by Danni Roan
Dr. Lachele reached out and pinched Barb on the arm making her squeal in pain. “See not a dream,” the purple haired vixen said. “Now go tell that cowboy you’re his for the long haul. I’m going home and taking a long hot bath.” She pinched Barb affectionately on the cheek then clicked her purple cowboy boots together disappearing with a tiny pop.
“Barbara?” Chance asked making his way around the gorse bush that hid her.
“I’m here Chance,” Barb said turning and rushing into his arms.
“I thought,” he swallowed hard pulling back and gazing into her face. “I thought you’d gone back.”
Barb shook her head. “I’m never going back,” she said. “That was the woman who sent me here, and this is all real, and I love you, and I’m never going anywhere without you.”
Chance chuckled trying to clear his head. “Is this real?”
Barb tipped up on her booted toes and kissed him. “It’s as real as that,” she said. “As real as we want it to be.”
A slow grin spread across Chance’s face. “I love you Barbara Cooper-Evan. I’ve been scared to death that you’d leave at any moment and leave me here with nothing but a broken heart.”
“I’m not going anywhere Chance,” Barb said. “I want to stay here and be your wife for real.”
Chance wrapped his good arm around her kissing her passionately, pushing her away an instant later. “But I have nothing,” he said sadly. “I can’t ask you to stay when I have nothing to offer you. I don’t even have a saddle horse now.”
Barb placed her hands on either side of his face. “Chance, I’m not in love with your horse,” she teased. “I love you, and we’ll figure it out. Look at what we did in only a month. We had a hundred and thirty horses and a buyer to pay top dollar. We can do it again.”
“Are you sure?” Chance asked. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let her go. He had nothing but the clothes he stood up in. He didn’t even know if his partners had survived the attack.
“I’m sure.” Barb took his hand leading him back toward the rock by the river as she lifted the heavy bag Dr. Lachele had brought her.
“Now what?” Chance asked as they settled on the stone. “What do we do next?”
The soft sound of splashing on the other side of the bend made both Barb and Chance look up as a bay mare came galloping down the river, her blaze face shimmering with droplets of water that sprayed around her as she ran.
“Chance,” Barb gasped as the horse made the turn and others came into view cantering down the river as the entire herd came racing back toward them, coats glistening in the afternoon sun.
“Yee haw!” a craggy voice called and Dave came galloping forward along the near lead pulling his horse to a stop when he saw them and grinning as the herd ran by.
“Dave!” Chance jumped to his feet hurrying to his partner. “You’re alive.”
“Darn tootin’ I’m alive,” Dave spat. “Russ is bringing up them no good horse thieves. I clipped all three of ‘em,” he added with a wicked cackle. “Plumb dropped ‘em in their no good boots.”
Barb smiled up at the old man. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said patting the old man on the leg as he sidled his horse close. “How in the world did you turn the herd?”
“Oh that was easy enough,” Dave said raising his voice to be heard over the steady stream of horses running down the river bed and spreading across the plain. “I might have had a bit of help as well,” he added with a laugh as the big Appaloosa stallion raced along the outer flank of the herd driving it forward while the bay paint nipped and squealed on the outer bank funneling the herd straight down the Salt River.
Barbara threw back her head and laughed watching the horses snaking their heads at any stragglers and pulling the once panicked animals back into a group.
“You done real good with them critters,” Dave said, turning his horse and easing around the herd that was spreading out to graze, “now they done real good for you.”
“Chance,” Russ came around the bend leading three horses behind him each carrying a man trussed up like a Christmas Turkey. “Good to see you ain’t dead,” the quiet cowboy said.
Chance offered the other man his hand. “Glad to be alive,” he said wrapping his good arm around Barb and pulling her tight. “Looks like you got a new kind of wrangling to do,” Chance added nodding toward the blackguards that glared back at him maliciously.
“Reckon we’ll turn these rats over to the Sheriff when we reach the mission town.” Russ said. The sound of approaching horses made them all turn and Chance smiled as Dave approached leading his saddle horse and the Appaloosa as he fetched them from the herd.
“I reckon we’ll give the critters an hour’s rest then set out again,” Dave said handing the reins off to Barbara and Chance. “But I ain’t sharing my coffee with them miserable curs,” he added glaring at the three men secured to their saddles.
Chance laughed. Dave had packed enough coffee and provisions for the day and a half drive to the small holding where they were taking the horses, but had decided to leave the wagon and return for it later. Apparently coffee was mighty dear.
