“Are you afraid, like Jo Bennington? She has the terrors over them. We were out once when she nearly bankrupted everything, she was so scared.”
Thaine recalled a stormy night when Jo had clung to his arm to the danger of both of them and the frightened horse he could hardly control.
“No, I’m not afraid. I just don’t like being blown about. I am glad I happened to find you, to be blown about, too, if it’s necessary,” Leigh replied.
“‘Happened’ is a good word, Leigh. You happened on what I managed you should, else that long circus performance with Mademoiselle Rosella Gimpkello, famous bareback rider, had not been put on the sawdust this hot day.”
“What are you saying, Thaine Aydelot?” Leigh asked.
“You said last night you were coming over here today and that after you had come you might need my advice. Me for the place where my advice is needed ever, on land 246 or water. Rosie’s hand isn’t fit to use yet. I knew that was a nasty glass cut, so I met her in the hall upstairs early this morning and persuaded her to come over today. It gave me the excuse I wanted—to get here by mere happening.”
“And leave Mrs. Aydelot all the cleaning up to do. Humane son!” Leigh exclaimed.
“Oh, Jo stayed all night, and I stopped at Todd Stewart’s place and persuaded him down to help mother and Jo. It wasn’t hard work to get him persuaded, either.”
“Aren’t you jealous of Todd?” Leigh asked, with a demure curve of her lip.
“Ought I be? He hasn’t anything I want,” Thaine retorted.