Under the Strawberry Moon

by Beth Bennett

  Emma and Kelly had hit the strawberry mother lode. Their baskets were full, and it was time to go home. As the truck bumped and rattled, Kelly gave a groan. “I can’t eat a thing for lunch, Aunt Emma. My stomach’s so full of strawberries I think I’m going to pop.”

  Shifting gears, Emma laughed. “Maybe you should have paid for two extra quarts.” When they arrived at Canyon Gulch, Kelly rolled out of the truck like the fat strawberries she was full of. “You go on down and see the colts, Kelly, I’ll take the strawberries in.” Kelly was thankful for that. She didn’t’ think she could make it to the house. Holding her stomach, she walked down to the paddock. She felt like she was going to turn into a strawberry.

  Chapter Two

  Jeb, the trail boss, introduced her around to the hands. Most of the guys already knew Kelly; there were just a few new hires since she had last visited. The hands and the outdoor staff all lived in the bunkhouse a few hundred yards from the ranch house. The bunkhouse was neat and clean and very simple. Located next to the barn, it was outfitted in western style. Nice western style rugs covered the floors. Bunk beds made of natural pine ran in a row against the long bedroom wall. There was a full kitchen with a large dining table that matched the wood of the bunk beds. The hands usually ate their meals together. It was so well-made and cozy, it was a shame to call it a bunkhouse.

  Jeb called Kelly to follow him around back to the corral. “Hey, Kel, look at these brand new yearlings Bob got. Once they’re good and broke, they’ll be great for the trail ride.” Kelly entered the pen and petted a particularly beautiful palomino.

  “They’re beautiful, Jeb. What’s this one’s name?”

  Jeb looked up at Kelly and replied, “Oh, that one there is Cantaloupe. She’s a beauty, but she’s got a bit of a temper. I’d rather you not ride her until you get a little more experience under your belt.” Cantaloupe nuzzled up to Kelly as Kelly patted the soft horsey nose.

  “I’m going to ride you as soon as I can, girl.” Cantaloupe pawed the ground and blinked her deep brown eyes.

  “Better listen to Jeb, little miss,” a strange voice directed.

  Kelly shaded her eyes from the afternoon sun and blinked up to see where the voice had come from. She could see a man sitting on a big horse, wearing a cowboy hat, outlined against the bright light. The man urged his horse forward a few steps so Kelly could see his face. Kelly felt like the strawberries she had been eating were suddenly stuck in her throat. He was the most delicious man she had ever laid her eyes on. The man leaned across his saddle and tipped his hat at her. “Hello, miss, I’m Branson Bennett. You must be Kelly Taylor.”

  Kelly closed her jaw when she realized it was sagging open. Branson Bennett! She had assumed he would be at least forty. This man couldn’t have been out of his twenties! Sun-streaked brown hair peeked from underneath a big tan Stetson. His light blue eyes were framed with heavy brown brows the same color as his hair. A couple days growth of dense beard highlighted his straight jaw and a big, Old West mustache covered his upper lip. He nodded toward Cantaloupe. “That colt takes an experienced rider. Best you wait awhile before you try it.”

  How rude, Kelly thought. He didn’t know her from Adam. Worn out and grumpy from her strawberry picking adventure, Kelly gave a tart reply. “How about you keep your opinions to yourself, mister?”

  Branson leaned back in the saddle. A deep frown creased its way across his brow. He indicated his head toward a spot by the paddock. “You see that hickory tree over there by the fence, missy?”

  Kelly’s face wrinkled in rebellion. “Yeah, I see it. What about it?” Kelly knew her tone was just this side of surly, but she could not help herself.

  Branson gave Kelly a hard stare. “You ride that colt, and I’m going to go over there and cut a good switch and use it on your bottom.”

  Kelly froze in shock. She absolutely could not believe what she had just heard. Branson languidly turned his horse and rode up to the house while Kelly stood still in outrage. She turned to look at Jeb, who was busy filling the troughs with water. “Did you hear what he just said to me, Jeb?”

  Jeb leaned over to spit onto the ground. “Yup, I heard it.” Kelly waited for more of an answer, but Jeb just continued with the water.

  After a few minutes, Kelly gave an exasperated groan. “Well?”

