She thought she had planned so well, thought of every little thing she might need. But she hadn’t counted on the cold. Never had it been this bitter in her home to the south. She had miscalculated badly. The heavy men’s trousers she had purchased, and the flannel shirts, were simply not enough. Not even when she wore all three shirts at once.
The sun would soon bring its warmth, however. In the meantime, she would cower beneath the blankets. She didn’t even move when she heard Ring stir and crawl out of his bedroll. She listened to the small sounds he made as he stirred the fire, then set coffee on to boil. She drowsed, inhaling the familiar and comforting aroma, and thought how nice it was to have Ring and Sandy. For this little while at least.
When she smelled bacon frying, Blaze could stand it no longer. She pulled the blanket down an inch and saw Ring hunkered by the fire. He smiled at her, and she pulled the blanket back up over her eyes.
That was the one thing that was disconcerting about Ring’s presence. His … maleness. Under the blankets, Blaze squirmed.
He was a good-looking man, she had to admit. And she liked the way his body looked in those tight buckskins and clinging chaps. He had a kind way about him, and was wonderfully patient teaching her to ride. She liked talking to him, too. The trouble was, she feared he liked her a great deal better, and in a different way, than she liked him.
Blaze waited until she heard Ring take coffee to Sandy, and sat up. She ran her fingers through the tangled mass of her hair. Her fingers paused behind her left temple.
The white streak, jagged lightning. Her name. Her obsession. Her mission.
Suddenly restless, Blaze rolled from beneath her blankets. She stepped outside the shelter to a bucket of water she kept for washing and dipped her hands, only to find a solid crust of ice. She heard a chuckle.
“Tired of the cold yet?”
Blaze ignored him. She knew exactly where the discussion was headed. Instead, she picked up the bucket and set it next to the fire.
“How’s Sandy?” she asked Ring, as if he hadn’t spoken.
“Better,” he replied affably. “Better every day.”
“Hey, I kin speak for myself, y’know.”
Smiling, Blaze approached the shed where Sandy was ensconced, and planted her hands on her hips. “You can, can you?”
He smiled back, and a blush rose to his pale cheeks. “Yes, ma’am,” he said shyly.
“Then tell me how you feel.”
“Like Ring said, better every day,” Sandy said as his blush receded. “I’m real grateful to you, ma’am, for taking care of me.”
“And I appreciate you resplinting the leg,” Ring added. “My rifle sure is a lot handier to use now.”
She laughed; she couldn’t help it. The sound was foreign to her ears.
“Can I fix you a plate of breakfast?”
That was something else that was foreign, a man waiting on her. So many new things all at once. It was Blaze’s turn to blush with embarrassment. “Thank you,” she said softly, and turned away to sit by the fire.
When he had eaten, Ring tended the horses. Blaze watched him closely. “Are you going to saddle them?” she asked at length.
“Are you ready for another lesson?”
Blaze started to reply, then realized he was teasing her. All she wanted to do was ride, and he knew that. She gave him a wry smile.
“Let’s get started, then.”
Blaze started for the buckskin, the horse she had ridden up to now, but noticed Ring’s saddle was on him instead. She raised her eyebrows.
“You’ve been a good student, learned real fast. It’s time you rode Duchess.”
Ring’s horse. She was special, Blaze knew. Did it mean she was truly learning to ride? She hoped so. The first part of her plan had been successful. She had traded her father’s rifle and some cash for a holster and two pistols, and had taught herself to draw and shoot. She had been trying to learn how to stay on a wild horse’s back and next, hopefully, catch one of them. Then Ring and Sandy had come along. If she still believed in prayers, she might have thought they were the answer to one.
“Are … are you sure, Ring?”
“I know a little somethin’ about horses. And riders. Tell you what, you ride Buck this morning an’ if you do as well as I figure you will, you can ride Duchess this afternoon.”
Blaze was amazed by how much she’d been smiling lately. It felt good.
