Wild At Heart (11 page)

How many of those silly gals that his grandmother had invited to dinner could hold a candle to Mariah?

None, he was certain.

He reined Chief to a walk, hoping that Mariah would do the same. After some grappling about with the reins and yelling “Whoa” several times, she jolted to a halt.

“Good riding.”

“Wipe that grin off your face, cowboy. It’s lousy riding, and you know it.” She fidgeted in the saddle then smashed Anna’s hat back down. Her frilly white top looked out of place with the Western hat, skirt, and his sister’s old boots.

After dismounting, Adam held the reins of Mariah’s horse while she got down. He steadied her when she landed on the ground, giving her a moment to regain her balance. Her head came up to the bottom of his nose, allowing him a whiff of her floral-scented hair.

“I can’t believe how shaky my legs are after such a short ride.” She turned and looked up at him, pushing her borrowed hat off her forehead.

Adam’s mouth went dry. Her trusting brown eyes stared at him. What would it be like to have a woman other than one in his family depending on him? To love him? When he didn’t release her, Mariah’s gaze turned questioning. He cleared his throat and stepped back, recovering from his moment of insanity.

This was the hatpin-wielding wild woman who attacked train robbers. He couldn’t be attracted to her.

And yet, he knew that at some point, she’d gotten under his skin, and if he wasn’t careful, she just might steal a hunk of his heart.

“Was there something here you wanted to show me? Why are there so many trees in this area when they are so sparse everywhere else?”

“Water.” That’s what he needed. A douse of cold water over his head. “Come here. I want to show you something.”

He took hold of Mariah’s elbow and guided her toward the edge of the bluff, tightening his grip as they reached the steep drop. She glanced down the steep gorge and stepped back.

“That’s a long ways down. What’s that creek called?”

“That’s the Little Missouri River.”

Mariah snorted a laugh. “Not much of a river.”

Adam held her arm tight as she crept forward, standing near the edge. She wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned forward. He knew she wasn’t aware of her actions, but he enjoyed having her close just the same.

“It may not look like much right now, but don’t let it fool you. The Little Missouri floods quite often after a heavy rain or snowmelt.”

“It’s deceptively quiet now.”

Adam nodded. Mariah peeked up at him, obviously realizing where her arm was. Her cheeks turned bright red, and she stepped back.

“Ready to ride again?”

Mariah stared at the horse, heaved a sigh, and finally nodded. She swaggered to the mare, evidently still getting used to the split skirt and boots. Adam bit back a grin, imagining tomorrow when she was in her dress again and still walking the same. Her legs would be sore after today’s ride. He’d best make it a short trip to ease her discomfort.

They rode on for another hour. Adam pointed out a herd of Black Angus they’d recently acquired.

“Oh, those are pretty cows.”

“They’re not all cows.”

Her brow crinkled. “They’re not?”

“Some are steers.”

“What’s the difference?”

Adam’s neck and ears turned red. “Big difference. Maybe you should ask Anna about that.”

Mariah stared at him for a long moment then looked away. “All right, I will.”

In another pasture, he pointed out the Herefords.

“These red and white cattle are pretty too, but I like the solid black ones best,” Mariah said.

“You should have seen the longhorns we brought up from Texas. Many had horns six feet from tip to tip and some even longer.”

“I’ve seen pictures of them. It seems like they would be dangerous.”

Adam reined Chief toward home, dreading their ride coming to end. Being back in the saddle again felt wonderful, and he could get used to riding with Mariah, even though her questions never ended. Was she writing a manual about ranch life?

He chuckled at that ridiculous thought.

She rode alongside him, looking more at ease in the saddle. Her hands no longer strangled the saddle horn, and her body swayed with Sugar’s easy gait. What would it be like to come home to Mariah every day?

“May I ask you a question?”

Adam chuckled. She’d been asking him questions ever since she arrived, but she’d never asked his permission before.

“Sure.”

“Why have neither you nor your siblings gotten married?”

