The cow didn’t listen. Ellie heard the whistle again, but she didn’t want to turn back and look. Instead, she covered her eyes and screamed. She waited for the cow to crash into her, so she hunkered down as close to the smelly ground as she could.
Suddenly, a shot rang out and Ellie knew for sure she was dead as she felt her body flying through the air.
Foolish woman!
Owen could not believe when Everett yelled that there was a woman walking through the field where Cocoa was kept. He stood on the rail to get a better look and sure enough, there was a woman walking through the field and dodging cow pies.
No doubt it was the city-slicker. Anyone who had been on a ranch before knew you never entered the bullpen.
He waved his hat to get her attention, but she waved back and kept going. She had been under his skin since the first moment he saw her outside the mercantile. When he found her at the Hartmans, he was annoyed that someone so beautiful would be visiting the family’s rivals. He knew if she was affiliated with the Hartmans, then he would never have a chance to get to know her.
Admittedly, having her come back to stay at the house was partially selfish. He knew she had been engaged to Frank, but he wanted her for his own.
But when he finally caught a look at her as he poured water for her bath, he knew he could fall under the spell of being her protector for always.
She was dangerous and he didn’t need anything distracting him from his ranch. The stage couldn’t come fast enough.
This afternoon he had been training one of the wild herd horses by using a training animal in the ring with it. Splinter was the perfect horse for the task. A dapple gray, she was smaller than most other horses and she preferred to trot instead of gallop. She rarely made jerky movements to excite the other horses.
She was also the only horse available to him in this emergency. He hopped off the railing and whistled to Oliver to open the gate. He said a prayer that Cocoa hadn’t noticed her as he hopped onto the bare back of Splinter.
His hands held the leather straps of Splinter’s harness and fistfuls of her mane as he broke from the pen and turned in the direction of the northern pasture. As he passed his brother, Everett tossed him a rifle. Owen didn’t hesitate to put it under his arm as he spurred Splinter into a run.
He dug his heels into her side urging her to go faster. It would have been easier with a saddle, but he had ridden bareback before. She jumped over the barbed wire fencing, into the pen with ease.
Owen’s heart went into his throat as he saw Cocoa charging Ellie. He slowed the horse just enough to lift the rifle up to his shoulder and aim for the bull’s backside. He pulled the trigger and the bull halted and shifted directions. It was just enough for Owen to reach down and grab Ellie, throwing her over his lap.
He could hear her cries.
“I’m dying!” she said, trying to wiggle from his lap. He used his rifle to hold her down. The bull, angry over the salt in his hide turned and started racing towards them.
Owen could hear the bull’s throaty snorts as he got closer.
“Yah!” he said, slapping the side of Splinter with his reins. Ellie kept screaming. “Hold on,” he told her as he guided Splinter over the fence into the clearing down by the river.
He pulled on the reins, stopping the horse. His rifle fell to the ground as did Ellie. He saw her round backside in the air as she tried to get up from the ground. The temptation was real.
Dropping to the ground, he grabbed her by the elbow to help her up, but she snapped her arm away from him. Her hat, some frilly thing with a feather on it, sat skewed on her head. Her hair which was nicely coiled before her ride was now falling from the pins that held it in place.
Her jacket was smeared with dirt, as were her riding pants and boots. She lifted her head to the sky and howled.
“Hush,” he said. “Everyone will hear you.” Perhaps it was harsher than he intended as it only made her scream louder.
Her cheeks were turning bright red. If she didn’t take a breath, she would pass out right there along the river.
“Please, Ellie,” he pleaded. “Calm down.” He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “You are safe.”
When she still wouldn’t respond, Owen did the only thing he could think of to make her stop crying. He cupped her chin in his hands and he kissed her.
Chapter Twelve
It had been two days since that kiss that took them both by surprise. It was early evening and Ellie used her foot to push the swing back and forth. The sun was starting to set, but it wasn’t quite twilight. It would be a few hours before daylight disappeared. The silhouettes of the cowboys dotted the pastures as the sun sunk lower in the sky.
She heard that Frank had been buried that morning. His saddle was found under a tree near the river, along with his bedroll and the remnants of a small campfire. Doc Mueller noticed several rattlesnake bites on Frank’s arms and legs. There were too many bites to be just one snake, so it was determined that he must have disturbed a snake den when he made his camp for the night.
None of the Chapmans attended the funeral. Marmee wanted to go console her friend, but Weston insisted she stay home.
Owen was avoiding her.
After the incident with Cocoa, Ellie felt a fountain of emotion erupt in her that she couldn’t contain.
She screamed.
She screamed everything she had been feeling over the past few months.
She screamed at knowing Arlo got married.
She screamed for Frank.
She screamed for her life not turning out as she planned.
She screamed because she was only going to be in Flat River a few more days and she didn’t want to go back home.
She screamed because she realized that she truly did desire love and a family, but now her opportunity was gone again.
When Owen kissed her, her entire world tilted. It stopped her screaming, which she was sure was his plan, but something shifted inside her.
