His father growled. “Everybody’s in a hurry.”
That’s precisely why they’d spent the last few hours at Jim Osborn’s ranch. Some idiot flying down the highway last night lost control and took out a good hundred feet of fence. Every rancher knows that cattle on the highway spells bad news for everyone, so Noah and his father had packed up early and gone to help put up a temporary barrier in order to avoid such a problem.
Now they were headed back to Abundant Blessings, where he’d no doubt have to face Lily again. After all, she had agreed to hold down the fort while they were gone. Still, since their trip up to Silver Basin, he’d been trying to keep things a little more businesslike between them. Call it self-preservation. But he’d made a vow. One he intended to keep.
Perhaps he could knock the kids’ lessons out early, giving them no reason to hang around. Not that they ever really needed a reason. They’d simply become a part of everyday life at the ranch, and, as much as he didn’t want to, he liked having them there. All of them.
He supposed he could make himself scarce by working in the new building. Now that the chutes and pens had been installed, his vision was starting to come to life. He’d be able to find plenty to keep himself busy and away from Lily.
Dad turned into the ranch, the truck rumbling over the cattle guard. “Want me to drop you at the stable?”
“Nah. I need to grab a fresh shirt.”
They were almost to the house when his father leaned closer to the windshield. “Is that what I think it is?”
Noah looked up. “It can’t be.” He blinked once. Twice. “Lily’s on a horse?”
“Not just any horse. That’s Duke.”
Noah puffed out a disbelieving laugh. “You have got to be kidding me.” He smiled, wondering what could have convinced her to do that. In the rain, no less.
Yet there they were. Lily, Colton and Piper all riding Duke.
“I gotta find out what’s going on.” He piled out of the dually before it had come to a complete stop and jogged through the mud until he met them just beyond the house.
Lily smiled down at him, her long hair wet, her shirt and jeans covered in mud...and he felt something shift inside.
He continued to stare up at them, despite the rain pelting his face. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, you know.” Lily lifted a shoulder. “It’s such a beautiful day, thought we’d take a ride.”
Well, his day had indeed gotten brighter. “No, seriously.”
“Colton fell into the river.” Piper was nothing if not candid. “But Mommy saved him.”
Noah’s chin dropped.
Lily nodded her confirmation while Colton appeared rather sheepish.
“What’s goin’ on?” Dad joined them.
“Colton fell into the river.”
“Do you have to keep saying that, Piper?” Her brother frowned.
She twisted to look at him. “I’m just telling the truth.”
Noah bit back a laugh. “Why don’t we get out of the rain and you can tell us the whole story.”
“Good idea,” said Lily.
They heard a calf bawl.
“Aww, look, Mommy.” Piper pointed across the pasture. “He’s still there.”
“Hmm... Doesn’t look like he’s moved.” Lily looked left and right. “No sign of his mama yet, either.” Her gaze lowered to Noah and his father. “The little guy’s been crying all morning.” She eyed the calf again. “Do you think he could be stuck in the mud?”
“It’s possible.” Dad studied the situation. “Guess I’d better go see if I can help the little fella.”
“Can I come?” Colton straightened.
“Sure.” Dad waved the boy down. “You’re already muddy.”
Colton swung his leg over, then paused. “Is it okay, Mom?”
She grinned. “Go ahead.”
“I want to come, too.” Piper started to get down, but her mother stopped her with a hand to her shoulder.
“It’s all right,” said Dad. “She can come.”
Noah helped the girl down and watched her run off through the mud before returning his attention to her mother. “How about you? You want to help, too?”
“I think I’m good.” She stroked Duke’s neck. “But I am curious about what they’re going to do.”
“Dad’ll just pick the calf up. Move him someplace safe, then wait for his mama to come for him.”
“What if she can’t find him?” Spoken like a true mother.
“She’ll find him.” He took a step back. “You comfortable riding Duke back to the stable or you want me to take over?”
“I think I’m good.”
Actually, he was surprised just how relaxed she seemed to be.
She urged Duke forward, and Noah walked alongside them. “By the way, where do you keep the keys to the UTV?”
“In my pocket.” He tugged them out to show her.
Looking down at him, she lifted a brow. “A lot of good they did me there.”
“So what happened?”
All the way to the stable and on to Duke’s stall, she explained what had transpired.
“You should have called me.” He removed the horse’s saddle and moved just outside the door to set it atop its stand.
“There was no time.” She paced a few feet away, no doubt reliving everything in her mind. “All I could think of was that I had to get to Colton. Fortunately, everything turned out all right.”
When she looked at him, he saw the angst in her pretty green eyes. Only then did he realize what she must have gone through. How terrified she must have been.
And he hated that he hadn’t been here to help her. He clenched his fists, longing to take her into his arms and comfort her. To be that one person she could lean on.
But he couldn’t.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and took a step back, dirt grinding beneath his boot. “You overcame your fear and got on a horse to do it.”
