He beckoned to Elizabeth. "Approach her slowly, stroke her nose, and let her smell you. Talk to her gently."
Elizabeth complied. "Hello, mamma." She rubbed the mare's nose. "I've come to admire your baby. She's very beautiful, and I'm sure you must be very proud." She glanced at the nursing foal. "Your baby has a good appetite. I'm sure she'll grow up to be strong and as fast as the wind."
"That's good," Nick said in encouragement. "Now she'll let you near her foal. The baby's stopped nursin', so approach her the same way you did her mama."
Elizabeth advanced slowly. She held out her hand until the filly wobbled to her with cautious steps.
"Hello, Star."
Star let Elizabeth stroke her head and body. Elizabeth sank to her knees in the straw, disregarding the possible damage to her skirt.
"Oh, you're so beautiful," she crooned to the baby. "You do have a star on your forehead."
Star nudged Elizabeth's face, and she kissed the filly's soft nose. Her own reactions amazed her. Who'd have ever thought that proper Elizabeth Hamilton would be on her knees in a barn kissing a horse!
Happiness arose in her, as if this foal brought an awareness of the possibilities of Elizabeth's new life. For a moment, her heart opened, taking in the horses, the children, and even Nick.
#
That strange feeling came back to Nick's stomach, although this time it traveled upward to the vicinity of his heart. His hands stroked and soothed the mare, but all his attention centered on the woman kneeling in the straw.
The haughty attitude Elizabeth sometimes displayed had vanished. Happiness lit up her face, and her eyes shone with love.
Look at me that way, he silently pleaded. He knew Star didn't appreciate her loving attention the same way he would.
As if hearing his thoughts, Elizabeth glanced up. As their gazes met, it took all his willpower to continue stroking the mare.
He wanted to go to her, take her hand, kneel down in the straw, and tell her how he felt. Only he didn't know how he felt. And even if he did know, he didn't know what words to say, and even if he did know the words, she wouldn't....
Sara's voice, begging to pet Star brought him back to the moment. Nick looked away from Elizabeth, and she scrambled to her feet.
"Of course, Sara," she said. "I didn't mean to be selfish. It's just that I've never fallen in love with a horse before." She shook the straw out of her skirt. "It's had quite an effect on me. I forgot you were waiting."
What about me? Nick thought. Could you bring yourself to let some of that love spill over to me? He mentally shook his head at his fantasy and made an effort to sound normal. "One of you at a time. Let Lizzy go first."
When Elizabeth turned to leave, he stopped her with a light touch on her shoulder. "You can stay with Lizzy, Miss Hamilton. I just didn't want all the children in here at once."
After each child had time with Star, Nick shooed them off. "I think the baby's had enough company for today," he said over their protests. "You can see her again tomorrow."
"Aunt Elizabeth wants to see Lizzy ride her pony," Mark said. Can we show her?"
"If it's all right with your mama," Nick told Mark. "Just let me finish up here."
"Come on, Aunt Elizabeth." Mark grabbed Elizabeth's hand. "You gotta see the rest of the animals."
Elizabeth obediently followed.
The only animals in the barn left for Elizabeth to meet were the milk cows. Elizabeth learned more than she ever wanted to know about milking, churning butter, and making cheese.
She'd never given a thought to where dairy products came from. They had just magically appeared on the table, and she took them for granted. Elizabeth almost wished she'd remained ignorant. She didn't like to think about where her food originated.
During the warmer months, the Carters kept the pigs in back of the barn. While not unfamiliar with the smell of horse droppings, pig stench was another matter. Elizabeth held her hand over her nose while they introduced her to the pigs, including a huge sow nursing her piglets.
The sow rose to its feet, tumbling off the piglets. It gave Elizabeth a baleful look, then shook its ungainly body, sending mud droplets all over the place,
Elizabeth didn't step back soon enough and ended up with smelly mud flecked across her face and clothes.
"Uggggh," Mark said. His sisters burst into giggles.
Dismayed, Elizabeth took out her lace-edged handkerchief and scrubbed at her face, knowing she might have left smudges. Then she tried to wipe her shirtwaist, to no avail. She sighed. Welcome to the West, Elizabeth.
