Prairie Fire

by Tessa Layne

A second later, the telltale crunch of tires on gravel signaled company. A knot of tension that he’d been holding began to unravel as Cassie stepped out of the patrol car, followed by Travis. She gave him a cocky smile and a quick wave.

  Fine. If she wanted to play it like nothing unusual had happened, so would he. It wasn’t like her nightmares had changed his mind about her, he still loved her.

  He froze as the realization shot through him. Maybe he’d always been in love with her. She had swagger and enough wild side for both of them. And he didn’t care in the least as long as she stayed safe. He watched with a grin as she made her way down to the barnyard. Until he noticed her favoring her right knee.

  She stopped in front of him, meeting his gaze with a confident smile. “Hey there.”

  “What happened to your knee? You’re limping.” God, if anything had happened to her… He refused to let his mind go there.

  Her smile froze and faltered a fraction. She shrugged. “Argument with an inanimate object.”

  “You okay? Want me to take a look?”

  She smirked. “Oh I want you to take a look, but not at my knee. Knee’s fine.”

  Awareness shot through him. She might have a fortress built around her heart, but she flirted like nobody’s business. “What time you go on shift?”

  “Seven.”

  Warmth spread across his chest. “I’m sure I can look at plenty between now and then.”

  Travis joined them. “Stop staring at each other like you have no clothes on. You ready, Cassie?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Sure.” Her face told a different story.

  Travis smiled benignly and squeezed her shoulder. “You’ll be great. Hansens are taking over from here. I’ve got to get to the station. Park, you’ll let me know how it goes?”

  Parker nodded, feeling better now that Travis had acknowledged there was something between him and Cassie.

  Hope motioned for them to approach the pen. “A couple things you need to know before stepping into the training arena. First, we’re giving these horses a second chance. They’re wild and scared. All four of these horses would have ended up in the kill pen at some point. Second, horses, like people, respond to and change with two things. Pressure and time. You need to throw out all you may have learned about horse training growing up. If something spooks a horse, we work on that trigger until the horse is no longer spooked. Got it?”

  Cassie nodded, but her eyes looked unsure.

  “It may not be easy, but it’s better for the horse in the long run. Makes them a better mount.”

  “Okay. I can do that.” A note of steely determination had entered Cassie’s voice.

  “Lastly, I’ll want you to work with this horse as much as you can over the next several weeks. It’s critical for you to learn to trust each other.”

  Cassie’s eyes grew wide. “Hold on a minute, Travis didn’t say anything about that.”

  “No worries. Parker’s volunteered to bring you over every day.”

  Cassie spun, holding her hips and zeroing in on him. He raised his hands trying to placate her. “Hey, I thought it was a good idea.” He still didn’t know what had transpired between Cassie and Travis to bring this about, but he’d be the first to admit he loved the idea of having Cassie hang around the Hansen ranch every day.

  “I thought this was a one shot deal.” Her voice was filled with suspicion.

  “It’s not, and if that’s all it is for you, you need to say so right now,” Hope answered quickly. “Because I won’t let you in the pen.”

  Cassie worried her lip, looking from Parker to Hope and back again.

  “C’mon, Cass,” he cajoled. “Give it a try? We could compare notes.”

  For a fraction of a second, her eyes flashed the same kind of wild fear he’d seen in the horses when they’d unloaded the trailer yesterday.

  His heart went out to her. “We’re all in this together. You, me, Travis. Even Gunn is learning.”

  Her jaw set, and for a heart stopping moment, she looked like she would say no. Then she squared her shoulders and nodded her assent. “Fine. I’ll try.”

  Hope smiled wryly. “Do or do not. There is no try.”

  Immediately, Cassie softened. “All right, Yoda. Any more words of wisdom?”

  Hope turned to him. “What do you think, Park? Any words of wisdom?”

  Park shook his head. Working with the horse he’d named Nutmeg yesterday, had been an unexpected challenge. But at the end of the session, he’d felt good about the progress he’d made. He hadn’t owned a horse in years, but already, he could see himself taking long rides on Nutmeg. Maybe even with Cassie.

