by Karen Noland
“Let go,” Kate’s words whispered in his mind, “let go of your pride.”
***
Luke removed his hat and a ran a hand through his wet hair. They had been chasing wily range cows out of the dense brush for most of the morning. Jon Smokey had gone to the north and Luke to the south, while Kate worked to hold the main body of the herd together in the large pasture. When Kate had said that today would be the hard work, she wasn’t exaggerating. The sun was high and beat down mercilessly on man and beast alike. The cows would dodge and run, and it was all Luke could do to head them off and keep them moving toward the pasture to the east where Kate waited with the others.
He narrowed his eyes, watching a particularly cagey momma cow. She broke hard to the left, attempting to circle back toward the thicket that he had just driven her and several others from. Rio jumped at Luke’s prodding and cut the cow off before she managed to make it into the brush.
An hour later they finally had the herd together in the deep green pasture. The three riders stopped in a shady grove to make a quick lunch of Nana’s biscuits and bacon.
“Hey, Luke, isn’t that where we built the bee gum?” Jon asked, indicating a copse of trees to their left.
“Yep, it sure is. Want to take a look?”
“Bee gum?” Kate asked puzzled.
“C’mon, I’ll show you,” Jon said. Running ahead, he disappeared into the trees.
Luke stood and reached out to Kate. Helping her up, he drew her close, gazing into her amber eyes he bent his head and kissed her tenderly. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Kate Shaughnessey.”
She reached up and placed a finger over his lips, then tracing the line of his jaw, she nodded, unable to speak.
Taking her hand, he placed a kiss in her palm, and curled her fingers around it. Then he wiped a smudge of dirt from her forehead and laughed, “Only you could still be so charming beneath such a thick layer of grime.”
“Oh!” Mortified, she reached up and tried in vain to wipe away the dust of the trail, finally joining Luke in helpless mirth.
Leaving the horses to graze in the shade, they walked arm in arm through the dense thicket and into the clearing where Jon waited impatiently at the bee gum. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Kate replied dissolving again into a fit of laughter.
Puzzled, Jon looked from one to the other. Realization slowly dawning on him, his face was transformed by a wide grin, but he said nothing.
“Let’s see how busy these bees have been.” Luke changed the subject. “Stand back, they’re apt to be pretty mad.”
Kate didn’t have to be told twice and moved quickly to the edge of the clearing. Luke loosened the top of the gum, and carefully lifted the lid straight up. Golden combs dripped honey and angry bees buzzed in protest. Kate’s eyes were wide in amazement. “What in the world?”
“We built it,” Jon crowed proudly.
“We surely did,” Luke confirmed, “but it’s not quite ready yet. We need to give it a few more weeks to become well established before we take any.” Luke replaced the lid snugly in the gum, slapping at a few bees trying to sting his neck.
They hurried back to the horses, and mounted up to push the longhorns back to the ranch. Jon and Smokey worked one side of the herd, keeping the cows and calves from bolting and trying to run, while Luke and Kate watched the rear and the other side alternately. They rode slowly, attempting to keep the cattle calm as they moved them steadily eastward toward the ranch.
Soon the cows seemed to settle in to a measured march in the hot afternoon sun. Luke rode slightly behind the herd pushing them forward. He could see Kate and Gypsy riding out to the side, keeping them from straying too far to the south. Suddenly a small brown and white calf darted in front of Kate bawling frantically. Luke could see Kate fighting the reins as Gypsy spooked. An enraged bellow filled his ears as the mother cow bolted from the herd. She charged straight for Gypsy, caught between cow and calf. A deadly toss of her head and five foot horns gored the frantic mare in the side. She reared up too late as her bowels spilled forth. A scream rent the air as the horse crumpled to the earth.
Kate jumped from the saddle as she began to fall and landed unhurt beside the dying animal. The cow continued on to the lost calf stopping several yards beyond the woman and her horse.
