Riding From Richmond (The Pioneer Brides 0f Rattlesnake Ridge Book 4)

by Nan O'Berry

  Melinda giggled. “Now there’s an interesting thought, horses discussing people.”

  They were still laughing when they rode into the barnyard and pulled over to the rail.

  “Now, I’m going to hold Princess’s bridle and you step off.”

  “Do it just like getting on, to the left?” Callie inquired.

  “That’s right.” Melinda nodded.

  Callie stood up in the stirrups and swung her right leg over the rump of the horse. She paused long enough to move her right hand and grasp the rise of the cantle along the back of the saddle.

  Melinda’s pony shifted over.

  “Am I safe to get down?”

  “Sure.”

  The tone in Melinda’s voice had a twinge of amusement. Callie caught it; however the context was lost until she went to find the ground. Her right foot pointed, she pawed in the air. Not feeling anything solid, she shifted and tried to look down between herself and the horse.

  “Easy.”

  Max! Oh, heavens, she didn’t want him to see her like this. Her heartbeat ran slammed against her ribs.“I have this,” she called out. However, Max nearness to the situation diverted her concentration and Princess must have sensed her growing nervousness. The horse shifted to the right and Callie could feel herself losing her grip. “Oh!” she cried out as her foot slipped.

  “Easy now, I’ve got you.”

  She felt his hands span her waist and give support.

  Princess calmed.

  “Now, let yourself down,” Max instructed. “I’ve got you. One foot on the ground first.”

  Callie let her right foot down. This time, her toe scraped the ground. She let out the breath she’d been holding and flattened her foot against the earth, before letting her other come out of the stirrup. Her legs trembled. She wasn’t sure if it was the horse or the man standing behind her, his hands still on her waist. “Th-thank you,” she stammered.

  Max said nothing.

  She could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. Her knees seemed to turn to jelly. Unable to hold herself up, she had no choice but to lean back against Max’s strength. “Oh, my,” she breathed.

  “I’ve got you,” he whispered to her ear.

  The sun must have reached its apex for suddenly, Callie seemed to be burning up. The fever caused her mind to wander and her limbs to tremble. “I-I don’t know what is wrong with me,” she mumbled.

  Max’s hand ambled slowly down to her hand. “Come over here and sit just for a moment.”

  She grasped his hand as he sheltered her beneath his other arm. The warmth of his palm at her waist seemed to sear her skin. Callie followed Max’s directions and soon she was sitting on a log bench next to the corral. “I don’t know what happened,” she murmured. She forced her sluggish arms to move and reached up to pull the straw hat from her head. Using it as a fan, she hurried the air across her heated face. “Perhaps, it is the thin air here on the mountainside.” She brushed the damp tendrils of hair from her cheeks yet, she refused to look into Max’s eyes.

  “Could be,” Max’s voice soothed the race of her heart. “Here.”

  Forced to look, she could see him hold out a dipper of cool well water. Beside him, Melinda looked on, her eyes wide.

  Callie took the dipper and brought it to her lips. The cool water soothed her throat. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the young girl. “It’s not your fault, Melinda. I enjoyed our ride.”

  Melinda exchanged a look with her eldest brother. “I’ll put Princess up.”

  “No,” Callie called out as she turned away. “She’s my responsibility. I-I will take care of her.”

  Max arched one brow at her.

  Giving a tilt of her chin, Callie handed Max the dipper. “Thank you. I’m fine.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  Callie flashed a smile. “I am.”

  She rose and stood for a moment. The earth felt firmer beneath her shoes. “Melinda, you must show me the proper way to take care of Princess after our ride.”

  The girl looked to her brother for permission. Out of the corner of her eye, Callie caught him nod.

  “Sure. Come on with me.”

  Step by step, Callie moved toward the horse.