It was her first kiss. Arlo insisted on waiting until marriage; something Ellie was grateful for now as she couldn’t imagine how his wet lips would compare to the first kiss Owen Chapman planted on her.
When she stopped crying he pulled back enough to allow her to take a deep breath. As he pulled away, Ellie did the unthinkable. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back in.
He resisted only for a moment and then his lips claimed hers with something she could only describe as fiery desire. She clung to him and put all her feelings and frustrations into that kiss. It was cathartic, but then blazed into something more.
The sound of hooves pulled them out of their embrace as Oliver rode up, pulling Winchester behind him. Ellie hid behind Owen in embarrassment. What had overtaken her?
He put her on Winchester and swung up behind her. Oliver took the leads on the dapple and headed back to the barn. Owen led Ellie on a slow walk by the river. They didn’t speak.
Ellie relished the feel of Owen’s arms around her, holding her tight. She leaned back and rested her head on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat slow and steady.
When they arrived back at the barn, Owen helped her to the ground. He still didn’t say a word. Ellie could see his jaw was clenched as he started to lead Winchester back in the barn.
“Owen,” she called softly.
Owen turned and looked at her. His eyes filled with an emotion Ellie had never seen. It looked part anguish, part desire.
“Go to the house, Ellie.” His voice was thick.
“But…”
“Now.”
That single word sent Ellie running back to the house to the protection of her borrowed room, where she stayed the rest of the evening, poring over the letters from Frank, wishing they were from someone else.
Now she sat rocking on a bench swing attached to the porch by thick ropes, contemplating her future. She wished she could at least talk to Owen.
He was definitely avoiding her.
<
br /> Owen wouldn’t even look at her at mealtimes and today he even avoided attending the main meal. She wanted to get his attention, so she did everything she knew.
She pulled out her best yellow dress, even though it was completely inappropriate for the dusty climate. She brushed her hair one-hundred and one strokes with a bristle brush until it shined. She wore it down and simply tied it at her neck with a yellow ribbon that matched her dress.
When he didn’t show, she tried to hide her disappointment. Oliver was a delightful dinner companion, but he wasn’t … Owen.
She continued to rock and look at the Nebraska landscape. She could tell there was such a sense of peace here, so, why was she feeling all unsettled inside?
The front door opened pulling her out of her thoughts. Alice walked out with two cups in her hand.
“I thought you might like this,” she said, handing one of the cups to Ellie.
“Thank you,” Ellie said, stopping the swing long enough for Alice to sit down, before starting the light rocking once more.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, sipping tea. The tea had a sweet smoky flavor about it that Ellie couldn’t quite identify. It was very strong, but after a few sips became rather pleasant. Finally, Ellie spoke.
“What’s in this?”
“Molasses.”
That explained the smoky flavor.
“Is that a western thing? Using molasses instead of sugar?”
Alice took a sip from the cup. “No. It is an Owen and Oliver thing.”
“How so?”
“They keep stealing the sugar cubes for their horses.”
Ellie laughed.
Alice was a very pretty girl. She had beautiful curls, the color of summer wheat, with large blue eyes. She wore a blue checkered dress with a white lace collar and worn black boots.
“Did you live in Atlanta all your life?” Alice asked.
Ellie nodded. “I did. I went to a private girl’s school and then I studied to be a governess.”
“Why weren’t you?”
“I became engaged. And married women didn’t work.”
Alice let forth a scoff. “Every married woman works around here.”
“This is a whole different lifestyle.”
“I hate it.”
The words were so soft Ellie had to pause to hear them.
“Nebraska is beautiful,” Ellie said. “I would never want to leave.”
“It’s wet, dirty, and smelly.” Alice lowered her empty cup to her lap.
“That sounds more like the pastures and livestock, not the entire state.” Alice gave her a little smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Have you ever been to a big city?”
Alice didn’t say anything. She lifted her cup, but realizing it was empty, put it on the railing surrounding the porch.
“I went to San Franciso.”
“How exciting! I heard it is a very busy city. Did you like it?”
“The trip out there was exciting. I had never been on a train before. But once I arrived I didn’t like it at all.” Silence filled the air. “How do you know when you meet the right person? Like the person, you are going to spend the rest of your days with?”
Before Ellie could respond, the sound of horses hooves was heard coming up the lane towards the house.
Alice stood and shielded her eyes to see who was approaching.
“Who is it?” Ellie asked.
“It looks like the Hartmans.”
Ellie stood. Why would they be stopping by?
Alice called into the house for Marmee.
Penny and Marmee joined the small gathering on the porch as Randall and Chat Hartman approached.
“Ingrid,” Randall said, tipping his hat to her.
Marmee moved up to the railing and placed her hands on it. “Randall, I am so sorry about Frank. How’s Verna?”
“Thank you. I’um suppose, she’s holdin’ up as well as can be expected.”
“You give her my regards, now, alright?”
His eyes scanned the women standing on the porch. When he saw Ellie, he paused as if surprised and a frown came over his face. “I’m looking for Weston,” he said gruffly.
“He’s in the barn.”
