The Courting of Thomasyna Tollefson

An Unexpected Proposal-2-3

Kourtnay, seeing the others approaching them, stayed his next kiss. Thomi couldn’t help herself, she said, “Wow, you sure kept her a deep dark secret, Nicky! Why? Can’t be for the shame of her!”

Kourtnay flushed, and Nicky responded with pride, “Oh, no! I’m not ashamed of her! It’s just the way things happened.”

“The way things happened?” echoed Stormi. “Kourtnay—!”

“Storm, I couldn’t leave you by yourself—wouldn’t leave you! Nicky understood. We . . . kept in touch . . .”

“Yes, I’m aware of that . . . now! But—ah, Kourt! Three years!”

Kourtnay left Nicky’s side to come hug her sister. “It’s all right, Storm. It was my choice, and Nicky was okay with it. I couldn’t let you go alone, and I couldn’t let anyone know about Nicky. Couldn’t take a chance that if any one of our relatives knew of it then Dean would get to know of it and . . . well . . . you know!”

“Who is Dean?”

Storm rested her gaze upon Thomi for a second. “My ex. Look, we’re wasting time I’d rather spend riding. Shall we?” She returned her sister’s hug. “I understand, Kourt. We can talk more about it later—if you want to.”

Kourtnay stepped back into Nicky’s embrace. “I do,” she said. “Go get the horses. I’d like to help groom them!”

“I’ll get Valient and Sherwyn,” Nicky offered. But didn’t immediately head off to do that. Too interested in stealing a couple more kisses from his beloved.

They started up the driveway. Jacqi danced between Thomi and Stephan, a hand in each of theirs. “Maybe you and Nicky could get married together, Thomi! That’s be fun, huh? And we could have a big party and ‘vite ever’body, huh, Thomi! And Rikki could write a song for you and Stephan and for Nicky and Kourtnay and we could sing it with her for y’ and you could kiss Stephan like Kourtnay kisses Nicky and—”

Lyndsay burst out laughing, and Thomi again backhanded her. “Oh, lord! Shut up! Both of you!”

Jacqi’s voice carried back to Nicky and Kourtnay. “Brat! Keep those opinions to yourself, if you know what’s good for you!” called Nicky with warning.

To which Kourtnay replied with a protesting laugh, “Ah, don’t tease her, Nicky! She’s such a sweetheart!”

“I like her way of thinking myself!” murmured Stephan, smiling down upon his little champion.

“I’m reserving judgment!” Stormi countered.

“I’m cutting through the parking lot!” said Thomi, and letting go Jacqi’s hand, she stepped back, went around Stephan, and headed for the field by that direction.

Naturally they all altered course and followed her. As she ducked between the rails of the fence, she called out to the animals they were after. Lyndsay, in her fashion, whistled for them. At once, Vespry and Thaena came trotting over. While they nuzzled the Tollefson sisters with welcoming nickers, it wasn’t many minutes before they were bestowing the same welcome upon Stormi and Stephan. With the same charm she’d used on Cedric, Storm soon had Vespry following her to the lower gate, no lead or halter needed. Thaena was happy to follow.

Neither Thomi nor Lyndsay would have needed a lead either, but the mares knew them. That they would give their trust to a stranger so quickly impressed both girls.

“I think she’s another who could charm a cobra up the sharp side of a butcher knife!” observed Thomi without rancor.

“Depends on the cobra,” Stephan replied. “Some have bitten her back!”

If the sisters hoped for an expansion on that, he didn’t offer one. He turned the chat to horsey subjects again, inquiring for more information of what the center offered. Lyndsay and Jacqi were happy to educate him. Thomi merely listened, her thoughts on other things.

Nicky had both Sherwyn and Valient waiting for them in crossties in the aisle of the main barn. This expanse had been built wide enough for a horse to be led by any in crossties. Stormi led the mares to an unoccupied spot and they stopped, waiting for someone to hook them up. Lyndsay tossed her a halter for Vespry while she took another over to Thaena. In a moment, they were busy with the task of grooming and chatting together as easily as if they’d been friends forever.

