Spring Blossom Read Online Free PDF Page A

local boy or another – and she knew she had just taken her
first step toward womanhood.
    They rode in silence for a time; and Maggie,
shocked to find she was suddenly tongue-tied became unsettled.
While Hunter was clearly enjoying the silent ride, she began to
panic because she could not think of a suitable topic of
conversation. “It’s a beautiful day!” she finally said in a
rush.
    He turned his head briefly and smiled.
“Yes,” he said softly.
    “Is that all you have to say? Yes?”
    “Yes.”
    “Are there times when you don’t like to
talk?” she ventured.
    He nodded his head.
    “Is this one of them?”
    He laughed, startling the mare and having to
pull her back to a sedate walk. “Are there not times when you don't
wish to talk?” Hunter asked.
    “Not many,” she admitted.
    “All right, little one,” he said softly.
“What would you like to talk about?”
    “Well, I have wondered…” She frowned over
her hesitation. “You’re not what I expected.”
    Hunter’s smile slipped momentarily but
looking into her soft questioning eyes, he decided that there was
no malice in her comment. “What did you expect?”
    “I’m not certain,” she said truthfully.
“I’ve never known an Indian before and I thought you would be much
different.”
    “You expected me to ride in half naked and
threaten to take your scalp?”
    Maggie didn’t care for his tone and drew
herself up, shoulders back in indignation. “Well, if you cannot
tolerate my natural curiosity…”
    He laughed ruefully at his own ineptitude;
he had overreacted with a child. Curiosity was healthy as long as
it was not malicious. “I apologize, little one.” He reached across
the short distance between them to pat her hand to indicate his
sincerity. “You may ask whatever you wish.”
    “I simply did not know what to expect, and I
suppose you…surprised me,” she returned quietly.
    “Why is that?” He gave her his full
attention now, turning in the saddle to face her.
    “I’m not certain,” she admitted, clearly
puzzled by her inability to sort the matter out. “You….well, you
have gentle ways.”
    He smiled again, patiently. “You don’t know
many men who have gentle ways?”
    “Some,” she said after a moment’s
thought.
    “And do you not consider an Indian a
man?”
    Blushing furiously, she burst out, “Of
course!”
    He laughed softly and reached out, this time
touching her cheek. “There, little one. You have addressed your own
concern.”
    “I feel silly,” she confessed.
    “Don’t, Maggie,” he said firmly. “Not with
me.”
    Maggie stared at him, swallowing heavily as
her mind raced around the possible meanings of his statement. But
he had turned back and was facing straight ahead as he encouraged
the mare into a gentle canter. She could not see his eyes, could
not guess the true intent of his words, but Maggie hoped he meant
she held some special place within him…just as he held a special
place within her.
    She did not understand this attraction, this
feeling of being drawn toward him, for it was all very new to her;
new and unique.
    Urging her mare forward, Maggie caught up
and turned the conversation toward something with which she was
more comfortable. “I have a new calf,” she said “Would you like to
see her when we go back?”
    How could he refuse?
    *
    Maggie had difficulty maintaining her adult
calm and reserve as she pictured her new friend’s possible
reactions to the clever little calf that was her pride. The Downing
girls did not lack for much but Alastair insisted they attend to
their studies each day and be responsible for the things he
entrusted into their care. And he considered pets an excellent
means of teaching responsibility.
    Most girls would have requested a kitten or
a pup, but Maggie had insisted she could care for the calf from the
moment the creature was old enough to leave its mother’s side. And,
secretly, she looked upon the animal as a way to demonstrate her
own