Die Once Live Twice by Lawrence Dorr Read Free Book Online

Edward left Patrick standing and rode off toward the stables. They would not be going to the bar together.
    When Patrick delivered the brush to the Donovan home, Emma admitted him to the parlor. Katherine swept into the room with a smile and accepted the prize. “I told you coming home from church that you had won. You didn’t need to do this, but since you are the winner of the competition you should get a prize, too. Next Saturday, before you leave for the Army, we will go riding alone. That’s what you want, isn’t it, Patrick?”
    “Yes it is, Katherine. When I started today, I was doing this for the athletic competition. By the time I won, I was doing it for you.”
    That week, Patrick worked every day in the office with his father, but his mind was on the coming Saturday. He and Katherine enjoyed several lunches together, both of them now more comfortable with each other, though anticipation about Saturday shadowed their conversation on Thursday and Friday.
    On Saturday Patrick arrived at the Donovan Estate in a red fox hunt jacket and riding breeches, boots, and a top hat. Katherine wore a tailor-made black jacket over a bodice with plain cuffs, black riding breeches, and black boots. Her hair hung free below her shoulders, accented by a broad-brimmed magenta hat with flowers adorning it. “You continue to shock me, Miss Katherine. When I first saw you at the ball I had never seen a gown like yours. Now you appear exquisitely dressed for riding.”
    “Did you think I spent all my time wearing a green eyeshade?”
    “I am sure that you would look good in one. But I must ask you: Are you wearing black to mourn Edward?” Both laughed heartily.
    As Katherine mounted her horse, Patrick looked surprised. “Do you not ride side-saddle?”
    “Patrick. My father had a farm in Lancaster and I rode every night to bring in the mares and cows. I like to be able to gallop!”
    Patrick shook his head. In the field he showed off, jumping brooks with his horse and galloping after rabbits, firing his pistol at them. Katherine kept up with him. “You are quite a horseman,” Patrick said with admiration.
    “Patrick, I am a horsewoman, fortunately, or I doubt you would be out here with me. I have ridden since I was able to mount a horse by myself. Are you hungry? I brought a picnic.”
    “You did? Capital. Let’s stop here by the brook. I’ll ladle some water into our cups.” He swung one leg over his saddle and jumped to the ground, then opened his saddlebag. Katherine tethered her horse and lifted the picnic bag from behind her saddle. From it she drew cheese and bread, pickles, and sliced apples, which she set on a rock they used as a table. The sun made Katherine’s newly washed hair glisten.
    “This is delightful!” Patrick gushed as he bit into some cheese. Then swallowing, he said quietly, “I am going to miss you, Katherine. Will you write me?”
    Katherine fixed her bright blue eyes on his Irish green ones and said, “I will. I will keep you informed on all the events in the company—and our families, of course.”
    “Katherine, I really don’t care so much about the company right now. You can make all the decisions. I may not even want to run it after the war. I might stay in the Army and become a general.”
    “Patrick!” Katherine said with concern in her voice. “You must return. You know I will not be accepted as Chairman of the Board. A woman is bad enough, a young woman has no chance. You must be the titular head.”
    Patrick stared at Katherine. Then a smile turned his mouth upwards. “I’ll make a business deal with you.”
    “What do you mean?” she asked, confused by this suggestion.
    “I said I’ll make you a deal so we can work together.”
    “And that is...?”
    “That you’ll marry me!”
    “Oh! What—can’t—is that a proposal?” she finally blurted.
    “Yes, Katherine Lovington. I just asked you to marry me.”
    Katherine sat, her mouth agape. She had dreamed of him at