The Cowboy’s Bride Collection: 9 Historical Romances Form on Old West Ranches
Page 15
A fly buzzed and settled on the gelding’s ears. He snorted and shook his head, jangling the bit. Cait looked over her shoulder. Jonas couldn’t stop the leap in his pulse. The sunlight glinted off the red of Cait’s hair. For a moment, her full lips curved in a smile, then she seemed to realize who he was. The smile faded. The sun ducked behind a cloud. Jonas’s hope plummeted. God, do I have any chance of winning her affection? Of making up for the hurt I caused her? Of showing Cait I’ve changed? Silence wove around him.
Cait gave a quiet command. She and the mare headed toward him and the barn. The palomino plodded so close to Cait, she could have rested her head on Cait’s shoulder. Jonas marveled at the camaraderie between them. He didn’t ever recall having a horse he’d trained become a companion. He wasn’t sure this was a good idea. Horses were work animals, not pets.
“She seems a bit sluggish this morning.” Jonas tipped his hat back as Cait stopped a few feet away.
“She’s not as perky as usual.” Cait slipped her arm around the mare’s neck, rubbing her cheek against the gold coat. “I keep her workouts short and slow since she’s so close to foaling. I wish you could have seen her work before. She’s amazing.”
“So I’ve heard.” The moisture dried in his mouth. Jonas couldn’t recall Cait volunteering to talk to him like this. He sought for a question that would keep this conversation going. “Did you raise her from a foal?”
The mare nudged Cait’s chin with her nose. “No, she was one of the group of horses I trained before this current one. We sold the rest to the cavalry, but I couldn’t part with Poppy. She’s the smartest horse I’ve ever worked with, although the others in the group were almost as good.”
“You trained them all to work from hand signals?” Jonas couldn’t keep the astonishment from his voice.
“I always do.” Cait gave him a sly smile. “You could do that, too, if you weren’t so focused on breaking them down.”
Jonas bit his tongue. He would not get into this argument again. He would not. Poppy groaned, a sound that shivered through the air. Jonas leaped to the ground. Cait swung toward her mare, her hand settling on the tightening belly.
“She’s going to foal today.” Cait turned to Jonas, eyes wide with excitement and trepidation.
“Let’s get her into the barn. I think the largest stall is ready for her.” Jonas reached for the mare’s lead rope before remembering she didn’t have one on. He shrugged off his embarrassment as Cait grinned at him. She set off for the barn. Jonas swung back on his horse and trotted ahead to open the doors.
While Cait made her mare comfortable, Jonas unsaddled the gelding and put him in the pasture. He knew this could be a tricky birth since the mare was young and had never foaled before. He had a lot of experience with birthing and hoped to be a help. Maybe working with Cait would open her up a little to him. Maybe she would see that he wasn’t as horrible a person as she thought.
Later that evening, Poppy lay on her side, her breathing a bit labored. Cait sat with her back against the wall, knees drawn up. Her arms circled her legs, chin resting on her knees. She stared at the mare, worry lines wrinkling her forehead.
Jonas sank down beside her. He held out a plate of food. Cait looked at the offering as if he’d handed her a platter of dung.
“You need to eat, Cait. This is her first. She could take hours.” He wished he could put his arm around Cait and ease some of her concern.
“I feel like I’ve been here for days.” Cait rubbed her palms down her face. She took the plate from him. The fork clattered as she poked at the beans.
“How long since you checked her?” Jonas steadied the plate when Poppy let out another long groan. Cait’s hands shook. She straightened her legs, turning to set the dish down.
“It’s been about an hour. What time is it?” She still hadn’t taken a bite of her food.
“It’s suppertime.” Jonas reached over to lift the plate. “You either eat or I will feed you.” He met her gaze as Cait glared at him. “This could be a long night. If you’re going to help Poppy, you have to keep up your strength.” He shooed away a pair of circling flies.
Cait took the meal, lifted a bite of beans, and chewed like she was eating sawdust. Jonas rose to get some water for her.
