On the Mountain

by Peggy Ann Craig

  Chapter 10

  “Now, kid, you gotta keep the line taut when leading Lucy around the ring.” Joe scolded Anna as she allowed the lead in her hand slack once again. “You gotta keep control or she’ll trample all over ya.”

  As if understanding his words, the wild filly reared up and kicked her front legs.

  “Whoa, girl.” Joe brought the lead close to his body, but the young horse only bucked further. “She’s a little feisty, this one. You best to show her who’s boss.”

  With an unbelievable strength he pulled the rope under his arm and cupped it close to his hip, then lifted a booted foot and put his weight on the rope forcing the horse low to the ground. She neighed and kicked the earth and Anna winced.

  “See, horses have a natural pecking order. The most dominant horse becomes the leader. What ya want to do is let the horse know you’re the alpha.” He put the full force of his body onto the lead. “Come here, boy. Let the horse get familiar with your scent.”

  Anna hesitated. She was certain the horse was already familiar with her and being associated with Joe’s brute force would leave Lucy’s trust in her shaken.

  “Come on now, boy, don’t be ‘fraid. I got her good and tight.”

  Lucy’s dark eyes darted around in her head. Inside, Anna felt a mix of fear and sorrow for the frightened but powerful creature. Keeping her calm and steady gaze on the horse, she waited until Lucy was able to focus on her, then with slow and deliberate movement walked toward her. Still maintaining eye contact, Anna reached out and laid a gentle hand upon Lucy’s hindquarter then gradually moved across the horse’s barrel until she stroked her shoulder and neck. The horse rolled her eyes as far back in her head as possible to keep a watchful eye on Anna.

  Finally she could feel the tension in Lucy’s body begin to ease somewhat, her only movement was the shuffling of her hind legs. Anna’s hand moved forward, toward the makeshift bridle, and lightly grasped the rope. With slow and deliberate movements, she followed its length until she reached Joe’s foot.

  He watched her entire action, frowning heavily, but stepped off the lead as her hand picked up the rope. “Your funeral, kid.”

  Looping the excess rein, she stepped back so as to stand next to Lucy’s shoulder and then gently urged the animal into a walk. They proceeded to circle the ring several times before turning and walking in the opposite direction.

  With no idea how to train a horse, Anna simply felt since Lucy was a sensitive animal, she needed tenderness and time to trust the people handling her. With a start, she realized something she, herself, still needed.

  She led the horse to the center of the ring and dropped the rope in her hand. Other than her eyes shifting to keep a watchful eye on Anna, the horse remained still. Stepping around her, Anna ran her hand across the big animal’s body feeling the soft coat beneath her fingers. Lucy was breathing hard and Anna could sense her wariness slowly seep from her pores. Coming to stop at her shoulder once more, she followed the line of her leg until she cupped the fetlock and applied a small amount of pressure. The horse instinctively lifted her foot and Anna gave her a rewarding pat. She did this with all four legs before taking the horse back around the ring. That was when she noticed Wade watching from the opposite side of the fence.

  A week after the roundup and Anna still had difficulty looking him in the eye. Every time she saw him, the image of him in that saloon room came back to mind. So instead she worked hard to forget it. No easy task when he was always around. Watching her closely.

  Her shoulders tensed and the fingers clasping the reins clenched. Lucy stiffened then neighed. The big horse pulled back and refused to go further.

  “Getta hold of her reins, boy,” Joe hollered.

  Lucy became excited and pulled on the rope. Anna dropped it instinctively and the horse bolted off like lightning.

  “Jesus, kid.” Joe was angry as he ran after the young filly.

  She stood and watched as Joe cornered the animal with both arms outstretched, hollering at the horse before bending down and snatching up the lead rope.

  “If ya spoil the animal you might as well shoot her, ‘cause she ain’t going be any good to us.” The wrangler dragged the unwilling horse out of the ring toward her holding pen.

  Anna watched Lucy with sad eyes. The horse was not spoiled, but rather frightened, and she knew exactly how that felt.

