by Debra Cowan
“She can feel your fear.”
“Can’t you?”
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “It might help to close your eyes. Just think of her as a soft, warm pet.”
“The size of St. Louis,” she muttered, but she closed her eyes as he suggested. She moved her hand closer, close enough to feel the mare’s heat, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch the animal.
A big, work-roughened hand closed over hers. Her eyes flew open and she stared at Riley’s hand dwarfing hers. He placed their joined hands against the horse’s firm, warm neck. Susannah’s fingers brushed a coarse black mane as he began moving their hands in a slow, stroking motion.
Her discomfort faded somewhat when she saw the mare standing calmly beneath Riley’s touch. Susannah could feel his chest at her back, his warmth comforting. She tried to keep her mind on the horse. “She’s soft.”
“Yes.”
“She’s letting me touch her,” she said with both wonder and uncertainty.
“Just keep your touch easy. That’s good.” His breath washed against her temple.
Her hand molded to his as they stroked the mare’s sleek, firm flesh, and the slow sinuous movement lulled her. For the first time since the Santos mare had bolted, Susannah felt herself calm completely. Riley’s strength wrapped around her.
She found her gaze fixed on him, not the mare. Did the strength and power affecting her sensibilities belong to the horse or the man? Riley’s jaw was slightly stubbled with end-of-the-day growth. Her gaze skimmed up his corded neck, lingered on his lips.
He turned his head then, looking straight at her as their hands continued to move over the horse. Raw desire shimmered in his blue eyes, and Susannah felt her stomach clench in response.
He looked as if he wanted to stroke her.
He leaned in and his lips covered hers with confident ease. Her breath caught as she turned toward him, met his kiss. The wall of his chest pressed against her breasts. She held on tight to what she fuzzily remembered was the horse. Even as she thought she might melt, Riley’s tongue touched hers and stroked. A sharp, sheer bliss pierced her.
He lifted his head, eyes blazing and breathing heavy. Her heart thundered in her chest and she prayed her legs would hold her.
Through the fog of her senses, an inner voice told her to step away, but a wild urging for more had her easing closer.
Riley’s eyes went dark; he dipped his head.
A door slammed and Susannah heard voices. Cora. And Davis Lee!
Riley dropped his hand from hers and looked back at the horse, saying calmly, “Try it by yourself.”
Her nerves shimmered, making her feel unsteady and giddy. She stood motionless for a moment, trying to sort through the blur of her thoughts. Take a breath. Her hand still rested on the horse.
“Go on.”
She moved her hand down the mare’s neck, a dim part of her brain recognizing that the horse allowed her touch.
“Susannah, look at you!” Cora exclaimed.
Feeling jittery, fearing Cora and Davis Lee would know that she and Riley had kissed, Susannah jerked her hand away. She hurried to the other woman. “Oh, Cora, I’m so sorry. I gathered the eggs, but when I came out, Prissy frightened me and I dropped them. I ruined them all.”
Tears tightened her throat. The mishap with the eggs combined with Riley’s staggering kiss stoked the fire of her volatile emotions. “I’ll pay for them.”
“I won’t hear of it,” her friend said firmly. “Accidents happen.”
“This one wouldn’t have if I weren’t so scared of horses. You’ve lost a day’s wages because of me.”
“Prissy’s a pest,” the older woman said dismissively. “She likes to nose around for treats. She’s certainly startled me a time or two. Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
Davis Lee’s gaze went suspiciously from Susannah to his brother. “Are you making Susannah do something she doesn’t want?”
“Like what?” Riley demanded.
“No, no!” A flush warmed her cheeks and she thought even he sounded guilty. She couldn’t look at him, not after that kiss. “Of course not. I was admiring Riley’s skill with Prissy—I’m afraid of horses—and he offered to help me try to overcome my fear.”
“What a wonderful idea.” Cora squeezed Susannah’s arm and smiled broadly at Riley. “There’s no better horseman around these parts. Will you be coming every day?”
“Well, uh—” Riley began.
