The Rancher’s Spirited Bride

by Chloe Carley

  The Indians had mocked her, poking at her with their spears and sharpened sticks. They hadn’t truly harmed her yet, but the threats were enough to paralyze her with fear. She bit her lip as she forced herself to stop crying, wishing she’d never left the ranch house that day. Her pa had shown up a few minutes later and ridden right into their camp, his rifle drawn and ready to fire. She’d been terrified they would hurt or kill him, but instead he’d managed to talk with them, and she’d eventually been allowed to leave. He’d asked her if she was hurt and she’d shaken her head, afraid if she tried to say anything, she’d start crying again.

  She had a few bruises the next day, but when her ma asked about it, she blamed it on falling off of her horse. Just thinking about the Indians and what might have happened to her brought the terror she felt in those moments back to her mind. No one had known she was sitting at the top of the stairs, but she’d heard them all talking about how lucky she’d been. Pa had gone on to describe some of the stories he’d heard about the Apaches and how they treated their prisoners.

  She’d been scared before, and hearing what might have happened to her if Pa hadn’t come for her, had her terrified. She’d scurried back to her bedroom when she’d heard Gideon and Shawn head for the stairs and their own bedrooms, but she hadn’t been able to sleep. She’d lain there, trembling and silently crying, praying that morning would come sooner than later. That same scenario had played out night after night until she’d become so exhausted her body’s need for sleep had taken precedence over her fears.

  She’d never said anything to her family. She’d have worried them and even her parents kept telling her how foolish her actions had been and how lucky she was. She didn’t feel lucky. She’d failed miserably, both at keeping herself hidden from the Indians and controlling her fear. She could still hear the Indians’ laughter in her ears and it only served to remind her of how weak she’d been.

  She’d never been humiliated before. Even at the young age of five, she had hated the feeling of being helpless. That moment had been a turning point in her young life. She’d pushed herself like never before, not being satisfied until she was faster and more than skilled than those around her.

  Realizing where her thoughts were taking her, she forced them aside; instead, choosing to focus on taking a ride and clearing her head. She finished walking toward the barn, turning her thoughts to other things. Anything besides the Indians.

  When she pushed open the doors of the barn and didn’t see anyone waiting for her, only three horses saddled up and waiting for their riders to return. She was disappointed that no-one was waiting for her, especially given the storm that was bearing down on them. She recalled Shawn’s worry about the snowstorm approaching, but it didn’t worry her enough to forego her ride.

  She called out into the barn, but only the horses answered her. She debated about waiting for the men to come back from whatever errand had taken them from the barn, but after several minutes, she grew impatient. Sara Jane had ridden all over the ranch by herself numerous times and a little approaching snowstorm didn’t scare her at all.

  She quickly saddled Shiloh. The Indians had been to the west, so she would just ride east. It was the opposite direction from where she would have been headed if she were going with the boys, but she was certain they would know she wouldn’t go that direction by herself. Since they still hadn’t returned for their mounts, she saw no reason to wait any longer. The southeastern pastures were a little rockier and once the snow started covering the ground, a lot more dangerous to traverse, but she’d take it nice and slow and not be gone too long. She’d be headed home long before the storm was upon her.

  She led Shiloh out of the barn, mounted, and, once away from the buildings, gave her free rein to gallop. The snow started to fall a few minutes later and Sara Jane slowed Shiloh to a brisk walk as she watched the landscape change before her eyes. The flakes were wet and big, and the landscape went from the rust red and brown of the New Mexico desert to a pristine white.

  She pulled Shiloh to a stop when she reached a low rise that looked out over the pastures and small winding of trees in the distance, bordering what she knew was a small gurgling river of life-giving water. It would be starting to freeze along the banks now, and by the time Christmas arrived, the ice would be thick enough on the sides to stand on, not that anyone would risk doing so for fear of falling into the water below.

  For the next few months, life would appear to have retreated below ground, but soon enough, spring would arrive and with it the birds and the bright green shoots of plants rising through the ground to proclaim a new season had arrived. Sara Jane couldn’t complain as winter was one of her favorite times of the year. The cattle had all been moved to the closest pastures, the breeding cows would be watched after the new year arrived, and sometime in late February or March, the calves would begin to arrive.

  Before that, though, Lily would be having her babies. Sara Jane wiped the snowflakes off her lashes as she considered what she needed to do in order to finish the current blanket and a second one before that day arrived. She needed to purchase some more fabric and she made a mental note to visit Mrs. Pedersen when she went into town next.

  “Sara Jane!”

  She turned in the saddle when she heard her name float away on the wind. The snow was really coming down now and she couldn’t tell from which direction the sound had come. Shiloh whinnied as the wind kicked up and Sara Jane realized she’d spent more than a few minutes thinking about things. She’d done the exact opposite of what she’d set out to do.

  “Sara Jane!” the voice called again, sounding further away this time as the wind carried the sound away.

