The Marvelous Mustanger

by Danni Roan

Barbara was the kind of woman who didn’t give up. A woman who would walk the miles beside a man, helping him make the best of the life he was given. She was just what he would want in a woman to call wife. Could he ask her to stay? Should he ask her to stay? It wouldn’t be fair to ask a woman, so obviously gifted to stay in the past with him when she obviously had so much to offer her own world.

  Chapter 13

  “Would you like to take a walk?” Chance asked after supper. They’d been happy to return to camp to discover that Dave had mixed up biscuits to go with their beans, even if he had waited for Barb to cook them. In short order they had all been fed and the quiet at the end of the day settled around them.

  “I’d like that,” Barb said standing and following Chance into the growing darkness.

  “It’s been a long few days,” Chance mused as he slowed down offering Barbara his arm. “I can’t say it’s gone the way I had expected either,” he added with a grin thinking about the impromptu wedding.

  Barb squeezed his arm enjoying the play of muscles under his shirt. “It’s not exactly what I’m used to, but there are things I really like about it here,” she said. “I can’t say I expected to be married after dropping into the middle of a roundup either.”

  Chance looked down at the woman. She was still wearing her coat and riding gear, and he wondered if she would be more comfortable slipping back into the pretty dress Father Benton had given her. “I’m sorry you had to go through with that. I suppose things are very different where you come from,” Chance said walking out along the prairie as darkness engulfed them.

  “It is very different,” Barb admitted, “and there are wonderful things there, but there are wonderful things here as well,” she finished turning to look up at him her heart wanting him to understand that he was that wonderful thing.

  “Tell me a little about your world,” Chance suggested, wanting nothing more than to lean in and kiss her like he had when they were wed.

  “It’s busy,” Barb said making him chuckle. “Not just like this,” she gestured around her, “more with hard work and struggles but with noise and activity, and chatter.”

  “Sounds like Tuscan,” Chance laughed.

  Barb smiled looking into his eyes. “Something like that. We have horseless carriages everywhere, and ships that fly in the sky like birds. I must admit I do miss indoor plumbing though.” She added with a chuckle. “I don’t miss the bustle and care though, or the lack of connectedness between friends and families.”

  Chance pushed his hat back on his head smiling into Barbara’s face. “We have indoor baths in a few fancy places,” he said. “Maybe one day I’ll take you to a fancy hotel, and you can soak in one of them porcelain tubs,” he said forgetting that she would probably leave him as soon as she could.

  “That would be wonderful,” Barb gushed, “but I’ve done loads of camping before, and I don’t mind this. It’s beautiful here and the horses are amazing.” She lifted her eyes to his once more trying to communicate that she thought he was pretty wonderful too.

  “But don’t you want to go back?” Chance asked his hand finding hers and pulling it to his chest. “Surely you have friends and family, and then that job of yours.”

  Barb looked down at her hand held tight in his. He was running his thumb over the top of her hand and sending little sparks along her nerve endings. “I don’t have any family left,” she admitted still mesmerized by his hand. My uncle died right after I finished my studies, and I’ve been on my own since then.”

  “Surely you have a beau,” Chance said, his voice a husky whisper.

  Barb shook her head. “I’ve dated,” she struggled for the right word to make him understand. “I’ve had callers,” she corrected, “but no one I really cared for. Most of the men I know are either too wrapped up in their work or too worried about doing all the right things to win my heart.”

  Chance stared down at her. “I can’t imagine being too busy for you,” he confessed.

  Barb smiled. “It’s just so confusing in my world,” she said. “It’s like people are so worried about being the right kind of person they don’t know who to be at all. Men are afraid to tell a woman what they think, and women are afraid to admit they want them to.”

  “That doesn’t sound very comfortable.”

  “It’s not,” Barb admitted. “I’d rather people just spoke their mind and made their decisions based on what is in their hearts.”

  Chance had stopped rubbing her hand and now looked at her seriously. “I don’t know about speaking my mind, but I can tell you one thing,” he said. “I really like you and I’m sorry you got roped into this whole mess.”

  Barb leaned her head onto his chest listening to the beat of his heart. “I don’t mind one bit,” she said hoping he would hear her words and recognize the truth in them. “I love it here. I love seeing everything. I love the horses, and the freedom and the wide open spaces.” She desperately wanted to add him to the litany but was sure he wouldn’t believe her.

  She had conjured the perfect man and she wanted nothing more than to live with him for the rest of her days: to create a life, a home and maybe even a family, if only there was a way to make everything real.

  Chance placed a finger under Barbara’s chin and lifted her face to his. “I’m glad you’re here,” he said dropping his lips to hers in a sweet kiss.

  Pulling back from the kiss Chance tucked Barbara in close wrapping her in his arms and never wanting to let her go. He smiled when she wrapped her arms around his middle and snuggled in close. Perhaps she would go back to her world tomorrow. Perhaps he would lose her to a place that didn’t even exist yet for him, but for tonight, he would be content to hold her tight, and let his heart beat out the rhythm of his desire for hearth and home.