Adam shrugged. They were all plenty old enough to be married now, but the subject rarely came up. “Except for Quinn, we were too young for marriage at the time our father died and have worked too hard since then to take time to find a suitable spouse, I guess. Mother hints every now and then that she’d like some grandchildren.” Adam chuckled. “It sure will take a special man to tame Anna and a very patient woman to woo Quinn.”

Mariah nodded, as if she agreed.

Adam scowled and swatted at a fly. How could he even think of courting a woman and marrying? It would mean the end of his dreams of traveling the country and recording the West through his drawings. Every day, more folks were moving westward. Soon this way of life would be a thing of the past. Why, just two decades ago, there’d only been a handful of white folks in North Dakota and now look at all the immigrants and others who lived here.

He nudged Chief into a canter, and Mariah followed after a short hesitation. Women wanted the security of a home, where they could cook, sew, and raise children. No woman would want to give all that up to spend her days traveling the western half of the United States with him.

His upper arm ached, pulling him from his thoughts. He’d probably be just as sore as Mariah tomorrow.

On the trail up ahead, a trio of turkeys waddled into view. His mouth watered at the thought of fresh meat. He yanked his rifle from the scabbard and fired, downing the largest bird.

Sugar lurched to the right, away from the gunfire. Mariah squealed and flew through the air, landing hard in a patch of stinging nettles.

Adam paced from the dining table, into the parlor, and back. After Mariah’s fall into the nettle patch, she had stayed in her room the rest of the day and during this morning’s breakfast. He missed seeing her sweet smile across the table at mealtime and hoped that she was feeling better today. He flopped down on the settee, guilt eating at him for causing her pain.

He heard a shuffling sound and saw Mariah limping into the parlor. She rubbed her shoulder then noticed him and frowned.

He stood and hurried to her side, offering his good arm. “Here, lean on me.”

“That’s not necessary. My ankle is fine today.” As if proving her point, she limped to the settee.

“I’m really sorry, Mariah. I shouldn’t have shot my rifle without warning you.” He resumed his place at the other end of the settee.

Anna strode into the room, carrying a tray of coffee and cookies. “I still can’t believe you did that, Adam.” She set the tray on the table in front of the sofa.

He glared at his sister, feeling guilty enough without her lambasting him. “It was just a gut reaction. I saw game and knew we could use the meat. I didn’t stop to analyze my actions.”

Anna paced in front of them. Mariah scratched at the red welts on her nape.

“That’s right, you didn’t think. Mariah could have been badly injured.” She flung a glance at their guest. “She’s covered in nettle stings. Don’t rub them, Mariah. You’ll only make it hurt worse.”

Mariah gripped her hands together in her lap. “Leyna’s salve helped quite a bit, although the stings do still hurt some.” She studied the floor, as if the topic weren’t proper for mixed company.

“Can I do anything for you?” Adam ran his hand over the back of his neck, wishing he could take away her discomfort. He hopped up, and using his good hand, carefully poured a cup of coffee. He handed it to Mariah, spilling a bit onto the saucer.

“Thank you.” She accepted his gift with a shy smile and sipped the hot brew. Adam poured himself a cup and stuck a cookie into his mouth then reclaimed his spot on the settee. His injured arm tingled, as if wanting to be rid of the confining sling as much as he, but at least the sharp pain had subsided.

“I’ve been praying for Mariah and trust that God will ease the irritation.” Anna flopped into the chair next to the parlor window, sticking her legs out in front of her, and crossed her ankles like some cowpoke.

Adam had prayed, too, though the words hadn’t come easily. Lately, he’d felt as if God were calling him to come back to Him. After his father died, he hadn’t wanted to go to church, feeling unworthy for causing the accident that killed his pa. But Quinn said they needed to go whenever the weather cooperated and there was a parson in town. Adam had listened to the preacher’s word about forgiveness over the years until they were finally soaking in. God’s love was unconditional. God had already forgiven him, but how could he forgive himself?

