The Unbraiding of Anna Brown (Lone Star Love Book 2)

by Amelia Smarts

  Anna looked at his large hand on top of hers. Her thoughts spun in strange new directions. Part of her felt relieved that he wasn’t going to punish her. The other part felt out of sorts, like maybe the fact that he was letting her off the hook meant he didn’t care after all. She imagined what it would be like to lie helpless across his lap and feel his hard hand striking her over and over, making her pay for her recklessness and disobedience. She wanted to be in that position, she realized. It would be thrilling, stimulating… dangerous. She wanted to belong to him and for him to punish her because she was his to punish.

  She looked up. His eyes were so kind that she felt a rush of courage. “I want you to punish me,” she said, hardly believing she was saying it out loud.

  Her words hung unacknowledged in the air for far too long. She was afraid he would laugh, but he didn’t. He lifted an eyebrow and said, “Why’s that, Anna?”

  “I don’t know, really. I suppose I want to feel…” Anna couldn’t think of how to express herself.

  Another moment of silence hovered between them. “Feel that I care about you?” Carter finished for her.

  “Yes,” Anna said, relieved that he understood and she didn’t have to explain.

  He smiled and squeezed her hand before letting it go. “I care about you more than you know. A spanking can be arranged if you need proof of that, but not today when you’re banged up. If you still think you need some of my painful attention on Friday, I’ll spank you then.”

  Anna nodded her understanding. He gave her braid a tug before retrieving Paddy from the room and serving the measly supper.

  #

  The next morning, Anna’s father showed up at the cabin with Anna. Carter poured coffee for him and milk for Anna. The only sign leftover from Anna’s attack was slight bruising around her eye. The swelling was gone.

  “Can’t thank you enough for seeing to that bully yesterday,” Paul said. “Anna told me what happened.”

  “He’s worse than a bully,” Carter replied. “A thug and a thief. It’s been a while since I felt so angry.”

  Paul grunted his agreement and drank some coffee. Carter had planned to visit Anna’s parents that evening to discuss a few matters, but now that Paul was at his house, he decided to use the opportunity to let him in on his thoughts. “Paul, I’m really glad you came out with Anna today. There’s a couple things I’d like to ask you about. Will you come see my new chicken coop?”

  “Of course.”

  Leaving Anna and Paddy behind, Carter and Paul walked to the coop Carter had built with Anna’s direction.

  “You’ve done a bang-up job here,” Paul said, looking it over with admiration. “What did you want to ask about it?”

  “Thanks, Paul. Not sure whether she told you, but Anna helped me build it. She’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about, not the coop.”

  “Oh?” Paul asked. “What about her?”

  “I can’t stand the thought of her getting hurt again walking to my cabin. I did some thinking, and I’m of the opinion that she should ride here and back. I want to give her one of my horses. Would that be agreeable to you?”

  “That’s real generous of you, cowboy,” Paul said. “It would put my mind at ease for sure.”

  Carter took a deep breath. He was nervous about asking the next question, despite their longstanding friendship. Paul was his elder by ten years and Carter had a respect for him that resembled that for an older brother. He knew the question he was about to ask would change their friendship forever.

  He asked quickly before he lost his nerve. “Would you consent to me marrying Anna in the future?”

  The question took Paul by surprise. He cocked his head. “Did I hear you right?”

  Carter rested his hand on the gate of the coop and looked at the hills in the distance. Looking back to Paul, he said, “Yes. I want to marry her. I love her and I would bet my entire ranch that she’s sweet on me too. But I don’t want to ask for her hand just yet. I’d hate for her to consent before I courted her properly.”

  Paul smiled at him. “I have no objections, if you love her like you say. You’re a good man, and Anna has turned into a fine woman.”

  “She certainly has.”

  Paul frowned at him. “What’s this about wanting to court her though? You see her every day.”

  “That’s the problem. She works for me, and I don’t want her working for me when I ask for her hand. I want to work for her. I want to give her gifts and take her places.”