Kourtnay seemed to have formed a bond with Sherwyn. He kept turning his head to watch her. When she got up beside his neck, he nuzzled her cheek. She chuckled and kissed his velvety nose. Immediately, he returned it.

“Hey! That’s my girl, Sherwyn Bay!” Nicky warned him and laughed when the colt ignored him, giving Kourtnay another “kiss”.

“Guess he loves you as much as I do!” Nicky cheerfully observed.

Hard blaming him—or Sherwyn! Kourtnay’s five foot ten complemented Nicky’s six foot three. Her hair, of a rich chocolate brown, framed an unblemished sensitive face. In the dark gray eyes lurked a seriousness not always banished by her laughter. Apart from the awful limp with which she walked, which by itself summoned sympathy for her, there was an air of vulnerability about Kourtnay Deverill that drew one instinctively to her. That, plus her engaging smile and that melodious voice that made the sound of Nicky’s name seem far more poetic than it was.

Like her own name sounded from Stephan’s lips.

These Deverill cousins seemed to be a dangerous lot—male or female! No, it was no wonder Nicky had waited for her! Heh, no wonder he’d been eager to drive for their father on those long road trips to either pick up or delivery an animal wherever at the time. West Virginia had been the last one. She’d give almost anything to hear their story of the past few years!

Storm had no qualms of speaking her mind when the occasion warranted with disconcerting frankness. Her wit was quick and her laugh infectious, making Thomi forget her depression for the moment. O, to say nothing of her fabulous voice! Yes, she could probably charm the fangs off any dangerous animal! How could she not?

Magnificently built, her inches measured much closer to Nicky’s than Kourtnay’s did. Her dark auburn hair which fell in thick waves to the middle of her back, she wore in a pony tail held loosely by a leather hair tie. Those smoke gray eyes held uncanny power, their stare capable of turning one totally inside out.

Finding herself under that scrutiny, Thomi gave it back levelly. Stormi flashed her a sudden smile of genuine liking, giving Thomi the impression she’d made a friend if she wanted one. However, the glance she directed down the way at Stephan held a meaning quite different.

An unmistakable warning.

What? Was she aware of the vengeful plot he wished to wage against Charley but didn’t approve? An ally from his family’s side at last? It seemed possible but she hardly dared credit it. Might be she was just reading the look wrong.

“You’re all set!” Nicky tucked the reins of Sherwyn’s bridle into Thomi’s hands. “Watch him! He’s full of it today! And Dev—!” he called to Stephan, who was encouraging Valient to accept the bit. “Take care of yourself! Thomi’ll scramble your brains if she gets the chance! And Lyndsay will help her do it!”

Thomi ignored it, started to lead the colt out of the barn through the back doors.

“Oh, we’re assuming he has brains?” inquired Stormi, surprised. Leading Vespry, she started out after Thomi. “That might challenge my imagination, I’m afraid!”

Stephan turned Valient around to follow. “Thought yours was vivid, Karla! What happened to it?”

“Took a walk early yesterday afternoon! I think you know about when! Hasn’t been seen since!”

Thomi shoved the huge double doors open wider. She sent a long appraising look at both cousins, and said, resolutely, “Don’t worry! I’m not going to be so stupid twice!”

Nicky gave a crack of derisive laughter.

Thomi led Sherwyn out, mounted, and reined the blood bay colt around. “Care to have me enlighten Kourtnay that your temper’s like a simmering volcano, Nicholas Napayshni Quenton? You’re a great guy—if you get your way!”

“Ride, Thomasyna!” he called with cheerful nonchalance, not terribly worried that her dig would change Kourtnay’s opinion of him. “Bring ‘im back alive!”

“Naturally!”

Nicky had another retort, but never had the chance to utter it. Just as Lyndsay swung into the saddle and told him to stand away, the iron-gray mare immediately tried to unseat her.

“You’ve been stuck with a challenge, haven’t you?” remarked Stephan as he mounted Valient. “Don’t fear on my account, though! I’ll be astride this animal when we return!”

