WestwardWindsV2Arebooks

by Linda Bridey

  The day they’d chosen to do this, both Marcus and Seth made sure they were present for the lesson. Tessa had worn a pair of jodhpurs and a blouse in lieu of a dress. Dean’s temperature began rising as he covertly watched her shapely body move in the attire. He noticed his brothers doing the same thing and glared at them. Marcus just smiled while Seth shrugged as if to say, “Who can blame me?”

  Dean tried to give Tessa one of the tamer mares they had to ride, but Tessa insisted on riding one of the regular cattle ponies. Reluctantly, Dean put her on Zip, one of their faster geldings.

  “Now, you’re used to riding English, right?” Dean asked as he sat beside her on Twister.

  Tessa nodded. “Yes.”

  “Well, controlling a cattle pony is a lot different than riding English. In Western riding we do what’s called neck-reining,” Dean said.

  “What does that mean?” Tessa asked as her brow puckered.

  “It means that instead of separately pulling the reins to make them move a certain direction, you’re gonna lay the reins against the opposite side of the neck of the direction you want the horse to move in,” Dean said. “I’ll show you.”

  Dean started walking Twister. “I want him to go to the left, so I’m gonna press the right rein against the right side of his neck, making him move to the left. You do it.”

  Tessa thought this very bizarre, but did as Dean directed. She made Zip walk and worked the reins as Dean had shown her. Zip responded and turned to the left.

  “Good. Now do the opposite,” Dean said.

  Tessa moved Zip to the right using the method Dean had described.

  “Great. Now, I want you to do a few figure eights to really get the hang of it,” Dean said and moved Twister out of the way to a corner of the pasture in which they worked.

  Tessa concentrated but got the hang of it quickly.

  “Put him in a trot,” Dean said.

  When he was in the appropriate gait, Tessa began posting. Zip stopped at the unfamiliar movement from his rider.

  “Tessa, don’t post,” Dean said with a chuckle. “You don’t do that when you’re driving and cutting cattle. You need to sit well down in your seat.”

  Seth and Marcus smiled at her. She laughed and said, “It’s force of habit and keeps my rear from getting sore.”

  This drew laughter from the men.

  Dean said, “We’ll toughen your rear up. Don’t worry.”

  Seth guffawed at that and Dean scowled at him.

  “Ignore him. Anyway, go ahead and canter while you neck-rein. Speed is important when you’re cutting cattle. Not only that, but you need a free hand so you can work the lasso. Neck-reining frees up your hand to do that,” Dean explained patiently.

  Tessa enjoyed the feel of the responsive horse under her. The lightest touch of the reins turned Zip and it was obvious to Tessa that the horse was very well-trained. She urged Zip faster and took the horse on a slightly larger figure eight. Zip was game and did her bidding willingly.

  Dean let her go for a little bit as he enjoyed watching her have fun. He also wanted to see what kind of rider she was. She had a good seat and didn’t haul on the reins. It didn’t hurt that her shapely backside was pleasant to see.

  “Ok, Tessa, bring him over here,” Dean said.

  Her eyes shone with excitement as she rode over to him. “That was so much fun. I see what you mean about that freeing up your hand.”

  “Yeah. I’m not gonna teach you how to rope yet. We’re gonna have to get you gloves since your hands aren’t tough enough for that. Right now, I want you to get used to chasing a calf. Seth already put one in the paddock. I’m gonna go get it out in the pasture for you.”

  “All right,” she said with a smile. “What do I do then?”

  “Zip is gonna want to go after it. It’s what he’s trained for. Be ready for quick movements because these horses can spin on a dime. He’ll know what to do mostly, but once in a while, you might have to point him in the right direction. Mainly, you’re just along for the ride,” Dean said.

  Marcus and Seth smiled at each other. Now the fun would begin. Dean chased the calf out into the open and it took off. Tessa tensed, ready for Zip to chase it. The horse didn’t move.

  “What is he doing?” Tessa asked.

