by Danni Roan
“I still have a hard time thinking of you there and then,” Chance admitted. “It’s nice to know women still like to read though. Do they all do this sort of thing?”
Barb shrugged as they headed for the gate. “Some women,” she admitted. “The book club is where I met Doctor Lachele. She’s the woman who told me she could send me back in time.” She giggled thinking of the bubbly purple haired woman. It was Dr. Lachele’s comment that had triggered this whole dream.
“I’d like to hear more about your friends later.” Chance said mounting up as he reached out and took Barb’s hand. “I really don’t understand all of this,” Chance said, “but I’m glad you’re here. I think I needed you.”
“Chance,” Barb pulled her horse to a stop forcing Chance to draw rein. “What are you afraid of?” she asked quietly.
Chance looked at the woman next to him. Today she was wearing a sturdy pair of baggy denims tucked into her tall boots and a long chambray shirt that flowed almost to her knees. She was unconventional, determined, and perfect.
“I know you’ll go back home,” he said simply. “One of these days you’ll get tired of being here, and you’ll leave. I can’t stand to think of it but I know it will happen.”
“Why can’t we just enjoy what we have now?”Barb asked quietly. “We work well together, we even like each other,” she added with a smile.
Chance reached across the space between her horse and his and lifted the heavy braid that hung over her shoulder.
“Because I want something real,” he said his voice soft. “I want a home, a family and a woman who will stand beside me in the good times and the bad.” He lifted his other arm gesturing out across the prairie. “I want to build a home and I need someone beside me who will work hard to make it happen.” He let the braid fall from his hands reluctantly. “I can’t spend the rest of my life wondering when I’ll wake up to find you gone.”
Without another word Chance kicked his horse into a gallop heading for camp.
A single tear slipped from Barbara’s eye and she lifted a finger capturing the droplet in amazement. How could she be crying in a dream?
She sat there for what seemed ages, her horse fidgeting impatiently. It didn’t matter what Chance said at the end of the day one truth was evident. She loved Chance Evan and somehow she had to convince him that this was the right decision. That she was the right decision.
Supper that night was a quiet affair, and as soon as the dishes were cleaned up, Barbara washed her face and hands and crawled into her bedroll. She was tired and heart sore and wanted to escape the whole crazy situation.
***
Chance watched Barb slip between the blankets and felt his heart go with her. She was so amazing, and all he wanted to do was go to her and tell her how much he loved her already.
Despite her situation she seemed to be able to find joy in her everyday work. If only he knew he could keep her, he would tell her how he felt.
For now he would have to be content to work by her side and get the horses ready for sale.
“How’s your bunch comin’?” Dave asked reaching for the coffee pot. “You makin’ progress?”
Chance pulled his eyes away from the bundled form of Barbara. “We’re coming along well,” Chance said. “Between Barbara and me we’ve got nearly thirty head of horse working under saddle.
“That sounds good,” Russ said. “Me an’ Dave got about as many. That little girl sure knows her way around a horse.”
Chance smiled. He was glad that his partners had accepted the situation so readily.
He had taken a good deal of ribbing since the priest and Mr. Tatum had left. Still he was glad things had come together this way. If only he could get these horses trained, he’d have enough to start that new place they’d all dreamed of.
“I ain’t one to meddle,” Dave spoke up, “but if I was you, I’d tell that girl how much you like her and make sure she knows you want her to be yours for good.”
Chance opened his mouth but Dave shook a finger at him. “I know you only went along with Father Benton so’s that girl’s reputation was protected,” the older man continued. “I also got eyes in my head, and I can see you’re head over heels for her.”
“It’s complicated,” Chance said dropping his eyes.
“No it ain’t,” Dave insisted. “You love her plain and simple, and she loves you too.”
“I’m not sure that will be enough to make her stay,” Chance said sadly.
“Well then figure out what will,” Dave said draining the last of his coffee before getting to his feet and storming away.
***
Chance made his way to his bed slipping out of his boots and into his bed. Without a sound he pulled Barbara into his arms holding her close.
He loved the way she felt in his arms and savored the moment. How was he supposed to give this up? He didn’t want to let her go. More than anything else in the world he wanted to make her his wife. He wanted to provide for her, love her, cherish her for the rest of his life.
He felt her shift in his arms and a moment later she had rolled over looking up into his face.
He smiled down at her running his hand over her back and feeling her relax into him. Just being together was wonderful. Chance wanted to know everything about Barbara Cooper. He wanted to know more about her world and her job and how she lived.
She had told him some things, but he was sure there were things she hadn’t shared.
Perhaps if he asked her he would understand her better. Tomorrow was a new day, and he decided he would ask her about her world. He would try to learn enough about it to be able to imagine where she was and what she was doing once she went back. That way he’d always feel connected no matter where he was for the rest of his life.
Chapter 16
“Chance,” Barb waved the Mustanger to her as they headed back to the corral the next morning.
“What’s wrong?” Chance asked looking around him and making Barbara laugh.
“Nothing’s wrong silly,” she said with a smile. “I just wanted to talk to you.”
Chance looked at her afraid she was going to tell him that she was going back to her own world.
