by Danni Roan
“You may now kiss your bride,” Father Benton said and Barb’s heart skipped a beat.
Chance lowered his head to the woman he’d known for less than a week, brushing her lips gently with a kiss. As their lips met sparks seemed to explode in his head and he pulled her closer kissing her with feeling.
The mad cackling of Dave Oster snapped Chance out of the kiss, and he pulled away reluctantly.
Barb stood stunned and dazed her eyes fluttering open to look up at Chance. “That was some first kiss cowboy,” she whispered.
“I now give you Mr. and Mrs. Chance Evan,” Father Benton said as the others clapped around them.
“It has been a long day,” Father Benton said. “I suggest we all retire.” He winked at Chance who turned back to Barb a confused expression on his face.
“Come on,” Barb said tugging Chance by the hand. “I’m tired.”
Chance followed Barbara back to the area they had shared for the past two nights turning his back on her when she slipped out of her dress and under the blankets.
Shucking his boots he slipped into the makeshift bed beside her. This was no place for a honeymoon, and since the marriage was only to save her reputation, it didn’t matter anyway.
He was surprised though when Barb rolled over wrapping her arms around him and nestling her cheek on his chest.
“This has certainly been an interesting day,” she said her breath warm and feathery on his neck.
“I’m sorry you were forced into this,” Chance said. “I’m sure we’ll figure out what to do once we sell the herd.”
Barb pushed herself up on her elbow and looked down at the man. “Chance, you worry too much,” she said. “I’ve had so much happen to me in the past few days that I think I’m just ready to roll with whatever comes next.” She was going to enjoy this dream to the fullest before she had to let it go.
Chance smiled, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Barb said. “And at least tonight I don’t have to worry about being cold or lonely. As long as we’re together, I’ll be right by your side and help you in any way I can.” She grinned again, suppressing a giggle. “Besides, you’re comfortable,” she added snuggling back into the blankets and closing her eyes.
Chance wrapped his arms around the woman’s shoulders cradling her in the crook of his arm. She was warm and soft and lovely. If this had been a real marriage, the night would most certainly be going in a different direction.
Slowly as the cares of the day ebbed he let his body relax seeking solace in sleep. He knew he couldn’t hold on to the beautiful woman in his arms forever, but for tonight, he would keep her close to his heart. A heart he knew he was losing with every passing hour in the presence of one Barbara Cooper-Evan.
Perhaps it was time to take a page from her book and just go with the flow. He wanted to love her, but even as he thought of it, he knew it would just make it harder to let her go.
No, he would hold her tonight in his arms, but he could never hold her in his heart. She would leave and he would be a lone Mustanger once more. Absently he turned his head placing a gentle kiss on Barb’s hair.
He didn’t understand how she’d come to be there, or what had brought her, but he knew that his life was forever changed by her presence. Perhaps he should ask her more about her world, but he could tell by her even breathing she was already asleep.
Somehow Chance had to find a way to work side by side with the woman he had wed, while guarding his heart. He admired her. That was really what it was. He wasn’t truly falling in love; it was simply a matter of appreciating her strength in a trying time.
Tomorrow they would go back to the corrals, back to working with the horses they loved. He could do that. He could keep his heart while giving her his admiration. Again he placed a kiss on her silken locks as his eyes grew heavy and the sharp song of a coyote lifted his hopes to heaven.
A chill breeze blew across the plains and Barb snuggled deeper into the blankets next to Chance. He was warm and solid and real. Were coma dreams more vivid than regular dreams? She could feel her heart reaching out for the man who held her close and smiled, letting go of all reserves. It didn’t matter what came next in this fantasy, she would embrace it with open arms.
Releasing her last reservations she felt her heart fly to Chance and realized she loved him. He was everything she had ever longed for, and she would revel in every moment she had to share with him, real or not.
Tomorrow they would go back to the corrals as a team, but tonight she would admit that she loved a cowboy who had sprung to life in her concussed brain. She felt his lips pressed to the top of her head but didn’t respond. He must have thought she was already asleep, but his absent minded and sweet gesture made her heart swell.
If only she could make him real. If only he could spring, fully formed, from her mind into her reality she knew she could love him for the rest of her life.
Chapter 12
Chance rode toward the corral where Barbara had disappeared earlier that morning. Pushing his horse close as he listened carefully trying to hear what was happening on the other side of the closed fence. Despite her obvious ability and comfort with horses Chance still worried about the woman he’d married the night before. It didn’t take much to get hurt when working around horses of any kind and these wild ones could be dangerous.
It was so deathly quiet behind the high rails that a chill ran down Chance’s spine, and he sidled his horse to the gate holding his reins high as he slipped his feet from his stirrups and climbed up to stand on his saddle seat. Holding his horse steady with one hand the lean Mustanger peeked over the fence to see Barb leading the brown and white horse on a long line. It was beyond anything he’d ever seen watching the woman, now back in her high riding boots, trousers, coat, working with the bay pinto.
