On the Mountain

by Peggy Ann Craig

  She looked up at the huge animal. From this side of the fence, the filly was much taller than she realized. Her eyes made contact with the horse.

  “You need a saddle boy?”

  Never having used one before she shook her head. That was a luxury her family never had, therefore, bareback was the only form for them.

  “Suit yourself.” She thought she caught a smirk in the corner of his mouth as he turned away and tied the rope to the bridle as a makeshift rein, but she sincerely doubted as much. “I’ll hold her if you wanna go ahead and get on.”

  “What’s going on?” A few ranch hands had come over to investigate.

  “The new ranch hand here is going to give Lucy a go.”

  Anna thought Joe’s voice sounded far too bright. A trickle of apprehension crept down her spine.

  “Hell, this should be good.” One of the ranch hands muttered and plopped himself on the top rung of the fence to watch. The others did as well.

  “Go on kid,” Joe said, looking down at her. “Or ya change your mind?”

  In a split second, Anna knew if she was ever to gain this man’s respect she would have to climb on top of that horse. She had no idea what “schooling a horse” meant, but she knew what breaking a horse was, and she had a funny feeling the two were one and the same. Back home, that job was left to her father and brother. She had often watched and cringed at the apparent danger.

  Putting her fears aside, she gripped the reins and felt the horse instinctively withdraw. She paused, waiting for the animal to calm itself before she tried once more. Again the animal did a little dance, shift her rump furthest from Anna. She would have gladly waited again until the horse had stopped moving altogether, but Joe had other ideas.

  “Hell, kid, we ain’t got all day.” In one swift movement he gripped her around the waist and tossed her onto the back of the horse.

  There was a moment’s hesitation where Anna felt the horse’s entire body tense before suddenly bursting into life. She pranced and bucked, trying desperately to remove the small woman on her back. Terrified, all Anna could do was hold on for dear life. Lucy neighed with a mix of anger and fear, shaking her head and body in massive convulsions. The cowboys on the fence were shouting and hooting, egging her on. Joe had leaped out of the way, grinning from ear to ear as he watched the wild beast tossing the human on her back like a rag doll.

  Very quickly, Anna’s equilibrium was lost and she knew if she was to remain intact she would have to focus. Drowning out the laughter and whooping calls of the ranch hands, she concentrated instead on the movements of the horse beneath her. Lucy bucked and bolted not once letting up. She was determined to rid herself of the unwanted creature on her back, but Anna could not allow herself to focus on that, or Lucy would have her way. Instead, she honed in on the horse’s mane and used it as a central point to keep herself centered.

  Her legs clung to the horse’s side while her hands gripped the reins with such force, she could feel them cut the skin in her palms. She registered the burning sensation, but the fear of a greater more lethal pain had her holding on with deadly strength.

  * * *

  Wade read the telegram with disappointment. It seemed Kathleen had picked up her child’s influenza bug. The message said she felt fine enough to travel and assumed she would be by the end of the fortnight, but she feared she might still be a carrier of the sometimes deadly illness. She hated to see an epidemic spread throughout the ranch, especially during roundup. The message ended with a promise to visit closer to Christmas, which would also include her entire family. Usually, her visits were alone, which suited Wade just fine. He really never had anything against her husband, but, like Prescott, she had met and married him while being educated in England. The man was far too proper for Wade’s liking. Not surprisingly, Prescott got along with him splendidly.

  But his sister was right on one account. It was best she not come if she was sick. He couldn’t afford to lose one ranch hand this time of year. Even if the boy proved to be a good replacement, more hands were always better than less.

  The reminder of the boy had him stuffing the letter in his breast pocket and turning back toward the paddocks. There was no sense feeling sorry for himself. He would just have to wait. Kathleen would be home soon enough. Winter always came far too soon.

