by Lois Richer
“Good idea. In my humble opinion, being great at motherhood doesn’t outweigh her shortcomings.” Adele kept pressing him because she sensed that Mac needed to do this, if only to prove to himself that he could. “Then that’s a yes to the trail rides?”
“Pushy or what?” Exasperated, he nodded. “I’ll take one group as a test. If there are no major issues with that, I’ll consider taking another. I don’t want to sign up for several months, though.”
“Why not?” Adele frowned. “You want to leave yourself an out in case you get bored with it?” When Mac shook his head she chided, “Tell the truth.”
“You and your demand for truth.” Mac rolled his eyes. “I am telling the truth. It’s not an out. It’s the idea of setting up a program without having any goals. What’s the point of these trail rides?”
“Having fun, maybe?” she suggested.
“These kids could have fun in other ways besides riding. What difference would I make to their world?”
His comment surprised Adele. Carefree, playful Mac wanted to make a difference in a foster kid’s world? But then she remembered how he’d made a world of difference to her. Maybe she was only now seeing him as a man, without the veil of admiration she’d worn when they were kids.
“You’ll teach them new skills. They’ll be doing something different,” she mused.
“Coming to The Haven isn’t different enough?” Mac frowned. “What do they leave with? A couple of rides in the forest?”
“What’s wrong with that?” she demanded.
“If a little ride is all they need we could hook the horses in a circle and they could sit on them and go around and around. Like a carnival.” There was an edge of frustration in his words.
“I get your point.” Adele reconsidered. “A lesson and a short ride is probably all there’s time for with weekend riders. But for the repeaters—kids who return, or for those who come for longer, maybe you could hold a little event before they leave, so they could demonstrate their new skills.” Immediately Adele noticed Mac’s body shift as his interest grew.
“Define this event.” His eyes now sparkled, the blank stare gone.
“I don’t know. A kind of beginner rodeo? That’s your area.” She frowned when he kept staring at her, waiting. “Moving from a walk to a trot or a canter? Sidestepping? Your horses already know all those things, so it would simply be a matter of teaching the kids.”
A long silence stretched. Adele found it odd that she couldn’t read Mac’s thoughts as easily as she once had. Time and distance had certainly made a difference between them.
“It could work,” he said finally. “We’ve got a building—”
“Where you used to train for the rodeos. I remember.” Excited, she clasped her hands together. “It would be perfect, especially when the weather gets cooler and messier.”
“Originally Dad used it for breaking colts, and later I used it to train for the rodeos. It works for an arena, but we’d need some seating for observers,” he said, thinking it through out loud.
“Simple benches. Nothing fancy. It’s a ranch.” That meant he was going to do it, that he’d be staying? Adele’s excitement grew as Mac listed things he needed to do.
“A lot of work would have to be done before it snows,” he said a few moments later.
“Why? Snow never bothered our riding,” she said.
“These kids are newcomers,” he reminded. “Some are young. If something happened and one got separated from the group, there should be markers for them to follow and find their way back.”
“A fence?” Dubious about installing that with the ground already freezing up, never mind the cost of acres of fencing, Adele frowned.
“More like bright, unmistakable flags to mark the way or little posted signs. It might work.” Mac fell silent, lost in thought.
Adele patiently waited, shifting uncomfortably as a chill set in. When an icy raindrop tumbled off her hat and onto her nose, she shivered.
“Mac, let’s go get the twins and have hot cocoa at The Haven,” she said finally.
“Why The Haven? Our place is—”
“Very busy with your parents packing for their trip. Let’s go to The Haven, if Gabe hasn’t already taken Francie and Franklyn back,” she added.
“Gabe loves kids. He’ll have kept them busy,” Mac assured her. “And probably worn them out.”
“Not likely. Those two don’t wear out.” She checked her watch and gasped. “I had no idea we’d been gone so long.” In her rush to leave she moved too quickly and stumbled on a tree root, falling face-first onto the wet forest floor. “Oof!”
