After Ray had ridden off in the direction of the herd, Abigail saw Noah peering into the distance. Away past the herd there was a high outcrop of light brown, rocky cliff which projected out over the river. She saw curiosity flicker into life on Noah's features. "What are you thinking?" Abigail asked him.
Noah pointed toward the rocky outcrop. "I'd like to take a closer look at that while the cattle are doing their last grazing," Noah announced.
She narrowed her eyes, fixing her gaze on the huge mass of the bluff. Abigail tightened her grip on her reins. Curiosity flickered into life. "What are we waiting for? Let's go and see."
Noah's eyes widened and he smiled at Abigail. "Yeah?"
Abigail whirled Rebel around and kicked her heels. Rebel lurched forward and started down the hill. She heard the pounding of Noah's mount behind her. They rode past the herd, taking the curving path along the river's edge until they reached the lower slope of the promontory. The cliffs reached up high above them. They rode on until they reached the sharp overhanging bulk of the bluff. Abigail drew Rebel to a halt and gazed up at the vast outcrop of rock. It formed a natural tunnel parallel with the river.
Noah drew to a halt beside Abigail. He lifted his head back, taking in the sight of the imposing natural formation. "This is really something," he gasped, sounding genuinely impressed.
"It's called Enemy's Cove," she explained.
"Interesting name," he replied. "Why is it called that?"
"No-one knows. Some folks think there's evil attached to this place," she said and laughed quietly. "Why they think that, I don't know."
He looked straight ahead at the natural tunnel formed by the over hanging rock. The entrance to the cavern was about fifty feet high, and the trail inside it twisted to the left, in the direction of the river. The dusty ground looked well trodden, as if there had been regular horse traffic through the tunnel over the years.
Noah glanced at Abigail. "You want us to go in?" he asked.
Abigail nodded. "Sure." She peered at Noah. "You're not afraid of enclosed spaces, are you?"
"Me? No," Noah answered, quickly moving his horse forward.
He paused a moment. "Are you?"
Abigail frowned at him. "Seriously? Me? Afraid of the dark?" she scoffed. Her laughter echoed at the entrance of the cavern.
"I'll go first," he suggested.
She extended a hand. "Be my guest."
Abigail followed behind Noah. He moved slowly. Once beneath the massive outcrop, and inside the cavern, the air cooled. She could hear the echoing sounds of their horses and, ahead to her left, beyond the turn in the semi-darkness, the low sound of the running river. The light was soft in the cavern.
She watched Noah gazing around, twisting his neck, peering up at the curving rock face. She felt like she had entered some kind of natural cathedral. She'd been here before and knew how it could affect someone who hadn't seen it before. There were caves around here, too, she reminded herself. Naturally formed caverns, smaller than this.
Noah moved on slowly. "What do you think?" she called out, her voice echoing spookily.
He halted and turned to face her. His eyes were wide with appreciation. "Feels like we've left the world behind," he observed.
She turned and looked back, seeing that they'd moved far enough inside the tunnel that they could no longer see the entrance.
"What's this?" she heard him say.
She saw Noah pointing toward a dark space near the left hand wall. He dismounted and advanced toward the darkness. Abigail got down off Rebel and walked behind Noah.
"It's a cave." Noah's voice was quiet. Reassuring, she told herself as she let him lead her into the darkened cave space. The roof of the cave was barely above her head-height. Noah had to stoop slightly to be able to continue his way forward.
It was dark and cold. Abigail shivered slightly, feeling the cool air in her lungs. She wondered why Noah would be so determined to investigate a place like this. What curiosity needed satisfied? They seemed to be walking up a slight incline, moving gradually upwards in the obscure light.
The darkness became momentarily more intense, but she could still see the silhouette of his crouching figure. Abigail reached forward and took hold of Noah's arm. He halted and turned to her. She saw him smile. His eyes were visible in the semi-darkness. Bright and kindly. Their gaze fully on her. Unmoving. He did nothing to release her hand from his arm. She felt reassured holding onto him.
Abigail felt Noah's fingers curling around her hand. She released her hand from his arm and let him slide his fingers into hers. Noah held onto her hand softly. The sensation of his gentle grasp sent tingles racing up her spine. She gasped quietly, sensing her heartbeat quicken. But she wasn't about to snatch her hand away from him. It felt somehow right, somehow appropriate, for him to be holding her like this. For a moment, their eyes met in the soft light of the cavern. Pulse pounding furiously, she waited for him to say something. But, he remained silent and turned, leading her forward.
They took a few more steps and she saw light glowing up ahead. "I think the tunnel ends up ahead," Noah announced. Abigail could hear the sound of the river.
