by Danni Roan
Chance cantered toward the pool drawn by an invisible cord that pulled him to a stop where he stepped down, his boots making deep impressions in the damp earth as he strode toward Barbara. Leaning over Chance placed his hands on her arms lifting her to her feet as he looked down into her upturned face.
“Chance,” Barbara whispered, her hand finding his face as her heart pounded in her throat.
They were both so wrapped up in their own little world that they didn’t hear Dave and Russ arrive.
“Where’s the grub?” Dave barked as he climbed from the saddle stiffly, breaking the spell that enveloped Barbara and Chance.
“It’ll be ready in a minute,” Barb called turning and buttoning her blouse as she reached for her riding coat.
Chance reached out grasping the dark coat and helping Miss Cooper into it, lifting her soft, sun warmed braid out of the way as she slipped into it.
“Thank you,” she said turning sapphire eyes on him with a grin. It seemed she was always thanking the man: first for rescuing her then for helping her out of a difficult situation and finally for accepting her crazy tale.
“You’re welcome,” Chance said. He liked doing things for the independent woman. “I’ll get your horse,” he said turning and leading his mount away.
Chapter 10
As the stars came out and the work of the day forced everyone to their beds, Chance lay awake staring at the stars.
Miss Cooper, lay beside him quiet and still and he wondered if people from the future had a strange power that left you breathless.
It seemed that every time he looked into the woman’s eyes something inside of him turned, vibrated, and came to life.
He’d seen beautiful women before. He had even had a brief courtship before his mother had sold everything to the outfit that had surely murdered his father.
Somehow Miss Cooper was different. Rolling over so he could study the sleeping woman, Chance propped himself on his elbow. Miss Cooper was lying on her back and her soft silhouette was enticing, her breathing was slow and even a soothing sound to go with the night.
There was no doubt in his mind now that the woman was exactly what she said she was and that she had indeed come from the future. He’d never met anyone else quite like her.
Early in the day Dave and Russ had mentioned that they didn’t think it was fitting for a woman to work a herd of mustangs the way Barbara was working. He had smiled and simply explained that she was from a place where woman would do pretty much whatever they wanted, and that there wasn’t much use arguing with her anyway. Besides the extra help meant they would be starting to break mustangs the next day.
Chance chuckled as a low snore emitted from the woman next to him. At least some things didn’t change in the future. People still snored. He couldn’t help but think that the sound was cute and nothing like the saw mill Dave generated on a regular basis.
As his eyes grew heavy, Chance wondered if the woman next to him really would be able to gentle the two brutes she’d decided to save. Only time and hard work would tell.
***
Morning found Barb stepping into a high railed corral to square off with the brown and white pinto who spun keeping her directly in his line of sight at every move. After the beautiful creature’s rough treatment by the men, the day before he wasn’t having any part of the human race, and Barb knew she’d have to go slow.
“Easy boy, easy,” Barbara said talking as much as possible to get the horse used to her presence. The animal tossed his head, his coal black mane rippling with the movement. He was beyond beautiful, with his deep brown splotches contrasting against the stark white of his hide.
“Now what am I going to call you?” Barb asked. She had brought nothing with her but a rope and a long stick with a bandana tied to the end. Outside of the corral she could hear the men going about their own work and she smiled. She wondered what they would think of by the time she was done with this animal that was considered useless to so many.
As Barb worked talking to the horse in smooth silky tones, her mind drifted back to earlier that morning when she had opened her eyes to find Chance wrapped around her. His strong arms holding her as shared body heat kept them both warm. Part of her had wanted nothing more than to snuggle even closer and kiss him, but it was too bold.
The man had smiled sweetly as his eyes fluttered open then realization hit and he’d scrabbled from his blankets his whole face going crimson, which had only made Barb grin.
“I’m terribly sorry Miss Cooper,” He’d drawled shaking out his boots and stomping into them. “I did not mean to take liberties.”
Barbara had rolled onto her back giggling uncontrollably. The man was too good to be true, but then again he was just a dream. The thought had made her sad even as she determined to live out this fantasy to the fullest.
A deep sorrow had settled over her when Chance strode to the fire adding wood and bringing it back to life. Sooner or later the reality of her own world would snap her out of this dream and she would have to leave. She wanted nothing more than to disappear forever here with her Mustanger. How she would love to make this dream a reality and never again be alone. There was no doubt that she was developing feelings for the cowboy and based on his reaction the night before by the pool, she thought he was at least attracted to her.
In her world Barbara had had very little luck with romance. All too often she was classified as horsey, leaving her feeling awkward and uncertain around men who were very much a part of the modern world. Along with that, past losses had left her afraid to commit for fear that she would lose someone else she loved. Over the years it had been easier to simply be alone.
So why did she feel so free with Chance? She didn’t feel like she had to be anything but who she was with him. He had accepted her at face value at least after he had decided she wasn’t completely off her nut. Even with his home grown manners, and his sense of chivalry he let her do what she wanted and trusted her to know when too much was enough. Even training these horses was a gift that he was willing for her to take.
