Right Out of Nowhere

by Laurie Salzler

  “Sparky obviously thinks as much of you as I do. Now get the fuck out of here.” Roni struggled to control the quiver of a smile and the laughter that swelled in her chest.

  Charlie got up and brushed off the back of his trousers. He straightened his hat and spit onto the dirt floor again. He glared at Roni and stormed out.

  She watched his retreating back. “I don’t trust him.”

  Beth had stood just inside the barn during the encounter. She joined Roni in front of Sparky’s stall. Sparky came to the door and nickered against Roni’s chest.

  “I don’t trust him either,” Beth said. “Boy, Sparky is so different from when he first came to the ranch.” She petted his nose.

  “I know. David called him my once-in-a-lifetime horse. I totally agree.” She rubbed Sparky’s face. “Don’t get me wrong. Chenoa is an awesome horse. But I think Sparky and I have a lot in common.”

  “Who’s David?” Beth made herself comfortable on a bale of hay.

  “He’s the father of the kid we were searching for. He also hauled me and the horses back to the farm.” Roni took a halter and lead rope from the hook next to her and put it on Sparky.

  “Ah, I wondered who brought you back here. Dad just told me you’d hitched a ride.”

  “Sparky’s injuries were too severe for me to take care of, and Selena insisted I see a doctor anyway. Dad picked me up at the vet clinic, took me to the doctor, and then we went back to the vet’s and brought Sparky home.” She opened the door, led the horse out, and dropped the lead rope. “Hey, big guy. How’re you doing this morning?” She ran her hand along his neck and back to his flank. “These look pretty good. No heat or sign of infection.”

  Beth came over and looked. “Holy crap! Those are bad! I can’t believe he survived that attack.”

  “And he went into it willingly. That’s how I got clobbered. I was reaching for the gun to take a shot at the cat, and that’s when Sparky charged it. I don’t remember anything after that. When I came to, Cody told me what happened.” She spread antibiotic salve on the wounds as she talked. “I think Cody did as much rescuing as I did. His father and I exchanged phone numbers before they left. Cody wants me to teach him some natural horsemanship, so I promised to keep in touch.” She smiled and remembered the bear hug Cody had given her before he climbed into the truck.

  She turned Sparky out into a round pen used for training. Like before, she wanted to allow him the opportunity to move around while he healed. She threw some hay in with him and turned to Beth. “Ready for some breakfast?”

  “Yep.” Beth put her hands under her breasts and hefted them. “Have to keep these boobs producing. Speaking of which, somebody’s probably hungry.”

  Roni put her arm around Beth’s shoulders as they walked to the main house. She smiled as she felt an arm snake around her waist and pull her close.

  “I’m glad Selena makes you happy. I can see it in your eyes that she does.”

  “Me too. And I’m glad you don’t hate me for secretly being in love with you.”

  “I could never hate you. But don’t think that I won’t tease you about it.” Beth dug her fingers into Roni’s side and made her squeak.

  “I can see I’m going to be spending the rest of my life in a tortured state.”

  “Not necessarily. Your brother lives with me, remember? I’m the one you and your parents should pity.”

  “Hmm, very true.” She picked up her pace and skipped a little. “I can’t wait to meet my niece!”

  “I can’t wait for you to see her. We’ve been calling her ‘Little Roni’ because she looks so much like you when you were a baby.”

  They climbed the four steps up to the porch and walked through the open door. The front room was bright, spacious, and airy. Pine flooring matched the huge hand-hewn beams that supported the ceiling. Native American relics and numerous family photos covered nearly the entire wall space. Cinnamon permeated the air and Roni knew her mom had made French toast, a favorite breakfast of hers.

  “Mom?” Puller trotted out of the kitchen and wagged his tail. “How many bad things has Mom been feeding you, you little mooch?”

  “In here, honey.”

