“Do you need anything before we leave, Fred?” Tully asked. “I can get you a glass of water or the outhouse is right over there.” He pointed behind the barn.
“No, thank you.” Brianna tried to keep from staring at Tully as he walked with her toward the horses. Enthralled with the raw power and masculinity of the man, her eyes continued darting his direction. In dire need of a distraction, she took a deep breath and inhaled the minty aroma again. “Why do you often smell of mint?”
“I like to chew on it,” he shrugged. “Reckon it’s a habit. Why? Do you not like mint?”
“No, I do. The aroma is pleasing.”
“Well, I’m happy to hear you don’t think I stink.” Tully lifted his hat from a fence post and settled it on his head.
Dumbfounded, she frowned at him. “Surely you don’t mean to ride out to the Jordan Ranch like that.”
He glanced down and rubbed a hand over his chest, her eyes following where her hands couldn’t go. Pure devilment shone from his face when he met her gaze. “I thought maybe you’d prefer I leave my shirt off. From the way you slobbered all over yours, I might have to let you borrow my kerchief to use as a bib.”
The furious blush that seared her cheeks left them feeling singed. “Sheriff Barrett! The things you say are not only rude and uncivilized, they’re just…”
Tully chuckled. “Downright true. The things I say are true and you know it, Fred.” He picked up a shirt wadded into a ball by the pump and motioned toward the house. “I’m just funnin’ ya. I planned to change before you got here, but I’m running a little late. You can sit in the shade over there while I find a clean shirt. I’ll be right back.”
Before she could say another word, Tully dashed across the yard, up the porch steps, and went inside the house.
Brianna had envisioned him living in a primitive cabin, not a large farmhouse with a porch that wrapped around the front and sides, and an inviting swing near the front door. No flowers grew in pots or flowerbeds, but he did have a yard. Nibbled down to nearly nothing, she assumed he allowed animals to graze on the grass.
Although his place lacked the obvious care and attention of the MacGregor property, Tully’s home appeared snug and the barn sturdy. His fences stood straight and tall and no weeds grew around the house or barn.
While she waited for Tully, Brianna touched her shirtwaist to see if she really had drooled. With Tully’s teasing nature in mind, she realized he probably watched out a window to see if she’d check.
A smile quirked the corners of her mouth upward and she relaxed, considering his playful nature. Tully might push the boundaries of propriety but he wouldn’t completely cross them, no matter how much he teased and pretended otherwise.
The sound of a door closing drew her attention to the house as he took the steps in one long stride and hurried her direction.
He wore a dark green shirt with a green and gold paisley silk kerchief around his neck. He’d changed out of his denims into a pair of tan canvas pants and switched out his dusty Stetson for one that looked new. As he approached her, he carried a small box beneath his arm while he tugged on a pair of leather gloves.
“Ready to go?” he asked, tucking the box into a saddlebag draped across the back of his saddle.
“I believe I am,” Brianna said, moving out of the shade where she’d waited on a stump beneath a big cottonwood tree. Tully took the package from her hands and stowed it in his saddlebag then walked around Cotton to the other horse.
The gentle palomino glanced at Brianna then closed his eyes, as though her presence meant nothing to him.
“This is Hoss. He’ll take good care of you,” Tully said, patting the horse on the neck and freeing his reins from the hitching rail. He led him around in front of Brianna.
She rubbed her hand along the horse’s neck to his withers then let him sniff her before she moved to the side, wondering how she’d get her foot into the stirrup.
Tully wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her up before she could further contemplate the best way to mount. Startled, she sucked in a gasp of air, refusing to acknowledge how much she enjoyed his touch, even for the briefest moment.
“Does the saddle feel okay?” Tully asked as he shortened the stirrup for her.
“I’ve never ridden astride before, so I’m not sure what to expect.” She wiggled on the seat, settling into it.
“If you have any problems, speak up. I don’t want you to get any sores from something rubbing.”
