TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) (19 page)

Chapter Twenty

D
ani reached for the pink Ropers she’d found at a consignment shop last weekend in Morganville and tugged them on, then inspected her reflection in the mirror. Combined with the vintage jeans, she looked the part of a country girl. What happened to the overdressed woman from six weeks ago? She brought a hand to her cheek, not quite sure she recognized herself. When had the sadness disappeared, and why? The answer came at once.

After years of searching, she’d finally found a place to call home. Like her blue jeans and boots, this new life in Miller’s Creek somehow fit. Steve, Mama Beth, the whole crew, they’d become her new family, and she didn’t want to consider how empty her life would be without them. She snatched her cowboy hat from the antique rack next to the vanity and shoved it on her head. The creek and a beautiful morning beckoned, and she had no time to waste.

She clomped down the stairs to the kitchen, and Mama Beth looked up, a big grin spreading across her face. “You look like you’ve lived here your whole life.”

“Interesting you should say that.” Dani hustled to the cabinet, grabbed a breakfast bar, and peeled back the wrapper. “I was just thinking how it feels like I’ve lived here a lot longer than six weeks.” Like her life in Dallas belonged to a different person.

A happy smile adorned on her aunt’s face as she rose from the table. “I’m glad you like it here. For a while I wondered if you’d be able to adapt to small-town life.”

She thought back to her first weeks in Miller’s Creek with the nosy neighbors and her confused feelings about Steve. Well, at least the nosy neighbor part was over. “I wasn’t sure about that myself, but things seem to have quieted down, especially with the neighbors.” Thank goodness. She bit into the chocolate oat bar and stepped to the fridge to pour a glass of milk.

Mama Beth laughed. “If you can win over the Thackers, you can win over anyone.”

Dani followed her aunt to the front porch. The screen door screeched its familiar song, and a squirrel fussed at the interruption from the leafy branches of the red oak. Her aunt plopped into the rocking chair. “What’s on your agenda today?”

Oh, what she’d give to have no agenda. “I thought I’d walk to the creek while it’s still cool. What about you?”

“I promised Gladys I’d go to Morganville, so I’m glad you have something to do.”

Her mind traveled to the stack of papers in her room. She had plenty to do all right. Monitoring the expense reports had become an ever-increasing chore. At least Andy was in town now to give her a hand. After a quick hike, she’d take advantage of Mama Beth’s absence to catch up on business. She finished breakfast and hugged her aunt, then headed out the gate, over the barbed-wire fence, and across the pasture.

Once in the wide-open field, a comfortable peace settled on her like a bed sheet straight from the clothesline. The warmth from the sun’s rays kissed her bare arms, and joy played its song in her heart. Could life be any sweeter?

An overnight rain shower had left behind its musty scent, and she drank in a deep breath. How long had it been since she’d allowed herself the luxury of a few stolen moments? Five minutes later Dani reached the happy burble of the creek, hungry for the cool shade of the trees. With a twist of her head, she viewed her shoulders, already tinged with pink. A sleeved shirt would’ve been a wiser choice. She settled onto a boulder near the creek and allowed the gentle trickle to lull her into a relaxed state.

Peace. Why had she discovered it in Miller’s Creek of all places? She mulled over the question. It had to be God. His presence seemed to surround her, but was it because He was so real to Mama Beth and Steve?

Horse hooves pounded behind her, and she jerked her head around. Steve sat atop a large reddish-brown horse and led a smaller spotted one. She jumped to her feet and smoothed her hair, then tucked her hands in her hip pockets, her heart thudding with excitement. Why? It had to be the horses. Steve was just a friend of the family—nothing more, nothing else—ever.

The horses slowed to a stop, and Steve pushed his hat back, an interested grin on his handsome face. “Well don’t you look like a country gal?” His gaze swept over her with an intensity that launched a burn in her cheeks.

Snap out of it, Dani.
“Do you always take a spare horse when you’re out riding?”

