Frontier Engagement. Regina Scott

don’t we go for a drive?” he asked, reaching for the stall door.

      She dropped her hand from Percy, and the horse nudged her shoulder to urge her to continue. Instead, she stepped away with a frown. “I would never take them out after dark for fear they would fall into a hole and break a leg.”

      There was that. He never had been all that good about thinking through consequences. “Of course,” he said. “You just looked so happy with them.”

      Her frown eased. “They are impressive fellows. And if we have an opportunity after school some time, I would be glad to go for a ride.” She raised her voice. “Especially with you, proud Sir Lancelot.”

      Lance snorted as if he couldn’t care less, but James saw his ears tip back to listen.

      They stayed a while longer, then James walked Rina back to the school. The farther the barn lay behind, the more he felt her stiffen. Was she still worried about teaching?

      “You’ll be fine tomorrow,” he assured her as he opened the door for her and the light from the teacher’s quarters spilled across the boards of the porch.

      Her stiff smile told him she didn’t believe him.

      “I imagine every teacher is nervous her first day of school,” he tried again. He nudged her with his elbow. “Just think how nervous your students must be. They’ve never been in school before. At least you’ve been a student.”