Love Inspired February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Reunited FamilyThe Forest Ranger's ReturnMommy Wanted

by Brenda Minton

  She took a step, and Dal looked her way. His eyes widened with surprise, his gaze scouring her forest ranger’s uniform. “Hi, Jules. I didn’t know you’d be here today.”

  She moved nearer, her hands in her pants pockets. “I just wanted to watch for an hour. I’ve got to go into work right after Marcus’s lesson ends.”

  “Okay, you and Grant can help us out.”

  “You came out here just for my lesson?” Marcus asked.

  A feeling of compassion squeezed Julie’s heart, and she reached out and rested her hand on his shoulder before she thought to stop herself. “Of course I wanted to see you ride. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  And she meant it. Helping this boy feel special seemed so important to her right now. Without asking permission, she hugged him. A quick, spontaneous action that she didn’t stop to think about until it was over with.

  Marcus’s lips curved in a smile for about two seconds. Then the ugly frown returned, as though he didn’t want to show any joy at all.

  Julie rubbed the gelding’s soft muzzle. The horse blew dust from its nostrils, breathing in Julie’s scent. Otherwise, Banjo stood completely still, seeming to enjoy his rubdown.

  “I get to ride first before any of the other kids today,” the boy said.

  “So I heard,” Julie replied with enthusiasm.

  “Okay, I think we’re ready. Go and get your saddle blanket,” Dal urged.

  The boy stepped away, and Dal spoke low, for her ears alone. “What are you really doing out here this morning?”

  Honestly? She had no idea. “I, um, Lyn suggested I come out at least once, to see the kids ride. I just wanted to know what you did and how you worked with the kids. For the fun of it. I’m glad I’ll get to see Marcus ride.”

  Okay, that was truthful enough. She couldn’t betray a feeling of euphoria that she got to see Dal, too. Being near him had become a tonic she couldn’t seem to do without. She felt drawn to him and didn’t understand why.

  He studied her expression for several moments, then gave her a smile. “Good. As usual, we’re shorthanded. I’ll let you serve as one of the side walkers.”

  She arched her brows. “Side walker?”

  “Yeah, each kid who rides has a horse handler to hold on to the halter, and two side walkers to make sure the child is balanced safely on the horse and doesn’t fall off.”

  “Okay. Sounds easy enough. I’m glad to help.” She reached for the saddle sitting on a rack nearby.

  Dal interceded, resting his hand on her arm. “Nope, the kids saddle their own horses.”

  At her confused expression, he explained. “It’s good for them to work with the horse and become friends. To learn to trust their mount.”

  “Here it is,” Marcus groused. He held the horse blanket over his good arm, using his wrist stump to keep it from falling to the dirt floor.

  “Good job,” Dal said. “Now just swing it up onto Banjo’s back.”

  He waited for Marcus to do as he was told. The boy released an irritated huff of air and pursed his lips in disgust. Then he made a weak attempt to toss the blanket over. The moment the boy made an effort to try, Dal helped, ensuring that the blanket didn’t slip off.

  “Good job, Marcus.” Dal tugged the blanket into position. “You want it to sit right over Banjo’s withers. Then slide it back just a bit to make sure the hair is lying flat beneath the pad. That way, the saddle won’t rub his back sore.”

  Julie stood quiet, observing Marcus’s expressions. The boy listened intently, but the grumpy glare remained.

  “Okay, now it’s time for the saddle.” Dal nodded at the worn leather sitting nearby on a rack, the stirrups shortened to fit a child. He waited for Marcus to reach for it.

  “I can’t do it.” The boy held up his stumped arm, as if it were obvious why he couldn’t lift the saddle.

  Julie’s heart gave a powerful jerk. Compassion overwhelmed her. She wanted to help. To protect this boy from being hurt by the world. To do everything for him. But she waited for Dal, knowing he was the expert in this situation. Knowing Marcus had to learn to be independent if he were to ever have a normal life of his own.

