Lillie had loosened her grip a little when she relaxed and took the time to simply enjoy the experience. After all, they wouldn't really being doing this all that often. Sure, Jill had offered to let her rest her feet and take a ride on Salma when she wanted too, but Lillie wouldn't want to impose on the other woman.
Blinking, Lillie registered the words that Jill had spoken. Words about her mother, hesitated over and they made Lillie frown. It was true, she could hardly remember her own mother, but she always liked to imagine that girls had good relationships with their mothers. The way Jill had paused suggested that her mother had made her sad or angry often. That she would often need to take Salma out for a run to escape these types of thoughts or feelings. Was it what had driven her to take the messenger job, rather than remain at home on the farm, though it seemed she'd have been suited for a life raising horses.
Still, Lillie didn't ask about it, or bring up Jill's mother. There was already so much going on in the young woman's head. When Salma began to slow Lillie glanced back over there shoulder, nodding to Jill's statement that they go back. it was probably best if they didn't get too far away from the rest of the group. She chuckled softly as the red-head listed off all those who would worried, agreeing silently.
She blinked at the second question and then smiled in small amusement. "Not all of them... no. But certain types of men feel that it's their duty... I suppose to protect others, especially those who could be viewed as more vulnerable. And I have to admit that without their protection I would be very vulnerable against attackers." She laughed softly. "Though I suppose there are certain types of women that even those men don't try to protect."