Montana SEAL's Mail-Order Bride (Brotherhood Protectors Book 12)

by Elle James

  Once he was fully dressed, Gavin left his room, slowing as he passed Aurelia’s to listen for sounds of movement within. Silence. Not even a hint of whether she was still asleep or already out and about.

  Gavin descended the steps to the ground floor and followed the clanging of pots and pans to the kitchen.

  Cookie stood at the stove, frying bacon.

  Next to him was Aurelia, stirring frothy, golden scrambled eggs in a skillet. She looked up with a warm, welcoming smile. “How’s this for a first? I’m making scrambled eggs.” With a grimace, she scraped the spatula across the bottom of the pan. “I hope I’m not burning them.”

  “These guys aren’t picky, even if you do,” Cookie said. “They’ll eat anything that doesn’t bite them first.”

  “True.” Hannah crossed the kitchen carrying a pitcher of orange juice and a carton of milk. “The rest of the guys are out taking care of the animals. You can man the toaster and keep it going.”

  Gavin nodded, glad to help in the kitchen for once. It gave him the opportunity to be closer to Aurelia and prove to her that he could be just as helpful in the house as outside. A lot of men considered household chores a woman’s work. Not Gavin. And not Cookie. Food nourished the body. People couldn’t perform the work that needed done without a hearty meal. Having been a bachelor most of his life, Gavin knew his way around a kitchen. He found it strange that, at nearly thirty years old, Aurelia had never learned to cook. What did she do for meals? Eat out all the time?

  He added that to the list of questions he intended to get answers for. Soon.

  Lori entered through the back door, her face flushed with the cool morning air. “Good morning!”

  “Good morning, Lori,” Aurelia said with a smile.

  “Breakfast is almost ready,” Hannah said. “Are the guys coming?”

  “Yes, ma’am. They’re washing up outside. I chose to come inside to do the same. By the way, Lucky’s doing great. He’s finally caught up to the size of the other puppies.” Lori hurried through the kitchen and down the hallway to the bathroom.

  Aurelia scraped the scrambled eggs from the pan onto a platter Cookie had placed on the counter beside the stove. She carried the platter to the table and came back to help Gavin butter the toast.

  By the time they had a nice neat stack ready, the others were filing into the kitchen, laughing and joking with each other.

  Collin and Percy were last to arrive, behind the younger men.

  “Where’s Taz?” Percy asked.

  Hannah’s lips twisted. “He got a call from Hank. He’s not going to work the Love ranch. Instead he’ll be on assignment in Bozeman for the next couple days.”

  “Good thing the weather’s holding off. We won’t need to haul hay now for another couple of weeks,” Percy said. “We’re caught up with the chores if you want to make a trip into Bozeman for supplies today.”

  Hannah nodded. “I could use some groceries and cleaning supplies.” She glanced at the others. “Anyone else want to head to Bozeman?”

  “I could use some new gloves,” Young said. “And I was thinking about getting a cowboy hat.”

  “Finally coming over to the dark side of ranch life?” Franklin said.

  Young nodded. “I think it will make me look taller.” He winked at Aurelia. “Girls love tall guys, right?”

  Aurelia smiled.

  “I think girls love guys who treat them with tender, loving care and a whole lot of respect,” Hannah said. “Doesn’t matter if they’re short or tall.”

  “Still, I want to check out the western store and get a hat.” Young grinned. “I’m in for a ride to Bozeman.”

  The men gathered around the table and waited for the women to be seated before they settled.

  “What about the rest of you?” Hannah asked as she passed the scrambled eggs to her right.

  “I’m cleaning the refrigerator,” Lori said. “It’s past due, and I promised Cookie I’d help reorganize the cabinets and pantry.”

  Cookie held up a hand. “I’m with Lori today.”

  “Collin?” Hannah cast a glance at the new ranch hand.

  “I have cleaning detail in the bunkhouse. I want to get it done before noon. Then I’m going to work out.”

  “Work out?” Franklin blinked. “Ranch life isn’t enough?”

  “It’s good for arms and abs, but I’d like to get a good run in.”

