Sarah waved a hand at Lisa, watching Giddon intently. "Now son, Lisa is in a difficult situation and you're making her feel like a nuisance." She glanced at Lisa "You sit down and finish your meal. There's no need to hurry."
Lisa stood and picked up her plate. "I'm stuffed. It was all delicious, and I appreciate all you've done for me. As soon as I finish the dishes . . ."
"No, you go ahead," Sarah interrupted with another wave of the hand. "I'll take care of this."
Giddon stood, cramming his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he frowned down at Lisa. "I said I'd take you and I'm a man of my word." His gaze shifted to his mother and his expression softened. "I don't mean to make her feel unwelcome, but it was her own carelessness that got her into this situation."
He was right, of course, but his harsh words were like salt on a raw wound. He had volunteered his help, and now he was going make his offer good . . . whether he wanted to or not. Need he make it so obvious?
Sarah came out of her chair with a frown. She opened her mouth to speak, but Giddon's gruff "Let's go" cut off any argument. It didn't matter. The last thing Lisa wanted to do was create tension to go along with the disruption she had already made in their family routine.
A four wheel ATV was parked next to the porch and Giddon stepped over it, seating himself as he turned the key. At her surprised expression, he quirked a brow. "You ever ride one of these?"
She shook her head, eyeing the vehicle apprehensively. "I've heard they're dangerous."
His mouth twisted into what might have passed for a smile. "I've heard that about cars, too," he answered sarcastically.
Lisa blushed. "I suppose it depends on the driver."
He indicated the space behind him with a wave of a hand. "Climb on. This will take us most of the way. We'll have to walk the rest."
She hesitated. "What about your horse?"
His voice had an annoyed edge. "He's a big horse, but I couldn't make him carry the two of us in that terrain." He patted the ATV as if it were alive. "This is more dependable."
With an effort, she managed to straddle the vehicle behind him. She was barely seated before he lurched the vehicle forward, nearly dumping her off the back.