by Sylvia Nobel
The noisy excitement came to an abrupt halt when Ronda whistled and called sharply, “Leave it!” The dogs immediately fell silent, pivoted and ran towards the porch. Tally’s dark-haired sister lifted a welcoming hand and issued a halfhearted smile. She had a real knack for communicating with animals, but people, not so much. She and her mother shared that particular trait. I introduced her to everyone and then she herded the dogs behind the house just as Tally stepped outside, raising one hand in a friendly greeting. “Howdy, folks. Welcome to the Starfire!”
Howdy? He was pouring on the Arizona rancher persona a bit thick, wasn’t he? Nevertheless, my heart quickened as he ambled down the steps and strode towards us. Damn, he looked good. So good that I momentarily forgot I had a bone to pick with him. Wearing a soft blue shirt, slim jeans, well-worn boots and Stetson hat, he looked every bit the part of the quintessential American cowboy. When he flashed me his signature crooked grin, I was reminded again of how much I loved this ruggedly handsome man with his keen intellect, calm temperament and steadfast disposition. I glanced towards the house to see if there was any sign that his mother planned to make an appearance as well. Nope. So far so good. If she waited until later that was fine with me. The less my family had to be exposed to her, the better.
As I’d predicted, Tally and my dad hit it off from the first handshake. “Bradley Talverson, sir. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. O’Dell.”
“Bill, just call me Bill,” my dad replied, his face beaming. He pointed to the big tent. “Thank you for inviting us here today and going to the trouble of having this shindig for us.”
“No trouble at all and call me Tally.”
My brother extended his hand exclaiming, “This is a really cool place.”
Pride glistening in his deep brown eyes, Tally replied with a winning smile, “Thanks, but there’s still a whole lot more to see.”
His attempts to charm my mother didn’t appear to be as successful. She assumed a polite smile, but still seemed detached as we toured the barns and corrals to show off his line of prize-winning Appaloosa horses. Dad and Sean asked a million questions so I waited patiently while Tally recited a brief history of how they’d been originally bred by the Nez Perce tribe in Idaho, explained the selective breeding process to maintain the genetic purity and pointed out the unique coloration—the various spotting patterns overlaid on top of the recognized base colors including splashes of contrasting color on the hindquarters of each horse known as the ‘blanket.’
Tally introduced everyone to Jake, his long-time, craggy-faced foreman, and several of the other ranch hands, one being the new hire, Vernon Holmes, chunky, blonde and current squeeze of the dreadful Lucinda. If I had to guess, I’d say he was at least ten years her junior, definitely placing her in the cougar category. Tally had given him high marks, citing his expertise with horses, but he didn’t rate very high in my book because of their relationship.
It seemed to take forever, but we finally made our way towards the main barn where my horse was stabled. Itching to show her off, I dug in my pocket for the sugar cubes she’d be expecting. As I approached her stall she nickered softly. “Hey, you cutie!” I crooned, reaching out to stroke her mottled black muzzle. “Well, here she is! Meet Starlight Sky, the prettiest little mare in Arizona.”
Sean, who had learned to ride horses bareback at his best friend’s farm and was a far more accomplished rider than me, stepped forward to stroke her neck. “Didn’t you luck out getting your own horse?”
I couldn’t keep from grinning. “I did, didn’t I?”
While Starlight Sky munched the sugar cubes, I grabbed her halter off the hook and secured it before leading her out into the sunlit corral so everyone could get a better look at her stunning ‘white splotches over black’ color pattern. Acting as if she was aware of all the attention, she put on quite a performance by tossing her head, swishing her tail and prancing around in circles showing off her striped hooves.
There was additional oohing and aahing as Tally led his stallion Geronimo, a spirited bay boasting a distinctive white snowflake pattern, into the arena. He discussed the more unique features of the breed, which made them popular for riding, cutting, reining and roping. Even my mother appeared more interested. “Well, what did you folks decide about seeing the building site for our new house?” Tally inquired, casting a doubtful glance at my dad’s booted foot before pointing to the northeast. “That’s Sidewinder Hill. It’s about a mile and a half or so from here. I can have my men saddle up the horses for a short ride or Jake can drive you over there in my truck.”
