by Barbara Goss
“I rode by the stables on my way here, and a few horses had already made their way back. What do you want me to do?” Dexter asked.
“How did you know I needed help?”
“Dawn rode over and told me what happened.”
“I wonder if we could herd them back, but I’m not sure they’ll go if there’s still hay to be eaten.”
Dexter shrugged. “What should I do?”
“How about grabbing as much hay as you can and throwing it into the woods. At the same time, I’ll try herding them back to the stables.”
“I can do that.” Dexter slid off his horse, started to pick up hay, and threw it into the woods and the small creek running through the property.
The sun had set by the time they’d gotten all the horses back into the stables and in their proper stalls. Dexter knew which stall each horse belonged in, which was a huge help to Max.
“That’s all of them?” Max asked Dexter.
“All the stalls are filled.”
Max stroked the newborn colt. “She’s a pretty little thing. I was thinking of giving her to Caro, but I'd better discuss it with Laura first.”
Max continued to stroke the colt while Dexter filled her water trough.
“Dexter, what was Edwin like?”
“He was a smart business man.”
“I mean personally.”
Dexter shrugged. “I never got to know him well.”
“How long did you work with him?”
“Two and a half years.”
“And you don’t feel you knew him well?”
“I hate to talk badly about the dead, Max.”
“I see. Well, thank you for helping me tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As Max closed up the stables for the night, he wondered what Dexter had meant by not wanting to talk badly about the dead. Was he implying Edwin hadn't been a pleasant person? He seemed to get that impression from Laura. Caro had felt insecure since Edwin had died, but she never mentioned him, which he found strange.
He sat on the front porch steps, pondering who might be sabotaging their ranch and why. It could only have been those two men who had wanted to buy the place. He needed to ride into town to ask around to see if anyone knew them. When he was done, he’d go to the sheriff or marshal, if there was one.
He heard the door open and turned to see Laura coming out of the house. She sat down beside him. “Did you find our horses?”
“Every single one.”
“How did they get out of the pasture, and where did you find them?” she asked.
“Someone sawed through the posts of the west fence.”
Laura gasped. “Who would do that?”
“That’s what I was just asking myself.”
Laura shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why?”
“It wasn’t to steal the horses. They were all in a meadow on the other side of the west woods. Someone had thrown some hay there for them, and they were eating it. Someone's trying to frustrate us enough to make us want to sell. I think it’s those two men that wanted to buy the place.’
“Yes! I bet it is them,” Laura said. “What can we do about it?”
Max shrugged. “I’ll talk to the sheriff. We do have one, don’t we?”
“We do now. Betsy’s new husband, Alexzander Sewell, is now the marshal. You’ll like him. I’m sure he’ll help us; he’s very shrewd.”
“Well,” Max said standing, “I’m going to wash up and then head for bed.”
Laura also stood. “I’m going up to bed now, too. Thank you for the most delightful day.”
“I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the picnic and my new family,” Max said.
“I can’t believe you enjoyed it so much.”
“Why?” Max wondered if he didn’t look like the type to appreciate a loving family. He couldn’t wait to hear her answer.
“Because, Edwin never…I mean, we never…it was just different. The way you are with Caro and with me—it’s just something we never had before. I hope it lasts.”
“Why wouldn’t it last?”
“Edwin was very congenial until I was carrying Caro, and then he changed. I wonder if that happens to every couple.”
“Were you very unhappy?” he asked tenderly.
She simply nodded.
“I’m sorry, Laura. It doesn’t happen much at all. I know many couples who’ve been happily married for years.”
“That’s reassuring.” Laura stood. “I’m going to have a quick word with Dawn to let her know what happened with the horses, and I’ll check on Caro.” She looked up at him shyly. “I’ll wait for you upstairs so we can…say goodnight.”
“I wouldn’t miss that,” he said. He looked forward to their goodnight kiss. He hardly thought about Catherine anymore. What had he seen in her anyway? It had been her beauty that he was attracted to, not her. How superficial he’d been. He’d wanted everyone to see him with her because she was stunning and popular. So many people had remarked on how they'd made such a perfect couple.
As he washed, he analyzed his feelings for Catherine. Had he ever really loved her or had it just been the image of her perfection in his mind? He couldn’t name any of her good personality traits or qualities. He’d been crushed when, after courting her for eight months, she suddenly decided she'd liked someone else better. His ego had been bruised. Since he’d moved to Oregon, he’d hardly thought about her, and now he felt something deep for Laura, though he wasn’t sure what, exactly, that something was.
Laura wasn't beautiful in the same sense as Catherine. Comparing their looks would be like comparing a banana to an apple—they were both fruits, but they were so different. Catherine had been a bit of a snob, but he’d liked that about her, because it had made him feel special being one of the few people she'd accepted. That had made him feel something for her akin to love, but he was slowly realizing that it hadn't been love at all. Now that he’d met Laura and had become acquainted with her, he felt something altogether different. He wasn’t sure if it was love, but it was definitely a strong attraction.