“Are you okay?” Mac’s hand under her elbow helped her stand. He tried to brush off the pine needles and assorted detritus that clung to her clothes, but it was pointless. “Now you’re really wet,” he muttered.
“And filthy.” Adele grimaced at her dirty clothing before another shiver took over. “Forget it. Let’s go.” She swung up into her saddle, fingers tightening on the reins as Pesky tried to edge away. “Oh, no, you don’t. I’ve got your number now, lady. On the trail and no deviations.”
Pesky lifted her head, gave a snort of disapproval but moved sedately over the same path they’d followed here. Mac hooted with laughter.
“What’s so funny?” she demanded, glancing around.
Of course, Pesky chose that precise moment to take off after a grouse. Almost unseated, Adele fought for control, grateful when she saw Mac’s gloved fingers close over Pesky’s bridle, slowing her to a controllable gait. His own reins were looped over the stub of his missing arm.
“I knew she’d try something. She didn’t like standing still for so long.” The slash of white from his grin made her stomach dip with attraction. What was that about?
“You might have warned me,” she muttered, disgusted when he lifted his hand and wiped a smear of mud from her cheek. “This ride proves at least one thing.”
“Let me guess.” Mac leaned back in his saddle, obviously trying not to laugh. “You’ll never ride Pesky again?”
“Okay, two things,” she snarled as she again turned the horse in the correct direction. “One, I am never riding this animal again. Two, you just managed that unforeseen problem very well. I doubt you have anything to worry about with trail rides.”
“Maybe.” Mac said nothing more as he led the way back to the barn.
Once inside they removed the tackle and wiped the animals down before putting them in their stalls. When Mac handed her a small bucket of oats for Pesky, Adele glared at him.
“You think she deserves this?” His quickly smothered chortle of laughter did nothing to enhance her dark mood.
“You’re bac— Delly!” Francie gaped at her. “Did you falled off?”
“No, I tripped. I’m soaking wet and I want to go home. Go get in the car,” she told the two children. “On the way home you can tell me what you’ve been doing. Thank you, Gabe,” she added, smiling at the tall man standing behind them. “I never expected to be gone so long.” She frowned at the splatter on his jacket but couldn’t discern what it was. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll survive,” he growled. That became a full-fledged smile as the twins thanked him.
“It was so fun. I never seed a bull before,” Franklyn said.
“A bull?” One glance from the kids to Gabe’s pursed lips to Mac’s pretend-blank stare told Adele that neither man intended to explain. “Into the car, children. You can tell me all about the bull on the way home.” She dumped half the bucket of oats into Pesky’s feeder, then poured the rest back into the feed sack. “Don’t you dare give her anymore,” she warned the men. “She doesn’t deserve it.”
Adele stomped toward the door. She’d almost made it when Mac called out.
“I think I’ll take a rain check on that cocoa, Delly. Thanks anyway. See you later.” Mirth underlay the
words, but wet, cold and frustrated, Adele didn’t even turn to glance at him.
Mac was going to do the trail rides. That was enough, for now.
* * *
“Will I sound like a wuss if I say I’m glad you’re here to help with the Double M’s first trail ride?” Mac wasn’t quite sure of Adele’s mood after yesterday, so her sunny smile was a relief. And there was nothing to show she’d bit the dust—er, mud, twenty-four hours ago.
“As if a big, strong cowboy like you could ever look like a wimp,” she teased. “Your parents got to their plane all right?”
“They texted me after they’d boarded. They’re pretty excited.” He wasn’t going to admit that his anticipation was mixed with worry about running their spread for the next few months. “It was nice of Ben to drive them in.”
“Vic’s husband is a good guy. He had some stuff to do in Edmonton. He said it was no trouble.” Adele patted the dun-colored mare nearest her as her foster sister arrived at the Double M with a van load of six kids. “There’s Victoria, so here we go.”
