Valley of the Heart

by Moore, S. Dionne

  “I can do it!”

  His chuckle grew to a laugh. “Always knew you were one spirited woman.”

  She didn’t know if the discovery pleased or disgusted him. Judging by his laughter, she thought it amused him more than anything.

  He sipped his coffee and muttered something she didn’t quite catch. When he straightened and settled into the chair across from her, she could see the white of his teeth flash in the night. “We’ll give it a try.”

  fourteen

  Despite Frank’s protests and Levi’s pout, Maira knew she had to do this. Tanner asked her if she knew how to rope and peg. She didn’t. And with every question he put to her, to learn what skills she possessed, she wondered if he grew more disheartened at taking her with him.

  He ran a hand over his head and down his neck. “Do you even own a hat?”

  “I do!” She felt such victory over being able to say yes to something, though she supposed it must seem lame to him.

  “Well, at least you can sit a horse.” His eyes ran the length of her. “Though that’s quite a getup.”

  “My riding clothes.” She stroked her hand down the thick leather of her split skirt, glad for the extra protection the material offered in the saddle. Briars and bugs would be deterred.

  “You’ll get hot pretty fast.”

  His prediction came true, and Maira found herself struggling to keep up and keep cool. Tanner worked with an ease that bespoke of his time as a cowpuncher somewhere other than the Rocking J. He encouraged her to watch what he did that first day. No matter what, it seemed the cattle they ran into were all born of the same stubborn mother. Tanner lassoed and tugged, coaxed and hollered, circled and pegged, and the whole time Maira felt like a fool. His sweat-soaked shirt clung to his back, his face flushed with his efforts. One bull turned on him and lowered its head, horns poised. When the animal charged Cue, Maira’s throat closed in terror. But Tanner wheeled Cue and landed his lasso around the bull’s horns, giving out rope as the animal fought and strained.

  He trotted Cue over to her and handed her the rope. She followed his instructions, grateful for Frank’s gloves covering her hands. Tanner threw another rope over the bull’s horns, and they kept the animal between them. By early evening the weariness was beginning to show in Tanner’s face and the continual swipe of the handkerchief across his brow.

  “Ten head.”

  Just the tone of his voice let her know how disgusted he was with the day’s count. “I’m sorry.”

  Tanner rode in close to Queen, a crooked smile on his face. “Actually, I should be pleased. For the places we had to work, that’s not bad.”

  She wanted to touch his face, wipe away the dirt streaking from eye to jaw, but it was neither the time nor place. Her question from the previous evening slipped into mind. “Last night, you said Jon was a good man. Did you know him?”

  He winced. The horses kept pace with each other, allowing her knee to almost touch his. His face was a stone carving, a coldness that scared her.

  “Jon got that gold from me.”

  Maira gasped. “You?”

  “I met him. We talked. He needed money, and the bank wouldn’t extend credit. I told him I had some gold.”

  “You knew him?” She tried to reconcile what he was saying to his sudden appearance, his rescue of Levi, and what he’d said about Walt Price. “But Walt said. . .”

  “Walt’s a liar!” He dug his heels into Cue’s sides. Maira let him go, stunned and fumbling for what to say or even how to take what Tanner had revealed. He knew Jon. Had loaned him gold. Walt’s miner was a sham, which meant the owner of the XP was not just a liar, but also a cunning liar bent on ruining Jon’s reputation.

  If she believed Tanner.

  Maira sighed down at the saddle horn, focused on Queen’s mane, reached to touch the coarse tangle of hair. Why hadn’t she known Jon needed money and that the bank had refused him credit? Because she’d never asked and he’d never offered the information. She’d been too content in her little world, especially after becoming pregnant. She tried to remember times when Jon had appeared excessively stressed and could remember nothing out of the ordinary.

  Tanner slowed as they approached the ranch. Frank and Levi came out to greet them. Whether Frank’s limp had lessened or he was making sure to walk smoother on purpose, Maira couldn’t tell. Her slide from the saddle was only a fraction more easy than Frank’s had been the day before. Every muscle in her legs and lower back ached.