  They walked into the kitchen and found Barbara Oatman holding Ashley in one arm and dishing out breakfast with the other. Time had been very generous to her mom. Her dark hair, braided into one long strand, barely showed any gray. Like her kids, she stood tall and lean. Her face showed none of the wrinkles so often seen in women who’d lived their entire lives on a ranch.

  “Here, Mom, let me take her from you.” Beth took Ashley in her arms and carried her over to Roni. “Wash your hands, and you can hold her.”

  Roni did as she was told and gingerly took the baby. The unique warm smell babies exude wafted up as she held her semi-namesake.

  “Hey there, midget.” The baby’s bright blue eyes mesmerized her. She bounced her a little, and Ashley smiled. “Oh my, look at those dimples. And I can’t believe how much hair she has!”

  “She’s the spitting image of you when you were a baby, Roni.” Barbara took a food-laden plate into the adjoining dining room. “Beth, she was grousing a little bit ago. I think she might be getting hungry.”

  Beth looked at Roni and laughed. “Does she need changing too?”

  Roni scrunched her nose and nodded. “You can give her back when she smells good again.”

  While Beth disappeared into the living room, Roni took a seat at the table. Bacon, eggs, and a pot of coffee were already sitting on warmers. “Wow, Mom. You didn’t have to cook all this.”

  “I figured you’d be starved for some good cooking. I never know what you and Jeff live on at the cabin.” Barbara walked over and tilted Roni’s head to the light. “This doesn’t look too bad. How’re you feeling?”

  “Okay, I guess. I woke up with a helluva headache. Of course I’m not sure if it was from the whack upside the head or Beth coming in like a bull elephant.”

  “I heard that!” Beth said from the other room. “I told you I had to make sure you were still alive.”

  “So you said.” Roni speared a helping of French toast with her fork, put it on her plate, and spread gobs of butter over it. Her mouth watered uncontrollably from all the tantalizing smells.

  “Go ahead and eat without me. I’ll probably be in here for a little while.”

  “Oh for God’s sake, Beth. I’ve seen your boobs. If you want to nurse and eat at the same time, I doubt Mom will mind.”

  “It’d be better than eating cold food,” Barbara added.

  “Okay. I guess it’s not exactly fair for Ashley to get a hot meal and not me. I’ll be right in.”

  Barbara poured two cups of coffee and she sat down.

  “How are you liking having a baby around the house, Mom?” Roni said.

  “You shouldn’t have to ask. I love doting over that little darling. I’m just sorry Beth’s parents went back to Arizona so soon. I don’t know why anybody would want to retire in a ridiculously hot place like Phoenix. They say the humidity is just as bad as Florida because of all the swimming pools.”

  “To each their own I guess.”

  “How is Selena working out up there?” Roni looked up just as Beth came in. She narrowed her eyes as Beth shrugged and batted her eyes innocently. “She’s fine. Mike chose well.”

  “Do you think she’ll stick around after you come down?”

  “Why would she?” Two could play at this game. Her mom had obviously heard something, and based on Beth’s behavior, she knew what it was.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve heard stories about how hard long-distance relationships can be.”

  “I guess it’s up to her.” Roni took a handful of bacon and a helping of eggs. She picked up her coffee and sipped at it. The memory of when she came out to her parents flashed through her head. They’d accepted the fact she was a lesbian, but she’d never been sure how her parents would react if she ever brought anybody home with her. Until now, it had been a m
oot point.

  “I hope she decides to stay. She spent a couple nights here before she first went up and then a night a week ago or so. She’s a lovely woman, and I know your father really likes her.”

  “Roni needs somebody to keep her in line and out of trouble.” Beth gave her a teasing smile. Barbara scooped food onto Beth’s plate. Roni figured with the little appendage locked onto her tit, it’d be hard for Beth to do it herself.

  “We’ll see.” She dabbed her mouth and sat back in her chair. “That was delightful, Mom. Thanks.” She looked over at the unoccupied end of the table. “Where’s Dad today?”

