The Bride Wore Spurs (The Inconvenient Bride Series, Book 1) by Sharon Ihle Page A

meant to say—" She stumbled around in her mind searching for a plausible explanation for the automatic answer. Lacey had considered mentioning the "shadow" or whatever it was she'd seen near the feed room, but after this blunder, she was afraid if she did, Hawke might get the idea that she was at least a wee bit fey. And, of course, she was. "I 'spose what I meant was that I can not remember ever being around them."
    Apparently 'satisfied by her answer, Hawke shrugged and collected both the bucket of milk and the basket of eggs. Then he started for the house, calling to her from over his shoulder. "Let's go eat. I'm starved."
    Lacey followed behind him until they stepped out of the barn and into the sunlight where she got her first good look at the grounds. The wide Wyoming skies were a pale silvery blue with just enough tendrils of fog still hanging in the valleys to remind her of the mists in Ireland.
    "Oh, 'tis a fine soft morning," she murmured, her voice steeped in awe. "And such big, beautiful mountains you have here, too!"
    Turning back to her, Hawke followed Lacey's gaze to the highest range of snowcapped peaks. "The big one, Medicine Bow Mountain, is over twelve thousand feet high. We're at about eight thousand."
    The measurements didn't mean much to Lacey, but she knew there was nothing in Ireland which could compare. The homeland, what she knew of it anyway, was a pastoral country of uneven surfaces and mountainous terrain she knew that even the highest point; Carrauntoohill, was less than half the altitude at which she was standing now!
    Revolving in place, she took a further look around the front of the property. Due east; a high fence surrounded a small corral containing only one horse, but just to the south of it and across the road, along stretch of lush meadow with a sparkling creek running through it played host to several mares and their young foals. To the north, a much larger fence enclosed acres of pasture land with horses scattered along the sage-dotted mountaintop. Behind the log home, which looked far more impressive on the outside than its stark interior had, Lacey noticed a smaller building, also made of logs, along with the barn and a few sheds. Back Of all that and lining the south side of the ranch, was a thick forest of dark green lodgepole pines set off by random swirls of lime colored aspens.
    "Winterhawke" would be a fine place in which to live, she thought with anticipation. It was big, beautiful, and best of all, isolated from the rest of the world and its intolerance for those a little "different." Aye, she dared to dream; she could be very, very happy here—assuming, of course, that she could convince its owner to marry her. And, Lacey suddenly realized, she couldn't do that standing here gawking at his property. He'd gone into the house.
    Hurrying along after him, Lacey caught up with, Hawke in the kitchen where he'd set the milk and eggs on the rubbed pine counter near the stove. He was sitting at the table near the window writing something down in a long, narrow book.
    Without looking up from his work, Hawk said, "I started the sausage. I'd like you to make some biscuits and gravy to go with it. Maybe a couple of fried eggs, too."
    Lacey didn't have the first idea how to go about cooking the sausage much less whipping up gravy, but this morning, she figured she had enough of an excuse to duck the chore without revealing that wee truth. Demonstrating with only her left hand, she held it out and tried to make a fist. "I'd like to be helping you with your meal, but I'm afraid your Hazel has give me finger cramps. I do not think I can even lift the skillet, my fingers ache so."
    Hawke glanced over at her and had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that tending the cow could be hard on the hands, especially during those frosty mornings when the fingers were stiff to begin with. He sighed. "I guess milking does take a little getting used to. I'll cook today, but you can make breakfast