A short time later, they emerged from a forest of conifers into an alpine meadow covered with wildflowers in every color of the rainbow. Yellows, pinks, purples, reds and blues.
Lily’s gasp was like a tickle on his ear. “Stop, please.”
He readily complied as she stood on her seat, camera at the ready.
“This is incredible.” She glanced down at him. “I’ve never seen wildflowers like this. So brilliant. So abundant.” Her camera clicked multiple times.
Peering up at her, he said, “Can I move on up to the lake?”
She immediately dropped back into her seat, her smile almost childlike. “Yes, please.”
She looked so cute. Like a kid with a long-awaited gift.
They continued through the meadow, its delicate floral fragrance wafting around them.
“Whoa...” Standing, Colton clutched the roll bar as they approached the lake. “How did the water get so blue?”
“Pretty cool, huh?” Noah brought the Jeep to a stop and turned off the engine. “It has to do with something called glacial, or rock, flour. It’s so light that it stays suspended in the water. The sunlight reflects off it, giving the lake that unmistakable turquoise hue.”
Lily’s feet were on the ground in an instant. “I’ve lived in Colorado all of my adult life, and I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this place.” She twisted left then right, snapping pictures.
“That’s because you’ve never been to Ouray.” He lifted Piper out of the vehicle as Colton jumped out the other side, then set her on the ground and watched her take off after her mother and brother.
Drawing in a deep breath, he took in the unmatched beauty of his surroundings. He hadn’t been up here in years. Silver Basin was more brilliant than he remembered. The flowers, the lake...all of it above the timberline and hidden by craggy gray peaks. Here, his worries seemed to fade away.
Under a gorgeous blue sky, he looked around, surprised to discover they were the only people there. Something that could change at any moment, so they’d best take advantage of it.
“Come on.” Approaching the water, he motioned for Lily and her children to follow him. “Let’s walk around the lake.” A task easily achieved since the upper lake wasn’t that big. And the lower lake was even smaller. He’d show them that one on their way down.
“How come nobody’s here?” Lily walked beside him as the children ran on ahead through vibrant green grass and over chunks of gray rock that had broken free of the mountains to dot the landscape.
He shrugged. “Like I said, off the beaten path. Not that it’s always this way.”
Her smile was beyond contented as she tried to take in every aspect of the area. “If I lived here, I think I’d come up here as often as I could, just to get away.”
“Funny, my mother used to say the same thing.”
“Did she come up here a lot?”
“As often as she could.” He dodged around a large rock. “Which, I’m sure, wasn’t near as often as she would have liked. This was her favorite place to escape.”
“Your mom had good taste.” Lily paused in front of a spruce to take some pictures of Colton and Piper tossing rocks along the water’s edge. “Though with five boys, I can’t imagine what she’d want to escape from.” Lowering her camera, she sent him a knowing look that made him smile.
They began walking again.
“What was she like?”
Lily’s question was unexpected. Yet, he knew it was because she cared. And it had been a long time since someone cared about him.
For a moment, he gazed at the sky, trying to gather his thoughts. “She was devoted to her family. Loved Jesus and horses. Was an amazing cook.” He glanced toward Lily. “And I never saw a better example of a marriage partnership than the one between my dad and her. The ranch had been their dream from the time they first started dating in high school.”
“Aww...” She paused to take another picture.
“They both grew up in town, but Dad loved old Westerns and Mama loved horses. So they started with one small tract of land when they got married and then added to it over the years.”
“It must have been hard for your father when she passed away.”
“It was hard for all of us, but yeah, he struggled.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Poured himself into the ranch, either to help keep her legacy going or simply to occupy his mind.”
Lily looked up at him, tucking her long hair behind her ear. “How did she die?”
“Cancer.” Unable to look at her, he stared up at the jagged peaks, blinking.
“It’s obvious how much she meant to all of you.”
“She was an amazing woman, all right. Had to be to put up with my father and us boys.”
Lily puffed out a soft chuckle as they found themselves near the Jeep again.
“She knew how to keep all of us in line, including my father.” He spied the kids running into the meadow. “Only one of the reasons we adored her so much.”
Lily blinked several times. “What was her favorite wildflower?”
“Columbine, of course.” Reaching down, he plucked one. “Though she was partial to anything purple or blue.” He handed the flower to Lily. “You remind me of my mother in some ways.”
She tilted her head. “I’m guessing the part about loving horses isn’t one of them.”
He felt himself grin. “No. But your commitment to your children, your determination to bring them up with morals and values, your faith... The two of you would have been fast friends.”
She studied the flower in her hand. “That may be one of the nicest compliments anyone has ever paid me.”
Staring down at her, his pulse quickened as emotions he hadn’t felt in a long time wove their way around his heart. Emotions he hadn’t felt since Jaycee died. Emotions he’d vowed to never feel again.
He took a step back.