Chapter 17
“You look very happy,” Father Benton said to Barbara when the crew made their way to the small monastery where they met Mr. Tatum for the sale.
“I am,” Barb said smiling. “I think you knew what you were doing when you insisted I marry Chance.”
“Perhaps I did,” the priest said tipping his head modestly. “Some people simply belong to each other no matter where or when they meet.”
Barb stopped looking at the short little man and wondering if he knew more than he was saying, but his calm features gave nothing away.
“There are many wonders in this world,” Father Benton continued ushering her down the street to a small building marked jail. “The greatest one of course is love.”
Barb grinned letting every doubt, worry and concern drift away like smoke on the wind. She was right where she needed to be; with the man she loved. Whatever came next they would face it together. They had two good friends and a small herd to call their own for a fresh start. Life was good.
Only a handful of buildings stood in the compound of the mission town, but a sheriff had taken up residence that year and he was happy to take custody of the rustlers, even handed over a hefty reward for each of the notorious scoundrels, that had been matched to their own wanted posters.
“Looks like we come out all right,” Dave said grinning at everyone in the room. “Worst problem is Chance getting burned a bit and having to chase down all the horses again,” the old man said with a wink addressing their buyer.
“They look like fine stock,” Mr. Tatum said. “I’d like to buy that Appaloosa from you as well,” he added nodding at the horse that fidgeting outside at the hitching rail. “He’s one of the best in the lot and seems to have good sense as well.”
Chance dropped an arm around Barb’s shoulders. “I’m afraid that horse isn’t for sale,” he said with a grin. “He and the bay paint are wedding gifts for my beautiful bride.”
Barb smiled feeling the heat of a blush on her cheeks. “Are you sure?” she whispered. She knew the money would go a long way to getting them started in their new life.
“I’m sure,” Chance said. “We’re starting a whole new life together with that stud and his little brood. Mr. Tatum, you give us a few years and we’ll have some of the best stock to be found here in Arizona or anywhere for that matter.”
Mr. Tatum reached out a hand shaking with Chance. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you men, and I wish you the best. I might start another little endeavor out Utah way as well and if I do I’ll look you up.”
Barb turned watching Mr. Tatum leave. His horses were in the corral on the outskirts of town and their job was done. “Now what she asked,”
“I guess we go back and collect our wagon, and then find a place to call home.”
“No! No sirree,” Dave s
aid. “We’re stayin’ right here tonight. Right here I say. I’m going over to that there little hacienda getting’ me a bath, eatin’ a steak dinner and sleepin’ in a real bed.” The old man shook his head snapped his suspenders and stopped toward the door ignoring anyone who might have reason to protest.
Chance chuckled wrapping an arm around Barbara. “I think that sounds mighty nice,” he agreed looking deep into her eyes, “maybe they even have plumbing.”
***
Barb pulled the pretty night gown she’d found in the bottom of Dr. Lachele’s gift bag over her head and slipped between the covers of the bed she would share with Chance that night. It felt wonderful to be clean, though bathing in an old galvanized tub wasn’t nearly as romantic as it sounded in books, and she vibrated with excitement at the idea of their first night together as fully committed husband and wife. She shivered when Chance walked through the door, his dark hair glistening from his own bath.
Chance grinned looking at Barbara sitting up in bed with the sheets pulled to her chin, she was beautiful and she was truly all his.
Stepping out of his clothes he climbed under the blankets and pulled Barbara to him snuggling down into the warm blankets and soft mattress.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked.
“Yes,” Barb said with a smile. “And I’m happy too,” she added.
“You’re sure?” Chance asked kissing her brow.
“Chance Evan, I love you.” Barb said. “I love you and that’s all that I need.”
Chance’s smile brightened as he pulled her closer kissing her soundly. Tonight was a brand new start.
Epilogue
Barbara waddled out onto the front porch of her little house and settled into the rocking chair by the rail with a swish of full skirts.
Across the yard she could see Chance working a horse on a long line as the bright afternoon sun shimmered off of the little chestnut horse he was working. He’d taken to gentling horses like no one she had ever seen and had a real knack at setting them at ease. She loved watching Chance work the horses. She loved watching Chance do anything.
For the past year and a half Barbara and Chance had worked side by side building the house, barn, outbuildings, and bunkhouse that Dave and Russ shared. The little patch of land they had found further north had become a real head and was picturesque in its own way.
So many things had changed since Barb had accepted her new reality. She had even learned to wear new clothes, though she still refused to wear a corset, and only wore short muslin knickers, and shammy.
