Jacinda still wasn’t home by the time the meal was ready.
His irritation melted into concern. Why hadn’t he asked more questions this morning? What if something had happened to her? He didn’t even know where she and Kin had gone! And with his horse’s age, even if he did know where they were, he might not be able to ride after them.
No matter. He would rent a horse from Bill at the livery. Maybe he would know where she and Kin had gone off to.
Leaving the food on the table, he strode toward the front door.
Chapter 8
Kin was amazed at how the horse calmly followed Tommy down the path to the Rodante place. Clouds had been sweeping in from the west all afternoon and the evening had settled into a gray gloom. But thankfully the winds were mild.
After dropping Mrs. Holloway off on the outskirts of town, he and Tommy had traded off riding his mount and leading the Appaloosa back to the Rodante place. At first, he’d been concerned that the horse wouldn’t respond to him with Tommy riding, but the horse seemed content to simply have Tommy near.
Tommy had taken over leading it, about five minutes back. Every once in a while, he would coo something nonsensical to the Appaloosa and it would whicker at him as though they might be carrying on a conversation.
Kin shook his head. He’d never seen the like. But if there was one thing he’d learned in the months that Tommy had lived with him and PC it was that the boy was very special. He was talented in ways most would discount at first glance. It shamed Kin to think that a few years ago he might have treated someone like Tommy dismissively.
They crested the hill just before the Rodante place, and Deputy Joe was just coming out of his barn.
Seeing them, he paused. His expression brightened. “Is that the new horse for Zane?” He released a whistle. “It’s a beauty.”
Kin eyed the horse, half expecting it to bolt at the whistle, but it continued to step softly in Tommy’s wake, ears pricked in curiosity of its surroundings.
“It spooks fairly easy. But Tommy seems to have a calming effect on him.” As he spoke, Kin swung down, let his mount drink from the trough, and then looped his reins over the top corral pole. “Turns out this isn’t the horse they’d planned to sell her. That one came down sick. And this one is green-broke.”
Joe gave the Appaloosa a once-over. “Looks calm enough.”
Kin nodded. “You should have seen it kicking up a fuss before Tommy got hold of it. I think until we see how it responds that we’d better keep it on a lead rope, even when it’s in the corral. I saw it jump from a standing position up into a train car, so I don’t think that fence is going to stop it.”
Joe nodded. “All right. When I have it outdoors, I’ll be sure to put a lead on it.”
Kin nodded. “I’m going to the Kastain’s right now to speak to that new man, Carver, about breaking it. Be all right if he agrees, if he comes here to do the work?”
Joe shrugged. “Don’t see why not. Plenty of room here in the corral.”
Kin dipped his chin in agreement. “I’ll tell him.” He motioned for Tommy to hand the hackamore to Joe. “We better be going Tommy. We still have one stop to make and then we need to go check on PC.”
Tommy hung his head, reluctant to give up the rope.
“You can come see him again. I’ll bring you myself.”
Tommy looked up with a hopeful expression. “Tonight?”
Kin and Joe chuckled.
Kin shook his head. “Not tonight. We have to go home and get you warm. But I’ll bring you back before the week is out.”
Tommy’s shoulders slumped, but he did hand the rope off to Joe this time. “O-okay.”
Joe dropped a hand onto Tommy’s shoulder. “See you later in the week, partner.”
Tommy nodded, but his wistful gaze was still fastened on the horse.
Kin grinned and patted the saddle. “Come on. It’s your turn to ride.” It wasn’t, but they’d get to the Kastain place faster with Tommy in the saddle.
He lifted a hand of farewell to Joe and started them down the trail.
Since the path to the Kastains’ was under the overhang of trees for most of the way, which had kept it clear of snow, the trip didn’t take them much longer than normal, and the sun was still hanging above the horizon when they arrived.
Zoe stepped out onto the porch, wiping her hands on a towel. “Hi Kin. Hi Tommy!”
Kin looked up. He wished she’d put as much enthusiasm into greeting him as she had into greeting Tommy. He’d bet if Wash was here, she’d hail him with a little more excitement in her voice. Realizing how bitter the thought was, he brushed it aside. He couldn’t hardly complain when he’d never really tried to woo her, now could he?
He pressed his hat over his heart and gave her his most fetching grin. “You are looking pretty as a picture today, Zoe.”
She blushed and looked down. “Thank you.”
From behind her, Zoe’s ma cleared her throat loudly. She stood in the shadow of the doorway and he hadn’t even noticed her there. “What can we do for you, Kin?” There was a little bit of vinegar in her tone.
Right. Best he quit thinking about wooing the fair Zoe and concentrate on business. “I’m here to speak to Kane Carver, if he’s around?”
Mrs. Kastain nodded. “He’s in their room in the barn there.” She pointed. “Go on and talk to him.”
With a little bow, Kin backed toward the barn. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” As he continued to mosey backward, he let his gaze linger on Zoe. She certainly was mighty easy on the eyes.
His heel banged into something and he suddenly found himself flailing his arms like a windmill to avoid sitting in the Kastain’s watering trough.
