Homespun Bride

74 Homespun BrideImpossible, he realized. His nearness made her sad.It was as plain as day.“McKaslin, what’s your opinion?”“Wh-what?” He blinked, realizing he must havebeen staring at the horse’s withers for a rather longtime. The sights and sounds of the busy horse salechased away most of his trail of thoughts, but not allof them.“She’s too old but, McKaslin, you seem to like herbetter than the gelding.”Thad knocked back his hat and the snow accumulatingon the brim slid off, giving him time to think ofthe best way to answer. “You’d do well to go with anolder horse. This mare is a little long in the tooth, butshe’s steady and gentle.”“I suppose I like the brash younger ones. More of achallenge.”Yep, Worthington had even less horse sense thanhe’d figured on. “Well, sir, you might not want togamble your womenfolk’s well-being like that. Thisold mare has a lot of good years in her, she’ll be suitedto pulling a light sleigh or buggy. Besides, look at thekindness you’d be doing. If no one buys her, she mightbe sent to the stockyards. That is one sad end for a nicehorse.”Robert gulped at that. “I hadn’t considered thatbefore. I’m glad I asked your opinion. You have soundreasoning and a lot of knowledge. You know I’mlooking to hire a good horseman to teach me what Ihaven’t learned in books. If it’s stable work you mind,I’ll find someone to muck out the stalls—”“You’ve got that wrong, Mr. Worthington. I don’tmind stable work.” Thad shoved his fists into his coat