“I think that’s the key, you know,” the woman continued. “Susannah and Prissy need to get familiar with each other.”
So far, Susannah had gotten more familiar with Riley, but that couldn’t happen again. The man flustered her beyond bearing. “I’m sure Riley doesn’t have time to help me.”
“I can come.” Davis Lee smiled easily. “But not every day.”
“Oh, that would be nice—”
“I’ll do it,” Riley said brusquely, looking at Susannah. “If you want.”
She searched his eyes, but could read nothing. “I would feel better knowing a little something.”
“There, you see?” Cora reached over and slapped Prissy on the rump. “Wonderful.”
“I can teach you some basic things about being around horses,” Riley said.
“And maybe how to hitch up the wagon, in case I ever need to get somewhere?”
“Sure. That’s probably a good idea.”
“Very wise.” Cora looked pleased.
Susannah managed a smile. She didn’t want her child picking up this fear, and she felt a pressing need to get it under control. She trusted Riley, but she couldn’t let him see how much that kiss had affected her. How much even his presence affected her.
Riley Holt made her silly. And now she’d be seeing him every day.
Hell. He had to get Susannah out of his mind. As Riley rode toward Cora’s house the next evening, he yanked his hat farther down on his head, as if that could squeeze out thoughts of her. Kissing her had to be one of the most addlepated things he’d ever done.
Now he knew her taste, the silky slide of her lips against his. Kissing wasn’t where he’d wanted to stop, either. He’d wanted to put his hands on her and peel those clothes off, pull her beneath him.
His body tightened and he shifted on his horse, trying to ease the sudden snugness of his trousers. Since the day he’d seen that phony ring on her finger, he’d wanted to kiss her. And now he had.
She was as intoxicating as aged whiskey. This craving inside him was something he’d never felt for a woman. Last night, he’d even thought about downing a bottle of liquor to try and drown the taste of her, but he hadn’t. The responsibility he felt for Adam’s sister had blurred. His reaction now had nothing to do with looking out for her, and he didn’t cotton to the change in him.
He wanted her. There was no getting around that. And he liked her, but that didn’t alter the fact that he had no intention of getting involved with any woman. Especially Susannah, who was as ill-suited for this country as his wife had been. Something about Susannah Phelps tugged at him, put him in mind of soft evenings and forever. He wouldn’t have it. The plain fact was he couldn’t survive another loss like that of his wife.
The time he spent with Susannah would be strictly about horses, not the way his blood heated when he got within a foot of her, not the way she’d kissed him back with enough passion to make him throb.
He reined in the thought that she would’ve kissed him again if they hadn’t been interrupted. What he should think about was her lesson with Prissy tonight. Susannah’s willingness to take on what she considered a weakness sparked admiration in him. Not many people would do that. The best thing for him—for both of them—would be if they didn’t see each other often. But he couldn’t go back on his word.
The roofline of Cora’s house came into sight, and Riley remembered that Susannah was supposed to begin her school tonight. For her sake, he hoped at least a couple of men had show
n up.
He crested the rise that looked down on Cora’s house and reined up with a start. Whip tossed his head at Riley’s abrupt handling. What the heck? Saddled horses crowded the grass in front of Cora’s house. They were rope-hobbled, obviously waiting for their riders. He counted eight animals, recognized nearly all of them.
He urged Whip into a lope across the remaining yards to the house and dismounted, tuning in to the voices—mostly male—coming from inside Cora’s little house. Were these people all here for Susannah’s school? Were they all men? Riley’s lips firmed and he stepped up to the porch, peering in the window at the right of the door.
His eyes widened and a low whistle slipped out. Cora’s front room was full to bursting. He saw Pete and Creed Carter, Pearl Anderson’s young daughter, Violet, and both the Doyle brothers. The Baldwins were in front of the sink, sitting on Cora’s nice chairs, which looked likely to break at the slightest movement from the hulking giants. Cora stood next to them, setting aside a stack of dishes. Susannah sat in the center of the room, holding a cup and saucer and demonstrating how to sip.