  Laying his cheek against the top of her head he breathed in the smell of horse and prairie and the desert at night all mingled with her own special scent. He wanted to do something special for her, something that he knew she would appreciate. He hadn’t known her long, but already he could tell she wasn’t a demanding woman.

  “There’s a smaller spring around that bend,” Chance said softly. “It might not be a fancy bath in a big hotel, but if you’d like to wash it’s private.”

  Barb looked up a bright grin spreading across her face. Reaching up she placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed her thanks for his thoughtfulness.

  Chapter 14

  Barb hurried around the next outcropping of red rock to find a shallow pool reflecting the rising moon. Sitting on a low slab of stone she pulled off her tall boots with a sigh then stopped. As much as the still waters were calling, she realized she didn’t have anything to change into.

  Lifting a foot she started putting her boots back on only to hear footsteps coming toward her.

  “You decent?” Chance called his footsteps stopping on the other side of the rock.

  Barb giggled. “I’m decent,” she said standing and peeking into the dark.

  “I thought you might want your things,” Chance said lifting the dress and a rough towel that he pulled from the wagon.

  “I seem to keep thanking you,” Barb said. “This is just what I needed.”

  “It was Dave’s idea,” Chance said handing her the things. “He said there wasn’t much point washin’ if you were going to put the same dirty duds back on.”

  “I guess I’ll have to thank him as well,” Barb said taking her things and turning back to the pool.

  “I’ll be over by the remuda if you need me,” Chance said. “Just holler.”

  For a minute, Barbara toyed with the idea of inviting him in, but it would only make him feel awkward. On the other hand they were technically married. Still she let him walk away without a word.

  Laying the clean clothes on the rock she shucked her worn riding gear and climbed into the cool water. A breeze rippled the water making her shiver so she sank deeper in to the tepid water.

  It was a wonderful chance to scr
ub away the dust and grime from a long day in the saddle and to wash her under things as well. You’d think her dream brain could have come up with a better answer for clean undies than washing them in a watering hole, she thought with a giggle.

  ***

  Chance stood by the rope corral watching the horses grazing or dozing lazily in the moon light. Behind him he could hear Barbara giggle and he smiled. He was glad he could do this little thing to make her more comfortable, but as he thought of her bathing in the moon light, he felt his blood warm.

  If only he could know she would stay with him, he might consider slipping into the cool water with her. If they could make this relationship something more, something real and lasting, he’d turn around now.

  Chance had to admit that he admired the woman for her gumption; he also had to admit he found her attractive. But could he risk his heart with someone who was just going to leave?

  Chance wanted a real home, a family, someone to love. He’d been busting his back side for years trying to put together a little nest egg but trailing herds or working another man’s land wasn’t going to give him his dreams. When Dave had suggested Mustanging he’d jumped at the chance and in the last three seasons he and his partners had been able to put aside a little cash.

  They’d talked about putting together a horse ranch, one where they could breed better stock. The fine Appaloosa stallion and the mares in his brood would be a good place to start.

  If they played their cards right, if they pooled their money and bought a little place, he thought they just might be able to make it happen.

  The soft slosh of water made Chance shiver as he tried not to imagine the water from the spring lapping around Barbara’s soft curves and more than one part of him wanted to make the woman his wife in more than name only.

  The sound of a loud plopping splash and a scream had Chance racing around the dusty rock, his pistol magically appearing in his hand.

  “Barb, what’s wrong?” He barked as the woman stepped from the water wrapping the heavy towel around her.

  “Something fell in the water,” Barbara said holding the towel tight around her as Chance pulled her close, pistol in hand.

  A tiny ripple appeared in the water, outlined by moonlight and Chance smiled. “It’s a turtle,” he chuckled.

  Barb could feel her face heat with embarrassment what kind of a ninny was afraid of a turtle. “I’m sorry,” she said looking up into his face as he holstered his pistol.

  “That’s alright. You couldn’t know what it was, and to be honest, I think I’d have hopped too if I was in that water in my birthday suit.” He looked down at the woman whose wet skin was pressed against him.

  Above the towel she clutched between them a great deal of cleavage was evident in the silvery light of a half moon, and Chance dropped his gaze lower only to be confronted with two shapely legs glimmering below the hemline of the towel.

  Closing his eyes Chance groaned trying to push the vision of his beautiful young wife from his mind.

  Barb leaned into Chance as a breeze off the prairie made her shiver and sighed as his arms came around her crushing her to his chest as his mouth found hers.

  Still clutching her towel she leaned into the cowboy, feeling the heat of his skin push the chill of the night away.

  “What’s wrong?” Dave’s voice called as he and Russ hurried toward the pool. “I heard screamin’.”

  Chance broke the kiss with an angry huff and pivoted on his heel to stop the other men. “Get dressed,” he said his voice a throaty rumble. “We’d better get back.”

  Barb watched Chance head back around the rock that gave her at least a little privacy her heart sinking to her toes. She had liked kissing Chance, she’d liked the way he felt wrapped around her and wanted more.

  In frustration she hurried to dry then slipped into her dress unwinding her braid as she wrapped her bra and panties in the towel and wrung them as dry as possible. There was no point dawdling once she’d stomped into her boots and she turned back to the camp.