“No, Gypsy! No, God, no!” Kate’s plaintive wail pierced his heart. She knelt beside the mare who had been her friend and companion through the lonely months after Will’s death. “Gypsy, oh Gypsy, I’m so sorry.” Tears streamed freely down Kate’s cheeks as she stroked Gypsy’s neck to calm the dying horse. Flecks of foamy sweat stained the soft brown coat, and a crimson pool spread slowly around them saturating the air with the coppery scent of blood. The mare’s struggles grew weaker, until finally she lay utterly still, eyes wide, nostrils flaring.
It happened in an instant, no more than the blink of an eye, but the image would be forever seared on Luke’s memory. Spurring Rio forward, he stopped hard beside her, swung out of the saddle, and caught her in his arms as she turned to him. Burying her face against his chest, she wept. Her hat had come loose and lay on the ground a few feet away. He stroked her hair, cradling her against him until at last she rested quietly against him.
Her emotions spent, she tuned a tear-stained face to him, “Luke, we have to ... I don’t think I can....”
“Shhh...I know. I’ll take care of her.” The mare was dying and in pain. Luke knew that Kate would want her suffering ended quickly. Looking up, he could see Jon, wide eyed and scared, but working valiantly at his post to keep the herd from bolting.
“I’m afraid a shot right now would send those cattle into a runaway stampede. They’re already nervous over the smell of blood.”
Kate nodded, waiting.
“Take Rio. You and Jon get them moving on down to the pens. It’s not much further. I’ll be along.”
Staring into his eyes, she nodded silently. Taking the reins, she mounted the large gray gelding. He watched as she stoically gathered the errant cow and calf back into the herd, then she and Jonathan moved them over the ridge and down into the hollow where the ranch lay.
***
Kate rode stiffly on the unfamiliar horse. She concentrated on the task at hand to block out the pain that suffused her. Though she could see Jonathan stealing glances in her direction, he kept his attention well focused on the cattle.
A shot rang out behind them. Kate froze, then let out a long shuddering breath knowing that Gypsy no longer suffered. One of the lead cows bellowed at the sound, but the herd plodded along toward the pens ahead of them.
Jake waited at the gates, and she could see the worry on his face as he realized there were only two of them bringing the herd in. She saw him sit up and look beyond them. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see Luke coming down the knoll, carrying her saddle.
***
Kate stood in the purple twilight, watching the medicine hat mare grazing in the deepening shadows. She heard Luke’s quiet step as he joined her at the corral fence.
“Does she ride?” Luke asked.
“I think so.”
“You’re thinking about using her, aren’t you?”
Kate nodded, her gaze fastened on the mare. “Thank you, Luke, for what you did today. You’ll never know how much that meant to me.”
“Kate, I...” Luke faltered.
“I miss her.” A single tear trickled slowly down her cheek. “I miss her kind eye and willing ear. She was always ready to listen to my troubles, never once passed judgment on me.” Kate smiled at the memory. “Her presence in my life was a precious gift, and I will always cherish the memories I have.”
Luke brushed his hand against her cheek, catching the glittering tear. Cupping her face in his strong hands he gazed into her eyes. Kate’s heart raced even as an overwhelming sense of peace flooded her soul. He bent and kissed her, slowly, tenderly. She could feel the awakening of emotions long dormant, and retu
rned the kiss with all that was within her.
Chapter twelve
“Momma, Momma, wake up!” Jo’s voice cut through the sleep-induced haze in Kate’s brain.
“What is it?” she asked, trying to focus in the dim room, worry already knotting her stomach.
“It’s branding day, Momma, hurry, get up.” Jo bounced beside the bed, her bare feet making the floorboards creak and her pale nightdress floating eerily in the shifting moonlight.
“Jo, it’s the middle of the night,” Kate protested. “You need to go back to bed for a bit.”
“Oh, no, Momma, it’ll be light soon. I know it will. Can I wear my blue dress, can I, please?” Jo pleaded.