  “Joe, is right about that.” Wade came toward her. “Horses are easily confused and if you don’t make it clear you are in control, they will learn early not to obey.”

  She stared at the dirt on her boots until he had finished talking, then turned and headed out of the ring.

  “Just hold on, boy.”

  Anna halted faithfully, but wanted to run instead.

  “I came down here to have a word with you.” She heard his voice come closer and her back went stiff.

  She waited for him to continue, but only silence stretched out behind her. When she thought he would say no more, he at last finally spoke.

  “I’m not sure what happened last week in Lantern, but I know something has upset you.”

  Anna didn’t want to hear this. She began to walk away.

  “Wait.” Wade stopped her again, but this time came to stand in front of her.

  Her eyes automatically dropped to the earth.

  “Look, maybe something happened in your room or you witnessed something you thought you would only see after your wedding night. Hell, for all I know, maybe you got a little turned on from what you saw in my room. After all, Marion is a very—”

  Anna saw red, the blood in her veins surged to a boiling point. Without thinking, she lifted her chin and spat in Wade’s face, then turned on her heel and marched off toward the bunkhouse.

  She heard him swear before he seized her arm and spun her around. “If you ever do that again, I swear I won’t hesitate to put you over my knee and treat you like the kid you are.”

  Her anger was still there, but upon seeing his restrained temper, fear also made an appearance.

  “Christ, kid, I came down here to apologize for whatever the hell I did to upset you.” He placed angry hands on his hips. “But since I don’t usually do this, I probably made a hell of a mess. I don’t know what I did to offend you so much but I’m willing to apologize for it.”

  Her anger began to cool.

  Wade appeared to have gotten his temper under control as well. “Look, I know you’re upset and it’s directed toward me. Possibly I’ve done something to hurt you, but since you have no way of telling me, all I can do is offer my apology.”

  He paused and a calm silence fell between them. Looking away, he quietly said, “I’ve missed you kid. I kinda like having you around.”

  Anna’s heart completely opened and in that split second, she knew she trusted Wade above all else. That was the reason she had been so angry and hurt. Ever since the incident in the mountain, he was the only person who made her feel safe from a past she could not recall. She came to trust no other as she had him. However, that trust was severely shaken, and Anna feared, shattered forever.

  But looking up into his face, and seeing such sincere emotion emitting from his ocean blue eyes for the first time, she knew he would never intentionally hurt her. It was time to tell him the truth of her identity. Her heart swelled and her chest released a huge sigh. She reached out to touch him

  The sound of horse hoofs pounding on the road leading up to the homestead, caught Wade’s attention. He turned to look and Anna dropped her hand in midair before ever having made contact. Reluctantly, she glanced over to what had distracted him, and saw a stagecoach pull up in front of the home.

  “Kathleen.” Wade quietly stated before looking back at her. “Look, kid, think about what I said. All right?”

  Anna nodded vaguely and watched as Wade headed off toward the house and a realization came over her that both filled her with joy and fear at the same time. She loved Wade Haddock. Even with a battered and damaged heart upon
all repair. She was a woman of secrets and a heinous past. From a world as separate as the mountain between them. With a dispirited sigh, Anna knew she was more than unworthy of his love. Wade was worth so much more.

  * * *

  Wade was surprised to see the stagecoach. Kathleen had sent a message informing them she wouldn’t be for a visit until Christmas. He hoped all was well with her family.

  The stagecoach came to a stop at the foot of the steps leading up to the house and one of its doors swung open. A colorful burst of petals shaped in the form of a woman’s skirt exploded from the interior followed by an elaborate feathered hat. The owner of the outfit lifted her face and upon seeing Wade broke out into a full smile, disbursing immediately Wade’s worries.

  “Wade, darling,” Kathleen held out her arms and came running toward her brother. Though he knew Kathleen was fully aware of his feelings regarding physical affection, he allowed her to fling herself into his arms. “My last visit feels far too long, that’s why I couldn’t stay away.”

