“Not too hard,” I say gently. “She knows what to do.”
“I’m sorry, old girl!” She leans forward and pats the horse’s neck as if it’s a large dog.
Her action is instinctual, and I can’t stop a swell of pride in my chest as I watch how fast she learns and bonds with the animals. She doesn’t listen to them as much as I do, but she still picks up their cues. Maybe this life, living here in this hard country, wouldn’t be as unthinkable to her as I imagine? I still haven’t decided.
“Are you taking us to the cabin?” she says.
“Is that okay?”
She pushes a lock of hair behind her ear and looks over her shoulder toward the ranch house. “I really want to go, I just… I have to meet your mom for lunch.”
Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions about her wanting to be here as much as me. “Yeah, we can head back. I’ll check it out while you’re in town.”
Guiding Ranger’s head around, I don’t miss the worried look on her face. “I want to go to the cabin with you, I just…” Her voice goes quiet. “I have to do this with your mom.”
My curiosity is piqued at her odd preoccupation with my mother. “What exactly are you two doing?”
Her chin drops, making me even more suspicious. “I… she said she was going to take me to get a canvass and paint supplies. Remember? I want to paint?”
For a moment, I don’t say anything. I know my mom, and I know my fiancée. Whatever they’re up to, I’m sure it’s something extravagant I won’t like. Still, if they’re planning a surprise of some sort, I won’t spoil their fun.
“Ready to run back?”
“Yes.” Sunset eyes hold mine a moment. They’re so full of warmth and… something else, something new. I can’t figure it out, but something is different.
Moving the reins to the side, I carefully guide Ranger so he’s beside Cheyenne. “Come here.”
“I-I don’t know how.” She shrugs, lifting the reins at her waist.
Cheyenne stands patient, unaffected by our behavior. Our legs brush as Ranger gets closer, and I stop him, looping the leather straps aroun
d the saddle horn and reaching for Mariska’s face. Instead of moving her to me, I lean forward to capture her soft lips.
A noise, somewhere between a sigh and a whimper escapes her throat, and I envision taking her to the cabin, building a fire under the moonlight, and wrapping her in an Indian blanket under a sky filled with stars. It’s a sexy memory I’m ready to relive.
“I want us back here to stay. Soon.”
Still holding the reins, she nods. “I don’t know how long we’ll be in town, but I want that, too. I want us to be here when I…” Her lip goes between her teeth as if she’s catching herself.
My eyes narrow, and she can see I’m onto her. Pulling away quickly, she holds out the reins and turns Cheyenne’s body away from Ranger’s.
“Beat you to the house!” With a flick of her legs, she’s off, stretching out and riding that mare across the plain in a way I haven’t seen since the Chinook.
* * *
Mariska
Sylvia doesn’t drive a truck like Bill and Stuart. She has a steel-grey Cadillac, and we’re on the lonely two-lane road into Great Falls when she starts to get excited.
“I have to hand it to you. You are so much better at keeping a secret than I ever was.” She’s smiling, and her enthusiasm makes my own heart beat a little faster.
“You have no idea how many times I almost told him today.”
A quick glance, and her eyes are back on the road. “As far along as you are, I’m surprised he hasn’t noticed things for himself.”
A flush of embarrassment pinks my cheeks. “I think he has… It’s good we made this appointment today.”
She reaches for my hand and gives me a squeeze. I admire the artistic, chunky ring on her well-manicured hand. Everything about Sylvia is polished, from her smooth, sandy-grey hair to her crisp white blouse and dark jeans. She’s slim and fashionable, and I can’t imagine anything she can’t do. It explains so much the strength of her children.