He studied the mare as Cait finished her supper. “Why don’t you go stretch? You’ve been in here all day. A little exercise will clear your mind and make you more alert.” He saw the consternation darken Cait’s green eyes. “Don’t worry. You can trust me. I’ll be right here with her. I’ll call you if anything happens.”
A breeze lifted strands of hair from Cait’s neck, cooling her as she headed for the barn. She hadn’t wanted to leave Poppy, but much as she hated to admit it, Jonas had been right. She needed this time. Time to stretch. Time to attend to personal needs. Time to get away from Jonas. She didn’t want to think about how his care and concern appealed to her. For a moment, she’d wanted nothing more than to rest her head on his shoulder. Well, maybe to feel his arm around her, too. Cait gave a very unladylike snort. She did not want that. Did. Not.
“Cait.” Jonas’s cry had her racing for the barn door. Panic choked out all thoughts. Poppy! Had something happened?
In the dim interior of the barn she slowed her pace. Horse scent, combined with hay, wrapped familiar arms around her. “Jonas? What is it?” Cait slowed as she approached the stall. She didn’t want to startle Poppy.
“I need your help.” Jonas had his hand on Poppy’s neck, trying to calm the agitated mare.
“What’s wrong?” Cait tried to keep accusation from her voice. She wanted to yell, “What have you done?” but, for once, she clamped her lips tight and stayed silent.
“I think the foal is coming out wrong. He’ll need turned.” Jonas paused until she met his gaze. The calmness she saw there settled her panic.
“Cait, Poppy needs you to soothe her. I’ll work on getting the foal in position. I’ve done this before.” Jonas moved aside so she could slip into place beside Poppy. The mare settled, resting her head on Cait’s lap.
“Jonas, I can’t let her die.” Cait bit her lip. Tears burned in her eyes. Poppy had become like an extension of her, the only friend she had. Living on a farm miles from town meant she had no girl friends. The only time she and her father saw anyone else was on the one Sunday a month when they attended church.
“I’ve done this before. I can do it now. Before I start, let’s pray.” Jonas touched her arm. Cait felt the shock travel through her.
“We don’t have time for that.” She stared at him. Prayer was for church, or maybe at meal times, not for everyday emergencies. “God doesn’t care about a horse giving birth.”
“Ah, but He does, Cait. God cares about every part of your life, including your concern for your horse.” Jonas bowed his head and began to pray. Cait’s mouth dropped open. He talked to God like he would talk to a person. Respectfully. Like a friend. Like God cared. Like God would listen.
“Amen.” Jonas let out a long breath. “I’m going to get a clean bucket of water and soap. I’ll need to wash up good to do this.” He was back almost before she could gather her thoughts. “I asked your father to bring some hot water, too.”
Jonas soaped his arms and rinsed off. Poppy groaned and thrashed a bit. Cait leaned close and crooned into the mare’s ear.
“Okay, there’s a hoof sticking out. I’ll wait for her to relax and try to push the leg back and turn the foal. She may not like this part. Ready?” His brown eyes shone in the low light. Steady. Calm. Reliable. Trustworthy? All traits she’d loved about Jonas years ago. Cait nodded.
Poppy’s distended belly softened. Jonas pushed his arm inside the mare. His expression intent, eyes narrowed, Cait figured he couldn’t see how she studied him. She wanted to ask when he’d become so familiar with God. She remembered the times they’d sneaked away from church to wade in the creek. He hadn’t cared much about faith then. Now, she could see a difference in him. A big difference. She w
anted to know what happened to change him.
“I can feel the nose.” Jonas grunted with the strain. Poppy’s belly tightened. Jonas gasped and lay still. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Poppy groaned.
“What can I do?” Cait tried to tamp down her panic. Jonas lifted his head. He winked at her. Winked at her. At a time like this.
“Just wait. Keep talking to her. As soon as she relaxes, I’ll see if I can get the feet and nose lined up. When that happens, we’ll be getting close to a birth.”
An eternity passed in what had to be mere moments. Cait’s low murmurs mixed with Jonas’s grunts. His feet scrabbled for purchase in the straw. His breathing became pants as he struggled. “There.” He relaxed. “Got them.”
