Patricia PacJac Carroll [Carroll - Summer’s Love

Summer Vance clung to her perch high in the tree away from the danger below. Would any man come to save her? In dramatic style, she put a hand to her forehead and looked out across the meadow. Oh, the flowers, if only there were a gallant knight to pick some for me and save me from the

She paused until the right threat came to her. Save me from the black knight who threatens my honor.

Summer waited, but there was no knight to save her. She shut the book about Arthur and his gallant knights of the round table and sighed. If her knight didnt come along soon, hed be rescuing an old spinster instead of a young damsel.

At twenty-one, Summer figured it was time for some man to be interested in her. Although, it probably didnt help that Pa moved them around so often. He was so unhappy and still looking for Mama.

Summer picked at an ant crawling across her arm. That she wore a simple calico dress didnt help in the matters of the heart. Father still saw her as a little girl. She plucked at a braid and had to admit, she was playing the part of a young girl.

She sighed and then had to laugh that here she was a grown woman sitting in a tree. No wonder I have no beaus to come and save me. Shed just started to climb down when she heard a loud ruckus.

Some cowboy was riding a horse at a full bucking gallop across the meadow. The horse jumped over a log nearly unseating him and then just below her tree, the buckskin horse jolted to the left, and the cowboy flew in the air and landed with a thud to the right.

The horse ran off bucking and snorting.

She stared at the man sprawled on the ground. He wasnt moving. She whistled and Sir Lancelot, her palomino, lifted his head from the lush grass and trotted to her. The horse had been her shining knight for several years, but she was ready to replace her childhood friend for a young man.

She climbed down to the lowest branch and jumped down. Summer wondered if she should go after the galloping horse or see about the cowboy.

The downed man groaned.

Well, her unseated knight was kind of handsome. She looped Lancelots reins over a branch, put her book in the saddlebag, and then went to see what she could do for the unfortunate cowboy. Not many men in these parts would have been thrown so easily.

She ran to the still groaning man. Are you all right?

Rubbing his head, the man looked up at her. Does it look like it?

I can ride off as easily as I came to see if you needed help? She wasnt at all sure if she would want him as her prince.

He pulled a burr from his hair and glared at her. Where did you come from? I didnt hear you ride up.

She wasnt about to tell him shed been sitting in the tree. What difference does it make? Im here.

Sorry, I didnt mean to be so cross. He struggled to sit up and grimaced. My knee is hurt. I dont know if I can walk.

Do you think you can get on my horse?

I can try. Give me a few minutes to get my breath.

She studied him. New chaps, hat, trousers, and shirt. And he had shiny pistol that looked like it had never been fired. Not only that, but his face was kind of pale like he hadnt been in the sun very much. He was not a cowboy.

She held out her hand. Summer Vance. I live just up the road from here. My father can take a look at your leg. My house is closer than town.

The man studied her as if he were surveying a map. Finally, he took her hand. Spencer Brannon. Im working the summer on the Box R, my cousins ranch.

Despite his somewhat surly answers, she deemed him safe even though he had a definite attitude. Where are you from?

Connecticut, not far from New York City.

I guess there arent too many ranches in Connecticut. She was beginning to understand. Spencer was a cowboy-wannabe. Shed heard the older men talk to her father about the greenhorns coming west to prove themselves.

Mostly farms. He cleared his throat and struggled to his feet and winced. All right, little girl, help me get on your horse and take me to your father.

Summer stared at him. Little girl! She was quickly losing any idea that he might be a knight in shining armor. Ill have you know that Im twenty-one. She wanted to add that he was no cowboy, but she didnt. Not yet, anyway.

He groaned. Whether because of his leg or her words, she wasnt sure.

Sorry. He pulled on one of her ribboned braids. Could have fooled me. Most women make their hair look pretty. Have fine dresses. If they do ride horses, they ride sidesaddle and wear a riding habit.

She ignored him and waited until he lowered his nose and looked at her. I guess where you come from the women are fine and dandy. Do all the men in Connecticut ride like you do?