  He smiled and drew her arms down from around his neck, but took hold of one elbow so as not to insult his sister. With the other hand he gathered her bag from the coach driver. “Just as long as you feel better.”

  “Yes, of course.” She hurriedly assured him. “Thank goodness, my influenza was not nearly as severe as poor John Junior. He suffered for weeks before it finally released him. I feared Danielle would become ill as well, but she is terribly tough just like her uncle.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about the boy, but glad to see you in fine health.” He turned them toward the house. “Prescott will be happy to see you, but unfortunately he is in Lantern visiting. We had no word to expect you.”

  “No, I decided last minute I couldn’t bear to wait a whole month before seeing my beloved brothers.” She beamed up at him from her small frame and squeezed his arm. “I do hope it is Elizabeth Prescott is visiting?”

  Wade smiled and gave a nod. “They seem very happy together.”

  “How wonderful,” Kathleen cooed. “Perhaps there will be a wedding soon. I would so enjoy planning such an occasion. And since you are taking so long in selecting a wife, I fear I may be planning Danielle’s wedding long before yours.”

  Wade hated this line of conversation. Kathleen, on the other hand, loved to discuss it wholeheartedly. “More than likely.”

  “Wade,” Kathleen scolded and gave his shoulder a delicate slap. “That is nonsense. What if Josephine had only heard?”

  Wade opened the door to the house allowing his sister to proceed and thought if only good fortune were on his side. Josephine was a young socialite from the town of Chapman fifty miles to the south of the ranch. She was also a close friend of Kathleen’s as well as her attempt at matchmaking on Wade’s behalf. It seemed for years now she visited the ranch during special occasions or planned parties at the request of his sister, but inevitably was made to appear more like Wade’s guest. Since it made his sister happy, he didn’t argue or complain. After all, the small periods in which he was forced to endure Josephine’s company were minimal.

  “I do hope it snows soon.” She dropped his arm and headed for the hearth. “The valley is so beautiful in the winter.”

  Wade nodded. Now that he and his ranch hands had secured all the cattle back to their winter holding pens, he could breathe easier and enjoy the cold weather when it arrived.

  “I thought I would get started on plans for a Christmas party. I want this year to be spectacular.” She started to remove her overcoat and Wade went to immediately help. “I thought perhaps we could add garlands of pine across every entryway and adorn them with wild mistletoe. John has a contact in the city who can have a fresh batch shipped to us directly from Europe.”

  “Are they not poisonous?”

  Kathleen cocked her head and gave her brother a look from under her brow. “You’re not supposed to eat them. They’re for kissing.”

  Wade frowned as he hung his sister’s coat. “Wouldn’t the poison be detrimental to your lips?”

  “Oh Wade.” Kathleen put her hands on her hips. “You are beginning to sound more uncultured every time I visit. You really ought to think about visiting me and John in New Westminster. Why don’t you come with Prescott in the spring when he is planning to visit?”

  Wade had visited the city in which his sister lived many years before when she was first a new bride. He didn’t like the experience and vowed never to return. Kathleen knew how he felt but never stopped trying to convince him to return. “I’d rather kiss the mistletoe.”

  “You don’t kiss the mistletoe, silly. You stand under a sprig of them with a member of the opposite sex and steal a kiss.”

  “Why do I feel you’ve got someone in mind?”

  “Why, big brother, you are suspicious. That female could be anyone. Including myself.”

  “Then I look forward to being caught under the mistletoe.” He headed for the grand staircase and Kathleen’s room on the upper floor.

  She followed close behind. “I was thinking of inviting about thirty guests this year and hold a ball similar to those in England. We could hire a band and have dancing. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

  Wade didn’t think so, but knew how much his sister and brother enjoyed their parties. Even though Wade was now the sole proprietor of the Circle H, he never felt or would ever feel he was the sole owner. The ranch would always be home to Kathleen and Prescott. They were welcome to entertain as they saw fit.

