“You did great. I bet you’ll be riding on your own in no time. Now, should we look for your dad?”
Marisol’s eyes widened, lips pulled down in a frown. “He’s going to kill me.”
Quinn smiled gently. “Doubt it. He’ll be more relieved than anything. Hold on, let me go to the barn and see if anyone’s around.”
She wound Piper’s reins around the fence and left Marisol alone in the yard as she went to the barn.
“Hello?”
The barn was empty, except for the flutter of a bird in the rafters. Quinn continued around the side of the old building to the paddock. A lanky, well-worn man stood alone, breaking up a bale of hay into a large hayrack in the center of the fenced-in area.
“Hal,” she called, recognizing the older man who’d been employed by the Shady H for as long as Quinn could remember. “Did Jack get in touch? I found Marisol”
Hal glanced up and gave a wave, finished stocking the rack and came over to her. He had a distinct hobble to his walk, a limp given to him by an old cantankerous bull ten years back.
“Hey there, darlin’. Yah Jack called,” he said with a big grin across his weathered face. “Craig’s still out, though. Didn't get through to him. Gotta wait 'til he's closer. Where’d ya find her?”
“By the Long Knife Creek fence. Which direction did he ride? Maybe I can catch him.”
Hal followed Quinn to where Marisol stood, looking at her feet. She must’ve known the consequences of her walk had just begun. Hal gave her a disapproving look.
He pointed in the opposite direction from which Quinn had found Marisol. “He’s been gone for quite a while. Hope ya can find him.”
She hoped he was right. "Easy enough to track fresh hoof prints," she said with a grin and turned to Marisol. “I want you to get in the house, clean up and stay put. I’ll get your dad back.”
“He’s going to kill me,” Marisol muttered again.
“No, he won’t do that. I’m sure he’ll be very fair. He’s probably more scared than anything. You have to remember the prairie can be very dangerous. Now go on. I’ll see you in a bit. Make sure you get something on your face. You’ve got the beginnings of a nice burn there.”
Without another word, Marisol headed for the house.
“If Craig gets back before I find him, tell him to give Jack a call. He’ll be able to get in touch with me.” She didn’t wait for a reply, but mounted up, swung the mare around and headed in the direction Hal had indicated.
Quinn put the mare through her paces, leaning over her neck as the horse galloped along the narrow cattle path that headed north. She hoped Craig had kept to the path, but just in case, she slowed Piper and veered off the trail toward a hill. From there she’d be able to see much of the land around her and spot any other riders out and about.
In the distance, she saw a lone rider, heading toward the Shady H. It could be Craig. Quinn pulled her hat off and waved it. When he waved back, Quinn moved Piper off the hill and down to meet him.
It was Craig. As soon as she got within ten yards of him, she recognized him under the brim of an old cowboy hat and looking right at home on the back of sturdy Buckskin. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she didn’t have to, to know he was thinking the absolute worst. His mouth formed a tight scowl.
Mentally she compared him to his brother. They were as different as night and day. Even after all these years, after traveling and a career as a best-selling author of books and articles featuring exotic travel destinations, Craig still looked as if he belonged to this land, a rancher through and through. Robby, while as good in the saddle as any man raised with horses, possessed more pizzazz, had a showier personality that demanded attention. If it weren’t for his brief stint in Hollywood, he probably would’ve gone onto the rodeo circuit. He loved the limelight, the flash and glamour that could accompany being a cowboy. That’s why he chose employment at Long Knife Creek instead of some working ranch. He was an attraction amongst the guests, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“She’s okay,” Quinn called.
Craig’s upper body slumped, as if he’d been held up by strings, and suddenly they were loosened. “Thank God,” he said with relief and pulled the hat off. He wiped his brow with a red bandana. “Where was she?”
Quinn pulled Piper up to Craig’s side, turned the mare around and walked her next to Craig’s mount. “She was at the fence line next to Long Knife Creek Ranch. She was really upset.”
“Damned right she should be”
Deep down he’s relieved.
“Go easy on her, Craig. She’s had a rough time of it.”
Craig glanced at her, his gaze holding hers. For the first time she knew he really looked at her. “We both have.”
“She’s just a kid. I know what she had to go through when her mom died. I was about her age when my parents died. At least this was my home. I knew where I was. She’s been taken away from everything she’s known.”
Craig pursed his lips together. “She should’ve known better.”
“She said you wanted her to get to know the land.”
“God. With me. On horseback. Not wandering out by herself without telling anyone where she was going.”
“She’ll learn. She seems like a smart girl. It won’t take her long to understand and maybe even like this place.”
A smile crossed his face as he nodded. Better. The smile took years off him and transformed him into the Craig she’d fallen in love with. Eyes as blue as the South Dakota sky, she liked to think in her more poetic moments. His nearly black hair was still too long, but the way it waved and curled made her want to run her fingers through it. That had nothing to do with poetry.
Thinking like this, Quinn realized she could still very well be quite sunk.
“Welcome home, Craig.”
Chapter 2
Marisol sat on the front steps, knees drawn up to her chest. All Craig could see was the top of her face, her eyes wide and apprehensive.