Sara sobered. "Mama can lend you a clean one, Aunt Elizabeth."
Elizabeth regarded the soiled piece of cloth, no longer recognizable as fine linen, and shuddered. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I have more." She tossed the handkerchief in the pigpen, where the sow proceeded to collapse on it.
Beyond learning that they slaughtered the pigs in the fall, and the children liked playing with the cleaned and blown-up bladders, Elizabeth was thankful to avoid a long discussion of living pork and ham. They didn't linger in the vicinity of the pigpens, but left the livestock and headed to the front of the house.
Now Elizabeth had more time to examine the ranch house. Pamela's yellow daffodils had faded around their edges, but the tulips displayed all their scarlet glory. The lilacs near the side of the house showed purple buds that in a few weeks would burst into fragrant flowers. Several tall trees shaded a rough-cut lawn of new grass. One of the trees had a white bench circling the trunk. The limb of another tree held a swing.
"That's our swing," Sara told Elizabeth. "Nick made it for us. It's strong enough to hold Mama, although she doesn't ever play on it. She tested it to make sure it held our weight."
"Your father would be a better test," Elizabeth joked. "Couldn't Nick persuade him?"
"No," Sara answered seriously. "Father offered, but Nick wouldn't let him. He said he'd not only break the swing, but he'd probably break the tree."
"Why don't we go back so Lizzy can show me how well she rides," Elizabeth suggested. "Mark, run ahead and ask your mama if Lizzy can ride her pony."
Mark raced off. Elizabeth and the two girls followed. By the time they arrived at the house, Pamela had joined Mark on the porch.
"Just a quick ride before supper," she told her youngest daughter. "You children run and tell Nick to get Susie saddled up." She turned to Elizabeth, surveying her face. "I was about to ask if they've been taking good care of you."
"An encounter with one of your pigs."
"They've gotten me a time or two. You learn to watch and dodge."
"I'll just stay away," Elizabeth said, her tone ironic. She changed her tone. "Your children are darlings. Although Lizzy didn't say more than two words to me."
"She doesn't talk as much as the others did at her age. It's not that she doesn't know the words, it's just that she doesn't use them."
The two women headed toward the corral.
"She worries me," Pamela confided. "She's so fragile. She has the appetite of a sparrow."
"She's small-boned and tiny like a bird. I can see why you'd worry. Perhaps it's just a stage she'll grow out of."
"I hope so. But it's the way she's always been. I keep hoping that when she gets older, she'll be stronger."
"Too bad you don't have the recipe for your nanny's tonic," Elizabeth said in an attempt to lighten Pamela's mind. "She always told you it would help you grow big and strong."
"Ugh," said Pamela with a shudder. "That horrible drink. I had to hold my nose in order to swallow it. I used to envy you because your nanny didn't make you down a nasty tonic."
"Well, it worked." Elizabeth laughed. "You and your brothers all grew up strong and healthy."
Pamela wrinkled her nose. "I think we survived in spite of the tonic, not because of it. I could never inflict something like that on my children." A shadow crossed her face. "And it didn't work for Mary."
The same clutch of fear she'd experienced yesterday
tightened Elizabeth's heart. So, Pamela did see Lizzy's resemblance to her frail sister. And it was clear she worried about her daughter. Elizabeth didn't know what to say to comfort her friend, so she reached out and touched her shoulder.
By this time, the two women had rounded the barn and stood in front of the corral. With her dress hitched to her knees, Lizzy rode astride her brown pony.
As Nick led the pony at a sedate walk, Lizzy's face glowed with delight. "Look at me, Aunt Elizabeth!" The child waved so strongly, she almost lost her balance. A quick hand from Nick righted her.
Hearing Lizzy actually direct a sentence toward her caused Elizabeth to exchange an astonished look with Pamela. "I see you, dear," she called and waved back.
Nick touched Lizzy's leg and reminded her to grip the pony tighter with her knees. He continued to lead the pony around the edge of the corral, instructing the child in a quiet tone.