  She tugged on Shiloh’s reins, slowly moving her back the way they had come, peering into the snow to try and see anyone who might be coming toward her. “Hello!” She cupped her hands around her mouth and called out.

  She listened, hearing nothing, and kept moving.

  “Sara Jane!”

  “Hello! I’m here!” she called back. “I can’t believe how much snow has come down. Shiloh, girl, I’m trusting you to head us in the right direction.”

  She loosened the reins, continuing to listen for the voice she’d heard. “Hello?” she called out when several minutes went by and she heard nothing.

  “Sara Jane! Over here,” she heard Shawn’s voice calling.

  Sara Jane breathed a sigh of relief moments later when her brother and his mount came into view.

  “Sara Jane, we need to get back to the ranch,” he told her. His mouth wasn’t smiling, and she could tell he was upset with her.

  She nodded. “The storm came up fast.”

  Shawn reached for Shiloh’s lead. “I’m going to tie her to the back of my saddle so that we don’t get separated again. The terrain is mostly level from here on out.”

  Sara Jane was confident that, with Shiloh’s help, she could find her own way back to the barns, but she was cold, her hair was wet, and there was still the unknown whereabouts of the Indians she’d seen yesterday. In this snowstorm, they could be right upon her and she wouldn’t see them until it was too late. And arguing with Shawn when he was already upset was never a wise choice.

  She urged Shiloh forward and twenty minutes later, the roof of the larger barn appeared in the distance. “We’re almost home.”

  “Thank God,” Shawn told her tightly, his voice fading away on the wind. He led their horses straight toward the barn, thankful when Jace appeared to open and then shut the doors right behind them.

  Sara Jane slid from Shiloh’s back and immediately began uncinching her saddle. “We’ll get you brushed down and some extra feed,” she told the mare.

  “What possessed you to take off alone with that storm rolling in? Let alone, in that direction?” Shawn asked, having dismounted himself and none too happy with her based upon the scowl on his face.

  Sara Jane hung up the leather bridle and grabbed a curry comb. “When I didn’t see you or Carl here, I decid
ed I wouldn’t go very far…”

  “But you went the opposite direction from what we’d discussed. You’re lucky one of the ranch hands saw you ride off and caught me before I took off toward the river looking for you.”

  “I could have gotten Shiloh and myself home,” Sara Jane argued in her own defense.

  “Really? Are you sure about that?” Shawn challenged her.

  Jace grabbed her saddle from the floor and carried it toward the tack room. She gave him a tight smile. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t mention it. I think what Shawn is trying to say, albeit unsuccessfully, is that everyone was worried about you when it started snowing hard and Shiloh’s stall was empty.”

  “I wasn’t gone that long …”

  “You were gone for almost two hours!” Shawn exclaimed, stopping whatever else he was going to say as he strove for control.

  “Two hours? No. Shiloh and I weren’t even gone for one hour, let alone two,” Sara Jane told him.

  “Two hours. Carl waited for you to come back, but when the snow started to come down harder, he came and told us you were out in the storm.”

  Sara Jane asked, “Where is Carl?”

  “He’s still out looking for you. He took off in the direction we discussed earlier.” Jace gave her a sympathetic look. “He was really worried about you.”

  Sara Jane looked toward the barn doors, worry marring her features. “Carl’s still out there?”

  Shawn nodded. “Why don’t you head on inside and let Ma and Pa know you’re back and get into some dry clothing. I’m sure Carl will be back shortly.”

  Sara Jane placed the curry comb into Jace’s outstretched hand and then took one step toward the doors before coming to a halt. Turning back, she asked her brother, “What if Carl isn’t back soon?”

  “We’ll have to go out looking for him. Once the storm settles down.”

  “But ... that could be hours from now,” Sara Jane told him.

  “Yes, it could. Don’t worry, I’m sure Carl will be back soon. He’ll shelter somewhere and head home when it’s safe. Get inside. Ma’s worried.”

  Sara Jane fought her way through the falling snow, trying to keep from worrying about Carl’s safety. He’d grown up, for the most part, on the Lazy L ranch and he knew better than to stay out in a storm like this. If he was too far away to safely return to the barn with his mount, he’d find a place to hole up until the snow stopped falling and then he’d come home. She hoped that wasn’t the case, and that he was already headed back to the barns, as she would secretly worry about him.

  I shouldn’t have gone off by myself. I let my fear of the Indians send me off in a different direction and now Carl is stuck out there in this storm. Oh no! What if the Indians didn’t leave and he ran into them?

  She entered the house and saw Ma watching her from the doorway of the kitchen. “Carl’s still out there.” She could hear the worry and fear in her voice and given Ma’s response, so could she.

  Pearl nodded and opened her arms. “Come here, child. Come get warmed up and we’ll ask God for some extra protection.”

