Chapter 19
Mandie took another bite of her boiled oats as the brothers’ conversation drifted around her. These had turned out better than she’d expected.
Yesterday—the morning after Willow’s foaling—she’d come into the kitchen to find a hot skillet of cornbread cooling on the back of the stove, a pot of beans soaking in cold water, and a note on the counter from Enoch.
Rather, a recipe, written in his bold hand, with instructions on how to make the cornbread herself and how to cook the beans.
Last evening, she’d found another note with instructions on boiling oats, which he mentioned in the postscript at the bottom of the recipe was a favorite of his brothers too.
He’d avoided speaking to her though, unless absolutely necessary. And then, he wouldn’t look at her.
Had she done something wrong in that kiss? Responded too fervently? The thought made her neck heat, and she took another bite of her oats.
James’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Enoch, you said something about checking on the herd in the north pasture?”
Enoch cleared his throat. “I’ll ride out after breakfast. Check on that herd of cattle we moved last week.”
Mandie’s heart leapt. Did she dare ask? She so desperately needed air, space, a chance to clear her head. Being cooped up in the house with only her thoughts was driving her batty.
She lifted her gaze to his, trying to read the guarded expression in those piercing blue eyes.
“Could I…could I come with you?” The words tumbled out before she could second-guess herself. “I would love some fresh air.”
Enoch’s fork paused halfway to his mouth, his gaze snapping to hers. Surprise flicked across his face. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Mandie swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Please. I’m feeling cooped up and restless. I promise I won’t be any trouble.”
Enoch’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked like he would refuse. But then he sighed, setting down his fork. “All right. But we’ll need to leave soon if we want to be back before dark.”
Relief washed through her, followed by a flutter of anticipation. A day alone with Enoch, away from the tension of the house... It would either be awkward or wonderful. Probably both.
She quickly finished her breakfast and started to gather the used dishes from the table.
Robert stood and waved her away. “My turn for clean-up today. You go get ready.” He sent a look Enoch’s way. “If I know my brother, he’ll be ready to ride out in a few minutes.”
Enoch didn’t voice a response, and she didn’t check his expression, just thanked Robert and went to change into her split skirt and boots.
As she braided her hair tightly, she caught sight of her reflection in the small mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. She looked…excited. Happy, even.
Somehow, Enoch already had two horses saddled and waiting in front of the house when she stepped outside.
He didn’t look at her as she descended from the porch, simply turned to the sorrel and moved around to her side. “This is Rosie. She taught Thomas how to ride, so she should be gentle enough.”
In other words, he assumed she would be a novice.
“I’m sure I’ll manage.” Mandie kept her tone light as she reached for the reins. She’d ridden horses since childhood, though always sidesaddle. Her skills might be a bit rusty, and she’d never ridden astride, but she could handle a horse.
She smiled and thanked him as he helped boost her into the saddle. Let him think her a beginner if it would make him speak to her.
She settled onto Rosie’s back, and the mare shifted, finding her balance with the added weight. Mandie automatically tightened her thighs, but forced herself to relax. Riding astride felt odd at first, but the freedom of movement was wonderful.
As she settled into the saddle, Enoch mounted his own horse, a sturdy black gelding. He glanced over at her, seeming to check her seat and hand position. Apparently satisfied, he loosened his reins and started off at an easy walk.
They rode in silence for a while, the only sounds those of horse hooves clacking on stone and the creaking of leather.
She searched for something to say, some neutral topic to break the tension, but her mind went blank. All she could think about was the last time they’d been alone together…that kiss. The way Enoch’s lips had felt on hers, the heat of his body pressed close.
She shook her head to dislodge the memory. It wouldn’t do to dwell on such thoughts, not when Enoch seemed determined to forget the incident entirely.
Instead, she focused on the scenery around them.
They climbed up a rocky slope, then over a pass between two mountain peaks.
Birds wheeled overhead against the overcast sky, their cries echoing in the crisp morning air.
She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the scent of pine and fresh grass. This was exactly what she needed.
They rode on, the weather warming, though thick clouds hid the sun.
Enoch seemed content with the silence, his gaze scanning the horizon as if searching for something.
Mandie tried to relax into the easy rhythm of Rosie’s gait, but a niggling worry wormed its way into her thoughts. What if Enoch regretted bringing her along? What if he found her mere presence a burden? Did he regret asking her to marry him?
Just as she opened her mouth to start a bit of conversation, Enoch reined in his horse on the downhill slope. “Storm’s coming.” His voice came low, almost a growl.
She followed his gaze to the western sky. Dark clouds had gathered, heavy and ominous. The air felt charged, the wind picking up with a chill. How had she not noticed?
He eyed her, maybe for the first time in over a day. “You want to turn back?”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.” She lifted her chin, trying to project more confidence than she felt. “We’ve come this far. Might as well finish the job.”
Enoch’s mouth tightened, but he nudged his horse forward. “Stay close then. If the weather gets worse, we’ll find shelter.”
As they rode, the wind whipped at her clothes and tugged strands of hair from her braid.
The first fat drops of rain splattered against her cheeks, cold and sharp.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, making Rosie snort and toss her head. Mandie tightened her grip on the reins and eased her legs so she didn’t feed her tension to the horse.
