Summary: To gain new experiences, Joe leaves the ranch for one summer.

Rating: PG    Word count: 18500

 The Appaloosa

I stared wide-eyed at the scene in the corral next to the Carson City livery stable. A black-haired cowboy had backed a pinto into a corner and tried to throw a lasso over its head. Intrigued, I took a few steps closer, pulling Cochise behind me by the reins.

The nervous animal pranced as it waited for the rope to fly. Then, with a tiny twitch of its head, it swerved. The man had beads of sweat on his forehead, and he moved frantically, which made me suspect that this wasn’t his first attempt to catch the horse. He had every reason to be annoyed, since several spectators leaned against the fence, grinning and watching the show.

“If that were my horse, I’d shoot him,” one of the cowboys uttered, the mocking in his voice undeniable.

“Yeah, he’s making a fool of you!” another man said.

“Damn it!” cursed the man in the coral as the lasso slipped off the stallion’s shoulder again. “You may be right. So far, I’ve had nothing but trouble with this critter, and nobody wants to buy it. Phil, can I borrow your gun?”

“Sure.” The man in question, who had been leaning on the railing with his forearms, drew his pistol.

I love horses and couldn’t bear to see them suffer. Several quick steps brought me to the fence surrounding the corral, from where I could take a closer look at the animal. Although he was a pinto, like Cochise, this one wasn’t pretty. Its brown-white coat was grey with dust and mud in places, its tail was shaggy, and the mane hung in tangled strands across its forehead. But its eyes were alert and intelligent. I could see a fire burning in them, betraying his temperament.

The black-haired cowboy cocked and raised his revolver, only to lower it again at my words. “Wait a minute, sir! Is that pony for sale?”

With a frown, the man`s gaze swept over my well-crafted holster, ivory-handled pistol, and beige jacket. Stroking his bushy mustache, he narrowed his eyes. I knew this appraising look all too well—when people noticed your nice clothes and tried to take as much money from you as possible.

“One hundred and fifty bucks, boy, and it’s yours.”

“One hundred and fifty? You can’t be serious! You were about to shoot it!”

“Yeah, but if you want to buy the stallion, he’ll cost you that much.”

“He’s not even broken in yet, is he?”

“No, son, but he’s an excellent cow pony. You won’t find a better horse anywhere. He’s well-built, too. See his strong legs and low chest? You won’t believe how fast he can run.”

“The way I see it, he can’t run right now. He spares his right front leg.”

“Just a stone bruise. It happened on the way into town.”

“Fifty in cash.”

“One hundred dollars and not a dime less. Take it or leave it, boy.”

Exasperated, I blew out the air. “All right, we have a deal. But I’m short on money. I need to get it first.”

“Okay. You’ve got an hour. If you’re not back by then …”

I looked him firmly in the eye. “I’ll be back. I hope you’re a man of your word.”

“I am. Now, hurry up and find the money.”

With one last glance over my shoulder, I made my way to the saloon, where I was pretty sure I’d find my brothers.

 

We had bought a huge load of straw on a farm behind Carson City and loaded it onto our wagon. Sweaty, dusty, and itchy from the bits of straw that had found their way under our clothes, we decided to make a quick stop in town and treat ourselves to a beer. Instead of joining my brothers at the saloon, however, I got stuck at a shop window displaying hallmarked saddles.

Our wagon stood on the dusty road before the saloon, the team dozing with half-closed eyes. While I still worked out how to convince my brothers to lend me money, the green-painted swing doors were pushed open. Adam, closely followed by Hoss, stepped out onto the street.

Adam’s gaze flitted over me. “Joe, where’ve you been? We’ve been waiting for you. We already had our drinks.”

Apparently, the beer had refreshed my brothers. There was no sign of their sweaty and heated faces after loading the wagon. Good! My plans would work better with a relaxed Adam.

Hoss adjusted his holster. “Yeah, little brother, we wondered why you missed a beer. Adam and I made a bet. I said it was because of a horse. Adam guessed a girl.”

I rolled my eyes. “You won, Hoss.”

A broad grin spread across my brother’s face as he nudged Adam in the ribs. “Hey, you owe me one!”

“But not yet. We’ve got to get home. Pa’s expecting us back in time for supper!”

I stepped into my eldest brother’s path. “Adam, wait a minute. Can you loan me some money?”

“For …?”

“For a horse.”

“You want to buy a horse? We’ve got a stable full at home.”

“This one is special. He’s a little wild but well-built. We could use him for breeding! He has good legs and muscles.” I hated the knowing looks my brothers exchanged. Sometimes, I felt that Adam disagreed with my ideas on principle. My excitement turned to anger. “What’s wrong? You don’t take me seriously, do you?”

“Calm down, Joe. You don’t have to get loud. We know you have a good eye for horseflesh. How much will it cost?”

“Um, a hundred dollars.”

“One hundred bucks? You can get a couple of good, broken-in cow ponies for that money!”

Hoss placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Come on. You can see how excited Joe is. Can’t hurt to check out the horse, can it?”

Adam exhaled. “Alright. Let’s take a look.”

 

“So what do you think of him?” I crossed my legs and rested my elbow on one of the slats, trying not to fidget.

Adam circled the pinto, head tilted, rubbing the corners of his mouth. “I have to admit, Joe, you’re right. He’s got good withers, and his legs are nice and straight.” The pony watched him with its ears laid back in suspicion and whipped its tail.

It was hard to tell if my brother shared my excitement. “Yeah, and did you notice the strong, high-set neck? And the back? The horse is mobile yet comfortable to ride.”

Adam eyed the salesman, observing us with amusement, with his hands on his hips.

“Mister, I offer you forty dollars for the horse.”

The man shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “Sorry. I made a deal with the boy for one hundred. You can buy him for the price or not.”

“Final word?”

“Yeah. If you don’t take him, I’ll shoot him.”

Hoss gasped. “Shoot him? Why?”

“He`s too wild. He only gives me trouble and costs my boss money. I work for Mr. Delaney up at the Double D Ranch. He told me not to return him if a buyer didn’t take him today. People prefer more subtle colors anyway. These pinto horses aren’t top-rated.”

“Adam, please!”

“No. Pa won’t approve of spending so much on a cow pony. You know we need every cent right now. The winter’s been hard, we’ve lost many cattle, and—”

“Spare me the lecture. Investing in horse breeding would be worth it in the long run.”

“You’ll have to pay with your own money if you want that one.” My brother’s tone told me he wasn’t willing to discuss it. Adam knew that I was always broke and couldn’t spend that much. “Come on, let’s go home.”

My brothers turned away—Hoss with an apologetic shrug—and walked toward our pulled-up wagon.

“I’ll be with you in a minute!” I called after them before turning to the man who took a deep swig from a flat bottle. “Sir, I want to buy the horse. I’ll give you a down payment.” I fumbled in my jacket pocket and pulled out some crumpled greenbacks. “I’ve got twenty-two dollars.”

“Boy, that’s not enough! I’m sorry!” The man snapped the .45’s drum open.

“Can I work it off? Maybe Mr. Delaney needs a bronc buster? I’m good at it!”

“No, not at the moment. Now, get out of here.”

“You’d rather shoot the horse than sell it to me?”

He shrugged and cocked his gun. I knew we were done talking. Hands balled into fists, I turned away. The shot made me cringe, but I avoided looking back. Sometimes, I couldn`t stand my eldest brother.

 

On the way home, there was an awkward silence between us. Hoss tried to lighten the tension with jokes, but Adam’s clenched jaw told me he was annoyed with me. Sighing, I let Cochise fall back behind the wagon.

The last couple of weeks on the ranch hadn’t been easy for us. It felt like everyone was in a bad mood, which they often took out on me, but Pa would say it was just my imagination. I understood that our father was worried about the Ponderosa’s financial situation. The calves were weak this spring, and a mountain lion had killed some of them. Also, the shed with our straw supply had burned down, which was the reason for our trip to Carson City.

Pa sat at his desk for hours, chewing on the end of his pencil and crunching numbers as if adding them would improve the outcome. On top of that, one of our rivals had underbid our offer to supply lumber to the Sun Mining Company, and Pa had counted on getting the contract.

 

The atmosphere at dinner was strained. Pa poked at his plate, and Adam cut his steak with quiet determination. Hoss looked unhappy, even though he was about to shove a piece of meat into his mouth.

“I’ve been doing the math repeatedly, boys,” our father said, pushing the half-full dish away. “We have to lay off some ranchhands. We’ll keep only enough for the cattle drive to Sacramento.”

An idea flashed through my mind. “I’ll go!”

“What? What do you mean, Joseph?” Pa’s brow furrowed. Hoss’ mouth hung open, and Adam leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Not forever. I mean, instead of firing a ranchhand, I could leave for a while. It would only be for the summer.”

“It’s over the horse, isn’t it? You’re mad we didn’t buy it.” Adam said, one corner of his mouth twisted in mockery. “Is this a defiant reaction from you?”

“No! Today, I realized I’d like more responsibility. Nobody takes me seriously around here. I’m just Little Joe Cartwright to everyone, the boss’s boy!”

“Son, you know you’re exaggerating. Surely …”

“No. Let me finish. I see the way the hired hands look at me when I give them an order. It would only be for a few weeks. I may work as a bronc buster. It pays well. I want to learn new places and see how things are done elsewhere.”

Adam leaned forward, his hands flat on the table. “It’s childish to run away because you don’t like something. Do you try to punish us?”

“No! I just want to see something different, make my own decision, and—”

“No one will be there to bail you out.”

My clenched fist grabbed the napkin and crumpled it into a tight ball. “I’m grown up! When is that going to get through your thick skull? I don’t need a babysitter anymore!”

Pa’s hand gripped my fist. His firm voice pierced the angry fog in my head. “Joseph! We don’t yell at each other! And Adam, your brother has a point. We don’t always treat him as a man.”

Hoss took my side, too, and I was grateful for that. I could always count on him. “Remember the other day, big brother. Joe said the pasture was grazed, and the cattle had to be moved. You didn’t believe him but rode to the herd to check for yourself.”

“Yeah, because I don’t trust Joe to make rational, well-thought-out decisions. He reacts from the gut without thinking.”

“I do think! But not everyone is as hesitant as you are when it comes to—”

Hoss’s sad eyes shot from one to the other. He looked like he just bit into a lemon instead of his biscuit.

Pa’s palm slammed down on the table, rattling the cups on their saucers. “Stop arguing, boys. Joseph is young and inexperienced, and questioning some decisions is not a mistake or a lack of confidence. I admit, though, that perhaps I should have given him more freedom and responsibility.”

My fist relaxed, releasing the napkin. I stared into Adam’s eyes without blinking. “I’m sticking to my decision. I’ll work somewhere else this summer.”

“You know I can’t keep you if you want to leave. I won’t force you to stay on the Ponderosa.” I heard the sadness in Pa’s tone. He had enough to worry about right now, and I didn’t want to cause him more sorrow.