“I want to start working with that Appaloosa,” Barb said. “He’s gotten used to all of us moving around in the canyon and he isn’t nearly as defensive about his mares anymore.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Chance said, “he’s still wild.”
“So were the other two before I started,” Barb chided. “Just help me get him into a corral and let me try. You need that horse to start your own horse ranch, but you also need to have the other horses ready for sale.” She reached out touching his arm as his horse sidled close to hers. “Please,” she asked her eyes pleading.
Chance didn’t know what to say. How could he say no to her? She had done wonders with the other two horses who were now working well under saddle, and she’d made the work for all of the Mustangers much lighter.
“You’ll tell me if you need help?” he asked.
Barb nodded excitedly.
“You promise?”
Again Barb nodded. “Trust me,” she said her hand still resting on his arm.
This time it was Chance’s turn to nod. “We’ll move the other two in with the geldings today then chase him into a corral for you.”
Barbara smiled brightly. If she couldn’t convince him to let their relationship grow naturally at least she could help him achieve his dreams.
***
By the end of the month Barb had not only confirmed her belief that the Appaloosa had actually escaped from a managed herd she’d won the brute over. He was one of the easiest animals she had ever had the privilege to work with, and though she loved the bay paint, she was now riding the Appaloosa on a regular basis.
When she tossed a saddle on the horse, she had affectionately dubbed Patch and rode him out into the main canyon letting him prance and strut for all to see, she couldn’t help b
ut laugh with sheer joy.
“Well I’ll be,” Dave barked pointing at Barbara riding around the herd of mares and young stock, bunching them up with exuberant help from her mount. “That girlie plum did it.”
Chance smiled watching Barb make a loop around the horses, and his heart seemed to fill his whole chest.
She was beautiful, adventurous, and everything he wanted. When her musical laughter drifted toward him on the wind, he wanted nothing else than to race to her declaring his undying love.
“Reckon we’re ready to go,” Russ said riding up on a young horse that tossed its head and snorted with almost every step.
“It’s a mighty good haul,” Dave said. “I think we’ve all done good.” He turned winking at Chance. “Some of us better’n others.”
The next morning broke clear and bright as the crew had bunched the entire herd pushing the lead mares to the front and heading toward the agreed on meeting place with the buyer.
“Now ain’t that a pretty sight,” Dave mused kicking his wiry buckskin up next to Barbara. “Nothin’ prettier than a bunch of horses movin’ out in the sun light.
Barb looked through the dust the herd was kicking up as they ambled over the grasslands. The horses moved easily with Russ at the lead and Chance on the flank. The multi colored herd was a sea of glistening coats in the late autumn sun.
“I’m keepin’ that little bay mare over yonder,” Dave continued. “She moves real nice and is easy to ride. Sometimes when you find something good, you just have to hold on to it,” he finished.
Barb smiled. She liked Dave and though he could be crotchety and cranky at times, he was a good friend to Chance. Her eyes automatically sought out Chance where the cowboy sat, tall and straight in the saddle of a young bay.
This was a big day for Chance. By tomorrow night he’d have hard cash for the labor he’d put into preparing the horses for sale, and he would be able to truly build his new life. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the riders moved along the sides of the herd urging the horses toward the Salt River.
Barb rode at the back of the herd, perched on the spotted stallion and making sure that any stragglers kept up. She barely had to do any work at all since the horse was simply doing what he did best moving his herd along behind the lead mare at the head of the group.
The herd and crew were just making a bend along the river looking for a spot to rest for the noon time break when a shot rang out, and three riders raced from the brush spooking the herd into full gallop as they whooped and hollered.
For a moment Barb didn’t know what was happening as the whole herd panicked racing down the river bank as one. A head of her she saw Chance try to out flank some of the horses only to be swarmed by them, his inexperienced horse caught in the fray and galloping headlong over the prairie.
A shot rang out again and Barb gave the Appaloosa his head racing toward Chance barely catching a glimpse of Dave, firing his pistols at the would-be horse thieves.
Laying low over her horse’s neck Barb tried to catch up with Chance as he struggled to control his horse and turn the leaders.
On the other side of the herd Russ was working to guide the lead mare around the bend and away from their low down horse thieves. Another shot rang out and Barb saw one of their attackers fall to the ground, as more shots exploded around her echoing over the din of thundering hooves.
“Chance!” Barb screamed as she saw the cowboy twist in his saddle falling to the ground as dozens of horses raced on. Digging her heels into the Appy’s flanks Barb raced head long into the stampede, the lean stallion lashing out at horses with bared teeth making them swerve around the downed cowboy.
Two more shots rang out, but Barbara never looked back as she dropped to the ground pulling Chance to her, while her horse raced off to recapture his herd, leaving Barb alone with the downed cowboy. “Chance, Chance,” Barb wailed noting the blood on the cowboy’s shoulder. “Chance wake up,” she continued. “Don’t you dare die.” Tears poured down her dust streaked face. “You can’t die,” she continued. “I love you, and I’m never leaving. Please stay with me.”
