjoy the thought of spending a whole day
with the major.
    His inquiring gaze locked with hers. "I wouldn't
want to take you away from anything pressing."

    She would have liked to have told him to find his
own way to the north pasture. "I have nothing that
can't wait," she said reluctantly.
    His brow arched-she didn't fool him for one
moment. He knew she didn't want to go with him.
"Thank you, Miss Hunter. I'll try not to encroach
on your time any longer than necessary."
    His tone had been patronizing, but Abby seemed
to be the only one who noticed, or was she? Glory
looked at her inquiringly and frowned.
    "Well, if that is all 'settled," Quince remarked,
standing and reaching for his wife. "You'll be in
good hands with my sister tomorrow, Jonah. I'll
meet up with you when you get back."
    Good-night wishes were exchanged, and Abby
watched her brothers leave with their wives. It took
her a moment to realize that their guest was
standing beside her. She turned, and they looked at
each other without saying a