" Mr. Archer reached up for her, much as he had for Ivy. “You needn’t—” “It’s further down than you realize, Katie.” Did he think her no more capable than Ivy? “I am certain I can manage it, sir.” She set out to do just that. “If you insist on calling me ‘sir’ every time you’re put out with me, I will start calling you ‘Miss Macauley’ every time I feel the same way.” He speared her with a scolding look. “Now, if you would, Miss Macauley, allow me to help you down.” His butchering of her name, coupled with the prick her pride took at being spoken to almost as if she were a child, set her immediately against accepting his offer. “That will not be necessary. I can easily step down on my own.” “You can just as easily fall on your stubborn face.” Before Katie got out another word, Mr. Archer grabbed her about the waist and lifted her down to the ground just behind the wagon. The gesture surprised her enough to rob her of breath for a moment. He gave her a look that clearly meant he felt he’d won their short battle of wills. "
― Sarah M. Eden , Longing for Home (Longing for Home #1)