  Jeb looked up again, and switched the tobacco he was chewing to the other side of his mouth. “Well, what?”

  “Jeb! Can you believe what that jackass just said to me? How dare he!”

  Jeb slowly stood up and rested his hands on his lower back. “Well, now, Miss Kelly, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that Bennett feller was right. You don’t know enough to be riding Cantaloupe just yet. You better do as he says, from what I hear, Branson Bennett is not a man to mince words.” Jeb went back to his watering chore.

  Kelly could not believe what she was hearing! Branson Bennett was a newcomer as far as she was concerned. He had no right to tell her what to do about anything. She had ridden horses at Canyon Gulch for as long as she could remember. Branson Bennett didn’t know anything. His bossy comment made her so mad she was determined to do the exact opposite.

  Uncle Bob’s warning about the new mounts floated through her mind. She felt guilty about disobeying Bob but her defiant thoughts would not stop coming. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Bob was away in town for the day anyway. She gave an angry glance at Branson Bennett’s horse currently tied up beside the back door. It was a big bay gelding. We’ll just see who can ride who, Kelly fumed. She led Cantaloupe inside the barn and picked up her old blanket and saddle. Throwing them over Cantaloupe’s back, she tightened the cinch. Cantaloupe gave a snort and pawed the ground with one foot. “Come on, Cantaloupe, don’t make me look bad, girl.” Kelly patted Cantaloupe’s side and led her outside the barn. Taking one foot and placing it in the stirrup, Kelly mounted Cantaloupe, and without so much as a backwards glance, took off down the Clear Springs Trail.

  * * * * *

  Branson and Aunt Emma left the house twenty minutes later. They laughed together over a joke as they concluded their business. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help, Branson, but come by tomorrow, Bob will be home then.” Branson tipped his hat and untied his horse. He couldn’t help scanning the area for signs of the little redhead. Bob Taylor had told him his niece was coming for a visit, but Branson had paid no attention, that is, until he laid eyes on her. Branson was partial to redheads, but this one was especially beautiful. Her hair was the color of a gilded sunset. Sky blue eyes set in a pert little face were finished off with a sprinkling of freckles across her upturned nose. If anyone ever fulfilled the saying, “pretty as a peach,” it was Bob’s niece. He couldn’t get over how cute she was. She wore her golden streaked, auburn locks to her waist, in a soft natural curl. Petite and perfectly proportioned, she was truly a vision. He wouldn’t mind a little more of a formal introduction, so after he said his farewells, Branson rode his horse down to the corral to see if the little miss was still out and about.

  Jeb scratched his head in response to Branson’s inquiries. “Well, it’s like this, Mr. Bennett. You said the very wrong thing to Miss Kel, yes indeed sir, that’s what you did. She took offense and now she’s taken Cantaloupe and gone down the Clear Springs Trail. I figure if I don’t hear from her after an hour or so, I’ll go lookin' for her.”

  Branson could not believe his ears. Clear Springs! That was a tough trail even for an experienced rider. He knew Kelly had only been on the ranch a week or two at the time in the summer. She had limited riding experience at best. Kicking his horse into a run, Branson took out after her.

  Jeb shook his head as he watched Branson disappear down the trail. “Young people.”

  * * * * *

  Kelly felt her confidence grow as she sat atop Cantaloupe. Cantaloupe, she idly thought, that must be the silliest name for a horse I ever heard. She kept her to a trot and tried to concentrate and remain serene so that Cantaloupe would relax
and follow instructions. Cantaloupe tossed her head and pranced her feet, trying to take the lead a few times, but Kelly barked an order, and so far she had managed to maintain control. The two approached a beautifully-secluded pool. Surrounded by scrub brush and small trees, Clear Springs was one of Kelly’s favorite places. The trail wound up a hill and down into a small ravine. Cantaloupe balked as the trail led down. Kelly knew the horse could easily take the path, but Cantaloupe wasn’t so sure.

  “Come on, Cantaloupe,” Kelly encouraged, as she patted the mare’s neck. “You can do it, girl.” But Cantaloupe wanted nothing to do with it. She veered left and right, and as Kelly continued to insist that Cantaloupe move forward, the horse suddenly reared in outright rebellion. A startled Kelly tumbled down and landed with a thump on the ground.