  As he got closer he heard his ranch hands hollering and cheering. He wondered what was going on and discovered soon enough when the paddocks came into sight. There was a rider on the back of Lucy who was doing her best to buck the poor fellow off. The cowboys gathered around the paddock fence were raising their hats and waving them in the air as they watched the lone rider try to tame the wild beast. It only took a split second, but Wade instantly recognized the boy on top of Lucy.

  “Jesus Christ, what the hell is going on here?” he shouted, as he leaped the paddock fence in one stride.

  Joe gave him a guilty grin but said, “The boy wanted to prove himself.”

  “He’s going to break his damn neck.” Wade cursed, non-too-pleased with his lead ranch hand. “Get off the horse, kid!”

  He stood and watched the boy being tossed and bucked in every direction, but amazingly still remained on the horse’s backside. Wade frowned and looked over at Joe. “How long has he been on?”

  His smirk vanished immediately as realization struck the wrangler. “A good five minutes.”

  Admittedly, Wade was impressed, but thrust the thought aside as the forefront of his concern was getting the kid safely off the bucking horse. “Boy, get off the damn horse now!”

  This time he must have heard Wade for his head turned in his direction. He knew the second before it happened, that wasn’t a good thing. The boy lost his momentum and was launched unmercifully into the air. The only thing he could be grateful for, was that Wade was in the position to break his fall. He hit him with a force powered by the throw and knocked Wade to the ground. When the dust finally settled Wade found the boy lying spread eagle across his upper torso.

  It took a moment for them to catch their breath, but eventually the boy moved. His small frame brushed against Wade’s much larger form and created an unexpected reaction in the lower vicinity of Wade’s body. An akin reaction had occurred outside the bullpen when they had landed in a similar position. He swore and the boy looked up startled, bringing his soft facial features within inches of Wade. His heart gave an unexpected lurch.

  Thrusting the kid off, Wade leaped to his feet. The boy was still stunned from the throw and took longer getting to his feet. Joe had come over by then and helped the boy up. “That was one hell of a ride, kid.”

  Wade could feel the boy looking at him, but he refused to return eye contact. He was having trouble controlling the male urge pounding in his groin. Suddenly feeling disgusted with himself, he needed desperately to get away before someone noticed.

  “How old are you kid?” Joe was dusting the dirt from the boy’s hat and putting it back on his head.

  Naturally, there was no reply. Wade glanced at the boy and found his eyes still strained on him. Wade cursed, figuring the kid must have felt his carnal reaction and was puzzled by it. Perhaps even alarmed.

  “Fifteen? Sixteen?” Joe was still talking to the boy, obviously not realizing the affect their collision had caused.

  Wade was at least glad the rest of the ranch hands had disbursed returning to their duties which they had earlier abandoned. He placed his hands on his hips and concentrated on breathing in and out, waiting patiently for his body to return to its natural state. He didn’t want to think about why his body had reacted the way it had. He couldn’t allow his mind to wander into foreign territory. Never before had he reacted that way with any of his ranch hands. Hell, for that matter, any male.

  “I think we can return to roping now, kid.” Joe gave the boy’s shoulder a slap before gathering up the rawhide rope.

  Dutifully, the boy followed Joe but not before shooting a glance in Wade’s direction. Wade noticed, before angrily t
urning aside to head for the wrangler’s outhouse.

  * * *

  It was very apparent Wade was mad at her, Anna thought with her spirits at the lowest they had been all day. She had wanted to make him proud but instead he had been furious and she feared, disappointed. He barely made eye contact with her since she had been thrown from the horse. She felt hurt and hated herself for feeling that way.

  Running her hands over the front of her body in a movement to look as if she was rubbing the dust from her clothing, she instead recalled the feel of him against her body. He was solid and large yet warm and protective. What she wouldn’t have given to have those broad arms come around and embrace her. In his arms she would feel the safety from the nightmares constantly shadowing her every move.

  The night before, she had seen him naked. At least, chest naked. Today she felt that breathtaking form against her own. The joy that ignited throughout her body, surprised her and admittedly alarmed her. She couldn’t afford to be attracted to Wade Haddock no matter how safe he made her feel. Her life depended on it.