Barb forced herself to focus on the horse before her. The animal was obviously intelligent and wary, but seemed to realize that he had nowhere to run as he made a turn around the high railed corral.
Slowly Barb approached speaking softly the whole time. She wanted to save this horse. She wanted to give him a purpose and a new life far away from people who saw him as worthless and unwanted.
Inching closer she picked up the rope that was still trailing from the halter she’d made when she’d captured him, tugging on it gently. It was obvious the horse had stepped on the rope several times and was used to the tug and pull on his nose by now. He had learned that the easiest way to avoid the hard rasp of the rope was to move toward the pull on the other end.
Still speaking softly to the horse Barb lifted the rope pulling gently until the horse bent to the will of her hand. It was going to be a long day but she was sure that by noon she would be able to touch the horse for the first time, she just needed to remember to work slow and let him learn that she wouldn’t hurt him.
***
Barb spent the day hopping between the two horses in the pens. When the pinto finally let her touch it she moved to the fierce roan inching her way into his trust and starting all over again there. By the time lunch came she was able to approach each horse touching them lightly on the neck, and though they twitched and snorted, with eyes wide, they didn’t bolt or turn on her.
By supper she could lead both horses around the corral and feed them grain from her hand. Barbara had never been so grateful for the training she had received at the Monty Roberts seminars she had attended for work. In her job she needed to understand the horse on every level and be in tune with them at every step. A horse was not fierce or mean by nature. A horse was able to learn and unlearn behaviors that had been embedded in it by experience if only you could wait long enough for it to make the connections.
Dirty, tired and excited she had
been happy to accompany Chance back to the fire at the end of the day. They had ridden from the holding area back to camp together and now sat by the fire staring into its ebbing glow.
“You look tired,” Chance said handing her a second cup of coffee after the dinner dishes had been stowed away. She had been shocked when he’d pitched in and helped with clean up after their simple fair.
“I am, but I’m so happy,” she said as their fingers touched. Chance’s smile zinged straight to her heart and the glow of accomplishment exploded into a super nova of heat and longing. She wanted nothing more than to snuggle into his arms, finding warmth and acceptance. Between the warmth of the coffee and the heat from the cowboy’s fingers her whole hand felt like it was wrapped in a warm oven mitt.
Chance felt his stomach flip over as his hand met Miss Cooper’s. He smiled seeing a light in her eyes, a longing that seemed to call to his heart. He could feel himself being drawn into her eyes, and wanted to make her his own.
The sound of approaching riders made Chance turn his hand dropping instinctively to his holster as he stepped in front of Miss Cooper protectively.
“Hello the camp!” a familiar voice called. “Mr. Oster, Mr. Hoke, Mr. Evan. I have brought you company.” The short plump priest walked into the fire light leading his mule and Chance eased his posture.
“Father Benton, what brings you all the way out here?” Chance said as both Russ and Dave stepped out from behind a rock slipping their pistols back into their belts.
“I have brought you a guest,” the parson said gesturing another man forward. “This man is interested in your horses,” he said with a smile. “Mr. Tatum, I give you the Mustangers.”
Chance stepped up offering his hand to the stranger. “Pleased to meet you Mr. Tatum,” he said shaking hands. “We got your message at the mission and are on the job.”
“And who is this?” Father Benton asked as Barb stepped out of the shadows.
Barb smiled at the priest, the man looked like a sawed off version of Friar Tuck from Robin Hood. But his bright eyes and welcoming demeanor put her at ease immediately.
“I’m Barbara Cooper,” Barb said stepping close to Chance. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Mr. Evan, what is the meaning of having a woman out here with you?” the priest turned disapproving eyes in Chance’s direction.
“Miss Cooper had an accident and had nowhere else to go,” Chance said.
“This is highly irregular,” Father Benton said. “An unmarried woman should not be out here alone with three men.”
“What’s you want us ta do,” Dave growled. “Put her on a horse and send her away?”
The priest raised his hands. “No, no. But one of you should have brought her to me right away. I’m afraid her reputation will be indelibly harmed from this oversight”. Father Benton’s eyes ran the length of Barbara and something flashed in their limpid depths that Barb didn’t quite understand. He made no comment about her attire, and only shook his head.
“Father, I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Barb spoke. “Everyone has been a complete gentleman to me. Why Mr. Evan saved my life.”
“It is a credit to your sex to so understand,” the priest continued shaking his head one way and waggling his finger the other, “but I’m afraid you will have to return to the mission with me first thing in the morning.”
“I can’t,” Barb protested. “I have work here, and I’ve already made such great progress.”
“Work?” Mr. Tatum spoke up. “What kind of work could you be doing other than cooking?”
“She’s breaking a couple of ornery cyanoses is what work,” Dave said defensively. “Already got ‘em eatin’ out of her hand in one day.”
Mr. Tatum looked the woman up and down as if she were a strange piece of art.
“It does not matter,” the priest continued waving his hands and shaking his head. “An unwed young woman of good repute cannot continue to stay here with the three of you. I know you are good men, but we must think of her future.”