Laura was pretty whereas Catherine had been gorgeous, that much was true, but Laura had feelings and cared about people. She’d accepted him even though he’d deceived her. She was a fantastic mother, too. He hurriedly dried his hands and face, anxious to get upstairs for his goodnight kiss.
Laura was waiting for him at the top of the stairs. She’d let her hair down and it nearly took his breath away.
He changed his mind suddenly: she wasn’t just pretty; she was beautiful. At that very moment, standing there holding a gas lamp, her face lit by the glow of the light, her hair falling to her waist, she was beautiful. And she was just as lovely on the inside, too.
He approached her, took the lamp from her, and set it on the floor.
“I look forward to this all day, you know,” he said in a whisper.
“I do, as well.”
Max pulled her gently into his embrace and kissed her. She returned his kiss with as much fervor as he. He didn’t want the kiss to end, and he didn’t think she did either, so he pulled her even closer, without removing his lips from hers. Oh, so sweet was the kiss—so sweet and innocent, yet provocative and heart-warming. He thought he might lose his sanity when she reached up suddenly and put her arms around his neck. She’d felt it, too!
If Laura hadn’t been in love before that night, she was now. She swayed in Max’s arms because the kiss made her weak in the knees. Not only did he support her, but he pressed her closer to him. She thought she’d died and gone to heaven. Laura had been married to Edwin for six years and she'd never felt like this.
She prayed the kiss would never end. At one point, she felt moved to put her arms around his neck to insure he didn’t break the kiss.
Finally, the kiss ended, though she had no idea who was first to pull away. She tried to control her breathing, because she didn’t want Max to know how much she wanted to consummate the marriage; it had to be
his idea. What if she told him she wanted to and he didn’t? No, it had to be his decision.
Laura smiled up at him and said, “Good night, Max.”
Max stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Good night, Laura.”
Laura tossed in bed, trying to shake off Max’s kiss and return to reality. Was what she felt for Max love? Or had the kisses been exciting because she'd craved them so much? Edwin had been affectionate until Caro was born. That was when he'd stopped kissing her, and started making love with a motive that hadn't been connected to love. He'd been trying to produce a son, and his love-making had been cold, leaving Laura feeling like an object instead of a wife. When she'd failed to conceive, he'd stopped making love to her altogether. Laura would have missed it if it had been sweet, loving, and gentle, but as it hadn’t been, she hadn’t encouraged any further love-making.
Laura had to admit that despite his faults, Edwin had been a hard worker. He’d often worked in the mines in the winter when things had slowed down on the ranch. It also gave them some much-needed, extra money. She’d finally acknowledged to herself that she was starving for love, affection, and a real marriage. Laura wondered if Max would change afterward, as well.
Chapter 7
The posters Laura had made were finished, the stables had been scrubbed, the corral raked, and the horses groomed; Laura and Max were finally ready for their first horse sale. Max posted the signs in town, and all they had left to do was to wait for everyone to show up in just two days' time.
Laura put on an old pair of Edwin’s pants altered to fit her, and worked right alongside Dexter and Max. Dawn joined them during Caro’s naps. They were proud of their joint accomplishment.
The day they’d finished their final preparations, Laura and Max sat on the porch after having tucked Caro in for the night. Max reached over and took Laura’s hand. She’d been such a trooper, scrubbing on her hands and knees, painting, and helping to clean up the corral. He squeezed her hand.
“There’s nothing that draws two people together like working jointly for a common goal,” he said.
Laura smiled at him. “I think that’s one of the nicest things anyone’s ever said to me.”
He laughed. “Well, I think you’ll hear a lot of even nicer things from now on.”
She squeezed Max's hand. “I didn’t think you could do it. You’ve been amazing. What you didn’t know, you've learned. You’ve earned my respect.”
“Wait,” he said, holding his hand up, “We haven’t tried the breeding yet.”
“I have confidence in you.”
Max set his cup down and stood. “Are you ready to turn in, Mrs. Winters?”
Max held out a hand to help Laura up. He imagined this was what it would be like for years to come and the thought warmed him, however, he was anxious to make the marriage real by consummating it. He felt ready, but he was unsure as to how to go about making the first move.
They walked up the stairs, still holding hands, stopping in the hall by their rooms. “Let’s check on Caro,” Laura suggested.
The door to Caro's room was open a crack, and they peered in. Caro was lying on her side with Annabelle clutched in her hands.
Max sighed. “She looks like an angel.”
Laura smiled up at him. “Looks can often be misleading.”
They turned and walked back to where they always said goodnight.
Max took Laura into his arms and simply held her, wanting to feel close to her for a few moments. Her head rested on his chest; they were the perfect fit. Max wondered if it was the time to make his move.
He pulled away, found her lips, and kissed her lightly several times before diving in for a kiss that would express his emotions. She returned it with the same fervor as he—it was time.
Gently, slowly, he pulled her into his room, kissing her lips, face, and neck the whole time. He felt emboldened because she hadn’t pulled away. Surely she realized where it was going.
He whispered into her ear, “Are you ready?”
She nodded and let him pull her to the bed where they both fell onto the mattress in a tight embrace.
