by Jillian Hart
"And free for you." The kitchen door swung open and Mindy emerged, dress swirling around her ankles as she sashayed closer to hand Jonathan a big cup of steaming brew. The rich, dark coffee smell warmed the air and made the sun streaming through the windows, where she could see the pony and the boys posing, much brighter. She pushed the sugar bowl toward him and handed him a spoon.
"I like you, Jada. I hear the evening with Frisco went well."
"Well enough, but I'm not saying more especially to a newspaper reporter." She handed the customer his change. "Thank you for coming in anyway. I gave you a bonus doughnut."
"That's good of you, thanks." He bobbed his head in a manly nod, granted her a smile and then strode away, digging one doughnut out of the bag and sinking his teeth into it.
A bright flash through the window startled her. It was the photographer. There were several customers out front, so that was encouraging. They must be doing something right.
"Business looks as if it's picked up." Jonathan stirred sugar into his coffee. "I'm surprised you wouldn't want more of that, although it's a small town. It's hard to say, but there's only so many people who live here at all and most of them seem to drop by your place these days. I like knowing we had a hand in that and that we have such fine quality ladies in our rough and ready town. It's too rugged for most gentle ladies, so it speaks well of you that you're here. Any chance I can do a background piece on you?"
"A background piece?"
"You know, to dive into your story, look into your background, where you came from, what you've done in your life, things that help us get to know you. I did a real nice piece on the banker's family last month. Perhaps you caught some of the articles."
"I did, and I found them very charming." How did she hide the panic beating like a caged bird in her chest? "But goodness, I'm about as interesting as a rock in the street. As dull as a cloudy sky in winter. But thank you anyway."
"Well, okay, if that's what you want." He took a sip of coffee and gave a moan of satisfaction. "Tell me, are the rumors about you and Frisco true? That you're getting along so well?"
"I can't say how he feels, but my advice is to never trust rumors."
"Not even true ones?"
"Especially those." She smiled, remembering the enchanting evening she'd spent with him. She felt bubbly and optimistic.
"I'm so glad the evening out went well. I'm a good friend of Frisco's and he deserves to have someone nice in his life. Be good to him."
"I wouldn't be any other way." She blushed, remembering his kisses and the affectionate steadiness he'd given her all along. What if Miss Pratt wasn't the only one in Alder Creek who knew about the kiss? "I'm very fond of him."
"Then you are a friend of mine. So, tell me how you felt upon seeing Chester return to your store."
"I'm always glad to welcome a returning customer."
Jonathan set down his cup and scribbled in the notebook he carried. "You didn't march straight to the sheriff to lodge a complaint like some folks. Why do you think Chester prefers your store?"
"He has good taste, and my sisters and I appreciate his patronage."
"I hear you handled him like a professional horse trainer. Rumor has it that Chester's previous owner could not give him away upon nine occasions, but Frisco's boys made the mistake of paying for him instead of getting him for free."
"Perhaps someone knows of another pony like that. That way the twins keep their money."
"I'll put the word out. You never know what good it can do."
"Good. Look at them. Chester is a very well-behaved pony."
"Few would say so."
"True, but I like him. What a good experience for the boys, to have their own pony to love."
"I can't argue there."
They paused as the big front window framed the children and the stubborn animal, kissed by sunlight, held captive by the photographer who was simply talking with them now. Aiden wrapped one arm around Chester's neck, while Austin did the same on the other side, unable to keep from petting the pony while they stood there. Chester took turns nuzzling each boy, kissing his cheek, lipping his hat, tugging at the collar of his shirt.
Not the childhood she'd had, for these boys were privileged and financially secure, and how nice. How, at that age, she'd secretly wanted a pony. Not practical now, but what a good life for all of them. She was already far too attached for safety's sake. What if Frisco found out about her past and changed his mind?