  Tanner’s boot caught her eye where she stared down at her feet, just trying to be still so nothing hurt. “Not being used to riding for so long will do that.”

  She scowled at him, letting every bit of her anger and frustration shine through. “We need to talk.”

  He nodded at the horizon. “Later. Not much sunlight left for me to teach you how to rope.”

  “I don’t want to learn.” She bit out the words, tears burning her eyes. She felt grimy and sore, and his revelation only nettled her all the more.

  He leaned in, close to her ear. “We have an audience. Rope now. Talk later.”

  “Talk now. Rope later,” she tossed back.

  He nodded toward something over her shoulder.

  When she turned, she saw Levi and Frank. The older man set Cue’s saddle into Levi’s outstretched arms. He stumbled beneath the heavy weight, and the saddle settled into the dust at his little booted feet. Frank’s laughter punctuated the moment.

  Biting back her anger, she nodded. Tanner strode away and picked up his rope. She’d seen him toss it out so many times, never missing the mark, always smooth and sure, but she wasn’t ready to put aside her anger even if she saw the wisdom of his suggestion.

  “Where’d you learn to rope?” Frank asked, suggesting he’d been privy to their conversation.

  “Practice mostly.” Tanner sent Maira a knowing grin. “You don’t get to be a cowpuncher without knowing how to rope.”

  Levi clapped his hands together. “Me, too?”

  Frank nodded down at the boy. “I’ll teach you myself. Let your mama learn tonight.”

  “Now?”

  “Tonight,” Maira said, sending Tanner a superior grin. “After supper.”

  “Can I watch?”

  “Did you help Frank today?”

  Frank’s hand went to Levi’s shoulder. “He worked in the garden most of the morning and hauled water; then I showed him how to gather eggs, and we worked on milking the cow together.”

  “I got squirted!”

  “With milk,” Frank added. “But I told him we couldn’t waste milk on the barn cat.”

  Levi’s head bobbed in solemn agreement. “Got a bucket full of it!”

  “Barn cat?” Maira teased.

  “Milk!”

  Tanner joined them, tapping Levi on the head. “Last one to the house has to drink cold coffee.”

  Levi’s eyes widened. He glanced at his mother. “You, too.”

  Tanner came to her rescue. “Best leave your mom out of this. She’s pretty sore from riding.”

  Still, Levi looked uncertain. “Go ahead,” she encouraged, and he flashed a grin at Tanner and took off, little legs pumping. Tanner loped along, pretending to be running for all he was worth, arms pumping, but his legs were taking hops. Levi started laughing. Tanner scooped him up and swung him around until Levi was giggling.

  “Does the heart good,” Frank murmured.

  Maira felt such a ball of uncertainty; yet watching the scene, she had to agree. Even as reluctant as she was to acknowledge the nudge of satisfaction.

  ❧

  Levi talked as if it was his goal in life to use every word in the English vocabulary at least ten times. Tanner listened to the boy’s chatter with both ears while keeping one eye on Maira and one on Frank. As Levi talked, he tried to assess Frank’s injury. He seemed better. It sure would help to have him out on the range. His know-how was invaluable. Maira tried hard, but he’d been afraid to overexert her, and he could tell by the
way she rode that she wasn’t comfortable in the saddle. With each additional head he discovered and rounded up, he appreciated the quieter moments spent riding beside her, glancing over to see her soft profile, the way her hair swayed with the horse’s rhythm, or the delight with which she tilted her face to the sun only to toss him that gentle smile that bloomed with contentment. Like a barn cat in the sun.

  And then everything was spoiled when she had held his feet to the fire about his slip of the tongue the previous night. How he’d hoped she hadn’t noticed his referral to knowing Jon. But she had, and her temperament and grief would never allow the situation to rest until all her questions were answered. He couldn’t blame her, but telling her too much would be dangerous. He snatched a glance at her, surprised to find her watching him in return. He gave her a smile. She responded in kind, though the smile quickly faltered.