As I turned to Pa, my voice softened. “I’d like your approval.”

My father put his hand on my arm and squeezed. “I won’t stand in your way if that’s what you want. But I do hope you’ll come back in the fall.”

“Yeah, sure! Thanks, Pa!”

 

Two days later, I packed and rode off the ranch with Cochise. I only took a little money, some clothes, and my chaps. As I left familiar territory behind and turned my horse east toward the Rocky Mountains, my heart pounded with anticipation. I was young, and a long, exciting summer of adventure and opportunity lay ahead.

++++

For two months now, I have been on the road. Like one of the cowpokes who roamed the countryside taking on odd jobs, I let myself drift. I enjoyed freedom, working just enough to live. I didn’t need much. Most of the time, Cooch and I camped out in the open, only now and then treating myself to a cheap room, a bath, and a shave and my horse to a night in the livery stable with a good helping of oats.

The day’s glare had given way to the soft light of the lowered sun, which bathed the barren landscape in a yellowish glow. I shifted my weight in the saddle and sighed, wiping my tired eyes with the back of my hand. My tiredness disappeared when a small town appeared in a valley in front of me. Three dozen buildings lined the dusty main street.

As I passed the cracked wooden sign at the entrance to the town, I squinted to decipher the weathered words. “Greenfield,” I murmured, grinning, looking around as I drove down the main road. What fool had come up with that name? The town was just as dusty and dry as Virginia City. My eyes swept over the Lazy Dog Saloon and the matching thin grey mutt dozing on the sidewalk in the evening sun. There was a doctor’s office and a dress store, but my first need was watering Cochise.

My horse perked up and lifted his head when a well appeared in front of us. It seemed to be the center of the small town. But we would have to wait until it was our turn, since a girl with thick black braids hauled the water pail, causing the rusty winch to squeak.

“Howdy, Miss!” I greeted, tapping the brim of my hat as I pulled up next to her and dismounted. At first glance, she was recognizable as a half-breed, Mexican, or, more likely, Indian. Her smooth, even skin was a light coffee color. She was pretty, very pretty, with a straight nose and full lips that made my heart beat faster. The girl’s clothes were not different from any other white woman. She wore a high-necked blue dress and a white apron. Her hands were sinewy and red, showing she must be working hard.

“May I help you?” Without waiting for an answer, I stepped up next to her to grab the rough, frayed hemp, which I was sure would hurt her cracked palms, and pulled the bucket from the well. Cool water spilled onto my shirt and boots. “Shall I fill your pitcher with water?”

She nodded and gave me a look from dark brown eyes, her expression severe and appraising.

“Is there a livery stable around? My mount needs a helping of oats.”

Her gaze slid over Cochise. “Yes, next street to your right is a stable and a blacksmith. You’ve got a nice horse, Cowboy! You don’t often see white folks riding a pinto.” She raised her hand and stroked Cooch’s forehead, who pressed against her palm, closing his eyes in pleasure.

I was surprised to hear her speak English without an accent. “He’s fast and smart. He understands every word. Don’t you, Cochise?”

My pinto snorted and nudged me, more due to his thirst than my question.

“Sure!” Eye-rolling, she picked up the pitcher. Her steps were smooth, and she held her head high as she walked away with a light stride.

I opened my mouth. But what do you yell after a girl you meet on the street for the first time without being introduced to her? I bet she didn’t want to have anything to do with a white man. With a shrug, I lowered the bucket into the well to quench Cochise’s thirst.

After my horse had drunk his fill and I had splashed water on my face, I decided to stop at the saloon first. My dry throat was crying out for a beer, and I was eager for company. It had been several days since I had last chatted with anyone.

I pushed open the well-oiled swing doors and stepped into the saloon, determined to have a beer and some fun. Clattering piano music enveloped me, and the smell of cooked food made my mouth water. My gaze flitted over the guests and lingered on the piano player dressed in dark clothes. A brief pang of loneliness ran through my chest when he sang in his deep baritone: “As I was walking down the street, down the street, a pretty little gal I chanced to meet …”

The song reminded me of home. Adam had often played ‘Buffalo Gals’ around the campfire on cattle drives while the ranch hands and we sang along, loud but off-key.

Lost in thought, I approached the bar where a gaunt older man stood polishing a glass with a rag. He glanced up as I leaned my forearms on the counter.

“Howdy, bartender. Give me a beer.”

“Sure. Just passing through, are you?”

“Yeah.” I slid a coin across the wooden surface and got a glass of beer, which I drank halfway down. My gaze slid over the men sitting around the tables, playing cards, laughing, and talking, but I knew I wouldn’t find a familiar face. It was at that very moment that I missed my family. I wondered how they were doing. My brothers probably sat before the fireplace, lost in a game of checkers while Pa smoked his pipe or read a book. If they saw me here, dirty and ragged, what would they say?

I hadn’t made the big money yet, and I’d found that working on other ranches wasn’t so different from how we run the Ponderosa. I wasn’t unhappy, and it was an adventure, but I imagined it to be more exciting.

Although you found like-minded young men everywhere, there were no deep friendships, and I felt lonely. Of course, I would never admit this back home. I met Cowboys roaming the countryside looking for work, traveling salesmen offering herbal tinctures or pulling teeth, and shady characters you’d better not run into in the dark in a back alley if you were going to keep living. There were some fleeting acquaintances, an occasional saloon girl who took me to her room, but I missed Mitch and Seth.

I stifled a yawn. The long weeks of traveling had begun to wear on me. My clothes were dusty and hadn’t been washed in a long time, and it had been a week since I’d last bathed or shaved. As I wiped the foam from my mouth, I could smell my sweat and feel the scratchy stubble of my beard.

A tall man in his forties entered the saloon and stood next to me at the bar. Out of the corner of my eye, I studied him. He wore a clean, high-quality shirt, a new leather vest, and shiny black boots. A whiff of soap and tobacco hit my nose. I guessed he was a wealthy rancher.

The man greeted the bartender with a nod, who poured him a glass of whiskey without being asked. His eyes flickered over my worn-out clothes. Then his gaze met mine. “Searching for work, son?”

I shrugged. “Depends on what job you offer.”

The man took his time answering. He pulled a long cigar from a pocket and lit it. “Is the pinto outside the saloon your horse?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“A well-polished saddle is a sign that the owner takes care of his equipment and does much riding. How about me buying you a steak?”

While I wondered why the fellow was interested in whether I kept my stuff in order, my stomach growled at the mention of food. I tried not to be too rude. “Steak sounds good, but I’ll pay for my meal.”

The bartender nodded and hurried into the next room. Moments later, he placed a steaming plate in front of me. My mouth watered at the sight of the juicy meat with all the fixings. “Thanks,” I said, tucking into the grub with a good appetite.

The fact that the rancher watched me with a satisfied expression made me more uncomfortable by the minute. What was he up to? I jumped, sending the fork smacking against the plate, as he grabbed my wrist and turned my palm upwards to look at the calluses. Before I could snatch my hand away, he let go.

“You seem to be used to heavy work! I’m Henry Ashley, and I’ve got a ranch a few miles out of town. I catch and sell wild horses and need a bronc buster.”

My eyes lit up, but I choked back a grin.

‘Don’t let on how interested you are. Drive a hard bargain!’ I remembered a lesson from Adam.

“I’m Joe Cartwright. I have experience with horses, but it’s a matter of price, mister.”

The man blew spicy cigar smoke in my direction. “I’ll pay you ten dollars a horse if you’re good. Timothy, who used to do it for me, is out for a few weeks with a broken leg.”

“I do it for fifteen.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll watch you ride and decide if you’re the right man for the job, boy. “When you’re done eating, come with me to the ranch.”

 

As we rode into Ashley’s Blue Horse Ranch’s yard, the setting sun bathed the house in a reddish light. Surrounded by lush pastures, it lay in a valley at the foot of some hills, with the Rocky Mountains rising behind. The two-story house was built of thick, carefully fitted pine logs with small windows to keep out the winter cold. On the big porch stood two rocking chairs and pots of flowers, which made me guess there had to be a Mrs. Ashley as well.

It felt strange stowing my stuff in the bunkhouse like a simple ranchhand when I knew a wealthy family similar to mine on the Ponderosa lived in the house.

 

The following morning found me standing with two other cowboys beside Ashley at the corrals near the barn. In the bigger one on the right, a herd of mustangs ran back and forth. Their nervous snorting and frightened reaction to our presence told me they had never been in contact with humans. It was a colorful mixture of black, palomino, and bay horses. Their smell hung in the air, and the swirling dust settled on my tongue. It was a familiar feeling.

My new boss was a confident, chatty fellow with a slight paunch and a taste for cigars. He gestured toward the horses. “These are the broncs I want you to break, boy—thirty fine, fresh-caught animals. Now’s your chance to show me what you’re made of. I hope I’m not wasting my time with you. You certainly won’t be able to compete with Tim, my former bronc buster. He was damn good, but there will come a day when your luck will run out.”

He pushed his black hat back and pulled out a pocket watch on a chain. I scratched the back of my neck. Ashley didn’t want to time how long it would take me, did he?

“Jed and Hugh are my horse wranglers. Hugh is the foreman. He’s in charge around here. You will work with these two.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, my attention already on the animals. One of them, an appaloosa stallion of a color I’d never seen before, caught my eye right away. His head, neck, and shoulders were a rich red that reminded me of Hop Sing’s shiny copper pots. Further back, the red was flecked with white hairs, and he had the typical black spots on his back and hips. His dark legs were as if covered in pitch, and straws were tangled in his mane and tail.

Most people preferred plain horses, but I was fond of colorful critters. I noticed the well-developed joints, and the shoulders, being broad and flat, promised a wide gait. The stallion stood still, watching us with alert, intelligent eyes, only his beating tail betraying his nervousness.

Ashley’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. An amused smile played around his mouth. “Which one do you want to start with, young man?”

“Saddle this little bay mare!”

Hugh’s best years had passed. He was a bow-legged man with an expansive gray mustache and a limp, but he looked experienced. “Good choice, son,” he nodded at me in approval.

My new boss lit a cigar and leaned his elbow on the fence, smiling as if he found the whole thing entertaining. What was his opinion of me? Did he think I was just a loudmouth kid? The way he treated me from on high, I didn’t like. Sure, he was the boss, and I was just a broken drifter to him, but I wouldn’t tell him I was the son of the wealthiest rancher in Nevada.

Jed was slim, in his thirties, with light brown hair and long sideburns. With a curt nod, he swung onto his horse and reached for the lasso to cut the mare out of the herd. So far, I hadn’t heard a word from him yet, just a “howdy” to greet me, but he seemed easygoing.

Jed put a halter on the reluctant animal with practiced movements and blindfolded it with an old burlap sack. Finally, he put on the saddle. The horse jumped in surprise as Jed tightened the cinch.

Meanwhile, I slipped into my chaps. The leather was stiff and cracked, as they hadn’t been used for some time. I should treat them with grease tonight, I thought as I took some stilted steps.

