by Sally John
She rolled her eyes. Nice change of subject. Her hair hung in damp strands, still wet from its multiple washings. “You’re in trouble for that one, Olafsson. Big trouble. I’d be afraid to go to sleep if I were you.”
They entered the medium-size horse barn. The familiar scent of sawdust from freshly scattered shavings welcomed her. Five stalls lined one wall, three the other. Doors on the far end were open. Bales of hay were piled in a corner to the left of the door they walked through. To the right were shelves and racks chock-full of saddles and tack. She eyed the area, hoping to spot a sidesaddle.
“Brady, do you—” The beating of hooves against a wall broke off her voice. It sounded like—
Brady rushed to the second stall and opened its gate. “Ruby! Hey, Gina, grab a lead rope there, would you? She’s cast in the shavings.” He stepped inside.
Cast. Gina felt her blood turn to ice as an image seared itself into her brain. Cast meant that the enormous animal would be on its back against the wall, legs flailing, unable to stand up.
“Gina!” Brady shouted. “Hurry up!”
She raced to the stall. Ruby blocked the entrance to the tiny ten-by-twelve enclosure. She must have twisted around in her terror. Long powerful legs thrashed as the panicked horse struggled against the inability to right herself.
“Gina!” Brady yelled above the loud crashing of horse’s hooves thumping repeatedly against the wall boards.
She tore her eyes from Ruby. Brady was backed in a far corner, arms over his head. He peeked out from under one and locked eyes with her.
“Gina, get a rope!”
She couldn’t respond.
“You can do this, honey.”
She shook her head.
“You can! Believe in yourself. You know what to do. We’ve got to get her hooves down.”
“I…I’ll get help.”
“Nobody’s home! Throw me a rope! Ahh—” He stepped sideways, out of the line of one swinging hoof.
Oh, dear God! Dear God!
“Gina! Now!”
I can’t! I can’t!
Brady’s in danger! She whirled around, blind eyes unable to see anything.
“By the first stall! On your left!”
She saw a rope hanging looped around a hook and ran the short distance to grab it. Brady’s in danger! She raced back. Keeping her distance from Ruby, she caught Brady’s eye. “Here!” She flung the coiled rope.
It landed just the other side of the thrashing horse.
“Honey, you’re gonna have to do better than that.”
Her heart pounded.
“Gina! You know animals! You can do this!”
She looked around, spotted another rope and retrieved it. She had to help Brady. Help Brady. She had to do this.
Back at the stall she inched closer to the horse twisting on her back. Ruby’s front legs rose monstrously before Gina, close enough to loop the rope around—
I can’t!
Ruby whinnied, an unnaturally pitched sound.
Gina caught sight of one of her large, brown eyes rimmed white in her intense terror. Her heart broke. “Oh, Ruby,” she whispered. “Poor baby.”
Her hands shook as she lifted the looped end of the rope. Her first toss missed its mark. As did the second. The third attempt settled the rope loosely around the right foreleg.
Gina took a deep breath and brushed at the hair in her eyes. There was almost enough space to squeeze inside the stall, pull the leg down…
Help, Lord.
She quickly tightened the loop, and with one swift motion slipped around the horse’s head and pulled the leg down. In the split second after her hoof touched the floor, Ruby heaved herself up on all fours. After a fleeting glance around, she sneezed, shook the shavings from herself, and gracefully swished her tail. She nickered softly, as if pronouncing everything was under control.
Gina patted her flank and glanced over at Brady. He stared at her, wiping sweat from his brow with a large red handkerchief, his chest heaving. She flashed him a brief, small smile, trying to catch her own breath. Her body began to shake then, and she rested against Ruby for support. Things were not under control.
Brady’s eyes never left her face. Slowly he moved toward her.
A corner of Gina’s mind sensed she must be in a state of shock, but there were no lucid thoughts, only raw emotion exploding in her head, pounding in her chest. When Brady cupped the back of her head in his hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, she knew there was only one expression of all the emotion that clamored for release.
Their kisses didn’t slow for some time. They had somehow maneuvered their way out of the stall and locked Ruby in, Brady’s arm enfolding Gina, his lips scarcely straying from hers in the process.
Now they were seated on the pile of hay just inside the big, open doors, side by side, reclining against the stacked bales. Adrenaline spent, their breathing slowed to normal. Brady studied the face just inches from his. Her emerald eyes studied him in return, her head nestled against his arm. Between them she clutched his other hand in both of hers in a vice-like grip. He felt another quiver roll through her. Like a ripple effect in a pond, it wasn’t as intense as the first ones when she leaned against Ruby.
He was shaken himself, less so from the horse’s hoof nearly beaning him than from the reality of Gina. At last he found his voice. “You okay?”
“Getting there.”
“This sounds woefully inadequate, but thank you for saving my life, Angelina.”
Her eyes widened. “Brady,” she whispered, “I think you just saved mine.”
He smiled. “It was really tough getting Ruby to cooperate like that. We’ve been practicing all week.”
A smile tugged at her mouth.
“Ready to take on an elephant?”
“No problem.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Thank you.”