Her smile grew wide. “I did.”
“How was it?”
She studied Duke for a moment. “Not nearly as frightening as I thought it would be.”
“I think you were already frightened.”
“You’ll get no argument from me there.” Rubbing her arms, she turned away. “I’ve never been so scared. And not knowing what the situation was...” Her voice cracked. “It felt like everything was moving in slow motion. I was so afraid I wouldn’t make it. That he’d—” She let go a sob. Her shoulders shook, robbing him of whatever resolve he might have had.
Closing the short distance between them, he moved in front of her and took her into his arms. “Let it out, Lily. It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
Her body melted against his as she continued to cry. “I was so afraid.” She hiccuped.
“I know.” He rubbed a soothing hand across her back. Her hair was wet against his cheek and smelled of something tropical. “You did everything right, though. And you saved your son.” He felt her nod against his shoulder. “You were very brave.”
She stilled then and sniffed as she pulled away. “I was, wasn’t I?” Her watery eyes found his, testing his strength.
He cleared his throat. “If moms received medals, you’d be first in line.”
Smiling, she said, “Just having my son here is reward enough.” She stepped away then, breaking whatever connection they’d had. It was a connection he didn’t want, but it had him wondering if he could overcome his fear and allow himself to love again.
Chapter Sixteen
Lily had, indeed, been brave yesterday. When Colton was in danger, she had gotten on a horse and she’d saved him. Question was, could she bring herself to ride again? In a normal, everyday setting, without the threat of losing one of her children propelling her into action, could she do it?
There was only one way
to find out.
Having dropped Colton off at the ranch earlier and with Piper playing at Kenzie’s, she pulled up to the stable, contemplating not only what she hoped to do today, but all that had transpired yesterday. Between almost losing her son and then being held in Noah’s capable arms, savoring his warmth, drawing from his strength, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be the same.
The memory of his embrace seemed to have taken up residence in her mind and had her thinking how nice it would be to have a companion. Someone to share life’s joys and help bear the struggles. A safe place to land when things got tough.
Was she a fool to think of him as anything more than a friend?
Yes, yes, she was. Hadn’t she already gone over that with herself multiple times? Noah’s actions were nothing more than those of a friend. Friends comforted each other.
But do friends whisper sweetly in your ear?
Why was she doing this to herself? Her children needed her. Yesterday had driven that point home, loud and clear. Besides, she’d be going back to Denver in a few weeks, so she might as well do herself a favor and keep her heart in check.
Especially since her little plan to test herself involved Noah’s help.
She waited for the rain to let up before making a run for the stable. Unfortunately, the wet conditions meant any riding would have to be done in the stable, where Colton would likely see her.
Lily paused at the wooden door, watching drops of water fall sporadically from the overhang. What if she freaked out again? What if she couldn’t do it?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The verse from Philippians, chapter four, gave her hope. God had given her both the physical and emotional strength she’d needed to save Colton. Why would He stop now?
Inside, she shrugged out of her rain jacket and placed it on a hook just inside the office before seeking out Noah. She found him in the arena, still working with Colton on his roping skills. Perhaps she should have him teach her how to rope. That way, if she ever found herself in a situation similar to yesterday—which she had better not—she could simply lasso her children.
She waved as she passed, then continued on to see Honey.
The horse watched her as she approached, something Lily was getting used to. Not to mention the way the once-neglected animal seemed to stomp her feet, as though she was excited to see her.
“Good morning, my Honey girl.” She slid the door aside. “How are you doing today?”
Honey nickered her response, a sound that never ceased to delight Lily. This once-neglected horse had come a long way in the past few weeks. She was actually starting to get some meat on her bones, which once seemed as though they might poke right through her skin. Her eyes shimmered, and she just seemed happy.
Retrieving the brush from the wall outside the stall, Lily swiped it over Honey’s much-improved coat. “Does that feel good?”
The horse bobbed her head, making Lily chuckle.
“You’re getting good at communicating with me.”
“Lily?”
She turned at the sound of Noah’s voice. “In here.”
He placed a hand on either side of the stall’s opening. “How’s it going?”
“We’re just enjoying a little rubdown.” She continued to brush.
“No, I mean how are you?” He moved inside the stall. “Have you recovered from yesterday?”
“I think so. However—” her hands stilled, and she stepped back “—I need your help with something.”
“Anything.”
Her thumb ran across the bristles in her hand. “I need you to set me up with a horse.”
“Set you up?”
“To ride. Or at least attempt to.”
“Attempt? What about yesterday?” He stared down at her, confused.
“That’s just it. I need to prove to myself that what happened yesterday wasn’t a fluke. That I really can ride a horse without panicking.”
“I get it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You think you were only able to do it because of the circumstances.”
“Exactly.”
“Are you sure you’re not overthinking this? You seemed pretty relaxed yesterday.”