A rooster crowed in the distance, and Candy bounded in adding her barks to the growing cacophony in Kate’s room. Peering through the window, Kate saw a faint glow on the eastern horizon. Sighing, she sank back on the pillow.
“Sure. Why don’t you go ahead and get dressed, then get your basket and go collect the eggs,” Kate said finally, waiting for Jo’s reaction.
“Oh, thank you, Momma.” Jo ran to the door. Pausing there she slowly turned back to her mother. “But, Momma, it will be too dark for me to see the eggs!”
“Really?” Kate feigned surprise. “In that case, why don’t you crawl in bed here with me, just until it gets a little lighter.”
Laughing, Jo snuggled under the covers with her mother while Candy flopped down beside the bed. Both were soon dozing contentedly. Kate held her sleeping daughter and stroked the soft red hair. Placing a feather light kiss on the tip of Jo’s nose, she sighed. Thoughts of the day that lay ahead kept her from returning to the blissful sleep she had been awakened from.
She rose from the warm comfort of the feather bed, donned a light robe and wandered to the window. A faint light in the bunkhouse window told her that Luke was already awake. She smiled to herself as she thought of him. Her feelings for him were new and tender. She was still unsure of herself and of his feelings, though he had told her in no uncertain terms that he was falling in love with her. The memory of it sent a warm tingling sensation coursing through her.
Jon knew. She had seen it in his eyes there at the bee gum. He didn’t say anything, but the smile that lit his face spoke volumes. How would Jake react? Or did he already suspect as well? Was it obvious to everyone?
Smiling softly, Kate turned from the window. She dressed in a deep green linen skirt and a fresh white shirtwaist. Running a brush through her thick brown hair, she braided it into a knot, pinned at the nape of her neck. A final glance at Jo sleeping peacefully in the big feather bed, and Kate let herself out of the house.
The warm air caressing her cheeks carried the sweet scent of honeysuckle. Kate breathed deeply, letting the fragrance work its calming effect within her. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light of predawn, she made her way to the barn. Pausing just inside the large doors, she let the familiar sounds and smells wash over her. Raven blew softly, and doves in the rafters above cooed mournfully. The pungent odor of horse and the rich scent of hay mingled together creating a heady perfume.
Kate reached for the pitchfork resting atop the hay, and forked a pile into the stallion’s manger. Leaning against the stall she watched Raven as he contentedly munched the hay.
“So, what do you say, old boy, would you like to work today?” she asked.
A shake of his head and another mouthful of hay was her answer.
“Oh, you’d rather eat, would you? Well, I thought perhaps Luke could give you a bit of cutting or roping practice today. I mean, after all, everyone has to earn their keep around here, and while you do make very nice babies, you haven’t had a lot of time under saddle lately.”
The stallion picked his head up and snorted. Kate turned to see Luke enter the barn from the bunkhouse.
“Good morning. You’re up early,” he greeted her.
“I had help,” Kate said under her breath. “We were just talking about you.”
“We?” Luke asked looking around.
“Raven and I,” she laughed. “How would you like to use him today for cutting calves?”
“I hear he’s a pretty fair cutter.”
“Oh, you might say that. Point him at a calf and just hold on,” she replied with a mischievous grin.
“How long has it been since he’s been ridden?” Luke asked warily.
“A while, but he could use the work.”
“Well, maybe I’ll warm him a bit before the men arrive, see how he does.”
“Oh that would be wonderful.” Kate agreed enthusiastically. “I was just going up to the house to put some coffee on, join me?”
“I’d love to.” Luke took her arm to escort her back to the ranch house.
His hand was warm through the thin cotton of her blouse. She could smell his earthy scent. The sound of their footfalls on the dry ground was loud in her ears. Everything seemed so crisp and clear, were all her senses heightened by his mere presence? As they neared the steps, she felt suddenly shy when he stopped and turned her to him. He placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted her face until she was staring into his clear green eyes. She trembled slightly at his intense gaze.
“Kate, I...” he hesitated.