He kissed her forehead, wishing this moment could last at least until…until his hair turned white? “You did it. I knew you could.”
“Why did you go in there anyway?”
“Told you, it was the way Ruby and I rehearsed it.” The arch in her right eyebrow fascinated him. “How do you do that? Raise just one brow?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“It was stupid to get near her, I admit. Just my natural reaction to immediately scope out the situation. Usually there’s a rope nearby to grab. Figured you were right behind me. Why did you come?”
“You yelled—”
“No, I mean today.” Time was slipping away. He could already feel the emptiness that would take over when she moved out of his arms. Didn’t she belong here beside him?
“I needed the animals. They’ve always centered me somehow.” She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s been too long since I connected with one.” She flashed him her dazzling smile. “I think I got more than I bargained for. Way more than I bargained for.”
Disappointment yanked at his insides. Her visit had nothing to do with him.
“Oh, Brady! I know I can do it again.” Her voice rose in excitement. “I’ve been so absolutely petrified at the thought of simply standing next to an elephant—or even a horse! And now…” Abruptly she dropped his hand and sat up. “The biggest weight has been lifted. I mean, I can literally, physically feel it! All of a sudden it’s as if there’s color in the world and this morning it was still just plain old gray.”
He sat up and picked bits of hay from her mussed hair. Sunlight through the doorway caught the dry, top layer, surrounding her in a halo. “I think you’ve found your answer to that question.”
“What question?”
“Where does your journey lead from here?”
She blinked at him. “Well, in a way, I guess.”
“You’ve got your work back. All kinds of possibilities in that.” Down roads unseen, midst stars flung wide?
“Yeah. No specifics yet though.”
I have but one request of you, dear. “The specific job
offers will come, and you’ll be ready. Actually I have one specific request of you.”
The startled look on Gina’s face was unmistakable. She recognized the song lyrics he paraphrased.
He hurried to complete his thought. “Will you spend the week with me?” He wouldn’t say spend life’s journey with me, not just yet. She might fly out the door.
“Brady, I hardly know you—”
“Get to know me.”
She lowered her head.
Hesitation is good, he thought. He pressed ahead. “We can hang out with the animals here. Watch the wild ones at my place. Catch some more frogs. Help Aaron and Lauren move. Watch the sunset from my meadow. Dance at the reception.”
She met his eyes. “And then I’ll leave.” She bit her lip.
“Gina, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting not telling you that I’m falling in love with you. I have to find out what that means. Who knows? Maybe it’ll mean buying an elephant for you, and I don’t even know what color you like.”
“Color?”
He grinned. “Give me a week?”
She fiddled with the hay for a long moment, avoiding his eyes. “Remember what I said about an emotional trampoline?”
“I thought maybe you were up for the exercise now. I mean, after all, you did come today.”
She glanced at him. Her shoulders heaved as she took a deep breath and looked toward the open door. “Yes, I came. I’m sitting here trying to pretend there’s nothing on my mind except the confidence to find a new job.” Her voice caught. “I’m trying to be cool and pretend you don’t mean a thing to me, all the while my heart is racing like Ruby’s was and I’m just as terrified,” the words tumbled on top of each other, “because I know the real reason I came today was to be with you.” She turned toward him. “And that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.”
“Doesn’t fit in your Day-Timer?”
“No way.” She scooted closer to him and laid her head against his shoulder, slipping an arm around his neck. “Did I answer your question?”
“A simple yes or no would have been sufficient.”
“Yes, I’ll give you a week.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.
He closed his eyes briefly. Thank You, Father. With a finger under her chin, he tilted her face and lowered his mouth to that Miss America smile. He kissed her in a slow, gentle way.
“Hey,” she murmured, “what happened to your rations?”
“New system.” He brushed his lips across hers. “I plan to steal as many kisses as I can.”
“Brady,” she chuckled, “you don’t have to steal them.”
Thirty-Nine
Gina took another paper napkin from the stack on the table and wiped the last of the barbecue sauce from her fingers. She had given up on using a fork and knife after two bites into the delicious ribs. “Mmmm. That was great. I wish I had discovered this restaurant three weeks ago.”
Brady reached across the table and touched his thumb at the corner of her mouth. “All clean.” He smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. The Rib House has been here since I was a kid. It’s a landmark in Valley Oaks. People come from miles around.”
She smiled back at him. The place was down-home, just like Brady. No frills, no extensive menu, no breathtaking views unless you counted the four windows that looked out on the highway and silos beyond that. It was a room full of square tables, each with four chairs and paper placemats. But the food was homemade, tasty, and the real thing. The place was packed on Saturday nights, but he had managed to get them in without a reservation. She watched a dish of apple pie à la mode go by and she groaned.
“Want some?” he asked.
“Most definitely.” She folded her somewhat sticky fingers together and met Brady’s gaze. The way he looked at her was unnerving. His eyes seldom strayed from her, and they danced as if he smiled at some secret. The corners of his mouth often slipped into his easy grin. She hadn’t been able to think straight all day.
