A Texan's Promise Read Online Free PDF Page A

hat. Once again, coffee-colored eyes skimmed over her face, caressing her with unspoken concern. "Sweetheart—"
    "I promise I'll let you know if I'm not okay," she whispered.
    "Fine," he mumbled before reluctantly turning away, taking the lead again.
    They rode for four more hours.
    Finally, he stopped next to an embankment near a goodsized river. "Let's stop here for a time."
    Ever the gentleman, he helped her dismount, held her elbows firmly as her knees threatened to give way.
    With a faint nicker, Coco followed Lee to the river and drank deeply.
    When Vanessa's legs found their bearing, she made her way to the river as well, finally bending down to splash cool water across her face and drink her share. When she saw Clayton do the same, she sat down on the grassy slope. "This feels good."
    He pulled out a knapsack and handed her some bread and cheese. "It does. Eat something."
    The sharp cheddar awoke her senses, just as the soft bread soothed her hunger. Glad for the bonnet that shaded her eyes, she examined him more closely.
    Clayton was rubbing down the horses, stopping only to eat a few bites of bread and to fill their canteens up river.Throughout it all, he barely spoke, hardly looked at her at all.A little more distant.
    What was happening to the two of them?
    "We best get going."
    "All right," she said, letting him help her into the saddle once more. She was just about to straighten her skirts when she realized he was still there, standing close. Comforting."Clay?" she asked, bending down to catch his eye.
    Slowly he traced a finger along her cheek, frowning at the bruise marring her skin. "Your cheek is swollen. This heat and wind isn't doing that cut any favors. You sure you're all right?"
    "Yes." And she was. Her back hurt, more than she dared to admit. She was exhausted and sore from riding for hours. She was worried and still numb about everything that had happened the night before. But she could make do.
    "Do you need a bandanna? This red dust is merciless."
    She pulled a fresh cloth from her skirt pocket. "Don't fuss, Clayton."
    After a measured look, he swung onto his saddle, then motioned Lee onward.
    Both Lee and Coco were a little frisky; the break had done them good. Vanessa gripped the horn on her saddle as Coco clipped along the trail, eagerly trailing Lee.
    Vanessa couldn't help but notice just how well Clayton rode. It was as if he and Lee were one. She knew there were many reasons for that. Clayton had served in the cavalry at the end of the war. Once she heard a couple of hands discussing how he'd lied about his age so he could both fight for the Confederacy and ride his palomino.
    The rumors weren't surprising. After all, his natural leadership skills had earned him the position at the Circle Z. After four weeks, her father had appointed him foreman when Absalom Graves had decided to head down south and spend his last years with his only surviving son.
    Though the appointment had bothered Miles mightily, Clayton had shouldered the responsibility with ease. If anything, it had seemed like he'd relished the position, obviously finding it easier to lead than to be led. In a remarkably short while, everyone started looking to him for directives, sometimes even her father.
    Price's appearance had changed little. Even her stepfather knew he was no match for Clayton's abilities. So instead of working, he'd concentrated on spending the ranch's money as quickly as possible.
    Now, as she left her family and placed every ounce of her trust in Clayton, Vanessa knew she'd follow him to the ends of the earth.
    After all, she had nowhere else to go.

    By sundown, Clayton estimated that they'd reached his goal of covering forty miles. He recalled the trail they were taking. More than once he'd followed Major Merritt along this way in last-ditch efforts to outwit the Yankees. Merritt's ingenuity had served Clayton well. Merritt was married to his sister, and he was still alive—far better off than the majority of