“Are you certain?” he asked hoarsely.
She answered, breathlessly, “Absolutely!”
He kissed her again with anticipation until someone’s yelling caused them to bolt upright.
“Help! Fire! Fire!”
Laura gasped. “That’s Dawn!”
Max rolled off the bed and dashed for the stairs with Laura at his heels.
“Hurry,” Dawn yelled, running out into the night in her bathrobe. “It’s the stables.”
All Laura could see as she ran out onto the porch were orange and red flames shooting into the sky over the peak of the stables. She could hear the horses inside screaming and pounding to get free. The heat was so intense, she could feel it on her face.
“We need to get the horses out!” Max yelled.
Laura grabbed the porch railing as dizziness overcame her. “I think it’s too late, Max.”
Without another word, Max ran out to the stables. The last she saw of him, he'd run around to the back of the stables to lead the horses to the corral.
“Be careful!”
Laura leaned against the porch support post and prayed. She prayed harder than she ever had before, not for the stables or the horses but for Max and Dawn's safety.
She couldn’t see much due to the smoke and flames, but she thought she saw horses running from the corral into the woods. Thank goodness someone had left the corral gates open and the horses were safe, but were Max and Dawn? As long as she lived she’d never forget the sight and sound of the fire; the flames actually roared.
She paced the porch, fearful of leaving it since Caro was sleeping peacefully and safely inside.
After the longest minutes of Laura's life, Max and Dawn ran back to the porch. Dawn had taken off her bathrobe and slung it over her head, and Max was bare-chested with his shirt covering his head. Both must had dipped their clothes in the water trough and used them to protect their faces as they freed the horses.
Both were covered in soot, but they were safe. Laura hugged them. “Thank the good Lord, you’re safe.”
Max kissed her forehead. “We got most of them out.”
Dawn added, “We lost a few that were in the front, including the little colt.”
Laura’s hands flew to her face. “No! The poor dears! What do we do now?”
“We just let it burn,” Max said. He put his arm around Dawn’s shoulders, “Thank you, partner.”
Laura gasped. “We have buyers coming the day after tomorrow.”
“We’ll have to cancel it,” Max said. “We have no horses to sell or stables to house them.”
Laura felt her heart drop to her toes. No sales meant no money, and they were already scraping the bottom of the sugar bowl.
Max lifted her chin. “I have a bit of money, and I’ll wire my father for a loan. In the meantime, I’ll go out tomorrow and see if I can round up some of the horses.”
Laura asked, “Where will we keep them?”
“In the barn. We’ll figure it out, Laura, don’t worry.”
“I’ll help wherever I can,” Dawn said.
Max hugged both women. “This will definitely be a family effort.”
Just as they opened the door to enter, they heard a loud crash and saw sparks flying. They looked behind the stables and saw that part of the stables had collapsed into the corral.
Laura looked up at Max. “Will our house be all right?”
“I plan to sit on the porch until the fire is out, or at least until it’s controlled,” he said as he wiped his brow. “If I think the house is in danger, I’ll let you both know. I think we’re all right, though, as the wind is coming from the north.”
“But you need some sleep,” Laura said.
“I’ll be fine. You two go up, and I’ll keep watch.”
“Max,” Laura said, “how did the fire start?”
“I’m not s
ure. I’ll know more when I can sift through the rubble.” He pushed her gently through the door. “Sleep well, Laura.” He kissed her forehead.
Max sat and watched the fire burn their future away. The air was filled with smoke, the cinders were flying every which way, and the embers were still bright red and smoldering. The stables had been reduced to nothing but piles of black ash. What would they do now? Max shook his head. He would wire his father for help first thing in the morning. Max hated to do that since his father expected him to run home when things didn’t work out, yet he had little choice.
After the heat and flames had diminished, Max took an old horse blanket and beat at the small flames and smoldering wood trying to put out every last flicker so he could relax and get some sleep.
As he beat at the fire, he thought about how close he’d come to consumating their marriage. The fire had ruined more than their livelihood—it had ruined their chance. The moment had been perfect, and he hoped they’d be able to recreate it soon.
Max walked back to the house, went inside, locked the door, and went upstairs. He removed his clothes and collapsed on the bed. He’d bathe in the morning.
The last thing he remembered before falling asleep was that he had to find a job, and quickly.
Fortunately, a few of the horses had found their way back to the stables, so Max was able to ride into town on one of them.
Marshal Alexzander Sewell nodded as Max explained how the two men had insisted on buying their property. He told them about the sawed-off posts and the horses running loose. Finally, he related the fire and his suspicions to him.
Sewell stared at him for several moments after Max had finished his stories. “Are you sure the fire was started deliberately?”
“I wasn’t sure until about an hour ago. I found a metal can while I was sifting through the ashes and debris. I smelled it and it had the scent of kerosene.”
“That pretty much proves it,” Sewell said. “Would you, by any chance, know their names?”
“Yes. They introduced themselves to my wife.” Max took out his logbook. “Bart McMann and Otis Farley.”