By noon the sun had stolen some of the chill from the air. Blaze shed one of her flannel shirts, and the three of them dined on the remains of breakfast while the horses rested. As soon as she had rinsed the dishes, Blaze was ready to ride again.
“If the horses aren’t too tired, I mean.”
“You’re sure a determined little thing, aren’t you?”
Blaze had felt lighthearted all morning. Now she felt the sudden, weighty truth of Ring’s words. Yes. I am determined. And I will succeed.
“I can wait, if the horses need more time to rest.”
Ring recognized the look in her eye. He had seen it more than once in the last several days. He felt her spirit withdraw from him as well. The inner Blaze went somewhere no one else was allowed, a place she went alone to deal with whatever it was that had followed her from the past. He rubbed his jaw.
“I have an idea,” Ring said at last. “Why don’t we just take a nice, quiet ride? I think the both of us could use a break, along with the horses.”
Was he implying she wasn’t strong enough, or fit enough, or couldn’t ride Duchess after all?
As soon as she had the thought, Blaze rejected it. She felt mean even to have considered it. Over the days they had spent together, Ring had recognized her mettle and had complimented her on it.
“I’d … like that,” Blaze replied in a subdued voice.
“Good,” Ring said. He meant it. “Let’s mount up. You take Duchess.”
Blaze grinned and climbed into the saddle without further hesitation. She felt the difference between the two horses the moment she was in the saddle. Buck was a good, solid mount, slow and easy, reliable. Duchess was going to be quicker, more responsive. She felt the horse beneath her tense, ready for the slightest command, or movement of her body. She stroked the horse’s neck and murmured soothing words.
“That was exactly the right thing to do with her,” Ring said. “You have what it takes to be an outstanding horsewoman. I find it hard to believe you didn’t have experience with animals before this.”
“Not much to speak of,” Blaze said evasively. “And I truly never rode a horse before.”
“Well, you sure can ride one now.” Without another word, Ring turned the buckskin away from the shelter and set off at a jog.
From the time she was a little girl, Blaze had wanted to learn to ride. She had always loved horses. She had thought the most special thing in the world would be to ride one. As soon as she had mounted Buck for the first time, she knew she had been right all along. Riding a horse was as wonderful as she had imagined it to be. Riding Duchess, however, was magical.
Merely the tension of Blaze’s upper thighs as she prepared to kick the mare set Duchess off at a smart trot. They moved quickly ahead of Ring and the buckskin. Her immediate reaction was to pull on the reins to slow the horse down, but she sensed the mare would respond to the slightest movement. Blaze tried simply leaning her weight back in the saddle, and Duchess slowed to a jog that kept perfect pace with Buck.
“Well done,” Ring commented. “I thought I was going to have to teach you to ride a horse like Duchess, but you seem to have all the right instincts.”
Blaze felt a flush of pleasure. “Thank you. And thank you for letting me ride her.”
They were silent for a time and rode slowly to the east. They crossed the riverbed, dry now, and passed beneath two lonely cottonwoods that stood sentry on the other side. Ahead stretched rolling, tan hills studded with rocks and a few sparse bushes. The crisp air smelled dry and dusty. The sun felt good on their backs.
The sky was faultlessly blue.
After a time, Ring kicked Buck into a slow lope. Using her newfound skills, Blaze simply leaned forward slightly in the saddle. The mare responded as she thought she would and moved into a lope.
Ring admired Blaze as she rode along beside him. She was a natural in the saddle. She was also one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on, though not in the traditional sense. She was petite, with a tiny waist and small, high breasts. Her shoulders were narrow and belied the strength in her back and arms. She was probably, he thought, stronger than Sandy. The black mass of her hair, highlighted by the stunning streak of white, fell past her waist, and seemed to float behind her in the wind as they rode. Her eyes were large and dark, set wide apart, and her nose was small and straight. But her most remarkable feature was her mouth, lips full and vaguely pouting, astonishingly sensuous. Unconsciously, Ring licked his lips.
Totally in tune with her mount, Blaze was unaware of Ring’s regard. She was happy and totally at ease. If only she could ride forever, she thought, she would.
