White Flame Read Free Page B

how happy the girl seemed as she groomed the horses. A far cry from the sullen and rebellious child of late. Remembering her own early childhood, the horses she’d had and the time she and her father had spent riding, Emma frowned. At Renny’s age, she’d had her own horse and had loved to defy convention and ride bareback.
    But her father’s abandonment and the early responsibility forced upon her had been theend of that. Aunt Ida hadn’t seen reason to incur the expense of maintaining a stable when they could just as easily walk or hire a coach. But now that Emma knew how much Renny loved horses, she decided to purchase a pair for them to ride when they returned to St. Louis. If caring for the huge beasts put the sparkle of happiness back in Renny’s eyes, she’d provide her with a whole stableful!
    “Miss Emma?” Derek’s voice drew attention back to him. “I’d be honored if you’d join me for a turn around the deck.”
    Emma reluctantly shook her head. “Thank you, Captain, but I’m afraid I must take Renny back to our cabin.”
    He bowed low. “Very well. Perhaps you’ll find it in your heart to honor a poor, lonely soldier with your company later this evening?”
    Emma made a noncommittal response then hustled a complaining Renny up the stairs, eager to get away from the group of staring soldiers, especially the captain. It wasn’t that she objected to his attentions. She didn’t. He made her feel attractive and special. But she didn’t want to set herself up for hurt and disappointment later on. And until she saw her father, any plans for the future must be put on hold.
    Back in the small, barely-larger-than-a-closet cabin, Emma sat Renny down and picked up a hairbrush. The girl squirmed and complained as Emma drew the brush through strands of hopelessly snarled hair. “Do sit still, Renny.” She pulled out more bits and pieces of straw.
    “Aw, Em. I was having so much fun. You ruin everything.” Renny folded her arms across her chest and frowned.
    Separating the strands into three thick bunches, Emma quickly plaited the girl’s deep auburn hair into one long braid down her back, then refastened the pale blue ribbon. “I know you like being around the horses, Renny, but you really mustn’t bother the captain. He’s a very busy man.”
    Renny jumped off the edge of the narrow bed, her mouth set in a mutinous line. “Captain Sanders don’t mind. He told me so.” The last was spoken defiantly.
    Emma turned away. “Nevertheless, we shall spend tomorrow on your studies. Your teacher will be most displeased if you return behind the other students.” She held up a hand when Renny opened her mouth to protest. “That is final.”
    Renny pouted, her gray-blue eyes darkening with resentment. “I bet Papa isn’t such a bore. When we get to the fort, I’m gonna ask him for a horse of my very own. He won’t make me study or do stupid stitches all day. I hate it! I wish Aunt Ida were here. She wasn’t such a bore. She let me have fun. Wait until I’m with Papa. Then you can’t boss me around.” With that, the nine-year-old ran out the door.
    Emma started to follow then stopped. She knew her sister didn’t mean the hurtful words. Before Aunt Ida had fallen ill, forcing Emma to take over the discipline and day-to-day raising of Renny, Emma had been the fun one, the one who’d sneaked desserts into the nursery, or sneaked her sister out to the park for some girlish fun while their aunt napped. And now, because of her authoritarian role, Renny resented her and believed their father would be more loving and fun.
    Fighting pangs of hurt, Emma watched her sister run down the narrow corridor, her long braid whipping from side to side. The ribbon slipped off, leaving Emma to wonder why she bothered—with her sister’s hair, with this trip, with her determination to make her father see them.
    How would Renny feel when they had to return home alone? Would things get worse? Like the ribbons that