There had been more than a warning in her voice, there’d been worry edged with outright desperation. And it was his fault. On top of everything else on her plate right now she had to worry about keeping him on the horse as if he were some toddler astride his first pony. “Sorry. I’m okay now.” He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt. “Lean against me if you need to. Just don’t you dare fall off this animal.” “Yes, ma’am.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ry found himself amused by her military general attitude. And also touched by her courage. But he refused to let himself take advantage of her generosity any more than absolutely necessary. He’d keep himself upright under his own steam as long as possible. And he offered up a prayer that his “steam” would last long enough to get them where they were going. “Tell me about this Aunt Pearl of yours.”“She was a really colorful woman. Spent most of her life as the personal companion to an opera singer.