Randall whispered something to Chat and then guided his horse towards the barn. Chat remained on his horse near the porch.
“How are you doing, Chatten?” Marmee directed to the younger Hartman.
“Well as can be expected, ma’am.”
“We’ve missed seeing you.”
Chat pushed his hat further back. Ellie could see a muscle pulsing in his cheek. He was definitely a handsome man with dark, almost black hair and the start of evening whiskers on his chin. He turned and looked towards the barn, before adjusting his sights back to one woman on the porch. “I guess that couldn’t be helped. But perhaps I can be convinced to stop by more often.”
Marmee didn’t say anything.
Alice leaned over the railing. “Would you like a sarsaparilla while you wait?”
Ellie noticed Chat’s eyes lingered over Alice a moment longer than necessary. “No ma’am, but thank you for offering. I actually came to speak to Miss Brooks, if she has a minute.”
Marmee, Penny, and Alice turned and looked at Ellie. She placed her fingers on the cameo at her throat. “I – I – I don’t know what you would have to say to me.”
“It will only take a minute.”
“We’ll be right inside if you need anything, Ellie,” Marmee said, grabbing Alice by the hand to lead her inside.
Ellie noticed Alice looking over her shoulder at Chat as she was pulled indoors. Chat’s gaze didn’t break until the door was closed.
Interesting.
“How may I help you, Mr. Hartman?”
He slid from his horse and put one foot on the porch, using his bended knee to prop his arms. “Call me Chat.”
“I prefer Mr. Hartman, thank you.”
“You are a funny thing,” he guffawed. “You remind me of a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest, and you are going to make as much noise as you can to get the attention you want.”
“I’ve not done any such thing.”
“I heard you got chased by a bull.”
Ellie stood up from the swing and glared at him. The bench swung back before returning forward and knocking behind her knees. Ellie quickly stepped forward to regain her balance.
She stood up, noticing the twinkle in Chat’s eye. Smoothing her skirt she asked, “How did you hear that?”
“Stories like that have a way of making the rounds rather quickly.”
“Hmmm. Well, Mr. Hartman, I am sure you didn’t come all the way out here to see if I was chased by a bull. So, please state your business.”
“Well, I know Frank brought you all the way out here under the intention of getting married.”
“Yes?”
“Doesn’t seem right, you coming all the way out here only to have to go home.”
“I agree with you. I’d rather not return to Atlanta. Flat River has a charming countenance about it. I’d like to be here for a while longer.” Chat laughed again, shaking his head in disbelief. “May I ask what is so funny?” Ellie inquired.
“All those highfalutin words you use. I don’t know why a beautiful woman like you would come all this way to marry a man like Frank.”
“That was between me and Frank.”
“I read your letters, Miss Brooks.”
Ellie was aghast.
“How dare you!” Her cheeks felt flushed and she shook with embarrassment.
“He had me read some of them before he was going to tell Ma. I just don’t get why a highly-educated woman like you would settle for a stockman like Frank.”
Ellie looked at Chat. She could see the hurt beneath his eyes. “I’m very sorry about your brother. It was my greatest wish to be able to come out here and marry him. Your brother had plans, Mr. Hartman. Frank wanted to start his own ranch. Work his acreage under the Homestead Act. He wa
nted to have children. Raise them close to his parents and siblings.
“I mourn that I will never get to know him apart from the letters he sent me. He appeared to be a hardworking, loyal man.”
Chat nodded. “That he was. I know you are going to be headed back to wherever you came from…” He lifted his eyes in an unanswered question.
“Atlanta.”
“Atlanta. I know you’ll be going back to Atlanta, but I’d like to give you the option of marrying me or one of my brothers. Frank made you a promise and we discussed that one of us should keep Frank’s promise to you.”
“Your brothers?”
“Gives you a choice of me, Baxter, Rex, or Whitney.”
“I know nothing about any of you.”
“Nothing says you can’t get to know us.”
She looked from him to the front door. She saw a flicker of a curtain before turning back to Chat. “I don’t think you have any desire to marry me. In fact, I think your intentions just might be elsewhere.”
Chat straightened up. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” She saw his eyes open wide in surprise. “How about you take me for a wagon ride. I’ll make sure that I have the appropriate chaperone.”
He paused for one second. “Yes ma’am,” he said, grinning.
Elle looked up to see a man striding purposefully towards the front of the house.
Owen.
She felt her heart skip as she could see his muscles flex with every step. She noticed that his walk was very straight, where Oliver tended to have a relaxed walk; as if he was in no hurry to go anywhere.
“Your secret is safe with me, too, Miss Brooks.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Mr. Hartman.” Chat gave a chuckle and pointed to her arm. Her hand was resting on her chest. “Oh,” she said, quickly dropping her arm to her side.
“Hartman!”
“Chapman.”
“What are you doing here? I told you to stay off my land.”
Chat rubbed his jaw. “Well, as far I see, your Pa’s still alive, so that makes it his land.”
Ellie watched Owen open and close his fist. “You don’t have any business here, so I suggest you get going.”
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