Homespun Bride

Jillian Hart 123on the worktable centering the room. She addedanother plate for him.“I think he’s been out there working with one ofthose crazy horses.” Sadie’s voice made clear heropinion on horses that could not be trusted. “Someoneneeds to take them in hand, I suppose.”Thad. The knot in her chest yanked tighter. She didher best to keep her feelings still and slipped anotherplate from the shelf. The plates clacked together,Sadie’s step retreated to the kitchen door and she wasalone again. Her mind was a muddle of stray, troublingthoughts. Exhaustion vibrated through her like aplucked cello string. Sadie’s steps faded away, leavingher to think about the one man she should not bethinking about.When she heard Thad’s familiar gait coming fromthe lean-to, she had only a moment to brace herselfbefore the door opened. She wished that her senses didnot focus on him even before he stepped into the room.She knew the brush of his movements, the rhythm ofhis breathing and the beat he took to pause before hespoke. Again, her spirit turned toward him and her traitorousheart followed.“Messages delivered,” he said with a smile in hisvoice. “I didn’t realize you taught so many students.”“It surprises even me.” She couldn’t say why shewas almost smiling back. She shook her head, gatheredup her common sense and blamed her reaction to Thadon the fact that she had yet to sleep after being up allnight with Henrietta. “Thanks for delivering mymessages.”“I didn’t mind, and I got to see more of the countryside.”There was a rustle, as if he were taking off his