Sean grinned at me. “I know how much Kenny is dying to show off her riding skills, so I’m down for that.”
I could tell by my dad’s frustrated expression that he was struggling with his decision and was surprised when he boldly announced, “You know what? I didn’t come three thousand miles to miss out on this adventure.” He winked at me and turned to Tally. “Young man, if you can get me on the horse, I think I can handle the ride.”
Genuine concern crossed my mother’s face. “Are you sure about this, dear? I don’t really think it’s a good idea considering your condition.”
He eyed her with a look of stubborn determination that invited no argument. “I’m sure. What about you? Would you be more comfortable riding in the truck?”
She hesitated and I felt kind of sorry for her being put on the spot, considering that he knew how nervous she was around horses. “I…I guess if you feel up to it, I can give it a try.” I could tell she didn’t want to be left out.
Tally and I exchanged a perceptive glance. “The horses will be ready in about twenty minutes,” he said, leading Geronimo towards the gate before turning around to address my mother. “I’ll make sure you get Sheba. She’s even-tempered, very gentle and in fact, she’s the one Kendall rode on her first ride with me last spring.”
“Thank you,” she said with an indulgent smile. “That’s very kind of you.”
We followed Tally from the corral and I waved to two of his experienced stable hands. Juan and George returned my greeting with wide grins and as we neared the barn, Vernon appeared near the entrance. “Want me to saddle her up for you, Miss O’Dell?”
“No thanks, I’ll do it.”
“You can help with the others,” Tally instructed him, pointing towards the second corral where Jake was leading three of my favorite horses.
“Yes, sir.”
While Big Blue, Apache, and Sheba were being readied, I saddled Starlight Sky and then led her back to the corral. When I mounted her smoothly and began to trot her around the corral, a tingle of pride rippled over me as Sean hollered “Yee Haa” and my dad clapped enthusiastically.
But it was even more gratifying to see the look of reluctant admiration on my mother’s face. Hopefully she would accept the fact that I wasn’t a city girl any longer. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be living in the Arizona desert and engaged to marry a wealthy rancher I wouldn’t have believed it.
To make things super easy for my father, Tally had provided a couple of wooden pallets for him to stand on. He and Jake helped him up, then laced their fingers together and gently eased him into the saddle, adjusting the one stirrup he could use. Sean bantered with Vernon as I reassured my mother, who was clearly uneasy straddling Sheba. In a surprise move, Tally gifted each of them with a beautiful new Stetson hat, which brought gracious smiles and words of gratitude from each family member. It was heartening to see the shadow of uncertainty in my mother’s hazel eyes finally recede as everyone posed for a photo.
By the time we rode out single file with Tally in the lead and Jake pulling up to the rear, it was closing in on three o’clock. A feeling of euphoria overcame me as we rode across the cactus-covered desert. Now this was perfect—bright sunshine in my face, a light breeze and my loved ones gathered together to share a memorable experience and a little slice of my new lif
estyle.
“You doing okay, Dad?” I inquired, loping up beside his blue roan while Starlight Sky tugged at the bit in her attempt to break into a gallop.
“So far so good,” he responded, his face beaming with pleasure as he adjusted his hat to shade his eyes.
“Is your foot okay? Does it hurt?”
“Yeah, but I can deal with it.”
“You’re a trooper, Dad,” I said, grinning.
“No big deal.” Lowering his voice, his nodded towards Tally riding ahead of Sean. “You made a good choice, kiddo.”
“Yeah, I think so too.” He’d said it loud enough for my mother to overhear behind us. I glanced back and caught her faint smile. While not exactly a ringing endorsement, her expression conveyed gradual acceptance. Progress! As we rode on past imposing rock formations, saguaro and barrel cactus plumped up from the rain, Tally turned and warned everyone to stay away from the jumping cactus, called cholla. The golden field of teddy bear cholla that appeared soft and inviting from a distance, was anything but. My dad rode up beside Tally and continued to grill him for details on running a ranch. When we neared Sidewinder Hill, it struck me that I had been so preoccupied all day, I’d completely forgotten to call and check on Ginger. Stung with guilt, I vowed to contact her before the festivities got under way later. It also dawned on me that Fritzy had never returned my call or sent me a text. But that wasn’t unexpected. She was either busy or, more likely, it was too early in her investigation to have any concrete news.