How would she pick up the pieces of her broken heart? One day she would have to tell Frisco the truth about her past. He had the right to know if he became more serious, but it hurt to think about what might happen if she did. Would he understand? Would he feel sorry and accept her still, the way she needed him to? Or would he act the way her friends and some family had, looking at her as if she'd had the bubonic plague?
The air changed like a break in a storm, like a mountain breeze in springtime, and her entire being shivered down to the soul. She looked up, drawn to him inexorably, her heart caught sight of his, and she savored the knell of his boot steps ringing on the boardwalk, the low, rum-rich rumble of his baritone carried by the wind through the open door. All she could see of him was the tip of his black hat brim and the fall of his shadow onto the boards beneath the children's and pony's feet. She knew the moment when he'd decided to come see her, felt the change in her soul and heard the drum of his slow, easy-going gait on the boards, closer and closer still. She looked up to see him filling the doorway, all six foot one inches of him, broad shouldered and muscle toned, dressed all in black.
"I came looking for my boys and should have known the trail led here."
"The boys left without a word, did they? Apparently Chester ran off on them."
"So I gathered. It's not the first time."
"Perhaps he had some errands to run. A stop at the bakery for a treat, then on to the feed store. The saddle shop."
"Funny. Chester does not have charge approval on my in store accounts."
"Perhaps you should add him."
"It would be easier to keep him locked up in his stall or his paddock, but he's surprisingly inventive when it comes to opening doors and gates."
"I've noticed. The boys are saving for another pony. Perhaps Chester is lonely and just came to town to attempt to find a horse of his own size to chat with."
"I see what you're up to." He narrowed his gaze. "Perhaps you're wrong. Maybe the pony came to town because he was enamored with a certain pretty lady."
"Which one would that be?"
"The one who could make him behave. You figured that cantankerous, stubborn and difficult pony out and you got him to do what you wanted. A true horseman can do that and nobody else. I'm impressed."
"I may have worked at a stable when I was a little girl, when my pa got wounded and fell ill and lost his family's business. But at least I learned a lot about horses, although we were too poor to have one of our own after that. Although, that might change, and you played a role in that."
"I did?"
"Sure. I'll never forget what you did for us. I'm not just grateful, but I think quite highly of you and I'd rather not have to admit that."
"Good. Wise choice. Smart thing to do. Never let anyone know I have any redeeming qualities in me whatsoever. Keep it all a secret. I do."
"Stop making me laugh."
"Are you kidding? I would never want to. Any woman who can charm Chester into obeying has my full devotion."
"Charm him? Oh, it was easy to see his problem. Chester has never been truly loved before, and your boys are his best hope."
"I knew you were going to say that."
"And so you know it's true and that's why you haven't made them get rid of him."
"No other poor horse owner deserves that. Chester has kicked my foreman, two of the stable hands, me and escaped four times."
"He's been busy. I wonder why he keeps coming to town?"
"And why your store?"
"The only thing I can think of is that we smell like something good to eat. Molasses. Oatmeal. Cornbread. Think of it. The only thing we're missing is hay and actual grain."
"Finally it makes sense. I was going to say that perhaps he's partial to a sweet lady who works here."
"Aw, that's kind of you to say, but I do have a way with horses. Not that I spend much time around them, but I admire them greatly."
"Even Chester?"
"Even Chester. I wonder if there's another pony he's missing nearby. Just a thought. Why don't we give the boys a reward for attempting to figure out how to manage their own pony, and you look like you could use something sweet, too."
"Am I still scowling?"
"A bit. Your work was interrupted this morning, is my guess?"
"That, and I worry hard about two boys and a pony loose and on their own. l actually try and keep my eye on them."
"The boys keep you busy."
