Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire Page B

spend Sunday mornings cooped up with a group of strangers.
    Standing at the corral, she admired the horses. She pulled some dry grass from around her feet and leaned over the wooden fence. “Come here, you!” she called out. “Yes, you! The one with the star on your face. Come over here.” She knew different horses had different titles like stallion, gelding, and mare. Knowing how to tell them apart was a different thing altogether. At least she knew how to tell if it was a male or female. That was something. She decided to ask Boone if he had any books on horses. If she was going to be married to someone who trained horses, she probably ought to educate herself a little.
    Although the horses were playful and active, she had no fear of them. She climbed over the fence to get a little closer, hoping to pet one of them.
    About that time she heard a sound from the road. She saw Boone sitting tall in the saddle. The sight of him made her smile. Since I had to get married, I’m glad I got someone who looks like him.
    She walked back to the edge of the corral, waving at Boone. “Hello! I guess you made it back before the rain.” She saw the gate and unlatched it, swinging it wide open for him and the horse to enter.
    He rode inside the corral, and she closed the gate behind him. He nodded in greeting and dismounted slowly, not saying a word. She watched him unbuckle the saddle and lay it atop the fence.
    “I see you’re not fearful of the horses,” he stated.
    “No, why should I be? Just because I haven’t had much experience with them doesn’t mean I’m afraid of them. I have to say, though, I don’t know much about them. I was just thinking I should rectify that, being married to a rancher, and all. Would you want to teach me? Or, maybe if there’s a library in town, I could get some books and read up on the subject.”
    Boone nodded. “Either one would work. I’d be happy to answer questions. There’s a library in town, a fine one.”
    He spent a few moments telling her about the various horses he had. When she told him she had lunch waiting, he nodded and they stepped out of the corral.
    “I’ll be in as soon as I put this saddle up.” He turned toward the saddle on the fence.
    “Gabrielle,” he said softly, looking over his shoulder and getting her attention.
    She took a step closer, “Hmm?”
    He looked over at her, his words gently spoken. “I don’t mind you being near the horses, petting them, feeding them. Any of that’s fine. But don’t ever mount one.” He turned back to the saddle, lifted it off of the fence, and began to walk away.
    “But, why?” she questioned. “They’re gentle—.”
    He looked over his shoulder and silenced her with a look.
    “Just don’t. Do you understand?” he asked firmly.
    She nodded and stopped walking. She didn’t understand at all, but his look was clear. There was to be no discussion about it.
    Gabrielle stared after him until he’d gone into the barn. She hurried into the house, closing the door firmly behind her and began to get lunch onto the table.
    She thought about what he’d said, and grew angrier by the minute. Slamming things about, she began muttering to herself. “How dare he? I am not a child. I’m a grown woman who has been doing exactly what I want for nearly fifteen years. If he thinks he can tell me what to do and what not to do, then we’re just going to have ourselves a little talk. If I want to ride a horse, then I’ll ride a horse!”
    She heard a tiny sound and spun around. Buck looked as though he was tip-toeing towards the door, reaching out for the handle.
    “Buck! I, um, I didn’t know you were in here,” she said, startled to see him.
    He jumped. “Oh, sorry. I saw you out walking earlier. I came in and got a bath. Don’t let me disturb you, or—.” He shuffled, obviously uncomfortable. “I don’t want to stop you from whatever you’re doing.”
    Gabrielle felt the color rise in her cheeks. “You’re not