Brianna arched an eyebrow at him. Tully grinned, flashing his dimples as he walked around Hoss and adjusted the length of the other stirrup. When he finished, he handed her the reins and placed a hand on her leg.
Out of habit, she stiffened and glowered at him for his inappropriate touch on her thigh. “Sheriff, it is unseemly for you to be so familiar with my person.”
“Shoot, darlin’, this ain’t nothing. If you weren’t so all-fired prim and proper, I’d do more than just touch your leg.” The wicked wink he cast her direction only made her work harder to appear affronted.
“You should be taken out and whipped for being so free with your speech and manner. What would Pastor Eagan think if he heard you say such things?” Brianna refused to admit just how much she enjoyed and even looked forward to the outlandish things Tully uttered.
“Pastor Eagan wouldn’t care one way or the other. He’s too busy trying to redeem lawless felons such as you.” Tully swung onto the back of Cotton and turned the horse toward the lane.
“Humph!” Far too amused with Tully and entirely too thrilled about the party with their friends to be upset, Brianna remained silent as they rode through town and headed south.
About half a mile into the sagebrush-covered hills on a trail thick with dust, Tully glanced at Brianna. “Are you doing okay, Fred?”
“I’m well. Thank you for inquiring,” Brianna said, exhilarated by the experience of riding astride. Rather than feel as though she might topple to the ground like she often did with a sidesaddle, the western saddle made it easy to maintain her balance. “How far is it to the ranch?”
“It’s about four more miles.” Tully pushed his hat back and studied Brianna for a long moment then glanced away, as though he wanted to say something then changed his mind.
Unsettled by the intensity of his perusal, she turned to observe the passing scenery. She watched a snake slither beneath the cool shadows of a rock and a shiver slid down her spine.
Tully noticed and pointed to the reptile. “Those bite and they’re poisonous. If you hear something rattling, back away without riling it.”
“Good heavens!” Brianna stared at him then glanced back at the snake as it coiled beneath the rock and flicked its tongue at them. Another shiver passed over her.
Tully settled a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Generally, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them, but try to avoid rattlesnakes just the same.”
She nodded her head, wondering why she ever thought it would be a grand adventure to ride out into the hills. They didn’t have things like rattlesnakes and coyotes and cougars where she grew up. The two-legged beasts who roamed the city pretending to be upstanding citizens were the most dangerous animals she’d ever encountered.
They’d traveled another mile when he looked to her again. “Are you sure you’re doing okay on Hoss?”
Brianna nodded. “He’s a very well-mannered horse, which seems improbable considering his owner.” The frown he shot her made her giggle. “It does seem unlikely for one such as yourself to have an animal that behaves far better than you.”
Tully slapped a hand to his chest in feigned insult. “You wound me, Miss Dumont. How could you make such unfounded claims against an officer of the law who is so dedicated to this town?” He grinned at her. “Then again, you wrote that article about me, telling the world how appalling and reprehensible you find me.”
Once he got over the shock and anger of reading the article in the paper, T
ully made quite a show of going to the newspaper office to arrest Bowen Packwood. Both men knew he did not intend to do such a thing. For fun, Bowen climbed inside the patrol wagon Tully had parked in front of the newspaper office and rode in it to the jail. After Tully marched Bowen inside the sheriff’s office, the two men sat at Tully’s desk enjoying a few laughs. Humored by the story, Tully had framed the article and hung it on the wall behind his desk at the office.
Without warning, a sage grouse flew out of the brush, startling both horses and drawing him from his musings. Hoss took off at a run, and Tully dug his heels into Cotton, terrified Brianna might fall off and get hurt.
When he caught up to her, she wore a big smile while her eyes glowed with life and excitement. The horse was under control, even if she continued to let him gallop down the road.
“Want to race to the ranch?” he asked, tugging down his hat.
“That’s not fair, I don’t know where we’re heading.” Brianna reached for her hat as it blew off.