Yes, I was nervous. I guess I was lucky the boss allowed me to choose the mustang for my first try, since a bronc buster was often tested on the wildest horse available. Ashley would follow my every move, and I wanted this job. If I could break the whole bunch, I would make as much in a few weeks as I made in a year at home. Although bronc busting was hard and dangerous, working with horses was the most wonderful thing I could imagine. There was something satisfying about training the animals to be riding horses and teaching them to trust people.

Jed maneuvered the horse into the chute. I had picked this mare on purpose. She was quick, lively, and agile, and I’d have a chance to prove my skill, but she didn’t look like she’d be in for a long, hard fight with a rider.

Three pairs of eyes were glued on me when I took a deep breath, wiped my damp hands on my chaps, and pulled on my gloves. Then, I climbed onto the top rail and lowered myself into the saddle. Although I had last busted broncs in the fall, over six months ago, my body remembered all the familiar moves. My boots found the stirrups, my fingers tightened around the rope, my right arm outstretched for balance. The mare threw her head back with a snort, and I could feel her tensing beneath me.

“Ready?” asked Hugh, his hand on the gate.

I nodded. “Yeah!”

It was a good ride. Anticipating the mustang’s bucking and bolts and countering them with my weight, I managed to stay in the saddle. It wasn’t long before the mare dropped her head and gave up. Jed guided his bay beside me, and I dismounted over his horse’s rear.

My heart was in my throat, but I had no doubt Ashley would be happy with me. I was in my element on horseback, and I was sure he had noticed. Grinning, I wiped my face and looked at my boss with anticipation. “Am I a good fit, Mr. Ashley?”

“Sure, son. You’re hired. I pay you twelve dollars for each horse broken in. I see it’s not the first time you’ve done it. All right, boys, you keep at this. I got paperwork waiting for me.” Ashley checked his watch, then turned to hurry back to the house.

“Come on, let’s get on. We don’t get paid to linger.” Hugh slapped me on the back, kicking up dust. “You’re skinny, boy. Did the boss pay for your supper yesterday?”

“He wanted to, but I didn’t let him.”

“Ashley was curious if you were a good eater. He’d never hire a man who didn’t appreciate a decent meal or failed to care for his gear and horse.”

“That’s a funny way to hire people, but I guess everybody has their method.”

++++

Two weeks had passed since I had arrived at the ranch. Every bone in my body ached, and I had long since stopped counting my bruises. New, dark blue ones joined the yellow-green, older ones already fading. Not only did I have to break the ponies in and get them ready for the saddle, but I also had to train them. A riding horse had to be led without overtaking the owner and stay put when the reins were on the ground. It had to master the spin and the sliding stop and react to the slightest pull of the rein or leg pressure.

I stifled a weary yawn and rinsed the day’s dust from my throat with lukewarm water from my canteen. The setting sun’s red light outlined the appaloosa’s muscles beneath his glossy coat. He let out a soft snort as his clear, coal-black eyes met mine. It was like a challenge, making my tiredness vanish at once. Feeling that it wouldn’t be easy had kept me from trying to break him until now. “Hugh, I’m going to ride this appaloosa for one round, and then we’re done!”

He removed his hat and scratched his head, making his gray hair stand up in all directions. “You should save him for another day when you’re fresh. Tim has tried to break him and failed, and you’ve already had two hard falls!”

Tempted to listen to the experienced foreman, I hesitated for a moment. My bones were aching. Should I try first thing tomorrow morning? But I had never met a horse I couldn’t ride, and it appealed to me to impress Jed and Hugh with my skills, even though I shouldn’t care what they thought of me. I wouldn’t tuck tail. My ambition took over. “I can make it today.”

“All right, son, your choice. Jed, go get that stallion for us!”

I realized it would be a tough ride and regretted my decision as I lowered my butt in the saddle. On the other hand, challenges had always spurred me on, and only a coward would have backed down now. I wrapped the rope around my gloved hand twice, pressed my hat on my forehead against the low sun, and slipped my boots into the stirrups. “Okay, let’s go!”

It was like fireworks exploding beneath me. The mustang catapulted out of the chute, hitting the ground straight-legged. The shock of the impact rattled through my tired bones. Then, the animal began to buck. My teeth clashed together several times as it bounced through the coral, similar to a ball. It threw its hind legs so high in the air that I would have fallen over its neck if I hadn’t clung to the saddle horn. My hat tumbled, and the sun’s rays penetrating the kicked-up dust blinded me. The mustang was nimble and smart. It spun in quick circles on the spot, the size of my palm, until everything blurred before my eyes. Then it tossed its head from side to side, trying to dig its teeth into my shin. I yanked hard on the halter. An angry mixture of a scream and a growl came from the animal’s throat, causing my hair to stand on end. The stallion backed until his hindquarters bumped against the railings. Then he flung himself sideways against a post to crush my leg.

Planks cracked, or was it my bones? I let out a scream. Jed was beside me with his horse and a lasso, trying to push the appaloosa away from the fence. I yanked my boot from the stirrup. The horse felt the shift in my weight and jumped to the side, twisting and turning. I lost my footing and swirled through the air. The ground rushed towards me. All the breath was driven from my lungs as I landed hard. Bright flashes chased through the back of my head.

“Get out of here!” my brain screamed, but my body refused to obey. I lay on my back, limbs splayed as dust wafted over me. Thank God for my good reflexes! My arm shot up to shield my face when iron-hard hooves thundered to the ground inches from my ear. Sharp white teeth flashed out of nowhere. They dug into my shirt and yanked out a shred of fabric. I sucked in a ragged breath. My voice worked again. A yell erupted from me. Why didn’t someone catch that beast?

Then the devil on hooves was gone.

“Darn, boy!” Hugh knelt beside me, a deep frown on his forehead. “You okay?”

Face contorted in pain, I got up with his help and limped out of the corral. It surprised me that my leg could support my weight. Groaning and coughing, I collapsed onto an empty barrel and started to take stock of my injuries. I knew what broken bones felt like, but all the joints seemed to work.

Shaking his head, the foreman handed me the canteen with a reproving look. I was grateful he didn’t give me an “I told you so” lecture.

“Thanks!”

I drank deep, greedy gulps, pouring the rest over my neck. The water brought me back to life, and I glanced at the pen, where the stallion was secured to the fence with a lasso around his neck. But there was a price to pay.

“Fucking son of a bitch!” Clutching his arm, Jed climbed out of the corral. I saw blood oozing from between his fingers.

“I guess you need a doctor, boy!” Hugh said, eyeing Jed’s bloody, torn shirt, then unbuttoning his scarf. “Let me see!”

Hugh ripped open the fabric, revealing a deep bite mark on Jed’s forearm. The skin was torn and squeezed at the bulging edges, and was already starting to turn bluish. The wound was an ugly sight.

Damn, our boss is going to be pissed.

The old wrangler wrapped his neckerchief tight around the wound and knotted it. “Come on, son, let’s get you to the doc. Joe, will you hitch up the wagon and drive Jed to town? He doesn’t look like he can ride.”

 

It was a short drive, less than half an hour, but the sun had set when I pulled up in front of the Greenfield doctor’s office. Jumping off the seat, I secured the reins to the tethering pole. “I’d better go in with you. I’ve seen sheets with more color than your face.”

Pressing his injured arm to his chest, Jed scrambled out of the seat. ‘We make a lovely couple,’ I thought with a grimace as we climbed the three steps to the elevated walkway, bloody, limping, and covered in dust. Yanking the door open since the brightly lit windows told us someone was still at work, I hollered, “Hello, Doc?”

A young woman with a broom in her hand rushed out of one of the rooms, taking in the situation at once. “Bronc busting, huh?” she said with a glance at our dusty clothes and chaps. “I just do the cleaning, but Doctor Morris will be here any minute. He`s treating a bullet wound right now.”

I must have stared at her open-mouthed too long, since her dark eyes flashed. It was as if she expected a snide remark about her skin color or job.

My first thought was how pretty she was, then it dawned on me I had seen her before. She was the half-breed from the well!

I put on my charming smile and tried to tap my hat, but my hand didn’t go anywhere. My hat lay trampled in the corral. Embarrassed, I let my arm drop. “I’m Joe Cartwright. We met at the well a few weeks ago.”

An enchanting dimple appeared on her left cheek as she smiled, showing straight white teeth.

“Ah, you’re the drifter with the pinto. Without that stubble, I didn`t recognize you.”

Her smile disappeared, replaced by a frown, as she turned her attention to the injured cowboy beside me. I followed her gaze from his arm to the floor, where fine sand trickling from our chaps was mixed with drops of blood. She gestured towards a door. “Go to the examination room over there. I’ll get you a towel.”

Jed plopped on the leather-covered exam table and let her wrap a piece of cloth around his red-soaked, makeshift bandage. Although it wouldn’t prevent further bleeding, it stopped the dripping. Nevertheless, Jed needed proper care quickly.

“Can’t you do more for him? I am worried about the bleeding.” I asked as she was on her way out the door.

The girl shot me a glance over her shoulder. “No. Doc doesn’t want me to have any contact with patients. He says it makes the practice look bad.” Her voice didn’t sound bitter, as I would have expected, but instead resigned.

“It was supposed to be closed, but then the emergency came up. I work here at night when no one can see me.”

“You can’t be serious!”

She shrugged and left us alone.

I stepped next to Jed. “How did that stallion get you?”

“I pulled the damn beast away from you with the lasso. He turned and attacked me.” Jed grimaced and fell silent again.

To pass the time, I studied the Latin names on the brown and white glass bottle labels neatly lined up in a cabinet. On a small table was a pile of clean towels and a tray of tweezers, needles, and scalpels, but I avoided looking closer. Where the hell was this doctor? Would Jed bleed to death while he was busy with another patient?

I tucked my hands into the back of my belt and paced until I noticed how much dirt trickled off my trousers. With a sigh, I folded my arms and leaned against the door frame to watch the girl. She grabbed a broom and started to sweep up the sand in the waiting room we had left behind. In between, she kept giving me glances I couldn’t interpret, and when our eyes met again, I thought I saw her blush, but it was hard to tell with her dark skin and the poor lighting in the room.

I shot her a smile. “Can I help you?”

She brushed a strand of hair from her face and raised one eyebrow in surprise. “Take care of your friend. He looks like he’s about to pass out.”

“I’m fine,” Jed murmured, his pale skin color and the sweat on his forehead showing that he wasn’t.

“Sure you are!” I confirmed with a roll of my eyes. This was usually my line. “Finally!” escaped me when the doctor rushed into the room.

His voice sounded tired as his eyes darted between me and the horse wrangler to assess the situation. “Howdy, fellas.”

The doctor was a clean-shaven man in his forties. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and he wore a crooked tie and a grey vest matching his trousers. His exhausted expression fit the dark circles under his eyes. “Bring me fresh water, girl. Then you can clean the room next door. And take the bloody laundry.”

The girl nodded. “Alright.”