The storm broke in full force as they crested the next rise. Sheets of rain lashed down, driven by gusts that threatened to unseat Mandie. Lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a crash of thunder that made both horses dance.
Enoch guided them off the trail and into a stand of pines that provided some shelter from the pounding rain.
“There’s a cave not far ahead,” he shouted over the roar of the storm. “We can wait it out there.”
Mandie nodded. Her teeth had already begun to chatter from being soaked through in the biting wind.
They pushed on, and she bent low against the rain as Rosie picked her way over the slick, rocky trail.
Until they finally reached the dark mouth of a cave tucked into the mountainside.
Shelter, at last.
They dismounted at the cave entrance, and Enoch reached for her reins. “Get inside. I’ll tie them and be there soon.”
Mandie ducked into the cave, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dimness. The space was larger than she’d expected, the ceiling high enough that Enoch should be able to stand without stooping. The air smelled of dank earth and something else musky and wild.
She moved farther in, away from the water streaming in rivulets from the entrance. The cave must have a slight downward slope toward the back.
She took up a space against the side wall, far away from the wind blowing in the entrance. Her shivers had worsened, and she wrapped her arms around herself. The fabric of her split skirt clung to her legs.
Enoch stepped inside a moment later, his broad shoulders outlined against the daylight outside.
Water streamed from his hat and clothes, dripping onto the stone floor.
He removed his hat and dropped it upside down onto a dry part of the floor.
“Horses are as secure as they can be. I tied them under the overhang, so maybe they’ll not get the worst of it. ” He joined her against the wall.
Mandie nodded, her teeth chattering too much for speech. She hugged herself tighter, trying to will warmth back into her limbs.
Enoch turned to look at her and frowned. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m f-fine.” But a shiver slipped into her words, betraying her.
He looked around the space and down at himself. Neither of them had coats. Not in late summer. In Georgia, they wouldn’t need a coat for two more months, even during a rain.
Enoch looked like he might strip off his shirt to give her, but thankfully, thought better of it. Instead he slipped a hand behind her back. “Come closer.” He tugged her to him.
Maybe she should have resisted, especially the way he’d been acting yesterday and today. But she was so cold.
She snuggled into his chest. He wrapped those warm, strong arms around her, and his body heat seeped into her, chasing away the chill little by little. She sank into the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the thud of his heartbeat.
For a moment, the only sounds were the drumming of rain outside and the soft rustle of their clothing as he eased back against the rock wall behind him, bringing her along.
Mandie closed her eyes, savoring the closeness, the respite from the tension that had stretched between them.
Enoch’s hand rubbed up and down her arm, almost absently, as if he’d forgotten he was doing it. The rough calluses on his palm and fingers tugged the damp fabric of her sleeve, sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cold.
“I’m sorry,” Enoch spoke abruptly, his voice a low rumble that she felt as much as heard. “For how I’ve acted lately.”
Mandie tilted her head to look up at him. In the dim light, his face above his beard was all angles and shadows, his blue eyes nearly black. “What do you mean?”
He exhaled, his breath ruffling her hair. “I’ve been…distant. It’s not fair to you.”
She bit her lip, considering her words. “Is it…because of the kiss?”
Enoch tensed, his arm tightening around her. For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. Then, “Yes.”
Her heart sank. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“No.” He cut her off, his voice rough. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”
Mandie frowned. “Then why...?”
He was silent for so long, it didn’t seem he would respond. “I don’t know how to do this, Mandie.”
Her insides tightened. “How to do—”
A sound broke through her words.
A low growl, somewhere back in the cave. Was that…?
Enoch stiffened, his hand going still on her arm. He eased his head toward the sound.
His grip on her tightened, and she turned to see what he’d seen.
At first, she could make out nothing in the darkness of the cave depths. Then two glowing eyes came clear.
They moved, and she caught the shadows of a head.
A cougar?
Her pulse thundered, her mind swimming for what to do. Would it attack? Did they have a weapon?
Enoch eased her sideways, moving out from between her and the wall. “When I say to, run for the entrance.” His words came out barely more than a breath.
What was he going to do?
The animal padded forward a step, toward the daylight of the cave entrance, though it never seemed to take its eyes off them. She could see it better now, the grayish fur and the swinging tail.
Enoch shifted, reaching for his belt. The glint of a knife blade caught Mandie’s eye.
He’d come armed, thank the Lord. But a knife against a cougar? Even without the burns on his back, it wasn’t a fair fight.
The animal crept a step toward them, muscles rippling beneath its sleek coat. Its ears flattened against its skull.
“Get ready.” Enoch breathed the words, his body coiled tight as a spring.
Mandie’s heart pounded against her ribs. She couldn’t leave him to face this alone. Her gaze darted around, seeking anything she could use as a weapon. A rock, a stick, something.
The cougar snarled, a sound that raised every hair on Mandie’s neck. It crouched, hindquarters bunching. Ready to spring.
“Now!” Enoch lunged forward just as the cat leapt, his knife slashing in a silvery arc.
Mandie bolted for the entrance, her boots slipping on the damp stone. Behind her, a yowl of pain echoed off the cave walls.
She had to help him.