The Springsweet Read Online Free PDF Page A

Stewart. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
    "I see you heard the rumors about my driving," he said. Unwinding the reins, he offered them to me. "I can point the way if you'd rather. Epona's easy enough." He nodded toward the horse, his gaze still on me.
    Shaking my head, I pressed my hand to my chest. The dance card I'd stuffed into my blouse was stiff, and it comforted me. "You're kind to offer, but thank you, no."
    He urged the horse forward, and soon we glided across the prairie, the buckboard a boat on a smooth lake. The ride jolted me too much to sleep, though I wished for it.
    So, instead, I took in the strange new night all around me. The air smelt of fresh earth and green grasses—cleaner than the city, unencumbered by the closeness of neighbors upon neighbors.
    The length of the day weighed me down. I wondered if my aunt would be angry or relieved to have me turn up in this condition. And, selfishly, I wondered if she might not have put back a bit of dinner, hoping to see me arrive. I caught myself so completely in these wonderings that I barely noticed when the wagon stopped.
    When I looked up, I saw no town. Just a small cabin and, beside it, a lean-to big enough for one horse. Confused, I turned to Emerson and asked, "Where are we?"
    "Home," he said. He tied the reins again and turned to me. "West Glory's another hour's drive. I'll take you in the morning."
    "I can't possibly impose on your family," I said. Wound tight, I touched my bedraggled hair, my filthy collar. I did have a measure of pride, and it flared in horror at the thought of barging in unannounced, at my most unappealing.
    Emerson handed me the lantern, and hopped from the bench. "You won't be. It's just me."
    I stared. "I can't spend the night with you!"
    "All right, then. Take that rifle there, orient yourself north, and start walking." He pulled a brace of rabbits from behind his seat. "It's twenty-five miles yet, I imagine."
    Measuring his profile, I sat in dazed silence. He was alone in the Territories—but he couldn't have been any older than I was. It didn't make sense.
    When he rounded the back of the wagon, I told him, "I don't handle arms."
    "Is that so?"
    "It is!"
    Coming to my side, he peered up at me. His lips curled in a maddening smile, and he said, not unkindly, "Go home, Zora Stewart. You're not gonna make it out here."
    Then he tipped his hat to me, took his lantern, and went inside.

Four
     
    I've always preferred my dramatics on the stage.
    So I admit I rolled my eyes as I pushed my sodden dresses aside. Marie Antoinette no more, I hefted myself to the ground, clinging to the buckboard's iron rail until my feet touched the earth.
    Though the prairie rose high and dark around me, I pushed down my nerves and put myself to unhitching Epona from the gig. She was sleek and smooth, casting off heat from her long drive.
    Pulling straps to free her from the buckboard's shafts, I murmured apologetically when she bucked her muzzle against my hand. My pockets were decidedly empty of anything she might consider a treat.
    As I freed her, a yellow slice of light fell on me. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Emerson silhouetted in the door. Tall and lean, he seemed fixed in place-—watching me, I supposed. Then he broke free and started in my direction.
    "What do you think you're doing?"
    Though I felt it quite obvious, I said, "You ran this poor creature for miles, then flounced off to make a statement. I'm minding her the way you should have."
    Emerson took the reins. "I didn't flounce."
    "Oh, you're quibbling." I stepped away and took my turn watching him. It was only fair, and I was rewarded.
    Every motion he made was sure, rippling across his broad shoulders. His suspenders cut the strong line of his back in an X and pulled his breeches tight against his narrow hips.
    My face went hot, and I turned away. Shame on me for considering any of it; shame on me twice for brazenly admiring a stranger, regardless of the dark. I retrieved my