Maybe Dave was right and the woman was a witch. No one should have been able to bring a wild horse around so quickly. How had she done it? Was there something different about people in the future that made them able to settle a horse so fast? Chance shook his head in wonder musing over the issue as his mind wrestled with the thoughts.
He and his two partners had been busting their butts throwing horses and getting a saddle on before trying to ride them into submission. If Barbara could have a horse following her in a day, maybe he could learn a thing or two from her. As Chance watched, Barb turned to face the horse that stopped lifting his head, focusing on her as she spoke soothingly.
“Come on Splash,” she crooned tugging the rope and reeling the horse in hand over hand along the line. The big animal moved toward the dark haired woman confidently, ears up and eyes alert and Chance smiled when she offered the horse a few grains of corn. “That’s a good boy,” she said smoothing the horses black forelock. Slowly she pulled a bandana from her pocket and began wiping down the horse that twitched and huffed but held steady.
Under his feet Chance’s bay gelding shifted and he dropped back into the saddle with a painful thud. Tonight he would talk to Barb about her technique. The gentler the horse, the more pay he would get, and if he didn’t have to bust his aching posterior all the better.
After this encounter he couldn’t help but wish Father Benton and Mr. Tatum had stuck around a little longer. They’d followed the crew to the corral earlier that morning looking in to see what animals were in stock then headed back to the village and the mission on the other side of the plain as soon as they could. Though Mr. Tatum was happy with the animals he’d seen, he would have been astounded watching Barbara work this once wild horse, not simply into submission but into a willing, trusting partner.
***
Barb took her time smoothing out the horse’s hide with her bandana, smiling each time he twitched under her hand. The bay pinto was intelligent and far less stubborn than the gray roan and she was making good progress with him. If things continued like this she would have him under saddle in a few more days. She just needed to
make sure that nothing happened to spook him, breaking the tentative trust they had begun to develop.
Horses in general were intelligent creatures, and once they understood that something wouldn’t hurt them they settled down and accepted it. Barbara wished some people were as clever. Too often human’s held on to old hurts, and painful events so tightly they couldn’t move on.
Her thoughts made Barbara think of Chance and how he had seemed somewhat cool toward her after the priest and his companion had departed. She knew that his painful past must make him wary about being hurt again. Losing his father and then his mother turning her back on everything they had worked for over the years seemed to stay with him. She only hoped he could realize that she was someone he could depend on.
That morning Barbara had made sure to raid the priest’s stock of outerwear that was buried in the packs on the back of his mule. She had been determined to get some more clothing before letting him just ride away, and had snagged two more dresses, a heavy chambray shirt that hung almost to her knees and a pair of loose fitting denims. At least now she could have clean clothes.
Thinking of the priest made Barbara want to know everything about Chance, who she felt indelibly connected to with or without the official marriage. She wanted to learn who the Mustanger really was as she adapted to this life; to understand him, and share his cares. She was now Barbara Evan and wanted to enjoy the role as much as their situation would allow as she determined to be a true partner to the man who was trying so hard to make something of himself.
Splash twisted his head tugging at the tail of her jacket and Barb smiled. “You feeling neglected?” she asked scratching under his chin in that illusive spot horses could never quite reach. “Maybe Chance is to. I’ll have to remember to treat him like a spooky horse. I forget the men of this era feel responsible for a woman and as annoying as it can be in one way it is also refreshing.”
Turning back to her work Barb pushed through the day making good gains with both horses. She still hadn’t found a good name for the gray that was far fiercer than the bay, but she knew she was happy with the progress on both sides of the high fence. If things continued this way she would have both horses working under-saddle before anyone would believe.
In the larger canyon the three Mustangers had chosen to allow the beautiful Appaloosa to manage his brood on his own and letting the other mares and foals meld into that smaller herd even while they started working some of the larger stock into riding horses. The bright red Appaloosa wasn’t as spooky as many of the wild horse, and all three men had agreed that if they kept him and his small herd, it would be a good beginning for starting their own ranch.
Barbara wasn’t a fan of rough breaking a horse, but she knew that it was common in this time and that most of the horses they had in their own small remuda had been trained the same way, still she wished she could somehow convince the men that her way was better and just as fast in the long run.
Perhaps tonight she would have a nice long talk with her new husband about the whole thing. Barb grinned at the word husband. It might all be in her head, but at least she was happy with her situation. Who wouldn’t want to be stranded in the high desert surrounded by wild horses, and married to the best Mustanger in the world?
Latching the gate behind her as the sun began to sink; Barb collected her saddle horse and swung aboard turning toward the main entrance to the canyon looking forward to a hot meal and rest. Ahead of her she could see Dave and Russ riding toward the exit that would take them back to camp and she trotted close wondering where her own cowboy was.
“Where’s Chance,” she asked trotting up to the other two men.
“He’s working with a mare that ain’t takin’ to the saddle,” Dave said, nodding toward a small pen on the other side of the canyon. “Said he’d be in once she settled down a bit.” Russ replied.
Barb twisted in the saddle picking out Chance as he tried to throw a saddle onto the back of a lean chestnut mare that pranced away from his every move, eyes rolling in fear and distrust. Turning her horse around Barbara galloped toward the corral just as the mare reared pawing the air over Chance’s head.
