Emma turned away from Hays and ran her hands along the top rail, not meeting his eyes. “I’m leaving Texas soon, and until I do, my attention will be focused on the school. I won’t have time for anything else.”
Emma was leaving Hartville? She couldn’t leave, not before they’d had a chance to get to know one another. “When?”
“As soon as the winter term ends. My parents were missionaries in Minnesota until my father was called to Texas. I came at his request, knowing a teacher was needed, but I find I miss my work with the Ojibwe Indians far more than I thought possible.”
“I had no idea.” He suddenly understood the sadness behind her eyes—she was homesick. It didn’t take much to imagine how she felt. He’d be miserable if he was uprooted and forced to leave Texas.
Hope continued to make a fuss about the horse, and Emma’s attention was snagged away from Hays again—but he wasn’t ready to give up his time with her.
“I understand that you miss your old home—but if you give Texas a chance, you might learn to love it like Minnesota.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “I highly doubt it.”
“I don’t.” He leaned against the fence again, his arms lazily crossed over his chest. “I can guarantee you’ve never seen anything like a sunset over the Sabinal River or a blanket of bluebonnets in the Hill Country. And there’s nothing prettier than a Texas sky at night or the sight of a newborn longhorn come spring.” He chuckled. “But, best of all, the winters aren’t as cold.”
She wrapped her arms around herself, as if remembering the freezing temperatures she had left behind. But it didn’t deter her from smiling with confidence. “And you’ve never seen anything until you’ve gazed across the endless blue waters of Lake Superior or ridden a canoe down the Mighty Mississippi. You can’t imagine the crystal-clear lakes or the delicacy of a lady’s slipper in a cool forest. And I can guarantee a Texas sunset has nothing on the crackling Northern Lights in the heat of summer.”
Hays bowed his head in deference to her statements. “Can we agree that each state has a beauty all its own?”
“I suppose.”
“Then may I offer you a challenge?” He leaned closer to her, loving the way her eyes sparkled.
“I’m always up for a challenge.”
He wasn’t surprised. “In the next two months, try not to compare Texas to Minnesota, and see if you don’t fall in love with the charm that only Texas has to offer.”
She studied him for a moment. “It seems like a fair challenge.”
“And may I add one more suggestion?”
“You may.”
“Allow me to be your guide.”
She pulled back, and he feared he’d crossed a line, but then she offered a simple nod. “It’s a valid suggestion—one I’ll consider.”
Hays couldn’t stop himself from grinning. “Shall we start now? I’d be happy to take you to see the Sabinal Ri—”
“Oh, my!” Hope cried as she fell from the saddle onto the hard ground. Her left leg was still twisted in the stirrup and her skirts became tangled around her legs. She frantically tried to disengage her boot, stirring up dust.
Emma rushed to her sister’s side while Austin and Crockett lifted her onto her foot. Hays arrived just in time to grab the horse’s reins and keep the mare from spooking.
“Whoa,” Hays said, rubbing the mare’s nose. “Steady, girl.”
“My ankle,” Hope cried as Emma helped extract her foot. “It’s broken!”
Emma knelt and took her sister’s foot into her hands. She probed while her sister continued to cry out in pain.
“I don’t think it’s broken,” Emma said in soothing tones, “but you probably sprained it.”
Austin glanced nervously toward El Regalo. “I’m sure Travis is long gone by now.”
“Crockett.” Hays indicated the road leaving the 7 Heart Ranch. “Go after Travis and tell him we need his assistance.”
“I could go,” Austin said quickly.
“I need you to help with Miss Hope.”
Crockett left without a second look back.
“What should I do?” Austin stood awkwardly, watching Crockett’s retreating form.
“You’ll have to help me get Miss Hope into the house,” Hays said.
Hope’s cheeks filled with color and she straightened her dress, suddenly looking a bit embarrassed. “All this trouble for me?”
“Do you think you can walk without assistance?” Austin’s hopeful expression made Hays want to chuckle.
“Of course.” Hope tried to take a step, but she buckled, and Austin quickly lifted her into his arms.
Her eyes grew round, and then they softened and she suddenly looked quite pleased. “Oh, my,” she said again. “I don’t believe I can, after all.”
Austin’s face became grim, and he rushed her toward the house.
“I’m sorry,” Emma said to Hays with a sigh. “Sometimes my sister can be…” She didn’t finish her statement.
“No need to apologize. I have six older brothers. I understand completely.”
For the first time since they had met, Emma offered Hays a genuine smile—and he carried the memory of it for the rest of the day.