  Dean let out a short, piercing whistle and Zip sprang forward. Tessa had to grab the saddle horn for a moment but quickly recovered. She gave the cow pony his head and grinned as they picked up speed. The calf knew the horse was gaining on it and changed direction. Zip followed and Tessa leaned into the quick turn. So it went until Zip had the calf cornered. The horse was waiting for the calf to be roped.

  Tessa decided that there was no point keeping the calf cornered and turned Zip back in Dean’s direction. As she approached, Marcus clapped.

  “Well done, Tessa. Well done. A lot of other people would have fallen off during all of that, but you hung in there,” he said with admiration.

  Seth nodded. “Yep. He’s right.”

  She looked at Dean who smiled at her. “We’ll make a cowgirl out of you yet,” he said. “That was a good first lesson. We’ll do more tomorrow.”

  “I want to see you rope the calf,” Tessa said. “Please?”

  Dean smiled. When she looked at him that way, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for her, he realized. “Ok,” he said and shook out his lariat.

  He clicked to Twister and they thundered across the pasture towards the calf that had come back towards them a little ways. Dean didn’t need to corner the calf. Twister got in range of the calf and Dean’s lasso snaked through the air and settled over the calf’s neck. Twister skidded to a stop and Dean wrapped the lasso around the saddle horn and leaped off the horse and ran to the calf.

  Tessa’s heart raced as she watched Dean flip the calf over and tie three of its legs up in a matter of seconds. The outline of his powerful muscles was visible under his shirt as he finished and stood up. All of them cheered. Dean playfully bowed to them and then released the calf. It got up and wandered off, acting a little dazed. Dean wound up his lasso again and walked over to Tessa with Twister trailing him.

  “That was the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen,” she told him as she put a hand on his arm.

  Dean looked down into her flushed face and wanted to kiss her. He hadn’t expected to ever meet anyone who made him feel like that again, but here Tessa was right in front of him and if his brothers and children hadn’t been around, he’d have had her in his arms right then. However, he had to settle for looking at her and grinning.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s not often I have such a pretty audience.”

  Tessa’s cheeks became even more flushed at his compliment. “Then I shall consider myself privileged to be able to watch a real cowboy work and receive a lesson from said cowboy.”

  Seth and Marcus watched Dean laugh with Tessa and looked at each other. It was good to see their brother lighten up a little and they knew that Tessa was the cause of his improved disposition. Seth motioned for Marcus to follow him and they went over to his bunkhouse.

  The kids ran off to the stream that ran in back of the house. It was hot and they could cool off there. They saw their father rope cattle all the time so it wasn’t very exciting to them.

  Noticing that they were suddenly alone, Dean took advantage of it. He cupped Tessa’s face and brought his lips down on hers. Tessa was caught up in the excitement and was more than ready to kiss Dean. She slid her hands over his shoulders and removed his hat so she could thread her fingers through his short, soft hair.

  Fire spread its way through Dean and he couldn’t help himself from deepening the kiss. She felt so good and he could tell she felt the same way. Tessa smelled heavenly and tasted the same way. It seemed unbelievable to him that she was as attracted to him as he was to her.

  Seth and Marcus looked out one of the windows of his bunkhouse.

  “Look at him go,
” Seth said.

  Marcus pulled him away a little. “I can’t see around your big, fat head.”

  “My head is not fat. As for big, I can’t help that. I didn’t make my head,” Seth said.

  Marcus laughed at that. “Oh, Lord. I don’t think we should watch anymore of this,” he said.

  “You’re right,” Seth said. “Damn. I don’t think I ever saw him kiss Sarah that way right out in the open.”

  “Huh. Me either, come to think of it. Ok, c’mon. We shouldn’t spy like this,” Marcus said.

  “Yeah, I know,” Seth said and drew away from the window.

  Marcus followed him and said, “I don’t wanna go out there and interrupt them. I wonder how long they’re gonna be.”

  Seth chuckled. “I don’t think they’re timin’ it. Wanna play cards?”