Chance felt strong arms around him as she struggled to pull himself from an unfamiliar darkness. He could hear Barb’s voice and he needed to reach her. What was she saying? What had happened?
“Don’t you dare leave me cowboy,” Barb continued pressing a bandana to his wound.
“Barb?” Chance said blinking. “What happened?”
“Those no good horse thieves shot you,” Barb said peeling back his shirt and noting the rough graze along his shoulder. “You fell.”
Chance raised a hand. His head hurt and he felt like something might have stepped on him.
“Get my horse,” he said rising with Barb’s help.
“They’re gone,” Barbara said new tears streaming down her face as she steadied Chance.
Chance looked up onto an empty prairie. Behind him was the shallow river lined with gorse bushes and creosote, but the prairie was empty. All of his work, all of his effort was gone.
“Where are Dave and Russ?” he asked swallowing the pain in his chest.
“I don’t know,” Barb admitted. “They were chasing the herd, but I came to help you.”
Chance waved her back toward the river struggling to his feet and together they staggered to a small rock on the water’s edge.
“It’s all over,” Chance said. “If they took the herd we’re done. There is no way I can recoup my losses, or earn the trust of another buyer.”
“Don’t say that,” Barbara chided dipping her bandana into the water and coming back to dress his wound. “You’re still alive, and we have each other.”
Chance looked up his hazel eyes meeting hers. “You’ll just leave,” he said his heart sinking as he turned to stare into the slow moving flow of the river. “There’s nothing to stay for.”
“I don’t want to leave,” Barbara said. “I want to stay here with you forever.”
Chance looked up again. “I want you to stay, but how can I ask you to stay here with me when you have so much to look forward to in the future. You have all of those flying boxes, and fancy baths, and your friends.”
“But I don’t have love,” Barbara confessed. “Yes, I appreciate many things in my time, but I want a man that I can depend on, someone who will stand with me and love me no matter how crazy life gets. I want you Chance. I love you.” Tears pricked at her eyes again and for a woman who seldom cried she thought she would surely dry up soon.
“I’ve got nothing to offer you,” Chance protested. He looked out across the prairie again lifting his good arm to the emptiness before him.
Barb placed her hand on Chance’s face turning it back to her. “I don’t want everything,” she said. “I just want you.” Leaning in she kissed him blocking out the rest of the world.
“Barbie! Whoo hoo!” Dr. Lachele’s voice snapped the moment like a bottle rocket cracks the sky.
“No, no, no,” Barbara cried turning to see the purple haired matchmaker picking her way past cactus and sand spurs, her purple cowboy boots sending up little puffs of dust with each step.
“Well what kind of greeting is that?” the softly rounded woman scolded as she hurried toward the couple. “Now you get over here and give me a great big old booby bump before I get cross,” she added shaking her finger.
“Please don’t make me wake up,” Barb said hurrying over to Dr. Lachele and hugging her tight. “I don’t want to wake up.”
“What’s this nonsense about waking up?” Dr. Lachele said. “I’m here to make sure you’re alright and to give you a choice.” She looked over at the cowboy who was holding a bandana to his shoulder and looking at her like she had two heads. “Is that your cowboy? He doesn’t look too good right now?” the matchmaker continued.
“What do you mean choice,” Barbara growled. “I’m in a coma, and you’re here to make me wake up. You’re my subconscious mind telling me to wake up and enter the real world again.”
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“A coma!” Dr. Lachele hooted reaching out and hauling Barb in for another hug. “You are not in a coma sweet pea. You are right here right now.”
“But that’s not possible,” Barb protested.
Dr. Lachele tapped her pert little nose. “Says you,” she giggled. “You were a problem for me though,” she admitted taking Barb by the hand and pulling her back along the river. “Apparently you needed a little bump to the head to nudge you in the right direction. A suspension of disbelief so to speak.”
“So I’m not laying comatose in a hospital bed in 2019?” Barbara said sounding bewildered.
“No you are not. You are here with a dishy cowboy who is head over heels in love with you, by the way he’s looking at you, if I had to make a guess.”
Barbara looked between Dr. Lachele and Chance who still stared like he couldn’t believe his eyes. He was probably telling himself that the purple haired vision before him was a hallucination due to blood loss or extreme stress.
“Barbie doll, I just need to know if you’re staying here with handsome or coming back to the future with me?” Dr. Lachele said squeezing Barb’s hand.
“I want to stay,” Barb said a bright smile spreading across her face. “That’s all I want,” she looked toward Chance smiling like a fool. “What about the stable though?”
“They think you ran off with some horse trainer and are thrilled for you.”
Barb giggled. Dr. Lachele truly was a Fairy Godmother if she’d been able to pull that off, though the story was as plausible as anything.
“Okay. since you’re staying, I have a little present for you,” Dr. Lachele said dragging Barb with her toward a little clump of trees and hefting a canvas bag. “There are a few books, that the girls at the book club said you loved, and about a ten year supply of toothpaste and toothbrushes,” the older woman cackled madly. “I also tossed in pictures of your parents, uncle and the clients you had on your desk.”
“You are amazing,” Barb gushed. “I can barely believe this is real. How is it even possible?”