  Even if she hadn’t achieved getting Wade’s approval, she had accomplished getting Joe’s respect. She wasn’t entirely sure how since she hadn’t been able to stay on the horse, but from the moment she was thrown his attitude toward her had taken an abrupt change. She was thankful for that. Having Joe’s respect ensured her acceptance in the bunkhouse with the rest of the ranch hands.

  They spent the major part of the morning in the paddock roping the poor calf which Anna had resigned herself to do since she really had no alternative. Later, when she was alone, she would go and visit the creature and bring him a special treat. In all honesty, however, the roping of the animal proved harmless and the fear itself was in the little calf’s mind.

  Still the same, Anna felt a connection. She had felt that same fear from the moment she arrived at the Circle H. But, like the calf, she was discovering the men were harmless and there was nothing to fear from them. However knew that was as long as she remained a boy. If they discovered there was a woman sleeping in their barracks, she just wasn’t sure to what extent her safety would last. And she didn’t want to take the chance.

  It also provided another protection against an evil she couldn’t recall. She didn’t want to think about the mountain and what had happened up there, but it was there all day at the back of her mind. No one had come right out and described the scene they came upon on the mountain, but Anna knew it must have been bad. She had seen men who had encountered many horrible sights, but she had never seen any whose soul had been so clearly sucked dry from their face. But it was there in the eyes of Wade’s men. And Anna had known, even before Prescott had implied the incident on the mountain had been barbaric.

  The remainder of the day was spent mucking the stalls and changing the beds. As there were three barns, she had her work cut out for her. She worked late into the evening and even had to eat her meal alone. It wasn’t until later that she finally had a moment to herself.

  As promised, she made a visit to the little calf when most of the men were enjoying a game of cards. She brought him extra grains of corn stolen from her dinner plate and watched as he devoured them with pleasure. Running a hand over the head of the calf she proceeded to make her exit into the night. The ranch was quiet except for the echo of men's laughter coming from the bunkhouse. In the distance, a coyote could be heard. She stopped to take a deep breath, closing her eyes and allowing the pleasure of her surroundings to wash over her.

  She had always loved the mountains and the vast wilderness she called home. She had heard of the big cities being built along the coast and was grateful to at least be in familiar territory. Anna felt a flutter of joy touch her heart. It was her first since arriving at the ranch. Just as swiftly it was gone and replaced with guilt.

  Without her memory, she had no idea what she had left behind and with that realization came the thought of her family. A pain so severe ripped across her heart and immediately Anna’s mind blocked out any more memory or thought. To appease her conscience, she walked over to the paddock where the horse Lucy was still penned. The moon was high enough to see the horse clearly in the dark. Anna stared at the animal and felt a sympathy for the anger she had felt that day. Opening the gate, she slipped inside the pen.

  The horse gave a short snicker, her warning telling Anna of her distrust of the human, before shuffling a few paces away. Knowing something about the inability to trust, Anna moved at a nonthreatening pace closer. Lucy lifted her head and pinned her ears, but refrained from moving. Reaching out, Anna laid a gentle hand on her neck. The horse shifted her eyes, but allowed the woman’s hand to remain. Anna stared up into the creature’s large wary eyes. Lucy looked back.

  “You’re not planning on riding her again, are you?” Wade’s voice out of the darkness startled her.

  She spun around and found him leaning over the fence into the paddock, silently watching the duo. Anna blinked and tried to make out his face in the darkness. He was too far away. As if reading her mind, he climbed the fence and leaped over to join her in the paddock.

  Lifting a hand, he petted the animal as well. Though she lifted her head in protest, Lucy allowed him to touch her. “I think you might have won her over this afternoon.”

  Anna gazed up into his face. He was looking at the horse rather than her, permitting Anna full rein to stare openly at him for the first time.

  “It’s hard to believe you’ve never broke a horse before,” he said. “Not many of my hands could stay on a bucking animal as long as you did.”

