Until September

by Brenda Jernigan

  “What a wonderful idea,” Ann said. She picked up a few sheets of paper and headed for the door. “I’ll be right back.”

  After several long minutes—many more than Claire thought necessary, Ann returned. She shut the door behind her and moved behind her desk, then slumped down in her chair. “My legs have gone weak. That is one handsome cowboy you’ve got yourself. Have you touched him to make certain he’s real?”

  “He most certainly is real,” Claire told Ann. “I’m afraid I had a coughing spell and fainted in his arms.”

  “Convenient”

  “It wasn’t intended, I assure you.” Claire sighed. “He is certainly nice to look at.”

  “Look at, hell,” Ann, never one to mince words, snorted. “You need to be touching him and finding out how much muscle is under that shirt”

  “Ann!” Claire felt her cheeks grow warm. “That isn’t very ladylike.”

  “To hell with being a lady,” Ann said, and took Claire’s hand. “Didn’t you tell me that you wanted to live? To do things you’ve never done before?”

  Claire nodded as she released her hand and sat back in the chair. “Yes.”

  “Well, you’ve never had a cowboy before, nor any other man, for that matter, so now is your chance. Forget about the ladylike ideas you’ve had all your life.”

  “Ann, I can’t believe you’re talking like this!”

  “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Ann smiled, moving around to the front of her desk to face Claire. Ann Evidently was having a jolly time with this subject “Listen, you’ve been a proper lady all your life, waiting for David; although I can’t understand why. How many times did he put off marrying you because his business wasn’t big enough, or that he didn’t have the right house? It was always one excuse after another and, of course, you waited and waited, putting all your desires aside. And, I ask you, for what? What good did it do?”

  “Not much. He broke the engagement,” Claire said.

  “Precisely. You got nothing but heartache. Of course, I would have hated to see you marry that dull-as-dirt simpleton anyway. But this one... I suspect you won’t hear the word wait come out of his mouth.”

  “But I can’t get sweet on him because—well, you know.”

  “So.” Ann reached out her hands, palms up. “You enjoy your cowboy for as long as it lasts. Take a chance for a little happiness. Remember, you don’t have to worry about getting married or saving yourself. You go after what you want and get it. You do like him, don’t you?”

  Claire nodded. “Yes, I do. Earlier today, I could feel something between us, but I don’t know, I don’t want to get serious about anyone.”

  “You don’t have to be serious. Just have fun. Seduce him. Admit it, I bet you’d like to know what it’s like to kiss him?”

  “Yes. I would.”

  “Good. That’s my girl.” Ann patted Claire on the shoulder. “No more rules, but one. We go after what we want Agreed?”

  Claire stood, thought a moment, then said, “Absolutely.”

  “And when you send back your articles from out there, I expect a full report on your handsome cowboy.”

  “I’ll do that,” Claire said and then hesitantly asked. “But how do I start?”

  “At your party.” Ann thought for a moment “You’ll be all dressed up, and he won’t be able to take his eyes off you. That’s when you get him. You’re just not very experienced at flirting, but it will come to you. Hell, I might even come to your party.”

  “Please do, just in case I need a shove,” Claire said with a smile. “You know, I’ve followed the rules all my life. I hope I can change.”

  Ann took Claire by the arms.

  “Close your eyes.” Claire did as she was told.

  “Now imagine your cowboy. Got it?”

  Claire nodded.

  “Picture yourself being kissed by your cowboy.”

  “All right,” Claire said.

  “Now, can you break a few rules to get what you want?”

  Claire’s eyelids flew open, and she gave Ann a triumphant smile, then said, “You’re damned right I can!”

  “That’s my girl. Give me a hug and go out there and get him.”

  Claire gave Ann a final hug good-bye, knowing that Ann had just made it easier for her to leave. Ann had probably done so to avoid tearful goodbyes, and Claire was grateful for that

  As Claire reached the door Ann said, “Don’t forget to write to me. And I want details.”

