Lily swallowed against the tightness in her throat. “Then I guess you guys had better bring those horses out so we can be on our way.” She glanced at Noah. “To wherever that may be.”
“Great. The horses are already saddled, so, kids, if you will follow me.”
Before he walked away, Lily said, “I do have one request.”
“What’s that?”
Head cocked, she clutched both hands around the basket handle. “Actually, it’s more of a demand.”
His gaze narrowed.
“That I do not leave here today without the information I need to move forward.”
The corners of his mouth tilted upward. “You got it.”
A few minutes later, Piper came around the side of the stable on a black-and-white Shetland pony, followed by Colton on the chestnut-colored horse he used for his lessons and—
“Oh, my.”
Noah led his horse toward her.
Her head tilted back as she took in the massive black animal.
“Isn’t Duke like the most awesome horse you’ve ever seen, Mom?” Colton beamed from atop his horse.
“He’s giant.” Piper stretched her arms as high as they would go.
“He is that.” Lily took a step back.
When she did, the animal looked down at her with big black eyes. Her knees began to shake. Her pulse raced, and she felt like that frightened four-year-old girl again.
“I’ll take this.” Noah grabbed the picnic basket from her hands and tugged on the reins. “Come on, gang. Let’s go.”
They walked up the drive, past the barn and the house and into the pasture where cattle grazed in the distance. All the while, Lily made sure to keep a safe stretch of grass between herself and Duke.
“You know, Lily—” Noah looked her way, which was about eight to ten feet right of where he walked “—it makes it kind of hard to carry on a conversation when you’re all the way over there. I mean, do you hear how loud I’m having to talk?”
She marched through the high grass. “I didn’t want Duke to feel crowded.”
“Don’t you worry about Duke. You’re not gonna bother him.”
Maybe not, but he certainly bothered her.
A familiar sound touched her ears then. “Do I hear the river?”
“You sure do.” A smiling Noah picked up the pace. “It’s also our picnic spot.”
“Awesome!” Colton fist-pumped the air.
Piper clapped. “Yay!”
Drawing closer, Lily could see it for herself. The way the Uncompahgre stretched to their right and left, winding as it went. The mountains in the distance were the perfect backdrop, with only the slightest slivers of snow still clinging to their peaks.
While the kids dismounted and Noah tethered their horses, Lily closed her eyes, stretched her arms wide and allowed the sun’s warmth and the sound of rushing water to wash away her worries. This place was absolutely perfect.
When she opened her eyes, Noah stood before her. “Did I disappoint?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Definitely not.”
“Good. Now, if you don’t mind—” he held up the basket “—I’d like to see if you kept your end of the bargain.”
“I hope you like liverwurst.” After the walk she’d just had with Duke, it was hard not to tease him.
“Liverwurst?” Noah’s look of horror told her she’d achieved her goal.
“Oh, yes.” She took the basket from him and set it on the ground in the shade of a large cottonwood tree. “It’s one of my favorites.” Lifting the basket lid, she pulled out a blanket, shook it open and spread it on the ground.
“Liverwurst?” He smoothed the edges, his face still contorted.
“Oh, wait.” Finished, she stood and touched a finger to her chin. “We were out of liverwurst. I brought ham and cheese and pimento cheese sandwiches.”
He looked at her, his expression blank. “You know, Lily, I’m a pretty levelheaded guy. But right now, I’d like nothing more than to toss you into that river.” He poked a thumb over his shoulder.
She stiffened. Surely, he was just playing. “You wouldn’t.”
“No, but I’d like to.”
She turned toward the water, where Colton and Piper were running back and forth. “Kids, come eat.” Glancing over at Duke, who was happily eating the grass while his reins lay on the ground, she addressed Noah. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll wander away?”
“No.”
Well, that was a bit disconcerting. However, as they ate and laughed, she felt herself relax, despite the animal’s presence. And when the kids went off to play again, she knew she finally had her chance.
Kneeling, she neatly tucked the empty plastic containers into the picnic basket, daring a peek at the long-legged cowboy who had stretched out on the opposite corner of the blanket, eyes closed with his hands tucked behind his head. She’d never seen him so relaxed. Not that she’d ever seen him uptight, but he looked different. Peaceful.
Who could blame him? She took in their surroundings. She’d been privileged enough to travel the world, yet the more time she spent in Ouray, the more she realized how much she enjoyed the simple things.
She checked on her children one more time. Seeing that they were busy feeding the horses handfuls of grass, she said, “You awake over there?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Noah lifted one eyelid. “Just waiting for you to start pelting me with questions.”
“In that case...” She sat down and made herself comfortable. “What made you decide to start the rodeo school?”
* * *
Noah wasn’t used to opening himself up to people. Unfortunately, if he didn’t, Lily wouldn’t be able to do her job. And there was nothing he wanted—needed—more than for the rodeo school to be a success. Which meant he’d better answer her question.
He rolled up on one elbow. “Rodeo is my passion. I’ve been in love with it and with horses my entire life. But more than that—” He paused, knowing he needed to choose his words carefully. Or just get to the point. “Those two things helped me heal after my wife died.”