The doctor stepped up beside Jed and grabbed his forearm. “What happened, young man?”

“Horse bite.”

“That horse was mighty mad at you, wasn’t it?” he joked, loosening the blood-soaked rag stuck to the wound while Jed bit his lip. “Did you treat it badly?”

“No. We tried to break it! We work for Ashley.” I jumped in while Jed became a shade paler.

The doctor nodded to the girl, who hurried over to place a pitcher on the table beside the instruments. “I won’t need you here any longer, Jane. And you, young man, can wait in the front room while I treat your friend.”

I followed Jane through the door. She grabbed a bucket of water and a rag to scrub the blood off the floorboards. Leaning against the wall to stay out of her way, I tried not to stare at her butt as she bent over. Instead, I concentrated on her shiny black hair, which she wore pulled back in a bun. I liked how loose strands caressed her face and high cheekbones.

“You work here at Doc’s?” As the question slipped out, I realized how stupid it sounded. Why was I so nervous around her?

Jane straightened up and looked at me, frowning, as if surprised by my small talk. Perhaps she was used to people patronizing her? I knew most men didn’t like dealing with Indians. Would she rather I leave her alone?

A hint of a smile played around Jane’s lips as she answered. “I clean the rooms every night, and I do the laundry for Miss Stewart across the street. She rents out guest rooms.” Stepping closer, she pointed at my leg. She’d probably noticed my limp. “Are you injured too?”

I shifted my weight and rubbed my thigh, the pain now pulsating to my hip.

“It’s my fault. I tried to break a bronc that had been ridden before.” I lowered my head, staring at my boots. “It threw me off, and Jed got bitten when he tried to catch it before it could trample me to death. I was too darn confident and too proud to listen to the experienced foreman.”

The girl gave me a quick touch on my arm. “Sounds like an accident to me. You didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt. It’s not your fault.”

“Yeah, it is. I was so sure I could bust him.”

“Why does it matter that he was ridden before?”

I was pleased to see the interest in her eyes since I could spend hours talking about horses. “Once a mustang has figured out how to get rid of you, it will keep trying. They get smarter over time and always come up with new tricks.”

Unfortunately, our talk was interrupted as the door to the examination room opened, and Jed walked out, a tight bandage wrapped around his forearm. If he was surprised to find me still here, he didn’t show it. “I got a torn blood vessel stitched up. Now I need a beer!” he muttered, pushing past me.

Standing in the doorway, the doctor looked me from head to toe. “You seem a little banged up yourself. Are you all right, son?”

“The stallion slammed my leg against a post.”

“Come on, let me see.”

“Why not?” With a shrug, I limped toward the cot. I unbuckled my chaps, kicked off my right boot, and pulled up my pant leg. “I’m sure nothing’s damaged.”

“It’s my job to judge that!”

An angry-looking, almost black bruise stretched from my ankle over my knee, and the unpleasant sight made the pain flare up again. When the doctor ran his skillful fingers not very gently over my shin, I bit my lower lip to stifle a moan.

“That’s similar to Tim’s injury, who had the job before you. He wasn’t so lucky. Busted his leg. He called the horse a red devil. It was an appaloosa.”

“I know. It was the same with me. Pinned me against the railing.”

“Like I said, you were lucky. Nothing is broken, so I can’t do much for you.” Morris handed me a small brown bottle of arnica tincture. “This should help with the swelling. Apply it twice a day.”

“How much do I owe you, Doc?”

“Fifty cents.”

I handed him a coin.

“Jane, we’re through. You can clean up here.”

The girl entered the room, holding her body straight and chin up. “All right.” When her gaze fell on me, a smile played around her lips. Her eyes sparkled. Was she flirting with me?

I liked that she wasn’t intimidated like some Indian women who worked for white folks. Her eyes flashed with defiance and pride when she picked up the bloody rags as if she didn’t mind doing this dirty and probably poorly paid job.

Fascinated by her charm, I ran my fingers through my hair, wondering whether it would be appropriate to ask her out. Besides, she probably wasn’t interested in dating a white cowboy. I cleared my throat since my mouth had gone dry. “Sorry for the mess we’re leaving behind, lady.” I pointed at the sand, the bloody towel, and the absorbent cotton lying on the floor.

Morris rolled down his sleeves, which were covered in bloodstains, ruining my chance to chat with the girl any longer. “Don’t worry about that, young man. Rest your leg and take it easy for a few days.”

It sounded like a dismissal, but I figured the doctor wanted to call it a day. I smiled politely, disappointed to have missed my shot at asking Jane out. “I’ll do that. Thanks, Doc. Have a good night.”

After stepping out the door and onto the sidewalk, Jane’s melodic voice made me pause and turn around. “Cowboy, you forgot your chaps!” She hurried after me and thrust the bundle into my hands.

“Thanks.” Kneading the leather, I hesitated for a moment. Should I ask? Better not.

“Miss, do you have any plans for Sunday?” I heard myself say.

Pausing in her movements, she arched an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Would you like to go for a picnic?”

Jane studied me with narrowed eyes. “Are you serious? No one has ever invited me to a picnic before.”

“I’m very serious. Would you like to?”

Her dimple appeared as a cute smile flitted across her face. “Alright.”

“Great! I’ll pick you up. Where are you staying?”

“I have a small chamber next to the tack room in the livery stable. The owner was a friend of Pa’s, and he let me stay there.”

It seemed as if Morris had overheard our conversation. He stood in the doorway, one hand resting on the frame. “Boy, you better find yourself a white girl!”

Pain crept into Jane’s eyes.

Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I didn’t try to hide my anger. My voice was as caustic as acid on a piece of metal. “Thanks for the advice, Doc, but I’ll decide which girls to date.”

The doctor raised his hands in apology, turned around, and closed the door behind him without a word.

“Don’t worry about it, Joe. I hear stuff like this all the time. You get used to it.” Jane tried to smile, but I could see how much the comment had hurt her.

I placed a comforting hand on her arm. “That’s not something you should get used to.”

“You’re right, but what choice do I have? I was raised as a white girl. I feel white, but people only see my dark skin. Those remarks are painful, even if I try to ignore them. Folks don’t know any better. They’re full of prejudice.”

“I won’t let anyone around me talk like that.”

“You can’t stop that, Joe, but I appreciate that you’re different. Look, I have to go on with my work. I’m looking forward to Sunday.” Her whole face glowed with joy, which looked prettier than a colorful sunrise over Lake Tahoe.

“I’ll rent a buckboard.”

“You don’t need one. I have my horse. We’ll meet at Ashley’s ranch. I ride a lot in my spare time, so I know the area well. I can show you the most beautiful spots.”

A girl who loves horse riding! I was a lucky man. “Fine, it’s Sunday then!”

Grinning, I entered the saloon, still overwhelmed that I had a date with the prettiest girl in Greenfield. She said yes! My heart beat fast, and the anticipation of our picnic pushed my throbbing leg into the background.

“Good mood?” With some color back on his face, Jed sat at one of the scratched tables with an almost empty beer glass in front of him.

I plopped down on a chair. “Yeah. I’ve got a date for Sunday!”

“With the Doc?” The corner of his mouth twitched.

“Idiot!” I replied with a smirk and raised my hand to get the bartender’s attention. “Bring me a beer!”

++++

The next day, our boss came to the bunkhouse to check on us. He glanced at the scattered clothes and boots on the floor and my dismantled revolver, which I had begun cleaning before the accident.

Perched on the bed in my undergarments, one leg of my long johns rolled up, I held the bottle of arnica in my hand, while Jed sat at the table engrossed in a game of solitaire.

Stepping next to my bunk, Ashley stared at the bruise on my lower leg. “I heard about what happened yesterday. Do you realize I’m not paying you to sit around? What did the doctor say? How long will you be out?” He took out his pocket watch, snapped it open, and studied the time, a weird habit.

I poured some of the spicy alcoholic tincture into my palm and rubbed it on my swollen lower leg. “With a couple of days’ rest, I’ll be as good as new. For now, I can continue to work with the green broken horses. Mr. Ashley, I want to buy the appaloosa.”

“He almost killed you! Are you still in your right mind, boy, or did you hit your head when you fell? Or do you have a fever?” He bent forward to feel my forehead with the back of his hand.

“I’m fine. If the stallion had wanted, he could have killed me when I was down. He just panicked, and you can’t blame him for that. He’s an excellent and clever animal, and I want to buy him.”

“All right, he’s yours, although I think he’s a sneaky beast and you’ll have a tough time taming him. But as you wish. I’ll take forty dollars from your wages, and you can do whatever you want. Shoot him, set him loose, or just leave him in the corral … but I have one condition. While you’re on my payroll, don’t try riding that horse again. I need you alive and well. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

 

When I hauled heavy feet out of the bunkhouse that evening to relieve myself, I froze. No, this can’t be true! As fast as my bruised leg allowed, I hobbled to the smaller corral and wriggled between the crossbars.

“Hugh!” My voice echoed angrily across the deserted yard. “Who the hell did this?”

My hands shook as I undid the resistant knots holding the heavy sandbags on my stallion’s back. A very short rope tied his head to a post in the middle of the arena. The sun had been burning down relentlessly on the poor animal for who knows how many hours, and I could see his muscles trembling. His neck and flanks were soaked with sweat.

I jerked at the sacks until they thudded to the ground. The horse rolled his eyes back, trying to see what was happening.

“There you go, boy. Take it easy. I’m going to help you. Just be nice and quiet,” I cajoled in the calmest, most relaxed voice I could muster. Crouching down, I began to remove the ropes from his fetlocks.

“Be careful, Joe!” Hugh shouted. He had probably heard my yelling and was approaching.

I didn’t know if the foreman’s voice or the sudden sense of freedom made the stallion haul up his hind leg and kick out. When the hoof flew towards me, I managed to spin. A sharp pain exploded in my hip as it hit my flesh with a dull thud. Still, I scrambled to my feet and lurched toward his head. With a quick tug, I released the rope from the post, staggering back to avoid the teeth, which snapped together only inches from my face with a loud ‘clack.’

Hands grabbed me and dragged me out of the corral, where the stallion did a few laps, a triumphant sparkle in his expressive eyes. Then, head and tail proudly raised, he paused, lifting his upper lip. It felt like he was laughing at me.

“Trying to kill yourself, boy?” Hugh yelled in my face. I could smell his tobacco breath as he grabbed my shirt and shook me.

“No, but apparently, you tried to kill my horse!”

“Your horse, eh?”

“Yeah, I bought it.”

“I just did you a favor. It’s an old, tried-and-true method of breaking unruly horses. My grandfather used to do it this way. It works, and it’s fast. Ten to twelve hours, and the animals are as good as lambs.”

“Just because it’s always been like this does not mean it’s good! If anybody lays a hand on my horse again …”

“No hard feelings, son. How could I know you bought it?”

“Only I will take care of him, you understand? I’ll feed and water him!”

