Cassandra Austin by Hero Of The Flint Hills Page A

up the stairs?”
    Lynnette took a deep breath before she answered. “I don’t believe so, Arlen.”
    Arlen nodded and left the room.
    Lynnette told herself not to be irritated. Arlen was trying to be kind. She lifted her sandwich to her mouth, and her eyes came in contact with Christian’s. Her hands stilled for a moment before she forced herself to take a small bite.
    Christian studied her, and she found it impossible to turn away. Finally he spoke. “If you need any help chewing that sandwich, be sure to let Arlen know.”
    The giggle that bubbled up inside her almost made her choke.
    “If you want to keep up with this family,” he saidas he stood, “you’re going to have to learn to gobble your food.” He pushed the tray of relishes toward her. “Of course you may enjoy your lunch more with the rest of us gone.” He stacked his and Emily’s plates and cast her a dimpled grin before he headed for the kitchen.
    Christian wasn’t sure why he had stayed to tease her. Perhaps he just wanted her to finish the meal with a smile. Arlen meant well, but he treated her like…well, like a china doll. And she wasn’t made of china. The soft press of her body against his back flashed in his mind, and he brushed it away. He could have no such thoughts about his future sister-in-law.
    In the kitchen he put the dishes in the sink. Martha and her family were still eating, and he slid onto the bench beside Perry. “That bread was even better than usual,” he told Martha.
    Martha blushed at the compliment and offered him another slice. He took it, broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth. He groaned in ecstasy.
    “He wants something, Ma,” Jake said.
    “You could end up mucking out the barn by yourself today, boy,” Christian warned. “But I do have a favor to ask.”
    Martha and Jake nodded knowingly, and Perry laughed.
    Christian ignored them. “Our guest has been abandoned for the afternoon,” he began.
    “And I should entertain your guest?” Martha didn’t sound pleased with the prospect.
    Christian flashed her his biggest smile, knowing shecouldn’t resist. “All I’m suggesting is if she comes moping around this afternoon, find something for her to do.”
    A slow smile spread across Martha’s lips. “You mean, put her to work?”
    “If you can make her think it’s her idea, sure.” He clapped Perry on the shoulder as he slipped off the bench. “Don’t overwork that leg.”
    “Maybe I should put the little gal to work mending the chicken pen.”
    “There you go,” Christian said. He was grinning when he left the kitchen. Miss Sterling in her pretty pink dress struggling with a roll of mesh wire was quite a picture.
    In any circumstances, she was quite a picture. The image of her walking across the prairie would stay with him forever. Damn, Arlen should have been the one to find her. They could have had a romantic ride home.
    Maybe not so romantic, he thought, remembering Arlen’s overreaction. Arlen was simply concerned for her, of course. Why did he let it bother him?
    He slid open the barn door and stepped inside, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light. His earlier resolution to expose Miss Sterling as a gold digger seemed somehow dangerous, now. He shook off the odd thought and went to saddle his horse.
    He was leading the gelding out of the barn when he heard Emily call. He turned to watch her run toward him. She wore a reworked pair of men’s pants that were decidedly tighter than they had been last summer. One of his own shirts was tucked into them, the sleeverolled three or four times. Her hair was in a braid down her back, a braid she had managed to make herself. She wore one of Arlen’s hats.
    She came to a stop beside him. “I want to go with you,” she said as she gasped for breath. “Please, can’t I go?” She didn’t wait for an answer before hurrying into the barn.
    Christian shook his head as he looked after her. He tied the gelding in the shade and followed his