Elizabeth watched how patient Nick was with the little girl--his love for Lizzy apparent in the tone of his voice and every careful move. His teaching techniques contrasted with the few lessons she'd received as a child. To her instructor, she'd just been another pupil, and he'd been rather abrupt with her. She'd been frightened by the whole experience.
No wonder the children rode so well. They'd had the best instruction possible. She thought about the gentle way Nick guided the pony and the touch of his strong hands. Becoming uncomfortable with such physical thoughts, and to distract herself, she focused instead on her disapproval of Lizzy riding without a sidesaddle. "Pamela, why are your girls riding astride? Is that common out here?"
Pamela let out a sigh. "With a few women, though most use a sidesaddle. But it's something John feels strongly about. Riding astride is safer and gives the rider more control of the horse."
"It just seems so unladylike."
"It's not like riding in the park in the city or on someone's country estate, Elizabeth." Pamela's tone sharpened. "Living on a ranch means living near cattle. Sometimes they stampede."
"I had no idea." Elizabeth suppressed a flash of apprehension. "You're poking a hole in the idyllic picture I had of the peaceful bovine," she said in a wry tone of voice.
"Under the conditions here, the girls need to be able to react quickly, and they can do that better if they're astride.
"Oh."
"The alternative is to keep them in the house all day." Pamela gestured to the children watching Lizzy's lesson. "As you can see, that's not an option they'd be happy with. When they're older, I'll insist the girls at least learn to ride sidesaddle, so if they need to make a ladylike impression, they can."
Elizabeth could see the sense of Pamela and John's decision.
"I suppose you're also wondering why Sara is wearing boys' clothes?"
"Yes, I was. Do other girls out here wear trousers?"
"Not many," said Pamela with another sigh. "And she doesn't wear them to school. John had a little sister he adored. Sara's named after her. When his sister was six, there was a terrible accident. The children were playing near an open fire. Her dress flared out over the flames and caught on fire. Terrified, she ran. John tried to catch her. But it was too late. She died of her burns."
"Merciful God!" Elizabeth stiffened and covered her mouth with her hand. It had been heartbreaking enough for the two girls when Pamela's sister, Mary, died. But she'd died of an illness, and the family had had a few days to prepare themselves. How much more tragic to lose a beloved younger sister in such a horrible way!
"He still blames himself. So that's why the girls wear trousers--although Lizzy doesn't usually..."
The flames of the long ago tragedy burned Elizabeth's critical feelings to ashes, leaving her shaken. If wearing boys' clothes would keep Sara and Lizzy safe, she'd wholeheartedly support John and Pamela's decision.
Life was fragile enough, especially for children. Parents had to do everything in their power to protect them. Even then, it often wasn't enough....
Pamela seemed to sense Elizabeth's feelings. "John would be fine if I wore trousers," she said in an apparent attempt to lighten the conversation. "Could you imagine me in men's clothing?"
Elizabeth made an effort to shake her melancholy thoughts. "I don't even want to think about it," she said with mock firmness.
Pamela laughed, then called out to the children. "Time to wash up before dinner. Remember, you're taking a bath tonight so you'll be clean for our guests tomorrow."
"Oh, Mama," Mark groaned. "Does that mean we have to stay in the house all day?"
"Yes. That's the only way you'll stay clean. Besides, you have to do your lessons for school. You've missed two days of studying."
Mark let out another groan, but along with his sister, obediently headed to the house.
Nick opened the gate of the corral and led Lizzy's pony toward the two women.
"Lizzy, you ride so well," Elizabeth told the child. She directed a warm smile to Nick. "And you're lucky to have such a good teacher."
Nick raised an eyebrow and tipped his hat to her.
"Do you think I could ride your pony?" she teased Lizzy. "Or do you think I'd be too big?"
Lizzy shook her head. "Too big."
Elizabeth laughed, delighted to get a second sentence from the child.
"It's time to wash up, Lizzy," Pamela said to her daughter.
Lizzy dropped the reins and held out both arms to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's heart warmed with love at the little girl's trusting gesture. She gave a quick look to Pamela for permission, and at her friend's nod, lifted Lizzy off the pony.