True enough, they rounded a corner and came to the end of the tunnel. Late afternoon sunlight shone into the cavern. A few more steps took them out onto a flat, rocky ledge a few feet wide. Noah tested it with a gentle stamp of his booted foot. Satisfied it was safe, Noah led Abigail out onto the ledge, still holding onto her hand. Gazing down, she realized they had climbed up higher than the level of the river. Down below, the river flowed slowly by, heading eastwards back in the direction of the Buchanan spread. Back from where they'd just come.
The river was narrower here, barely a few yards wide. Because of that, it flowed quicker. Across the other side of the river, Abigail could see a high bank. On the other side of the riverbank, the ground dropped away sharply. Beyond, there was a flat plain stretching to another range of hills.
Abigail gasped. "That's quite a view," she said.
"That's the trail to Inspiration," Noah observed.
Abigail narrowed her eyes. "You're right, Noah." She turned to him. "I'm impressed. You're really getting to know your way around the territory."
Noah said nothing. He merely nodded. Then she saw him crane his head back and gaze up at a sharp ledge which jutted out over the river. The ledge above them seemed to defy gravity. It was a huge mound of rock, thrusting outwards, resisting all natural inclination to tumble down into the river below.
Abigail glanced to her left. No-one could see where she and Noah had gotten to. Suddenly, she realized she was utterly alone with him. She glanced up into his eyes. Was he thinking the same? If so, what did that mean to him?
Noah looked thoughtful. There was also an immense amount of appreciation in his kindly gaze. Until now, she hadn't seen such sweetness in his gaze. And, right now, he was so handsome looking, so astonishingly dashing and fine-looking, all fitted out like a true rancher, she was sure her heart was going to burst.
Noah was still holding onto her hand. Refusing to let go. It seemed like being here with her had stirred something in his heart. Truth was, standing here, alone with Noah, was making her feel a great anticipation, Abigail told herself.
Noah glanced away from her, and she felt his fingers loosen slightly. She realized she didn't want him to release her hand. There was something incredibly romantic about being here with him. It felt right, even though she knew some folks would disapprove. Starting with her brother Jake.
For a few long moments, they both simply gazed out across the hauntingly beautiful scene. Abigail could feel her heart pounding fast. Expectation seized her. The promise of what might happen. Noah remained silent.
When he eventually spoke, she could hear the appreciation in his voice. "I'm sure glad I came here, Abigail," he said.
"To Inspiration?" she asked.
Noah shook his head. "No." He ran his gaze around the ledge and the entrance to the cave. "Right here. This pla
ce is real special." He leaned closer. She caught his scent on the breeze which drifted up from the river below them. Felt the power of his presence. His wide shoulders. His tall, powerful physique. "And being here with you? It just makes it all perfect."
She felt her mouth open. Sensed a moistening of her eyes. His gaze drifted to her lips, and she watched as admiration grew visibly in the way he was regarding her. He released her hand and turned, facing her. His head leaned closer and she tipped her chin upwards. All thought vanished from her mind. She felt Noah's presence. All she could see was his even features, his soft gaze as his head moved closer.
Then his lips brushed hers, a kiss that was as brief as it was tender, and so very welcome. Her heart thundered, and she felt a warm glow sweep throughout her entire being. She gasped, taken aback by the sensation.
Noah lifted his head and his lips parted slightly, concern flickering across his features, his brows furrowing. His eyes searched her for understanding. She lifted a hand to her throat and tried to swallow but, for some reason, it proved impossible.
Abigail took a step backwards, away from the precipice. Noah watched her. Now she'd taken a step away from him, she realized how close he was to the edge of the rocky ledge. "Come away, Noah," she said urgently, waving a hand.
He glanced down at his boots. Realizing he might have strayed closer to the edge, he grinned. "I think you might be right," he agreed and took a couple of steps toward the cavern entrance where Abigail was standing.
For a few long moments, they stood side by side. Glancing up and seeing the expression on his face, she thought he was going to say something to her. Probably an apology, she assumed. That was the kind of man he was, she told herself. Instead, he turned and faced the cavern entrance. "I think we better get back. Ray will be wondering where we've gone."
Sensing a relief sweep through her, Abigail nodded. "Okay."
And then a truth came to her. She hadn't wanted Noah to apologize for kissing her, she realized. The kiss had been wondrous. Tender. And it had confirmed everything she'd speculated about since he'd spoken to her on the porch back at her family's ranch. She and Noah were getting closer to one another. In spite of all the little misunderstandings. All the small disagreements. All her doubts.