  “Instead of working?” Marcus asked with a smile. “You bet. Get out the deck.”

  Marcus sat down at the small table in the bunkhouse and waited for Seth to deal.

  At some point, reason prevailed and they ended the kiss by mutual agreement. Their breathing was ragged and passion was reflected in both of their faces. Tessa put a hand to her chest and laughed.

  “Well, I … um … I don’t really…” she stammered.

  “Uh huh. My thoughts exactly,” Dean said and retrieved his hat from the ground.

  Tessa blew out a breath and said, “I need something cool to drink.”

  “I think that’s a fine idea,” Dean said.

  They walked towards the house and Dean looked around for his brothers. It was funny that they’d disappeared like that. He frowned and told Tessa to go on to the house. He jogged over to Seth’s bunkhouse and opened the door. It was empty. He shrugged and closed the door again, reasoning that they must be out in the barn doing something. Smiling, he ran across to the house again.

  Seth and Marcus stood along the wall behind the door and waited a few minutes to make sure Dean had gone.

  “That was close,” Seth said.

  “Yeah. How are we gonna get out of here without him seeing us now?” Marcus asked.

  Seth arched an eyebrow at his little brother. “Why do we gotta go anywhere? I was winning.”

  “Hmm. You’re right. He won’t check here again, right?” Marcus said.

  “Why are we hidin’ from him in the first place?” Seth asked.

  Marcus chuckled. “Because he’s a tyrant and he’s scary.”

  “We’re grown men. Why is he so scary?”

  “I don’t know. He just is. Sorta like Pa,” Marcus said.

  “You’re smarter than you look, little brother. That’s what it is. He sounds just like him,” Seth said. “I kept tryin’ to figure it out. You know, why he … uh … what’s the word…?”

  “Intimidates you?” Marcus supplied.

  “Yeah, we’ll go with that. Well, he’s not Pa and I’m not gonna let him do it anymore,” Seth said defiantly.

  “Right,” Marcus said.

  “So let’s play cards,” Seth said and sat back down.

  “Deal,” Marcus said.

  Chapter Ten

  Dean hadn’t felt this way in so long and he began having hope that he could finally get past his grief and perhaps build a new life with this amazing woman. He didn’t tell Marcus so, but he was grateful to his little brother for going ahead and placing that advertisement. If he hadn’t, Tessa would have never come here and Dean wouldn’t have a second chance at happiness.

  One night, Dean paced the floor in his room after they’d gone to bed. He knew it was time for him to make up his mind about Tessa. It seemed that they were compatible on many levels and he could certainly do worse for a wife. That they shared a passionate connection was evident and Dean had to keep a tight rein on his physical reaction to Tessa. He wasn’t the type of man who believed in casual liaisons and he didn’t plan on having one with her. She deserved better than that.

  Dean knew it wasn’t fair for Tessa to be kept in limbo and it wasn’t fair to himself or his children, either. They were very attached to Tessa now and he didn’t want them to be hurt if things didn’t work out between them and she left. He decided that a trip to Wolf Point was necessary.

  The next day, he made the trek, telling Tessa and the children that he had to go work on the farthest part of their land. He didn’t get back until almost sundown. Tessa had waited supper on him and he walked in to find that she’d made a meatloaf with potatoes and green beans. It was good and he remarked about how her cooking was improving, which delighted her.

  One day, a short time after this, he rode over to Lydia and Charles’ house. Their kids came out and surrounded him. They loved Dean and were always full of questions for him. This day, they wanted to know where Tessa was because she always played with them.

  He greeted them and explained that Tessa was working at home. Then Dean headed out to the barn, where he knew he’d find Charlie. Charlie was a big, gruff man with iron gray hair and a mustache. He was a few years older than Lydia. He looked up as Dean came into the barn and could tell the younger man was thinking about something.

  “What’s on your mind, son?” he asked as he cleaned a bridle.

  Dean sat down next to him and pulled out a ring box from his pants pocket. He opened it and showed it to Charlie. Charlie whistled.