“Stop fussing. Have it your way.” Grumbling, the old wrangler turned and limped away, muttering something about a young, stupid, stubborn buck.

With my jaw clenched against the pain, I rubbed my hip to soothe the throbbing. I could already feel another bruise forming, but I had to take care of my horse first. I filled a bucket with cool water at the trough pump and approached the coral. “Come here, boy, I’ve got a drink for you!”

I put the bucket inside the fence and took a few steps back. Smiling, I watched as the mustang approached with flared nostrils. As it lowered its nose into the pail, one alert ear spun in my direction.

“I know you didn’t mean to harm me. Hugh scared you with the rough treatment. You’re too proud to put up with a rider or let him break you, huh? Yeah, I can understand that. I have an obstinate streak myself.” ” I murmured in a calm tone.

After feeding the stallion an armful of fragrant hay, I perched my butt on the barrel and watched him munch. The dried grass smelled of herbs and summer and reminded me of the haying season at home, which I always liked to avoid.

I ran my fingers through my hair in thought. This time, no one stopped me from buying the horse I wanted. The only problem was that it was so wild and unpredictable. I would love to take the appaloosa to the Ponderosa, but it would have to learn to walk on a rope without kicking or biting, and that would need a lot of training. It wouldn`t even be necessary to ride the stallion in. I could start my own horse breeding business. What would his offspring be like? Would he pass his body structure and color?

++++

Three days later, I felt well enough to get back to work. I refrained from busting broncs for now, but trained the horses that already accepted a saddle. Although the swirling dust clung to the layer of sweat on my face and parched my mouth, I enjoyed working at my own pace without anyone watching. Jed recovered from his injuries, and Hugh had used his day off to ride into town. Birds chirped in the pine trees surrounding the ranch, and a gentle mountain breeze cooled my sweaty skin. There was nowhere in the world I’d rather be right now.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement. Someone had stepped up to the fence and interrupted my concentration. However, the tiny spark of annoyance vanished as I got a better look.

The slender figure wore a cowboy hat fastened with a strap under the chin, a black and red plaid shirt, and a buckskin riding dress. Jane’s sight brought a broad grin to my face.

“Hello, Joe!” the girl greeted, resting her forearms on the fence.

I tipped my hat. “Howdy, Miss Jane. I don’t even know your last name!”

She laughed. “Potts. Just call me Jane. I see you’re ignoring Doc Morris’ orders?”

“Certainly, he didn’t send you to check on me? Or couldn’t you wait to see me again?”

“Of course, I just wanted to see this snappy horse.”

I steered the mare I trained up to the fence. “Back home, I have two brothers and a father who make sure I follow the doctor’s instructions, but here I’m my boss.”

Jane reached out to stroke the mare’s nose. “You have a family?”

I dismounted and climbed out of the corral. Removing my gloves, I tucked them in my pocket. “Yeah, back in Nevada, near Lake Tahoe. My pa’s got a ranch there. Come on, we’ll sit in the shade. Would you like some coffee? I bet it’s cold and bitter. The boys in the bunkhouse make a lousy cup of coffee.”

“I’ll give it a try.”

Jane joined me in the shadow after tethering her pretty palomino mare. I poured two cups of lukewarm coffee from the enamel pot that was always ready on the stove. We plopped side by side on the wooden bench against the north wall of the bunkhouse.

As Jane took a sip from her cup, her mouth tightened. “You weren’t kidding. It tastes awful.” Shuddering, she spilled the rest. “You looked like one of those drifters when you came to Greenville. Dirty, unkempt, and run-down. Why are you in this godforsaken town when you have a family?”

I shifted my weight on the hard seat to relieve my sore hip. “I’ve worked on my father’s ranch. I thought it was time to see something else. To learn new ways or methods, and to take responsibility. Nobody took me seriously because I’m the youngest. And what about you? Don’t you have a family?”

“My papa was a blacksmith. He worked right here in Greenfield. My mother, a Bannock, died when I was ten. Pa came down with smallpox three years ago and died too. I’ve been on my own since I was fifteen.”

“Have you never thought of living with your mother’s people?”

“No, never. Except for my skin color and black hair, I don’t have much in common with them.”

“So you have no relatives? What about girlfriends?”

“Who wants friendship with an Indian? I have Papa’s books. They’re my friends. Even though he was just a blacksmith, he wasn’t dumb. He used to read a lot.”

Jane got up, glancing around. “I can be grateful for having a job. Working for Morris is okay. He’s all right. For someone like me, there aren’t many opportunities. I’d rather mop up dirt than work in a saloon where men grope me. Joe, when will you show me this killer horse that hurt you?”

I put down my cup and stood as well. “He’s right over there in the coral. I haven’t tried to ride him since.”

“My mother said you have to gain the trust of the animal. You can’t break it by force; it has to want to come to you. The Bannock people blow into their horses’ nostrils. That’s how they learn your scent.”

Watching the stallion who restlessly turned in circles, we stood at the fence. “Serious? Blowing into the nostrils? I won’t put my face near these teeth! But I’ve spent much time with him the last three days, feeding him, watering him, trying to show him I’m no threat.”

“He must let off steam and get rid of his energy. You see how tense and nervous he is? He’s a wild horse used to roaming across the prairie and feeling the wind in his face. You should let him run.”

I’d realized it wasn’t good for a mustang to be locked in a paddock for weeks, but I couldn’t do anything about it. “I’ve moved him around the corral daily, but I know that wasn’t enough. Being stuck in bed when ill makes me feel the same way. I become impatient, restless, and get in a bad mood. Would you help me with the stallion? We can lead him between us on ropes.”

“Why don’t we take him to the picnic on Sunday?”

“Yeah, that may work. I’d rather ride this mare. He knows her. They’re from the same herd.”

I took a small step to the side so that our elbows, resting on the crossbar, were touching. “It’s amazing you know so much about horses! Most women talk about clothes and babies.”

“I grew up in the barn watching my papa work. He used to tell me that he put me on a horse before I could even walk.”

“It was similar to me. On a ranch, you learn to handle animals as a kid.”

Ashley interrupted our time together by stepping out of the house with his hands on his hips, glaring at us. With a wry grin, I forced my still sore body to move. “I have to keep going. The boss doesn’t pay me to stand around. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

Jane’s eyes lit up. “Great! I can’t wait!”

++++

The anticipation of our trip was written all over Jane’s face as she rode into the ranch yard early on Sunday morning. She had braided her hair into a thick plait, which I liked better than the stiff bun. It looked adorable, and the light blue ribbon she had woven into it matched her blouse.

The little bay mare I broke in was so used to the saddle that I didn’t expect any problems. Although my heart pounded with excitement, I didn’t let it show. Horses can smell fear. Maybe it was Jane’s presence, not the stallion eyeing me warily, that made my heart race as if it wanted to leap out of my chest.

I took a deep breath and guided the pony into the pen, leading it next to the stallion. While he greeted her, sniffing, I managed to attach two long ropes to his halter. As I passed one rope to Jane, sitting on her Palomino, our hands touched for a moment. It felt like a spark had been lit. My heart beat even faster as Jane grinned at me. She had felt the spark, too. I had to hold back from touching her face and caressing her cute little dimple.

Instead, we steered our horses out of the yard, leading the appaloosa between us. I noticed his twitching muscles, flared nostrils, and nervous snorting. It was as if he knew he was about to be allowed to run.

Jane adjusted her hat and pointed to the hills before us. “Let’s ride up to the mountains, Joe! It’s beautiful there.”

The wind whipped our faces as we galloped across a gently rising meadow. Our horses’ hooves drummed a chant of freedom and joy, and the sunlight made the stallion’s mane shine. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation of the hard-working muscles beneath me and the scent of grass and fertile earth in my nose.

Jane had been right. The stallion loved running. We reined in when we realized our horses were slowing down and sweating.

Laughing, the girl brushed a strand of hair from her brow. Her even, milk-coffee-colored skin had taken on a reddish tint, and her eyes sparkled with energy and liveliness. As she breathed heavily, her full breasts heaved under the tight-fitting fabric of the blue blouse, and it took all my willpower not to stare. I longed to pull her into my arms, to caress her skin, to kiss her. But I had to go slow.

The stallion’s snorting snapped me out of my thoughts. He looked content. The tension had left his body, and he lowered his head to pluck at a few stalks. Jane and I exchanged glances and a grin. So far, our plan had been a success.

The higher we rode, the more herbs and mountain flowers grew between the grasses. A refreshing breeze blew up here, carrying the clean scent of pines. Birds chirped, and once, we saw a herd of wild sheep, which reminded me of my hunting trips with Hoss. I knew how much he’d love to shoot one of those rams. Hop Sing would prepare a delicious pot roast with baked potatoes. My stomach growled at the thought, and saliva gathered in my mouth. The grub Hugh, Jed, and I cooked at the ranch wasn’t bad, but I’d never eaten as many beans, rice, and bacon as in the past few weeks.

Without seeing anything, I stared into the distance, realizing how much I missed my whole family. I’ve been away from home for many weeks, but summer will end soon, and I had planned to return in the fall. Once or twice, I wrote a letter—not because I felt the need to, but because I knew it would make Pa feel better to hear where I was going and that I was all right. I was sure Hoss missed our fishing trips, our humorous banter, and our nightly games of checkers.

“Is anything wrong? You look kind of sad.”

“Huh?” I turned to Jane, who gave me a questioning look over the stallion’s back. I was embarrassed because I was lost in my thoughts. I should give her my attention.

“No, I was just thinking about my family and what they might do. They’re expecting me back at the end of the summer.”

“Oh.” I could see disappointment flooding the girl’s face. The dimple disappeared, and she furrowed her brow. “I understand family is important. It’s just …” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s keep going.”

 

Hours passed as we drove our horses further and further up the mountains. The previously relaxed atmosphere had changed. I suspected it was because I would return to Nevada in a few weeks. I hadn’t considered that there was little point in dating someone if I had to leave soon. Our blossoming relationship had no future.

The place we found for a picnic was perfect. Granite boulders framed the area like an arena, sheltering us from the wind, and the short grass provided a comfortable place to sit.

The view was breathtaking. We could see for miles. A fertile plain stretched below us, and a river meandered through the landscape like a wide blue ribbon. The dark green wooded slopes and lush meadows reminded me of the Ponderosa. I wondered if there were any big fish in the river down there.

My gloomy state of mind annoyed me. I should enjoy the day, happy to spend it with such an exciting, enchanting girl, but instead, I was—homesick? That was ridiculous.

Jane spread out the red and white checkered picnic blanket I had brought while I took the saddles off the horses and sent them out to graze. The stallion made no move to attack me, though I was careful not to get too close to his teeth and hooves.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t bring the delicious things Hop Sing, our cook, makes for picnics! I hope, at least, my coffee is better than the one in the bunkhouse. My brothers say it tastes awful.” I rummaged through the canvas bag attached to my saddle horn.

Jane, sitting on the blanket, plucked at a loose thread. “You must have had many picnics.”