But all too soon, it seemed, Ring reined Buck to a walk. Their shadows were long, the rapidly sinking sun shed little warmth, and Blaze shivered. Ring didn’t miss it.
“You really should think about getting a coat,” he said lightly. “Or spending the winter a little farther to the south.”
“Ring …”
“I’m serious, Blaze.” And he was. The lilt was gone from his tone. “You don’t realize how hard the winters can be at this elevation.”
Blaze shook her head obstinately. “I’m not going back. Only forward.”
“Going south isn’t ‘going back’, Blaze,” Ring said gently.
Blaze stared straight ahead, silent.
“It’s only a few hours’ ride to Phoenix,” he persisted. “And a few hours back in the spring, back where you started from. What difference does it make? You can’t go any farther north now anyway. There’s snow in the mountains. And you’re on foot.”
Blaze looked at him sharply. He had counted on it.
“Don’t think I’m going to give you, or sell you, one of these horses, because I’m not. I need them both, ‘specially the shape Sandy’s in.” Blaze looked away, but Ring continued. “I have a herd waiting in Phoenix with my other hand, I’ve told you that. I’m gonna train ’em up during the winter. And I’ve got some nice ones. The pelouses, for instance.”
Blaze’s curiosity was piqued; she couldn’t help it. She gave Ring a sidelong glance. “What’s a … pelouse?”
“Spotted horses, black on white mainly. They’re beautiful, really somethin’ t’see. They’ve got stamina, and real fine trail sense. I’d be pleased to give you one, Blaze, trained just for you. As thanks, kind of, for all you’ve done for us.”
Blaze tried not to look at him, tried not to reveal her interest. But it was hard. She concentrated on twining her fingers in the bay mare’s mane.
“Where do you … where do you stay when you’re in Phoenix?” she inquired at length.
Ring attempted to keep the excitement from his voice. “There’s a boardinghouse where Rowdy, Sandy, and I stay. But my mother has a little place, you’d like it. And she’d be proud to have you.”
By way of response, Blaze glanced at the sky. It was gloriously pink. “We’d best be getting back,” she said. “Sandy’ll be worried. And hungry.”
Ring watched her turn the mare and ride back to the west without another word. He sighed deeply. And, as he had done since the first time he saw her, put his heels to his horse and followed.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SNOW HAD DRIVEN THEM OUT FINALLY, AT LEAST A week before Blaze thought Sandy should be able to ride. But they had no choice. They weren’t equipped for heavy snow. Ring’s supplies were with Rowdy, and she herself, she had to admit, was simply totally unprepared. At least that’s what she told herself.
The truth was, she thought as she rode double behind Sandy, hands lightly on his slender waist, the idea of her very own horse, trained by a man like Ring, was completely irresistible. It wasn’t a setback, she reasoned, but a step forward, in fact. She had her pistols, and she knew how to use them. Soon she would have her horse, her very own horse. Then there would be no stopping her. She looked over at Ring.
He had to resist the urge to look back at her. He could scarcely believe his good fortune. She had not agreed to come along until the very last moment, when he and Sandy had actually started to ride away. He had to hand it to her, she was stubborn. And skillful, talented. Beautiful. Ring rubbed a hand along his jaw and sighed.
He had convinced her to come along for her sake, yes. Certainly. But for his?
Ring laughed bitterly to himself. Throughout his adult life, women had seemed to gravitate toward him. He had never even had to pursue them. They were just there when he needed one, handy, willing. Now?
It served him right, he guessed. He should have paid more attention when he had the chance. Now he had no choice.
The land sloped ever downward. Rocky cliffs rose on either side of their trail. A dusty haze followed their horses’ footsteps.
They stopped once. Blaze was concerned about Sandy. She bathed his face and made him drink most of their water. Then they moved on.
Until, at last, saguaros appeared. They had reached the valley floor, the low desert. Sand crunched beneath the horses’ hooves. Mountains rose on all sides. The air was cool, but not unpleasantly so. And there was no snow.