He chuckled, his cheeks dimpling. “Only when I’m looking for company.”

Her skin tingled. He was looking for her? “How’d you know where to find me?”

“Mama Beth.” Steve adjusted his weight and rested his wrists on the knot of leather at the front of the saddle. “You like it here at the creek?”

She bobbed her head. “Love it. Thanks for letting me come here.”

“You’re welcome.” He swung his frame off the horse in one swift movement.

“Dani, I’d like you to meet Domino.” Steve pulled the reins, and the second horse stepped closer, his hooves making a hollow clopping sound against the river rock.

The spotted horse pricked his ears and dipped his head, his soft chocolate-drop eyes focused on her. “The Domino? How’d you steal him away from Little Bo?”

“Wasn’t easy, but when I told him who was going to ride him, he gave his consent.” His lazy perusal made her breath catch. “Seems you’ve charmed even the youngest member of the Miller clan.”

Dani lowered her gaze, her pulse thumping in her throat. How was she supposed to respond to that? She inched closer to Domino, rubbed between his eyes, and murmured soothing tones. He nuzzled up to her, his velvety nose inches from her shoulder.

Steve’s face loomed close, his eyelids half-closed. “See, Domino likes you, too.”

The words came out low and soft, and her heart headed into a gallop. Okay, a little too close for comfort. She backed away, wiping sweaty palms against her jeans. “Are we going to stand here talking, or can I ride him?”

He didn’t answer. Instead his hooded eyes searched hers.

“What do I do first?” She gulped out the words.

His lazy grin sent sparks along her backbone. “Well, the first step is getting you on the horse. You can crawl up yourself or I can lift you, whichever you prefer.”

She swallowed against the dryness in her mouth. “I think I can handle it.”

He gripped her elbow and guided her to the left side of the horse. “Grab a hold of the saddle horn and reins with both hands.”

“Um, is the saddle horn that little knobby thingy sticking up in front?”

Steve’s smile inched into a chuckle that ended in a laugh. “Yeah. That little knobby thingy is the saddle horn. Grab hold of it.” He handed her the reins. “Now put your left foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up.”

After two tries she finally managed to land her foot in the stirrup. It would’ve been nice to know that riding a horse entailed lifting your leg higher than your belly button. With one foot on the ground, she scanned the height of the horse and skewed her lips. This horse looked so much smaller a few minutes ago. She took a deep breath.
Come on, Dani, you can do this.
Pushing off with her right leg, she used her arms to hoist herself onto the horse. Now towering over Steve from Domino’s back, she let out a crow. “I did it! Wow! Am I ready to go?”

“Whoa there, girl.” He held up both hands. “Give me a sec to adjust the stirrups.”

Steve’s strong fingers moved her left leg out of the way, shortened the leather strap, and set her foot back in place. While he made his way to the other side, she pulled her right foot away, one less thing for him to have to do.

He raised the stirrup on the right side, then guided her foot into it, patted her leg, and peered up at her. “How does that feel?”

Dani checked her feet in the stirrups, ignoring her racing heart. “Good.”

Steve mounted his horse and gave her a grin. “Ready?”

She nodded. “I think so.”

“Just give him a gentle nudge with your heels.”

Dani followed his instructions, and the powerful beast shifted beneath her in a steady rhythm. Her spirit soared. She flashed a grateful smile Steve’s way, but it immediately faded. Head lowered, his eyes focused on the ground, and his lips pressed together in a determined line.

* * *

Dani wasn’t as much of a city gal as he’d first thought. She’d taken to horseback riding like a bird dog to water. Steve angled his head to look at her then quickly looked away. He wasn’t prepared for what being around her did to him.

He steered the horses close to the creek, then through pastures interspersed with live oak, mesquite, and cedar. Dani rode beside him without speaking, but other sounds filled the silence—the breeze in the trees, the steady clop of hooves on the soil, and Domino’s and Biscuit’s gentle snorts.