Her sad tone made me pause. “A few,” I admitted.

She started chewing on her thumbnail while she studied the blanket. “You got a girlfriend back home?”

“Would I be here with you then?”

Jane sounded bitter. “Why not? Home is far away, isn’t it?”

“No, I am not like that.” I pulled the apple pie box out of the bag. I had bought it the night before at a café in the city. Although it was crushed a bit, it would still taste good. “I’ve dated many gals, but my pa taught us to respect and treat women decently. I wouldn’t have asked you for a date if I had a steady girl at home.”

Jane looked at me in a way I couldn’t interpret and shrugged. It was clear she didn’t believe me and wouldn’t discuss it further. My mood sank lower. No matter what I said, it somehow came out wrong.

With a sigh, I lit a small fire. There was plenty of dry wood from a dead tree. I pulled sandwiches, apples, and coffee powder out of my saddlebags. I even remembered to bring some sugar and cream.

Without a word, Jane took the cup of hot brew and wrapped her hands around it as if to warm them. Her gaze went past me into space, and she seemed far away.

Bending over, I put two fingers under her chin to lift her head and glance into her dark eyes. They glistened wet. “Hey, are you crying?”

“No,” she lied, wiping her eyes with a vigorous motion. “Let’s eat.”

I probably shouldn’t have mentioned the other girls I’d been seeing, but I couldn’t lie. Maybe relationships were a sore point for Jane? But now, here I was with her. I would have loved to hug her or stroke her back reassuringly, but I knew she wouldn’t let me. For some reason, she had put up a protective wall around herself. If I wanted to get through to her, I had to go slowly. “Jane, listen. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing, but I wanted to be honest. I like you, and I want to get to know you better. That’s why I asked you out.”

Jane nodded. “Okay, I want to believe you. Now, let’s talk about something else and enjoy the day.”

“Ham or cheese?” I asked, offering two sandwiches to choose from.

“I hate cheese!”

At the sight of her wrinkled nose, I giggled. “Just like my brother Hoss!”

“Tell me about your family, Joe.”

The change of subject was fine with me. I had plenty of stories about my brothers. I bit into the soft bread, chewed, and swallowed, a tale already forming in my mind.

Determined to cheer Jane up, I put on my innocent smile that made the girls melt away. Pushing my hat onto the back of my head, I moved closer. “My middle brother, Hoss, is twenty-four, six years older than me. He’s strong as a steer and almost a head taller than me, but you have to know he`s good-natured and friendly, with a soft heart. One day, we rode into a place called Kiowa Flats. We were tired and wanted to wash the trail dust off our throats at the bar. Outside the saloon, a welcome party greeted us in a weird, over-friendly way. Inside, the bartender almost jumped out of his skin when we approached. He was so nervous he dropped the glass he polished as we ordered beer.”

Jane sat back and took a bite of her sandwich, already fascinated by my story.

“A few men stood as if glued in place, lined up against the wall next to us, and they didn’t take their eyes off us. ‘Hoss, is something wrong with me? Do I smell?’ I asked my brother. He sniffed. ‘No, like always. Horse and leather.”

The girl chuckled. Her eyes were glued to my lips.

“When we tried to make small talk with the bartender, he started rambling about the weather and wouldn’t stop. Hoss and I exchanged puzzled looks. Either people in Texas were very strange, or something was wrong with us.”

Jane couldn’t help laughing when I told her that we’d thought it was worse than hanging when a bunch of god-fearing ladies tried to get us to repent after we ended up in jail. In the end, it turned out the townfolks mistook us for the Slade brothers, two ruthless gunslingers.

When I finished my story, Jane had tears in her eyes and her face was all red. This time, it was tears of laughter.

Grabbing an apple, I rubbed it on my shirt and took a bite. Juicy sweetness exploded in my mouth. I thought of how Cochise always searched my pockets for treats.

Jane shot me a questioning look as I stood up and strolled over to the horses. They had their heads buried in the grass, chewing contentedly. “I want to try something.”

Jane got up, too, but stayed by the picnic blanket. “Be careful.”

My stallion stopped grazing and lifted his head. His withers muscles twitched, and his tail flapped as he shooed away some flies crawling over his dusty, unkempt white-reddish coat. Someday, I’d try brushing him.

With my hand outstretched, I offered him the apple. The appaloosa stepped toward me, and I tried to stay calm and relaxed. I’d had much practice reading horses, and he didn’t look like he wanted to attack me.

Holding my breath, I watched as he took another step. Juice oozed from the bitten fruit and trickled onto my palm. His nostrils flared while he inhaled the sweet scent. Gentle lips reached for the apple and plucked it away.

Turning to Jane, I saw the excitement dance in her eyes. “That was great, Joe! You’ll see. Soon, he’ll be as well-behaved and affectionate as a loyal dog.”

“Yeah, I reckon that’s a better way to train a horse than what Hugh did.” I had told Jane how he tried to break the stallion, and she was as horrified as I’d been. Unfortunately, we both knew this was a common practice.

Horse talk was easy, and the rest of the day went smoothly. We ate every last pie crumb, and Jane said she loved my coffee. I liked girls who didn’t peck at their food but who ate with as much of an appetite as I did.

“We have to get back, or we’re not going to make it before dark,” I said with regret as I stood and rolled up the blanket. I loved how Jane brushed her hair from her face with the back of her hand and how she chewed her fingernail when she was thoughtful or nervous. Her laugh sounded bright and clear as a babbling stream, and her smooth movements reminded me of a cat.

I was reluctant to leave because I wanted to tell Jane how her beauty took my breath away. She should know how my heart raced when I looked at her and how I desired her. I wanted her to understand how much I enjoyed our time together, but I had no idea how to say it in a way that wouldn’t give the wrong impression. I wasn’t the type of man at a loss for words, but I suspected something had happened in the past that made her so reserved and suspicious of people.

On the way back, we decided it was too awkward to lead the appaloosa between us in the rough terrain, so I took the rope. It worked. He followed me without trying to nip me or causing trouble.

We rode along a narrow path leading into the valley below. To our left was a steep scree slope. On the right, the rock dropped to a raging stream.

My arm was almost ripped out of its socket when the stallion came to a sudden stop. “Whoa! What’s this about? Come on, boy!” I tried to encourage him to keep going with cheering tongue clicks. This was the worst place imaginable to fight an unruly horse.

Jane, riding before me, reined in her palomino and glanced back. “What’s going on?”

Stubborn as a bad-tempered mule that had taken it into its head to stop, the stallion dug his hooves into the path, only three feet wide. He refused to go one step further and instead started to back up, since the trail was too narrow to turn around.

“Darn critter,” I murmured as his nervousness spread to Jane’s and my mount, who began to prance, toss their heads, and snort. Inch by inch, the stallion pulled me backward. Horses are much stronger than humans, and he had just found that out. With only a halter and no bit, I had no chance of controlling him. “I can’t stop him!”

“Let go of him!”

“No!”

The distress in Jane’s voice was evident. “Joe, you’re gonna fall!”

The path was narrow, and my mare’s hooves nearly slid over the edge as the stallion pulled further backward. Boulders crumbled off the ledge and cascaded downwards, where the roaring stream swallowed them. It was only half a dozen yards to the river below us, but a fall would still result in serious injury. We had to get out of here. A strange feeling knotted my stomach. “Something’s wrong, Jane! The horses act strangely! We’d better—”

A startled flock of scolding finches rushed past us, so close that I flinched. Something had caused them to panic. The stallion reared up, and I saw the fear in his distorted eyes. He quickened his pace, pulling me and my mount along. Then, the path was wide enough to turn around.

The stallion spun and started running. I gasped as the rough hemp ate into my sweaty palm, leaving a painful rope burn. Before the end could slip through, I reacted out of reflex, wrapping the rope around my hand. Darn, I was a fool. I should have let the stallion go, but it was too late. The noose tightened, almost crushing my hand.

Clenching my teeth, I squeezed my thighs around my mare’s rump. I just had to keep from falling out of the saddle; otherwise, the appaloosa would drag me to death. I lost control of the horses.

Close behind me, I heard the palomino’s hoofbeats. I risked a quick glance over my shoulder. Jane sat firmly in the saddle, thank God! What had driven me to take this wild mustang on a picnic with a girl?

A deep rumble broke straight from the bowels of the earth. It was the eeriest sound I’d ever heard. My hair stood on end. Bewildered, I stared at the scattered pine trees, their tops swaying and waving in a wild dance.

“What’s that?” yelled Jane.

“Earthquake!”

The ground vibrated. Legs spread wide, our horses came to a halt. They tried not to lose footing as the rock beneath us shuddered and bucked. It was a frightening experience. Solid stone was something safe and reliable, and it wasn’t supposed to move, but that rule didn’t apply right now.

It seemed to go on for hours, but I guessed it had only lasted a minute or two. I was amazed that the reddish evening sun stood still in the same place in the sky when the earth finally came to rest.

Jane and I exchanged glances. Her brown eyes were wide open, her pupils huge black holes, and I could see the fear sparkling in them, but both of us were unharmed.

“It’s over,” she whispered, as her hunched shoulders relaxed.

But she was wrong. It wasn’t over. The mountain held another surprise for us.

A crash and rumbling made me spin as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief. Stones the size of giant pumpkins slid and thundered down the slope behind us into the creek, mixed with earth and uprooted bushes, all enveloped in a gigantic cloud of dust. The landslide buried the complete path we had just been on. Dazed, we stared at the scene.

The following silence was deafening, and my voice sounded strangely loud after I surveyed the damage. “There’s no way we are going to get through here!”

The path had completely disappeared. The dammed river began to swell and find a way through between the landslide, but this was impossible for us. I switched the lead line to my left hand and moved my cramped fingers. A burning pain radiated from my palm, and blood seeped from the frayed tear. At least it wasn’t deep. My gaze swept over the surrounding mountains. “Is there another way back?”

Jane frowned and gnawed on her thumbnail as she considered. “Yes, but it’s a detour. We have to ride around this peak and down into the valley to the south, but I’m afraid we won’t be able to make it before it gets dark.”

I loosened my neckerchief to cover the wound. “Then it’s best if we spend the night here. Riding through the mountains in the dark wouldn’t be wise. Do you know a sheltered place?”

“Yes, there’s a cabin. When I was a kid, an old man lived here. It’s only an hour away. Let me take the lead.”

 

The cabin, huddled against a rock face, was small, simple, and sturdy, which was the reason it survived the earthquake without any visible damage. The rough-hewn pine logs were weathered, and the door jammed, but the roof looked fine. Since the moss insulation between the trunks had crumbled away, it was drafty inside, but it would do for one night.

We built a fire in the potbelly stove, and soon, a cozy warmth spread, for the nights here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains were cool even in summer.

Jane spread out the picnic blanket on the small, sturdy table while I rummaged through my saddlebags. “I still have some coffee powder. At least we can make coffee. There are two sandwiches and a few apples left, too. How does that sound?”

