Chapter 4-2
274 Words
It was pretty much the way it had been in Woody Draw, when he’d put Sunrise through her paces, but this time he let George show off Nightfall’s fancy steps as well. They drew an appreciative crowd, who applauded and threw them coins.
Tom glanced at his son, and in a synchronized movement, Sunrise and Nightfall bowed, and Tom and George swept off their hats and bowed also, which brought laughter, cheers, and more applause.
He grinned and waved to the crowd, and that was when he saw the girl. She was very pretty, very well-dressed, and she looked very happy. Wisps of very blonde hair peeked from under her stylish bonnet. She was seated in a buggy beside a young man equally blond and pretty.
“Oh, please, Barron! Give the man a coin.” She begged prettily, too.
“Barron” tossed a penny in Tom’s direction and gave George a disdainful glance when he hopped off Nightfall and began gathering the coins. In return, Tom gave Barron a hard glare, and he was pleased to see the young man turn pale. Barron slapped the reins against the rump of the placid horse harnessed to the buggy, and they trotted off.
“That was wonderful, Mr. Pettigrew!” Mrs. O’Connor clapped her hands and gave a little bounce, drawing his attention to her. “You’re very clever. And so skilled!”
He looked down and smiled at her. “Thank you kindly, ma’am.”
She beamed at him, fluffing her hair and batting her eyes, exactly as George had done.
He nearly choked containing his inappropriate laughter at his scamp of a son, but he didn’t want Mrs. O’Connor to think she was the object of his amusement.
He definitely would have to start looking for other lodging.
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