Echoes of the Heart by Carole Webb Page B

looked up at Cash with a tight-lipped grin.
    “Thought I would
get these ready, just in case.”
      “Guess you noticed them, too.”   He checked his revolver making sure it
carried a full load.
    “I’ll talk to
Angie later.   Maybe she knows
something.”   Sliding his gun back into
the leather holster, he turned to the door.
    “I need to tell
Slim, Chuck will stop by to pick up my bull for breeding, so I am headed to the
ranch.”
    John continued
cleaning.   “I’ll keep things under
control here.   By the way, did you talk
to Chad?”
    “He’ll stop by
when they bring in the herd today.   Fill
him in if I’m not here when he arrives.”
    He adjusted his
gun belt while walking to saddle Rabbit for the ride to his ranch.   The spirited Appaloosa set out at a slow gait
heading westward, breaking into a run at the edge of town.

 
    Thirteen

 
             
    A cat on fire,
Raeden ran up the staircase, undoing buttons along the way and tore to her
room.   She kicked off shoes in the corner
and yanked the dress off her shoulders letting it fall in a heap on the
floor.   Attempting to remove the
lingering scent of Cash off her skin, she splashed water over her body then
hastily slipped into riding apparel.   Still pulling the last boot, she hopped to the door.
                Plagued
by hunger, she dashed to the kitchen to slap some cold bacon between slices of
bread, consuming the last bite before reaching the barn.
                With
her arm extended, Arte snickered his greeting while stepping closer and pressed
a soft muzzle into her hand.   She laid
her cheek softly on his forehead, happy to be with her friend.
                The
bridle hung over one shoulder when she entered the stall.   He pawed the earth in anticipation as she
raised it over his proud chiseled head.   She lifted his chin blowing a slight breath into his nostril to calm him
and walked him out to the tack room where Nick stood, waiting with the saddle.
                His
expression appeared grim while he tightened the straps around Arte’s expansive
girth.   “Nice day for a ride.   Are you going alone?”
                Raeden
pulled on riding gloves and walked toward her mount.   “Yes, it’s a beautiful day.   Where do you suggest?   I have no desire to get lost.”
                Gathering
the reins tightly around Arte’s sleek muscled neck, she mounted while he
pranced in a circle before facing Nick.   Hesitating for a moment, Nick spoke.   “If you head north you’ll find a stand of trees to serve as a marker, a little
farther, there’s a large ranch.   You
can’t miss it.”
                Arte
circled, pivoting on hindquarters and hopping on front legs while she pulled
his chin to his neck to maintain control.   He skipped in place and his head bobbed against his restraints then snorted
his discontent.
                Watching
Raeden, Nick’s mouth fell open, his hands limp at his sides, staring wide-eyed
in amazement as Raeden controlled the restive steed.   “It’s not always safe around here.   Maybe I should ride with you.”
                “No
thanks, Nick.   You have my promise I will
not go too far, just enough to start getting my bearings.”
                            She
reined in a northerly direction while the anxious horse pushed forward then
leapt into a gallop when Raeden gave him his head.   The powerful rhythm of Arte’s hooves beneath
and wind through her hair did wonders for Raeden’s disposition.—not to mention
the scant sandwich she had devoured like a school of piranha that had not eaten
for weeks.
                Time
seemed to stand still.   They raced over
the grasslands then in the distance she spotted a thicket of Box Elder showing
their fall colors and slowed Arte’s pace.   A clear rippling creek meandered in from the east through the grove,
lush