Jane poured the contents of her canteen into my enamel pot and put it on the stove to heat up. “Great!”

I smiled to myself. Jane hadn’t complained once. Not about the prospect of spending the night in a drafty old mountain cabin or the dirt and dust clinging to our clothes after clearing away the moth-eaten furs, old flour sacks, and pushing the sturdy table in front of the stove. The two rickety stools squeaked when we sat down, but they held our weight.

The cabin had only one room. A torn curtain separated a cot. Nothing in the shack we would have called furniture at home. An old suitcase had been made into a rack, and a few wooden crates served as a clothes chest. Mouse droppings crunched under our feet with every step. Spider webs hung in the corners, and dead flies lay around the two small windows, which surprisingly still had intact panes.

By now, it was dark. The kerosene in the lamp with the shattered glass had long since dried up, but we had found two candle stumps that provided some light. We sat close together in front of the stove and listened to the hissing and crackling of the flames. Feeling warm and full, I slipped out of my jacket and leaned against the table behind me with a sigh.

“Joe, you’re hurt!” Jane reached for my hand. Her touch sent a warm tingle through my stomach.

Red stains dotted the neckerchief I’d wrapped around my sore hand. “It’s just a rope burn and not bleeding anymore.”

Jane fiddled with the knot. “Let me clean it anyway! Sometimes a small injury is enough to cause an infection.”

Shrugging, I put my arm on the table. “Now you sound like our Doc Martin in Virginia City. But if you insist …”

With a smile, I watched how she untied the knot with nimble, skillful fingers and unwound the bandage. She pulled a lace-trimmed handkerchief from her pocket, frowned, then decided it was clean enough. From my canteen, she moistened it and concentrated on dabbing the dried blood from my palm and removing pieces of hemp stuck in the torn flesh.

Her left hand cupped my wrist, and I enjoyed her touch despite the pain Jane was causing me. Her eyelashes were thick and black, and a strand of hair tickled her face. She twitched her nose and blew it away.

My heartbeat quickened. A faint smell of soap and Jane’s scent lingered around her. Jane paused, lifting her head. Our eyes locked. Had she sensed that I was looking at her? “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You’re pretty!”

She made a snorting sound deep in her throat. “I’m not pretty. I’m much too dark for a white woman and way too white to be a Bannock. Don’t play games with me, Joe.” She lowered her gaze to my wound, dabbing so hard I winced and hissed with pain.

“Sorry,” she said, but it didn’t sound like she meant it.

“What’s wrong, Jane? You reacted the same way at the picnic as you do now. Do you think I’m lying to you? Playing with you?”

“You’re handsome and admitted you’ve been on many dates. Men have some fun with the girl, a bit of dancing, some stolen kisses, and when they get bored, they move on to the next one.”

“What makes you think I’m that kind of man?” I reached for her hands, but she pulled away and clenched them into fists in her lap.

“That’s the way every man I met was. They promise you the moon and try to entice you into the barn or a dark back alley. After they get what they want, they drop you.”

Her bitterness and contempt confirmed what I had already suspected. Someone had taken advantage of her. “Please talk to me, Jane. I want to understand what’s going on inside you. What happened to you?”

She gazed at her clenched fists. “I was young and naive before I learned the hard way not to believe everything men promise.

Jane noticed my horrified look.

“Don’t worry, nothing happened that I didn’t agree to. I was lucky I didn’t end up with a baby. But that’s in the past. I swore I’d never be that silly again. Never mind. Let’s talk about something else. I bore you with my complaining.”

Jane got up so fast that her chair almost toppled over. “Let me see if I can find something for a bandage.” She went to the saddles we had placed by the door, rummaged through her saddlebag, and returned with a piece of cloth. “This will do.”

Without saying a word, she bandaged my wound. She didn’t flinch this time when I gently placed my hand on her forearm. “I’m not the kind of man you’ve met in the past. I told you about our Pa. He’s God-fearing and raised his sons to grow into decent men. I would never intentionally hurt or take advantage of a woman. I’m sorry you had a bad experience.”

Jane studied my face, trying to figure out if I was telling the truth. “You mean it?”

“I’m very serious,” I said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You’re shivering. Are you cold? It’s drafty here in the cabin.”

She didn’t lean against me, but she didn’t push me away, either. “I’m all right!”

“We should get some sleep.” I got up. “You can have my bedroll for the night. You can use the cot. I’ll sleep here by the fire.”

 

The stove’s metal clicked as it cooled down. I shifted my head on my saddle, which served as my pillow, pulling the thin picnic blanket tighter around my shoulders. It wasn’t my throbbing hand or the cold that kept me awake, but my spinning thoughts.

I listened to Jane’s deep, even breaths and the cot creaking as she rolled over. She mumbled something unintelligible as she slept. Would she agree to be my girlfriend? How could I prove my honorable intentions? Perhaps it was enough to hold back and not approach her until I had gained her trust. Jane reminded me of a mistreated animal that needed much time and attention to be convinced of your good intentions.

With a sigh, I moved closer to the stove. It would be nice to warm each other up. I imagined her approaching with hesitant steps. The floorboards would creak. She would slip under my blanket and snuggle up to my chest.

Snorting, I pressed the heel of my hand against my growing erection. I wouldn’t be fantasizing about a naked Jane right now. Pull yourself together. Think of something else—the earthquake.

I’d heard that animals can anticipate natural events. Had this happened today? If so, the stallion had saved our lives by accident. I didn’t even give him a name. How could I call him? Copper? Devil? Perhaps Jane had an idea.

The soft pitter-patter I heard was not human feet, but mice. Jane wouldn’t be crawling under my covers tonight, so I might as well sleep for a few hours. With a sigh, I pulled my knees up to my chest, shifted on the horse-smelling saddlecloth until I found a comfortable position, and closed my eyes.

 

The next day was cool and overcast with gray clouds chasing across the sky. It matched the cautious mood between us. Well, the picnic hadn’t gone as I had hoped. At least we made it back to Ashley’s ranch without any problems, taking a detour through the neighboring valley.

We both sidestepped around any subject that might cause trouble. Instead, we talked about harmless things like ranching, cattle, and my brothers, and we were careful to avoid girlfriends and relationships.

Jane was complicated. Anything deeper than a casual friendship with her was too complicated. Besides, I’d be traveling home soon, which would mean the end of any budding romance. But instead of saying goodbye with a reasonable “See you around” when we arrived at Ashley’s ranch, I blurted out another invitation. “You want to meet me again tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow?”

I stifled a sigh as a steep crease formed between Jane’s beautifully arched eyebrows. “Yeah. I like you a lot. You’re interesting and I want to spend more time with you.”

“I can’t.”

I lowered my gaze to hide my disappointment. Darn. What had happened to my ability to woo and charm women? Good looks and sweet words didn’t work on Jane. I had thought she enjoyed her time with me, though.

When she steered her horse next to me and touched my sleeve, I looked up in surprise. “Joe, I meant I can’t tomorrow. I have to work late, but I’m free on Tuesday. You proved to me that you’re a decent guy. I’ve decided to trust you. Please don’t let me down.”

My heart skipped a beat and then continued to race at full speed. “I won’t! God, Jane, you have no idea how happy you make me!”

Jane chuckled. “See you, Cowboy!” She waved goodbye, steering her mare towards Greenville with a smile that revealed her dimple and took my breath away.

Unbridled joy surged through me as I tipped my hat in farewell, looking after the slender figure on the palomino. This girl was special, and only a fool would let her go. I wanted to make the most of the time we had left. Maybe I would stick around for a few more weeks. Maybe Jane would come to Nevada with me. If we wanted to be together, we’d figure something out.

++++

“Hey, that’s blacksmith Potts’ daughter.” I heard Hugh’s voice. “What are you doing here on the ranch?”

“Joe is seeing her!” Jed gave away.

‘Please don’t say the wrong thing now,’ I thought with clenched teeth as I threw the towel next to the washbowl and hurried out of the bunkhouse. My shirt hung open, my hair was wet, and water dripped down my bare chest.

Jed sat on the bench with a guitar on his lap, chewing a match and plucking the strings. Jane and Hugh faced each other like two angry fighting cocks. The girl had straightened up to her full height, and I could see the angry glint in her eyes. “I’ve got a date!” she hissed at Hugh. “Besides, it’s none of your business. This is a free country, and I can go wherever I want.”

I pushed myself between and faced Hugh, while I fumbled with my shirt buttons. “Mind your business.”

He took a step back and raised his hands. “It’s all right, son, I didn’t mean to offend her. I just haven’t seen Pott’s daughter for a long time. I sure can see why the girl caught your attention. She’s grown into a pretty thing.”

“Wrong color, unfortunately!” Jed murmured and picked a chord on the guitar.

“Leave it to me,” I hissed. “Come on, Jane, let’s get out of here. I’ll just get my jacket.” Taking a few deep breaths helped me calm down. I needed to learn how to handle comments like that. I couldn’t punch every guy who dropped a snide remark, could I? Darn, that would take a lot of self-control.

“What are you up to?” Jane asked while I heaved the saddle onto Cochise’s back, who pranced eagerly, looking forward to the trip.

“A ride in the moonlight,” I whispered so the two horse wranglers, still nearby and watching us, couldn’t hear me.

The girl laughed. “Getting in your romantic side, huh? Are you trying to impress me?”

“Sure.”

Her eyes fell on the Appaloosa waiting in the pen, his head raised curiously. “Are we taking him with us?”

“Yeah. The exercise is good for him, and he’s pretty well-behaved now.” With an apple in my hand, I walked to the fence. The stallion studied me with his intelligent eyes. A smile flashed across my face as he approached with hesitant steps.

Standing beside me, Jane expelled the breath she had been holding as his soft lips closed around the fruit.

“I spend much money on apples, but better he sinks his teeth into a fruit than my flesh,” I said in a low tone to not frighten the horse.

“He found out he can trust you!” Jane tied the lead rope to his halter while he chewed. Then he stuck his nose in my jacket to search for more apples.

As we rode out of the yard, I could feel the appraising glances of Hugh and Jed boring into my back. But I didn’t let it spoil my mood because we had a wonderful, romantic night ahead.

++++

The last two weeks had flown by, yet it felt as if Jane and I had known each other our whole lives. We met every free evening, and her resistance and reserve toward me had melted away.

The fact that she was my steady girlfriend brought a satisfied smile to my face, which rarely disappeared. My mind kept wandering from work to Jane’s thick, coal-black hair, her seductive lips, and her soft voice, which made my skin vibrate whenever she sat beside me and talked.

I still got along well with the two wranglers since I figured out that they didn’t care that I was with a half-breed girl. Jed rarely spoke anyway, and Hugh teased me when I stared into the distance, lost in thought, oblivious to anything, or brushed the same spot on a horse for too long. Several times, I caught him grinning at the sight of me. My in love amused him or reminded him of his good times with a girl.

Perhaps that’s why I wasn’t prepared for the reactions of the patrons when Jane and I walked into the only restaurant in Greenville. This date was supposed to be special, hence the dinner invitation.

