“
My eyes roved over each and every one of the horses, approximating their age and probably stage in training, assessing their form and temperament and noting their reproductive potential. Eventually it dawned on me that silence had fallen. I turned toward Grayden to offer some excuse, but to my surprise, he was gazing at me with affection and sympathy in his green eyes. He smiled and produced a small box, which he extended to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, thoroughly confused.
He shrugged. “A token of friendship. I would be honored if you would accept it.”
Curiously, I took the box from his hand. Anticipating jewelry, I prepared for a show of fake enthusiasm. Such a gift would be a sweet gesture, and undoubtedly beautiful, but I was not one for baubles.
The box did contain jewelry, but not of the type I supposed. On a lovely chain of gold hung a small, golden horse, head high, legs outstretched in a gallop. I looked at Grayden, stupefied, although I didn’t need to feign my pleasure.
“As I said, your uncle told me of your love for horses,” he explained almost shyly. “That it was a love you shared with your father.”
“But I…I don’t understand. What are you…?”
Seeing how flustered I was, he reached out and took my hand.
“I’m not asking for anything, Shaselle. I just…I think you’re used to being seen as a problem. Maybe it’s presumptuous of me to say that, but your family apologized for so many things about you that I can’t help drawing the conclusion.”
Not sure how to react, I opted to remain silent.
“I think you’re only a problem for those people who are trying to turn you into something you’re not.”
“A lady?” I wryly suggested, regaining my sense of humor. I leaned back on the fence, certain he would agree.
“No,” he said, and there was conviction in his voice. “They need to stop trying to turn a free spirit into a traditional wife.”
I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. Could he truly believe what he was saying? Men played games to placate women. But I knew of no man other than my father who would enjoy seeing a horse pendant around the neck of the woman he was courting.
“I do have a question for you,” Grayden said, leaning against the fence next to me. He hesitated, obviously uncertain about where our relationship stood. “The Harvest Festical is approaching. If you have no other plans to attend, would you consider accompanying me?”
My eyes again filled with tears. There was no good reason--why should I be breaking down now, when Grayden was being so understanding, so tolerant of my eccentricities?
“Come,” he said softly. “I’ll take you back to your cousin.”
I let him escort me into the house, feeling like an ungrateful fool. I hadn’t even thanked him for his gift, and I desperately wanted to do so. But I couldn’t conjure the words to convey how I was feeling, and so I murmured farewell at the door.
”
”