Zoe giggled, and then her Ma’s arm snaked out the door and yanked her inside.
When Kin finally regained his balance, Tommy looked at him, head shaking. “Y-you should watch wh-where you’re g-going.”
Kin chuckled. “That I should, Tom. That I should.”
When he knocked on the door at the far end of the barn, Seth Carver opened it, and then stepped back to invite him in. All three of the Carvers were there. And speaking of women who were easy on the eyes, Maude was something to behold. Her hair had tints of red, but was nearly as dark as coal. The color fascinated him. It brought to mind the darkest hues of sand plum tree leaves in autumn.
Kane glanced from Kin to Maude and back again with a little frown on his face. “How can we help you?”
Kin motioned for Tommy to step all the way inside so they could shut the door against the cold.
He reminded himself once more that he was here on business. “I’m actually hoping you can help me.”
For some reason Kane gave his sister a smile that had the essence of an I-told-you-so in it. “Oh yeah?”
“You know anything about breaking horses?”
Maude gasped. Face paling, she sank onto the edge of the room’s only bed.
Kin frowned. “You all right? Did I say something wrong?”
She shook her head. “No.” Her voice was thin.
Kane was grinning from ear to ear when Kin looked back at him.
“I must be missing something.”
Kane looked ready to dance a jig. “You believe in the power of prayer, Kin?”
Taken aback, Kin bounced a glance between the brother and sister. “Can’t say for certain.”
Kane still looked as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. “Well I do. And not an hour ago we stood right here and prayed that the Lord would provide work for us. Can you guess what I did on my father’s ranch for all my growing up years?”
Kin felt a prickle along the back of his neck. “Bronco busting?”
“That’s right!” Kane swooped down on his sister, wrapped her in a big bear hug, and swung her in a circle. “What do you think about the Lord answering prayer now, little sister? Huh?”
“Kane, put me down!” Face red, Maude beat against her brother’s shoulders.
“Nope!
Not until you admit it! This is a blatant answer to prayer. He didn’t even know that’s what I did!”
Maude threw back her head in exasperation. “Fine! I’m willing to concede this might be more than coincidence!”
“Ha ha! Indeed!” Kane set her down and stretched a hand toward Kin. “I’ll take the job.”
Somewhat befuddled, Kin shook. “But I haven’t even told you what it pays yet.”
Kane shook his head. “Don’t matter. If the Lord sent the job, I’m willing to do it.”
Kin gave him the details of the job and as he and Tommy left, he was still pondering on the man’s crazy reaction to such a simple thing.
“I l-like him!” Tommy proclaimed, and then broke out into his characteristic tuneless whistling.
And as Kin trailed in his wake toward the parsonage, he couldn’t help but feel the same.
Zane was in the entry reaching for his coat, when the door opened and Jacinda bustled in.
“Oh!” she gave a little jolt. “You startled me.” With a chuckle she laid a hand over her chest.
And then she breezed into the house as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be hours late returning home. All of this was so uncharacteristic of her.
“Mmmm! That stew smells divine! Thank you for heating it up. I’m sorry I wasn’t back sooner.”
She bustled to the cupboard and took down crockery, scooped some silverware from the drawer, and had the table set almost before his heart had settled into a calmer beat.
“Oh, and biscuits! Goodness!” She sidled toward him and looped her arms behind his neck. “I didn’t know what a talented man I’d married.”
He thinned his lips and narrowed his eyes. “I was getting worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. There was an avalanche that blocked the train.” She bit her lip as though she hadn’t meant to let that slip.
“Surely you weren’t dealing with the parson’s present this whole time? And what was Kin buying that had to do with the train? You mentioned it this morning too.”
“Listen, I don’t like to see this interrogating expression, Marshal. You get that certain expression. I’m not one of your outlaws!” She offered a pretty pout that was deliberately exaggerated.
He couldn’t help but smile. “And what does my interrogating expression look like?”
She touched his forehead. “You get a little pucker between your eyes right here, and here”—she touched the outer corner of his eye—“the skin wrinkles up just a smidge. Then your lips purse ever so slightly. It’s really quite intimidating.”
He supposed he was going to have to let this go. It wasn’t like he didn’t trust her. It just grated on him to have her keeping secrets.
She loosed a huff and tilted her head. “You do realize that Christmas is almost upon us, don’t you, Marshal?”
“Ah!” Just like that, everything fell into place. “So whatever came on the train had nothing to do with Kin and the parson but with you and me. Why didn’t you just tell me you were off on a Christmas errand this morning?”
She opened her mouth as if to reply and then hesitated. “In truth, I don’t know. Except that you get all interrogatey.”
He laughed. “Do I?”
“I rest my case,” she said dryly, then smiled. “I should have told you. I apologize.”
He grinned but he still had questions. “So where was this avalanche? And did you leave Kin buried beneath it?” He winked.
“No. Kin is with Tommy. Which reminds me, the parson and Tommy couldn’t catch their train to the east today because of the avalanche. They are supposed to now catch one next week, but the parson did not look well. Not at all. I need to go check on him in the morning.”
“I can go over there after dinner with some stew.”