And his mount gave him the chance to prove it. Valient, five years younger than his mother, Vespry, was a spirited colt, not above testing the mettle of a strange rider. Throwing back his head and tossing his black mane in Stephan’s face, the mahogany bay colt reared up. For a suspenseful moment, it appeared he’d take his rider over backwards. If he jabbed harshly at his mouth, he would undoubtedly do that.

With a light hand and his seat as immovable as Lyndsay’s, Stephan brought the colt down easily. He seemed to know instinctively that the merest cue was all the animal needed. His patience and his soft words soon won Valient over, and he settled down, willing to carry him anywhere.

While Vespry didn't seem to desire testing her rider, it didn't invalidate Karla Storm Van Kirk's abilities. The young woman rode with an alert confidence, but yet, a casual ease that silently proclaimed her experience. Here was one who truly knew how to become one with her mount. Thomi reluctantly conceded that her father’s whim hadn’t been foolish after all.

Sherwyn conducted himself in a gentlemanly fashion until Thaena took exception to a goat running up to the rails along the lane. Thomi kept the young colt from rearing, took him around in a couple of tight circles, persuading him to change his mind. Not possessed of the same restive disposition as Valient or Thaena, Sherwyn submitted.

Lyndsay, disciplining Thaena in a similar manner, finally convinced her to quit her foolishness as well. As she came back to the others, her mount more docile, Stephan gave her an approving smile. “Nicely done! You’ve shown her who’s boss!”

“She shows ‘em all!” replied Thomi. “Think it’s those long and powerful legs! She could probably hang onto a greased pig!”

Lyndsay laughed. “You’re just jealous I grew taller than you! Don’t you sleep long on Sherwyn, little big sister! You’ll be walking home!”

Thomi cast her a narrow glance. “I never sleep on horses! Timothy sleeps on horses! Of course, Timothy sleeps everywhere!” Appraisingly, she looked Stephan over. “You guys don’t!”

“No,” he responded, amused. “Our grandfather made sure none of us slept anywhere around an animal—nor rode with a clumsy hand!” His hand went to his backside, and he grimaced. Stormi chuckled and confirmed his claim.

Thomi bit back the impulse to fling, “Good, then I won’t have to baby-sit you!” and canter away. It’s what she really wanted to do. Leave him in the dust and ride the trails alone. However, she unaccountably cared about Stormi’s opinion of her. Probably because she wouldn’t mind the chance to form a friendship with this tall cousin of Stephan Deverill. She said instead, “So tell us about him. Did you learn to ride young, like we did?”

If she kept the conversation on anything to do with horses, maybe this outing wouldn’t be so bad. If he deviated from that, she could showcase all of Lyndsay’s virtues and get him to see a truly superior specimen of young womanhood. Maybe he’d fall for Lyndsay, and she wouldn’t have to worry about him bugging her anymore! Lyndsay was more his size, too.

Maybe not as tall as Kourtnay and Stormi, but still! Generally labeled the quiet type by those who didn’t know her well, Lyndsay could display a wickedly mischievous spirit. Today, however, she seemed to be showing her more reserved side.

A prick of conscience set in then, and Thomi rebuked herself for even considering tossing her younger sister to any wolf in Charley’s family den. If she didn’t want to be there herself, it would be heinous of her to try unloading Stephan onto Lyndsay—or any of her sisters, for that matter.

Although, if Rikki’s experience was anything to go by, it seemed he probably possessed enough charm to persuade any one of them to his dinner table in minutes.

Her concern was for nothing, however. Neither Stephan nor Stormi brought up any mention of Charley nor any supposed obligation on her part to submit to dinner with Stephan.

They roamed every trail they came upon, comfortably engaged in horse talk. The pressure she’d felt herself under since arriving at DreamWynd, had at some point, melted away. Lyndsay was always an agreeable companion, and she’d expected that Stormi would prove to be as well. The admission, however, that Stephan Deverill was also, came with reluctance, triggering debate between Heart and Mind.

Heart, sinking deep in physical attraction, urged, Give him a chance. He’s gorgeous!

So’s Timothy when he’s all dressed up! retorted Mind. But he’s still a little snake just the same! Listen to me, Thomasyna! Beware!