Lizzy wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's neck and squeezed thin legs around her waist. Surprised, Elizabeth directed an astonished look at Nick and Pamela. They laughed in response.
"Lizzy's just being a monkey, Miss Hamilton," Nick said. "Would you like me to take her?"
Elizabeth nestled the child to her, inhaling her little girl scent. She shook her head. Now that Lizzy had finally reached out to her, she wasn't going to give her up.
Nick seemed to understand her reaction. "Does something to you, doesn't it, when she puts those skinny little arms around you and hangs on that way?"
She nodded in whole-hearted agreement.
"Come on, you two." Pamela turned to walk to the house.
Elizabeth smiled good-bye at Nick, but his words disturbed her.
The child in her arms felt too much like Mary. Light in weight. Limbs stick-thin. Her fingers could feel every rib. She dropped a soft kiss on Lizzy's forehead.
Lizzy laid her head on Elizabeth's shoulder and snuggled closer.
Touched to tears by the feeling of the child in her arms, she could only hug her tighter and say a prayer. Please, please, let her grow up strong and healthy.
CHAPTER NINE
The next morning Elizabeth awoke eager for her first horseback ride. As she headed for the barn, she lifted the wide skirt of her Hussar-blue velvet riding habit, careful to keep the hem off the ground. She didn't even want to think of the velvet absorbing the smelly muck around the horses.
Dressed in a blue shirt and indigo denim trousers, she saw Nick waiting for her. Up close, she noticed his clothes made his green eyes look almost blue.
When he saw her, his blue-green gaze lit with appreciation. "Morning, ma'am."
Elizabeth made a face at him.
"Sorry." His eyes lit with laughter. "Let me try again. Morning, Miss Hamilton."
She grinned back at him. "Good morning, Nick."
"How's the hand?"
She held her hand, clad in a blue-leather riding glove, and gave it an experimental flex. "Much better."
"Let me know if it bothers you. Perhaps we'd better just go for a short ride."
"That would probably be best."
"How much have you ridden?" he asked.
"Only a little in the summers when I stayed at a friend's country estate. I had some lessons as a child." Elizabeth admitted. "It's been quite a while. I only rode once last summer."
A brown horse with white speckles on his withers waited, already saddled. Nick went over to him and stroked his neck. "Freckles, This is Miss Elizabeth Hamilton." Freckles nuzzled Nick's face, making soft blowing noises. Nick untied the horse and mounted him in a smooth practiced motion.
Nick rode next to Elizabeth. She could tell he watched her closely, his body alert to any possible assistance she might need.
"You can relax, Nick."
"I'm responsible for your safety, Miss Hamilton."
"I'm sure Belle won't run away with me."
He didn't change his watchfulness. "Just want to be sure."
It had been a long time since she'd experienced a man's protectiveness. She liked the feeling of security his care gave her. Her mind flashed to Caleb Livingston. He, too, would be quite the gentleman. She imagined him placing his arm around her---
"We'll ride along the river," Nick said, interrupting her fantasy. "It's a mighty pretty sight."
A mighty pretty sight indeed. Puffy white clouds floated across the azure blue sky. Pine-covered mountains, crowned by snowcaps, folded down into foothills that ringed the valley. Beneath the clouds, the play of sun and shadow cast hazy blue-green patches on the mountainsides. A distant large-winged bird rode an air current before diving into a clump of trees.
Side by side, the two horses meandered along a path, heading toward a strand of trees. The bubbling sound of water flowing over rocks reached her before she saw the river. Budding trees threw shadows over the swiftly moving translucent green water. Brown mossy rocks jutted up throughout the river, causing small rippling waves. Here and there, quieter pools looked calm.
The sounds and sights of the water relaxed muscles Elizabeth hadn't known she'd tensed. She loved to be near water and had been afraid she'd miss the ocean. That concern eased from her mind.
Elizabeth knew she'd be spending a lot of time on this riverbank. She'd bring a book to read, or her paints. Soon, there'd be river scenes to add to Pamela's seascapes.
Wild Montana Sky (The Montana Sky Series) Page 9