“Yeah.” Mac exhaled and offered a silent prayer that he wouldn’t mess this up. After all his indecision, he really wanted these trail rides to take off and not only because The Haven was being very generous with their payment for the program. Some kid part of him desperately wanted to show Delly and himself that he could do this, that he wasn’t less of a man now that he’d lost his hand.
As Mac introduced Gabe and the horses, he mentally assessed each guest. A few minutes later and after a short conference, he found Gabe’s assessment jibed with his on which child should go with which horse. Then Gabe took over, demonstrating the way to curry their mounts, which they’d decided was a good way to help the kids feel more at ease with the animals. Victoria stood back, constantly evaluating her guests’ responses to their program and making occasional notes.
“So far, so good,” Adele murmured.
“Yep. Where are the twins today?” The words slipped out, surprising Mac with his need to know about the two mischief makers. He enjoyed it when they were around. But did Delly, he wondered as he noted the lines around her eyes. Was coming to the Double M, arranging meals at The Haven, and taking care of Francie and Franklyn too much?
“It’s the twins’ first day at preschool. Shelley Paraday agreed to let them attend even though they came to her program late. I hope they enjoy it.” Adele chewed her bottom lip. “I wasn’t going to leave, but Shelley said they’d settle in better without me. I hope she’s right.”
“They’ll be fine, Mama.” He patted her shoulder awkwardly, wishing he had more to offer than that. A moment later he caught Gabe’s glance and stepped forward. His turn. “Now we’re going to talk about saddling your horse,” he told the group of kids.
Once Mac had gone through the routines, he, Adele and Gabe each took two of the guests and worked with them to saddle up, fastening cinches and ensuring the riders would be safe. Every so often Mac felt Adele’s stare. He’d glance at her and her grin would spread, eyes twinkling as she made a circle with her thumb and forefinger in an “OK” sign. What a cheerleader.
Finally, assured the group was ready, Mac called out, “Mount up.”
It took a while but eventually everyone was seated on their horse. Mac asked Adele to demonstrate use of the reins, ignoring her frown before she trotted her horse in front and, with exaggerated motions, showed how to control the horse.
“Our horses are used to being ridden so they will respond to slight pressure of the reins. You don’t have to tug or yank,” he explained. “That hurts their mouths and they don’t like it.”
Again he, Adele and Gabe each took two students, and far quicker than Mac had expected, the preteens mastered coaxing their horses to walk in a circle. He rode from one to the next, correcting posture, knee placement and control.
“Not bad, huh?” Adele cantered over to him, obviously pleased. “They learn fast.”
“Faster than I anticipated. I hadn’t planned this but there’s plenty of time left in their lesson. Let’s see if we can teach them to trot.”
An hour later, elated by what they’d accomplished, Mac watched as the kids, laughing and happy, waved goodbye.
“Success, I’d say.” Victoria turned from counting as the last child boarded to grin at Mac.
“I’ve got a few things I’ll change, but all in all it’s a great start.” Adele’s smug smile made him laugh. “Yes, you were right, Delly. They’ll be back tomorrow?” he asked Victoria, who waited to drive the kids back to The Haven.
“Nine a.m.?” she suggested. “How about we try a little longer, like maybe a couple of hours to ride a ways into the forest?”
Mac nodded, and with a wave of her hand Victoria drove away.
“I’ve got to go, too. It’s almost lunchtime. Stella is good, but I still need to be there.” Adele shoved her riding gloves into her back pocket. She took a step toward her car, paused and turned back. “Are you joining us for lunch, Mac? Cream-of-potato soup and roast beef sandwiches.”
He knew she knew it was his favorite.
“I’d love that, but I’ll be a bit late. Gabe and I need to review.” He loved the way her blond hair shone under the black Stetson. “Is that okay?”
“Sure.” She shrugged. “Take all the time you need. Bring Gabe. I might even give you the hot cocoa I promised yesterday.” Smirking, with not a hair out of place, Adele drove away as the first of the season’s soft snowflakes drifted down from a now-leaden sky.
