“It’s not far.” Through the gate into the next pasture, he ignored the dirt road and took off across the grass.
Carli didn't know if the wind ever really stilled here, only changing from forceful gales to gentle breezes. For the present, at least, it felt soft on her face. The vastness of the sky and prairie always surprised her—the openness with no shelter, no trees. An infinite emptiness swarming with life, but you had to know where to look. Maybe she was still nervous from being stranded in a barn during a snowstorm. It was one of the scariest times of her life.
At the top of the next rise a group of antelope stood stone still, watching the riders before suddenly coming alive and bounding away. Meadowlark calls provided stereo surround sound, their eerie screeches coming from every direction. In the wide and shallow valley, new calves watched with curious eyes from behind cautious mothers. Several of the momma cows raised their heads, nostrils to the air before turning and lumbering off with their babies following close behind.
“What about Sunday? You have a few weeks to decide, but there’s always a place for you at our table,” Nathan asked. “It’s my mother’s birthday.”
“Hey, you haven’t told me yet about talking with your folks about your art. What’d they say?” Carli found it interesting that Nathan exuded charm and self-confidence sitting astride a horse, but he couldn’t tell his parents about his burning desire to create things out of metal. She realized the expectations of being the oldest Olsen must be a huge burden to bear.
Nearing a clump of shade trees, Nathan lifted the reins slightly and asked his horse to walk. Carli followed.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I knew my dad would be furious. And he was but tried not to show it. I think because my mom was there, he didn’t explode and tell me all that was on his mind. She’s always supportive of any of us kids, no matter what we want to do.”
“I think she’d be supportive of me too, and I’m not her kid.” Carli laughed. “She’s just that kind of sweet soul.”
“Thanks, Carli. She really likes you, ya know. Anyway, after hemming and hawing on my part, I told them. The conversation is far from over with my father. But I felt inspired after meeting Brad Travers. I’ve been working on a copper rose for Mom’s birthday present.”
Nathan dismounted and looped his reins over a tree branch. Carli handed him a Gatorade from her saddlebag.
“You think we should just ground-tie them so they can munch on some grass?”
“I’m putting some hours on this horse for a family friend before he gives it to his daughter,” Nathan said, “and I’ll feel better if they at least think they're tied to the tree. This is only the second time I’ve ridden him. You never know what might spook a horse, and I, for one, don’t feel like hoofin’ it back. Besides, Beau probably wouldn’t want to haul both of us home.”
“What was it you wanted to show me?”
“This is the largest cottonwood on the place and the perfect spot for a picnic. Mom made us turkey sandwiches. I would never think to bring food along, but that's my mom for ya.” Nathan stood under the tree and placed his hand on the trunk. He beamed with pride like a little boy with a new puppy.
Carli leaned back to study the bark. Half of the trunk lay to one side as big as a car, the other part towered above them. Several smaller trees provided a deep shade. “It's beautiful.”
Nathan spread a blanket in the center of the grove. They found comfy spots and opened their sandwiches and drinks. Carli was surprised she was hungry, but then remembered all she had that morning was coffee. She had intended to do yoga first thing. Pulling off the ballcap she let the soft breeze glide through her damp bangs and tried to rearrange them with her fingers. Thank goodness for braids. She’d never be able to see for riding with hair whipping across her face.
“You're really pretty, Carli.”
She couldn’t deny there was a gleam of interest in his eyes as he watched her. “Yeah, right. I’m sweaty. This is exercise, you were right.”
“You always change the subject when I pay you a compliment.”
“Do I? Maybe I’m not used to them. And it is true, I am sweaty.” She smiled.
“You might have to get used to compliments, Carli. I would tell you every day that you’re a pretty lady.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled but didn’t answer. Instead, she stuffed a big bite of sandwich in her mouth, hoping he’d get off the compliments and move on to something else.
“Been wanting to ask you, Carli, how ’bout we go on a real dinner date to a fancy restaurant?”
“Why?”
“Why? Because I want to spend time with you, and we can get to know each other better. You can pick the restaurant.”
