Redemption on Rivers Ranch

by Kathy Douglass

  Carson instructed them on how to dismount, then stood by, ready to assist if they needed help. When they were back standing on the ground, Justin rubbed his horse’s neck. “Bye, Peanut Butter.”

  “Why are you saying bye?” Carson asked. “There’s more to riding horses than what you’ve done. You need to take care of your horse.”

  “How do we do that?” Sophia asked.

  “You mean we get to hang around here longer?” Justin asked, his eyes brightening.

  “I’ll show you,” Carson replied to Sophia before turning to Justin. “And yes, you get to hang around longer.”

  He handed each child the lead rope for their horse and then grabbed the leads for the other two animals. He gave one to Gabriella and kept the other for himself. They led the horses into the stables, where Carson showed the children how to remove the saddles. Neither Sophia nor Justin was strong enough to lift the saddles on their own, so Carson provided the necessary assistance. Gabriella was distracted by the way Carson’s muscles bulged beneath his cotton shirt and she nearly dropped Beauty’s saddle.

  He glanced up, caught her staring and lifted his eyebrows. Although she felt her cheeks heating and knew her face was decidedly redder, Gabriella held his gaze. It couldn’t possibly be the first time he’d noticed a woman gawking at him. Looking like he did, he had to be used to it by now. Gabriella turned her attention back to her task. Once they’d put the saddles and blankets away, Carson showed the kids how to brush their horses. The kids tackled the chore with enthusiasm, and Gabriella had a feeling the horses were about to get the brushing of a lifetime.

  Carson sidled up to her. “Your kids really are great.”

  “Thanks. And thank you for spending so much time with them. Riding horses has been the highlight of their year.” In truth, it had probably been the highlight of their past two years.

  Reggie had done a number on them when he’d moved out. Gabriella hadn’t been the only one taken by surprise when he’d announced he wanted a divorce. The kids had been shocked and cried when he’d left, asking over and over what they’d done wrong. It had to be something terrible if their daddy no longer wanted to live with them. Gabriella had done her best to assure them that they weren’t at fault, but she’d been reeling herself, so no doubt she hadn’t been very convincing. But since she’d been asking herself the same questions, she’d understood where they’d been coming from.

  It was only when Reggie had admitted that he’d never loved her that she’d stopped wondering what she could have done differently. In that moment she’d stopped hoping for a reconciliation. She wouldn’t waste her love on someone who’d never loved her. Her kids had been brokenhearted and she’d focused on healing them. In moments like these, when they were so happy, she felt like she had made some progress.

  “I’ve had a good time myself. It’s been a while since I taught riding lessons.”

  “You gave lessons?”

  He nodded.

  “No wonder you’re so good at it.” She glanced at her kids. They were brushing the horses inch by inch. Justin’s brow was furrowed in concentration and Sophia was nibbling her bottom lip, a sign that she was completely involved in her task. “Would you be interested in giving my kids regular lessons?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’ll pay you, of course.”

  He looked shocked and slightly offended, which surprised her. “I don’t want your money, Gabriella.”

  “Did you charge other people?”

  “Of course. It was a school.”

  “Then you can charge me, too. I have money.”

  “We’re friends.”

  “Exactly. Friends don’t take advantage of each other.”

  “The thing is, I’m not sure about restarting lessons. I’d gotten away from it. Let’s keep it casual for the time being. That way I can discover if I want to get back into teaching, and Sophia and Justin can discover if they really want to learn to ride. The novelty might wear off. Or they might decide that taking care of horses is too much work.”

  She thought for a second. “That makes sense.”

  “I’m glad you agree.” He playfully poked her shoulder. “I’d hate to have to tickle you until you saw things my way.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  When they’d been kids, Carson had been incredibly ticklish. They’d never argued, but on the rare occasion when she hadn’t been able to get him to go along with her plans, she would tickle him into submission. It was only after he’d discovered that she was even more ticklish than he was that he’d had a chance of getting his way.

  Grinning devilishly, he wiggled his fingers and took a step in her direction.

  She knew that look all too well. Letting out a squeal, she ducked under his arm and then ran for the relative safety her kids provided. Laughing and calling her a chicken, Carson followed.

  Carson inspected the horses and then looked at the kids. “I don’t think they’ve ever been brushed this well before. Good job.”

  “It was fun,” Sophia said.

  “We can do it every day if you need us to,” Justin said. “We can brush all of your horses. Plus, we know how to do lots of other stuff, too.”

  Gabriella’s heart pinched at her son’s eagerness. He longed for a man’s attention. Clearly he hoped Carson would fill the hole Reggie’s absence had created.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Carson led the horses to their stalls. Justin and Sophia were right behind him, never taking their eyes off him for a moment. When he checked the horses’ hooves for rocks, they were standing so close that Gabriella worried they might get injured if the animal made a sudden move.

  “So what are we going to do now?” Justin asked, once the horses were secure and everyone was standing outside in the sunshine once more. Apparently, he planned to make a day of it.

