Michelle felt wobbly. She bit her lower lip. “He didn’t like it,” she said miserably.

Sara touched her cheek gently. “Men are strange. They react in odd ways. I’m sure he liked it, but he’s not demonstrative.” She smiled. “Okay?”

Michelle relaxed. “Okay.”

Out in the barn, Gabriel was struggling to regain his composure. He’d never seen anything in his life more beautiful than Michelle in that dress. He’d had to force himself out the door before he reacted in a totally inappropriate way. He wanted to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her until her mouth went numb. Not a great idea.

He stood beside one of his horses, stroking its muzzle gently, while he came to grips with his hunger. It was years too soon. He would have to manage the long wait. Meanwhile, he worried about the other men, young men, who would see Michelle in that gown and want her, as he wanted her. But they would be her age, young and untried, without his jaded past. They would be like her, full of passion for life.

It wasn’t fair of him to try to keep her. He must distance himself from her, give her the chance to grow away from him, to find someone more suitable. It was going to be hard, but he must manage it. She deserved the chance.

The next morning, he was gone when Michelle went into the kitchen to help Sara fix breakfast.

“His truck’s gone,” Michelle said, her spirits dropping hard.

“Yes. I spoke to him late last night,” Sara replied, not looking at her. “He has a new job. He said he might be away for a few weeks.” She glanced at the younger woman and managed a smile. “Don’t worry about him. He can take care of himself.”

“I’m sure he can. It’s just...” She rested her hand on the counter. “I miss him, when he’s away.”

“I’m sure you do.” She hesitated. “Michelle, you haven’t started to live yet. There’s a whole world out there that you haven’t even seen.”

Michelle turned, her eyes old and wise. “And you think I’ll find some young man who’ll sweep me off my feet and carry me off to a castle.” She smiled. “There’s only one man I’ll ever want to do that, you know.”

Sara grimaced. “There are so many things you don’t know.”

“They won’t matter,” Michelle replied very quietly. She searched Sara’s eyes. “None of it will matter.”

Sara couldn’t think of the right words. So she just hugged Michelle instead.

Chapter 9

Michelle was very nervous. It was the first day of the semester on campus, and even with a map, it was hard to find all her classes. Orientation had given the freshmen an overview of where everything was off the quad, but it was so confusing.