Anger melted away and he forgot about everything but his daughter. He jogged toward the house. When he reached her, sat, put his arm around her trembling shoulders, and pulled her close. The sweet scent of shampoo wafted from her damp hair.
“I’m sorry Dad,” she mumbled into his shirt.
He gave her a squeeze then lifted her chin so she peered into his eyes. He had to make sure she understood how dangerous it could be out there.
“You know even though I’m angry, I’m even more scared. I love you more than the world. If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do. I know I told you I wanted you to get to know the land, but never on your own. Or on foot.”
“I promise I won’t do it again. What’s my punishment?” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
Craig smiled. “Riding lessons. Mandatory riding lessons. I want you on a horse at least five days a week.”
“With you?”
Craig sighed. He wished there were a way, but unless he could find time at the end of the day, he wasn’t sure when he could fit in the attention she needed to learn. Not until he found more ranch help. “When I can.”
He looked around the barn area. At the end of his late father-in-law’s life, the ranch was all but abandoned. Donald hadn’t been able to keep up with the workload and couldn’t afford much help. Since inheriting the ranch, Craig worked hard to get it back on its feet. Help was at a premium. He couldn’t spare Fred. That left Hal, the old man who’d been with the Hahn’s for over forty years.
“It’ll have to be Hal,” he said, forcing the disappointment from his voice. Hal was competent and capable, knew horses inside and out, but Hal lacked the compassion and patience to teach an inexperienced girl.
“Hal? No.” Marisol’s tone didn’t mask her disappointment.
“There’s no one else honey.”
“I want her.”
Craig swung his attention in the direction of Marisol’s outstretched finger. His gaze landed on Quinn, who was walking her hor
se around the yard.
“She doesn’t work for us. She works over at the ranch next door.”
Marisol shot him a “yeah, I know that” look and dropped her hand into her lap. “We can at least ask. You should’ve seen her riding with no saddle and everything. She gave me a ride and I was hardly scared, not even when she made her horse run.”
“Marisol—”
“If I’m going to have to ride, I want to ride like her.”
Craig looked at his daughter and saw a spark in her wide eyes, just what he’d been praying to see since arriving in South Dakota. An interest in something related to this ranch.
His daughter had found a new hero, he thought as he studied Quinn, walking under the glowing sun. She’d taken her hat off and her dark chestnut hair glowed in the simmering sunshine. She had a small, neat, but definitely feminine figure, clothed in a pale green fitted blouse with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, displaying a golden tan. Faded blue jeans hugged the gentle curve of her hips.
Damn. She’d gone and turned into a woman.
“Please Dad, ask her.”
Craig pulled his attention away from Quinn almost reluctantly and looked back at his daughter, who clutched his arm. How could he resist when she gazed up at him with such big hazel eyes?
“Let’s give it a try. I can’t promise you she’ll say yes. I don’t know what she does over there, or what her schedule is like.”
He called out to Quinn and waved her over. As she ran toward them at an easy gait an unexpected emotion reared its head, something he hadn’t experienced since losing Elise to cancer two years ago. Pure male attraction. It didn’t seem right. Quinn had been a kid when he left Falstad. Now he admired her curves and the flash of her bright blue eyes. Before he could start appreciating her face, Craig reminded himself not only was she his old best friend’s little sister, she was Robby’s ex-girlfriend. All those facts should’ve given this woman to off-limits status. Not without a struggle, he took control of his senses and returned to business.
“Hey,” Quinn greeted, flashing a quick grin at Craig before centering her attention on Marisol. “How are you doing? Stiff from the ride?”
Marisol shook her head and smiled brightly. “Nope. I had fun. Best part of my day.”
Quinn laughed. “Very cool.”
“Marisol enjoyed herself so much, in fact, she’s ready to start riding lessons.”
“Awesome. You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.”
Craig admired and appreciated Quinn’s genuine enthusiasm.
“She has a question for you.”
Marisol took his hand, her attention focused squarely on Quinn. “Can you give me riding lessons? Please? I think you’re the best rider I’ve ever seen.”
Quinn laughed and looked from daughter to father and back again. “Wow. Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Marisol confirmed.
“If your schedule permits, of course,” Craig added in an attempt to simmer Marisol’s enthusiasm down while providing Quinn with an out if she needed it.
“I’d be pleased to help you out,” Quinn replied and settled on the step below Marisol. She turned to look up at her. “You know, though, if you’re serious about this, you’re going to need to work hard. I’ll expect it. At least four hours a week with me, more with your dad. Of course, if he can’t get out for a ride with you, give me a call. There’s nothing I like more than a good trail ride, and it would be nice to have a girl to talk to. I’m pretty much surrounded by boys too.”
“I’ll do it, whatever you ask,” Marisol promised. She tried to sound solemn, but excited energy bristled from her.
“At the end of the summer, if you’ve worked extra hard, my brother holds an overnight trail ride for his guests. Maybe you can join us, if your dad thinks you’re ready.”