  Sara Jane nodded and hugged Ma for a long moment before releasing her and heading for the warmth of the hearth. She held her hands out to the fire and agreed with Ma as she audibly prayed for Carl’s safety. It was her fault that he was out in the storm. She should have been patient and waited for one of the men to come back to the barn.

  Pa had told her many times that one day her impetuous behavior was going to get her in trouble that she couldn’t easily get out of. She only prayed that her behavior hadn’t gotten Carl into a dangerous situation. If anything happened to him …

  God, please watch over Carl. I’m sorry I acted so rashly. Keep him safe and I promise to try and curb my tendency to act without considering the consequences. Keep he and his horse safe and bring them back home soon.

  Thanks for sending Shawn after me and helping him find me. I truly didn’t realize how long I’d been gone. You’ve given me a wonderful family and I sometimes forget to appreciate them the way I should. Help me fix that.

  When the prayer was over, she stayed in the kitchen, watching Ma put the finishing touches on supper. And worrying.

  Chapter 12

  Carl was cold and even though he would have thought it impossible, feeling a bit lost. The snow was coming down so hard he couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of his horse. It was only the first day of November, and while this area didn’t normally get lots of snow down on the flatlands, this storm didn’t seem to care. The mountains would have feet of snow, and if this storm didn’t relent soon, there would be more than a few inches over the land come daylight.

  “Thunder, we need to find a place to shelter until this snow stops.” Carl thought about his options and then turned to his right, hoping he hadn’t already passed the landmark that would lead him toward the small weathered piece of rock. Wind and rain had helped carve a deep indentation in the soft sandstone, providing a natural shelter big enough for a man and his horse. Tall scrub brush covered the entrance of the depression, hiding it from view until one was right upon it. Several larger trees and bushes provided a natural canopy from the summer sun and, he hoped, from the falling snow. Now all Carl had to do was find it.

  “Thunder, I need your help. Find us some shelter.” Thunder whinnied and turned to his right again. Carl held on, straining to see through the falling snow. He finally saw a landmark he recognized, relieved that they were headed in the right direction. As they approached the base of the small mountain, he thought he heard the sound of a horse, and he called out, “Sara Jane.”

  The sound came again and this time he was positive it was a horse. “Sara Jane. Can you hear me?”

  He was shocked at how relieved he felt, knowing she was nearby. He urged Thunder to move a bit faster, hoping Sara Jane and Shiloh had found the indentation and were already taking shelter there.

  He saw the shadow of a dark brown horse and urged Thunder closer. When Thunder protested, tossing his head and refusing to take Carl all the way into the shelter, Carl knew something wasn’t quite right. He looked again and confirmed what he’d seen just seconds earlier. A dark brown horse was at the edge of the shelter. Shiloh was a beautiful golden color with a white blaze on her head and white socks on her feet.

  Carl reached for the rifle behind his saddle and called out, “Who’s in there?”

  The other animal stamped its feet, but there was no answering reply from a human. Carl slid from the back of Thunder and slowly made his way forward, stunned when he found a barebacked horse with its braided mane. This definitely wasn’t an animal from the ranch, but an Indian horse!

  Carl brought his rifle up and called out again. “Hello. Show yourself.”

  Carl heard a whimper and frowned. It didn’t sound like a man, but … a child. He edged forward, and then stood in stunned silence when he saw not a child, but a young Indian woman huddled against the wind. She turned large scared eyes his direction, her cheeks wet with her tears. Carl carefully leaned the rifle up against the rocks and then held out a hand to her, wishing he’d paid better attention when Gideon or Shawn had been communicating with the local natives.

  “I won’t hurt you.” He moved closer and squatted down a few feet from her, assessing whether she was just cold and scared, or injured. “Are you hurt?”

  “No,” came a surprisingly soft reply.

  “You speak English?” Carl asked in surprise.

  “Little. Missionary taught us.”

  Ah. She must be with the same group of Indians we saw yesterday. Gideon said they spoke good English and that a missionary had taught them. I wonder what she’s doing out here in this storm by herself.

  “Where are the rest of your people?” Carl asked, shivering but not comfortable enough yet to relax.

  “Baby sick so they no move today. Snow comes while I was looking for bark.”

  “Did you say bark?” Carl asked. He knew the Indians were very well versed in u
sing nature for all sorts of illnesses and injuries, but bark was something new.

  “The bark of certain tree takes away pain,” the young Indian explained.

  Carl nodded. “You need this bark for the baby?” She shook her head and he asked, “Someone else is sick?”

  “Chief. His knees.”

  Carl nodded. “I’ve heard James complain about his knees a time or two. Look, I’m freezing. Can I take shelter from the snow here with you?”

  She nodded and then scooted over, huddling in her animal skin dress and trying to shield her body from the biting wind. He put his rifle back on his saddle for the moment and then unbuckled the sash. He pulled the saddle from Thunder’s back. He dropped it inside the small cave and then led Shiloh and the other horse further inside, getting them out of the worst of the snowstorm.