In honor of Noemi’s birthday, here’s a snippet I’d like to share:
“Why’d you saddle up Bitters?” he asks, blinking at me like I just sprouted feathers.
I blink back. “Because I’m riding him?”
Noemi turns to him just as puzzled. “She and I are going with you to Baker. Riven said you’d drive the wagon.”
Kaesee’s eyes snap to mine. And suddenly, I know.
I know exactly what he’s about to say.
He tilts his head, slowly, like a man about to poke a bear with a stick. “So who’s driving the wagon?”
He says it to both of us. But he’s looking right at me.
I gawk at him.
Noemi crosses her arms and steps up beside me, her eyes narrowing the way I’ve seen them do when one of the ranch hands forgets their place.
“We’re not driving the wagon,” she says plainly.
I mirror her, shifting Bitters’ reins to one hand and planting the other on my hip. My eyebrow rises to match hers.
Kaesee blinks again.
“I’m not either,” he says, looking between us like maybe we’ll flinch. “I shouldn’t have to. If something happens out there, if someone tries anything, I need to be able to jump off fast. I can’t do that from a seat. What if there’s a snake? Or a wolf? Or a drunk in the road? Or if Sweet Tooth acts up and—”
“You’re scared of snakes now?” Noemi interrupts, her voice all sugar and steel.
“I’m not scared of snakes. But I am scared of your husband and what he’ll do to me if anything happens to the mother of his child. I’m being tactical,” he insists, motioning vaguely at the air like strategy is floating in front of him.
“You’re being lazy,” I mutter.
Kaesee glares at me, offended like I just insulted his entire bloodline.