  “He had some auction that he just had to go to over in Grangeville. He’ll be back later. Hopefully for supper, but you know your father.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  RONI SPENT THE next four days doctoring Sparky in the morning, and in the afternoons, her father kept her busy halter breaking the few yearlings they’d bred on the farm. Charlie stood on the sidelines and kept a steady glower pointed in her direction. Her father didn’t seem to notice, much to her disappointment. The more she saw Charlie, the less comfortable she felt around him.

  She kept a close eye on Sparky and let him out as much as possible. There were only a few places in the immediate vicinity of the house that she couldn’t see the round pen and her horse. When Sparky wasn’t in her line of sight, she checked on him often. If she saw Charlie, she knew the horse was safe.

  On the fifth day, she started feeling antsy. The yearlings were all responsive and leading well on a loose line. She felt certain her father would soon turn them out into the “little” one-thousand-acre pasture. Instead of mountain grass, the young horses would have the lushness of the summer prairie on which to graze.

  As was her morning routine, she headed to the barn before breakfast. Puller parted ways with her and trotted off in the direction of the house. She was just about to round the corner and go through the barn door when she heard voices. She quickly recognized them as her father’s and Charlie’s. When she heard Charlie say Sparky’s name, she stopped in her tracks and eavesdropped.

  “You know this here horse can’t be trusted, boss,” Charlie said. “I’m the best one around here to take that viciousness out of him.”

  “No,” Roni whispered. “Please, Dad, don’t.” Her heart pounded rapidly, and she felt a cold panic settle in her chest.

  “Charlie,” Joseph said, “I had a dream. I was hoping it was one the Coyote trickster put in my head, but now I’m certain it wasn’t. I know what you did to this horse, and I’m not pleased. My ancestors taught me to keep a horse’s spirit intact. For you never know when you’ll have to call upon it for help. My daughter brought this horse’s heart back from the dead and has given him life again.”

  “But, boss—”

  She smiled and had to work hard to keep from laughing. In her mind she could see her father’s hand go up to silence Charlie. She swelled with pride upon hearing his words.

  “Listen to me. I want you to leave this horse and my daughter alone. They have a special magic instilled upon them now. From this day forward, Sparky will be Roni’s horse. I am done talking.”

  Roni moved to the side of the barn, out of sight, so they wouldn’t see her as they exited the barn.

  “Good morning, daughter,” Joseph said quietly as he passed by without looking at her.

  She chuckled to herself. He always had a way of knowing where she was. She waited until Charlie stormed out in the opposite direction before she entered the barn.

  Each morning she took Chenoa and Puller out for a ride. Sparky was healing nicely, and she decided today she’d pony him beside her to see how he would do. The snow-capped mountains in the distance made her miss Selena all the more. She anxiously looked forward to seeing her again and hoped it would be within the next few days.

  After breakfast she tacked up and rode out. She watched Sparky trot beside her. He showed no sign of lameness or stiffness and seemed happy to get out and stretch his legs. She took care to not let him overdo it. If he popped a stitch or formed a hematoma in any of his wounds, it would surely delay her return to the mountains. And Selena.

  Every night she radioed the cabin from her dad’s office. Conversation was short, and obviously they had to stick to business. Just hearing Selena’s voice made her heart swell with affection. She hoped she could convince her father that Sparky was well enough to make the trip up in a couple days. As for her, the headache had disappeared. The wound on her head had scabbed over and was no longer tender to the touch.

  She enjoyed spending time with Beth and the baby. She felt their relationship had changed for the better. She no longer carried the heavy load of emotions on her shoulders, and she discovered again how much fun it was to be around her best friend. She knew she’d miss them when she returned to the mountains, but the season was rapidly growing to an end and they’d soon be closing up shop for the winter. A little pea of doubt had settled in her chest about her relationship with Selena. She hoped it would dissolve upon their reunion.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  RONI HAD BEEN on the farm for eight days and was going stir crazy. It was time to go. The horses felt it and so did Puller. She just had to convince her father. If he thought for a second she or Sparky wasn’t ready, he’d put his foot down, or raise his hand and end the discussion.