“I don’t know of any fancy restaurants around here, Nate. And I’m not so much into getting dressed up. Jeans, Tee-shirt, boots are fine with me.”
An easy grin played at the corners of his mouth. “Carli Jameson, as I have several sisters, I happen to know girls like to get dressed up sometimes. What about when I first met you at our barbecue? You wore a black dress, turquoise necklace, and, I believe, your grandmother’s turquoise boots. You were the prettiest girl there.”
Gulping her Gatorade in a couple big swigs, Carli felt a mild panic that he remembered what she was wearing the first time they met. She was suddenly anxious to escape. We’ve gotta get going. Any minute, he’s gonna try for another kiss. Time to go.
“I’m done, Nate. Let’s ride.” Carli stood and began gathering up their trash and stuffing things into his saddlebag as fast as she could.
“All work and no play then. Let’s go.” The grin he gave her was almost irresistible. Almost.
They mounted and rode on, stopping to fill their canteens with fresh, clean water at a windmill.
As they walked the horses, Beau’s ears perked and he became stiff legged, didn’t want to move. He was definitely spooked. The other horse picked up on it and then both were listening to something over the rise. They started dancing, their feet skipping up and down.
“Oh, great, what now?” Carli said.
“Just keep him steady. Maybe it’s nothing.”
No sooner had the words left Nathan’s mouth when they spotted a couple of coyotes looking down at them. It surprised Carli that the mangy animals showed more curiosity than fear. About that time the horses got their scent. Beau’s head jerked up.
In a split second, Nathan’s horse reared and then came down hard on his front hooves. He bucked a couple of times. Try as he might, and he was a good rider, Nathan’s body jostled around like a lumpy feed sack full of apples, and then one boot came out of the stirrups.
At that point, Carli knew he was in terrible trouble.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Carli and Nathan’s peaceful ride suddenly took a turn for the worst. She watched the muscles in his forearms strain against his shirt sleeves as he gripped the reins. He tried to bring the horse's head around to one side, but with ears pinned back the powerful animal lunged high. All four hooves came back to earth with teeth-chattering force. Nathan’s balance was off since he’d lost one stirrup. Carli saw daylight between his butt and the saddle, his face set in grim determination. Nathan launched from his horse to one side, hitting the ground with a dreadful thud. The horse spun several times and then took off, disappearing out of sight over the next rise.
As much as Beau might’ve considered following the other horse home, Carli was glad he listened to her and settled down from his dance steps.
Nathan landed on his whole right side, from boot to head. He was covered with dust and some blood trickled on the side of his forehead. His shirt was torn at the elbow.
Carli held tight to Beau’s reins but swung her leg over the saddle and knelt next to Nathan. “Are you all right? That happened so fast.”
With eyes a bit crossed, he looked up at her with a silly grin. “Is this the only way I’m gonna get your attention?”
“Nate, be serious.
What hurts? There’s blood on your head. I’ll get you some water.”
“Just don’t let go of Beau. We need him.”
“Can you stand? I’ll help you. Give me a second.”
Keeping a death grip on Beau’s reins, she poured a bit of water from her canteen onto her hand and leaned down to wipe the blood away from the side of Nathan's face. It looked like a minor cut. “Take a sip of water. Is anything broken?”
He swiped her hand away. “I’m not thirsty, but I can’t move my shoulder.” He groaned as he rolled over to sit up, cradling his right arm.
“Are there more coyotes somewhere, like a pack? Will they try to attack us?” Carli couldn’t help but look nervously over her shoulder.
“They usually hunt alone, maybe with one other. They don’t run in large packs like wolves. And it’s super rare for them to attack humans. They’re shy. They’ll leave us alone.” Another groan escaped his lips.
“Wait. Let me help you.” Carli secured Beau’s reins to a tree limb before bending over to help Nathan to his feet. “All right. Can you get up on Beau? I’ll hold him.”
Luckily, if there was any silver lining involved in this incident, Nathan had fallen on his right side. His left leg was still strong, although his whole body was wobbly from the fall, and he was able to place his foot in the stirrup and haul himself up onto Beau’s back.