Of course that was partially due to Ruby. The horse’s situation had blasted her fear to smithereens, leaving a return to confidence in its wake. It was an ecstatic high, unlike any joy she had ever known. This attraction to Brady only intensified it, creating something akin to an emotional explosion that made her head spin. How could she love a farmer in Podunk, Illinois? She didn’t know. She didn’t know what it meant or where it would lead. What she did know was that she didn’t want to come down from her present mountaintop.
But they had to make plans. “Okay, let’s plan the week.”
“The frog choir will be in full swing tonight. Let’s go back to my place and sit on the porch.” He winked. “There’s paper and pen at the house so you can write it all down, Miss Organizer.”
She rolled her eyes.
A portly, balding, middle-aged man approached the table. “Brady!” His tone made the salutation sound like a command. “Need to talk.”
“Hi, Chuck. I’d like you to meet—”
“It’ll take just a moment.” Ignoring Gina, he leaned toward Brady, supporting one hand on the table, the other on the back of the chair, and spoke in low tones directly into Brady’s ear.
She watched, amused at the thought that she had met—or almost met—her first rude Valley Oaks citizen. Brady didn’t look amused. He lowered his eyes from hers, listening intently. The tips of his ears reddened and his forehead crinkled. He nodded. His entire face turned crimson.
The man straightened, then nodded curtly in her direction. “Sorry for the interruption.” He walked off.
Brady’s lips were pressed together. He lifted a hand, signaling to the waitress.
“Who was that man?”
“Village board president. Can we take a rain check on the apple pie? I have black raspberry cobbler at home.”
The man’s words had obviously distracted him. He was ready to leave. “Sounds perfect.”
He counted bills out for the check and stood abruptly. “Ready?”
They made their way through the crowded room. A few people called out a hello to him. Once inside the truck, Gina slid across the bench seat and sat close to him. “Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.” He swung his arm up and around her shoulders, pulling her nearer and steering with one hand. His color had returned to the normal tan, though his narrow jaw still appeared clenched.
She’d pry later.
“Let’s talk about plans.” He kissed the top of her head. “How I’m going to treat you like a princess all week.”
She snuggled against his shoulder. Brady and Valley Oaks were getting under her skin, no doubt about it. Her future plans and this week’s plans were not on the same continuum. They had absolutely nothing to do with each other, had nothing whatsoever in common. It seemed God had given her something she asked for and something she hadn’t asked for. And the two were diametrically opposed. “Brady, maybe I should try it your way for a few days. Just wing it.”
He glanced down at her. “What got into you?”
She shrugged. “Tired of being a control freak, I guess.”
“Ah, giving God more room to work. I like that.” They rode in silence for a few minutes and then he chuckled. “I like that a lot.”
Later they sat side by side in the dark on his screened-in porch. He had moved the couch so that they faced directly out onto the pond. Moonlight reflected off of the water and a few stars were visible through the treetops. As he predicted, the bullfrogs’ deep-throated song filled the entire outdoors.
Gina mimicked the noise and laughed with Brady until her sides hurt. She agreed with him that they were easily entertained. Tucking her legs up on the seat, she turned to him and stroked the crease in his cheek. His blond hair shone in the soft light. How could she feel so at ease with this man she barely knew? “Will you tell me about that man who made you so angry?”
“It’s not important.”
“Brady, I only have a few days to get to know you. Is it about your land?”
> He nodded. “The board wants me to resign. They say that as chairman of the Zoning Committee I have a conflict of interest and am doing a disservice to Valley Oaks by my stubborn refusal to vote yes on zoning your dad’s property as residential.”
“It’s not my dad’s.”
“Sorry. You know what I mean.”
“I know. So are you doing a disservice to the town?”
“I told God you were a thorn in my side.” His grin softened the words.
“A thorn?”
“When we first met. I mean, you were a pain to talk to and, with all the wedding business, I knew we had to spend time together. I wasn’t exactly pleased with the idea.”
“Hmm. Well, the feeling was mutual, you know.”
“It was? I had no idea.”
“Liar,” she laughed. “Come to think of it, roses have thorns. Maybe they’re a good thing?”
“They’re annoying.” He leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose. “But they force you to pay attention.”
“I’d say you’re diverting attention from the question at hand.”
“Right.” He took a deep breath. “Yes, I might be getting in the way of Valley Oaks’ growth. I know growth is inevitable and necessary for the town to survive. I just don’t want all that growth adjacent to this place. There are plenty of other suitable areas for building homes. Two subdivisions are going up east and south of town. What we lack is a plan to preserve the history of the Crowley homestead, not to mention green space.”
“From what I can tell, it’s all green space between Valley Oaks and Rockville. Miles and miles of farm land. Lots of green corn and soybeans.”
“That’s not the same. I mean wildlife refuge areas. We have a state park up the river a ways. A zoo 90 miles away in Chicago. Nothing else in a 100-mile radius. These prairies used to be teeming with all kinds of animals. Hey, do you want to see some buffalo? There’s a farmer nearby who raises them.”
“Buffalo? Really? I’d love to.”
“We’ll put it on our to-do list.” He leaned toward her.
“We’re not making a to-do list.”
“Oh, that’s right.” He kissed her gently. “We’ll just meander over there some time soon.”