Marisol clutched Craig’s arm even tighter. He had to laugh. He hadn’t seen her this excited since she’d been given permission to take dance classes three years ago.
“Why don’t you go inside so I can talk to Quinn.”
She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, said goodbye to Quinn and went inside the house.
Quinn scooted up so she sat on the step next to Craig. She gave him a crooked grin, the same winning smile he remembered from way back when. Now he couldn’t associate it with a child. From now on it would belong to a spirited young woman.
“I guess I should’ve asked before I mentioned the trail ride,” she admitted.
“No, that’s all right. If it gives her incentive to learn, I’m all for it. You sure you’re okay with this? We kind of hit you out of the blue. If you can’t do it I’ll understand, and I’m sure she will too.”
Quinn cocked her head to the side and smiled. “Really, I’d love to,” she assured him. “I’m ready to start now. Well, not this minute, but as soon as you’re ready. Do you have a horse for her?”
Craig considered the stock in the paddocks. He didn’t know the five horses well enough yet, but none seemed appropriate for the task.
“I was going to put her on my father-in-law’s gelding. He’s old but reliable. Just not much spark”
“May I make a suggestion? Think about buying a new horse for Marisol. It would be a good way for her to become more invested in riding and the ranch.”
Craig nodded. She was a smart woman who thought ahead.
“There’s a horse for sale over in Salem. The owner is going to college in the fall and doesn’t want the horse to sit around. She’s been doing barrel racing for years. The mare is well trained and still has plenty of years in her.”
“I’d be willing to take a look at her. If you’ll give me the phone number or name I’ll give them a call.”
“Or, I’ll take you over there.”
Craig chuckled. “Or you can take us over there.”
A grin slid across Quinn’s face. Craig liked it, full of confidence and good nature.
“Let me give Shelby a call. When’s a good time?”
They spent the next few minutes discussing the price for the horse, what Marisol needed for riding and what Craig would pay her for her services.
“You mean I get paid for doing this? I would’ve done it for fun,” she joked and Craig almost believed her.
They settled on a price and Quinn stood. “They’re going to be sending a search party for me. I need to get back. I’ll give you a call this evening after I talk to Shelby.”
Craig stood too, surprised at how much better he felt since Quinn had ridden back into his life. For months he’d felt a black cloud pressing down on him as he helped Marisol through the loss of Elise. The move to South Dakota hadn’t been an easy one, but with one flash everything looked like sunshine.
“Thank you. You don’t know what this means to me. And to Marisol.”
“My pleasure.”
With a quick goodbye, she turned and jumped down the steps to the stone walkway below and jogged back to her horse. She mounted effortlessly, waved to him, and cantered out of the ranch yard toward Long Knife Creek Ranch.
As soon as Quinn was out of sight, Marisol burst through the front door and threw her arms around Craig’s waist.
“I’m going to get my own horse too?”
“You little spy,” Craig chuckled, returning the embrace.
“You told me to go inside, but the living room window is open. I couldn’t help it.”
It didn’t matter. In one afternoon his daughter had transformed from a quiet child who didn’t even want to take a step outside her house to one who couldn’t wait to take her first ride.
“Dad?”
“Hmm?”
“I love you more than Cheese Doodles.”
Craig smiled. They’d played this game since she was about five.
“I love you more than whoopie pies.”
Silently he thanked the young woman who’d done this to his daughter when he hadn’t been able to.
***
“Where the hell have you been?”
The l
ong afternoon, the tension of searching for the missing girl, and the thrill of seeing Craig again caught up with Quinn when she arrived back at Long Knife Creek Ranch. She had too much to do to deal with Robby, but he stood in the middle of the big barn door, fists on his trim hips, a scowl marring his handsome features.
“Over at the Shady H. Where do you think I was?” she replied and tried to move past him into the barn.
He stepped in front of her, blocking her passage.
“What?” This she didn’t need. Robby had no right butting into her private life.
“You were gone a long time. What kept you so long over there?”
Quinn took a step toward him so they were only six inches apart. She had to look up to eye him. “You sure don’t look like my father, so mind your own business and let me by.”
Without waiting for him to move, she took a step to the right and led Piper into the barn, not caring if Robby moved or not.
Damn Robby for deflating her mood. The whole ride home she’d been on a high. She felt like a ten-year-old again, and her beloved Craig had spoken to her. How silly. She’d grown up and, she thought, out of that phase. The last thing she wanted to do was get her head stuck in a pink schoolgirl cloud about him, or anyone.
She could, however, look forward to teaching Marisol. The young girl’s enthusiasm was infectious and Quinn had a feeling they’d get along great. She deserved a shot at falling in love with the prairie. Craig did the best he could, but running a spread was hard work. She would be more than glad to help. Besides, she thought, as Robby stalked toward her, a bit of time away from Long Knife Creek might be what she needed. Recreational opportunities were sparse and while she enjoyed hanging out with the ranch hands some of the guests, sometimes she needed more.
“Seriously, you were there a long time.”
Quinn groaned and glared at Robby. “You don’t take a hint do you? Fine, I had a long conversation with your brother and his daughter.”
Sweet and Wild Page 2