“Hey, Mom!” Colton’s voice had her turning around. “You gotta come see all these flowers.”
Smiling, she said, “Well, now there’s something I never thought I’d hear him say.” She took off in the direction of her children.
He watched the three of them, his stomach twisting in knots as one thing became as clear as the water in these lakes.
Bringing Lily up here was a bad idea.
Chapter Fifteen
Lily stared out of the office window, grateful to Noah for taking them to Silver Basin. In part because her children had yet to stop talking about it. That and the fact that the rain had returned the next day, harder than it had been before. This time, the showers weren’t relegated to only the afternoons. Instead, it had rained all day and all night for the past five days. Add that to what they’d received the week before, and everything was drenched, meaning no trail rides, no Jeep tours...
No wonder Noah had been so moody.
At least they were getting a small reprieve this morning, allowing her children to play outside for a while. For some reason, they found stomping around in the mud in their rubber boots fun.
Since Noah and Clint had gone off to help someone at a neighboring ranch, Lily had the office to herself, giving her the perfect opportunity to address the freshly printed VIP invitations for the open-house event. They now had demonstrations planned for the event—roping, barrel racing, bronc riding—as well as photo ops with Noah, cake, balloons...
She licked another envelope. If only she could talk him into getting a mechanical bull.
Reaching for another invitation, she prayed she and the kids would be able to make it back out here for the event. Labor Day was a long weekend, after all.
“Mom!”
“Mommy!”
The calls came simultaneously.
She pushed away from the desk and hurried into the lobby before her children decided to track mud everywhere
. “What is it?”
Colton huffed and puffed as though he’d been running. “There’s a calf in the pasture, and he’s all by himself.”
“He’s crying.” Piper pouted.
Slipping out of her shoes and into her own rubber boots, she said, “Let’s go have a look.”
She followed them out the door and up the drive, dodging puddles as she went until they reached the barn. Sure enough, in the middle of the muddy pasture, a cute little black calf stood unmoving, repeatedly calling for his mother.
Hands on her hips, Lily scanned the area, but she didn’t see any cows.
“We have to save him, Mommy.”
“Save him from what, Piper? Maybe his mama left him there on purpose and told him to stay put until she got back.”
“But what if she forgot about him?”
Lily bit back a chuckle. “His mama won’t forget. So I suggest we wait until Noah and his father get back and let them handle it.”
Her children looked at each other, seemingly satisfied with her response.
“Can we keep playing?” asked Colton.
“Yes, you may. But try not to get too muddy, all right?”
“We won’t.”
Ha! She headed back to the stable. Like that was going to happen.
The phone was ringing when she stepped inside. She hastily stomped her boots on the mat before rushing into the office to answer it.
“Abundant Blessings Ranch.”
“Yes, this is Lauren Pearson with the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. I’d like to speak with Noah Stephens.”
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel was one of the newspapers she’d sent a press release to. “I’m sorry, he’s not available at the moment. This is his publicist, Lily Davis. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“We’re looking at doing a brief article on the rodeo school. Would you be able to answer a few questions?”
She wheeled the chair closer to the desk and sat down. “I’ll do my best.”
While the questions were easy enough, they dragged on forever. Glancing at the clock on the wall, Lily realized twenty minutes had passed and she hadn’t heard so much as a peep from her children. They were either having fun or getting into trouble. Maybe both.
“Ms. Pearson, I thank you for your interest—”
“Mommy!” Piper cried as she swung the door open. “Help!”
“I’m sorry, I need to go.” Lily hung up the phone as her daughter hurried into the office, tears streaming down her face.
“Colton fell into the river!”
“What?” She felt the color leave her face as images of her son being carried away by the current filled her mind.
Piper grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the door. “Hurry, Mommy. He slid down the bank, and he can’t get out.”
With all the rain, the river was rushing fast and furious.
She had to get to Colton now.
“Come on.” She pushed through the door and aimed straight for the UTV parked on the side of the building. “Hop in, Piper.” She threw herself into the driver’s seat and reached for the ignition. “Where’s the key?” Her gaze darted around the vehicle. She hastily checked the glove box. Nothing.
“We could ride Duke?”
“Piper, I don’t know how to saddle a horse.”
“He’s in the arena. Noah left him there.”
Lily did not want to ride Duke. But she couldn’t afford to waste any more time, either. She had to find her son.
“All right. Let’s go.”
Lily sprinted ahead, led Duke out of the arena and brought him outside before lifting Piper into the saddle.
She stroked the animal’s muzzle. “Noah trusts you, so I guess I’m going to have to, too, Duke. Help me get to Colton.”
With a deep breath, she put her foot into the stirrup, climbed into the saddle behind her daughter and urged Duke in the direction of the river.
The horse moved swiftly, his muscular legs eating up the distance faster than she expected.