  A bright blue sky with fluffy clouds floated overhead. Kelly blinked her eyes as she gazed upward. Cantaloupe gave a snort from the trees nearby. Kelly looked over at the horse with a disgusted groan. “Cantaloupe, you stupid horse, you’re just as stupid as your name.” Kelly closed her eyes. She felt like little stars were circling her head. Something wet was slobbering on her cheek. She opened her eyes again to see Cantaloupe’s big horsey lips in her face. Slowly she sat up. Cantaloupe trotted back down the trail and turned to look at Kelly, her ears laid flat.

  “Shit!” yelled Kelly. Cantaloupe did not seem the least bit bothered by the epithet and casually munched on a leaf. Moving slowly, Kelly decided nothing was broken. When she tried to stand, however, a searing pain shot through her left knee. Kelly looked down. The left leg of her jeans was ripped open and covered in blood. “Shit!” yelled Kelly again. Of all the dumb luck. Kelly wiggled her foot and ankle, they were fine. The knee was a different matter. It hurt so much she couldn’t stand. Maybe it would feel better in a minute if she just sat still but after a few moments, she knew it was hopeless. Now what was she going to do? She couldn’t walk with her knee cut open. She knew she couldn’t even get in the saddle by herself.

  Kelly gave a sidelong glance at Cantaloupe who was nonchalantly grazing on a patch of summer grass. Suddenly, the horse raised her head and whinnied. A familiar bay gelding drew up beside Cantaloupe and a beefy arm reached out to grab the reins. Sheeeeittt! thought Kelly. She knew who that horse belonged to. Kelly barely had time to sit up as seconds later, the rider of the bay was at her side. Could things get any worse?

  Branson Bennett was kneeling over Kelly, with concern. His lips pursed in a thin line under his mustache. He took off his worn leather jacket and placed it over her. “Oh for goodness sake,” Kelly groused. “I am perfectly fine, I just took a little fall.” Kelly pushed the jacket away and tried to sit up.

  Branson totally ignored her and pushed her back down. He held her head firmly in his hands as he searched for injuries. He stared intently into her face. Kelly was getting tired of this. “Would you just stop, okay?” Branson took his thumb and opened her eye wider, peering into her pupil. “Oh my God, stop it!”

  Branson’s jaw gave a dangerous tick. “Stay still,” was all he would say. He went immediately to her bloody knee and ripped the rest of her pant leg apart to get a look at it. “Can you stand?” He looked her in the eye. Kelly looked away, not wanting to meet his gaze, but shook her head. Branson reached down and ripped a strip of material off the bottom of his shirt. He quickly wrapped it around Kelly’s knee.

  “Oww,” she moaned, as he tied it tight. She tried to move away, but Branson again gruffly ordered her to be still. He was so intimidating, Kelly did as she was told this time. Branson sat her up and threw his jacket around her shoulders. In spite of the pain and embarrassment, she noticed the smell of leather, the outdoors and Branson, coming from the jacket. Delicious.

  Branson left to go get his bay. He tied Cantaloupe’s reigns to his saddle and led the horses back to Kelly. Squatting on a knee beside her, reins in hand, he pushed his hat back from his handsome face. “Do you have any pain anywhere beside your knee?”

  Kelly gave a big sniff. She felt utterly ridiculous. “My pride hurts a lot more than my knee.”

  A very slight smile played at the corner of his lips. “We’ll ride double. I don’t want Cantaloupe putting me where she put you.” He quickly stood and scooped Kelly up and placed her on his saddle. Without even using the stirrups, he leapt up behind her and gave a click with his tongue. They made their way home without any more conversation. Kelly looked down at Branson’s hands holding the reins in front of her. They were absolutely beautiful hands. Tan and calloused, square and strong. She licked her lips as she looked at them. What bad luck to get thrown my first full day back, she thought. Well, it wasn’t all bad, at least that tall drink of water was riding behind her. Kelly let herself lean back against Branson. His chest was thick and muscular and made for a very nice back rest. He tightened the grip of his arms around her. Kelly resisted the urge to snuggle.

  Her knee was beginning to throb. Despite the enjoyment of sharing the ride, she was looking forward to putting her leg up on a pillow. As they neared the house, Branson leaned forward and put his lips on Kelly’s ear. Kelly felt a little tingle go down her spine as she leaned her head in closer.

