9781631053566SpringsDelightBallNC (6 page)

“It’s a sight I never get used
to. It’s different every day and every season.”

Staring at his strong profile,
her smile deepened. “I didn’t realize that your land is nestled by mountains. I
could see the mountain tops from the house, but I thought they were further
away.”

“This land has been in my
family since the Homestead Act of 1862. The ranch was started with 160 acres,
and now is a little over 600 acres. The land is worth more than the cattle but
it’s in my blood. Times might be a bit lean now but that’s just how it goes. There
are good years, and there are years I struggle to hold on.”

“Your family would have been
proud.”

Colt gave her a sad smile. “I
was holding on for Caleb. I figured he’d have a family of his own to pass it
all down to. Now, I just don’t know.”

Spring sidestepped, closing
the gap between them, allowing her shoulder to press gently against his arm.
She hoped to offer comfort, but she just didn’t know if she succeeded. They
stood there and watched the sun disappear. It grew colder, but she didn’t want
to disturb the silence by asking to go in.

“You’re shaking.” The concern
in his voice touched her.

“Just
a bit.
I’d be shaking much more so if you hadn’t bought me
this coat and these boots. Thank you. I’ve never had new boots before, or a
coat. I’ve never had the time or inclination to watch the sunset either, and I
never knew the beauty of it.”

“You are more than welcome.”
Colt reached for her hand, and she automatically put distance between them as
they walked down the hill. “Sandwiches will be fine for dinner since you haven’t
had time for anything else. We’re used to them.”

“Looks like the boys are
already home. Yes, sandwiches are quick. Thank you again.” Before Colt had a
chance to reply, she quickly opened the door and greeted Bibbs and Shady.

All throughout dinner, Colt
studied her until she turned bright red from the attention. At one point, she
wondered if she had a piece of food on her face. It made her uncomfortable, and
her stomach fluttered.

He certainly was a contrary
man. One minute mad as all get out, and then tender the next. The last few days
had their difficulties, but she was certain he had a good heart and it was
something she could carry with her through the doubt. Now if he would stop
staring at her, they might have a nice dinner.

Shady and Bibbs kept
exchanging glances, and it made her wonder. She felt Caleb’s absence keenly in
moments like these. He’d been such a friend to her and would have been the one
she could speak to in this sea of looks. It was still hard to believe that he
was gone. Whatever she felt she knew Colt felt it tenfold.

She served them cake for
dessert since it was her birthday. Even though no one knew, she’d had the best
birthday ever.

After dinner, Colt excused
himself and went out to the barn. Bibbs and Shady said their “good nights” and
went to the hardly-used bunkhouse. Then the house was quiet, almost too quiet.
Colt had been so good to her. Tomorrow she’d make cookies for him as a thank
you for the coat and boots. He’d already given her so much she didn’t expect
more. Colt, Bibbs and Shady had all treated her with respect but she couldn’t
help but be on alert in case of trouble, in case this kindness melted away.
What was it like to simply be able relax and enjoy?

She waited a while for Colt to
return but he stayed in the barn. She could see the lights on across the way.
Finally, she gave in and went to bed. She rolled onto her right side trying to
get comfortable and winced. Her shoulder still hurt like hell. Maybe she’d get
a chance to heal. She couldn’t remember the last time her whole body was bruise
free.

* * * *

Colt leaned against the barn
door waiting for the house lights to go off. He was a coward, but he couldn’t
deal with the feelings that
Spring
brought to the
surface. Women weren’t his forte, but
Spring
was
different. She reminded him of his poor mistreated horses, and he’d have to be
gentle with her. He wished he could fist plant the guy responsible.

Gazing at the house, he
wondered what type of life she’d led. It was bad enough for Caleb to help her
get away from her ex-boyfriend. The light in her bedroom went off, and taking a
deep breath, he headed toward the house.

At least McCoy finally came
over and explained things. Poor little Rachael’s cries tore his heart, and
Winter’s
guilt floored him. His pain had overridden his
judgment in dealing with the
McCoys
. He still
harbored a little resentment, but some of his anger finally drained after they
left. A weight lifted from his shoulders and he was grateful. It had become
almost too much to bear.

Rachael was such a special
girl, offering to get rid of Snoopy. She loved Caleb too. He thought back to
the Winter Dance, smiling as he remembered Rachael yelling, “dip me!” to Caleb.
They’d had a special bond. One time Rachael came to spend the night, and she slid
down the porch banister, landing face first onto the hard, frozen snow. The
only one who she’d take comfort from was Caleb.

He took off his coat and hung
it up next to
Spring’s
. He smiled remembering her
excitement over her new coat and boots. Her blue eyes brightened his day,
perhaps a bit too much. He had a right to still mourn, he had a right to be
angry, and he had a right to hell… he didn’t know.

He liked her too much and that
couldn’t happen. It was never his plan and never his dream. These days he just
wanted to work with his horses and be left alone. Caleb hired her so he’d honor
Caleb’s decision but that was as far as it could go. No more walks together.
They would just be employer and employee.

She was a little bit of a
thing, and whoever hurt her was a fool. First of all, you never hit a woman,
let alone pick on someone so small. He must have beaten the tar out of her. He
was glad Caleb gave her the job, but that was Caleb’s way, kind and generous.
His heart hurt again as he headed for bed. Tomorrow was another day, and it
would be filled with the same pain as today. The first thought of his day would
be
Caleb is dead
. His heart would
plummet and his stomach would be in knots. He’d lay there for a moment wishing
it wasn’t so. He’d bargain with God to bring Caleb back even though he knew it
wasn’t possible. He’d force himself to get up and live. The horses needed him
and now it seemed as though
Spring
needed him too.

