The Horseman's Heritage

by Jacki Bentley

  Reese laughed, taking her statement well, Ashley noticed.

  "No, it isn't,” he agreed, smiling good-naturedly. His broad shoulders and masculine presence wasn't muted by the large, sloping lawn.

  "Ashley says you don't like children."

  His gaze flashed to Ashley.

  "Mom...” she began.

  "Ashley and I have communication problems. I never said that, Mrs. Wilson.” His tone was solemn and a touch defensive. “I told Ashley that I didn't want children,” he continued.

  "Same thing."

  "No, not really, ma'am. I like kids."

  "Call me Alice."

  "Yes, ma'am. Alice."

  Ashley's father, John, offered his hand to Reese in a formal greeting.

  "Good to see you, son. I don't pretend to understand these modern relationships. Mandy needs her dad. Always going on these days about not having one. Glad you came back. Better late than never."

  When Ashley looked at him with a plea in her eyes, Reese's protective instincts for her came to the fore. He didn't know what she had in mind, but he didn't want to embarrass her by denying her daughter was his.

  "Things were far more conservative in our generation,” Alice said. “My John didn't want children either at first,” Alice said, taking her husband's elbow.

  "Now, Alice,” he warned.

  "Said he wanted me to himself.” Her smile was warm with memories. “Luckily he changed his mind after a year or two of marriage. John was a wonderful father when the girls were small."

  "Yes, he was,” Ashley agreed.

  "If he'd stuck to his guns, if he'd forbidden me to have children indefinitely, I don't know if I would have had the courage to have a child on my own as Ashley did."

  Reese gave a cough of surprise at her candor.

  "Mom,” Ashley warned.

  She clutched his hand tightly, probably not knowing what she did. He squeezed back in reassurance.

  "Sure times have changed. But a child still needs a father,” Alice continued. “As much as I wanted my babies, I don't think I would've had the nerve to parent alone.... “She paused, “...especially with a nagging mother like she has.” Her smile was warm and self-deprecating at the last comment. “At any rate, it's past time she brought you home and married you. We're so happy for you."

  He heard Ashley gasp.

  At their shocked silence Alice added, “Mandy told me all about the wedding when we spoke on the phone. Mandy says she has a daddy now."

  "Mom, that can't...."

  "You'll have to tell me all the details of your plans."

  Silence fell and lengthened.

  Reese didn't know what to say—what Ash's parents expected from him. He kept an expressionless face. They clearly assumed Mandy was his child, expected them to wed because of that fact. While he'd assumed that first day that she wasn't his. What kind of jerk they must think him to be to leave Ash pregnant and alone with such a responsibility?

  He'd used birth control precautions. Mandy looked far too young to be his. She was half Gabe's size at four. She looked nothing like him. Hell, come to think of it, she looked very little like Ashley either. He'd read somewhere that fathers could identify their children by primitive facial cues. He trusted Ashley would've told him long before now if Mandy was his child.

  If Ashley wanted her family to think Mandy was his, fine with him. Suited his goal to get Ashley back well, in fact. Mandy's telling her grandmother this wedding thing just might be his chance for a short cut to getting Ashley back into his greedy clutches.

  "I'm glad you've decided to iron out your differences,” Alice said.

  "Right,” he agreed through gritted teeth, willing to wait and see what Ash would do next. What she would say on the matter.

  "Have you set a wedding date yet?” John asked.

  "Uh, uh, no ... no, we haven't,” Ashley said, looking slightly desperate and unsure what to say next.

  He could almost laugh, but knew better. He took a deep breath and jumped in with both feet. “This was a recent decision. Nothing definite yet.” To say the least, considering Ash hadn't even said yes to his asking her to marry him.

  "You'll be moving to Texas?” Alice's voice seemed resigned, as though she'd known all along and expected it to be so.

  "No,” he said.

  "Yes,” Ashley answered at the same time.

  They glared at each other.