Riley chuckled. Until he caught sight of Jake Ross. And Tony Santos with Miguel. Riley didn’t much care to know that all these men had spent the evening in Susannah’s company. Not every man in town was here, but close enough. They all paid rapt attention to Susannah as she sipped daintily from her cup.
She paused, looking around the room. Carefully, the men lifted their cups. The Baldwin brothers’ huge paws completely hid the delicate china. As they tried to imitate Susannah’s graceful movements, Riley snorted. Jake Ross did the best, spilling only a tiny drop. Susannah’s gaze moved carefully over all the students, then her eyes widened in horror. She rose quickly and went to Tony Santos.
A chuckle escaped Riley as he saw the man sipping from his saucer. Susannah spoke to him and he nodded, pouring the coffee from his saucer back into his cup. The cup clattered against the small plate and Susannah winced.
Tony definitely needed help with his manners, but Riley was suspicious of the other men’s reasons for being here. He scanned the room once more, relieved to know that at least Davis Lee hadn’t taken leave of his senses and shown up.
Susannah returned to the center of the room and, after a few words, the men rose with a grating scrape of chairs across Cora’s pine floor. Class was dismissed. Riley backed up just as the front door opened. Pete Carter rushed out as if being chased by a wildcat.
“Hey, Pete.”
“Hullo.” The saloon owner reached into his overall pocket for a plug of dark tobacco and pinched off a piece, stuffing it between his cheek and gum. “She made me spit out my chaw. I don’t know how long I’m gonna last in there.”
“Why are you going in there, Pete?” Riley noticed the widower’s hair was slicked down and he smelled like bay rum. Too much bay rum. The man was fancied up to impress a lady, not for learning. “You need some help on manners?”
The grizzled man glanced back at Susannah and, with a wicked grin, waggled his eyebrows.
Riley gave him a dead stare, a clear warning to watch himself, and Pete’s smile faded. He mumbled something and stepped off the porch, spitting a stream of tobacco juice several feet. Riley could well imagine that Susannah had put a quick stop to that.
Jake Ross stepped outside, carrying his hat. “Hey, Riley.”
He nodded. The others streamed out except for the Baldwins, who stayed behind to return Cora’s chairs to their rightful place.
“Next week, we’ll learn our first dance,” Susannah said from the door. She glanced over, her smile turning guarded when she saw Riley. “I didn’t know you’d arrived.”
“How many dances are we gonna learn?” Tony asked.
“Most gentlemen know at least three.”
“Are we gonna get to dance with you, Miz Susannah?” Creed Carter asked.
“Everybody but you,” Miguel teased from his place on the back of his uncle’s horse.
“I’ll teach you, yes,” Susannah said. “Thanks so much for coming, gentlemen. You too, Violet.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The girl’s gaze darted shyly toward Miguel Santos.
“I’ll walk you back to town, Violet.” Jake Ross slid his hat on his head and said goodbye.
Twilight fell across the land, and as everyone left, their shadows blended into the darkness. Finally their voices faded.
Riley watched Susannah, hit with memories of that kiss, the way she’d surrendered to him. It didn’t appear she had favored any one of her male students with special attention. Yet.
Her white bodice and dark skirt looked neat and fresh. She’d gathered her silvery hair into a high chignon. She was mighty pretty. The lamplight over her shoulder gilded her smooth skin with pale gold. “Looks like you had a good turnout.”
Wrapping one hand around a porch column, she looked at him. The tiny lines of fatigue around her eyes eased with her smile. “It was wonderful, Riley. I didn’t expect so many.”
He hadn’t expected so many men, either. Didn’t like it too much, because he figured most of them had come for the same reason as Pete Carter. Still, her obvious excitement caused Riley to smile. “Think they’ll all stick it out?”
“I hope so. With Cora’s home-baked goods, I think even she will be able to make some extra money.”
Riley studied her. “Was that your idea? It sure lessens the sting of losing those eggs.”
