Christmas in Winter Valley

by Jodi Thomas

  This misunderstanding with her boys could wait awhile. If Cooper was coming home from the hospital, she’d have to get ready. Tye wouldn’t be in until late. They’d talk to the boys tomorrow.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  December 20

  HAYLEY WAITED FOR Tye by the trailer. The horses were loaded. All was ready. But when she saw the cowboy storming toward her, she knew something was very wrong.

  “What is it?”

  “Nothing,” he snapped. “Let’s get on the road.”

  “I’m driving.” She didn’t give him time to argue. She climbed in and they headed toward the hills.

  “The roads are wet,” she said as they began their journey. “It’ll take us longer to get there this time.”

  Glancing over at him, she could tell Tye couldn’t care less about the roads. “At least it’s turning out to be a clear day,” she added.

  Even less interest.

  “Can you really handle wild mustangs?”

  Finally, she’d caught his attention. “I can, but if one of them kicks me in the head, don’t bother to save me. I’m a walking dead man.”

  “Want to talk about it?” She liked the idea of hearing about someone else’s problem.

  “No.”

  It took a few miles of silence, but he finally broke. “It won’t do any good to talk. No matter what I do, it’ll be the wrong thing. I finally find someone worth caring about, and it flies out the window in a blink. I don’t blame the boys. I blame me for losing my hat. I should have left it on my head. If I fight, she’ll hate me. If I don’t, she’ll hate me.”

  Hayley nodded. “I’m glad we’re not talking about this.”

  “Good. You’d just kill brain cells conversing with me. If I wasn’t already going with you I’d be headed to the nearest bar right now. This is a problem I’d rather see through a whiskey fog.”

  She shrugged. “I can feel a few brain cells dying right now just thinking about talking about it, whatever it is. Maybe we should change the subject?”

  “I agree.”

  They were silent for ten minutes, and then he said, “Sorry. My problem, not yours.”

  “That thing we’re not talking about?”

  “Yes. I usually don’t let things get to me.”

  “You got a friend you can call and talk to? I’ll pretend I’m not listening. We’ve got a while before the signal dies. You could make a call.”

  “Nope. No friends.”

  She shrugged. “Me, either. I had friends when I was in high school, but they’ve changed, or I’ve changed. Maybe a little of both. Now all I talk about is my work, and all they talk about is breastfeeding. Apparently, it’s not as easy as it looks. The friends I know who don’t have babies talk about how terrible their husbands are.”

  Tye looked over at her and smiled. “I can see your problem, and I don’t want to hear about it.”

  “I thought if I told you mine, you’d feel comfortable telling me yours.”

  “Not happening, Doc.”

  Hayley figured the only way to have a chance at a normal conversation with Tye was to change the subject. “You from around here?”

  He looked at her like she’d just asked him to dance, but then he seemed to get the hint. “Not really. I think my dad grew up in the Panhandle. He circled through here, working the oil fields, after I was born.”

  Hayley smiled. Her plan was working.

  “I noticed your drawing pad while I was waiting for you. You’re sketching this area?”

  Tye flipped the old notebook under the seat. “It’s not mine. My grandfather liked to draw, I guess. The place where he stayed sent it to me after he died.”

  “I recognize a few of the places. The ranch gate with the Circle M brand looked familiar. Almost like the Maverick gate here.”

  “Yeah, but it’s not just like the one over the Maverick entrance. I looked again the other day just to make sure.”

  “Right, but there’s another entrance down by the south pasture. I don’t think it was ever used, except for hauling cattle in and out, but it’s got a bar over the cattle guard. Welded to the bar is a Circle M brand that looks just like the one in the picture. At one time it must have fallen off, and someone reattached it with barbed wire. Look in the book. You can even make the wire out.”

  Tye retrieved the book. After several pages, he found the drawing of a pasture. The dirt road. The entrance had three poles over the cattle guard as its gate. They were high enough that a truck might have passed. In the center of the cross pole was a rough symbol of the Holloways’ brand. Hayley was right. As Tye looked closely, he saw a line of barbed wire holding it in place.

  “When I get back, I’ll go see if it’s still there. If you’re right, it means my grandfather came here in the nineties and must have drawn it from memory.”

  “Were you two close?”

  “No, I barely remember him.” Tye hesitated and then must have decided to be honest. “He died in prison, but the notebook only just made it to me. What about the other gate with the outline of a horse on his back legs? You ever see that?”

  “I can’t remember that, but I could ask Pops. He’s driven down every back road for a hundred miles. If it’s guarding the gate of a ranch around here, he’s seen it.”

  “Only this notebook is at least thirty years old. What are the chances it’s still there?”

  She slowed just a little and looked at the ex–rodeo star. “I wouldn’t think you’d be one to back down from a challenge, no matter the odds.”

  “You’re right.” He straightened in the seat and lowered his hat just the way a bronc rider did before the gate swung. “Come to think of it, I’m not.”

  Hayley had a feeling they were not talking about the lost ranch gates.

  “If you need a friend to help find a few things in that book, I’ll be happy to tag along. Two heads are better than one. Thanks to my pops, every ranch welcomes me in.”