Mac had tons to do. There was tomorrow’s trail ride to plan, fences to mend in the south pasture, a coyote who’d been stalking their prize Angus cattle to find, the minis to feed and a host of other responsibilities. But after he’d spoken to Gabe, he ignored the chiding voice in the recesses of his mind that reminded him of his duty. Instead he climbed into his truck and drove to The Haven. As he thrust the gearshift into Park, he sat for a moment, surveying the massive stone house with its lush forested background.
“Okay, God. I guess I’m part of this ministry now and it feels good.” He stared at his empty sleeve, a warm feeling settling inside. “At least I don’t feel quite as useless as I did when I first lost my hand. Are You telling me I might have something to offer these kids?”
No audible response, of course. But some inner voice reminded him that if he stayed at the Double M, he’d have many chances to spend time with the twins. And Delly. It was almost as if he was back where he belonged.
Except for Dave and that stupid medal I don’t deserve.
A rap on the truck window startled him.
“Are you expecting car service?” Adele grinned at him. “Not gonna happen. Gabe?”
“Said his lunch was a stew in his slow cooker. But he thanked you.” Mac got out and walked beside her as she hurried toward the house. “What were you doing outside?”
“Calling the dogs. They’ve been terrorizing a squirrel.” She closed the kitchen door behind him. “The starving masses left you only one bowl of soup, but you can have three sandwiches. Mustard?”
Because he knew she knew the answer to that, Mac cocked an eyebrow up as if to ask, Really?
“Some things never change.” Adele chuckled as she added a generous dollop of mustard to each sandwich. “I’ve already eaten,” she explained. “But I’ll sit with you and have a cup of tea with my cake.”
“Mmm.” Mac savored the creamy soup with just a hint of dill before asking, “What kind of cake?”
“Carrot, banana or chocolate. Take your pick.”
“Carrot, banana and chocolate.” Mac grinned when she rolled her eyes. Man, he loved being back here, with her, just like in the old days.
“Mac?”
“Yeah.” Adele’s bent head and sloped shoulders weren’t those of the confident girl he’d chummed with. “What’s wrong?”
She held out a letter as tears
streamed down her cheeks. “Look.”
Mac scanned it, noting the official government logo at the top. We are unable to provide the current address of Gina Parker...
“Ah, Delly.” He set down his soup spoon and slid his arm around her, hugging her for a moment to share her sadness. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know.” She sniffed, dashed away her tears and forced a smile. “I’m just being silly, expecting they’d know where she is after all this time. At least I finally got an answer.”
“Right. So now you can move on.” Mac was a bit relieved when she rose to get another tissue. Hugging Adele now wasn’t like it had been when they were kids. It was—different, though he couldn’t have explained exactly why that should be.
“I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything from your friend?” she said as she returned to sit at the table. “The one who might have an idea how to help?”
“He texted. He’s tied up with a family emergency at the moment, but said he’d get back to me with some suggestions as soon as he can.” Mac felt bad as disappointment filled her face. “His mom’s dying, so I don’t know how long that will be. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I guess it’s just another roadblock that’s supposed to teach me patience.” Adele glared at him. “Don’t you dare remind me patience isn’t my strong suit.”
Mac made a motion of zipping his lips, then continued eating his lunch.
“What about you?” she asked when he finally leaned back to savor his mug of cocoa.
“What about me?”
“Mac McDowell, you know very well what I’m asking. Are you okay after today?” Her severe look and tone of voice reminded him of his third-grade teacher, and that made him snicker.
“I’m fine, thanks, Delly. Tomorrow might be a little more difficult, but I’ll be fine then, too. I’m always fine,” he reminded her, thinking how far that was from the truth.
“Are you?” Her amber eyes continued their relentless search. “I get this feeling that there’s something you’re not telling me. Is—is something wrong? Because you know, Mac, whatever it is, I will understand.”