“That’s why I need to find out.” Her eyes drifted to the stall’s dirt floor. “And I’d prefer Colton not see me.”
“In case you fail.”
Lifting her gaze, she nodded.
“Let me see what I can do.” He left her then and, about fifteen minutes later, sent her a text message.
Colton is helping Dad in the barn. Meet me in the arena.
With a deep breath, she gave Honey a final nose rub. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
Approaching the arena, she saw Noah waiting for her with the same dappled gray horse he’d tried to get her to ride a couple of weeks ago. Checkers.
She closed her eyes. I can do this.
Noah smiled as she came alongside him. “You can do this, Lily. I know you can.” His faith in her had her smiling back, albeit rather nervously.
He stepped away. “You know what to do. Don’t talk yourself out of it.”
Her mind rewound to yesterday. Knowing Duke was the only way for her to get to Colton had gotten her into the saddle the first time. After that, it was pure necessity.
And everything turned out fine.
The ride back had even been somewhat enjoyable. The three of them talking while they meandered along. Once her blood pressure returned to normal, Lily had realized horseback riding was kind of fun. From atop Duke, she’d had a better perspective. She could see things she wasn’t able to see on the ground. Such as that abandoned calf.
She reached for Checkers’s saddle. Shoved her foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up.
“How does that feel?” Noah watched her.
Good question. She waited for the panic to set in. The sweaty palms. The churning stomach.
Nothing.
“I...think I’m okay.” She reached for the reins. Nudged the horse’s sides with her heels.
Checkers started walking at a snail’s pace.
“Nudge him again,” Noah coaxed.
She did. Then she felt Noah’s eyes on her all the way around the arena.
Pride swelled inside her. With God’s help, she’d done it. She’d overcome her fear and was actually riding a horse.
She made another lap at an even faster clip. “Woo-hoo!”
After one more round, she and Checkers came to a stop beside Noah.
Hands slung low on his hips, he grinned up at her. “How was it?”
Where did she begin? “Freeing. Exhilarating. Amazing.”
“So you enjoyed it.”
“Very much.”
He held out a hand as she dismounted. Then refused to let go once her feet were on the ground. “Do you have any idea how proud I am of you?”
She lifted a shoulder. “If it’s even half as proud as I am of me...”
“I’m just sorry I can’t take credit for helping you.”
“What do you mean? You got Colton out of the way and readied the horse. You encouraged me.”
“But you had the determination. You wanted to prove something to yourself, and you did.” The feel of his fingers against hers, the intensity of his gaze... “I think you deserve a reward.”
“A reward?”
Still holding her hand, he tugged her across the arena. “Yes, and I know just the thing.” He led her from the stable into the new building. But unlike the last time she’d passed through the corridor that connected the two, the metal walls were now covered with the same rustic wood they’d used in the stable.
“When did you do this?” Not only did it warm the space, it visually tied the two buildings together.
No response. Instead, he continued up
the corridor until it ended at the arena.
Her mouth dropped open. Though she’d been in there once before, the day she found Noah and Andrew arguing, she hadn’t paid much attention. “This place is huge.” She eyed the metal rafters that spanned the ceiling. This arena was double, maybe triple the size of the one in the stable.
He veered left, past a handful of stalls that were also new and lined with the same rough wood. Approaching the far end of the building, she saw the pens and chutes.
“Where are you taking me?” Couldn’t he at least let her look around? Maybe give her a tour of new place?
Finally, he stopped beside something covered in a blue tarp and let go of her hand. “I was going to wait until later to show you this, but I think you deserve to see it now.”
She couldn’t imagine, but, “Okay.”
“Close your eyes.”
Her brow lifted.
Arms crossed, he stared down at her. “I’m not removing the tarp until you close your eyes.”
“Oh, all right.” She covered her eyes. “Satisfied?”
“Give me one minute.”
The rustle of the tarp had curiosity mingling with excitement.
“Okay, you can look.”
Lowering her hands, she waited for her eyes to adjust.
Staring at the red barrel-shaped thing with straps, she couldn’t— She burst out laughing then, realizing what it was. “A mechanical bull?” She looked at him now. “But I thought you said they were an insult.”
“No, comparing rodeo cowboys to the cowboy wannabes in Urban Cowboy was an insult. Besides, this isn’t mechanical.”
“It isn’t?”
“No. See the handle back here?”
She twisted to see. “Oh. Sure enough.”
“Are you ready to get on?”
“Me?”
Moving so close that she could smell the woodsy scent of his soap, he lowered his head until his mouth was right by her ear. “Come on, Lily. Don’t you trust me?”
She couldn’t help smiling as she looked up at him. The twinkle in his browner-than-brown eyes. The teasing tilt of his lips. She did trust him. Perhaps too much. Definitely more than she’d ever wanted or expected to. And no matter how hard she tried, she seemed powerless to resist.
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