  Paul scoffed. “If she already loves you, I hardly see the point of that.”

  “Still,” Carter said, “As soon as I can stand to let her go for a bit and find someone else to watch Paddy, I want to go about sittin’ her before getting hitched.”

  Paul put a hand on his shoulder. “Can’t say as I understand your reasoning, but it’s your right to take your time.”

  “Promise me you won’t let her know my intentions just yet.”

  Paul shook his head. “It ain’t for me to say. You have my word.”

  Chapter 9 - A Different Kind of Lesson

  It was four days until Friday, the day of the spanking, and Anna felt butterflies in her stomach all four days. When Carter led her to the barn after her father left, she wondered if he’d decided not to wait and was going to spank her then. She was in for a different kind of surprise. He held her hand and took her to a stall in the back, one she knew well and visited often.

  “Do you remember Bella?” he asked. “This is the horse I found you lying on when you were a lass.”

  “I do remember. And I’ve been visiting her more ever since you forbade me from visiting Tuck.” Anna frowned at him.

  Carter raised an eyebrow. “You’re still bellyaching about that?”

  She shrugged. “I feel I have the right to complain.”

  “You don’t. It’s disrespectful.”

  Carter’s chiding compelled her to be even more disrespectful. “Hang it all. Fine, you won’t hear another word about it from me.”

  Carter folded his arms. “A ‘yes, sir’ would have been a more acceptable response.”

  “Oh? I’m real sorry about that,” Anna snipped, then grinned up at him.

  Carter stared at her for a long time with an unreadable expression. She couldn’t tell whether he was amused or annoyed. Finally he spoke. “I see you’re in a mood today, but I suggest you settle your wobbling jaw before I settle your hash.”

  Anna’s grin turned into a soft smile and she looked down, indicating her surrender. She didn’t know why she felt like giving him a hard time, except that it was kind of fun and a little dangerous.

  “Anyway...” Carter said, giving her a sidelong glance before he opened the stall door. Bella butted him in his chest with her head, sending him a step back. He took her head in his hands and rubbed the white star between her eyes.

  “She’s not supposed to push like that. It’s rude and would earn any other horse a little smack, but I allow it from her because we’re old friends and she’s tolerated plenty of mistakes from me over the years. She’s the first horse I ever trained. I was just a lad of fifteen or sixteen when she was born.”

  Anna held the back of her hand up to Bella’s nose. Bella sniffed and then turned and pushed into Carter again affectionately. This time Carter grunted in annoyance and gave her head a shove back. “Quit it,” he said.

  “It’s hard for me to imagine you at age sixteen. What were you like?” Anna asked. She ran her hand down Bella’s neck to her shoulder.

  “I don’t know. Younger. More handsome.”

  “That’s impossible,” Anna said, looking up at him with a shy smile.

  “You think I’m handsome, do you?”

  “Of course. Don’t you think I’m pretty?”

  Carter snorted. “If I tell you you’re pretty, it’s not going to be because you asked me.”

  “Fine. You don’t have to say it. I already know you think I am,” she informed him.

  Carter
stared at her again before clearing his throat. “We were talking about Bella, I believe. Do you still like her?”

  “I love her. She’s beautiful,” Anna said.

  “I’m glad you think so because I want to give her to you. She’s yours.”

  “Really?” Anna squealed with delight but sobered quickly. “Won’t you miss her though?”

  Carter gave her one of his mildly frustrated looks. “No, I will not miss her. I’ll see her practically every day. I want you to ride her back and forth from my place to yours. Your pa and I don’t think you should walk anymore.”

  “I always wanted a horse,” she said, her eyes shining. “Thank you, Carter.”

  “You’re welcome.” He winked at her.

  Anna touched his arm. “Carter, I’ve been meaning to tell you something ever since that day you found me with Tuck. I hope it won’t raise your bristles what I have to say. Perhaps I shouldn’t say it, but I have a hankering to right now.”

  “Go on.”