  “If I’m done with the cabinets and refrigerator, I might join you,” Lori said. “I promise not to slow you down too much. I know a fairly smooth route where you won’t twist an ankle.”

  Gavin fought a grin. Lori could run circles around most two-legged people.

  Collin gave her a chin lift. “You’re on.”

  Vasquez shoveled eggs onto his plate and passed them on. “Sounds like too much work for me. Franklin and I are going to work on the stairs that lead up into the hayloft. Some of the boards are dry-rotted through.”

  Hannah smiled and handed Aurelia the pitcher of orange juice. “Do you want to go to Bozeman with us, Aurelia?”

  She shook her head. “I’m looking forward to not being in a vehicle. I want to enjoy some of the clean, mountain air Montana is famous for.”

  “And I’m going to show her around the ranch, if she’ll let me,” Gavin said, his gaze capturing Aurelia’s.

  She smiled. “I’d like that.”

  “On horseback?” he asked.

  Her smile broadened. “Even better.”

  Breakfast was over not long after. Everyone helped clear the table and stack the dishes in the sink.

  “Cookie and I will finish the kitchen cleanup. You guys go on,” Lori said. When Gavin walked by, she snagged his arm. “Except you. I think you need to take a picnic lunch. I’ll put some sandwiches together, along with something to drink.”

  “Thanks, Lori. That’s what I had in mind.”

  Aurelia had left the kitchen to go up to change into boots and a light jacket.

  Lori pulled the roast from two nights before out of the refrigerator and cut slices off, laying them on a plate. “You need to take Aurelia up to the waterfall.”

  “Again, that’s what I had in mind.” Gavin shook his head. “You’d think I didn’t know how to treat a lady.”

  Lori slapped four slices of bread on the plate and layered them with the roast beef. “Well, it’s been a while, am I right? Mustard or mayo?”

  “Yes, it has and mustard.”

  “Are you sure that’s what Aurelia would want?”

  “One of each,” Gavin acquiesced. “That way she can choose.”

  Lori gave him a tight smile. “That’s better. Be a gentleman. Help her down from her horse. Don’t come on too strong.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “And for all that’s holy, don’t push the sex.”

  Gavin burst out laughing. “You’re giving me advice?” He raised an eyebrow. “How long has it been since you’ve been out on a date?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “None of your business.” She poked a finger at his chest. “Don’t screw this up. I like Aurelia. She’d be good for you.”

  He gave her a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And don’t ma’am me. I wasn’t an officer. I worked for a living.” She wrapped the sandwiches in plastic wrap and pulled two bottles of water from the refrigerator. “Do your best. I know you’re a good guy. But you have to show her that you are.” She shoved the food and drinks into his hands and gave him a hug. “Go get her.”

  “Go get who?” Cookie asked.

  “No one,” Lori sang. “Let’s get this kitchen cleaned up.”

  Gavin carried the sandwiches and water bottles out to the barn and stashed them in a saddlebag. He brought Ranger, his favorite bay gelding out of the stall and tied him to a post. Then he led Misty, one of the gentlest mares on the ranch, out of her stall and tied her to the post next to Ranger. He’d saddled Ranger and was carrying a smaller saddle out for Misty when Aurelia entered the barn.

  “Then we are
riding today, as planned?” she asked.

  He nodded. “I thought I could take you out on the ranch and show you what this place is all about.”

  “I would love that.” She eyed the small mare standing docilely beside his gelding. “Is this the horse you’ve chosen for me?”

  “This is Misty. She’s about the sweetest-tempered mare you’ll find in the stable.”

  Aurelia ran her hand along Misty’s neck. “No offense, Misty, but I think I’d rather take Sassy out for some exercise.”

  “No way.” Gavin still held the saddle in his arms. “Sassy isn’t ready for anyone to ride her.”

  “I have a feeling Sassy has been highly misunderstood.” Aurelia untied Misty from the post and led her back to her stall. “Sorry, darling, but not today.”

  With his hands full of a saddle, Gavin couldn’t stop Aurelia from marching Misty back into her stall. “Don’t you think you should start with a horse with a known personality?”