"Indeed they do. So far this week I've climbed up a steep rock wall to the boulder where the baby chick who joined us for supper on Friday is now resting comfortably with his two other siblings in his nest. There was the baby deer who was wrapped up in hay twine and hobbled, and we got him unwrapped so he could join his mother, and walked away fine and unharmed. We had an emergency when Chester opened the back door, strolled into the kitchen and startled my mother who was cooking soup at the time and spilled the kettle everywhere, narrowing missing her own hand and shoe. No one was burned, but my ma was pretty steamed when her whole morning's cooking was ruined. Chester had spotted the carrots fresh from the mercantile in the window and calmly helped himself. So, no carrot cake for us."
"You have a problem pony. Do you know what I believe about that?"
"I'm afraid to ask and I think I already know what you're going to say."
"That the problem is the horseman, not the pony."
"Hm, I can't say you're wrong. So, what kind of cookies are you getting the boys? Don't think I can't see what you're up to."
"We have some frosted sugar ones straight from the kitchen. Here's one for you and, oh, let me grab something for Chester. The apple slices are a bit sugared, but they'll do. Mindy can just slice more for the apple pie she's making."
"The mystery is now solved. You have apples in this place. Chester bit me to get the apple from my lunch pail. He must love apples."
"See? You're learning. I knew the problem was you all along."
24
"True, I just need to take the time to get to know the pony I would never want my sons to have. He kicks, bites, runs off and bucks off anyone besides the boys who tries to ride him."
"Maybe he's just been unhappy and needs to learn he's not going to be undervalued or unloved."
"Maybe he's a bad horse," he quipped.
"I'm not saying he isn't, but he always might be a horse with a heart of gold. Look at how sweet he tries to be with the boys." She gestured toward the picture window framing the pony and the twins as she strolled past, skirts swishing, shoes lightly knelling a soft, lilting rhythm that held him captive, made every hair he owned stand up on end (and something else he won't mention, good thing he had a longer jacket on). His blood thickened with every beat.
He held the door, unable to breathe or think as she waltzed by into the kiss of the warm sunshine and temperate breeze.
"How's it going out here, boys?" she asked, plate in hand.
"Real good. Don't worry. You're safe from mud this time. I looked through the window and there isn't one speck of dirt on the floor. Austin double checked."
"I did," he confirmed as the boys tripped forward with Chester between them to check out what was on the plate.
"Is that so?" Jada held out her hand so it was easier for them to take their treats, even Chester nibbling right from the plate. "You are wonderful boys and thoughtful."
"No one hardly ever says that but our grandmama. Grandpop says she spoils us," Aiden said around a mouthful of sugar cookie.
Austin licked the frosting off his upper lip. "It's a shame how bad she's made us rotten. Everybody says it."
"Everybody," Aiden confirmed.
"I haven't noticed anything rotten or spoiled at all. Just that you are good boys. And Chester, too."
Chester stopped chewing on his apple slice and nodded his head in what seemed gentlemanly appreciation.
"I located someone with a pony he can't give away." Jonathan cleared his throat, standing back aways on the boardwalk in the shade, near to where the tailor had his bench for customers to sit and enjoy the street view or rest for a spell. "Perhaps he would pay the boys to take him on. Sorry, but I tend to eavesdrop, Jada and Frisco. What can I say? I'm a reporter. Snoopiness is in the blood."
"So is knowing everything," Frisco said after swallowing a mouthful of sugar cookie. "That's the sign of a great newspaperman."
"I try, and if I were better, then I'd be better fed. Is there any chance I could get a cookie, too?"
Jada smiled, her heart full, just full as the summer morning, so sweet and bright, redolent with the green scent of leaves fluttering and whispering in the wind, with the grass growing in a patch and in fields nearby. The mountains seemed to give off a forest-y smell, not so far away at all, and in the big bowl of blue sky stretching overhead, she spotted not a single cloud to mar the bright golden sunshine that seemed not to just brighten the street but to fill her soul. "Jonathan, I didn't know you were still out here or I would have brought you a cookie. If you want to, go inside and tell Mindy to give you whatever you want. Our treat."
"Why, I'd sure appreciate that. I'm still working on the last of my coffee."
"Then you may need a refill."