  “I have fond memories of Mrs. Barnes, of Nalin. I want you to know she was like an older sister to me. She told me not to be silly and put myself in danger, and I thought of her words and felt guilty when I visited Tuck that day you found me.”

  Anna bit her lip and looked down for a moment, telling herself not to cry before she continued. Looking back up, she said, “I’m not sure if you remember, but the first time she baked honey bread, it was with me. I’ve never forgotten that recipe. I loved her, but not just because she taught me how to bake bread. I loved her because she was modern and smart and made me laugh. I just want you to know that I miss her too sometimes. I don’t know anyone alive who’s like her.”

  Carter’s dark eyes never wavered from hers while she spoke, and she watched with dismay as they filled with tears.

  “I’m sorry!” she cried. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  Carter moved forward and hugged her to him almost violently. “You have nothing to be sorry about, Anna. You are so kind, honey. What you said means a great deal to me, and I’m grateful. I loved Nalin for many reasons, including those you mentioned. You’re right, there’s no one else like her in the world. She was altogether unique and special and that you noticed too makes me feel I’m not alone. Honey, you’re so kind to tell me,” he repeated, running a hand over her head.

  Anna shed a tear. “You’re not alone, Carter. I don’t ever want you to feel lonely.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart. I really appreciate it, all right?” He released her from his grip and tipped her chin up to meet his eyes. “You can always trust me to accept and listen to what’s on your mind about sensitive matters, including Nalin. Everything you say to me will be welcome to my ears. Will you trust that I mean that?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good girl.”

  Bella let out a low bellow and they focused their attention back to her.

  “Tell me something, Anna. In giving you a horse, I’m assuming you know how to ride, but is that true?” He wiped a tear discreetly from his cheek, but Anna noticed it.

  She considered his question, wishing to answer honestly. She had ridden plenty of times but had never taken proper lessons from a cowboy.

  “I know how to stay on,” she said.

  Carter smiled. “That’s a start. Let’s have a little lesson, shall we?”

  Anna nodded but then looked down at her dress. “I don’t know if I can ride in this,” she said.

  Carter examined her skirt. “You’re right. That doesn’t look too comfortable for riding. Next time I’m in town, I’ll get you a suit for riding.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I can buy or make one,” she said. “You already gave me a horse, after all!”

  “I want to get it for you, and anything else you might want or need. But in the meantime, let’s see if we can’t still have a short lesson. I’ll give you a leg up. See if your dress will let you straddle her.”

  Carter put a hand under her bent leg and lifted while Anna swung her other leg around Bella’s back. Her skirt and petticoat were wide and loose enough that she only had to hike them up a bit, revealing her legs up to her knees the same way she had when she’d worn Nalin’s dress. She wasn’t embarrassed this time.

  “It looks like that will work. Feel comfortable enough for a quick ride?” Carter asked. Anna nodded and he helped her down. “Let’s tack her up and head for the corral.”

  Carter showed Anna the gear—blanket, pad, saddle, cinch, bridle, and halter. “This all comes with Bella,” he said. “Over by the hitching post are the brushes and hoof picks. Give her a quick brush and clean her hooves every time you ride.”

  Carter put the halter on Bella and led her to the post, where he tethered her loosely. He picked up a hoof pick from the tack box and turned to address Anna. “Now before we start, I want to say a couple things in warning. I know you have a soft spot for animals. And spiders,” he added, rolling his eyes.

  Anna burst out laughing, and Carter lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh so hard.”

  Anna was still laughing. “I can’t believe you remembered that. And I’m just so happy right now.”

  “I’ll let you finish before I continue.” He gave her a look of mock impatience and she dissolved into a new wave of giggles.

  When she collected herself, Carter said, “It’s good to have compassion for animals, but you always need to protect yourself. If your horse decides to buck or take off in a gallop without your permission, you do whatever it takes to stop her. That’s what the bit is for. If she butts into you like she did to me, give the lead rope a hard jerk. I’m a tough old whacker, but her doing that to you could send you to the ground. Make sense?”