  Maybe she couldn’t have Chance forever, but one way or another, she would find a way to have him all to herself eventually.

  By the time Barb walked back into camp the men were all in their bedrolls. Morning would come early and weary muscles needed their rest.

  Hanging her under things on a hook on the wagon she made her way to her bedroll, slipped out of her boots and climbed between the warm blankets snuggling in close to Chance.

  “I’m cold,” Barb said inching her back closer toward the cowboy. Chance rolled over wrapping an arm around her middle and offering her the warmth of his overheated form.

  “That’s better,” Barb said feeling him pressed the length of her body.

  “Go to sleep sweetheart,” Chance said, his voice still low. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

  Barb smiled. She didn’t know how, but one way or another she was going to break this cowboy down. She knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him so why not truly explore what this dream had to offer.

  If she could get the mustangs to trust her, perhaps she could manage the Mustanger too.

  Chapter 15

  For the next two weeks Barbara poured every ounce of energy she had into gentling horses alongside Chance.

  Each day started out with Dave and Russ moving in one direction while Chance and Barb headed the other. It had been a surprise when Chance had asked to watch her work with the two horses she’d taken on. He wanted to learn from her technique and soon they’d partnered up to work a group of horses together.

  By the end of two weeks, Barb and Chance had thirty horses under saddle, all but the gray stallion was moving well on the rein.

  “Just hang in there,” Chance said as the sun headed west. “You’ll get through to him.”

  Barb laughed. “Thanks for the encouragement,” she said taking his arm as they walked out of the corral.

  “You will, really,” Chance said. “You’re amazing with the horses, and you never give up.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face exposing the bruise on her cheek bone from when a horse had spooked, tossing its head and smacking her in the face.

  “My uncle used to say I was just stubborn.”

  Chance stopped turning toward her and brushing the silken strand behind her ear once more. “I think it’s a wonderful trait,” he said his fingers lingering at her throat.

  “You’ve been working just as hard,” Barbara said enjoying his touch. Since the first night he’d told her about the spring, he’d been more reserved and this hint of intimacy was welcome.

  “Chance, have I done something wrong?” Barb finally asked. “It’s been wonderful working with you, and I love that you haven’t tried to stop me from doing what I want but…” she bit her lower lip. Barb knew what she wanted to say but not how to say it.

  “But what?” Chance gazed down into her face the light from the setting sun tinged her cheeks with a rosy glow, and he longed to lean in to taste her lush lips.

  “I,” Barb swallowed trying to find the right words. She had learned so much about Chance over the past two weeks, and she longed to tell him what her heart screamed, but none of this was real. Casting aside her doubts Barb wrapped her arms around the cowboy’s neck placing her lips on his trying to express what was in her heart.

  Chance wrapped his arms around Barb’s waist pulling her to him and deepening the kiss. Day by day he’d been falling more in love with her, and he wanted her so badly he ached. Each night he held her in his arms while fighting to keep her out of his heart.

  He could feel Barb’s fingers tangled in his hair and his heart kicked up a beat. If he had been asked to make a list of all the qualities he wanted in a woman, Barb would have ticked every box. The only problem he could find in her was that sooner or later she would leave, and he’d be left trying to put together the shredded pieces of his heart.

  Barb eased back, her breath coming in short gasps but refused to open her eyes. She couldn�
�t bear to look into his eyes and see nothing.

  “Barbara,” Chance’s words were low. “Look at me sweetheart,” he urged.

  Barb opened her eyes looking up into the depths of his hazel eyes and saw a light flickering in their depths.

  “I can’t quite believe you,” Chance said. “You’re too good to be true.” He leaned in kissing the tip of her nose. “Are all the women from the future like you?”

  Barb laughed. “No, I’m not what you’d call a typical woman. I spend too much time alone and hardly have any friends. About the only thing I do is go to book club and work.”

  “What’s book club?” Chance asked casually draping an arm around her shoulders and heading toward their mounts.

  “I love to read,” Barb said. “It’s one of my favorite things to do, and a while ago several of us arranged to meet every other week to talk about books.”

  “What type of books,” Chance asked pulling her toward their horses and helping her into the saddle.

  Barbara smiled. She didn’t need the help, but she liked the way he offered his hand and held the reins for her anyway. He knew she could mount on her own, but he wanted to show her he cared in this simple action.

  “Everyone likes different types of books,” Barb admitted continuing the discussion on book club, “but we all love romance.”

  “Is that the kind of thing women like in the future?” Chance asked tossing himself into the saddle.

  “Personally I think all women love a bit of romance,” Barb admitted. “Our group liked all sorts of stories as long as they were romance.” Again she giggled. “They even have time travel romance stories.”

  “Is that what you read?” Chance asked trying to wrangle his thoughts.

  “No, I like western romance,” she gestured around herself. “If I had to end up in a story this would be exactly what I would pick.”

  Barb didn’t catch Chances bright smile as she continued. “Other friends had different time periods they loved. Beth’s was Scottish Highland books. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Beth at a meeting lately. Then there’s Emma who was all about the early 1900’s, and Adeline loves the 1950s.”