  Aurelia didn’t respond, but latched Misty’s stall and walked to the last stall in the barn.

  “Aurelia, that horse is dangerous. Please don’t go—”

  Gavin almost threw the saddle on the ground when the fool woman opened Sassy’s stall and walked right in.

  “Hey, you big, beautiful baby,” Aurelia crooned to the mare as she led her out of her stall and tied her lead to a hook on a post. “I bet you just want to get outside and run like the wind.”

  “I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Gavin hedged.

  Sassy danced sideways at the sound of Gavin’s voice.

  “It’ okay,” Aurelia said, her voice even and calming. “He’s not going to hurt you. He’s one of the good guys.” She turned and took the saddle blanket from Gavin and held it under Sassy’s nose. “Remember one of these?”

  Sassy tossed her head as if to say yes. But she didn’t go crazy or try to back away.

  “That’s right. It feels good on your back.” Aurelia rubbed the blanket along Sassy’s neck and up over her shoulders until it was lying across her back.

  Gavin released the saddle into Aurelia’s arms. “Even if you get the saddle on her, that doesn’t mean she’ll let you ride,” he whispered.

  “Sassy and I have an understanding,” Aurelia said. “I won’t hurt her, and she won’t hurt me.” She held the saddle beneath Sassy’s nose and let her sniff, before she eased it along the animal’s side.

  Gavin wanted to take the saddle from Aurelia and toss it onto the mare’s back. But he knew it would only spook Sassy.

  The method Aurelia was using seemed to be working, so he stayed back, allowing Aurelia the autonomy to do what she thought best.

  But that didn’t keep Gavin from holding his breath as the mare pawed the ground.

  And his heart stopped for a second when Sassy tried to back up, pulling hard on the lead.

  Aurelia paused and talked to the mare again, her words silly, nonsensical and delivered in an even tone.

  Sassy settled down, and Aurelia slid the saddle onto her back.

  In the next few minutes, she had the girth tightened around the mare’s belly and the stirrups adjusted.

  Gavin couldn’t believe this was the same horse that had almost killed Vasquez the day before.

  But she still hadn’t gotten the bridle on the mare. If a horse wanted to be stubborn, clamping its mouth closed was a good place to start.

  Aurelia looked up. “Bridle?”

  “In the tack room.” He held up a hand. “I’ll get it.” He returned a moment later to find her using the brush to scratch behind Sassy’s ears. The mare leaned into the brush, obviously enjoying the treatment.

  Aurelia took the bridle from Gavin and approached the mare like she had with the blanket and saddle.

  Sassy tossed her head and turned away.

  Not to be deterred, Aurelia moved closer and held out her other hand with a piece of a carrot on her palm.

  Sassy tossed her head again but came back to sniff at the carrot. She picked it out of Aurelia’s hand with her soft lips.

  After the horse chewed the carrot, Aurelia slipped the bridle over her nose and settled the straps over her ears. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  Sassy nodded her head.

  Aurelia laughed and turned to Gavin. “We’re ready, I think.”

  “I hope you’re right. At the first sign of her going off the deep end, you’re off and she’s back in her stall. Deal?”

  “First sign?” Aurelia rubbed Sassy’s nose. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

  “Not today.” Gavin pressed his lips together and waited for Aurelia’s agreement.

  “Okay, first sign, I’ll back off today.” She smoothed her hand over the mare’s neck. “But I’m not giving up on her. I feel like she’s got a lot more to offer than her previous owner expected.”

  Gavin led his gelding out of the barn and waited for Aurelia and Sassy to follow. When they didn’t come right out, he worried something might have happened. But then Aurelia led Sassy out of the barn as easily as if the horse was Misty, not a half-crazed, abused animal.

  “You know you don’t have to prove you know your way around horses, don’t you?” Gavin said. “I’d rather know you’re safe than right.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not trying to make a point with you. I’m more concerned about Sassy. It’s as if I can feel her pain. I want her to know she’s going to be better, now that she’s at Brighter Days.”

  “I think she’s well on her way to that goal. But you don’t have to ride her today. Perhaps just getting a saddle on her was enough for one day.”