  He continued to listen to Levi’s jabbering as Maira set a plate full of roast venison on the table. Frank put a piece on Levi’s plate and cut it into bits. If the old cowhand could ride, Tanner would need the man’s expertise to get the cows rounded up as fast as possible. The back grazing land would be toughest, and he would save it for last since it would be easier to spend the night on the range. He entertained an idea he thought might work as Levi explained why he chased the cat from the barn.

  “I told him he a bad cat. Frank said—”

  Frank nudged the boy. “Best not say what I said. It wasn’t nice, and I shouldn’t have said it. Your mama would be mad at me.”

  Maira nodded at Levi, trying to look serious, but Tanner saw the hint of her smile before she took a bite of potato.

  He poked at a carrot on his plate, enjoying the hot meal and the boy’s chatter.

  When Levi finally took a bite, Tanner speared a piece of roast and held up his fork. “You’re a good cook, Frank.”

  “I try to help out.”

  “He does much more than he lets on.” Maira sent a fond look at Frank. A sudden longing for her to look at him that way squeezed Tanner’s chest.

  “Mama, ’member when he burned the corn bread?”

  “Lee-vi.”

  The boy lowered his eyes, then cut them to Frank. “Sorry.”

  The older man leaned close, a smile on his face. “Sometimes we have to remember the good things more than the bad things.”

  Maira pushed back from the table. Levi’s eyes followed her movement with the look of certain doom. She held out her hand, and the boy’s sigh could be heard around the room. Frank helped Levi to his feet.

  “I think you’ve probably worn yourself out talking.” Maira grinned as she picked him up in her arms. His little arms went around her neck as she carried him into the room and shut the door.

  “I’ve never heard him talk quite so much.” Frank shook his head. “Reckon he’s trying to prove to you what a little cowpuncher he is. He’s talked about you most all day.”

  Tanner didn’t quite know what to say to that. He touched the corners of his mouth. “Not picking up my bad habits, I hope.”

  “You haven’t got any bad habits I can see.”

  “It’s not the ones on the outside that haunt a man.”

  “We’ve all got a few of those. Sometimes a man has to find a way to put the past to rest in order to get any pleasure in the here and now.”

  “Sounds like religious talk.”

  Frank’s brows rose. “God wants us to be free on the inside to enjoy what’s on the outside. It’s simple, really. It’s a hard country; we have to be hard men to survive. But in the midst of being hard, we lose sight of what it is to let people in.” He upended the box Levi sat on and got to his feet. “I think she could love you.”

  Tanner cut his eyes to Frank. “That’s not what I’m here for.”

  Frank’s round face lit. “Isn’t that how it works, though?”

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  “I’ll be ready to ride in the morning. I’ll let you show Mrs. Cullen how to rope without being a fifth wheel.”

  Tanner did his best to ignore the implication. “You could add what you know to the lesson.”

  Frank laughed as he refilled his mug. “I’ve seen you, son. You know ’bout all there is.”

  The door to the room opened, and Maira came out. “I think he went right to sleep.” She faced Frank. “You must have worn him out.”

  “He worked hard for a little guy.”

  “Probably talked himself tired,” Tanner said.

  Frank held up his mug in silent good-bye and went straight to the front door.

  Maira held up the coffeepot. “Would you like some more?”

  “I’m good.” He slid his chair away from the table. “Should we head outside or. . . ?”

  She cupped the mug in her hands as if drawing heat from it. He wondered if her fingers were cold. “Once Levi is asleep, he doesn’t wake up until morning.” She bit her lip and glanced at the closed bedroom door. “But I stay close just in case.”

  “We can practice right outside the front door.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to sit for a spell. I’m. . .”

  “Tired?”

  Her smile was small. “Fighting a headache.”

  “Ouch. Too much sun.”

  Her face disappeared as she sipped the hot brew. “I’ll be fine. Nothing that a hot bath won’t—” She halted, sucking in air. “I mean. . .” Her cheeks burned with the embarrassment of having said something so intimate.

  Tanner stared down at the tips of his boots, feeling some heat on his own neck. “Maybe we should wait to rope when you’re feeling better.”