Mariah slipped her hand up to her neckline and ran her fingers back and forth until she caught him watching. He hated knowing he’d caused her pain and wondered if that’s how she felt about him getting shot.

“What do you plan to do today?” Anna leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.

“I thought I should stay close to the house. Perhaps write a letter to my grandmother.” Mariah picked at some lint on her navy skirt. “I suppose I should pack my things and prepare to leave.”

“Why? Aren’t you happy here?” Anna looked distressed at the thought of Mariah leaving. He knew his sister was often lonely for female companionship, especially with their mother in Bismarck. She had Leyna, but their cook was more like a loving aunt than a friendly companion. Anna needed to spend time with girls her own age.

Mariah smiled at his sister. “You graciously invited me to stay for a week, and tomorrow is seven days.”

“We don’t want you to go. Do we, Adam?” Anna stared at him with hopeful eyes.

What could he say? At first all he wanted was to be rid of Fancy Feathers because he was embarrassed for her to see him fumbling about with his injury. He wanted her to see him as the man who’d come to her rescue, not an invalid. But then she started growing on him like a stray pup. He didn’t want her to leave but knew if she didn’t soon go, his heart might be shattered like a glass shooting target. And yet he longed to get to know her better. How did he answer that question when the truth was scrambled eggs in his own mind?

Mariah stood. “It’s all right. I’ve overextended my stay as it is.”

“No!” Adam lurched to his feet. “I—don’t go. I mean, it’s all right if you stay—unless of course, you have somewhere else you need to be.”

Mariah stared at him; then a soft smile pulled at her lips, and her cheeks turned pink. Anna grinned as if she’d just won the Fourth of July horse race in Medora and gave him a knowing glance.

Uh-oh.

Adam swigged down the last of his coffee and fled the room, banging the front door on his way outside. Mariah would never leave if Anna learned of his attraction to her.

He had a gut feeling that it was too late to worry about that.

“So, what do you think of my brother?” Anna lifted her brows.

Adam’s strange reaction to her comment about leaving the ranch left her stunned. He sure departed the room quickly afterward. Was he possibly growing to care for her as she was him? Or perhaps he just didn’t want to admit that he wanted her to leave.

Anna waited for an answer, a cocky grin dancing on her lips. Mariah could tell Anna was fishing for information, but she didn’t know why.

“Which brother would you be referring to?” Mariah wasn’t going to fall into her trap that easily.

Anna giggled. “You know good and well who I mean.” She jumped up from the chair and plopped down on the settee next to Mariah. Anna didn’t know what the word
glide
meant. She moved like a cowboy and acted like one. She’d never capture a man’s interest if she didn’t settle down.

“Of course I like your brother. He saved my life, after all.”

“But don’t you find him handsome? I’ve always wished I had blue eyes like his. It hardly seems fair to be twins and not have the same coloring.” She fiddled with the end of her braid. “I think it bothers Adam that he doesn’t resemble Quinn and me more.”

Mariah considered that and wondered if it weren’t true. Adam seemed unsettled, as if he didn’t quite fit in here in his own home.

“So, do you think Adam is handsome?”

Mariah nodded, catching the fragrant scent of the roasting turkey that Leyna was cooking. Her stomach gurgled in spite of the pain she’d suffered because of that bird. “Of course. Both of your brothers are exceptionally fine-looking. They
are
quite different, though, other than their appearance. Aren’t they?”

Anna nodded. She nibbled at a cookie and gazed at the family portrait on the wall. “When we were children, Adam was a tease, often getting in trouble for his practical jokes. He changed after our pa died, became moody and withdrawn. He’s a gifted artist, and Ma had always hoped he might sell his drawings one day, but he just up and quit sketching after Pa’s accident. Quinn’s always been quiet, as if he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. And I guess he does, in a way. He was only nineteen when Pa died. Quinn became the man of the family and had a ranch to keep going.”