  Aurelia slid a hand along Sassy’s neck. “I think she’ll be okay with me on her back. Didn’t they say she used to belong to a woman who rode her before she was sold to that odious man?”

  “That’s what Hannah said.”

  “I think she’ll remember and behave.” Aurelia brightened. “There’s one way to find out.” She turned toward the horse, slipped the reins along the side of the horse’s neck, gripped the saddle horn and stuck her foot in the stirrup.

  Sassy shifted nervously and whinnied.

  Aurelia straightened in the stirrup and slung her leg over the mare’s back.

  Sassy spun in a circle before she settled down.

  If Gavin had doubts about Aurelia’s riding ability, they were eased when he saw how she sat with her back ramrod straight and her hands lightly holding the reins. The woman obviously knew how to ride. And nothing was sexier than a woman riding a horse. She had grace, strength and confidence in the way she carried herself in the saddle.

  Gavin fit his good foot in the stirrup, flung his leg over the gelding’s back and settled into the saddle. He had to lean over to fit his prosthetic foot into the other stirrup. He did it quickly and efficiently, not wanting to draw attention to himself or to his disability.

  Once he was seated in the saddle and stirrups, he turned his horse toward the pasture gate, leaned over and unhooked the latch. He pushed the gate wide and rode Ranger through. On the other side, he stopped and waited for Aurelia and Sassy. He prayed the mare wouldn’t balk passing through the gate.

  Aurelia spoke to the horse, leaning over her neck to whisper into the animal’s ear. She nudged Sassy’s flanks with her heels and the mare leaped through the gate, shot past Gavin and Ranger and galloped across the pasture, with no indication she would slow until she crossed the border into the next state.

  “Go! I’ll close the gate,” Percy called out, running toward the fence.

  “Do you need help?” Collin called out, racing ahead of Percy.

  “No. I’ll catch her,” Gavin yelled back as he urged Ranger to catch up to Sassy and her rider. Aurelia knew how to sit a horse, but Gavin prayed she knew how to stay on a runaway horse. Sassy could come across a fence, stop suddenly and throw Aurelia into the barbed wire.

  Or worse, she could plow right into the fence and get horse and rider wrapped in barbed wire so badly, it could kill them bot
h.

  Scenario after scenario rolled through Gavin’s mind like a high-speed movie reel that wouldn’t quit. He had to get to Aurelia before anything horrible happened

  With the need to be in the lead as natural to Ranger as being male and randy, the gelding stretched out his legs and body and powered after the mare.

  All of Gavin’s worst fears seemed to be coming to fruition as Sassy made a beeline for a section of the fence covered in vines. She didn’t slow at all as she approached.

  Gavin cringed, certain the horse and rider would end up with terrible injuries.

  Just as the mare reached the vine-covered fence, she bunched her back legs and leaped over the obstacle, sailing through the air as light as an African gazelle.

  His heart pounding like a bass drum in a marching band Gavin watched as the horse and rider flew over the fence. Aurelia held on, leaning forward over Sassy’s neck as the horse rose into the air. She pitched forward as the horse hit the ground on the other side. But she retained her seat in the saddle and came out of the jump with a huge smile on her face. “Did you see that?” she called out over her shoulder. “Did you see her fly?” Aurelia called out, her voice shaking with excitement.

  Not only had he seen it, he’d suffered every second of it. And for nothing. Aurelia had handled the horse brilliantly, a natural in the saddle and so very beautiful.

  Gavin finally remembered to breathe. He rode his horse to the gate that would lead into the pasture in which Sassy had jumped. He let himself through and guided his gelding toward the clump of horses standing at one end of a pasture. In the middle of the herd, Sassy stood with Aurelia on her back, her sides heaving with exertion.

  When Gavin got close enough, he could see the smile on Aurelia’s face. It nearly outshone the stars from last night. The sun shined down on Aurelia’s beautiful blond hair, and her face was wreathed in a smile. Never mind she’d scared the beejeezus out of him. The horse and woman had both remained uninjured.

  His lips pressed tightly together, Gavin shook his head. “Where in the hell did you learn to jump like that?”