  “No.” The word came so quickly it startled him. “I’ll be fine. I can do this.”

  “Frank will ride with me tomorrow. You can stay here and. . .take it easy.”

  “But his leg. . .”

  “I was thinking he could do tomorrow, and you the next day. Until his leg gets stronger.”

  She bit her lower lip as she stepped past him. He held the front door open for her, aware of her stiff gait and the way she held her lip between her teeth. His announcement hadn’t made her happy. “I thought that later, when we work on the back of the property, we might take the wagon out.”

  Maira set the rocker into motion. “The wagon?”

  “You and Levi could sleep there. Cook for Frank and me while we’re out. . . .” He’d seemed so sure about the idea, but now he didn’t know. The thought might offend her sense of propriety.

  She leaned forward, excitement shining in her eyes. “You mean it? Levi would have so much fun.”

  “We’d be gone most of the day. It might get. . .lonely being out there in the middle of nowhere.”

  “I’ll take him for walks. He’ll have a great time.”

  Tanner felt his chest tighten. She would be near him. Not close. But nearby. Somehow the long days in the saddle would be so much easier knowing she would be there in the evenings.

  fifteen

  The last sip of coffee went down cold. She’d let it cool too long, but the evening was one to enjoy. With her soreness, sitting still had its attraction. She almost hoped Tanner wouldn’t press to teach her to rope because it meant moving, and she wanted to talk more than move.

  “You’re going to get sore the longer you sit.”

  She grimaced. “I was just hoping you wouldn’t notice.”

  His dark eyes lit with amusement as he straightened. “Uh-uh. Time to get up and get going. Can’t have the little filly stoving up on us.”

  He moved to her and held out a hand.

  “Can’t we talk first?”

  His brow creased, but he didn’t withdraw his hand. “Can you give me some time?”

  “Time for what?”

  “There’s some things I need to get a handle on before we have that talk.”

  She put her hand in his, let him pull her to her feet. She felt lightheaded so close to him. His nearness was too much like an invitation. Those long fingers. The expectant look on his face. She
wondered if hope could be renewed so easily and love come so quickly. No, of course not, she chided herself. She didn’t know him, not the deep-down parts that mattered. That took time. She also knew that she would not deny herself the opportunity to enjoy his presence or the evening. Being way out from town afforded her little contact with anyone, and Tanner offered companionship. She didn’t understand his reluctance, but her heart wanted to trust him. “Then we’ll talk later.”

  His smile was beautiful. Gentle and kind. “We’ll rope.”

  She groaned. “What about resting?”

  He chuckled as he collected his rope from the porch post, where he’d hooked it before heading in to supper. “Too much right now won’t be a good thing anyway.”

  She wanted to stomp her foot and snort like that bull had earlier; instead, she grabbed for the rope he held.

  He held it away from her grasp. “Nope, not yet. First thing to learn about roping is you got to get used to the roughness.” He caught her wrist and raised her hand, spreading the fingers. “Your palms are too soft, so be careful of the rope burning your skin.”

  As she stared up into his face, she felt the protective net of his words surround her like a shawl draped gently over her shoulders.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

  “You do. Maybe you can just watch me.”

  She knew she should pull her hand away, but his eyes melted over her, and she basked in the warmth of his gaze and his touch.

  “You do look tired.”

  Impossible. How could she look tired when she felt such energy? She reached to shove his chest. Taken by surprise, he stepped back to balance himself. She darted around him and down the steps. And then she stopped, feeling foolish at her burst of exuberance.

  His boots were a blur as he took the steps. “Guess you do have some spunk left. I’ll put up the horses, grab some gloves, and be back.”

  His horse nickered from the corral. He entered the enclosure and slipped a rope around Cue’s neck. The piebald followed him into the barn. He came back and repeated the procedure with Queen. Frank was nowhere to be seen. When she spied the light coming from the bunkhouse, she wondered if the man had left the two of them alone on purpose or if he truly was suffering. Tanner returned from the barn with an extra coil of rope. He handed the second one to her.