Lily’s brow furrowed, and her shoulders drooped as though she felt his pain. “How did she die?”
It had been a long while since Noah had talked about Jaycee’s death. Though it was never far from his mind. He’d never forget walking into their cabin and finding her unconscious on the floor. He never got to talk to her again.
Not that he was going to share that with Lily. Still, if it hadn’t been for Jaycee, he never would have even considered a rodeo school. Once upon a time, it had been her dream. She’d been a barrel-racing phenom, earning her own share of awards. At the time, he wasn’t really interested in rodeo. Mostly because he didn’t understand. Until she was gone and he experienced firsthand just how beneficial training and working with horses could be.
“She’d suffered a miscarriage. The doctors said later that she had developed an infection that turned into sepsis.” If he had monitored her more closely, he might have seen the signs. Sure, she was sad, but he hadn’t had a clue she was sick.
“I am so sorry, Noah. To go from the joy of expecting a child to losing both the baby and the woman you loved.” She clenched a hand to her chest. “I can’t begin to imagine how difficult that must have been for you.”
“I had some pretty rough days. And ended up coping the only way I thought I could. By returning to the rodeo circuit and working ’round the clock. Practicing, trying new and different techniques, all in an effort to become the best rodeo champ ever.”
Her smile was a sad one. “From what I’ve read, you succeeded.”
“I suppose.” Sitting up, he snagged a piece of grass. Rolled it between his fingers. “Course, it didn’t hurt that I had a death wish. I figured I’d already lost everything...” He dropped the grass and looked her in th
e eye. “Which brings me to my second, more understated, reason for the rodeo school.”
He twisted around to check on Colton, Piper and the horses. Assured that everyone was safe, occupied and a good distance from the river, he continued, “Rodeo, horses in particular, played a huge role in helping me work through the grieving process.”
Hands clasped, she cocked her head, the breeze tossing tendrils of her long ponytail over her T-shirt–covered shoulder. “How so?”
“Not only are horses good listeners, they’re very intuitive. They respond to the emotional state of those working with them.”
“Meaning...?”
“We might think we’re acting normal, but if we’re grieving, impatient or angry, a horse will know and respond accordingly.” He drew up one knee and hooked an arm around it. “While I don’t want the rodeo school to be one of those therapy-type places, I’d eventually like to create an avenue to help kids dealing with grief.”
“I have no doubt you would be very good at that. Just look at the changes you’ve brought about in Colton.” Her troubled gaze drifted to her son. “This past year, he’s had all sorts of behavioral issues.” She looked at Noah again. “As you witnessed that first day when he tried to steal the horseshoes. But I’ve seen changes in him since he’s been working with you.”
“Why do you suppose he was acting out?”
She shrugged, eyeing a pair of birds chattering in the branches above. “I can’t say for certain, but I think it has a lot to do with his father’s lack of interest. Wade Davis doesn’t have a lot of time for his children.”
“Wait a minute.” Noah dropped his leg and sat up straight. “Did you say Wade Davis?”
“Yes.”
“The billionaire oilman?”
Her expression bordered on embarrassment. “That’s the one.”
Noah again looked for the kids as he tried to wrap his brain around that bombshell. Lily was married to Wade Davis? But she was so kind and unassuming, while Davis was an in-your-face, it’s-all-about-me kind of guy. How on earth had those two ever gotten together?
He shook his head. “Doesn’t he realize that his kids are the greatest treasure he could possess? That they’re his legacy?”
“Unfortunately, no.” She dusted crumbs from her gray T-shirt.
Noah watched the children as they took turns tossing rocks into the water. Colton and Piper were great kids. And their father ought to be ashamed of himself for turning his back on them. “I’m sorry, but your ex-husband has no idea what he’s missing out on.”
Following his gaze, she said, “I would have to agree.”
He looked back at Lily. Saw the resignation in her eyes.
“Things don’t always turn out the way we think they will, do they?”
He studied her a moment. “No, they don’t.” Pushing to his feet, he held out a hand to help her up. “But with your assistance, I’m sure the rodeo school will turn out even better than I imagined.”
She smiled in earnest then. “I sure hope so.”
“Come on.” He nodded toward the river. “Let’s go wrangle these kids so we can head on back.”
“You two look like you’re having fun,” she said as they approached.
“Here, Mommy.” Piper held out a well-rounded stone. “You need to skip a rock, too.”
Her mother examined it. “Piper, honey, you need a flat rock for skipping.” She eyed the water’s edge. “Like this one.” As she bent to pick it up, her foot slipped. “Ah!”
Noah reached out to catch her, but the grimace on her face said he was too late.
While she clutched her ankle, he hauled her back a few feet before crouching to her level. “How bad does it hurt?”
Her face contorted. “At the moment, pretty bad.”
He carefully pulled off the low-heeled ankle-high boot and rolled up her skinny jeans as much as he could to discover that some swelling had already set in. “We’re going to need to get some ice on this right away.” Lifting his head, he let go a whistle.