  “Exactly where?” He eyed the great room over the rail before disappearing down a long corridor.

  “There is plenty of room.” Inside her room, she gestured toward a small table for him to lay her case. It was a piece purchased in England while she lived abroad. “All we will need to do is move some of the furniture to the side.”

  “Where are we supposed to sit, then?”

  “I can rent chairs in Victoria and have them delivered.” It was apparent she had thought of everything, including the hired help. “You know I do love Kim, but for this occasion I believe a certified chef would be more appropriate.”

  “They come certified?”

  “Kim will act as consulting chef.”

  “I believe you made that one up, dear sister.”

  She grinned and came over to him to place her hands on his. “I do not wish to insult Kim. I know he is your faithful cook, but for ranch hands not socialites.”

  “I’m sure he won’t be insulted.” He assured her and patted her hands before removing them.

  “Good.” She smiled again and returned to unpacking her bag. “I’ve already written up an advertisement for a footman and waiter, so if you could run it into town within the next few weeks, I would appreciate that.”

  “There is no need to hire a footman, the boy can do the job.”

  Kathleen looked up. “What boy?”

  Wade remembered that she knew nothing of the boy and wondered how much he should tell her. He decided on the basics, and purposely omitted the incident in the mountain.

  When he was done his sister’s eyes filled with the compassion she was adored for and shook her head. “He doesn’t speak at all?”

  “Not a word.”

  “How dreadful.” He could see Kathleen’s mind rolling and knew if he didn’t watch her, the boy would become a charity case for his sister.

  “He seems happy here.”

  “Well, that’s good.” She sighed and said, “He couldn’t ask for a better role model.”

  They exchanged smiles and she agreed to allow the boy to serve at her Christmas party, which was a good thing, Wade thought. Except old Chuck Rhodes and Kim Whong, all the ranch hands had somewhere to go during the holiday. The boy did not. It would be a lonely Christmas if he had to spend it out in the bunkhouse all alone.

  * * *

  Anna stood alone over a basin of warm water and scrubbed a plate clean. The ranch hands were doing their nightly ritual of playing cards and drinking. Lately, she had begun helping Kim c
lean the dishes from dinner. Since her arrival at the ranch, it was one of the chores she had assigned herself. One she was accustomed to performing back home so the transformation was easy. Furthermore, it gave her reason to remain apart from the other ranch hands. Though it felt like eternity since she first arrived at the Circle H, it had actually only been close to two weeks. She felt she had a pretty good understanding of the men’s characters, but still didn’t want to chance their discovering her true identity.

  In all honesty, they were a friendly group of men. Perhaps a little on the boorish side and definitely far too crude and vulgar for Anna’s liking but appeared fairly harmless. They had taken to her as a boy and her silence more than likely helped to make her disappear into the woodwork. The one thing they had noticed lately, however, was her cooking abilities. It was another chore she had been grateful Kim had allowed her to contribute. With all her shortcomings in wrangling, she at least felt useful in the kitchen.

  The men began to notice a change in the old Chinese man’s meals after Anna contributed in the kitchen. Admittedly, she felt proud of herself when the wranglers lavished her with compliments. And since Kim did not appear offended, she was allowed to assist at every meal. With the arrival of Kathleen, Anna’s help in the cooking intensified. That evening she was left with the full responsibility of feeding the ranch hands while Kim went up to the main house to cook for the Haddock brothers and their sister.

  Admittedly, Anna had looked up at the house many times that day and when Kim left to go cook their meal, she had wished it was her going instead. Not only would she have loved to cook an entire meal for Wade, but it would have also allowed her the opportunity to see their sister. She had heard so much about her and from that small glimpse of her disembarking from the stagecoach, she had piqued her interest.

  After she had put all the cleaning utensils away, she slid off to her bunk early as usual. Tonight, however, she went to bed feeling differently than any other night. Perhaps it was the realization that she was in love for the first time. The emotion had no right lifting her spirits since it was obvious Wade would never return them. After all, he believed she was a boy.