Read Online WM02 - Texas Princess by Jodi Thomas - Free Book Online Page B

just closed her eyes as if she went to sleep.”
    Tobin felt her entire body shake beneath his grip.
    “I was only ten feet away, but by the time I reached her blood circled around her.”
    Liberty’s intense gaze met his. “I had to kneel in her blood to touch her.”
    Tobin pul ed her to him, holding Liberty tightly against him while she shook. He might have been two years older when he’d been ambushed, but he remembered how it felt to be surrounded by blood. The smel of it. The taste of it deep in his throat. The thick feel of it on his skin.
    “It’s al right, Liberty,” he whispered against her ear. “It’s al right.”
    After a moment, she calmed and pul ed away. “I’m sorry. I thought I could do this, but I can’t.”
    “You can do this,” he answered.
    “No.”
    “Liberty, the horse didn’t kil your mother. The fal might have, or the rock she hit, but not the horse. I’ve seen a few horses that people have mistreated who turned mean, but your father would never have let your mother ride a horse like that. What happened was an accident. A terrible accident.”
    She faced him. Tears swam in her stormy eyes. “I have to learn to ride. I have to.”
    He saw it then, the strong determination. And, once more, he knew without doubt that this lady feared something far more than riding. She had to rule one fear to survive another.
    “We’l do this together.” Before she could argue, he gently lifted her onto the saddle and swung up behind without letting go of her.
    She gripped the saddle horn as if it were a lifeline. He leaned his body against her back and circled his arms around her. With a tug, he dropped the lead rope to his horse, and with a low clicking sound he’d known how to do al his life he nudged the horse into a walk.
    They moved away from the barn and headed down a lane shaded with trees on both sides. Once out of the early morning sun, the air chil ed and he enjoyed the warmth of her so close. After a few minutes, she relaxed against him and he let his arms rest next to hers.
    “Put your hand on top of mine,” he said. “Get a feel of the reins before you take them.”
    She waited so long he wasn’t sure she planned to fol ow his direction, but nal y she put one hand on his.
    As they rode, slow and easy, he told her how to handle the horse. Tobin did his best to ignore the fact that several parts of their bodies were touching. He wasn’t here to come cal ing. He was here to teach her to ride and then be on his way back home. For what her father was paying for the horse, Tobin could afford to spend an extra day.
    “You ready to take the reins now?”
    She shook her head, but he turned his hand over and passed the two leather straps to her. His ngers laced between hers as he covered her hold, and he found himself wishing there were no gloves between them.
    “Tel him where to go,” Tobin whispered in her ear. “You’re the boss.”
    She nodded stify and he moved his hand away.
    For a while, she let the horse have his head. Sunny seemed content to continue down the road. When he tried to stop or wander to the side for grass, Liberty tugged him back, each time her movements more uid, more sure.
    “That’s the way, Libby,” he coached. “You’re doing ne.”
    “Don’t cal me Libby. It’s not my name.”
    “Al right, what should I cal you?”
    “Miss Mayeld wil be ne.” He could feel her back stiffening.
    “At least for three more days and then I guess you’l be Mrs. Buchanan.” Tobin wished he hadn’t said the words the moment they were out of his mouth.
    Her back went rigid. She didn’t speak.
    He waited her out. Final y, she said, “How do I turn around? I’m ready to go back.”
    He talked her through the rest of the ride. When they arrived at the barn, he stepped down and helped her as politely as if they were total strangers, and for al he knew that was exactly what they were. Two people who’d shared a riding lesson, nothing