“What was that for?” Lily’s pain-filled eyes met his.
“Duke.”
“Duke?”
“Yep.” He stood as the horse came alongside them. “Good thing we let him come with us, because there’s no way you’re making it back to the house on your own.”
Lily’s gaze darted between him and Duke. “What do you mean?”
“It means that unless you want to be laid up for a week or more, Duke’s gonna have to carry you back.”
“Carry me?”
Noah would have had to be blind to miss the way Lily glared at him, but there was no other choice. He had to get her back to the house and get some ice on her foot. “Well, I’m certainly not up to the task.”
“It’ll be okay, Mom.” Colton laid a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Duke can handle it. He’s a good horse.”
“I’m sure he is, sweetheart, but I should be able to—” She struggled to stand until Noah reached out a helping hand. “See.” She straightened. “I should have no problem—” One step was all it took and she was groaning again as her foot protested against the weight.
“Sorry, Lily, but it looks like Duke is your only ticket out of here.”
Her nostrils flared. “Something I’m sure you’re just thrilled about.”
He took a step back. “You think I planned for you to get hurt?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re enjoying this nonetheless.”
He knew it was the pain talking, but that didn’t mean he had to take it. “Look, I know we don’t know each other very well, but I am not the kind of person who takes pleasure in other people’s pain.”
Her shoulders sagged again. “I’m sorry. I know you’re trying to help me.” She sent him a pleading gaze. “But isn’t there another way?”
He eyed the kids. “You two go grab the basket and the blanket.”
They took off without question.
Looking down at Lily’s sad face, he wished he could accommodate her. But he couldn’t.
“There is no other way, Lily. But I know that you can do this. You’re a strong woman. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Chapter Six
First she threw up in front of Noah, then she foolishly slipped and twisted her ankle. Could she possibly embarrass herself any more?
Lying on the lounge chair on the wooden deck of her cabin, Lily stared up at the leaves fluttering in the trees. Then to be forced to ride a horse... While Duke had been gentle enough, the only thing that had kept her from going into full-blown panic mode was knowing that her children were right there watching her.
She shook her head. At least nothing was broken.
Once they’d made it back to the stable yesterday, Clint drove her to the medical clinic in Ridgway for an X-ray, despite her insistence that she could drive herself. After all, she didn’t need her left foot to drive. Of course, walking was another matter. After Dr. Lockridge determined it was only a sprain, he wrapped her ankle and sent her home with a pair of crutches and instructions to keep it iced and to stay off it unless absolutely necessary for at least two days. Longer if it still hurt.
She smiled thinking about Clint and the entire Stephens family. He’d brought her and the kids straight home, telling her they’d deliver her car later since she wouldn’t be needing it. Then Carly and Lacie, Noah’s sisters-in-law, brought dinner for her, Colton and Piper, while Jude, an Ouray police officer, was so kind to stop by and tell her he was working the night shift, then gave her his cell number in case she needed anything. Later, Noah had showed up, bearing ice cream and an apology for not taking her to the clinic himself. As if he needed to do that. The guy was busy enough without having to worry about her. Still, it felt good to know that someone cared.
The Stephens family was one loving and giving bunch. She wasn’t s
ure she’d ever experienced anything quite like them before. Certainly not from her own family. Well, except for her grandma Yates.
Now, as she contemplated pizza delivery for tonight’s meal and waited for Clint to return with Colton and Piper—he’d picked them up earlier and taken them to the ranch for their lessons—she read over the notes she’d made on her tablet, realizing she’d had a rather productive day. She’d researched the media outlets she wanted to contact for interviews, worked up a rough draft of the press release and jotted down multiple ideas for the grand opening event itself. Amazing what she could accomplish when she was forced to be still.
Just then, she heard gravel crunching under tires. She checked her watch. Ten after six. Anticipating Clint with the kids, she closed her tablet, grabbed her crutches and carefully made her way back into the house. By the time she arrived at the front door, she heard the sound of footsteps on the wooden stairs outside and Piper chatting excitedly about something.
Her heart stammered when she opened the wood, iron and glass door to discover Noah escorting her kids, a large brown paper sack dangling from each hand.
“We brought dinner,” announced Piper.
“That’s a pleasant surprise.” Suddenly wishing she was wearing something other than sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt, she stepped out of the way to allow them entry.
“It’s enchilada night at Granny’s Kitchen.” He gestured to the bags, his biceps straining the sleeves of his T-shirt. “We’ve got enchiladas, beans, rice, chips, salsa...”
The aromas had her stomach rumbling. “Sounds delicious.” She closed the door and led him into the well-appointed galley kitchen. “Will you be joining us?”
Setting the bags on the granite countertop, he grinned. “I was hoping you’d ask.”
While he emptied the bags of their foil to-go containers, she leaned one crutch against the counter, opened the cupboard and took hold of four plates.
“I’ll get those.” He intercepted her and set the plates on the counter.
Frowning, she cast him a sideways glance. “I’m not helpless, you know.”
He looked down at her. “I do. However, my mother raised me to be a gentleman.”
Her Colorado Cowboy Page 6