Taking the Reins by Dayle Campbell Gaetz Page A

She’s likely used to being handed everything she ever wants.” Katherine paused for a moment, thinking about Emma. “But even so, underneath it all she was frightened of something.” Katherine reached up to brush the thick, soft hair of Nugget’s neck. “Do you think it could be you she’s afraid of?”
    Katherine found it almost impossible to imagine that anyone would be afraid of Nugget, yet that was what she had seen written on the girl’s face. The first moment Emma glanced her way, Katherine had seen the fear, even though Emma tried to disguise it as anger. Her large, unusually dark eyes narrowed and her eyebrows pulled together above them, but her wide mouth, even though she tried to hold it in a firm line, trembled around its edges. Katherine understood exactly how it felt to be quaking with fear on the inside while acting angry and unafraid for the world to see.
    â€œI’m so glad I found you, Nugget,” Katherine whispered, brushing Nugget’s neck. “Can you ever forgive me for selling you? I didn’t want to, you know that, don’t you?”
    Someone coughed, and Katherine glanced over her shoulder to see Mr. Bentley and Edward leaning on the gate to Nugget’s stall as if unwilling to interrupt. She stopped brushing and turned to face them.
    â€œMiss Harris, I would very much appreciate it if you would grant me a few minutes of your time.”
    Mr. Bentley was so terribly formal and polite Katherine had no idea how to deal with him. He treated her like a grown-up woman and a lady at that. Not at all the way her father acted, as if she were a young, rather foolish child. Mr. Bentley’s manner made her feel awkward and uncomfortable. She felt like an impostor soon to be discovered through a careless word or a silly blunder. And that made her afraid to open her mouth.
    She glanced at Edward, who nodded encouragement. “I’ll finish grooming Nugget for you,” he offered.
    Katherine smiled, pleased to hear him use the name she had given her horse. She followed Mr. Bentley, who walked a short distance before stopping near the stall of a stocky old grey horse, who blinked up at Katherine with moist, tired eyes.
    â€œWell, Miss Harris,” Bentley said, “it seems young Edward thinks you would be the perfect person to teach Miss Curtis to ride.”
    Katherine studied Mr. Bentley. The man really was incredibly tall, with those long legs of his. And the way he scowled over his beard from so high above made Katherine curious to know why he cared so much about Emma Curtis. Why should he concern himself if Emma learned to ride a horse or not?
    You mustn’t stick your nose into places it does not belong. Her mother’s words slid into her mind just in time. Katherine bit her lip to keep from asking a question best left alone.
    â€œYou see,” Bentley continued, “I had asked Edward to teach Miss Curtis. It seemed to be a good plan and Edward agreed to do it, but he is now convinced Emma is cross at the both of us because we made our plans without ever asking what she wanted.” He seemed confused by this thought, shaking his head as if it made no sense at all.
    Katherine nodded. “Of course she would be angry then.”
    Apparently this was not the correct response, because Mr. Bentley’s eyebrows pulled together. Head bent back, he rubbed a hand over his beard and scowled down at her. “I shall pay you, naturally, for your time.”
    This came as such a surprise Katherine almost laughed out loud. Mr. Bentley would pay her to spend time with the horse she loved? But the money would be useful; she could use it to help pay her board. Even so, she felt uncomfortable accepting the task. “I shall agree to teach her, but only if Emma wants me to,” she said.
    Bentley sighed. His dark eyes narrowed in frustration.
    â€œMay I say something?”
    They both jumped. Bentley gave a curt nod in