The restaurant wasn’t particularly fancy. There were only half a dozen tables set with plain tablecloths and chipped china. However, they served decent steaks and good California wine.

Jane looked lovely sitting opposite me in her midnight blue dress with delicate cream lace trim along the collar and cuffs. Small mother-of-pearl buttons ran in a straight row down the front.

The steaks were juicy, and the wine tasted fruity and sweet. In contrast to the delicious food, however, the atmosphere was like damp fog creeping under your clothes, giving you goosebumps.

I couldn’t ignore the waiter’s disapproving gaze, and I waited for him to comment, ready to jump up and start a fight. But he held back. Maybe he didn’t want to scare off his paying guests.

No, I wouldn’t let the waiter ruin our night. I brushed the thought of him aside and concentrated on my girl instead. “Could you imagine living anywhere else?” I asked, leaning forward. The simple silver ring I’d bought last Saturday in the larger town nearby was nothing special; it was more of a symbol. It burned a hole in my pocket, but I wasn’t sure if now was the right time to ask Jane to marry me.

Her teeth sparkled pearly white as she flashed me a broad grin. “In Nevada?”

How fast her mood could change always amazed me. “Yeah, for example.”

“Before I give up everything, I need a little more than ‘for example.’”

I played with my napkin, cleared my throat, and placed my hand over hers. “I know this isn’t a very romantic place, but will you be my wife?”

“Marry you?” Her eyebrows shot up. “We’ve only known each other for two weeks.”

“I know you’re the one. I love you, Jane! You’re funny and interesting. You quickly get excited and feel as comfortable on horseback as I do. Many girls are superficial and are interested only in themselves. But with you, I can have a reasonable conversation.” I thought about the words that had just flowed out of my mouth and realized it was true. Until now, a charming face or ample curves had been enough to make me fall in love, but our relationship went deeper.

Was there a hint of blush on Jane’s cheeks? She rested her hand on top of mine and looked me in the eye. “I’d say yes, Joe, but you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. We won’t be able to get legally married in a church. Did you see the expression on the waiter’s face? I’m surprised he even served us. You know how people talk about whites living together with Indians. How do you think my mother and father felt? The hostility, the insults, the hatred …”

“We can handle it. At some point, people will get used to it. Look at Hugh and Jed.”

“You also need to consider your family’s reputation. What would your father say if you brought a Bannock woman home?”

“We’re good friends with Chief Winnemucca. My pa treats people of different colors with as much respect as white people. Our Chinese cook, for example, is more family than employee.”

Jane was skeptical. She frowned, which looked adorable, and nibbled on her thumbnail. “When do you plan to ride back to Nevada?”

I pushed my chair back, stood, and rummaged for a few bills, which I threw on the table between our empty plates. “Let’s get out of here!” The other guests’ whispering and snide looks were unbearable. If I were serious about Jane, I’d better get used to it, but I just wanted to leave. It felt like I couldn’t breathe!

Walking down the deserted street, I enjoyed the sensation of her small, chapped hand in mine. If we lived together, she wouldn’t have to work so hard that her palms would burst open.

The day’s heat was long gone, and the air carried a hint of freshness and moisture from the distant river. Perhaps it was also the first sign of the approaching fall. Countless stars twinkled above us, and the moon bathed the city in its pale light. Jane shifted closer. “Tonight is wonderful, Joe. We could …”

Music and raucous laughter rang out from the saloon we passed, swallowing her words. Two drunken cowboys staggered into the street. “Hey, Indian lover!” yelled one as we passed them.

The other patted his gun and took a swaying step toward us. “Want me to make her a good Indian?”

My body stiffened, which my girl, who had tucked under me, didn`t miss. I brushed the butt of my pistol, ready to draw. No matter what the cost, I would defend her to the death.

“Don’t, Joe!” Jane’s voice was insistent, and she pulled me along. “They want you to react. Don’t do them the favor!”

Her voice cut through the fury that filled my entire mind. Putting one foot in front of the other and ignoring the laughter and obscene comments echoing behind us took every ounce of willpower.

It wasn’t until we were some distance away, almost on the outskirts of the city, that the tension fell from my tight shoulders. “I don’t understand how people can be so full of hate.”

Jane rubbed my arm. “If we want to be together, our lives will be like this or worse. Are you ready for that? If you back out, I won’t blame you.”

“No, I’ve made my decision.” I sucked in a deep breath, picking up on her question from earlier. “I will be done with the mustangs in about a week.”

“One week. Suppose we were to get wed the Bannock way. That works without a ceremony. A man and a woman move in together, and they are considered to be married. We could get a holy man’s blessing. Still, I’m not sure it would be a good idea. Don’t get me wrong, Joe. I like you very much, but you know how people feel about mixed marriages. Wouldn’t you be unhappy if you had to see every day how the children we might have are treated?”

My chest tightened painfully. “But you must have dreams for your future. Will you give up happiness because you’re worried about what people think?”

“I was like any young girl with dreams of a rich husband, a fancy ranch house, and many babies. But I was naïve. There will never be a place for me in society. I’ll always be the outsider. Somehow, I’ve made peace with my way of life. If you don’t have expectations, you can’t be disappointed.”

“But you should have expectations. Jane, I want to be with you.” I stopped and turned her toward me. The crown of her head reached my chin. Placing my hands on her cheeks, I hesitated, unsure if she would allow me to kiss her. Then, I felt her body soften and yield as her eyes closed and her lips parted.

“I want to be your wife, Joe!” Jane whispered before falling silent as I pressed my lips to hers. The tantalizing scent of her warm body and a hint of sage rose to my nose, almost making me drunk.

Jane pushed her body against mine so that no sheet of paper would fit between us and returned my kiss. She tasted so sweet. Her hands slid under my jacket and wrapped around my waist. Hot, tingling waves radiated from the spot as she stroked my back. Embarrassed, I tried to pull away, not wanting her to realize how much she aroused me. The bulge in my pants was unmistakable. Out of breath, our mouths separated.

Placing her fingers on my face, Jane caressed my cheek. Her hand moved down my neck to my collarbone and slid under my shirt. “Ever since I saw you at the doctor’s, I wanted to touch you,” she murmured. “Your skin is so smooth and you smell so good!”

It took all my willpower to stop at this point, because if we carried on like this, I didn’t know what would happen. My erection pushed demanding against the fabric of my pants. My voice was rough with excitement. “Slow down, Jane!” I stepped back a bit and took her hands in mine. “Let’s go back. I’d better take you home.”

++++

 

For a while, I’d been imagining what our first time would be like. Sneaking into Jane’s room or taking her to the bunkhouse was out of the question. I also wanted to spare us the awkwardness of the inevitable glances when I booked a hotel room. So, for our first time, we had no choice but to settle for a place under the open sky.

It had been perfect.

The waving, fragrant grass that surrounded us, the gentle murmur of the river, and the concert of the tree frogs were more romantic and fitting for us than any satin-covered bed.

My heart still pounded as if I’d run a mile while Jane’s perfect, curvy body lay pressed against mine. Light as a feather, I stroked my fingertips over the velvety skin of her stomach, careful not to wake her. When the edge of my hand grazed her full breast, my desire stirred again. I could hardly believe my luck!

Jane’s breathing was calm and steady. No, I wouldn’t bother her now. Try to control yourself, Cartwright. There will be many more nights together. Although I was exhausted, sleep wouldn’t come. I was much too excited. We were husband and wife!

Some hours ago, a shriveled old Bannock medicine man had performed the ceremony. I guessed he had done a little magic just for the white man to justify the price of one dollar. According to Jane, the Bannock did not have formal marriages, but receiving a blessing was important to me. Anything less would have felt wrong.

The holy man had lit a fire, sprinkled fragrant herbs into the flames, and used a dried bird’s wing to wave the smoke in all four directions. Jane later translated the native words he mumbled. At the end, he wrapped a leather band around our joined hands and pronounced us man and wife.

The warm, exciting smell of woman and sex still hung in the air, and a fine sheen of sweat connected her naked form to mine. My nose was buried in her hair, and her round buttocks pressed against my groin. I wish this moment would never end. Pulling the blanket over our shoulders, I gazed at the starry sky above. How often had I looked out of my bedroom window at these very stars and wished for an adventure? Now, I yearned to return home.

++++

“Thank you, Mr. Ashley!” Grinning, I tucked the bundle of bills into my jacket pocket. The three hundred sixty dollars was a year’s pay. It made me proud to have earned so much. I had proven to myself that I could stand on my own two feet, without my family’s support.

My boss buried his hands in his pockets. “Have a good trip, Joe. You’re always welcome if you ever need a job again. But think carefully about taking on this problem.” He gestured toward Jane, who was perched in the saddle of her mare, a large bundle of belongings tied behind her.

My gaze flitted to Jane’s right ring finger, where the narrow band of silver reflected the sun’s rays, and back to Ashley. “That problem, as you call it, is my wife! We had a Bannock marriage.”

The boss waved it off. “Not meant to offend, boy. Calm down. I was just giving you some good advice.”

“I prefer it when people don’t mingle in my affairs, Mr. Ashley.” I turned, untied my appaloosa, and mounted Cochise. I knew I was rude and overreacting, but I still couldn’t handle people’s well-meaning advice. Letting these kinds of comments bounce off me would take quite a while.

“Take care, fellows! You did a good job!” I shouted to the two wranglers loitering in the yard to say goodbye.

“Have a good trip!” Hugh tapped his brim.

“Good luck with the stallion!” Jed laughed. “I sure won’t miss him!”

Jane and I steered our horses out of the yard. The Appaloosa I was leading by the lead seemed as eager as we were to start the journey.

We didn’t look back.

 

We had already crossed the Nevada border and would reach the Ponderosa in a few days. Although I was nervous about how my family would react, I was also happy.

Surely my wire about our return had arrived by now. Maybe Pa was holding it in his hands right now. He would have time to get used to the idea of me being married. I giggled at the thought of his furrowed brow as he digested the news.

Then I turned my attention to my lovely wife riding in front of me. Her black braids swayed in time with the canter, and her dress fluttered around her boots. She sat in the saddle with a straight back and head up. As if sensing my gaze, she turned around to shoot me a dazzling smile. The sun caused sparks to dance in her deep brown eyes, and her pearl-white teeth made a perfect contrast against her tanned skin.

Somehow, we would find our way. After that summer, I knew where I belonged. My roots were on the Ponderosa, where I wanted to grow old. It would be nice to be back home again.

I wondered if Hoss and Adam had another bet on whether I’d bring home a horse or a girl. This time, they’d be surprised.

The End

 

Author’s notes:

The song Buffalo Gals is a traditional American song written in 1844 by John Hodges.

The story was inspired by the song “Strawberry Roan” by Curley Fletcher/ Michael Martin Murphey, who explains in a YouTube video the criteria used to select bronc busters and how mustangs were broken.

Written June ’24, completely editet May ’25