As she started to follow Noah back into the cavern, Abigail had one more secret thought. She and the handsome new rancher were forming an unlikely friendship.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"There's the Double T," Ray announced. They'd just crested a wide ridge. Noah drew his mount to a halt and gazed down at the grassy rangeland stretching off into the distance. Settled there, looking more beautiful than he'd ever seen it, was his ranch. His home.
Alongside him, Abigail drew Rebel to a halt. She smiled across at him and he smiled right back at her. "Good to be home, ain't it," she stated.
"Sure is," he agreed.
As if sensing they'd arrived at their final destination, the cattle started lowing loudly, announcing their arrival. Noah grinned at Ray. "Sounds like they like the place already."
Ray nodded. "Maybe they do," he said. Ray peered at Noah. "Mr MacKendrick, you know Caleb said me and the boys could stay here a while. Just to get the cattle settled in on the ranch."
"He offered, but I declined, Ray," Noah replied.
"You did?" Ray seemed surprised. "Maybe you'd like to reconsider. I'm only talking about a few days. Then we'd have to get back to Caleb's place."
"I'm not sure I want to put you to that inconvenience," Noah said.
"You won't be, Mr MacKendrick. It would be an honor to help you out," Ray countered.
"Doesn't Caleb need you?" Noah asked.
Ray shook his head and tilted his head toward the cattle. "Not so much. Now that he's down a hundred head, there's less to do around the spread. For a while, at least."
Noah frowned and thought for a few moments. "I don't know what to say, Ray."
"You have other men lined up?" Ray asked.
Noah shook his head. "No, I don't." He thought about the visitors to the ranch a few days before. Having though about it since then, Noah was of a mind to try the men out. See if they'd be worth taking on longer term. In spite of his reservations.
Looking at the herd, now on his own spread, brought reality home to Noah. Made him realize that, in fact, he did need some help. What was holding him back from accepting? Was he just too proud to accept even more of the generosity of his neighboring ranchers? Or was he being tempted to act all high and mighty? Now that he almost had the ranch up and running, was he simply being stubborn?
He didn't want to come across as proud, or suffering from vain-glory. That wouldn't be right. Now the herd had arrived on the spread, Noah could understand it might be time to put aside his own preferences and settle for what was needed. For the good of the ranch. Maybe it was time to be humble, instead of trying to make it look like he could do everything on his own.
"It's a good offer," Abigail said to Noah. "You saw how Ray and his crew operate. They're experts and no mistake."
For the first time since he'd met Ray, Noah saw the ranch foreman's face turn red. "That's mighty kind of you to say, Miss Buchanan."
"I ain't saying nothing that can't be seen with open eyes. You and your men made the drive look easy," Abigail insisted.
Noah thought for a moment. Maybe if Abigail thought he needed help, then it was true. He recalled what had happened back at the cave. Thought about that sweet, brief and tender kiss. Even the memory of it was enough to make his heart miss a beat. Perhaps if Ray hung around, Abigail would be persuaded to do the same.
Noah nodded to Ray. "I'll take you up on your offer," he announced.
Ray smiled. "That's a wise decision, Mr MacKendrick."
Noah grinned at the other man."Ray. Just call me Noah," he said to the friendly ramrod.
"I'll let the men know we'll be settling here a while longer, Noah," Ray said, looking genuinely pleased with the decision. He rode off in the direction of the other men and was soon giving them the good news. All the men looked pleased and immediately continued their business with the cattle.
Abigail smiled and watched Ray. "You made his day, I reckon."
"He seems like a good man," Noah replied.
Abigail nodded. "You can trust Ray. I've heard only good things about his work around the Buchanan spread.
"I still need some men for the long term,"Noah admitted.
"One day at a time, Noah," Abigail counseled.
"You're right," he replied. "I guess I'm just eager to get things right."
Abigail reached across and laid a hand gently upon Noah's arm. "You'll get there," she murmured. "I know you will."
Her touch awakened memories in him. Recollections of how sweet her lips had been in that fleeting kiss. His gaze met Abigail's. For a moment, they shared a private, secret exchange. He wondered if she was thinking about earlier, down at the river. Judging by the warmth of the way she was looking at him, he figured he could take a wild guess and say she was.
While Ray and the crew busied themselves with the herd, Noah and Abigail rode down to the ranch house. After settling the horses, they both made their way to the house. Walking into the house with Abigail by his side felt surprisingly pleasing to Noah. He realized he was deeply curious to know what she thought of how he had fixed up the place. The aroma of cooking filled the house.
Mrs Lucas emerged from the kitchen. She was stout, bespectacled and wore a dark blue gown over which there was a white apron. On her head, a dark blue bonnet covered her dark hair. Bright-eyed and always smiling, Mr Lucas had become an indispensable presence around the ranch house.
The Rancher’s Bride Blessing Page 12
