Soul of a Crow

Soul of a Crow by Abbie Williams Page B

Book: Soul of a Crow by Abbie Williams Read Free Book Online
Authors: Abbie Williams
“Well, Beau an’ me thought there was no better way to get the ladies to notice us than to challenge the Davis boys to a little friendly competition. Beau had his eye on Sara Lynn LeMoyne, you’ll recall, an’ we figured the girls would pay attention if we tugged you twos into the mud. There was a right big crowd gathered to watch, as it had been goin’ strong since afternoon. I recall that both Emily an’ Sara Lynn was in the crowd.”
    â€œIt was an outright battle,” Sawyer said. “I remember you and me faced off in the front, Boyd. And Ethan behind me, yelling in my ear at the top of his voice, ‘Pull, goddammit, pull!’”
    â€œThe determination in your eyes was right frightening, old friend,” Boyd said. “At the last moment I looked away an’ saw Emily watching, cheerin’ an’ clappin’, an’ I knew that we just had to win.”
    â€œCarters always win in tug o’ war,” Malcolm said, sounding affronted. “Daddy said it’s since we got such strong arms, that’s why.”
    I was laughing so hard I could hardly catch a breath, and Sawyer’s eyes were warm upon me.
    Boyd said, “An’ I was rewarded. Beau an’ me let the rope go slack just long enough to fool the two of you, an’ then hauled for all we was worth. There went Sawyer an’ Eth right into the mud-slick, all churned up from the boots of near every man in Suttonville. Oh, it was a ripe victory. We basked in glory until I felt a sudden cold chill an’ looked to see the glint in Ethan’s eye. See, Lorie, his blue ribbon was covered in mud. I barely had time to move before he launched at me, swingin’ for all he was worth.”
    â€œI was sitting right in the middle of it,” Sawyer informed me. “Ethan went near over my head and socked Boyd square in the nose.”
    â€œI then had to defend myself,” Boyd added, as Malcolm laughed and nodded in approval.
    â€œBeau tried to grab for the two of you and fell, and I couldn’t get to my feet as the mud was so slippery,” Sawyer said. “Then I got an elbow in the face.”
    â€œBefore you could slap a tick, the four of us was all-out wrestling like a bunch of boars in spring,” Boyd laughed. “Jesus, our poor mamas was downright ashamed. Big boys like us shoulda known better.”
    â€œYour daddy waded in and near cracked our heads together,” Sawyer remembered. “And for all that trouble, Emily ended up on Nash Gandy’s arm anyway.”
    â€œLord, that’s right, I’d forgotten,” Boyd said. He sobered and said softly, “Gandy didn’t make it past the summer of ’sixty-three, not so’s I know of.”
    â€œIt’s a wonder we did,” Sawyer said quietly, his gaze on the far horizon before coming back to me. He saw the concern in my eyes and sent me a smile of reassurance, asking, “You feel up to a ride? I’ll mind the wagon.”
    â€œI think I would,” I said, shifting and drawing back on the reins, halting the team. Sawyer pulled off his riding gloves and I slipped them into place, loving the warmth of the leather that had just been touching him. I hugged Whistler’s neck before climbing neatly atop her back; Sawyer shortened the stirrups for me, then straightened to his full height and curved both hands around my lower leg.
    â€œDon’t ride out of sight, I can’t bear it,” he told me, and I promised I would not.
    Malcolm doubled back and appropriated my attention immediately, coaxing me to canter.
    â€œPlease, Lorie-Lorie,” he begged. “Aces wants to race.”
    â€œLet’s ride ahead a bit, instead,” I told him.
    Malcolm shrugged agreeably.
    I heeled Whistler and she pranced forward eagerly, following after Aces. Malcolm led us out at a trot; I overtook him easily and for a time we rode abreast while Boyd stayed back near the

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