Gather My Horses Read Online Free Page A

have. They could use another hand or two, if you’re still in the country.”
    â€œI might be.”
    Lodge took the sorrel out into the sunlight, where he checked the cinch and climbed on. “Come and see me in your life of leisure,” he said.
    â€œI’ll do that.” Fielding watched as the horse and rider trotted off to the south, through the grassy valley where the belled horses were grazing.
    On his way to town, Fielding took a detour to the southeast. He rode a buckskin that covered the ground at a fast walk and a smooth lope, so he crossed Hunter Creek before the sun was straight up overhead. He followed a cow trail for a ways and then cut across a meadow to a grove of cottonwoods.Coming out on the other side, he picked up the lane that led into the headquarters of the Buchanan Ranch.
    A short-haired terrier came off the front porch of the ranch house, barking, and did not let up until the front door opened and a young blonde woman stepped out.
    Fielding’s pulse quickened for a second. As the young woman called the dog to her, Fielding dismounted and led his horse forward.
    Her voice had a pleasant tone to it as she said, “Good morning, Tom. I believe it’s still morning, isn’t it?”
    â€œI think so. How are you, Susan?”
    â€œVery well, thanks.” As she stood in the open yard, the sunlight shone on her straw-colored hair, which was tied up in a neat coil. Her high-necked white blouse and long, sky blue skirt also caught the light and added to her radiance.
    â€œI hope I didn’t come at a bad moment.”
    She frowned. “Oh, no. Why?”
    â€œI wouldn’t want to interrupt your dinner hour.”
    She smiled, and her blue eyes sparkled. “Not at all. We won’t even start until Father gets back.”
    â€œOh, I see. Then he’s not around?”
    â€œNo, he’s in town. Or that’s where he went. Did you wish to see him?”
    Fielding gave a jaunty toss of the head. “Well, that was my main reason for stopping by. But I wouldn’t want to be so blunt as to not give my best to you.”
    She smiled again, this time showing her pretty teeth. “It’s nice of you to be so gallant, Tom.”
    â€œThank you. I couldn’t do it without inspiration.”He felt himself blush and he thought she colored as well, but he couldn’t be sure in the warm sunlight.
    She gave a light laugh, then in her easy way moved to another topic. “I heard you went off on a delivery trip. I’m glad to see you made it back without any trouble.”
    â€œIt was all pretty easy, there and back.”
    Silence hung between them for a few seconds. He let his eyes rove over her facial features, which were friendly but not revealing. It occurred to him that if she had heard one thing, she might have heard another.
    They both went to speak at the same time, and then she laughed and said, “Go ahead.”
    â€œYou first.”
    â€œNo, you. I insist.” She gave him a mock-severe look.
    â€œWell,” he began, “there was another little thing. You may have heard of it, and I wouldn’t want you to think that I didn’t want—or was trying to—”
    â€œI think I know what you’re referring to. An incident with the men from the Argyle.”
    â€œThat’s it. I was hoping you wouldn’t—”
    â€œOh, don’t worry for my sake, Tom. I know you wouldn’t start something like that.” Her words lifted and hung.
    â€œBut—” he said.
    â€œBut it’s a dreadful thing to be drawn into, don’t you think?”
    â€œI suppose so,” he answered, with some sense of how she might see it. “I’m just hoping I haven’t put some uncomfortable distance between me and your father.”
    She tipped her head ever so slightly to one side. “Do you mean, for business interests?”
    â€œFor any reason. I don’t want to be on