Jonas began to pull his arm from Poppy. “I’ve lined up the feet and nose. Now, we’ll let Poppy rest and work.”
“What happens if she’s too tired?”
“Then we’ll tie a bit of rope around the foal’s legs and give her a little more help.” Jonas seemed so confident. Cait wished she felt half as certain all would be well.
“Here’s your hot water.” Her father stepped into the stall and plunked the bucket on the ground near the door. Water sloshed over onto the floor. The familiar scents of manure and straw almost made Cait sigh.
“Just in time.” Jonas walked over and splashed water on his arm. He lathered with soap and rinsed as he explained to Angus how he’d worked to help the mare. “I’m hoping the next time she tightens up, the foal will start coming.”
As if she heard his words, Poppy groaned. Her belly grew hard. Cait raised up, trying to see but couldn’t. She settled back, determined to keep helping Poppy stay calm.
“There.” Jonas grinned as he knelt behind the mare. “Thank You, Lord. This baby will be out in no time.” He looked at Cait, and her breath caught. The excitement and wonder in his eyes held her captive. Had she sorely misjudged Jonas? He didn’t seem to be at all the person she remembered.
Had God truly listened to his prayer? For her, God had always been some being you went to church to hear about. Prayer had never been personal. Yet Jonas talked with God as if God were a good friend. How could that be?
“Here we go.” Jonas knelt behind Poppy. The mare grunted. The slippery foal slid into Jonas’s hands. Angus handed him a feed bag and Jonas began to rub the newborn.
Chapter 4
He’s a beauty.” Jonas leaned his arms on the top board of the corral next to Cait. She glanced at him before turning her gaze back to the colt. On legs more like stilts, the foal attempted to run. His legs tangled and he collapsed in a heap. Poppy turned to nose her offspring as if asking if he was okay.
Cait laughed. “He’s as awkward as Sally Mae, the baker, when she tries to dance.”
Jonas chuckled. “You’re right. That woman can bake bread that melts in your mouth, but the last barn dance I attended, Sally Mae raised more dust than a windstorm.”
The palomino foal scrabbled up again. He sidled up to his mother, butted her with his head, and began to nurse. His stubby tail twitched. Sheer joy made Cait grin again. She loved these horses, especially Poppy and her baby. She couldn’t imagine giving them up. She’d even come to accept that Jonas would be here and working with her. After all, his actions, maybe even his prayer, had saved her horse.
“How’s work coming on that sorrel you’ve been training?” Jonas stood so close that when he turned to her they were almost touching. Cait could see where the dark brown of his eyes faded to the color of sarsaparilla. A hank of dark hair hung down on his forehead. She let out a slow breath and took a mental step backward.
“He’s coming along. I should have him ready in a couple more days. He’ll make a fine mount.” She wanted to inch away from Jonas. When he stood this close she could feel the magnetic attraction of him. The urge to touch him almost overcame her common sense. She had to remind herself why she couldn’t trust Jonas.
“Looks like that little colt is going to make a fine horse one day.” Angus strode up beside Cait and gave her a hug. She used the contact to move a step away from Jonas. Angus lifted his chin to Poppy and her foal. “Another palomino. They sell better than other horses.”
A pang of regret sliced through Cait. She didn’t want to consider the day she would have to sell the foal. Of course, she went through this with all their horses. She fell in love with each one she trained. If she had her way, she and her father would be broke and have more horses than they could feed.
“I know what you’re thinking, Caitie.” Angus squeezed her and let go. “I said you could keep the mare, but that’s it. We need the sale of these horses.”
“We do.” Cait rested her chin on her hands, hoping her father and Jonas wouldn’t see the moisture in her eyes. She hated when girls cried. The only thing that ever brought tears to her eyes would be losing a horse. Or losing her sister. Or losing her trust in Jonas.
“I came down here to talk to you two.” Angus turned to face Cait and Jonas. Something in his stance alerted Cait that he meant business.
“We’ve lost some livestock in the past few days. Cait, you and Jonas have been so busy breaking and training the horses, you probably haven’t noticed. I’m taking a couple of the hands and we’re going to ride out and look for the missing stock.” Angus lifted his hat to run a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair.
