One Brave Cowboy by Kathleen Eagle Page B

over to Logan and Mary’s place and try to load up the mustang without disturbing the honeymooners.”
    She nodded. “I see what you’re saying.”
    â€œAnd seeing is one way to catch on. So you’re good.” He draped his forearm over her far shoulder. “Not fast, but good.”

Chapter Six
    T here was no sneaking in and out at Logan and Mary Wolf Track’s home. The couple was outside playing ground games with their claybank mustang with flashy black mane and tail. Logan had the horse batting a big rubber ball around the paddock with his muzzle, much to the delight of his wife, who had devoted her professional life to training dogs. The honeymooners were “in the zone,” and Mark fairly glowed as he watched. Any minute he’s going to cheer, Celia told herself. She could almost hear his voice.
    â€œTime out for substitutions,” Mary called out. “Mama needs rest.”
    â€œCome on, Shoshoni, show us what you got.”Logan patted the super-size beach ball and beckoned Cougar. “The name of the game is Horse’s Pass.”
    â€œI just started the book,” Cougar shouted. “Haven’t gotten to that chapter yet? Are you in the pictures? ’Cause if this gets out, you won’t make the Indian Cowboy Hall of Fame.” But one look at the excitement in Mark’s face had Cougar vaulting over the fence. He reached back over for Mark. “You and me, partner. What we’ve got is game.”
    â€œWhat would you like to drink?” Mary asked Celia as they hiked themselves up on the open tailgate of Logan’s pickup. Mary reached into a small cooler. “The choices are juice and water. And I have crackers and fruit. Try some strawberries.” She offered up a pint box. “Please help me with these. It’s like eating flavored packing peanuts, but don’t tell Logan. He thinks he’s getting me fresh fruit. He’s forgotten what local fruit tastes like.” She nodded toward the paddock, calling attention to the boys, the horse and their big red ball. “It looks like Cougar has a new tail.”
    â€œSimpatico,” Celia mused as she bit into a nearly flavorless red and white strawberry. “I’ve never seen Mark take to anybody like this, especially after the accident.”
    â€œLogan said it started with a near -accident.”
    â€œNo, I meant…”
    Celia watched her son push the ball toward the horse, who whacked it right back and knocked theboy over like a bowling pin. She took a step toward the fence, but Mark came up grinning, and the words it started hit her between the eyes. The accident did not refer to the same seminal event for everybody.
    â€œWell, yes,” she amended, “Mark ran out in front of Cougar’s pickup. He was chasing a cat. Cougar’s pickup sits up so high, he didn’t see him, but somehow he stopped the truck in time. It was pretty miraculous, actually.”
    â€œIt was Cougar. That sixth sense of his has saved a few lives, including his own.” Mary tossed half a strawberry into the grass and reached into the cooler without taking her eyes away from the game. “That is one brave cowboy.”
    â€œHe said he spent some time in a VA hospital.” Celia reached into the cooler for a cold bottle of cranberry juice. “I know he’s struggling with his own demons. He doesn’t need Mark’s.”
    â€œOh, but he’ll gladly take them on. He’s been decorated, too. One medal he has that I don’t want is a Purple Heart.”
    â€œWhat…I mean, can you tell what me happened?”
    â€œThere was an explosion,” Mary said on the tail-end of a swallow of orange juice. She sounded matter-of-fact, as though she were reporting a fireworks display.
    â€œOne of those roadside IEDs?”
    â€œImprovised explosive device,” Mary mused. “It sounds almost clinical, doesn’t it? It’s the