  He whispered low and quietly so that only Kelly would hear. “I told you what I’d do if you rode that horse, little lady. As soon as that knee gets well, I’m going to make good on my promise. When I get you alone, I’m going to use that hickory switch on your back end. I bet you won’t ride another unbroken colt when I’m finished with you.”

  Kelly’s mouth popped open. She was still agape as Aunt Emma and several hands came running to greet them. Branson pulled up on the reins as Emma breathlessly exclaimed, “I was just getting ready to send Jeb to go look for you.”

  “She was thrown,” Branson informed them. “Looks like she needs a stitch or two in her knee. I’ll put her in the car.” Branson glided down from his horse and pulled Kelly with him. He carried her over to the car parked in the driveway. She could not get over how easily he commanded everyone around him. No one even questioned his conclusion.

  Kelly tried to object. “Mr. Bennett, put me down this instant. I don’t need any…” Branson had already slid her into the back seat and made her prop her leg up. Aunt Emma quickly got in front and turned around to pat Kelly’s good knee.

  “Now don’t worry, dear, Dr. Stafford will fix you right up. Best tell your Uncle you fell in the barn though.” Before Kelly knew what was happening, Branson Bennett was a small dot in the rear view mirror and Aunt Emma was winging her way towards town.

  The cut had been worse than she had originally thought. Two stitches had turned into ten, and as the initial numbness had worn off, it was obvious that the knee was badly strained. Kelly was stuck in the house for the next two weeks. The best she could do was hobble around trying to help Susie, but overall she had far too many idle hours, and she continued to think about that hickory switch Branson had threatened her with. She debated whether or not to talk to Uncle Bob and confess her misdeeds. She hated for him to be disappointed in her, and she sure didn’t want to get sent packing back to Georgia. Branson had just been trying to scare her. Surely his threats about a spanking were just a joke. No one in their right mind would really do such a thing.

  Finally, Kelly's knee was nearly well. The day was hot and Kelly had been in the kitchen again, helping Susie. Her knee barely hurt at all and she could hardly tell she’d even had a fall. The chores were finished, and dinner was bubbling in the oven. “I’m going to stretch my legs and say hello to the colts down by the barn, Susie.”

  Susie nodded. “All right, Miss Kelly, you go right ahead. Dinner will be ready in an hour.”

  The horses were milling about the paddock. They had not been for a ride that day and were eager for some company. Kelly looked for Cantaloupe. Even though the mare had thrown her, Kelly was still partial to her. Cantaloupe even looked a little like Kelly, in horse form. Kelly was hoping that by the end of the summer, Cantaloupe would be as partial to her as sh
e was to Cantaloupe.

  * * * * *

  Aunt Emma had been busy all day upstairs. A new wave of guests was scheduled to arrive and she needed to change all the bedding and get the towels washed and dried. She liked to leave a little treat of candy in each room to welcome people to the ranch. As Emma came downstairs, she saw Susie in the kitchen. “Susie, can you set an extra place at dinner tonight? Branson Bennett stopped by to pick up some tack that needs mending. He’s got a man out at his place this week and I thought we’d go ahead and get it done.”

  “Sure,” Susie replied. “There’s always room for one more.”

  * * * * *

  Kelly stepped inside the barn to look for Cantaloupe. She had snagged a big fat carrot for the horse on the way out of the kitchen. Taking the carrot out of her pocket, Kelly stepped up on the fence surrounding Cantaloupe’s stall. Cantaloupe looked deceptively innocent as she blinked her long eyelashes and munched on some oats. Kelly leaned over the fence as far as she could reach. “Here, Cantaloupe, come here. Look what I brought you.” Cantaloupe gave a snort and clopped over to Kelly. The mare used her floppy lips to take the carrot between her teeth. She made a loud crunching sound as she enjoyed the gift. Kelly patted Cantaloupe on the forehead and crooned. “You’re the most hateful horse I ever did see, you big ole Cantaloupe, you, yeeesss, you beautiful, mean ole Cantaloupe…”

  The tack room was just beyond the stalls and Kelly could hear the light jingle of tack behind her. She wondered who was over there. She heard a deep voice humming a non-descript tune. With a start, she realized the voice sounded familiar.