  * * *

  Max crossed his arms over his chest and watched Callie’s faltered steps as she fell behind his kid sister. “Hard headed, Virginian,” he murmured. She sure did look pretty sitting up on Princess and riding into the yard though. It had been a sight to see, for sure. Waiting until she’d disappeared into the barn before marching toward it. He would go in and finish putting straw in the stalls. Keep an eye on her, he told himself. The little voice in the back of his mind merely sniggered. Max pressed his lips together and lengthened his strides.

  Melinda already had the saddles off the horses when he entered the barn. Callie stood on the left side of Princess running the brush along her coat.

  “I’ll put the saddles in the tack room,” he told her.

  Callie’s brush stilled.

  He added. “You two get those horses brushed down and turned out to pasture.”

  “Yes, Max,” Melinda answered.

  He grabbed Callie’s saddle first and took it to the small room off the side of the main barn. Lifting it over the wooden saddle tree, he steadied it then turned only to find Callie standing there.

  “I would have done that.”

  He studied her face. A shadow of defiance still lingered in her eyes. Calmly drawing his hands to his hips, Max kept his eyes focused on the ground at his feet. “I know,” he murmured. “But I would have done it for Melinda or Augustus because today, I’m in charge of the tack.”

  Callie blinked. “Oh.”

  The word illustrated the new understanding of the jobs each person held on the farm.

  Her shoulders softened and drooped. “I didn’t want you to think I couldn’t handle the situation.”

  Max nodded. “I would have never given that a thought, Callie. You are capable of handling anything.”

  His words of praise brought a soft pink color to her pale cheeks.

  “Go finish your work. I’m sure Princess would love to roll in the grass.”

  Nodding, Callie turned on her heel and gently walked out of the tack room.

  “Hard headed,” Max murmured once again, only this time, his lips curled into a soft grin. With saddle and bridle hung in the appropriate places, he shuffled back to the center aisle only to be disappointed to find it empty. “Where did they get to so quick?” he wondered aloud.

  Soft laughter echoed from outside. Following the sound, Max found himself drawn to the pasture behind the barn. There, standing alongside the fence, was his sister, Red, and Callie. He moved closer, both curious and a bit frightened of what he might hear. Melinda stood between Callie and Red. With one foot propped up on the bottom rail, she turned so that she could hear what Red was saying. Callie leaned against the fence. She must have been giving him only ear service, for her gaze was fixed on the horses in the field.

  Red cleared his throat. “Yeah, them horses is what keeps this ranch financially sound.”

  “Oh?”

  Max delighted in Callie’s challenge.

  “Yep.” Red shifted his stance so that he could see both ladies. “Horse flesh runs this country.”

  “I thought it was the mines?” Callie queried.

  “Gold and silver go bust way too often,” Red replied. “If you want to make a living, you need to get into the cattle business. Cattle means horses.”

  “Oh, my. Well I see,” Callie responded. “I hope that Mr. Nolan knows this.”

  “Old Seth?” Red seemed surprised.

  Max felt his stomach plummet to his boots.

  “Yes…” Callie turned to him. “You see he’s the man that—”

  “Callie!” Max yelled.

  All three turned to look at him as he hastened his steps to the side of the fence.

  “Hey, glad I caught you.” He took a quick
breath in hopes of calming down.

  “What’s wrong?” Melinda asked.

  “Momma, wants you.”

  Melinda stared at him, her brow wrinkling beyond her tender years. “Momma?”

  Max nodded.

  Suddenly, Melinda’s eyes grew wide. “Oh…oh yeah.” She turned and looked at Callie. “That quilt stuff again. I sort of promised.”

  Callie drew back from the fence. “Would you like some help? I mean you gave me some lessons on horseback. I can work with you on this quilt.”

  Melinda seemed to brighten.“Sure.”

  With a nod, Callie put her arm around Melinda’s shoulders and they began walking back to the house, but not before Max got a concentrated look from his youngest sibling. Oh, there would be a price to pay for his manipulation. He and Red stood watching them walk back to the house, Melinda’s long strides matched by Callie’s almost painful ones.

  “Funny thing about that conversation,” Red drawled.

  “What’s that?”