  “We’re going home so Carson can get to work,” Gabriella announced. She didn’t want Carson to think they intended to monopolize his time. It might be Saturday, but she knew work on the ranch didn’t stop for the weekend.

  “Aw,” Sophia and Justin moaned in unison. “But we’re having fun.”

  “You can still have fun. You’re just going to have to do it at home. Now say thank you.”

  “Thanks, Carson,” they replied dutifully. They looked mournful, but Gabriella held her ground. She didn’t want to overstay their welcome.

  “You’re welcome,” Carson replied. He glanced at their sad faces and then continued, “If you’re not too busy tomorrow, you can come over and ride again.”

  “We’re not too busy,” Justin said.

  “Then I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow,” Gabriella echoed, feeling as hopeful as Justin and Sophia. Though she tried not to read too much into his offer, the word held such promise.

  The decision to come to Sweet Briar was looking better by the minute.

  * * *

  Carson stood still, watching as Gabriella and her kids walked home. He didn’t look away until he could no longer see them.

  Why had he invited them to come back tomorrow? Hadn’t he decided that he wasn’t going to involve anyone else in his life? But there was something about Gabriella and her kids that he couldn’t resist. Today he’d felt happier than he’d been in a long time. Gabriella was just as easy to be around now as when they’d been kids. He’d come to grips with being all alone and had accepted that he was going to live the rest of his life that way. But being with Gabriella had him reconsidering. Maybe he wouldn’t have to live a solitary life. At least not this summer.

  It wasn’t just losing Raven, since she hadn’t really been his to begin with. Even when he’d proposed to her, he’d known that her heart belonged to another. But Donovan had disappeared years before and hadn’t been heard from. Carson had been convinced that once they married Raven would come to love h
im. Then Donovan returned, only days after Carson’s father had died. Once the truth was out, it was only a matter of time before Donovan and Raven had reconciled.

  Carson had been hurt at the time, but once it had become common knowledge that his father was a murderer, he’d had other things to worry about. Carson had become a pariah. Or so it seemed to him. His friends had stood by him. But even if only a handful of people had decided he was persona non grata, that had been enough to make him rule out bringing a woman into his life to share in his ostracism. That had been true then and it was still true now. Especially a woman with kids. They didn’t need to endure the pain that would come from being associated with him.

  He accepted that intellectually, but, judging from the way his body reacted whenever Gabriella came near and the warmth that filled him just thinking of her, his heart hadn’t gotten the message.

  Carson shook himself. Gabriella hadn’t expressed an interest in being anything other than friends. Hell, she’d even wanted to pay him to teach her kids to ride, as if he were nothing more to her than an employee. But he couldn’t focus on that now. He had jobs that needed to be completed before sunset. He intended to work so hard that the sound of Gabriella’s laughter, the sight of her smile, the feel of her hand beneath his and her sweet scent were no longer even distant memories. With any luck, that would kill the intense longing she’d awakened in him.

  If not, he was in for a long summer.

  Chapter Five

  The next two weeks passed quickly. The kids were enjoying their time in North Carolina, especially the time they spent with Carson and his horses. They were still as thrilled to learn to ride as they’d said they would be.

  When it became clear that the children were committed, Carson scheduled their lessons for midmorning several days a week. Gabriella had no doubt that he was interrupting his regular activities, but since he didn’t complain she wouldn’t mention it. After the first few lessons, the kids were able to guide their horses without assistance. As a precaution, Carson walked between them.

  Justin hadn’t mentioned missing swim practice once. He was too busy learning how to ride or taking care of Peanut Butter. After the first day, he’d asked to give his horse water and lay hay in the stall. Carson had employees whose job it was to do that, but Justin had been so enthusiastic that Carson had let him do it. Not wanting to be left behind, Sophia took on the extra chores, too. Her kids were turning into ranch kids, right before her eyes.

  Today she was sitting in her usual spot on the top rail where she could see everything without being a distraction. She’d dressed in jeans, a cotton shirt and her new boots. It looked like she was turning into a ranch mom, too. After they’d made one circuit, Carson called over to her, “I’m going to ride beside the kids now. Do you want to give Beauty a try?”

  She hopped down from the fence, and joined him and the kids. Riding sounded more fun than watching. Truthfully, she’d been aching to ride. “Why not?”

  “Give me a minute.” He disappeared into the barn and returned with two saddles. He quickly put one on the horse. After getting on, Gabriella adjusted her stirrups and rode over to the children. Carson followed.

  “I thought you said you were riding.”

  “I am.” He let out a loud, long whistle. Excalibur lifted his head and trotted over. Carson put the remaining saddle on his stallion.

  “Wow. He’s trained,” Justin said.

  “Yes.” Carson swung into the saddle in one graceful move.

  “Impressive,” Gabriella said. Seeing man and horse together, Gabriella was filled with an emotion that she couldn’t name and wasn’t sure she wanted to.

  “Will he come if I whistle for him?” Justin asked.

  Carson shook his head. “He only comes for me.”

  If Justin was disappointed, he shook it off. “Are you and Mom riding with us?”