Long afternoon shadows had begun to creep across the landscape as we advanced up the slope towards the building site, and when we finally arrived at the top, everyone looked suitably impressed. I dismounted, tied Starlight Sky to a tree, then helped my mother down before pulling the building plans from Tally’s saddlebag while he and Jake got my dad comfortably seated on flat rock. He was visibly uncomfortable, but I knew he’d never complain about it.
Aware that we had a finite amount of time before dusk, I spread out the plans on the ground and then Tally and I fielded questions. “That’s going to be some house,” my dad remarked with an approving nod before his gaze traveled to the valley below and beyond to the distant purple mountains. “And you’re gonna have one hell of a view!”
Anxious for my mother’s endorsement, I made eye contact with her. “Well, Mom, what do you think?”
She chewed her lower lip for a few seconds before answering. “Well, I love the layout, but four thousand square feet is going to be a lot to take care of and…do you think you’ll be happy living here on this isolated hilltop so far from the main house and…everything?”
I traded a knowing look with Tally. She had no idea how ecstatic I would be to have more than a mile separating me from Ruth.
“She’ll have house help,” Tally interjected with a benevolent smile, sliding his arm around my waist. “And she won’t be alone.” His intimate suggestion brought a blush to my mom’s face and she quickly looked away, clutching her coat tighter. “It’s getting chilly. Shouldn’t we be starting back?”
“Not before I find a place to take a dump,” Sean announced impishly. I could tell he was deliberately needling her.
“Sean, really. Must you be so crude?” She skewered him with a contemptuous glare while the rest of us stifled laughter.
Tally directed him to go behind some boulders while he and Jake helped my father remount Big Blue and then gave my mother a leg up. I glanced at my watch, calculating that we should get back just about sunset, which would give everyone a half an hour to freshen up before the barbeque got underway. We trekked back down the hill, Tally in the lead followed by my parents, Jake, and Sean behind me. When the ground leveled out, Sean trotted up beside me. “How about you and me have a little race?” His eyes sparkled with challenge. “Just plodding along at this pace is putting me and this awesome animal to sleep.”
Starlight Sky, who’d been champing at her bit to cut loose the entire ride, apparently agreed by yanking the reins insistently and blowing softly. “You sure you’re up for it?”
“Try me.”
When we pulled even with Tally I told him we were going to give the horses their head and he nodded with instructions to first walk our horses in the opposite direction from the ranch. “We don’t want to get the others all wound up,” he cautioned, looking back to check on my folks.
“We’ll be back shortly,” I informed my parents before turning the horses westward into the waning afternoon sunlight. The animals seemed to instinctively know what was in store and we had trouble keeping them contained until I determined we were far enough away. When I finally relaxed the reins, Starlight Sky took off and Sean hollered, “Ride ‘em, cowgirl!” as he urged Apache into a full gallop. It was exhilarating to race side by side through the desert on the sure-footed horses and we were both laughing breathlessly by the time we’d guided them in a wide arc and finally spotted the other riders ahead. As we approached, I reined Starlight Sky to a slow trot, but Sean ignored Tally’s warning about exciting the other horses and, in an apparent effort to impress our parents, loped the powerful chestnut in circles around them, waving his hat in one hand and yelling, “Yeeee Haaaaw!”
Tally’s eyes flashed with annoyance and Jake intervened with a stern, “Best simmer down now, young fella.”
Looking sheepish, Sean immediately slowed to a walk behind my mother. “Son-of-a-bitch that was fun,” he crowed, jamming the hat back on his head.