  “Her talking about ole Seth Nolan.”

  “Oh? Really?” Max widened his eyes and plastered an innocent expression across his face.

  “Yeah…” Red hissed as he folded his arms across his chest and stared back. “Really, last I heard ole Seth had found himself a bride.”

  Mouth dry, Max kept his gaze on Callie as she disappeared into the main house. He could feel Red’s stare as it bore into his face. Max let out the breath he held and shifted his weight to his left hip. “Has he now,” he spoke in a calm even tone.

  Red spit on the ground and gave a gruff grunt. “You know it too.”

  Max rotated his glance to the likable foreman next to him. “I know I promised some good friends to help them out. I’d like this to be our secret, Red. I’d like you to keep that bit of information to yourself for a bit longer, until they get themselves straightened out.”

  Red shifted his gaze toward the house while Max waited for him to come to a decision. “I been here a long time. I seen your daddy work himself nearly to death to get this house up for your momma. I worked alongside Augustus.” he looked back at Max again. “And yourself before any of us realized we were men. I’ll keep your secret. I don’t need to know why. Only thing is, I hope you don’t break that little lady’s heart in the process, ‘cause I sure thought more of you than that.”

  Max felt his neck bend as he hung his head. “I thank you, Red.” He extended his hand and they shook. “It’s my plan not to break her heart, but to somehow figure a way out of this mess she’s been placed.”

  “Then, you need my wish of good luck.”

  Max gave a nod as his friend walked back to the barn. “I’m gonna need more than good luck,” he murmured. “I’m going to need some help from the good Lord above if this is to be pulled off.”

  Straightening his spine, Max gave a wary glance at the house and followed Red to finish his chores.

  Chapter 10

  With each day that passed, Callie’s confidence grew. By the end of the week, she was the one to rise early and she did so with enthusiasm to throw a saddle on Princess and ride. Once she’d helped Bethany with the dishes, she hurried to change her clothing. Grabbing her straw hat from the dresser, she hurried down the stairway and headed to the front door.

  Bethany looked up from her mending as Callie’s feet hit the living room floor. “Off again, dear?”

  Callie paused. “If you don’t mind?”

  Bethany shook her head. “Not a bit. I’m afraid the rest of the family has gone to help Augustus move some of the cattle to a new pasture. You don’t mind riding alone?”

  “No, not really.”

  Bethany’s face eased. “Good. What direction are you headed?”

  “I want to explore the meadow to the west.”

  Bethany put the fabric into her lap. A wistful expression filled her face. “I love that meadow. My husband built a small lookout on the west side of the house.”

  “Max showed me.”

  Bethany looked surprised.“He did? My.” Her face took on a faraway look. “My husband loved that meadow. He’d sit for hours just looking over it watching the seasons change.”

  “That sounds lovely,” Callie murmured. “Would you like to ride out with me?”

  Bethany’s smile returned. “Thank you, Callie, but I think not. You go and enjoy but be safe.”

  Callie made a few steps toward the front door, then turned and walked back to where Max’s mother sat. On impulse, she leaned down and gave the older woman kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, for all you have done to make me feel at home.”

  Bethany reached up and gave her arm a squeeze. “You’re like family now, Callie. To be honest, I can’t imagine not having you around.”

  Looking down into her earnest face, Callie could see a hint of moisture in her eyes. “I’ll be back before the afternoon,” she promised.

  Bethany nodded.

  Callie exited the house and walked to the barn.

  Princess heard her footsteps and whinnied as she gazed over the fence.

  Drawn to the horse, Callie reached inside the pocket of her vest and removed a cube of sugar she took from breakfast. Offering the mare the treat, she rubbed her neck. “Were you waiting for me, girl?”

  The horse tossed her head as if to nod yes.

  “Shall we go for a ride?” Grabbing the halter, she slipped it over Princess’s head and led her from the pasture. In quick succession, she had the saddle and bridle secure. Leading the horse out into the yard, she grasped the stirrup and with acquired grace, she swung aboard. Princess waited for her to get situated. Callie gathered the reins and with a gentle tap of her heels, they hurried across the yard to the trail that led to Rattlesnake ridge.