“I’ll try to be back by suppertime. If I’m not, Martha will hold something for me.” He squeezed Cait’s shoulder. “I need you to work a bit faster. I’m expecting Colonel Lawson and his men in about a month. We have to have as many ready as we can.”
Cait swallowed hard. She nodded at her father, unable to speak.
“We’ll quit watching this baby and get to work.” Jonas pushed back from the fence. “We’ve been discussing a way to work together.”
“Finally.” Angus shook his head as he strode back to the barn. A few moments later they heard the cadence of hooves pounding as he, and the hands, rode from the yard.
“We’re discussing how to work together?” Cait cocked an eyebrow at Jonas. “Don’t you think that was a bit of an exaggeration?”
Jonas grinned. “Just yesterday I said we needed to learn to combine our methods.”
“And we discussed something?” Cait bit back a laugh at his puppy-dog expression.
“You said when horses climb trees.” He glanced around the nearby pastures. Fields of grass stretched across the landscape broken by only a few scraggly bushes and trees that wouldn’t be recognized as such in wetter climes. “I saw one of the horses walk right through that big bush over there this morning. That should be close enough to climbing a tree.”
He waggled his eyebrows at her. Cait had to hold her breath to keep from snorting a laugh.
“I’d say that constitutes a discussion. Maybe we should take it further.” Jonas’s dark eyes sparkled like a midday mirage. A mirage that drew the thirsty in with its lies and then left them dying.
Cait stepped back. She thought of her sister’s broken heart. Something else niggled at her memory—something about her sister’s crying—but she couldn’t grasp the thought. “I don’t think we have anything to discuss. I’m not letting you climb on the horses I’m assigned. You’ll ruin everything I’ve worked hard to accomplish.”
“I’m not ruining anything.” Jonas straightened. His jaw muscles bunched. “My method is tried and true. Every cowboy I know breaks horses this way. You need to admit that your mollycoddling isn’t going to work.”
Anger seethed through her. Cait knew her face must be as red as her hair, and she didn’t care. If she could shoot fire from her eyes, she would incinerate Jonas. “I do not mollycoddle my horses. I have a legitimate method and you know it.” She turned and stalked away before she gave in to temptation and dunked Jonas in the horse trough.
Jonas watched Cait stalk away and nudged the fence post with the side of his boot. No wonder she had fire-red hair. The passion she carried for life bled into everything she did and into who
she was. He loved that in her. He loved her enthusiasm. Her energy. Her.
Lord, I’ve got quite a task here. I could use Your help, because You know I’m a bumbler. I say the wrong things and do the wrong things. What I want to do is just grab her and kiss her senseless, but that wouldn’t accomplish much. Please turn her heart toward me and toward You.
Kissing Cait senseless might not be the best idea, but when she turned on the fire, Jonas could almost feel her in his arms. Feel her full lips on his. Feel the beat of her heart matching the beat of his.
When she was out of sight, Jonas sighed and headed for the other corral. He had a horse to work, and mooning over Cait Sullivan wouldn’t get his work done. If them getting together was a part of God’s plan, He would see to it that Cait forgave Jonas and saw him for who he’d become.
The hours crawled past. By late afternoon, Jonas was tired of fighting to dominate a bunch of stubborn horses. His bones ached as he climbed up on a buckskin stallion who’d been resisting him as a rider. He barely got settled when the horse went airborne. The buckskin twisted and kicked and fought the bit in his mouth. Too tired to think, Jonas felt his grip slip. The inevitable landing on his back stunned the breath out of him. He groaned as he pushed with his palms to sit up.
Someone outside the fence began to clap. He groaned again, knowing who was watching. He didn’t even want to look at her.
“That training method seems to be working wonders. I’ll bet you’re feeling spry as a man three times your age about now.” Cait might have a lopsided grin on her face, but Jonas thought he detected a note of concern in her voice.
“This is part of my scheme.” Jonas slapped his hat against his leg as he limped toward Cait. “I let the horse think he’s winning. When he gets cocky about his ability, I show him who’s boss.”