  “Yes. And since you guys are such fast learners, I thought we’d see a little bit of the ranch. But remember everything I taught you. You have to be calm and keep control of your horses.”

  “We can do that,” Justin said, and Sophia nodded.

  “Your mother can lead. Justin, you follow her. Sophia, follow your brother. And I’ll be last.”

  Sophia grinned. “You’re the caboose of the horse train.”

  “I guess that’s one way of looking at it.”

  “Where are we riding?” Gabriella asked.

  “How about to the old double tree? Do you still remember the way?”

  “Of course.” It had been years since she’d been riding on Rivers Ranch, but much like the memories she and Carson had created together, the layout was etched in her mind. Emblazoned on her soul.

  Gabriella had observed her children’s lessons and knew their abilities and limitations, so she set a moderate pace. It would be slightly challenging, but they would be able to keep up. Given the length of time since she’d been on a horse, she was surprised at how natural she felt. A sense of freedom filled her, and she yearned to let Beauty race across the open land. She wouldn’t, though, because her kids didn’t ride well enough to keep up with her.

  She lifted her face to the sky, letting the sun warm her skin. Memories of other rides she and Carson had taken over the years filled her mind, and she smiled. Those days had been so happy. So carefree. Days when her only worry had been whether Aunt Mildred would make her favorite dessert.

  After about twenty minutes, the double tree came into sight. What had started off as two trees growing separately had turned into two trees growing together. The branches wrapped around each other, making each tree stronger. She and Carson had spent many lovely afternoons sitting under that tree, eating sandwiches and cookies and scheming about ways for him to get out of doing his chores. Sometimes they’d run around, but mostly they’d talked. And talked. They’d never run out of things to say. She’d shared her deepest secrets with him without ever worrying that he’d betray her confidence. Only now, when she didn’t have a confidante, did she realize how valuable his friendship had been.

  They reached the trees, and she slid from Beauty’s back. Sophia and Justin had learned how to properly dismount, but she still watched until they were standing firmly on the ground.

  “It really is a double tree,” Justin said, removing his helmet. He freed his cowboy hat from the satchel attached to the saddle, checked its shape and then placed it on his head.

  “It looks like the trees are hugging,” Sophia said.

  “Yep,” Carson said, joining them. “Your mother and I used to ride out here all the time when we were only a little bit older than you.”

  “What would you do out here?”

  “Talk. Play.”

  “Weren’t there any other boys around here?” Justin asked. Clearly he couldn’t understand why Carson would want to hang out with a girl unless he’d had no other option. His question also made it apparent to Gabriella that Sophia and Justin needed other kids to play with.

  Carson slung his arm around Gabriella’s shoulder and pulled her to his side. His enticing scent encircled her, and she had to remind herself that they were just friends. Buddies. Pals. Even so, she fought back a sigh when Carson released her and stepped away. “Sure, but your mother was my best friend. At least in the summertime.”

  “Speaking of kids,” Gabriella interrupted. “We drove by the youth center when we were in Sweet Briar. Do you know anything about it?”

  “Yes. I know the director. Joni’s a nice woman and very popular with the kids. They adore her. The whole town does.”

  The little green monster poked Gabriella in the side at the admiration in Carson’s voice. She shoved it down. So what if Carson admired the other woman. If she was thinking of entrusting her children to Joni’s care, she should be someone who was thought highly of. Besides, she could be sixty years old. Or better yet, the mirror image of a troll.

 
“Would you introduce us? I know we can probably just walk into the center, but I would feel better having a friend with me. And as a reward, I’ll cook dinner for you.”

  Carson hesitated and Gabriella worried that she’d overstepped. It had been so easy to fall back into the close relationship she and Carson had enjoyed as children that she’d thought he felt the same. Maybe he didn’t share her sense of familiarity. Perhaps he was only being polite to her and her kids.

  “When were you planning on going?”

  “Anytime that works for you.”

  “We can go this afternoon. I have a couple of things to do, but they shouldn’t take more than forty-five minutes or so.”

  “And dinner? Surely you must be tired of eating frozen meals.”

  He laughed and a shiver danced down her spine. “You have no idea.”

  The kids had wandered off and were now chasing butterflies, so Gabriella called them back over. When she told them that they were going to visit the youth center they cheered, evidently delighted at the prospect of making new friends.

  They went back to Carson’s house in the same order as they’d ridden to the tree. Once they were back, they bypassed the corral and went straight to the stables. The kids knew how to care for the horses and did so carefully. Carson had told them that if they treated Angel and Peanut Butter with love, the horses would feel it and love them in return. Sophia had taken his words to heart and she lavished Angel with attention, talking to the horse as she brushed her.

  “I’ll drop by your house in an hour or so,” Carson said when they were finished.

  “We’ll be ready.”

  Gabriella and the kids took quick showers, ate a small snack and were sitting on the front porch when Carson walked into view. The kids ran to greet him and grabbed him by his hands, pulling him across the long driveway and up the stairs.

  “Carson is here,” Justin said as if she could miss six-foot-plus of good-looking male standing right in front of her.

  “I see. Let me grab my purse and lock the door.”