"Try the Johnson's field and see if you can't save another little sweetheart."
Before Jada could answer, Aiden looked up from finishing the last bite of his cookie. "Really? Jada! Pa! Did you hear that?"
"I heard it." Jada attempted to hide her very pleased smile. That launched him into action.
"No," he said, pitching his voice low so that no one would even think to dare to doubt it. "No! No one heard nothing. No one thought nothing. We are not going to go do anything but head straight back home."
"Not even if my heart is at stake?" Austin asked.
"It doesn't look like this can work out," Aiden observed. "Yet. Jada, do you think you can take us to the Johnson's field? I've got five pennies in my pocket."
"I've got six."
"I've got an entire dollar, just in case the Johnsons won't negotiate low enough."
"Let's go. Pa, will you come too?"
"Yeah! If we can get Chester to go." The twins eagerly grabbed Chester by the neck in a loose kind of a hug and glanced toward the street. "What if he takes off?"
"I've got that covered." Frisco couldn't deny that he'd been out maneuvered, and it had taken no effort at all.
Jada smiled up at him as she petted Chester's nose, and tenderness reared up inside him. He was a goner. Gone completely, out of his mind, out of his gourd, and there was no coming back. What was wrong with him? He was weak, that's what! He simply had no power when Jada looked up at him like that with her gentle heart soft in her eyes.
He was simply going to have to try and find a way to resist, that's all. Then he'd be fine and back in charge of his heart again. There, problem solved, so he stomped over to Trigger, his riding and roping horse, and lifted the bridle and reins hooked around the saddle horn. "Here you go, boys. Bridle him up."
"Okay, Pa, but look, he's clamped his teeth together." Aiden gave a sigh of worry.
"How do we do it now?" Austin wondered. "He does it real good and tight. He won't stop, even when we ask."
"What you boys do is teach him patiently to obey you." Frisco, aware suddenly that they weren't alone, fell silent. A small crowd of men had gathered, curious as to why the photographer was grabbing a picture of the street front, including Jada's shop.
"But Pa, he won't obey," Aiden whispered. "Not that we mind so much, but I was
hoping he would love us enough to let us ride him."
"He's a Shetland pony, you have to expect stubborn." He eyed the woman who looked amused and who took the leather straps from his fingers. His blood stalled, thick and hot, heavy in his groin, when the warm silken skin of her fingertips brushed him. Was his heart even beating? Hard to tell, but something much more vital was thump, thump, thudding in his groin, in his veins and made him want, oh, how he wanted her.
"Chester, you're a good boy." The way her dulcet alto lifted and fell, warm with caring and sincerity made him stand taller and pay attention. He didn't know she was a natural with horses, and what were the chances of that? He was unable to stop staring, watching, mesmerized, captivated, hungry for her, for this woman, who straightened out the straps to the bridle and began to fiddle with it, that he couldn't help it, he couldn't stop it, he just wanted her, wanted to drink her right up, savor every intimacy with her, hold her in his arms, lay her down in his bed and rock her to oblivion. That was his next goal.
What would she think of him if she knew that?
"Jada! You're the best!" The high, thrilled excited sound of Aiden's voice broke through his thoughts. "I didn't know you knew how to do that! It's genius!"
"Genius!" Austin agreed, hopping up and down. "Now, it's easy."
"That's what I think, too." Jada slipped the strap over the pony's nose, not bothering with the bit at all. She'd popped it out of its rings! Well, so she knew what his next move was going to be, did she? That tenderness clutching his heart held on more tightly.
"What a good pony," she crooned, settling the last strap into place and fluffing his forelock of white hair. "Did you like your apple slices?"
His eyes brightened. Yes, he seemed to say he was a softy for apples. That was easy to see.
"Do you boys think you can ride him now?" Jada caught Frisco staring at her and blushed. She turned her focus on the boys, but the blush and her secret grin remained. "Do you think you can take your pa to the Johnson's field? I hear it's not far."