Chance looked at Barbara and the thought of losing her made his heart feel like it had been placed in a vice.
“Now,” Father Benton continued, “I see you have the coffee on.” He raised his eye brows expectantly.
“Come on in,” Russ spoke for the first time, “I’ll fetch ya a cup, and we can talk business.”
The men settled around the fire and Barb listened as Mr. Tatum explained how many horses he would like for his new business. He had set up an adventure ride through the Superstition Mountains in search of the Lost Dutchman Mine and needed mounts for the dudes and dudettes that would make the ride.
As the men talked the priest on the other side of the fire nodded and hummed keeping an eye on her throughout the conversation.
“I hope Miss Cooper’s presence hasn’t been too much of a distraction,” Mr. Tatum finally said. “I can use the mounts as soon as they’re ready.”
“She ain’t been no distraction,” Russ spoke up with a grin. “She’s been cookin’ and never even made a fuss about sleepin’ in Chance’s bedroll, or nothin’,” he finished lifting his mug in toast to the smiling woman.
“What!” the priest asked jumping to his feet. “She has been sharing your bed?” he turned flashing eyes on Chance. “No, no, no, no, no. This is not acceptable.” Again that hint of knowing but not saying flashed in the man’s eyes.
“It’s not like it sounds,” Chance said standing to his feet and trying to calm the distraught priest. “I gave her my bed is all.”
Barb bit her lip trying not to laugh. She’d heard of men fighting over a woman before but never over her reputation.
“I have made a decision,” the priest said. “My mind will not be changed.” He pointed a stubby finger at Chance. “You must marry Miss Cooper tonight.”
Chance gaped at the man, his eyes wide.
“Now see here,” Dave spoke up. “These two youngins ain’t doin’ nothing wrong. You can’t just decide they should get hitched.”
“So there is no honor in this camp?” Mr. Tatum rose to his feet, his long frock coat draping over his pistol like a shroud.
“Honor’s got nothing to do with it?” Dave tried.
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Tatum said. “I can’t do business with any man who would so callously disregard a woman’s reputation. The deal is off.”
“Now see here,” Russ tried but Mr. Tatum shook his head.
Barbara reached out touching Chance on the arm. “Just agree,” she whispered. “It’s fine.”
“But,” Chance couldn’t seem to find the words he needed. On the one hand he couldn’t ask Miss Cooper to tie herself to him, but on the other his heart longed to call her his own, if only for a short time.
“Trust me,” Barb said. “I’m more than willing to go through with this. We can figure out the rest later.” She smiled sadly realizing that she would have to wake from this crazy dream eventually, and that the wedding would be nothing but a distant memory.
“Are you sure?” Chance asked laying his hand over hers.
“I’m sure,” she said with a smile.
“Alright Father,” Chance said. “We’ll do it.”
Chapter 11
Barbara looked down at the soft dress she wore. Her imagination must have really been working overtime to conjure this up.
As she and Chance had prepared to say I do at the prompting of the priest the little man had waved them away.
“No young woman should be married dressed in such a way,” the man had said. “I have items for the mission on my mule. We will find you a dress for the occasion,” he had insisted as he hurried to make good on his word.
Barb grinned again thinking of the little man rummaging through his packs until he’d found the soft blue gingham. It wasn’t what she would have envisioned her wedding dress to be, but it was floor length, and the row of soft ruffles around the bodice gave it a sense of elegance.
Straightening the wrinkled skirts,
she smiled again. At least the priest hadn’t presented her with a corset and petty coats. She wouldn’t tell him she was still wearing her jodhpurs under the slip.
“Are you ready Miss Cooper?” the priest called as he stood in the glow of the fire flanked by the men.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she called a cheeky grin spreading across her face. She was marrying the man of her dreams in the most literal sense, and though she knew it couldn’t last, it gave her heart wings.
Chance turned seeing Miss Cooper step into the ring of light cast by the fire. She was beautiful in a blue and white dress with a soft ruffle around the top. She’d let her hair down and it flowed in cascading waves of shimmering chestnut down her back.
Barb looked up into the glowing eyes of her intended and her heart fluttered. He’d washed his face and combed his hair, but the smile on his lips was what made him the most attractive man in the world. She could see in a glance that he wasn’t going into this arrangement grudgingly but with an open heart.
Chance reached out and took Barbara’s hand in his, squeezing it gently to let her know that everything would be alright. Her hand was warm and strong in his, and he knew that a woman like this only came around once in a lifetime.
Perhaps if he tried his best, he could truly win her heart. He frowned slightly as they turned toward the priest. Would she simply leave him and go back to her time though. How could he guard his heart against that?
Barb looked up at Chance seeing a scowl mar his forehead. Had she done something wrong? He suddenly looked so serious. She squeezed his hand back feeling hard calluses under her fingers.
Chance smiled softly, nodding to the priest who began saying the words that would bind them as man and wife.
Barb tried to concentrate on the words the priest was saying. Taking her time to repeat each word as she was prompted and savoring the memory of this moment. When the words were all spoken, and the priest pronounced them man and wife, she turned to Chance looking up at him hopefully.