Debra Ullrick - The Unexpected Bride

“Rainee.” Leah burst into the room. “Oh. Hi, Haydon.”

He looked at his sister, then back at Rainee, who was gazing up at him with a tilt of her head as if she were waiting for him to continue. “I’ll—I’ll talk to you later.”

She gave a quick nod. “Thank you again, Haydon, for retrieving my trunk.” She offered him a sweet smile and to his utter surprise and horror his heart tipped like a schoolboy with a crush.

Rainee climbed out of the tub and got dressed. Alone in the house and feeling refreshed, she decided to step outside. The late afternoon air surrounded her with warmth. Over by the corral, she noticed some of the spotted horses she had seen on the way here and decided to take a closer look at them.

She stepped up to the corral, and a reddish-colored horse with brown spots came trotting over to her and leaned its head over the fence. “Well, hello there.” She ran her gloves over the horse’s nose. The horse pressed into her hand and jerked upward. Rainee giggled. “Not only are you lovely, but you are feisty, too.”

“And she’ll take a chunk out of you if you’re not careful.”

Rainee swung her gaze toward the barn. Haydon stepped out of the shadow of the stall and into the sunlight of the corral. He came and stood next to the mare and patted the horse’s neck. “You behave yourself, Sköldpadda.”

The horse stepped back and turned her head into Haydon. He rubbed her cheek and scratched her behind her ears. “You be nice to this lady or no more treats for you, you hear?” Haydon glanced at Rainee but continued to pet the horse.

“Sköldpadda? I have never heard that name before.” Rainee tilted her head.

“It’s Swedish for a snapping turtle.”

“Why did you name your horse after a snapping turtle?” No sooner had the question left her mouth when the horse scuttled back and lunged toward Haydon with its mouth wide open. “Watch out!” Rainee yelled.

Haydon jerked sideways and Rainee watched as he dealt with the horse in the gentlest of manner.

When the horse calmed, Haydon faced Rainee. “Now you know why. Sköldpadda has a good heart and she’s a gentle mare, but for some reason I can’t seem to break her of this one bad habit.” He turned and put his arm around the horse’s neck. “You’re a good girl, Sköldpadda,” he whispered in the horse’s ear, but Rainee heard him and admired the gentleness he displayed with the horse.

He never once lost his temper as her brother had so many a time with their horses.

Thoughts of Ferrin and his cruelty sent spasms of pain throughout Rainee’s body. No! I shall not torment myself with thoughts of my brother. She forced her attention back onto the horse and onto Haydon.

Sköldpadda walked away and joined the other horses at the food trough. Haydon ambled up to the fence and planted one foot on the bottom rail and his arms over the top one.

“What manner of breed are these horses? They are lovely, and I have never seen any spotted horses like these before.”

“They’re Palouse ponies.”

“Palouse?”

Haydon explained their history with such zeal that Rainee got caught up in his excitement. “They’re lofty and really active. Plus, they’re great for hunting and their stamina is quite impressive.” He suddenly stopped and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I’ve gotten carried away. It’s just that I love these animals. They’re unlike any other horse breed I’ve ever been around. Especially Rebel’s offspring. If you think these horses are beautiful, you should see Rebel.”

“Rebel?” She tilted her head.

“My horse.”

“May I see him?”

“Sure. Meet me inside the barn.” Haydon headed through the corral and disappeared into the same stall he had come out of.

On the way to the barn, Rainee marveled at the difference between the stoic man who had picked her up from the stagecoach and this zealous, passionate horseman. The two were as different as a bird and a cat.

Haydon met her at the door. “He’s in the back.” His face glowed with pride.

They headed through the barn. Dust, hay and horse scent swirled around her, tickling her nose with delight.

Out the back door they headed. Behind the barn was a lone stall with a higher fenced corral.

Several yards from the stall, Haydon expelled two short whistle sounds.

A black horse poked its head out of the stall door.

“How you doing, Rebel Boy?” Haydon walked up to him and rubbed the horse on the nose, then patted his cheek.

Rainee stepped up next to Haydon and looked at the horse’s shiny coat. She peered into the stall and noticed white spots all over the horse’s rump. “Oh, my. What an exquisite animal. God has really outdone Himself on this one. May I pet him?”

Haydon stepped aside and Rainee ran her hand over Rebel’s head. “He seems gentle. Did you break him?”

“Yes.”

“Do you break all of your horses?”

“Most of them. Jess helps some.” He stopped talking and Rainee peered up at him. A shadow covered his face as he looked away. Rainee wondered what was wrong, then realized he had become still when he had mentioned his brother’s name. The very one who had sent for her.

“I’m sorry, but it’s getting late and I need to finish my chores now.”

Rainee knew she had been dismissed. But she understood. Haydon was having a hard time dealing with what his brother had done, and she did not blame him. This most awkward situation vexed her also. To ease his discomfort, she would try and find a new home as soon as possible.

Rainee forced herself not to fidget at the dining room table. Father always hated that sort of improper display, said it showed a lack of confidence and no Devonwood should ever behave in such an unbecoming manner. Because of their wealth and standing in society, they should hold their heads high and have impeccable manners.

As if any of that mattered to Rainee.

She detested all of the snobbery and insincerity that accompanied most people of high rank.

The kitchen door flung open, and in barreled a young man who resembled Haydon in every way, albeit younger and smaller. He stopped short when he saw her, then he hurried around to the opposite side of the table and sat down. His eyes locked onto her. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“Michael!”

Rainee’s gaze flew to Haydon seated at the head of the table.

“I’m sorry. I apologize for my brother’s rude behavior, Rainee.” Haydon turned his attention to his brother and sent several silent but serious messages his direction.

The poor boy’s face matched the color of a scarlet ribbon Rainee once had. She longed to ease the young man’s embarrassment, but it would be highly improper for her to interfere.

“Rainee, may I present my brother, Michael. And the gentleman sitting next to him is our dear friend, Smokey.”

“Ma’am.” The man with the gray hair and gentle brown eyes nodded his head once.

“Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.” Rainee presented a polite dip of her head to Smokey, then turned her attention to Michael and offered him the same courtesy.

“And of course you’ve already met Abigail and Leah. Everyone, this is Rainee.”

Questioning stares made her want to shrink under the table and disappear out the door.

“Just so you all know, Jesse invited her out for a visit. I do not want anyone in this family embarrassing Rainee again. Is that understood?” His gaze went around the room, holding a moment on each member until they each nodded their assent.

Rainee wanted to hug the man for sparing her any further humiliation. Admiration for his sensitivity sent a strange swirling sensation into her heart.

Confused, questioning gazes fluttered her direction from around the table. She waited for one of them to ask her why she was not eating with Haydon’s brother and his wife, but not one person spoke even though she could tell they wanted to. They obviously respected Haydon’s authority. And him.