  "Well, maybe there are a few of the differences left to iron out,” Mrs. Wilson said with calm tolerance and a chuckle in her tone. “John and I will start lunch. Reese, I feel duty bound to warn you that my daughter is not a great cook.” Her eyes sparkled with humor.

  "Ash's cooking is not so bad. She's been too busy to practice,” he answered without releasing Ashley's gaze. Their silent battle of wills was filling the air around them with life. “She's very gifted in many other ways.” He jerked his gaze to her parents. “Hell, that didn't sound right."

  Alice laughed out loud. John looked dour and disapproving.

  "We can't go on with this charade,” Ash whispered fiercely for his ears only. “You can't simply storm into my life and expect to plan things. Not again."

  "I thought you wanted me to go along with them?” he whispered.

  "Well ... oh, I don't know what I want."

  She looked so ruffled and flustered he laughed. Couldn't help it.

  "Want to see my horse, Mister Reese...?” Mandy asked, interrupting, tugging on his sleeve. “I mean, New Daddy? You, too, Mommy?"

  Laughing, Reese was again unsure what to say. Should he encourage her to call him Daddy? He admitted he kind of liked the sound of it. Hell, Mandy was much too young to understand the complexity of the situation between him and Ashley.

  "Mandy, we need to talk, sweetie about all this...” Ashley began.

  "You have a horse?” he asked. He was reluctant to spoil the day for the little one. Reluctant to let Ashley go on.

  "Yes, my mommy bought him for me and her. Didn't you? He's a cowpony horse. What was his old job called again?"

  "Cutting horse,” Ashley answered.

  Mandy nodded. “That's it. He doesn't cut things. He herds cattle with his nose. “He cuts one cow from the rest of the herd. Come on. Let's go see him.” In a rush, she grabbed his hand and tugged. She sure had a child's impatience, a hurry-up-before-it's-too-late-approach to life.

  When he began to move along, Mandy let go of his hand and ran on several yards, then turned back to watch the adults follow her. Reese thought she was a miracle. “A living, breathing miracle."

  "Yes, she is."

  "Can't imagine a man would want to miss out on her life."

  "Neither can I."

  Ashley's expression was angry now. Her expression made it clear she didn't want to talk about the little one's dad. “This farm is nice,” he said, changing the subject. “Some roll to the pasture but not steep."

  Mandy led them into the cool shade of the old, downhill barn. The barn had been built on a downward slope with several shed additions attached over the years, a common type of architecture for Ohio barns.

  "As children, my sister and I, and the occasional visiting cousins spent many wonderful hours playing in this old structure."

  "That sounds familiar."

  "Now it's home for Kernel, a ten-year old quarter horse gelding.” Ashley smiled as the horse came around the barn whinnying a greeting.

  "The ad for him said, ‘packer’ and ‘bomb proof', equestrian terms for a safe child's mount."

  "Right,” he agreed.

  "Did the claims prove true?"

  "Absolutely."

  The horse's rounded, comfortable back had carried countless children, no doubt. He'd helped them win tons of ribbons. And stolen an equal amount of potato chips and other treats from them over the years, he'd bet.

  "Kernel loves ‘tato chips,” Mandy offered, in an uncanny echo of his thoughts. She drew out the middle of the word ‘loves’ to the appropriate measure of Kernel's af
finity for chips.

  Now the horse gently searched the little girl's jacket for treats as though he fully understood the word. He probably did.

  "How are you, friend?” Reese asked the horse, reaching up to pat his long, shiny neck.

  As Ashley watched, she judged from the contented look in his eye that Kernel fell in love with Reese. Just as the rest of the family was doing, Ashley mused.

  "Good bloodlines,” Reese guessed.

  "He traces back to the King Ranch of Texas."

  He raised a brow, impressed. “The best."

  The horse wrapped his head around the man affectionately. Ashley leaned against the stall divider and watched. Her heart jumped a bit and she wished for this day never to end.

  "Can we go for a ride? Lunch won't be for hours and hours,” Mandy pleaded. “You can lead us around and around."

  "Sure, pumpkin, if it's okay with your mom."