Blaze had passed this way earlier, in the spring. She had skirted Phoenix, avoided it. She hadn’t been ready. But she felt an undeniable sort of excitement at the moment.
Her village had been small, inconsequential. But all her people had not been as provincial as she and her family. A few had traveled to Phoenix. They had returned with tales of amazement, stories of the city’s size and its quantity and availability of items for sale; foods, fabrics, weapons, livestock, and more. Structures never seen before. Schools and churches.
Blaze could scarcely imagine it. The town of Mayer had been wonder enough. How could anything be more grand? She was soon to find out.
It came into sight slowly at first, gently. A few buildings on the immediate horizon. But as they drew closer, the scene expanded, stretched away into the distance. Dusty streets lined with buildings packed close together, side by side, one after another, and another. And there were streets behind the main street, intersections. Wagons, of all kinds and varieties, passed on the streets. There were mounted men as well, and horses tied to hitching posts. Women, in clothes the likes of which Blaze had never seen before, strolled the wooden sidewalks.
The first large building they passed was the livery stable. Next to the stable was a large corral, and it was literally filled with fine-looking animals. The longing on her face must have been evident.
“They’re mine,” Ring said. “You see the spotted horses? One of them’s going to be yours.”
She had never thought to feel joy again. Or to be unable to resist a broad grin of pleasure.
“Could we … could we, please, stop and see them now, Ring?”
“Yeah, Ring,” Sandy chimed. “Let’s take a look at the horses.”
Ring chuckled. “I wish we could. But at least I know Rowdy got them here safely. We’ll come back after we’ve checked in with Rowdy and my mother. Okay with you?”
She guessed it had to be. Blaze nodded. And then was overcome with apprehension. Ring’s mother. What would a sophisticated woman who lived in a city like this think of her? Blaze nervously ran her fingers through her hair, and glanced down at her baggy, dusty men’s clothing.
“You look fine,” Ring said. “Besides, my mother’s not like that.”
It didn’t help much, but she appreciated the kindness.
“Tell you what,” Ring continued. “We’ll stop by the boardinghouse first and see Rowdy. You can freshen up there if you want.”
“Thank you, Ring.”
Blaze glanced around her with increasing
wonder as they rode down the street. She saw a general store; a post office; a place that sold ladies’ apparel, including hats; saloons; and a restaurant. She looked over at Ring.
“Ring … what’s a … a ‘restaurant’?”
He smiled at her gently. “It’s a place where people go to eat.”
Blaze’s brow wrinkled. “You mean, a place where people can cook their meals?”
Ring resisted the urge to chuckle. “No. It’s a place where someone actually cooks for you. You pay them, and they feed you.”
Blaze pondered a moment, then: “Are there many people in a place like this who don’t know how to cook for themselves?”
This time Ring allowed himself to laugh. “Yes, I’m afraid so. But there are also folks who are too busy, or don’t have the equipment.”
“People who are too busy to cook,” Blaze repeated, as if to herself.
They continued along the street to a two-story wood building with a porch on the first floor, and a balcony on the second. Blaze looked up in awe.
“This is the boardin’house, if you’d like to come in,” Ring said. He dismounted and helped Sandy to do the same.
Blaze found herself torn between being too intimidated to enter such a grand structure, and wanting to look presentable for Ring’s mother. She chose, finally, to try to improve her appearance.
Like the gentleman he was, Ring held the door for her, but Blaze stopped.
“Thank you, but you … you and Sandy go in first.”
Ring understood. He let Sandy pass him and followed. Blaze entered last, timidly. When she entered the lobby, she caught her breath.
The furniture was the first thing she noticed. Never had she dreamed there could be anything like it. In a corner by the window, two deeply cushioned, maroon couches faced each other. There was a large palm tree in a polished bronze pot. On the far side of the room was what appeared to be a long desk. On the wall behind the desk were a number of small, mysterious cubicles. She watched Ring walk up to the desk and speak to the man behind it.
Blaze of Lightning Roar of Thunder Page 5