“I hope it helps a little bit,” she said with a shrug.
She might not be suited for this harsh land, but Susannah was kind. That carried weight in Riley’s mind.
“Are you ready to go out to the barn?” What he really wanted to ask was if she’d realized the reason these men came had nothing to do with manners and everything to do with her being a woman. A beautiful woman.
Before he walked into memories of that kiss again, he leaned in and said hello to Cora. He stepped off the porch and Susannah followed.
“Have you been out to see Prissy today?”
“Yes.” She moved beside him with her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her skirts made a soft swishing sound against the dirt. “I tried to do as you suggested and take her a treat. I offered her a carrot.”
“How did that go?” he asked as they walked out behind Cora’s house. Dusky light settled around them. They’d need a lantern once they reached the barn.
She grimaced and looked away. “I’m hoping tonight will be better. What are we going to do?”
“I’ll teach you how to brush her down.” The memory of that kiss hung between them as awkwardly as a slap. “After you ride a horse and unsaddle it, it needs to be brushed.”
She nodded.
They stepped inside the barn and the mare whinnied. The scents of hay and dirt and animals swirled around them. Beside him, Riley felt Susannah tense up.
“It’s okay. Prissy’s just saying hello.”
“All right.” Still she dropped a step behind him, warily approaching the mare’s stall.
“I’ll tie her up.” Prissy didn’t need restraining, but Riley figured Susannah would feel better.
After lighting a lantern and placing it atop the stall’s door post, he took a rope from the barn wall. One end went over the mare’s neck and he tied the other around one of the stall slats.
“Maybe I should just pet her? Like I did last night?” Susannah suggested hopefully.
“Brushing is like a different version of petting.” Riley refused to allow himself any thoughts of petting Susannah. “It’s something you need to learn, plus it’s a good way for you and Prissy to get acquainted.”
“Very well,” she said primly.
Riley liked it better when Susannah was at ease with him, but he needed to be concerned about how she felt with the horse. “Don’t forget she can sense what you’re feeling.”
Uncertainty shimmered in Susannah’s blue eyes.
“She knows you’re uneasy,” he said. “Brushing will help relax her and maybe give you some confidence.�
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She let out a shuddery breath and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, he saw the same determination he’d seen there last night when she had approached the mare for the first time.
“I’m ready,” she said.
“Good.” He sidestepped another memory of her lips on his, the teasing brush of her breasts against his chest. “Put your hands on her. Talk to her.”
She placed her hand on the mare’s neck. After a few strokes, she said, “Remember me? We got along well last night, didn’t we?”
Riley bit back a smile. He hadn’t meant for her to carry on a conversation with the animal, but if it worked to help ease Susannah’s fears, all the better.
“I think we can be friends,” she continued. “You’re big, but…pretty.”
Prissy edged closer.
Susannah glanced questioningly at him.
“That means she likes what you’re doing. She’s getting to know your touch and your scent.”
He certainly knew both better than he wanted; her clean, soft scent was branded on his brain. But at least the smell of her wouldn’t heat up the mare’s blood the way it did his. His gaze trailed down the elegant nape of Susannah’s neck, exposed by her upswept hair. He wanted to press his lips to the tender patch of skin below her ear.
He dragged his thoughts back to what they were doing. “If you take care of your animal, it’ll take care of you.”
“Really?” She seemed to relax a bit. “I just don’t know much—oh!”
She froze, her eyes going wide.
“What? What is it?” Riley stepped closer, his gaze going to the dirt floor to see if the horse had stepped on Susannah’s foot.
She put a hand on her stomach and smiled. “There it is again. That was a hard one. Just surprised me.”
“A kick?” he asked, relief and surprise tangling inside him.
“Yes.” She smoothed a hand down her skirt, pulling the fabric taut, and for the first time, he saw the swell of her belly. “She’s been doing that for a couple of months.”
“She? What if it’s a he?”
“You’re right, it could be. But for some reason, I think it’s a girl.”