  Claire gave Ann a sly smile. “I’ll report back every intimate detail. Provided there are some.”

  “Oh, there will be.” Ann sat back in her chair. “If I were a little younger, I’d break him in for you.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a minute. ’Bye,” Claire said as she shut the door and went to find Billy.

  Once they were in the hall, Billy asked. “Do you always laugh so much with your editor? I could hear you as I waited.”

  Claire smiled at him. “Only when we have something wonderful to talk about.”

  “Well, today’s subject must have been a good one.”

  “I guess you could say it is certainly one of the most important conversations we’ve ever had. She more or less gave me an assignment.” Claire smiled a lopsided sort of smile.

  “I hope it isn’t too difficult.”

  Claire wanted to laugh as she looked into Billy’s warm brown eyes. “Sometimes difficult tasks can be the most rewarding.”

  Chapter Eight

  When Billy went down for breakfast, he noticed that the entire staff was scurrying around as if they had a thousand tasks to do. Armed with brooms, mops, and dust rags, they paid him little attention as he walked by.

  He heard them talking about the party that would be held tonight, and knew the staff would be rushing all day to accomplish their tasks, so he decided to make himself scarce so he wouldn’t get in anyone’s way. And the idea of staying inside all day really didn’t appeal to him. Since when had he spent this much time inside? He was used to being outside in the wide open spaces. Just the thought of being in this part of the country made him feel trapped.

  Just one more day of the eastern life, he told himself as he strolled through the front door, beating the butler to the punch. Tomorrow they would be on a train heading back to Denver, and the big pay day. He looked forward to getting his money because he knew what he wanted to do with it.

  First, he’d put it in the bank and then start looking for his own land. And after he found his land, he could start building his house, followed by a stable.

  It still seemed like a dream to him, owning his own land. But he also knew that dreams could be shattered in an instant, so he cautiously kept his dreams to himself.

  But today, he was going to spend his time looking around the Holladay’s stables. He might as well learn from the best and pick up some useful information that would be useful when he finally bought his own ranch.

  As Billy strode along the dirt road, he noticed the split-rail fences that ran on both sides of the roads and divided the land into pastures. The grass had turned green and the horses seemed to be enjoying themselves as they grazed on the tender blades of grass. In the distance, some men were white-washing fences. Then he noticed his pinto, Spot, in a smaller pasture by the stables. You couldn’t miss her as she was the only one who looked like she didn’t belong in such lush surrounds. Billy laughed, he was sure he stood out like a sore thumb himself. Spot was running around, kicking up her heels. Evidently, his horse was as restless as he was.

  Billy entered the large white stable and found four grooms talking to each other. One held a pitchfork, the other three were frowning and shaking their heads. At the other end of the stable, Albert came out of the tack room. “So why haven’t at least one of you mucked out Firebrand’s stall? Standing around talking won’t get the job done.”

  Suddenly a horse’s head came over the half door, mouth wide open, ears flat back.

  “That’s the reason,”
the taller boy said, taking a step backwards.

  Albert noticed Billy and smiled. He pulled Billy to the side. “I see you had to get away from all the hustle going on at the house, too.” Albert chuckled. “You would think that we were announcing my sister’s engagement. Mother has always wanted Claire to have the grandest wedding, so I guess this is Mother’s way of giving Claire what she’ll never have.”

  Billy thought that was an odd statement “Surely, Claire will marry one day,” he said.

  Albert was quiet for a moment and he looked a little sad before he said, “Sure, she will.” And then Albert abruptly changed the subject “Is there something I can show you?”

  “If you don’t mind, I thought it would be more to my liking down here at the stables.”

  “That’s fine. You’ve arrived just in time to see our most difficult horse.” Albert nodded toward the stall. “The boys here were deciding who was going to clean the stall and curry the horse.”