* * * *

    
Colt had
already left by the time she woke up. Disappointment filled her to the point
she thought herself crazy. She’d only known him a few days. The coffee was
already made, so she poured herself a cup and glanced out the window at the
barn. How could she miss someone she barely knew?

Cookies were on her agenda for today as well as
finding a cookbook. Bibbs had brought a turkey home with the groceries the
other day, and she needed to figure out how to cook it. She turned the radio on
and switched stations until she found Country music, singing along as she
baked. Soon enough it was lunchtime and still no Colt. Now she began to feel
guilty. Somehow she’d run him out of his own house.

He probably figured she had designs on him.
If he only knew of her fear of men—well most men.
They had
the physical power to hurt a woman, regardless of what she did to defend
herself, and she’d learned that lesson all her life. Caleb had been her first
male friend, and he turned into the voice of reason she’d needed.

It had cost her to leave Texas, but now she felt as
though she could breathe. Snow was falling as she put on her new coat and boots
and headed outside. It was glorious as it floated through the air. Some clumped
on her eyelashes, and she could feel it on her hair. She stood there in the
middle of the yard enjoying the fresh wind chilling her cheeks. The wind stung
but she felt a sense of freedom she’d lost long ago.

The barn beckoned her. It might not be the wisest
choice but she wanted to see the horses. Colt may be in there, but it was a
chance she’d take.

The door was heavier than she’d thought, but she
managed to get it open and immediately the musty, manure smell assaulted her.
It would take some getting used to.

It was bigger than she expected and warmer. Stalls on
each side of the building seem to go on forever. A horse poked his head over
the stall door nearest to her, and she yelped in surprise, quickly covering her
mouth. She didn’t want to startle any of the horses.

Colt peeked out from one of the stalls. He appeared
puzzled then he broke out in a wide grin. “Looking for me?”

The beating of her heart became louder.
“No, not really.”
She turned toward the horse and was
horrified to see it so close with its mouth open. She jumped back. “He’s trying
to bite me!”

The laughter was deep. Colt shook his head. “Nope,
Hurricane likes hats and hair. He doesn’t bite.”

“He likes hair?”

“He’s been known to nibble on locks of hair. He doesn’t
pull it out or anything. He just gets it good and wet.”

Quickly, she stepped back even further. “Is that why
you had to rescue him?”

Colt’s smile dimmed. “No, if you look closely there
are whip marks on him. His owner wasn’t the nicest of men.”

“Oh my.”

“He’s in good hands now.”

Sympathy for Hurricane filled her. She knew what it
was like to be beaten. “I’m glad he has you to look after him.”

Colt nodded and started to hold his hand out to her
but jammed them in his pockets instead. “Come with me, I have someone for you
to meet.” He led her down the row of stalls, stopping at the one he just came
from. “Look.”

She’d never seen a real horse let alone a newborn. A
foal was nursing while its mother looked on. They were both brown with black
manes. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Look, Colt, look at the
baby nursing. The mare is feeding her just like a mother would.”

“Exactly how a good mother would.” His voice trailed
off at the end.

She stared at the mare. She often wished for a good
mother.

“Is it a boy or girl?”

“That’s a colt, a male. A female would be a filly.”

Her smile grew wider; she couldn’t help herself.
“This so exciting.
Did you help?”

Colt stared at the horses. “Yes, the mare needed a
little help.”

“Wow. That’s amazing. What are their names?”

“The mare is Heidi. The little guy doesn’t have a name
yet.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “Would you like to name him?”

Spring’s heart flipped over in her chest.
“Really?”

“Sure.”

Her mind went blank. It should be a good name, a noble
name. The sudden responsibility overwhelmed her. “I don’t know what to name
him. What do people name horses?”

He grinned at her, and she wondered if she sounded like
a moron. “Anything you want, sugar.”

“How about Daybreak?
Kind of like a new beginning.”

“You know I like that. That’s what’s needed, a new
beginning. Might not be today or tomorrow even but eventually I’ll be ready for
a new beginning.” Colt’s smile was contagious, and she smiled back.

It was as if something passed between them, and it was
a nice feeling she’d never experienced before. They watched Daybreak and Heidi
for a bit more. Spring didn’t know what else to say. It was an easy silence,
yet she thought she should be saying something.

“I’m going back to the house.” She turned and peered
up at him. “Will you be home for dinner?”

His smile changed, and she didn’t know how to read it.
He nodded.

Walking back to the house, she wondered what it all
meant. He was a changeable one. He acted kind and glad to be around her, yet
she sensed a reluctance to interact with her. It didn’t matter, not really. As
long as she worked hard, she’d be fine.

She opened the door and was met by an appalling sight.
There stood Bibbs and Shady, stuffing her cookies in their mouths. The amount
already missing from the plate made her heart drop. “Well from the amount of
cookies gone, I guess you don’t want dinner.” She took her coat and boots off
and stood at the edge of the kitchen with her hands on her hips.

Bibbs at least had the good sense to look guilty.
Shady just gave her a grin with his mouth full.

“Ma’am, I apologize. I haven’t had a home-baked cookie
in years. These were so good, I just couldn’t help myself.”

“I see.” She turned to Shady. “What’s your excuse?”

“Well, you see, Bibbs here thought he smelled cookies,
and he had a hankering for some. We came inside, and here they were like a gift
from those little green elves. I mean what are the odds? We think about cookies
and here they are.”