  Once on the road, Callie gave Princess her head and let the horse swing into a soft lope. She found the gait less jarring that the jog. The road was wide enough for wagons and she enjoyed having it to herself. Her hat fell backwards held against her throat by the narrow strips of latigo. A mile or so down the road, she pulled back on the reins and Princess slowed to a stop.

  The horse took a deep breath.

  She leaned forward and patted her neck. “I know, you want to run some more. However, today we are going exploring in a different direction. Melinda told me the trail to the meadow turns here at the old stump.”

  She pulled her hand to the right and the reins pulled across the left side of the horse’s neck. With a flick of her ears, Princess turned off the main road and onto the narrow trail that snaked its way across the small rise. Callie allowed the horse to pick her own speed and way across the hillside. A grove of tall pines sheltered her from the sun.

  “It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

  The horse snorted.

  Callie could feel a rise in the trail as she leaned forward and pushed back a low hanging branch. A few feet ahead, the trees thinned and the trail curled downward into the valley.

  “Whoa.”

  Princess came to a halt.

  Callie stood in her stirrups and gazed at the scenery below. If she thought the vision of the valley at the bench on the overhang was stunning, nothing prepared her for the supreme beauty that assaulted her senses. Everywhere she looked, right or left, the floor was littered with a perfusion of color. Blossoms of red, white, pink, and blue erupted on all sides, curling in a lush carpet toward the stream that meandered through the center.

  “Oh, my,” she breathed. “This is a magical place.”

  Regaining her seat, she tapped Princess’s side and the horse moved forward. Even before she made it to the meadow floor, the scent of their blossoms filled the air.

  * * *

  The day was growing tedious. The line of cattle stretched out a good three to four miles behind where Max rode. Augustus had taken point with two other wranglers. He’d sent Melinda to the left rear where Red would keep an eye on her and Max could easily get to her should trouble arise. Today, however, the cattle seemed complacent to follow behind the others
. The scent of the lush grass ahead acted like the siren’s call urging them forward.

  A yearling stepped away from the line to snatch a long blade of grass just off the trail. Max gave a sharp whistle. The steer perked up. He ceased his chewing and stared like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Max gave it a dark glare. The steer’s ears flipped and he hurried back to the line.

  “Good, just keep it that way,” he growled at the bovine.

  Max gave his dapple gray a tap with his spurs. The horse moved forward to remind the rest of the herd to keep moving. “I’ve got my eye on you my inquisitive friend.”

  The cattle hurried along.

  From his right, Max heard the sound of hoof beats pounding toward him. Pulling up, he turned in the saddle to watch his younger brother come abreast of him.

  He pulled his chestnut to a halt and dropped his hands to the pommel of the saddle before speaking, “How goes it?” Augustus asked.

  “Quiet as usual,” Max answered.

  “Good.” His brother gave a nod. “I’m riding ahead to open the gate. We will have them in and secure before midafternoon.”

  Max gave a nod. “Good. Since we are close to the Nolan place, I thought I might head over and see Lou.”

  A somber look took over his brother’s expression. “I hope for your sake, Lou and his friends have come up with a plan.”

  Max looked down at the leather reins in his hands before sending his gaze over to his brother. “I hope for their sake, they have too.” Max let go a sigh as he looked toward the horizon. “I can’t keep her on the ranch forever. At some point, she’s going to get curious and want to go into town. It would be all too easy for someone to tell her the truth.”

  “And make you look like the king of fools,” Augustus added.

  Max didn’t deny what his brother said was true.

  “Course, maybe-just maybe, you should do that.”

  Max swiveled his head back toward his brother so fast he could hear the muscles snap. A low warning rumble rose from his chest. “What do you mean by that?”

  Augustus lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Well, I was just thinking, if she knew Seth was married, then she’d realize she could either go home or find someone else to get married to.”