“What?” she whispered.
His eyes clouded and he shook his head slightly, placing a tender kiss on the top of her head. “Let’s get that coffee. It’s going to be a very long day.”
***
Luke sat at the rough plank table watching Kate’s efficient movements as she prepared the coffee. The kitchen was dimly lit by the light of a single oil lamp. The faint glow of dawn on the eastern horizon cast a rosy hue through the windows, painting the walls with the soft tones of a new day.
Kate placed the mugs of steaming coffee on the table, and took her seat across from him. “Now, what is it you want to say?” she prodded gently.
He took a deep breath and stared into the amber depths of her eyes. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“I generally find the beginning is a pretty good place.”
“I’ve been reading the Bible - and praying - since we talked the other day.”
Kate’s eyes began to glow and a smile played at the corners of her mouth. Luke’s heart constricted at the sight, knowing that what he was about to say would take away the joy he saw there.
“Kate, I know you have a small sense of what my relationship with my father has been like.”
“Yes,” she whispered, a shadow briefly crossing her delicate features.
“There’s a passage in Jeremiah B“
“Then shall ye call upon me, and go and pray unto me, and I will hear you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive,” Kate sighed as she quoted the verse from memory.
“Yes,” Luke nodded slowly.
“When are you leaving?”
“How can I leave here?” his voice was filled with anguish.
“You know you must,” Kate replied, fighting to hold back the tears gathering in her eyes. “There are things that we have to do in our lives that are not always easy. God sometimes sets tasks before us that seem impossible. We try and try in our human frailty to go around those things, or to climb over them somehow. But we always fail - until we give up, and let Him take us through them.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Luke retorted with bitterness filling his soul. “Just give up the things I see here - the love I see in you, give up Jolene and Jon, the thought of having a real family at last? Just walk away, is that it?”
“Until you do, what you think you’ve found here will only be a shadow of what could be.”
Luke stared at Kate, anger and fear filling him at the thought of losing her. He slammed the empty cup down and s
trode out into the emerging dawn.
***
The first wagons began to arrive only an hour after sun rise. Kate watched their approach from the porch. Mrs. Insley bustled about the kitchen preparing biscuits, bacon and coffee. The aromas drifting from the open door churned Kate’s stomach, as thoughts of Luke’s impending departure tormented her.
A pair of high-stepping black mules pulled a buckboard into the yard, driven by a strong young man. Children tumbled from the back laughing. The oldest boy reached up to help their mother from the soft nest of hay she had been riding in.
“Greta, how are you?” Kate called warmly to the woman surrounded by children. “Come sit down. I heard you were expecting another child, but I had no idea how far along you were.”
“Oh, I’m fine, Kate. Where’s Mrs. Insley?”
“In the kitchen, where else?” Kate laughed, forgetting her own worries in the joy of seeing old friends.
“Aaron, Ross, you carry that food into the kitchen. Kathy, get your apron, and go help Mrs. Insley. I’ll be along shortly, I just want to talk to Kate a bit.”
“Yes, Momma,” replied a shy girl with soft blonde curls, as the boys carried brimming baskets from the wagon.
“Jeremy? Jeremy?” Greta called. “Where is that boy?” she asked searching the yard.
“Greta, look,” Kate said, pointing to the corral fence in the distance. Jeremy and Jo stood together on the bottom rail, arms hanging over the top watching Luke ride Raven among the cows.
“Oh, that boy,” Greta said shaking her head, “he can get away faster than a greased piglet.”
“He’ll be fine. Jo will be thrilled with the company.”
“I just hope they don’t get into too much mischief,” Greta said with a sigh.
Two men on horseback approached from the lane.
“Oh, good, Mike and Jeffery weren’t far behind after all,” Greta said. “They stayed behind to tend our stock, figuring they’d want their horses here anyway.”
“I was just about to ask you where they were.”
“Kate! Your men up to the sorting pens?” asked a dark man with an engaging smile.