  “None of them look too eager,” Billy commented as he walked over to the stall. A stallion paced. He was so brown his coat looked black and his mane and tail were black. His hind hoofs were white and a small white spot was in the center of his forehead. He spotted Billy and stared at him with cautious eyes. “He seems nervous and underweight.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” Albert said. “He’s underweight because he won’t eat”

  “Hi, Mr. Billy,” Willie said, carrying a bridle that was almost as big as himself, the boy couldn’t be over seven years old. He had dark curly hair and eyes as brown as Billy’s. “I finished cleaning the bridle, Mr. Albert.” Willie held it up so Albert could see.

  “Good job. You can hang it up with the rest,” Albert said, and then looked at the other grooms, dismissing the child. “Get to your other chores while I try and figure out what to do with this horse. If Father would agree, I’d get rid of him,” Albert grumbled, then looked at Billy. “My sister said that you were interested in horses.”

  “I hope to raise them one day. Not these thoroughbreds but mustangs and quarter horses. That’s the kind of horses we use out West. However, I must admit these animals are magnificent, especially that one.”

  Albert motioned toward the stall. “Firebrand is an Alter Real.”

  Billy frowned. “I hate to sound ignorant, but I didn’t understand a word you just said.”

  Albert chuckled. “Not many people would recognize the breed name. I’ll explain. This horse’s ancestors date back to 1747 and were the results of the Braganza royal family wanting their own horses. They bred Andalusian mares imported from the Jerez region of Spain to get this special breed. And that probably sounds confusing: so, simply, this horse comes with an impeccable bloodline that makes him intelligent and a quick learner.”

  “If he’s so intelligent, why don’t you talk to him about his behavior?” Billy suggested with a smile.

  Albert grunted. “Unfortunately he’s a high priced, prickly thoroughbred. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “What do you think is wrong with him?”

  “Firebrand, a name he well deserves as you can see. Used to be a fine race horse, but he was in a stable fire a year back. After that, his owner couldn’t do anything with him, so he sold him to us. Firebrand is a fine thoroughbred. We’d hoped to race him again, but as you can see we’ve not been successful calming him down. He paces his stall and lunges at anyone who gets near. I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to do anything with him.”

  Willie had come back to stand between them. “I bet Firebrand’s lonesome.”

  “Horses don’t get lonesome. They’re not people,” Albert said.

  Billy looked at Albert “I disagree. I once knew an old Indian who taught me to talk to horses. He always said that horses needed friends just like people. Mind if I give your horse a try?”

  “Talk to horses?” Albert looked at Billy like he’d been eating loco weed. Finally he shrugged. “Help yourself. I’ve got some other things to tend to but if Firebrand kicks you, just remember I warned you.” He walked away shaking his head.

  Billy touched Willie’s shoulder. “Willie, do you have a few carrots?”

  “Sure. Be right back.”

  Billy eased his way closer to the stall ignoring Firebrand’s snapping jaws and ears pinned back. “Now you know that you don’t really want to bite me. I’m here to help you.”

  Firebrand didn’t look convinced.

  Willie was out of breath by the time he returned. “Here are the carrots. Whatcha going to do?”

  Billy took the carrots. “I’m going to have a talk with Firebrand. Stand back,” Billy warned Willie. “I’m going into the stall.”

  “Are you nuts, mister? That there horse will kick the mud out of you.”

  “Maybe not,” Billy said as he shut the half door of the stall behind him. “How about a carrot, big boy?” Billy said in a soft tone as the horse eyed him from the corner of the stall, his skin quivering with nervousness. Billy took a step forward. Firebrand reared up on his hind legs and pawed the air.

  Patiently, Billy waited until the horse had all four feet down on the ground. Firebrand eyed him, unsure of what to do next as he pawed the ground.

  An hour later, they were still in the same position.

  “You might as well stop that fuss because I’m not going away,” Billy told the prickly horse as he took another step closer to the animal. “I know you’d like this great big carrot.” He held it out and Firebrand stretched his neck out to sniff.

  Billy pulled the carrot back just out of reach so that Firebrand would have to move closer. “You’ll have to come to me if you want this carrot.”