She wore a contented smile, but squinted against the brightness of the climbing sun. “Does all this belong to your family?”

“Yes.”

Dani brought one hand to lower her hat against the glare. “Pretty impressive.”

“Thanks. The land’s been in my family a long time.”

“I can tell it’s special to you.” She flashed him a sweet smile and sent his pulse into overdrive.

Special didn’t begin to explain his feelings for this place. The land was as much a part of him as breathing. “Yep, it’s home.”

The smile on Dani’s face disappeared, and her eyes took on a distant look. “Must be nice to have such a connection to a place.” She spoke in a sad little voice.

“Don’t you feel the same way about Dallas?”

“No. I like Dallas, but even after growing up there, it never felt like home.”

Biscuit’s sweaty horse smell reached his nose as he tried to wrap his brain around her comment. How could you live some place your entire life and it not be home? Then again, he’d never be able to see the city as home either.

Dani’s heavy sigh turned his head toward her. “I guess that’s why I’ve enjoyed this summer so much. Miller’s Creek feels like home.”

The waters of his mind muddied as old feelings battled with new. Her thinking of Miller’s Creek as home bothered him at one time, but not anymore. But exactly how did he feel? He pondered the question until the right answer came. “I’m glad you like it here.”

She studied him for a long minute then glanced away. “I just can’t figure out why being here makes me feel this way.”

“Mama Beth probably has a lot to do with it.”

A smile softened her mouth. “There’s definitely a closeness to her I can’t explain. I guess that’s what home is. Your family.” She spoke with hesitation.

“Mama Beth would say—“

Dani cut him short with a laugh, finishing the familiar words. “—our only home is heaven.” Her words sounded cynical.

Did she doubt heaven’s reality? “What do you think?”

“About heaven?” The inside corners of her eyebrows raised, and her lips tightened. “I don’t know. Maybe that it sounds too good to be true.”

His heart skipped a beat.
Lord, help me know how to help her.
He tugged Biscuit’s reins and stopped beneath a large oak tree situated about five yards from the creek. “How ’bout some lunch?”

Her eyes widened. “You brought food?”

“Yep. Perfect day for a picnic, don’t you think?”

Dani nodded, but her expression clouded.

He dismounted, opened the saddle bag, and glanced up at her. “You all right?”

The strain on her face vanished, replaced by a smile. “Yes, but, um, how do I get down?”

A wicked idea popped in his head. This should be interesting. He gave a noncommittal shrug. “Figure it out for yourself.”

Her eyes narrowed then took on a gleam. “Okay.” She dropped the reins to the ground and swung her right leg over Domino’s ears to perch sideways on the saddle.

Good grief! If the horses spooked she’d be thrown and trampled. He raised both hands skyward and hurried to her. ”I was only joking. Here let me help you.” She slid into his arms, her fingers against his chest, and he froze.

Her eyelids fluttered, and she cleared her throat. “You can let me go now.”

“Oh, sorry.” He stepped away as heat steamed his face.

Dani dusted off her palms with a slapping sound. “Now where’s that food? I’m starving.”

They rested in the cool shade of an oak grove and feasted on the fried chicken and potato salad he’d picked up at Granny’s, then washed it down with cold cans of pop while the grasshoppers and locusts cranked out their raspy song. During lunch she seemed reticent, so he took advantage of the time to study her.

How had he misjudged her so? She wasn’t the ditzy blond or snooty city woman he’d first imagined. He blew a puff of air from his mouth and rested his elbows on his knees. Truth be told, he liked her. A lot. For the first time in forever, he was interested in a female, but her comment about heaven proved she wasn’t yet a believer. Besides that, the timing was all wrong. With Mom’s illness and his work for Miller’s Creek, he didn’t have time to breathe much less pursue a relationship. And she’d always be a city woman, no matter how she dressed. It was much too soon to tell if she could truly adapt to country living, so why had he jumped at this idea of taking her for a ride without giving it more thought?