Why had she let the kids play outside alone? She should have been watching them. She squeezed her eyes shut. God, please let Colton be all right. Keep him safe. Don’t let the water take him under.
Approaching the river, the roar of the current heightened her anxiety. She pulled back on the reins. “Where is he, Piper?”
“Over there.” She pointed. “By the tree.”
Lily guided Duke to the tree then dismounted, dragging Piper with her. “Colton?”
“Here!”
Her gaze combed the muddy riverbank until she spotted him clinging to a tree limb. She rushed to where he was and dropped to her belly, the sodden earth soaking her shirt and jeans as she tried to reach him.
He was too far down. She tried to push her body out farther, tried to grab him, but it was too far. She’d risk going down, too.
“Hurry!” her son cried.
God, help me. I don’t know what to do.
“Mommy?”
Turning, she saw her daughter pointing to the coiled rope attached to Duke’s saddle.
“Hold on, Colton. I’ll be right back.” Lily leaped to her feet, sprinted toward the horse and grabbed the rope. She tied one end to the tree and then stretched it so she could send the looped end down to Colton. But the rope was too short.
She looked around, her breathing ragged. There was nothing close enough.
Her gaze drifted to Duke. The animal was massive. If he could hold Noah, surely he could support the weight of her son.
Knowing that was her only hope, she quickly untied the rope from the tree and returned to the horse, eyeing the saddle horn. She’d seen Noah, Colton and the other cowboys do this at least a hundred times. Think, Lily.
She had to climb into the saddle to reach the thing. When she did, she twisted the open end of the rope around the horn a few times, then cinched it under the last loop, praying it would hold.
Dismounting, she led the horse closer to where her son held on for his life and lowered the looped end toward Colton. “Can you hold on to the branch with one hand long enough to grab the rope with your other?”
He glanced down at the rushing water, then back to her. “I—I think so.”
She could see the fear in his eyes. He’d already been there so long. He must be exhausted, his muscles spent. God, please don’t let my boy fall. Give him strength.
Her grip tightened on the rope as she waited for him to take hold. All the while never taking her eyes off her son. “You can do this, Colton. I know you can.”
He nodded and, in one swift motion, let go of the branch and stuck his free hand through the loop before wrapping his fingers around the rope.
“Good job.” The rope was taut. The length perfect. “Now the other hand.”
Again, he nodded and, after a moment, he moved his left hand from the branch to the rope.
“Okay, good. Now hold on while I pull you up.” But the more she tugged, the more her feet slipped beneath her. God, help me!
She straightened, the horse coming into her periphery. “Keep holding on, Colton,” she yelled over the sound of the river.
A handful of steps and she was beside Duke. “Piper, stay back.” She thrust herself into the saddle, took hold of the reins and pulled with all her might.
The horse took one step back. Then another and another.
“It’s working!” Just like the Jeep up on the mountain. “Hold on, Colton!”
A few moments later, he appeared over the edge of the bank, his knuckles white as he continued to cling to the rope.
Lily’s heart pounded. “Attaboy, Duke. Just a few more steps.” She continued backward until her boy was on solid ground, then jumped down and rushed to his side.
She drew him into her arms as he tossed the rope aside. “Thank God yo
u’re okay.” Setting him away from her, she smoothed a hand over his wet hair, surveying him to make sure he wasn’t hurt. That’s when she saw the tears streaming down his mud-streaked cheeks. “Oh, it’s okay, baby.” She clutched him to her again, her own tears falling as his arms wound around her waist. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I know I shouldn’t have come down here.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.” She kissed his forehead. “But we can discuss that later. For now, let’s get you back to the stable.”
Clouds had filled the sky at some point during the ordeal, and the rain started to fall again as the kids climbed atop Duke. Lily took hold of the reins to walk the horse.
“What are you doing, Mom?” Her son was covered in mud. “You can get up here, too.”
“There’s not enough room in the saddle.”
“That’s okay. You can sit in the saddle with Piper, and I’ll sit back here.” He patted the spot just behind the saddle.
She knew Duke could handle the weight, but, “We can do that? I mean, he won’t try to buck you off or anything?”
Her boy smiled then. A smile she’d never been happier to see. “No. We’re not going that far, anyway.”
“All right then.” She climbed behind her daughter and felt Colton’s arms around her waist. Relief washed over her along with the rain. By the grace of God, she’d done it. She’d saved her son. God had given her the strength and the wherewithal to do what she needed to do, including getting on a horse. She found she actually didn’t mind it too much, especially now that Colton was safe.
Perhaps riding was within her realm of possibility, after all.
* * *
Noah watched the wipers on his father’s pickup slap back and forth across the windshield, the gray skies a perfect match for his mood. “Just what we need. More rain.”
Dad clutched the steering wheel. “Not like it’s unexpected this time of year.”
A sports car whizzed past them then, going well over the speed limit. And on a wet road, no less.
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