“Good boy, Beau, stand still. Aren’t you getting on behind me?” Nathan took the reins in his good hand. Beau shuffled a bit before Carli could climb on.
“This isn't working,” he said through gritted teeth. He let go of the reins to hold his arm again.
“Too much pain? I guess every step Beau takes jars your shoulder. Let me help you climb down,” said Carli.
Nathan could only nod, his face pale. After several minutes he spoke. “I’ll call somebody to come get us. Mom and Dad are in Amarillo, but Travis should be home.” He took a sharp intake of breath and sat still for a minute. “Would you get my phone out of my vest pocket?”
“It’s not there, Nate.”
He mumbled something under his breath. Carli used her phone to punch in his number and they followed the buzz. It had landed in the middle of a pile of limbs and dead leaves. She punched Travis’ name and handed the phone to Nathan.
“We had a wreck. Bring a trailer. We’re under the big cottonwood in P2. Thanks, little brother.”
“What is P2?” asked Carli.
“Pasture 2, as opposed to pastures 1, 3, 4, or 5.” Nathan froze again and squinted his eyes shut to a shooting pain.
Carli laughed at the original names, but suddenly felt concern. “Your face has no color. You're as gray as a ghost. Should we keep walking or do you need to sit?”
“Let’s start walking. He’ll see us.” Nathan grew quiet for a moment as he clutched his arm. “Apparently, that horse needs more rides on him. He’s still green.”
“You couldn’t tell it from where you were, but that horse crow-hopped at least five feet in the air. No one could hold on to that.”
“I may not have had a good view, but I knew I was pitching. I sure felt it at the end. As my grandpa used to say, 'Don’t worry, the ground will catch ya.' All I know is, that dang horse sure did blow up on me.”
Beau followed behind Carli and Nathan as they bantered back and forth side-by-side a while, chuckling at the crazy mishap of their day so far. Some riding date. Carli smiled to herself.
At the top of the hill, they stopped and were about to let out a collective sigh when Beau scampered again, his whole body tensing, and the hairs on his back stood straight up.
“Beau got a whiff of something. That coyote must be around close.”
“Or it’s that crazy horse. No telling which direction he went. I don’t know that he could find his way back to the barn. I’ve only ridden him in the round pen until today.”
Within half an hour or so, Carli looked up to see a truck pulling a livestock trailer bouncing across the pasture and heading straight towards them. But as they got closer, she noticed it was Lank driving with Nathan’s brother in the passenger seat.
“You two need a lift?" Lank called out as they got closer.
“Looks like a cowboy without his horse to me,” Travis yelled.
He and Travis laughed, but Carli failed to see any humor in their situation. Nathan glared at them with his jaw clenched and unspoken pain reflected in his eyes.
“That buggery horse dump you, bro?” asked Travis.
“Coyotes. They surprised us,” said Carli. “Thanks for coming to get us.”
“It wasn’t any trouble,” said Lank. “Travis and I were fixin’ to load up and go to a ropin’ when you called.”
Nathan climbed into the passenger seat and Travis moved out of the way, took his hat off, and leaned back against the headrest. He shut his eyes, beads of sweat covered his forehead.
“You probably should go to a hospital.” Carli walked closer and put her hand on Nathan’s shoulder.
“Carli, put your horse in the trailer.” Travis walked to the back and swung open the latch gate with a creak.
“I’ve got a better idea. Carli, why don’t we make a wide sweep and see if we can locate Nathan’s horse. We’ll meet y’all back at headquarters.” Lank looked at her matter-of-factly with those blue-gray eyes. He turned to unload his horse and led it over to stand next to Beau.
“Let me drop off my big brother, and then I’ll head out from headquarters to meet you.” Travis shut Nathan's door and walked around to the driver’s side. “Between the three of us, we should be able to locate that horse.” Lank nodded his head in agreement to the plan.
Carli stood still. She looked at Beau and then at Nathan, avoiding Lank. She wondered if she should go with him. But why not? Maybe she wasn’t thinking clearly because of the coyote and Nathan getting hurt. It would be helping them out, but it would also be time alone with Lank. She didn’t have enough energy to argue and fire him again.