  “Sure you can do it.” Dal smiled, seemingly oblivious to Marcus’s frigid glare. “Just loop your stump through the gullet of the saddle like this. You don’t have a hand on that wrist, but you can use the strength of your arm to lift the weight and hold on to the cantle with your other hand.”

  Dal showed Marcus what to do, then stood back and waited for the boy to try it. Marcus didn’t budge. Didn’t even flinch. “I said I can’t do it.”

  “Sure you can. At least try it,” Dal said.

  The boy gave a stubborn shake of his head.

  “Okay, no problem. You can try again tomorrow.” Dal tugged off the blanket and set it aside.

  “Wait! You...you mean I can’t ride today?” Marcus wailed.

  “Not without a saddle.”

  “But...but you can saddle Banjo for me.”

  Dal shook his head. “Sorry, Marcus. Remember, I explained the rules. Everyone has to saddle their own horse, or at least try.”

  Marcus leaned against a post, his little back and shoulders completely rigid.

  Dal showed a look of confusion. “Have I misunderstood you, buddy? Do you still want to ride today?”

  Julie remained stone still. From what she could see, it was obvious that Marcus didn’t fear the horse. He was simply using a power play to get Dal to saddle the horse for him. Her fingers itched to pick up the saddle and perform this simple chore for Marcus. It would only take a moment. But she resisted the urge to help. She must allow Dal to work with this child. To teach Marcus that he could overcome this obstacle, if he would only try.

  “Of course I want to ride.” Tears glimmered in the boy’s eyes, but he stubbornly kept them from falling.

  “Okay,” Dal said. “Then saddle your horse. I’ll help you if you need me to.”

  “No! I don’t want to saddle Banjo.”

  “Then who will do it for you?”

  “You will.” Marcus pointed at Dal’s chest.

  Again, Dal shook his head, looking very sorry. “I won’t always be there with you, Marcus. Banjo needs to trust you. If you can’t at least make an attempt to saddle him, how can you ever sit on his back, hold the reins and ride him?”

  The boy gazed at the ground and kicked at the dirt as he thought this over. Then an obstinate glint filled his eyes with flashing fire. Stepping over to the rack, Marcus reached for the saddle. He looped his stumped wrist through, beneath the soft fleece lining and grunted as he lifted the leather seat up against Banjo’s side. The horse didn’t budge, proving he was a patient creature and perfect for being ridden by nervous kids who had never done this before.

  The moment the boy made the effort, Dal slid the blanket back onto the horse’s back. Marcus struggled with the heavy leather for only a moment. Then Dal took hold of the cantle with his strong hands and removed the bulk of the weight from Marcus’s thin arms. Julie stepped in to help, flipping the stirrups out of the way as Dal helped Marcus settle the saddle into place.

  “Well done! See? You can do it.” Dal laughed and ruffled the boy’s dark hair.

  Marcus showed half a smile.

  “Now let’s tighten the cinch. Loop it through here.” Dal pointed, then waited for Marcus to do the work. When he struggled with the strips of leather, Dal helped. But not until Marcus had at least made an effort.

  “Now comes the tricky part. Wait for Banjo to exhale before you tighten it up.” Dal paused. The moment Banjo released his breath, Dal tugged the cinch tight.

  Marcus tilted his head, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Why did you do that?”

  “So we can get the saddle on tight enough. Banjo is a clever horse. He knows
that if he holds his breath when you’re saddling him, it’ll make the saddle looser around his middle and more comfortable for him. But it’s not as safe for you. The saddle will be too wobbly. So if you wait a moment, you can tighten it up.”

  Marcus laughed and patted Banjo’s neck. “Clever horse. But we outwitted you.”

  Julie’s mouth dropped. This was the first time she’d heard the boy laugh. Over Marcus’s head, her gaze met Dal’s and they shared a conspiratorial smile. They’d made progress today. Not only had Dal gotten Marcus to make an effort, but the boy had also laughed. Julie couldn’t believe Dal’s patience, even when the boy was so irritable. Dal seemed to know just how far he could push the boy before he needed to let up.

  Reaching down, Dal handed the reins to Marcus. “Lead your horse outside to the hitching rail so you can mount up.”