  The horse stepped side to side, his eyes never leaving the snack. Finally, he took the few steps toward Billy, reached out and bit off the carrot top.

  Billy let him munch on the carrot as he slowly raised his other hand to rub Firebrand’s thick, muscular neck. At first Firebrand jerked back but then he finally relaxed. Billy began to whisper to Firebrand. His heavy ears swept back and forth. Billy waited for the horse to calm down and the restlessness to leave him. He needed to gain the horse’s trust. “Let’s try some of these.” Billy held up a bucket of oats and the horse began to eat.

  “Golly, I can’t believe you got him to eat,” Willie said as he leaned on the half door. He’d pulled up a small wooden stool, so he could stand on it to look over the door. “What did you say to him?”

  Billy chuckled at the boy’s surprised expression.

  “It was just a little horse talk,” he said. “Let’s take Firebrand outside for a little while.” Billy reached for a lead rope that hung from a nail inside the stall and fastened it to Firebrand’s halter, then Willie opened the door so Billy could lead the stallion out

  Willie ran along beside Billy. They had just passed his office when Albert walked out the door, papers in his right hand.

  “I don’t believe what I’m seeing,” Albert said, lifting his cap and scratching his head. “You must be some miracle worker. Maybe we need to keep you around here for a while. Then you can teach me to talk to horses.”

  “Nope. Too civilized for me.” Billy smiled. “I think you can have one of the boys muck out the stall now.” He didn’t wait for a reply as he led the horse over to the corral where Spot stood.

  The pinto obediently came over to Billy who reached out and stroked her finely drawn muzzle. Then to Billy’s surprise, Firebrand leaned over the fence and sniffed Spot. Spot seemed just as curious.

  “I think they like each other,” Willie said.

  “I do, too. Why don’t you get Spot and lead her over there where I can saddle her. Then I’ll take you for that ride I promised.”

  Willie was already moving when he thought of a question. “What about Firebrand?”

  “I’ll put him on a long lead rope and let him come with us.”

  As Willie ran around to the fence gate, a female voice came from behind Billy. “So here you are! I was beginning to think that you’d le
ft and started back home without me.”

  Billy turned and saw Claire, the sun making her hair shine like a black raven’s wing. She was dressed in yellow and white and reminded him of a sunflower today.

  “It didn’t look like you needed my help at the house,” he said as his gaze traveled over her face, “so I came down here to give Willie that ride I promised.”

  Claire looked past Billy to Firebrand, so she wouldn’t give away that each time she saw Billy, the pull was stronger. “And apparently tamed our horse. Can I pet him?”

  “Sure.”

  Claire moved slowly as she reached out to touch Firebrand’s muzzle. “This is the first contact that anyone has had with him.” She smiled slowly, regarding Billy curiously. “Are you good at everything you try, Billy West?” she finally asked.

  He gave her a slow smile before answering. “Pretty much.”

  “Then I’ll be in good hands,” she said in a whis pery voice. Suddenly, her heart was beating way too fast. She didn’t usually flirt with men, but she was deliberately doing just that, and she could see a spark in the depths of his dark eyes. She should be ashamed ... but she wasn’t.

  “I’m ready,” Willie yelled as he ran over to them. “Are you going ridin’ with us, Miss Claire?”

  It was hard, but Claire managed to pull her gaze way from Billy and looked at the child. “I’m not dressed for riding, Willie. I guess you two will have to go and have all the fun, while I go back to the house.” She turned toward Billy, his lithe body relaxed as he held Firebrand’s lead rope. “Your clothes arrived a half hour ago, so you’ll be all set for the party.”

  The corner of his mouth twisted with annoyance. “I’d rather stay out here.”

  Her lips twitched with the need to smile at Billy’s apparent unhappiness. She knew she was asking him to do something that he preferred not to do. “I know, but please ... come for me. You might even have a good time.”

  “I doubt it.”

  She touched his arm. It was so easy to get lost in his eyes, the way he looked at her. “It’s the only party that has ever been held for me,” she said softly. “And I probably won’t have another.”