“Chance,” Barb called leaping from the saddle and jumping for the fence as Chance backed away before a hoof could catch him.
“Stay back honey,” Chance said. “She’s a nervous little thing.”
“Are you hurt?” Barbara asked her heart pounding.
“Nah, I’m alright.” He let the lead line spool through his hand giving the mare some room and letting her settle down as she put space between herself and her tormentor. “Why’d you come back?” he asked.
Barb grinned, the man had called her honey and it gave her the shivers. “I wanted to talk to you,” she said.
“I was hoping to get a saddle on this one yet today,” Chance said nodding toward the mare that was now nibbling grass at the end of the line while keeping a wary eye on the man. “Will you show me how you do it?” Chance asked turning to Barb his hazel eyes soft. “I saw you with that bay pinto today and…” he shrugged letting the words ebb. He didn’t even know how to express what he felt about her handling of the horse.
“You saw me?” Barb asked.
Chance nodded embarrassed to admit that he’d been watching her. “It was so quiet I was worried.”
Barb walked over to him taking the rope from his hand and letting her fingers linger on his. “It’s all about the way a horse is made,” she said. “You know how they think if you just take a minute to study on it.” Chance nodded stepping back. “I know you want to get these horses broke and sold but sometimes if you start slow you get there faster in the end.”
Barb turned toward the mare speaking to her softly and making the animal look up with a twitch of the rope. The little mare lifted her head studying the woman on the other end of the rope. The horse was tired, she’d been fighting all day and wanted nothing more than to drop to the ground and have a good roll.
“Come on pretty,” Barb crooned. “You don’t need to be afraid. We won’t hurt you.” She pulled the rope tight keeping a constant pressure on the back of the horse’s head but not pulling hard. For several moments the mare stood there sticking her nose in the air to alleviate the pressure behind her ears but Barb kept it tight and the pressure stayed steady. After a few more seconds she took a step toward the strange creature in front of her.
“Good girl,” Barb said counting to ten in her head then applying pressure again. This time the mare stepped forward more quickly until by the third time she simply walked forward at the slightest pressure.
Chance watched Barbara slowly pulling the horse in. She was using the horse’s natural instinct to move away from pressure to teach her to lead and he couldn’t believe he hadn’t ever thought of it. Everything to do with horses and riding played on this instinct, but he’d been in too much of a hurry to get the horses broke and sold to take the time.
Little by little he watched as the mare took step after step toward Barb finally coming to rest just out of reach.
“You’re a good girl aren’t you?” Barb said keeping the rope taunt and stepping up before reaching under the horse’s chin and scratching that illusive spot that they never seemed able to scratch.
Chance watched as slowly Barb scratched her way under the horse’s chin then along its neck until reaching the mare’s back scratching until her hands were black with dust and dander. He almost laughed out loud when the mare cocked a hip and grunted with pleasure.
Barb looped her rope over the mare’s withers flipping it a few times until the horse side stepped away then moving in to the other side to do it again. As the mare got used to the motion of the rope and the touch of the woman, she stopped moving and stood steady weary of the fight.
“Hand me the blanket,” Barb said smoothing the horse’s dark coat with one hand and reaching toward the saddle blanket with the other.
Chance inched forward placing the tip of the saddle blanket in Barb’s hand watching in
fascination as she kept step with the mare who sidled away from the foreign object. Barb’s soft voice and gentle hand soothed the beast as she lifted the blanket letting the horse see and smell it before moving it along the animal’s side inching toward her back.
Once the mare had stopped spooking at the blanket Barb slipped it over her withers waiting for the explosion that usually came with the unfamiliar weight. Lifting her head and rolling her eyes the little mare looked back at the woman and the strange thing on her back. She twitched and wiggled but didn’t buck.
Barb eased the blanket back along the horse’s rump watching the mare bunch her hindquarters and expecting her to jump at any moment but it never happened. Inch by inch Barb worked the blanket all over the little mare then sat it on her back, letting the animal relax as she stepped away.
“That was amazing,” Chance said wrapping his arms around Barb and pulling her in for a kiss. He couldn’t seem to stop himself as he held her tight.
Barb let the rope in her hand fall to the ground as she gave in to her desire to be kissed. Already she felt like she belonged to Chance.
A deep grunt and a heavy thump made the pair pull apart turning to see the little mare sag to the ground and begin wallowing in the dust of the prairie, her black stockinged legs waving in the rays of a sinking sun.
A warm chuckle rumbled in Chance’s chest as he watched the horse roll.
Barb looked up at Chance seeing the light of laughter in his eyes, and she too began to laugh, taking his hand and heading to the gate. They’d done enough for today. Tomorrow would be a new day to start again.
Chance helped Barb into the saddle then swung up on his own mount reaching out and taking her hand as they turned toward the main gate. The woman was amazing, beautiful, unique and talented. He hoped that even after she’d trained her two horses that somehow, some way she would want to stay. He needed her to stay. He wanted her to stay. He wanted to give her his whole heart and learn to love her for the rest of their days.