Tully snatched it midair and held onto it, offering an encouraging grin. “Come on, you can’t miss it.”
Together, they rode down the dusty road and soon topped a rise where Tully reined in Cotton and Brianna pulled Hoss to a walk beside him.
“That’s the ranch,” he said, pointing to a series of buildings in the distance. Brianna admired the green pastures of fat cattle and corrals with horses. A large two-story house beckoned them in welcome as they rode into the ranch yard. A cowboy ambled out of the barn as they rode up.
“Howdy, Tully. Glad you could make it.” The friendly young man named Ben offered Brianna a charming smile. “Nice to see you again, Miss Dumont.”
Brianna nodded to the handsome cowboy she’d met at church. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Amick.”
Tully swung out of the saddle and draped her hat over his saddle horn. He started around Cotton to help Brianna, but Ben beat him there, lifting her to the ground before taking the reins to both horses.
“Thane and Jemma are up at the house. Lily’s been flittin’ around like a bee plumb full of fermented honey all afternoon.” Ben tipped his head toward the house. “Go on over and I’ll see to the horses.”
Tully slapped the cowboy on the shoulder then grasped Brianna’s elbow in his hand. “Thanks, Ben. Appreciate it.”
Brianna glanced around at the barn, a large log structure Tully told her was the bunkhouse, and a small cabin where Thane and Jemma had lived until they finished building the house.
There were several other outbuildings, like a smokehouse and springhouse, equipment shed, and chicken coop.
As they neared the house, Lily caught sight of her guests and raced toward them.
Brianna couldn’t help but grin as the child’s curls danced in disarray around her head.
“Uncle Tully! You’re here!” Lily launched herself at him.
The sheriff swung the little girl into his arms and spun her around before kissing both her cheeks and her nose. “Happy Birthday, Lily.”
“Thank you,” she said, hugging him around his neck before lifting her head and smiling at Brianna. “Hello, Miss Dumont.”
“Hello, Lily. Happy Birthday to you.”
“Thank you.” The little girl bounced in Tully’s arms and pointed to the yard where Jemma and Mrs. Greenfield finished setting a table in the shade provided from the house.
“Hello!” Jemma called, waving to them as they approached.
Tully set Lily on her feet and kissed Jemma’s cheek then tipped his hat to Mrs. Greenfield.
Brianna took the hand Jemma held out to her and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for inviting me. Is there anything I can do to provide assistance?”
“If you wouldn’t mind, we still need to place the napkins and cutlery.” Jemma pointed to a basket on the porch.
“I’d love to help.” Brianna watched as Jack Jordan walked with Tully in the direction of the barn. He soon returned with the presents they’d brought for Lily and set them on a table where a few other packages waited for the little girl to open them. She caught Tully’s eye and gave him an appreciative nod before returning her attention to the table.
The expensive linens and lace covering the table seemed completely at odds with the rough surroundings of sagebrush and cattle in the background, but the contrast made it particularly appealing.
Brianna liked the idea of Jemma bringing such refinement to the rugged setting.
Once they finished with the table, the women returned inside the house to complete meal preparations.
Lily and Jack followed them inside and the children volunteered to give Brianna a tour of the house.
She stared in amazed surprise at the bathrooms the Jordan family had in their home. The one thing she dearly missed at the apartment above Maggie’s shop was a bathroom. The outhouse she shared with two other businesses made her cringe every time she used it. Not only that, but taking a bath involved heating water and filling a small tub then having to dump out all the water when she was clean.
A streak of envy sped through her as she took in Jemma’s large claw foot tub.
Lily pulled her into a bedroom that would thrill any little girl, decorated in shades of pink, white and green. While she showed off her room, the child chattered about the fairies that lived in her dresser and the magical pony hidden beneath her bed.
Jack rolled his eyes and sighed. As Lily flit around the room, he leaned closer to Brianna and dropped his voice. “She makes up stories and songs all the time. Mama says she’ll outgrow it. I sure hope it happens soon.”