Along with building a new home and a new life, for Barb the whole adventure had been a learning experience, and she had added so much to her skills. She grinned thinking of the precious goodie bag that Dr. Lachele had left for her. It had included a book on canning, gardening, medicinal plants, and all around living in the late nineteenth century.
Over the past seven months, Barb had been reading and rereading the sections on having a baby so often that the pages were dog-eared and worn. Even though she was nervous, she was excited about the eminent arrival of their son or daughter. Chance was so excited he’d been working on a list of names for a month.
“All this will be yours one day,” Barb said laying her hand on her swollen middle and looking out across the prairie. “You’ll grow up riding horses, and playing outside, and knowing the freedom of the wide prairie.”
She waved as Chance spooled the horse in on the long line patting it then letting it loose before turning toward the house. Smiling brightly and waving at his pretty wife. Her entire life Barbara had wanted someone to love. Someone to give her heart to, and now she had it.
She watched as Chance turned the horse out to pasture and walked toward her. He was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
“How are you feeling today?” Chance asked making his way to the house, stepping up on the porch and kissing her lightly.
“I’m fine,” Barb said. “I feel wonderful.”
“Still wish you could just pop into the future to have that baby?” Chance teased.
“Yes,” Barb agreed with a grin, “but not if it would risk me not coming home to you.”
“Home,” Chance said. “That’s a mighty nice word.”
“One of my favorite and now we get to add family to our list of favorite words.”
Chance smiled taking the chair next to her, looking out across the grasslands they had purchased. Sleek horses some with odd splotches of white and intricate patterns of spots dappling their hides grazed in green fields; evidence that the Appaloosa was in residence.
A heavily fenced household garden was growing well, and in the distance he could see the hay wagon where Dave and Russ were reaping. It was a real home, with good friends, and a lasting love. Chance knew that he’d been given a special gift the day that Barbara had sprung up out of the prairie like a whistle pig, from his hole.
“It sure is beautiful here,” Chance mused.
“You chose well,” Barb agreed.
Chance turned looking into her eyes. “I really did,” he agreed. “I love this place,” he continued. “But this house, these buildings, this land, that’s not what makes this home.”
Barb tipped her head listening. “But this is your home,” she protested.
Chance shook his head. “No, you’re my home. Wherever you are, wherever we go, as long as we’re together, that’s my home.” He laid his hand over hers where it rested on her belly and sighed contentedly.
A tear slipped from Barbara’s eye as she stood wrapping her arms around Chance who rose to meet her. Who would have ever known a purple haired woman and a kick to the head would have been able to deliver the desires of her heart. She had thought that Dr. Lachele was loony when she’d said she could send her to her very own happily ever after, but it was exactly what she had done.
Barb the loner, the woman who had spent more time with horses in her life than people, now had someone of her very own to love. In time she hoped that she might begin a program like she had before where children with special needs might benefit from the horses she and Chance trained.
Kissing Chance again, she turned feeling his arm come around her as they looked out across the western sky and she leaned her head into his shoulder.
She had everything she ever wanted or needed right here and she was staying forever.
The End
Other Books by this Author:
From the Cattleman’s Daughters
Katie Isabella
Fiona Alexis
Meg Mae
Tales from Biders Clump
Christmas Kringle
Quil’s Careful Cowboy
Bruno’s Belligerent Beauty
Tywyn’sTroubles
A Teaching Touch
Prissy’s Predicament
Lucinda’s Luck
Ferd’s Fair Favor
The Travels of Titus
Winter’s Worth
Strong Hearts: Open Spirits
Maggie’s Valley Sadina’s Stocking
Celestre’s Song Beloved Beulah
Whispers in Wyoming
Love Letters & Home
Counting Kadence
Mercy’s Light
Falling Forward
Racing Destiny
The Ornamental Match Maker
Carousel Horse Christmas
Loose Goose Christmas
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing to read my book. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed the story please feel free to leave a rev
iew wherever you purchased the book. Leaving a review will help me and prospective readers to know what you liked about this book. It is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and for you to tell others why the story is worth a read.
About the Author
Danni Roan, a native of western Pennsylvania, spent her childhood roaming the lush green mountains on horseback. She has always loved westerns and specifically western romance and is thrilled to be part of this exciting genre. She has lived and worked overseas with her husband and tries to incorporate the unique quality of the people she has met throughout the years into her books. Although Danni is a relatively new author on the scene she has been a story teller for her entire life, even causing her mother to remark that as a child “If she told a story, she had to tell the whole story.” Danni is truly excited about this new adventure in writing and hopes that you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