  As Mandy rode, Reese led the horse, while Ashley walked along side. She wanted to wait a couple more years before the child rode alone. Meanwhile, luckily for the sake of peace, Mandy didn't demand to ride by herself. Today she was content to revel in having three slaves at her command, two humans and one her devoted steed.

  "Where did you get the horse?” Reese asked.

  "At the Quarter Horse Congress sale two years ago. He belonged to a 4-H club member who was going off to college. He's big for Mandy, but there was something about him.... I don't know. My instincts told me he was a good creature. I thought he would be the best horse for us. And he has been so far."

  "I'm surprised you'd buy a horse. I thought you didn't like Texas,” Reese teased with a gleam in his eye.

  She shook her head adamantly. “I never said I didn't like Texas,” she said, echoing another conversation they'd had earlier about his view of children. “I just said I couldn't move to Texas."

  "Same thing,” he insisted, his eyes darkening. But he laughed.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Thirteen

  Early the next morning, Reese drove up to the farm and borrowed Mandy's gelding, and rode the trails along the river bends behind Ashley's parents’ place.

  He needed some clear thinking time. He'd always found it on the back of a horse.

  The horse was well trained, but a little round in the gut and not very fit. Pony rides on the lead weren't the best exercise. Reese allowed Kernel to amble along at his own pace.

  "You get a lot of brushing, but not much work, eh, old son?"

  The horse flicked his ears attentively. A good sign. He soon found the horse knew the surroundings well, looking around him with a frisky alertness and pride of carriage that his muscles and lungs couldn't match yet.

  "We'll get some of your fitness back in no time,” Reese promised as he patted Kernel's neck.

  The warm morning sun had just began to filter through the trees overhead. It promised to be another Indian Summer day.

  Reese remembered enjoying the more pronounced change of seasons in Ohio. Somehow, today, he felt more at home here than in Texas.

  He knew it was Ashley and the child. What a sweet little girl she had. Temper tantrums were rare. So much of her mother's personality in her. Smart and sassy. If he'd had more time with his son, maybe he would have had a healthier attitude to fatherhood five years ago.

  As it was, most all he remembered was the dark hole of pain and loss. Maybe things between him and Ash would have been different four years ago. Time healed wounds, the experts said. True enough. In some ways he'd never forget, in others the wounds had improved, ached a little less after five years since the loss.

  One way and another, the issue of children—his terror at the idea of fathering another child of his own blood, no longer loomed such an obstacle to their relationship.

  With that resolved in his mind, he realized he needed to concentrate on charming Ashley into marriage.

  He smiled at the thought. As soon as possible. He'd use every weapon at hand. His need to tie her to him rushed through him as powerful as it ever had been. More so. God, he needed the stubborn woman with him. He still loved her.

  Now that he had fully faced the fact, he could move forward with a plan of action.

  Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck rose. An itch started in the middle of his back. He had the feeling someone was watching him. Subtly searching the horizon, a flash of light caught his eyes. His gaze followed the movement and light. Kernel's awareness notched up, too, confirming his conclusion.

  Someone was watching.

  He rode on a while to see if the person followed.

  They did.

  He angled the horse around with the idea of sneaking up behind the spy to get a look. This was private property but someone harmless like birdwatcher or a person just enjoying nature might be out there. His instincts said otherwise.

  When he reached the location behind the intruder, he ground tied Kernel and walked onward by himself.

  There he was. Relaxed, assuming he was unobserved. Waiting, scanning the horizon. A man dressed in cammie fatigues crouched in the tall grass ahead, looking in the direction Reese and the horse had been.

  "Looking for someone?” he asked in the coldest tone he could manage. The man looked up, startled to see him and then jumped to his feet and ran. The other man's binoculars got caught in a saplings branch and fell to the ground. Reese picked them up and examined them. They cost good money. Not the bird watching kind. He opened his cell and called the county sheriff.

  * * * *

  When Reese walked in Ashley's door, the smell of charred bread indicated she'd burned her toast. The kitchen smoke alarm was blaring. He fanned the door to alleviate the smoke a bit. The noise soon stopped.

