Hero Of The Flint Hills. Cassandra Austin

compared to marriage to a wealthy politician.

      The stallion tossed his head and danced around the snubbing post, tightening the rope. “All right,” Christian said. “I get the message.” The animal sensed his master’s tension. Trying to continue would cause more harm than good. He untied the rope and led the nervous stallion into the barn.

      

      Lynnette awoke disoriented. Pale light seemed to be coming from the wrong direction, and she wondered if she had turned sideways in her bed. The room righted itself quickly when she remembered she was no longer in her own bed and never would be again. She tried to toss aside the melancholy with the covers and rose to greet the day.

      She washed in the basin and put on one of her favorite dresses. It was a soft rose color trimmed in deep green. The colors suited her and normally made her feel confident. It wasn’t working today. The dress was designed to be worn with hoops, which had gone out of style to be replaced by tight skirts and bustles. She had shortened the dress and substituted four petticoats. It gave it a rather casual appearance.

      Until now she hadn’t regretted the lack of funds that prevented her from buying any of the new dresses; they looked immensely uncomfortable. But today she wondered if Arlen would be embarrassed by her appearance. She tried to shrug off her unease. It was still a lovely dress, quite serviceable, and Arlen knew her situation.

      She gathered up the basin of used wash water and left the room. There was no one in either the living room or dining room when she came down the stairs. The table was bare, and she wondered if she had missed breakfast. It seemed quite early, but she had heard that country folk rose before dawn.

      She went into the kitchen and found Martha kneading bread. The woman looked up from her work and seemed flustered to find their guest in the kitchen again. She came forward, wiping her floured hands on her apron. “Miss Sterling. I’m so sorry. I would have sent Jake after that.”

      “That’s quite all right,” Lynnette said. “I was coming down anyway. Have I missed breakfast?”

      Martha carried the basin to a table near a screen door. She was startled to discover Lynnette had followed her. “I can fix you whatever you would like if you care to wait in the dining room. I could bring it up to your bedroom if you prefer.”

      Lynnette stood for a moment before the screen door, letting the cool breeze touch her. It was just a little too cold to eat on the balcony. “Am I the last?” she asked.

      “Emily and Arlen are still asleep.”

      Lynnette walked toward the counter where Martha’s dough sat, hoping she would return to her work. “I could wait and eat with them,” she suggested.

      “Neither will want breakfast, I’m sure. And Emily might not be down for hours.”

      “Please,” Lynnette said, indicating the dough. “If you don’t mind, I’ll fix myself an egg and toast some bread.”

      “I can do that for you,” Martha said, hurrying toward the stove.

      She had the skillet on the stove and was greasing it when Lynnette caught up with her. “I’m used to fixing my own breakfast, and my father’s. I really don’t mind. In fact, I’d enjoy it.” When Martha hesitated, Lynnette added, “If you don’t mind someone in your kitchen.”

      “It’s not my kitchen,” Martha said, stepping away from the stove. She helped Lynnette find what she would need and set out a tray with dishes and finally, when the egg was nearly cooked, returned to her dough.

      Lynnette glanced at Martha’s back as she checked on the toast She hadn’t meant to force her way into Martha’s kitchen. In her effort to avoid being an extra burden she had made herself a nuisance instead. At the earliest possible moment she filled the tray and left the kitchen.

      The dining room table looked too large for her alone, and she walked through to the living room. Finding an end table near the glass doors, she set her tray down and moved a chair into position.

      What would Arlen want to do today, she wondered as she sat down. She hoped he would want to take her riding. Their surroundings were so beautiful, it seemed like a perfect way to spend the day. It couldn’t be too hard to learn to ride.

      She bit into the toast and frowned. She had nothing appropriate to wear riding. Perhaps she could borrow something from Emily. Though the girl was shorter they weren’t so very different in size.

      She was thus deep in thought when she heard heavy steps on the stairs. She turned her smile toward them, expecting to see Arlen. Denim jeans and a loose brown shirt descended through the gap in the ceiling. She hadn’t realized how muscular Arlen was. But as she watched, it wasn’t Arlen’s face that emerged above them. It was Christian’s.

      He saw her immediately—before she had time to wipe the look of surprise off her face. She decided it was better to explain. “I thought you were up already.”

      “I was,” he answered, coming toward her. His smile was friendly if a little cautious. “I had to roust your boyfriend out. Jake and I need his help repairing the hay wagon.” He hesitated a moment, then took a seat near her. “Don’t let me keep you from your breakfast.”

      Lynnette took a sip of coffee and watched him self-consciously. She should ask him something, perhaps something about the ranch, or about Arlen. It seemed awkward for them to sit watching each other. “I’m hoping to learn to ride while I’m here,” she blurted.

      His dimples deepened. “You’ve come to the right place. Plenty of horses and plenty of trails.”

      They stared at each other for a long moment. His eyes were incredibly blue, like the sky beyond the glass doors. It took an effort to turn her attention back to her cooling breakfast. She deliberately began eating again.

      After another long moment, he spoke. “I’m sorry to take Arlen away from you this morning, but with Perry’s leg still mending, Pa’s out checking water levels in the pastures. And I need the wagon fixed before the first cutting of hay.”

      “I understand. I certainly don’t need to be constantly entertained.”

      He looked as if he didn’t believe her. It occurred to her then that he might not like the idea of a city girl staying here. She resolved to stay completely out of his way. For more than one reason. She tried to dismiss the thought. She wasn’t attracted to Arlen’s brother!

      They were still gazing at each other when she heard more footsteps on the stairs. She was glad for the excuse to turn away. Arlen was dressed in what looked like discarded dress pants and shirt. He rolled up the sleeves as he descended.

      “Lynnette!” He took the last steps much faster and hurrying to her side. “What are you doing up so early?”

      “Flirting with me,” Christian said with a grin.

      Arlen brushed a kiss across her cheek, ignoring his brother. “There’s really no need to be up and around so early, dear. Emily won’t be up till nearly noon.”

      “It’s what I’m used to, Arlen,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t show her irritation.

      Christian stood, giving her a polite smile. “Come on, brother, let’s get to work.”

      Arlen didn’t seem inclined to leave. “This shouldn’t take long. Make use of Father’s library. Have you seen it yet?”

      “Come on, brother. Tear yourself away.”

      Lynnette couldn’t help but laugh. They were both watching her, one so serious, one with a teasing grin. “Don’t worry about me. Go fix the wagon.”

      “It shouldn’t take long,” Arlen repeated, as Christian began dragging him from the room.

      “It’ll take all morning,” Christian called over his shoulder, waving with his free hand. They were nearly across the living room before Arlen actually turned and followed his brother.

      Lynnette