  She felt a jolt of shock. He actually sounded proud of her rather than disappointed as she earlier thought.

  “Apparently, this filly isn’t the only one you have won over today. Joe sounded mighty pleased when he told me how well you’re doing at roping.” He ran his hand up and down the neck of the horse in a soothing gesture. “He also mentioned you completed a full day of hard work.”

  She stared up into his face and liked the way the moon danced across his features.

  “We’ll probably get you started on herding tomorrow but keep practicing your roping.”

  She nodded.

  He paused seemingly intent on the horse’s neck. “I might just have been wrong about you.”

  Anna had an overwhelming urge to raise her hand and cover his with her own where it lay against the horse’s soft coat.

  He turned and looked down at her in the darkness. “You might just make an excellent ranch hand after all.”

  Hearing his approval should have made her heart sing, instead she felt her spirits drop. She didn’t want to be this man’s ranch hand. She wanted much more.

  “It’s getting late, the men will be turning in soon.” He stepped away from the horse but made no effort to leave. “You best get along. I’m sure today has worn you out and tomorrow will be just as full.”

  Anna nodded slowly but didn’t agree. She didn’t want to leave. She loved being outside with the animals, and with the man. With a start she blinked and took a quick step backwards. Her thoughts were becoming more troublesome. From here on out she would have to be more careful where she allowed them to stray. Or there was the fear of her feelings following shortly after. She turned and climbed over the gate fence, then ran back to the bunkhouse. Wade had remained where she left him.

  * * *

  The next couple of days Joe spent hours training the boy for the upcoming roundup on the southwestern terrain. It would be impossible to have him fully trained before that, but sufficient enough to get along. Besides, Wade always felt the best school of learning was hands-on experience.

  Atmosphere at the ranch had changed in those few short days. Spirits were brighter and everyone seemed to be getting along. In particular the boy. Wade couldn’t express how pleased it made him to know he was fitting in with the ranch hands. The group was a crusty and brash ensemble but were jolly and good-natured. Wade had hand-picked the lot of them himself, except the cook and old Chuck Rhodes.
Both had been with the ranch since the days of his father.

  Chuck was probably the only one who stood out of the group. His odd behavior was an easy target for the cowboys. Even Wade had begun to notice some unusual conduct. Like the time the men were in the shoot, rounding up cattle and the boy was in the watering hole filling the animal troughs. Chuck showed up out of nowhere and as the boy bent over to fill the large containers, he began sniffing the boy’s buttocks. It was apparent the old man had thought no one had noticed for he scattered pretty damn quick when Wade hollered over at him. The boy, unaware, had only looked up confused.

  Wade made a mental note to have a chat with old Chuck Rhodes before they headed off for the roundup. He didn’t want any trouble out in the unforgiving wilderness. Nature usually provided enough conflict. Turning his attention to the sky, he acknowledged as of yet the weather looked like it was going to cooperate. It was a perfect day to head out.

  They would be covering the southeastern terrain first, driving the cattle west and then upward north of the Durand Pass. It would take three full days, the second would have them passing through the town of Lantern where they would stop for the night. It allowed his man to relax, get a decent meal, and good night’s sleep on an actual bed.

  Down by the stables the ranch hands were getting ready loading their horses with equipment. Automatically, Wade searched out the boy. It had become a regular habit. In four short days, a bond had formed and grew. Admittedly, he liked the kid and for the fact he shadowed Wade wherever he went, he knew the boy liked him in return. His lack of speech had not been an obstacle and, in fact, he conceded it was probably one of the things he liked most about the boy. His silent presence was very calming.

  Chuck Rhodes had dressed Sty and had him waiting outside the stables with the rest of the ranch hands. As usual, right before a roundup or cattle drive, the men were getting antsy and wanted to hit the trail. Like Wade, they too loved the great terrain. Somehow he knew the boy shared the same love. He noticed it in his every move and his every look. Today was no exception.