She gave his chest a little bump. “That’s a very good idea. So, am I forgiven for keeping secrets?”
He grinned. “Did you get me something good?”
To his surprise she blew out an uncertain breath. “I hope it will turn out that way, yes.”
He threw back his head on a laugh, enjoying the feel of her small waist in his hands. “Now you have me curious for sure.”
She tapped his nose. “Well, I’m not saying another word. Let’s eat.”
Deciding to quit teasing her, he pulled out her chair and held it for her, then took his own seat across from her.
And after they’d said grace, he was dismayed to learn that he’d obviously forgotten quite a bit about how to make a decent biscuit. But he had a wife who loved him enough to ride out into a bitterly cold winter day to procure him a present. He would happily eat dry biscuits every day to keep things just the way they were.
Dear Reader,
Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone, only to have one thing after another go wrong like Jacinda had in this story? Or maybe it’s a series of things that just aren’t going your way like Maude and the Carvers are experiencing. Especially at Christmas with all the stress and bustle, it can sometimes seem like we’ll never get that to-do list finished. Or maybe your stresses are more significant than that.
This holiday season, try to take a moment to simply rejoice in the true meaning of the season. Plant your feet firmly on that solid foundation and claim the victory over whatever is going on in your life. Resting in Jesus brings us peace.
Philippians 4:4-7 puts it this way. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May that peace fill your hearts this season!
If you enjoyed this story, please leave the book a review. It doesn’t have to be long, but every review helps spread the word, and the world needs more uplifting stories!
Wondering what’s going to happen to Zoe and Washington on the trip to Seattle for Zoe’s test? And what about poor Parson Clay, sick and stuck in Wyldhaven for Christmas, or Kin’s plans to move to Seattle?
I invite you to read the next episode of this series titled Washington Nolan’s Christmas Watch. You can read a short excerpt of the next story on the next page.
If you would like to read Zane and Jacinda’s romance where they first fall in love, you can find it in the book, Consider the Lilies. All the books in the Wyldhaven series are here on my website.
Merry Christmas!
Chapter 1
When Zoe awoke on the morning she was to leave for her teaching exam, she couldn’t decide if her queasiness was from butterflies or great lurking bats.
What she did know was that she wanted to get on the road so they wouldn’t be late. She planned to arrive early for the train and to the testing venue tomorrow. She hoped punctuality would allow her to relax—well, relax as much as possible with such a life-changing test looming.
She dressed hurriedly in the chill of her room, and rushed out to help Ma finish breakfast. But it seemed Ma might be just as nervous as she was, because it was obvious Ma had been up for several hours.
Pancakes and eggs already sat steaming in the middle of the table. And Ma was hurrying Aidan into his frock coat. “Hustle up now, or you’ll be late for school.” Ma quickly thrust an apple and a paper-wrapped sandwich into the three lunch pails on the kitchen side board.
The twins bustled in. Before they could sit at the table Ma lined them up against the wall next to Aidan. She made sure she had captured the focus of each of the youngsters before she spoke again. “Each of you, listen up. Belle is going to be working at the boardinghouse when you get done with school. I don’t want any of you walking that path home alone that time of day. You are to go straight from the school to the boardinghouse and wait for Belle’s shift to conclude. I’ve already spoken to Mrs. Griffin, and she said you can sit at a table in the dining room to work on your homew
ork while you wait.”
Sharon nodded. “Yes, Ma. I’ll make sure we all get there.”
Ma gave her shoulder a squeeze. “That’s my girl.”
When Ma turned her back to finish packing the lunches, Shiloh rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Sharon.
Zoe suppressed a chuckle and arched one brow at Shiloh. She hoped she would get the message without her having to say a word. But Shiloh only wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes again.
Zoe narrowed a glower at her sibling, but then turned from the confrontation. She didn’t have time or energy to spend on dealing with Shiloh’s attitude today. Thankfully everyone seemed ready to go, because she knew Ma wouldn’t leave the house until she got the kids off to school and Belle off to work.
Zoe ticked through her mental checklist of everything she needed to remember to take with her on the train today. Her glance at the clock on the wall showed that Washington Nolan would be here inside thirty minutes. Thankfully, the storm from earlier this week seemed to have abated. Sunshine currently streamed through the dining room windows to cast golden rectangles across the table and floor.
She only hoped there would be no more avalanches. Heavens! She pressed one hand over her middle. “Ma, what if there’s an avalanche?!”
Belle stepped into the room then, with her work apron over one arm. She turned and placed both her hands on Zoe’s shoulders, giving her a sisterly shake. “There’s not going to be an avalanche. Stop it, or you’ll make yourself sick.”
“She’s right, Zoe. Come on now, sit down.” Ma rushed the twins and Aidan into seats at the table too. “Everyone, eat your breakfast, quickly.”
Belle took her jacket from the hook by the front door. “Actually Ma, if they are walking to town with me, we need to go.”
Ma plunked her hands on her hips. “Aren’t you going to eat some breakfast?”
Marshal Zane's Christmas Horse: A Wyldhaven Series Christmas Romance Novella Page 5