  “Let’s get going then. Cassie, come with me. Park, you and Gunn can watch quietly from the fence, or go make yourself useful somewhere else.”

  No way he was going to make himself scarce while Cassie was around. He hopped up on the bottom run of the pen, slinging his arms over the top level, ready for a show.

  Cassie had been a decent enough horsewoman as a teenager, although that had changed once she was old enough to start tearing through town on her dad’s motorcycle.

  Gunnar joined him at the fence. “How do you think she’ll do?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “She’s gonna have to lose the swagger if she’s gonna make any headway.”

  Parker nodded his silent agreement. It pained him to acknowledge it, because he liked her bravado. But horses didn’t. These kinds of horses had a tendency to strip you bare.

  Hope and Cassie stood conferring on the far side of the arena, and then Hope opened the gate and in ran the biggest and unruliest of the bunch. A gelding, who when properly trained, would become an excellent lead horse, but who had kicked and snapped when they’d unloaded him from the trailer yesterday. The horse was at least sixteen hands high. Maybe seventeen. Cassidy looked small next to him.

  “Are you nuts, Hope?” He called out. What was she thinking? Cassidy would be crushed by the beast.

  Gunnar elbowed him. “Calm down. Hope knows what she’s doing.”

  Cassie seemed to have the same opinion he did. She stared at Hope shaking her head. “Oh, no. I’m not the horsewoman you are. No. Way.”

  Hope shook her braids, smiling with the confidence of a woman who knew her craft. “You don’t need to be, Cass. Just be in the pen with him. I’ll be here the whole time coaching you.”

  Across the pen, the horse snorted and pawed the ground. Parker stiffened and shifted his stance, prepared to leap over the fence and put himself between the mustang and Cassie.

  “Walk with me, Cassie,” Hope said quietly, not looking in the direction of the horse. With a look over her shoulder, Cassidy followed, stepping in time with Hope. “Don’t look at him. Just walk, nice and easy.”

  The horse snorted and started to move away.

  “That’s it,” Hope crooned. “Nice and easy, big boy. We’re gonna calm you down. A horse like this is gonna challenge you every step. You’re going to have to be consistently firm. Gentle and calm in your response, as if you don’t have a worry in the world.”

  “But I do,” Cassie mumbled. “A kick in the teeth comes to mind.”

  Hope continued to circle the arena, letting the giant animal jog and stop in front of them, and speaking quietly, almost sing-songy. “Horses only act out when they’re frightened. They’re herd animals, and they’re happiest in a herd, and when they know who’s in charge – and that’s us.”

  The mustang turned and faced them. Hope stopped and walked away. Cassie followed, again checking over her shoulder.

  “Don’t do that, Cass. The alpha wouldn’t look back, and neither do we. Not until we turn to welcome him.” Hope paused and turned, resuming her circling, this time staying off the horse’s shoulder, and waving her arms a bit.

  “You try, Cass. Just like what I’m doing. I’m going to go watch from the fence.”

  “Wait, you’re leaving me?”

  Parker tensed at the rail, ready to
jump over the second Cassie needed help.

  Hope nodded and walked away. “Yep. You can do it. I’ll be right here.” Hope let herself out of the pen and came around to where he and Gunnar stood watching. “Let him run, now.”

  Cassie took two steps toward the horse and faltered.

  Hope called out. “You have to teach him how to be brave. He’s terrified.”

  “He’s not the only one.” Cassie shook her hands.

  “Be brave, Cassie, you can do this.”

  Parker watched, heart pounding. He’d never seen Cassie look unsure of herself.

  Hope leaned over. “Relax, Park,” she spoke quietly. “She’s got this. You’ve got to have faith in her. She and Big Boy are perfect for each other.”

  “I think you’ve lost your mind. She’s going to get hurt out there.”

  Hope rolled her eyes. “Have I ever been wrong about a horse, Park?” she asked tersely. “Travis and I talked. She and this horse need each other.”