  “Nice ring. It’s unexpected. I didn’t know you felt that way about me,” Charlie said.

  Dean laughed. “Shut up, you old fart.”

  Charlie chuckled. “So, you’re gonna ask her to marry you. I think it’s a good move. She’s a good woman and it doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes. The kids like her a lot, too.”

  “I know. She’s funny and smart and, yeah, beautiful, and I’d be crazy to let her get away, right?” Dean said. “You know, I’m confident about everything else. The ranch, my kids, breaking horses, breeding cattle, and growing crops, but when it comes to a new woman in our lives, I get all twisted up inside.”

  Charlie laughed. “I’m not surprised. It can be a hard thing. I think your head and heart are in the right place, though.”

  “I’m gonna ask her tonight. I can’t put it off any longer or I’ll lose the nerve,” Dean said.

  Charlie nodded. “Yep. Good thinkin’. Proposing is nerve wracking, all right. Best to do it and get it over with.”

  Dean said, “Yeah. Wish me luck. The next time you see me, I hope to be an engaged man.”

  Dean and Tessa lay out on a blanket in one of the pastures. Marcus stayed with the kids to make sure they weren’t disturbed. The kids didn’t mind this in the least since they loved spending time with their funny uncle. Dean rolled over and looked down at Tessa. The moonlight created a soft glow on her face. He loved the way she smiled at him.

  “Tessa, you are a wonderful woman and we are so lucky you’re here. Since you arrived, you’ve made things better for us all, but especially for me. After Sarah died, I never wanted to get involved with another woman. I never wanted to open myself up to that kind of pain again. You’ve changed my mind about that and made me think that I could be happy again. I don’t want to let you slip through my fingers. Theresa Marie O’Connor, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Tessa’s heart filled with joy and tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve never met a man like you, Dean. Someone strong and devoted and honest. It’s wonderful here and I adore your children. I’ve always said that I didn’t want to replace Sarah in their eyes and I still mean it, but it means so much to me that you would trust me with them. I promise to be a good wife and a good mother-figure. I love you and, yes, Dean, I’ll marry you.”

  Dean took out the ring box and opened it. The moonlight glinted off the small diamond and Tessa’s breath caught in her chest. Dean lifted her left hand and slipped the ring on her third finger. Tessa looked at the ring and thought it beautiful. However, what it represented was something much more meaningful than its beauty.

  She wa
sn’t upset that Dean hadn’t told her he loved her. Tessa knew men well enough to know that they sometimes couldn’t say that kind of thing but she hoped that, one day, she would hear those words. Right now, she was happy that he’d shown her by asking for her hand and giving her a ring.

  Tessa looked up at this handsome man she’d fallen in love with and pulled his head down so she could kiss him. They kissed each other tenderly as the moon shined its approving light on them.

  Chapter Eleven

  Dean and Tessa broke the news to the children at breakfast the next day. Sadie was thrilled and wanted to know when they were getting married; Jack was happy about it but quickly moved on to more pressing matters, like what they were having for breakfast. The rest of the family was equally happy and the couple was congratulated by all.

  Neither Dean nor Tessa wanted a lengthy engagement and the ceremony date was set for the next month when the circuit preacher would be in Dawson again. Tessa showed Lydia her dress.

  “I can’t believe you brought it with you,” Lydia said. “It’s gorgeous.”

  Tessa held it against her. “I wanted to be prepared and I wasn’t sure that there would be a dressmaking boutique near here. Do you really like it?”

  Lydia said, “Yes, and so will Dean. He’s going to be bowled over when he sees you.”

  “I’m so nervous, Lydia. Unbelievably happy, but nervous nonetheless,” Tessa said.

  “Getting married is serious business. It’s not to be taken lightly because it’s for the rest of your life.” Lydia took Tessa’s hand. “I know that you and Dean belong together. I see the way you look at each other and it reminds me of Charlie and me. We were so in love and it didn’t take us long to get married either. So don’t be nervous. Just be happy.”