So, when Lank held out his hand to take Beau’s reins from her, she let him and then put her foot in the stirrup.
“I’ll call to check on you later,” she said to Nathan.
“You guys have fun, and Lank keep your mouth shut. Try not to get fired.” Travis busted out laughing. Carli couldn’t help but laugh too. Nathan’s little brother always seemed to keep everyone in stiches.
Lank urged his horse into a lope and Carli followed. She had no idea how to begin looking for a scared and frightened horse in a strange pasture. And then she remembered, Nathan hadn’t even told her goodbye.
Travis glanced over at his brother. “You don’t look well, man.”
“I’ve been better,” Nathan said.
“Taking Carli out to the big cottonwood, huh? What’s that all about?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Nathan gazed out the window at Carli and Lank as they rode side by side towards the far windmill on the horizon. He swallowed hard. He couldn’t ignore the feeling of dread as he watched them. This day didn’t turn out as he had hoped.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“How’s Nathan doing?”
Carli sat on a stool in the ranch cookhouse watching Lola make breakfast for Buck and Lank. She sipped on her coffee and felt a contentment like never before as she breathed in the aroma of the place she wanted so badly to call home. And truthfully, it was becoming more and more like home and Georgia seemed more and more like a lifetime away.
“He’s doing pretty good.” Carli stood and took the spatula from her to stir eggs while Lola opened the oven to remove the biscuits. “The doc checked him out yesterday. Said the fall gave him a mild concussion and his shoulder was out of place, but they fixed that. The doc said Nathan should still be careful with his activities. But he’s stubborn and doesn’t always keep his arm in the sling like he should.”
“Men, right?” Lola smiled and set a mixture of strawberries and blueberries on the bar before Carli.
Dumping the eggs into a serving bowl, Carl
i turned her attention to the fruit and scooped up a bite before talking. “Nathan invited me to go with him today to the studio of that artist guy we met at the museum. I think it’s near the town of Canadian.”
“You gonna go?”
Lola set a small plate down with warm biscuits and slathered them with butter, honey, and brown sugar. Carli shook her head. “I’ll stick with the fruit. Thank you though. And yes, I’m going with him.”
Lola shrugged and pushed the plate a little closer. “You know you want it.”
“Oh, good grief.” Carli rolled her eyes and took a biscuit. It was their never-ending, tug-of-war over portion control and food choices.
"Nathan can’t drive yet so I’m picking him up soon.”
“Nothing going on here. Don’t worry. Go off and enjoy your day.”
Carli stood in the doorway to the kitchen as Lank and Buck were coming in. Lank stopped, his eyes widened in surprise as he surveyed her from head to toe, and then he met her gaze. “Morning, boss.”
“Morning,” was all she said.
Buck tipped his hat and gave her a wide grin. “You sure clean up nice.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Wallace.” Carli smiled and curtsied, then called out, “You guys have a great day. Bye, Lola.”
Taking extra time with her makeup this morning, she chose a tan fringe dress with the turquoise boots. She found one of Grandma Jean’s award buckles, which she attached to her old belt, added silver dangle earrings and a few silver bracelets. Just maybe she’d pass for a Texan. Not to give Nathan any more ideas that their relationship should advance to the next level, but because she’d worn mostly jeans since moving to the ranch. It felt good to be girly for a change, curl her hair and put on mascara.
As Carli drove to the Rafter O, she thought about the riding school. Actually, she had thought about working with kids again every day since that first disaster with Lexi and Bianca. She’d never been afraid to take a chance before. Taking a chance in Georgia and committing to her business partner Mark had been one of the scariest things she’d ever done in her life. But once she had made her mind up, she focused her full attention on it. Everything was zapping her strength, mentally and physically, but she also felt invigorated by the new project. Was this part of God’s plan? She still felt confused. Both Nathan and Lola talked about signs from God that might tell her she was on the right track. Two teenaged girls rolling around in the dirt, pulling each other’s hair out hardly felt like a sign from above.
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