  Marcus took hold of the reins with his good hand and headed out. His forehead kneaded with a bit of uncertainty, until the horse followed after him at a slow walk. Julie noticed that Dal held on to the halter, never fully relinquishing control over the animal. At this point in Marcus’s riding education, it wouldn’t be safe. Even a calm animal like Banjo could hurt the young boy.

  Quietly observing their exchange, Grant followed them outside into the sunshine. Julie hurried ahead and reached for the step stool, sliding it into place. Marcus stood up on it without being asked. Finally. Finally the boy seemed to be in sync with them.

  Dal showed him how to place his left foot into the stirrup, loop the elbow joint of his amputated hand around the saddle horn and pull himself on board.

  When he was seated, Marcus held the reins in his good hand. For several moments, the boy just sat there, blinking in surprise, as though he couldn’t believe he was actually sitting on a horse. Grant snapped a quick picture as Marcus whooped with glee. “Hey, I’m on. I did it. I really did it.”

  “You sure did.” Julie clapped her hands together while Dal chuckled.

  “Very well done, Marcus,” Dal praised. “You brushed and saddled your own horse. I can see that Banjo trusts you by the way he’s calmly waiting for your commands. You’ve done a good job today and have earned a fun ride.”

  A look of pure bliss settled across Marcus’s face. He absorbed Dal’s compliments like dry sand soaking up sunshine.

  “Come on, Banjo. Let’s go.” Marcus flicked the reins, but the horse didn’t budge.

  “Tell him to ‘walk on.’ You’ll need to tap your heels gently against Banjo’s sides, the way I taught you,” Dal said. “Not too hard, but hard enough to get his attention. Remember to treat your horse with kindness, and he’ll always trust you. If you treat him with cruelty, you’ll never have good luck with him. Horses are just like people. They respond to kindness.” Dal took hold of the halter lead and nodded at Julie.

  She pushed the step stool out of the way and took up her position on the left side of the horse, while Grant stood on the right side.

  “Walk on.” Marcus tapped his heels against Banjo’s flanks and the horse walked forward, nice and slow.

  With Dal leading the gelding, they moved out into the corral. A bit of nervous energy flickered in Marcus’s eyes, but he soon became comfortable, rocking gently with the gait of the horse.

  “Your seat is very good. Great conformation,” Julie praised the boy. “You sure don’t need much help. You can do it all by yourself.”

  “Yeah, I’m a good rider,” Marcus said. A smile widened his face as he gave himself over completely to the horse.

  For half an hour, they walked and trotted the horse. And Julie laughed and praised each and every one of Marcus’s accomplishments.

  On their way back to the stable, Dal reached down and plucked a yellow plume of goldenrod growing among the tall grass at the base of the fence. He promptly handed it to Julie.

  Her eyes met his and, though he didn’t say a word, his gaze spoke volumes. The gesture caused her heart to beat faster and her head to spin.

  * * *

  The moment he gave Julie the flower, Dal regretted it. It had been an automatic gesture. He’d seen a flower and given it to a beautiful girl.

  His beautiful girl.

  Except she wasn’t. His anyway. Not anymore.

  Looking away, he tried to focus on Marcus and the horse. After Dal helped Marcus step off the horse, Grant led the gelding back inside the stable where Marcus more willingly assisted in unsaddling his mount.

  “I wish I could ride a little longer,” Marcus said.

  Not a demand. No pouting. Just a quick comment as the boy slid the blanket off Banjo’s back. Yes, they had definitely made a lot of headway with the child. And Dal was abundantly grateful that he’d gotten to share today’s accomplishment with Julie.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get to ride again tomorrow morning,” Dal said.

  “Yes!” The boy fisted his hand in the air and gave a happy little hop.

  The next student hobbled into the stable, accompanied by another staff member. An eleven-year-old boy with a double above-the-knee amputation, he used a walker to support his shuffling limp.

  “Hi, Tony. I’ll be right with you.” Dal spoke over his shoulder to the boy.

  “How was your ride?” Tony asked Marcus, a tone of wary eagerness in his voice.

