He released her and took a step back lest he fall into the temptation of finding out if her lips tasted as sweet as they looked. Like pink cotton candy. It would be unfair—more than unfair—to take advantage of the moment. Even if she were an English girl, accustomed to such advances, he couldn’t have kissed her. He was engaged—practically.
“Then let’s go for a ride.” He led the horses over to the water trough, wishing he had let the subject drop. After the moment that passed between them, he should have let her retreat into her corner and wait for another day, but something inside him wanted to spend time with her. More than he could understand. Even after the bristle and claws he’d gotten from her, he still wanted to be her friend.
She shook her head, smiling, the strings of her prayer cap dancing in the breeze. “Okay then, Zane Carson. We’ll go for a buggy ride.”
He smiled in spite of himself. “There’s only one problem.”
“Jah?”
“I can’t drive the buggy.”
Her smile was bright and infectious. “Come then, Zane Carson. I will show you how.”
5
Fifteen minutes later, Zane was sitting in the driver’s seat, behind the swaying rears of the horses.
“Just hold the reins loosely. The horses know what to do. If you pull too hard, you’ll confuse them.”
He loosened his hold, trying not to be so tense. “Like this?” He was sixteen again and getting his license for the first time.
“Jah.”
He chanced a quick peek at her sitting next to him. By the way her gaze flitted around, she seemed almost as nervous as he. Was that because of his lack of driving skills? Or due to their close encounter earlier?
He turned his eyes back to the road. Traveling by buggy was both good and bad. He enjoyed the gentle sway of the animals, the feel of the woman who sat so close to him, the breeze blowing through his hair, caressing his face. The afternoon held the slight chill of fall, but the bright sun warmed in retaliation.
Thankfully, they were in no hurry. He was sure the horses could gallop with the best of them, but there would always be the danger of flipping the buggy or laming one of the beasts. As for today it was nice to sit up high and enjoy the ride for the sake of riding.
“I must apologize for Friday,” Katie Rose said, her voice as soft as the wind. “I . . . I . . .”
He wasn’t sure what she was going to say, but whatever it was, it didn’t need saying now. “No hard feelings.”
She shook her head. “Nay, I shouldn’t have treated you so—”
“Rudely?”
She shook her head. “You are not helpin’ matters, Zane Carson.”
“Am I supposed to?” He shot her a quick smile that she didn’t return.
“This mornin’ the bishop talked about forgiveness and understandin’ others and the trials they have walked.”
“Bishop Beachy?”
“Jah, we never know who might deliver the sermon. Whoever speaks is who God has chosen as His messenger for the day.”