  “Wait. You talked with Travis?” The jealousy dragon reared its head, eyes on fire. “She’s my girlfriend.”

  “You’re too close to her. Besides, Travis is one of the few guys around here who’s been in combat. That’s a different ball of wax.”

  “Right. Because watching people you love die isn’t the same,” he said bitterly.

  Hope looked at him sharply. “We’ll talk about that later. In the meantime, pull your head out of your ass, cuz. Maybe Nutmeg is the perfect horse for you. Did you ever think about that? Now quit sucking your thumb and focus on Cassie.”

  Hope turned back to the arena. “That’s it, Cass, let him run. As soon as he slows to a walk, come off his shoulder and get him to turn the other direction.”

  For the next hour, Hope called instructions from the side of the pen. And it was incredible, as the horse calmed, Cassie’s confidence grew. By the end of the session, Big Boy, as they’d started calling him, was following Cassie around the ring like a puppy dog.

  Cassie’s face was flushed with excitement, eyes sparkling when she rejoined Parker. Something pulled deep within him. This was the Cassie he’d known and loved when they were young. The one who took life by the horns and steered it where she wanted.

  He pulled her into a loose embrace and kissed her nose. “You were great in there.”

  “Yeah? I wasn’t sure about it at first, but there was a moment in there, when we looked at each other, and I felt like we clicked.” Her words tumbled out with breathless excitement.

  “Yeah? I knew you’d have him eating out of the palm of your hand.”

  She shook her head rolling her eyes. But the pink on her cheeks deepened, and her smile grew a little wider. “Shut up.”

  “You have all the boys eating out of the palm of your hand, why should he be any different?”

  “Okay, now you’re full of shit,” she glanced up at him through her lashes. “But I like it.”

  “I like you.” He placed a kiss on her temple.

  “Even after–”

  He cut her off before she had a chance to go there. “Even after. Now, what are we going to do with the rest of the day?” He had a few ideas about how they could spend their time.

  Cassie’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Wanna help me fix up my dad’s old motorcycle?”

  CHAPTER 20

  “Something wrong with your new bike?” Not that Parker was complaining. He’d give anything to fiddle around with the Ducati.

  “I’ve decided I want to get Dad’s old bike out. You know,” she winked up at him, “for old time’s sake.”

  “How many hours did we spend working on that thing when we were younger?”

  “I didn’t lift a finger. I still don’t know how the dang things work.”

  He tsked, shaking his head. “I’ve always told you, you shouldn’t be driving it if you can’t fix it.”

  “I can’t even fix a pair of roller skates, Park.” She laughed, reaching behind her and lacing her fingers through his. “Please?”

  The smile she gave him melted him. He never could say no to her pleading smile. Especially when her eyes were so bright and sparkly. His throat grew tight with emotion, and it made his voice rough around the edges. “I’ve missed you, Cassie.”

  She looked at him with soft eyes and reached up on tiptoe to kiss him. Her mouth was soft and sweet against his. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Parker Hansen,” she murmured against his lips.

  He tightened his embrace but still allowed her kiss to be gentle. Hope spread across his chest, taking root in his soul. A lightness he’d never felt took wing. He would fix her bike and more. The possibilities stretched before him as their kiss grew deeper. When they finally came apart, he couldn’t hold back. “I know I’m in love with you.”

  She gave him another soul melting smile. “Lucky me. I thought for sure you’d be married when I came home.”

  That she’d even wondered about him at all, stunned him. His chest puffed in satisfaction. “Did you now?”

  “Of course. You’re a catch, Park.” She rubbed along his chest, and he fought the urge to throw her over his shoulder and march straight to his bunkhouse with her. “But I’m curious, there must have been someone?”

  Probably best to clear the air. Prairie was small enough, you never knew when the gossip mill would start to turn. “Well, there was a girl at junior college, but she didn’t want to live in Prairie. And I couldn’t leave.”

  “Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”

  “Okay, wouldn’t. Cody had just left to join the rodeo circuit, and mom took it hard. I wasn’t going to leave her alone.”

