Zügel & Schleifen

“Miss Lenox. This is a surprise,” the voice said. With the sun behind him, his face was in shadow beneath the brim of his hat and I couldn't tell who he was, but I knew that voice. The hair at the back of my neck rose at the dark rasp.
I realized while I couldn't see him, he most certainly could see me. I shoved the hem of my skirt back down and began fiddling with the open buttons at my neck in mortification.
The door opened and he climbed inside, folding his large frame to keep from bumping his head. Removing his hat, he glanced at me, a wide grin on his face. “No need to right yourself for my benefit. I assure you, I will enjoy the trip so much more if you don't.”
My mouth fell open at the sight of Garrison Lee. What was he doing here? I asked him as much. He arched his brow at my less than conciliatory tone, and then settled himself across from me. The stage lumbered into motion.
“I'm going to Carver Junction, the same as you, sugarplum,” he replied.
“Yes, but why?” I huffed. While the very sight of him had my heartrate galloping faster than the horses pulling the stage, he was going to ruin everything.
“To see a man about a horse.”
I didn't believe that reason for a minute. “Really?”
“I'm taking the stage there and hopefully, if I am satisfied, riding the animal home. You look as if you doubt me.”
I pursed my lips.
“I do run a horse ranch.”
His bent knees bumped into mine when the stage lurched in a deep rut. I shifted so we would not touch, under the guise of settling into our journey. He grinned at my action and I hated that that dratted dimple formed in his right cheek. How could the man be so handsome, so ruggedly appealing while I wanted to hurl myself across the small distance between us and strangle him?