Brianna hid her smile and gave Jack a commiserating look. “I’m sure she will, Jack.” In truth, she enjoyed hearing Lily’s made-up stories. The wild tales illustrated the child’s active imagination and quick mind.
“What about you, Jack? What are your favorite things here at the ranch?” Brianna asked as Lily began singing a song about a calf and a raccoon.
He stepped over to the window and pushed aside the lacy curtain then pointed to a pasture where horses grazed. “My horse, Nick. Dad gave him to me when we moved here. I love to ride.”
“Nick is a beautiful horse,” Brianna said, moving behind him and gazing out the window. “What else do you enjoy?”
“I made most of the shingles for our house and helped with the design. Mama says I might be an architect when I grow up, but only if I get to be a cowboy, too.”
Brianna laughed as they walked out of the room and down the hall. “I’m sure you can find a way to do both.”
When she and the children returned downstairs and went outside they discovered, Ian, Maggie and his parents had arrived, along with Pastor and Mrs. Eagan.
Lily squealed and ran to Maggie, then hugged everyone, becoming more energized by the minute.
“She might burst from excitement before we make it through dinner,” Tully whispered in Brianna’s ear.
Brianna didn’t know if the proximity of his big body, the minty warmth of his breath, or the fact he’d silently moved beside her left her most unsettled.
She turned and discovered his face so close to hers, she could see the gold and green flecks floating in his inviting gaze.
Swiftly tugging the ends of her unraveling composure together, she took a step away from him and nodded her head. “I concur with your assessment. She might just flit away.”
Tully chuckled. “Most likely, she’ll get so worked up she’ll have one of her temper fits. They aren’t for the faint-hearted. Lily doesn’t do anything by half measures.”
“That is an undisputable fact.” Brianna smiled as Lily greeted each of the cowboys who worked on the ranch with hugs and kisses.
The meal went smoothly with Tully taking a seat beside Brianna while Ben somehow settled into the chair on her other side. The breeze outside felt refreshing until clouds rolled in and the air suddenly dropped in temperature.
Fearful of a storm, Jemma and Thane urged Lily to blow out the candles on the cake Mrs. Greenfield had made. Wh
ile the birthday girl opened her gifts, the guests ate their cake with scoops of creamy ice cream. Thane had somehow managed to haul home enough ice for Jemma to make the treat.
Sitting between her parents, they told Lily whom each gift was from as she opened it. Brianna was impressed when the little girl examined each present and thanked the giver before moving on to the next one.
When she opened the parasol, Lily jumped off the chair and twirled it over her head. She raced over to Brianna and gave her an exuberant hug. “Now I can look like Mama when we go to town. I’ll be a fine lady, too.”
Jack mumbled something about that never happening.
Brianna worked to swallow back her smile while Tully hid a snort behind a cough.
Lily opened the box from Tully and squealed so loudly, the family dog howled and leaped off the porch.
Everyone watched as the child pulled a pair of miniature boots from the box, fashioned just like the boots worn by the cowboys around her.
“Tully, these are incredible,” Thane said, examining one of the boots.
Jemma didn’t appear as thrilled by the gift as Thane and Lily. “Now she’ll be into even more mischief with the men.” Jemma frowned at Tully then offered him a smile. “She’ll love these boots so much, Tully. Thank you.”
He grinned. “You are welcome. A good cowhand like Lil needs to dress the part.”
The little girl kicked off her shoes and squirmed on Thane’s lap as he pushed the boots onto her feet. Proudly twirling her parasol over her head, she clomped across the porch and back again then dove into Tully’s arms.
He gave her a hug and kissed her rosy cheek before she raced off to open the remaining presents.
After she opened the last gift, the Eagans and MacGregors headed back to town. Brianna and Tully stayed to help clean up, but when the temperature dropped even further, Tully hurried to the barn to saddle the horses.
Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3) Page 12