  “Great! You’re gonna love it. It’s so easy, and Banjo is a great horse,” Marcus replied.

  Dal’s mouth dropped open, and he couldn’t help staring. This was the first time he’d heard Marcus speak civilly to one of the other kids. It reaffirmed the therapeutic value of having the kids interact with and ride the horses.

  Julie mirrored his surprise, looking between him and the children. Then she closed her mouth and smiled. “Well, I’d better get going. My office manager will wonder what happened to me.”

  She looked at Dal. “Do you have someone else to work as a side walker without me here?”

  “Yes, we’ll be fine.” He said the words, but he didn’t mean them. Not really. He couldn’t help wishing that she could stay. But maybe it was better if she left. No matter how hard he tried not to, he’d become overly attached to the pretty forest ranger. And he couldn’t help feeling grateful that she’d taken time out of her busy schedule to come here and work with him.

  “Goodbye.” She gave Marcus another quick squeeze, and he actually hugged her back.

  “Do you have to go?” the boy said.

  “I’m afraid so. But I’ll be back to help serve dinner tomorrow night.”

  A pleased smile lit up the child’s face. “Okay. See you then.”

  He turned to Tony and started a detailed dialogue on how to groom Banjo and cinch up the saddle.

  With a small laugh, Julie waved at Dal. His gaze focused on the soft smile curving her pretty mouth.

  He lifted a hand in farewell and watched the graceful swing of her hips as she headed for the doors. Not until Tony tugged on his sleeve did he realize he was staring at empty space. With a gargantuan effort, Dal focused on the boy and vowed to forget about Julie. At least for the next few minutes.

  “Okay, Tony. Let’s ride a horse.”

  Chapter Ten

  Late Saturday afternoon, Julie lifted the lid of the washing machine and coiled her bed sheets around the drum. Turning the knob, she set the cycle. The rush of water began to fill the machine as she measured out the detergent. A little bit of color-safe bleach, some fabric softener and then she’d finish washing her dishes. She should have just enough time to go into town to buy groceries to fill her empty refrigerator. Then she could relax and watch the evening news. Maybe she’d pick up a take-and-bake pizza for dinner.

  The phone rang, and she closed the lid of the washer before answering.

  “Hello.”

  “Julie?”

  “Hi, Cade! What’s up?” She reco
gnized the doctor’s voice immediately, wondering why he would call her on the weekend. They didn’t have another batch of kids coming in until Monday morning, and she wasn’t scheduled to work until that night.

  “Can you come over to the ranch, please?”

  She hesitated. “Sure, when?”

  “Right now.”

  She glanced down at her knee-length shorts and bare feet, then at the kitchen clock. Four forty-five in the afternoon. Good thing she hadn’t run to the store yet. Groceries and pizza would have to wait.

  “Um, okay. What’s up?”

  He took a deep breath, and she heard the restlessness in his tone. “It’s Dal. He needs you. Badly.”

  “Dal? What’s wrong?”

  And why hadn’t Dal called?

  “He received a letter today. Some very bad news. He’s kept to himself all day and seems inconsolable.”

  “A letter from whom?”

  “An old friend. He won’t confide in me about it. He’s been locked away in his cabin all day. He hasn’t come out even to eat, and he won’t let me come in, either. I haven’t seen him like this since...since he lost his leg in the war. I’m worried about him, Julie.”

  Yeah, she was, too. This wasn’t like Dal. Not at all.

  “But why call me?” she asked.

  “I think you can help. You have a calming influence on him.”

  She did? That was an interesting observation. She doubted that going over to his place and asking him personal questions about a letter he’d received would help.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea, Cade. Can’t you talk to him?”

  “I’ve tried. So has Lyn. He’s shut us both out. But he can never refuse you. I think he’ll let you in.”

  His words impacted her like hitting a wall of cement. Dal could never refuse her. She sensed that was true, though she’d never put it to the test. Not really.

  She didn’t know what to say. Her promise to never abandon Dal again came back to haunt her. He needed her, and she had to go to him. It was that simple.