  “You just have to save everybody don’t you?” Laughter tinged her voice.

  “That’s me. Park Kent, Prairie’s one stop superhero. Saving treed cats and damsels in distress.”

  She threw her head back, laughing full and rich at his joke. God, he loved that sound. So free and easy, as if she wasn’t burdened by ghosts and violent memories.

  “So what about you? You must have met someone you thought you could marry?”

  A shadow crossed her face, and for a moment her eyes went bleak. Then she wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Nope. I’m too much woman for most men, and with a military career?” She shrugged. “Settling down was never a priority.”

  “And is it now?” He shouldn’t be asking this. He didn’t want to scare her off, but at the same time, he had an overwhelming desire to know where he stood. If he even had half a chance with her.

  “Settling down?” She grimaced. “I’ve always been happy with my career. I love what I do. And most men don’t want to compete with that.”

  He wasn’t most men. Parker pulled her in for a kiss. “Maybe it’s not a competition.” He punctuated his words with more kisses. “Maybe someone might actually like that about you.”

  Cassie barked out a laugh. “Sure. ’Cause every man loves to get tackled in his sleep.”

  A laugh rumbled through his belly. “Tackle me all you like, sweetheart. But first, we’ve gotta fix your bike. And that means stopping by Mom’s to collect my tools.”

  She looked confused. “Wait. They’re not here?”

  He shrugged. “I stopped riding my bike when you left.”

  “Why?” She sounded incredulous, as if not riding a motorcycle was a travesty.

  “It’s not that big of a deal, Cass. I didn’t have as much fun riding with the guys. So I stopped. I ride it enough to keep the engine working. But that’s it. And Gunn has tools here if I need them.”

  Cassie shook her head. “We are so changing that.”

  Parker flashed her a grin. “You bet we are. Starting today.”

  “Deal.”

  Cassie practically bounced in her boots as he wheeled his dad’s old Harley Davidson out of the barn. She ran her hand appreciatively along the seat. “I think they used a bike like this in the last Captain America.”

  “Hmm. Then we should name it Steve.” Once he’d donned his helmet, he swung his
leg over the bike and waited for her to settle behind him. “I could get used to this,” he rumbled as her hands slid around his middle and she molded herself to his backside.

  “Definitely better than riding horses.”

  “Feel like taking a ride before we collect our stuff?”

  Cassie nodded, tucking a stray lock of hair under the helmet he’d given her. “Heck, yeah.”

  As soon as they hit the main road, Parker opened up the throttle and headed for what had been their favorite stretch of windy road as kids. Maybe it was the woman on back, but Parker didn’t ever remember enjoying a ride so much. A buzzard circled lazily in the deep blue sky as they made their first big turn.

  Cassie leaned first, catching him off guard, but he corrected and kept going. A minute later, she did it again. Was she afraid he was going to lay down the bike? On the next turn, he shifted to counter her weight, but this time the bike wobbled.

  “Enough,” Parker growled, confusion and displeasure roiling through him. She was going to cause an accident. When he found a safe place to stop, he pulled over and hopped off, biting his tongue to keep from chewing her out.

  Cassie pulled off her helmet, shaking out her hair. “What?” she asked, a look of confusion on her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Can’t you feel what’s wrong?” he bit out incredulously. “You’re backseat driving and unbalancing the bike.”

  Her eyes grew wide.

  “I’m driving. I’m the pilot here. You have to trust me, Cass. Let me be in charge. At least while I’m driving,” he finished wryly.

  “I… Oh… wow. I’m so used to–”

  “Being the one calling the shots. I know. I get it.” His boots crunched across the gravel, and he took her hand, placing it over his heart. “Do you remember the first time you rode on the back of my bike?”

  Cassie grinned up at him. “Yeah. I was sixteen. And totally in love with you.”

  Even then? “Yeah?”

  Cassie rolled her eyes. “You men. Clueless. Why do you think I went home and asked my dad to teach me how to ride his motorcycle? I wanted to get your attention.”

  “Oh, you definitely got my attention.”