  She finished grooming Sparky and put a saddle on him, careful to keep the saddle pad far enough forward that it wouldn’t rub his wounds. She’d already removed his stitches and was quite pleased with how the lacerations looked. The horse continued to impress her with his endurance. She slipped the bridle over his head and stroked his forehead affectionately.

  She led him out of the barn and tightened his girth. Chenoa nickered a greeting from the main barn. She’d opted to keep him in his own stall instead of in the training barn. Chenoa’s stall was much bigger than any in the monitor barn.

  She stepped up into the saddle and loosened her reins. Sparky got his feet under him and adjusted to her weight. His ears pricked forward, and he tossed his head in anticipation. She smiled at his eagerness and rode him around the barns to see how he felt underneath her. If she detected the least bit of soreness, she’d get off. Without any urging, Sparky broke into a slow trot and began to play. He threw his front leg out like a strike and grunted. She knew he was happy.

  “He looks great with you on him,” Barbara called from the porch. Puller sat next to her, content to bask in the morning sun.

  Roni turned Sparky toward the house and asked him for a collected canter. He moved into it calmly and gracefully. She grinned broadly as she stopped him in front of her mother. “Isn’t he magnificent?”

  “Yes, he is. But I hope you realize that it was you who brought him to life. When he first got here, he looked so unhappy and downtrodden. He’s like a different horse.” Barbara came down the steps and petted his neck. He lowered his head and relaxed under her touch.

  “He obviously likes you too, Mom.”

  “He’s a unique horse, Roni, and I believe he’s behaving like that because you’re telling him it’s okay.”

  The door behind Barbara opened, and Roni’s father stepped out with a cup of coffee in one hand and his hat in the other. “Good morning, Oat-girl. How’s the patient?”

  “He’s healing quickly. I thought I’d get on him and see if his hind end could handle the weight. He seems pretty good.”

  “You’ve taken real good care of that horse. You’ll probably want to head up to the cabin soon, huh?”

  “Yeah, actually I wanted to talk to you about that. Would tomorrow be too soon?” If she asked him outright to take her to the trailhead, in all likelihood he’d dance around the subject just to drive her crazy.

  “You think your horse can handle the trip?” Joseph took a slurp of coffee and waved his hat at some imaginary bug.

  “I think he’ll be fine. I’ll take it slow. By the way, I want to pay you for him when I get back, okay?” She hel
d her breath, hoping he’d let her buy him.

  “No need. Consider him yours. Chenoa should enjoy more pasture time soon, and you needed a replacement horse anyway. I think Sparky more than proved himself with that lion.” Joseph stepped off the porch and looked at the clear, deep blue sky. “Looks like the weather will hold. When do you want to leave? The rig is still hooked up, so just say the word.”

  “First thing in the morning?”

  “Sure thing.” He turned toward the door, paused, and looked back. “You’ve done a fine job with the red horse, daughter. Don’t worry about Charlie. I know what he did to him, and I guarantee he won’t ever get close to him when you get back.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” She watched him go into the house.

  “What your father doesn’t see in person,” Barbara said, “he sees in his dreams.”

  “You’ve told me that since I was a little girl. I guess I never took it seriously until now. I’m going to ride out to check the two year olds in the north pasture. I won’t be long.”

  “Beth will be here for lunch. She’ll never forgive you if you don’t say goodbye to her and Ashley before you head back up.”

  “I’ll be back.” She picked up her reins and moved Sparky off. She waved to her mom without looking; Barbara would watch her until she was out of sight. The prairie grasses bent in the slight breeze that originated from high in the mountains. She took a deep breath and held it to allow an adrenaline rush to course through her veins. She couldn’t wait to tell Selena she’d be heading back tomorrow.

  The midday meal was uneventful. Joseph was nowhere in sight, which wasn’t a surprise to her. Even as a kid, they never knew if he’d make lunch or not. Oftentimes he took his horse for long rides onto the prairies. Commiserating with the ancestors, she thought.