  Tye was no fool. “You’ve got some time on your hands if you’re making me that offer. I’m guessing you’re about as low on friends as I am right now. I wouldn’t mind having another set of eyes, but don’t start up on that breastfeeding story again.”

  “Promise. We can start with an old map I have at the clinic.”

  As they reached her red Jeep, Tye turned all his attention to the job at hand. He let her guide him through the trees to the shack, then he looked after their horses while she climbed to the top of the hill.

  From there she could see Winter Valley. The beauty of it took her breath away. No wonder Cooper came up here for almost a month every year. Nothing in her view had been touched by man. It was like she’d stepped back in time.

  When she turned, she saw the roof of the shack and the little corral beside it. No one was around. The two horses that had been in the corral were gone. As she scanned the area, she could see the making of a crude corral tucked away just before the valley curved out of her sight.

  That had to be where the mustangs were kept waiting for her. She rushed down to their horses. They loaded as much medicine as they could carry, and Tye even strapped the pack of food they’d brought to his back, and they started down to the valley.

  Now it was Tye leading the way, picking the path, determining the speed. Hayley considered herself a good horsewoman, but Tye seemed almost one with his mount. About halfway down it occurred to her that he talked to the horses far more than he’d ever talked to her.

  She understood. That was why she’d become a vet. Animals were easier to talk to. Easier to get close to. Easier to love.

  They were almost to the water when they heard laughter. Hayley turned to see Dallas and Creed racing toward them on horseback. Both tall and lean, the couple looked like they were born to ride.

  “About time you got back,” Dallas shouted. “We’ve been working for days
. How is Cooper? Did you bring something to eat? I don’t do canned food.”

  Creed looked at Dallas, then grinned at Hayley. “She’s been living on cookies for days. Sugar high most of the time. We ran out of cookies at breakfast, and I feared we may be living the Donner Party replay by dark.”

  “We brought lunch and we’re here to help.” Hayley swung from her saddle. “How about we eat and talk about all you’ve done so far? Then, I’m guessing we’ve got eight hours of daylight left. With four of us working, we should be able to help the mustangs.”

  As she helped Tye unload his pack of sandwiches and fruit, Dallas whined, “I was afraid you were going to say that. Creed seems to think a day’s work is dawn to dark. I have got to teach him to tell time. No one starts before nine, and work should be over by happy hour.” She squealed, “The bottom of your pack is lined with health bars. I’m going to live!”

  They sat by the river and ate lunch. Dallas acted like it was a great feast and hinted that maybe they should make it an annual event. “Who knew that the outdoors could be so interesting?” she confessed. “I thought it was just something to pass through.”

  Creed talked about how they’d been able to round up almost all of the mustangs, but he’d still like a few days more to go deeper into the canyon. “Dallas was a great help. She’d close the gate while I herded them in.”

  Tye seemed to relax around Creed. Hayley decided the two men were very much alike. Both were loners.

  As they rode toward the corral, Creed told Tye he’d built another holding pen in a small box canyon about a mile back. Thanks to Dallas’s help, they had all the horses they’d found inside the corrals. Only they were so wild he hadn’t been able to get within ten feet of them on foot, so none had shots or wounds doctored.

  Tye nodded. “Mind if I give it a try?”

  Creed waved him toward the corral. “We’ll step back and stay quiet.” Then, to Hayley’s surprise, he circled his arm around Dallas’s waist and lifted her up on a huge rock. “If the horses stampede, you’ll need to be up here.”

  Dallas didn’t move. No matter what happened, she’d have the best seat in the house.

  Hayley watched as Tye climbed down from his horse and stepped into the far end of the enclosure. The man truly must have a death wish. She thought she heard Tye humming, as if he was simply taking a walk, as he moved slowly toward the herd at the other end. Now and then, he stopped and stood as still as a post.

  The mustangs began to circle, bunching up, kicking their hind legs like teenagers showing off. They might not like him so close, but they didn’t see him as a threat.

  Tye circled with them, drawing a foot closer with each round they made.

  “I’ve never seen a man do that,” Creed whispered, as he joined Dallas on the rock. “He’s not challenging them. He’s joining them.”

  Hayley stayed on her horse. She had faith that Tye knew what he was doing, but if the mustangs broke the barrier, she’d be safer joining the run.

  As they circled, the mustangs began to slow. Now Tye was close enough to touch them, but he kept his arms close to his body. He wasn’t advancing or threatening; he was linking, almost as if he was becoming part of the herd.

  Finally, the horses stopped, but he continued to move slowly among them. A few butted him with their heads. Tye brushed them slightly with his shoulder. When he came close to Hayley, he said in a calm voice, “Get the shots ready and I’ll do the job.”

  “No,” she said as she slipped from her horse and crossed into the corral, following exactly how he moved. “I want to learn this.”

  Out of the corner of her vision, she saw Creed helping Dallas down. The threat of a stampede was over.

  One by one, Creed handed Hayley the supplies as she and Tye moved among the beautiful animals. A few complained about the shot, but it seemed to bother them little more than a bug bite.