  "Just think of it as a lab experiment, hon, and you'll get it.” He spoke automatically, trying to ease the look of frustration and failure from her face, tempted to chuckle but not wanting to hurt her. Poor baby.

  "You used to say that all the time.” The look of concentration on her face was priceless.

  "The secret to toast is not to take your eyes off it.” He came up behind her and kissed her neck.

  She drew in a deep shaky breath and looked him over. She looked pretty with her hair all messed up from sleep.

  "You're still here. In town, I mean"

  He could almost believe she feared he'd been gone. “Yep."

  "What time is your flight?” she asked.

  "Have no flight yet. That's up to you."

  She grinned.

  He busied himself scraping the carbon from a piece of her toast.

  "Surely you couldn't mean to eat that."

  "It's not bad. Just a little singed."

  "The carbon is not good for you."

  "How much do you know about Mandy's sperm donor?” Reese asked the question.

  "What do you mean?” Ashley suspected he was fishing, trying to put her off balance with the question, force her to reveal her private business. He looked somewhat shamed by his underhanded ploy. Good.

  Reese moved restlessly. She suspected he didn't really understand his need to push her for details. But the impulsive words were out now.

  "Sperm donor?” she whispered. She knew her eyes flashed sparks and her tone was frosty. “You think Mandy came from a donor?"

  "Hell, you look pale. It's unfair to ask this—now. I want you to marry me, Ash. Soon."

  She looked into his eyes. “If you're thinking of your crazy agreement with Mandy and her telling my mother about it ... we should talk about that.” She waved a hand. “Don't worry about it. You shouldn't have gone along with her anyway. I'll ... I'll think of something after you leave. Some explanation,” she said with a desperate look.

  "I know I shouldn't have involved the child."

  "No,” she agreed.

  "I want her to have my name. Let me be clearer.” His expression was dead serious. “I want to take the job Mandy offered me. Your daughter needs two parents. We're highly compatible sexually. We can make ou
r marriage work."

  "Well, that sounds like a business offer you think I can't pass up—like I was a horse trader.” She felt an indignant fire in her gut.

  "I mean to marry you, honey,” he continued, then ate another bite of toast.

  Reese watched emotion explode across Ashley's face. Hellfire, she looked pissed off. What happened to the charm her first part of this master plan?

  His frustration at waiting to have her become a part of his life had overwhelmed his plans

  That's what.

  Now that he didn't have to feel guilty about being unwilling to offer her children, it seemed simple enough. She had a child. He knew he would become as attached to Mandy he'd been to Gabe, with the same inherent risk of pain and loss. But, thank God, the choice had been taken out of his hands. So, he felt driven to push a little harder now to reunite them as a couple. Seemed perfectly logical to him.

  "Why now, Reese? Listen to me. Why are you telling me this now? Giving me an ultimatum to marry you?” she demanded.

  He shook his head so hard he got dizzy. “Choice. It's a choice, Ash—not exactly an ultimatum. Think of it as a fair warning that I plan to romance you. I don't care where Mandy came from. I'm willing to take on the job of being her dad."

  She frowned at him, her expression disputing his interpretation of the situation.

  God, she was cute.

  "Well, excuse me, Boss Man. Choice, then."

  Uh-oh. The storm clouds built in her eyes. Damn, damn, damn. Perhaps he'd really overplayed his hand here.

  "What's wrong, Ash? The issue of children is no longer between us."

  At her raised brow, he continued, “I can't deny that I wish you'd discussed the artificial insemination, or whatever.... “He didn't want to think too much of the whatever. “.... with me years ago. I know you cared about me. I realize I gave up my right to expect you to take me into your confidence when I didn't answer your letters. I was a fool not to read them."

  Ashley steamed. He looked so innocent. Heat from a surge of annoyance blazed through her. Anger with this arrogant, handsome idiot of a horseman munching her charred toast—how could he eat that?—and telling her the way things would be between them from now on. And he believed he'd changed. Hah.