The Unexpected Bride. Debra Ullrick

here. “What about what he put you through? You came all this way for nothing. When I think about what you must be feeling right now…” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe it. I’m really sorry, Rainee. Truly.” He found he meant it. No one deserved to be treated like that.

      “It is okay, Haydon. I have a home for now. And one of the other Christian gentlemen who answered my advertisement offered me a home as well, so I am not completely without options.”

      One of the other gentlemen? How many men had actually responded to her ad? Were there that many desperate men out there?

      “I shall contact him as soon as I can send a post off and see if he still wants me.”

      Haydon’s gut twisted into a hard knot. Who was this guy, and would he be good to her? Haydon gave himself a mental tongue lashing. What did he care what happened to her? He didn’t want her. What did it matter to him if someone else did? Then he made the mistake of looking into her eyes again. The vulnerability he saw there touched him deeper than he wanted it to. Although he didn’t want her, the truth was he hated the thought of this beautiful young woman, who was clothed with despair and innocence, traipsing all over the country to who knows where and into the arms of who knew what kind of man.

      Against all rationale and his better judgment, right there, Haydon made up his mind to not let her go. To protect her from undesirables and to provide for her. “Rainee, I—”

      “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.

      Chapter Five

      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