  Once, Hayley took a nudge that knocked her down.

  She stayed still and rolled in a ball as the animal’s hooves came within inches of her. Tye moved gradually toward her, but she stayed calm; she knew she’d be in serious danger if either of them spooked the herd.

  When he reached her, he didn’t pull her up, but stood over her as she slowly got first to her knees, then to her feet.

  “Thanks,” she whispered.

  “Anytime, Doc.” He smiled at her. “Seven more to go, I think—then we move to the next corral.”

  He stayed closer to her after that. When they were finished, they smiled and ran for the fence. He swung her over, then jumped, laughing as he rolled.

  Looking back at the mustangs, Tye said, “They’re glad we’re gone. They tolerated us because they didn’t see us as a threat.”

  Creed was fascinated. “Next round, I’m going in. I’ve got to learn this. Last year it took Cooper and me hours to check five or six horses. We’d have to rope them first, then there was a real fight to settle them down.”

  Dallas was the only one who wouldn’t get close to the horses, but she did pass the needed supplies through the fence.

  “When we finish with the next corral, we’ll take the fences down on both at the same time. Otherwise the free horses will rile the penned ones up, and a horse might get hurt breaking out.” Tye nodded once to Creed.

  “I agree, but before we let them free, I want to make sure Dallas and the doc are heading up.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  In the late afternoon, Tye opened the far corral. A moment later, Creed dropped the gate on the other. They both mounted up and raced back to the shack. When they got there, Dallas had dinner cooked. Canned chili and fruit left over from lunch. They all talked about the beauty of the place and the fun they’d had.

  Creed stood as Tye and the doc packed up. “You sure you want to ride through the trees? It’ll be dark soon.”

  “We know the way,” Hayley said. “If I cover this ride many more times, it’ll be a regular trail. If we hurry, we should just make open land by dark.”

  “I packed flashlights.” Tye pitched one to the doc. “Once we get out of the trees, the rest will be easy. The moon will probably offer us enough light on a clear night like this. I got lights on my trailer, so loading up the horses will be no problem.”

  “I think I’ll stay a few days.” Creed looked around him. “This place grows on me. Tell Elliot I’ll be down before the next snow hits.”

  Dallas frowned and looked straight at Creed. “Well, if you’re staying, I’m staying. We’ll be down when the health bars run out.”

  Creed’s voice came quick and loud for once. “Great. I thought I’d get some peace and quiet.”

  Hayley didn’t miss the smile on the foreman’s face. It was obvious that Creed didn’t mind at all if Dallas stayed.

  She and Tye were picking their way through the trees as the last rays of the sun showed them the way. “Do you think there’s something between those two?”

  “No,” he said too quickly. “What could they possibly have in common?”

  “Love’s a funny thing, I guess.”

  “No argument from me.”

  Whatever had been bothering him on the drive up had settled now. They talked all the way home. When they finally made it back to the headquarters, she kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for saving my life out there.”

  “Anytime.” He shifted. “And, Doc, if you ever need to talk, I’ll listen, even if it’s about breastfeeding.”

  “Thanks. If I see the outline of a horse on a gate, I’ll let you know. You’re close, Tye. Some of those scenes look like Crossroads.”

  “I might go into town and have a look. Then maybe I’ll drive a few dusty roads and see what I find.”

  “You do that. Drop by the clinic when you do. The coffeepot is always on.” She walked into the house and noticed he turned toward the barn. It had to be close to ten, but
the cowboy planned to check on the mare and her colt before he turned in.

  Hayley grinned. She’d made a friend today.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  December 20

  TYE LED THE two horses they’d ridden all day into Sunny Barn. Though they were working horses, not the fancy show ones Sunlan bred, Tye thought they deserved a bit of pampering. He’d brush them down and make sure they had oats tonight.

  A memory of his first job drifted into his mind. He’d been sixteen, and he’d talked his way into working on a ranch north of Amarillo. The rancher was a tough old guy but fair, and Tye had been as green as they came.

  Every evening when they made it back from working cattle, the owner of the ranch did the same thing his men did before he called it a night. “You take care of your horse first, no matter what, and you never pass it off to someone else unless you’re bleeding,” he’d said.

  The old guy had taught him a great deal that year, and not once had he ever raised his voice in anger.

  Tye set his gear on one of the empty saddle racks as he worked. About the time he finished checking their hooves, he heard footsteps coming from the main barn door.

  In one easy movement, he stepped out of the stall and lifted the lariat from the saddle horn. Friends would just walk in. Strangers might tiptoe. But trouble thundered.

  Whoever was coming his way was coming fast. The hammering of boots echoed across the open space.

  The rope flowed as easy in Tye’s hands as a saber blended into a fencer’s grip.

  “We’ve come to end this right now, Franklin!” Pete’s words echoed off the tin wall as if a crowd followed him. “You’ll give us your word you’ll never go near our mother again, or we plan to beat the idea out of your head.”

  “Yeah!” Patrick said, looking a bit confused with their plan.