Chase didn’t give him time to finish speaking before racing to his horse. In no time at all, the two men rode off together, Chase taking the lead.

Surprised by the loneliness that washed over her in the wake of Chase’s departure, she sighed and led Daisy to her stall. After lugging the saddle off the horse and wiping her dry, Emily strode back to the main house on foot.

Moments later, she let herself in her room. Puzzled by the cardboard box on the bed, she quickly opened it. Inside was a pair of brown leather boots.

Gasping, she drew one out and ran a finger over the soft leather and examined the floral motif expertly etched onto the shaft.

Kicking off her shoe, she sat on the vanity stool and pulled on the boot. The ease with which her foot slid into the leather depths surprised her. After donning the second boot, she walked around the room. Staring at her feet, she nibbled on a nail. The boots were a perfect fit. How in the world had Chase managed that?

The thought of him measuring her foot while she slept gave her a jolt. He wouldn’t!

Unfortunately, she had to wait until supper to question him. He was already seated at the table when she stormed into the dining room and tossed the boots on the floor by his chair.

He gazed at the boots for a moment before lifting his gaze to her. “You don’t like them?”

“How did you know my size?”

He arched a dark brow. “How do you think…” He studied her. “Don’t tell me you thought that I…” He laughed. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I borrowed one of your slippers.”

She drew back. “You…took my slipper?”

He rubbed his chin. “It was either that or sneak into your bed.”

Emily felt heat rise to her face. Chase never missed a chance to mention their sleeping arrangements, or lack thereof. Still, he’d done her a favor, and for that, she was grateful.

“Thank you,” she said.

He arched an eyebrow. “Do you like them?”

“Yes. I like them. A lot.”

He nodded. “No one makes better boots than Shoe-Fly Jones.”

“You…you don’t have to buy me gifts,” she said.

He reached for her boots and handed them to her. “If it makes you feel better, we’ll just call them part of our agreement.”

* * *

The following morning, Emily felt more restless than usual. She wasn’t used to having so much time on her hands. Each day seemed forty-eight hours long. Each night seemed endless.

She now understood Chase’s refusal to let her ride outside the paddock, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept. Had it not been for her lessons, she surely would have gone mad with boredom by now. There just didn’t seem to be anything for her to do.

Cookie and Peggy Sue took care of the household chores, and the only books Emily could find in that large, rambling house were about raising cattle.