  “Yes, sir,” she said.

  “Now I’m not too worried about Bella putting you in harm’s way. She doesn’t spook easily, but a horse is a horse. It’s best to be prepared and always have a healthy respect for a horse’s strength.”

  He slid his hand down the inside of Bella’s left front leg, and she lifted her foot off the ground. “As you can see, she’ll lift her hoof for you at the slightest touch.” He cleaned the debris, then handed the pick to Anna. “Go ahead and give it a go.”

  Anna had cleaned hooves many times, but she knew Carter would want to make sure she knew how to do it properly and she was glad to demonstrate and make him proud. She moved to Bella’s back left hoof and imitated Carter, sliding her hand down the inside of Bella’s leg. Bella lifted and Anna cleaned out her hoof, correctly pushing the pick down the two lines of the frog to clear the dirt and pebbles.

  “Very good,” he said, and Anna’s heart swelled at his praise. Carter brushed Bella while Anna cleaned out the other two hooves. “I’m going to leave you two alone for now and go check on Paddy. I want you to tack her up, then I’ll check to make sure everything looks good before you start riding. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great,” Anna said. She could hardly believe she had a horse now. The only other animal she could call her own was a rooster her father agreed not to slaughter when Anna became unusually attached. Now that she owned a beautiful horse, Anna felt ready to burst with happiness.

  Bella stood patiently while Anna worked on positioning the blanket, pad, and saddle. She adjusted and readjusted them a few times. Unsatisfied, she took everything off and started over. Finally, she moved to buckling the straps. Bella didn’t like the cinch but accepted the tightening with a toss of her head. When Anna pulled the bridle over Bella’s head, Bella opened her mouth to accept the bit before Anna even pressed it to her lips.

  “Such a sweet girl,” she murmured. “I wish I had a carrot for you.”

  Carter cleared his throat and Anna looked up to find him leaning against a stall with his arms crossed and a big smile on his face. She wondered how long he’d been watching her. “I knew you’d be good with her. Let’s see how you did with the saddle, huh? It looks good from here.”

  Anna fastened the buckles of the b
ridle while Carter inspected the saddle. He pulled at the cinch. “The cinch is too loose. That’s important to get right, since it’s dangerous to ride if the saddle isn’t on tight.”

  Carter held the reins while Anna made the belly band a notch tighter. She felt how tight it was, then Carter tested it. “That’s good. Check it one more time right before you mount. Horses sometimes puff up with air while being saddled to make the cinch feel tight to us. That way it’ll be looser when they exhale. They’re smart like that.”

  Carter looked at the bridle and found nothing wrong. He handed her the reins. “The mounting block is out to the left of the barn.”

  Anna took the reins and walked Bella to the block. Carter followed behind them. Anna stepped on the block, gathered the reins in her left hand, and slid a foot into the stirrup.

  “Are you forgetting anything?”

  Anna removed her foot from the stirrup and blinked at him. “Oh,” she exclaimed. She checked the cinch again. “It feels just as tight to me.” She gave him a questioning look to see if she should continue.

  Carter walked over and took the reins from her hands. “Get off the block,” he said.

  “Why?”

  “You’ll find out.”

  Anna obeyed and stepped down. She stood close to Carter and looked up at him. He was so close she could smell him, and she drew a deep breath. He smelled like leather and cherry tobacco and soap. Stubble darkened his face, like usual. He didn’t like to shave, but he wouldn’t commit to a beard either.

  Carter folded the reins a couple times in his hands while looking down at her. “I don’t want you to forget to check the cinch again,” he said. “You could get seriously hurt if you ride when it’s too loose.”

  “I won’t,” Anna said, feeling chastened. She looked into his eyes, which were soft and kind without a trace of sternness.

  “I’m going to make sure you don’t forget. In the future, I want you to remember what’s about to happen. Think about it before you mount and let it be a reminder for you to check the cinch.”