I teased him for being a show-off as Jake eased up enough to allow Sean to cut in behind me. We rode on in companionable silence watching the sun’s slow journey towards the molten amber horizon. We were only about ten minutes from the ranch when Sheba, usually gentle and mellow, suddenly kicked up her heels and lunged sideways, almost unseating my mother, who lost her hat, panicked and dropped the reins. Before any of us could react, the palomino neighed loudly and bolted across the desert with my mother hanging onto the pommel for dear life and my dad shouting, “Alana! Hold on!”
Icy fear stabbed my heart like a knife as her horrified screams filled the air.
CHAPTER
8
We all sat frozen in open-mouthed indecision for what seemed like hours, but in reality it was mere seconds before Tally sprang into action. Spurring Geronimo hard, he thundered after Sheba, swiftly closing the distance between them. And then, in a move reminiscent of countless old western movies, he reached out, wrapped one arm around my mother’s waist and scooped her onto his saddle while he simultaneously slid off it onto the horse’s rear. Sheba kept kicking and bucking as Jake rode up beside her and somehow managed to grab the reins.
“Holy shit!” Sean gasped, goggle-eyed. “That was epic!”
Released from my fear-induced paralysis, I kneed Starlight Sky towards Tally, my adrenalin-charged heart pounding furiously. “Mom, are you all right?” I shouted, riding along side him, both relieved and grateful.
Shaken and disoriented, she replied, “I think so,” then turned to look up at Tally with newfound admiration shining in her eyes. “Thank you so much,” she added in a tremulous voice.
“Yes, thank you,” I chimed in, beaming him an affectionate smile and wondering if he had any idea how much I loved him at this moment. “That was nothing short of miraculous.”
“All in a day’s work,” he said, keeping his tone light. But when we locked eyes, the intense light in his told the true story of how grave the situation could have been. My heart contracted painfully at the thought of her being thrown from a runaway horse and badly hurt or killed. “What’s the story with Sheba?” I asked. “She’s never done anything like this before.”
“Don’t know,” he answered in a distracted tone, watching Jake dismount and attempt to soothe the agitated animal just as my dad and Sean rode up beside us.
“Alana, are you hurt?” my dad inquired in an anxious tone as Sean echoed his concerns. Once they
were convinced that she was okay, Dad exclaimed to Tally, “Young man, that was an outstanding feat of horsemanship.”
Tally tapped the brim of his hat just as Jake whistled and beckoned him to come. We all rode the short distance together and found Sheba standing still, calmly swishing her tail as if nothing had happened. Jake held up his pocket comb with something in it. “She had a couple cholla balls wedged under the blanket.”
“Ouch. No wonder she went ape shit,” Sean muttered. He darted me a strange look that I interpreted as guilt as I dismounted to retrieve my mother’s hat and return it to her. Was he blaming himself for the horse’s odd behavior? I had to admit that it was possible. Apache may have kicked up the offending spikey cactus balls during his little rodeo act earlier. Just to be safe, Tally decided against putting my mother back on Sheba and as we all rode into the corral, the postcard skyline glowed like a halo of fire—quickly fading from brilliant shades of iridescent copper to fiery scarlet-orange as the sun winked out behind the darkened mountains.
Jake insisted on tending to the horses himself and assured us he’d join us all later. My mother fretted that she should have brought a change of clothing so she wouldn’t smell like ‘horse.’ Looking amused, Tally assured her that since everything around us smelled like horses no one would notice. Then he grabbed my hand, and when we rounded the corner of the barn, I gaped in surprise at the sight of the big tent blazing with light and packed with rows of tables and chairs. Several ranch hands scurried here and there, taking instructions from Ronda who stood in the soft reddish glow of a tall propane heater. The fiddle and guitar players were warming up on the bandstand and the pungent odor of burning mesquite wood permeated the air. Sparkling string lights draped over the palo verde trees and cactus gave the usually empty clearing a carnival-like ambiance. “Tally!” I exclaimed, squeezing his hand, “What an amazing transformation! You guys have really outdone yourselves!” It was obvious he’d spared no expense and my throat tightened with appreciation.
