If Wishes Were Horses (25 page)

W
YATT SHIFTED GEARS
again as he steered the four-wheel-drive Jeep across the Florida grasslands. Gabby sat beside him, happily watching the countryside roll by. She was wearing sneakers, shorts, and a checkered shirt. At Wyatt's suggestion she had also brought along a swimsuit, which lay inside her tote bag. Wyatt was still wearing his ranch clothes. Before leaving, Gabby had called Celia and begged off on their plans for the day. True to form, Celia made Gabby swear to call her later and tell her everything that happened.

Courtesy of Aunt Lou, a cooler full of food and beer rested in the back of the Jeep. Gabby smiled, as she thought about the lovable old Cajun woman who was such an integral part of the Flying B. Gabby had long suspected that Lou was in her corner, especially after confiding to her that Wyatt had secretly rearranged the
table seating at last night's ball. When Gabby told Lou that Wyatt was taking her on a real date, Lou kissed her crucifix then gave Gabby a celebratory hug. For his part, Trevor was ecstatic about returning to the ranch so soon. To Gabby's relief, he also seemed pleased that she and Wyatt were going off by themselves.

The day was hot and clear, and according to Wyatt the drive would take about fifteen minutes. Sometimes he came by horseback, he said, especially if he was planning to stay the night. Gabby thought that the landscape was pretty, in a rugged sort of way. She was eager to see the lake, and the small house that was Wyatt's private retreat.

Reaching into the back of the Jeep, Gabby retrieved a water bottle. After offering Wyatt a sip, she also drank some. As the Jeep jostled beneath her, she took a moment to consider the unexpected changes she was noticing in Wyatt.

He hadn't suddenly become a different person, but he did seem far happier and that made him even more attractive. Wyatt's mood had always been pleasant enough, if often somber. Like everyone who understood him, Gabby knew why. But for the first time, Gabby sensed a sustained lightness about him that hadn't been there before.

Earlier in the day she had also noticed that his wedding band was missing, and she suspected that its absence had something to do with his changed mood. She very much wanted to ask him about it, but she decided not to pry. If he wanted her to know, he would tell her in his own good time. For now she had Wyatt all to herself, and that was enough.

A few minutes later, Wyatt unexpectedly stopped the Jeep.
Gabby couldn't guess why, because she could see nothing before them but more scrubby grassland. Deciding to tease him a bit, she looked at him and smiled.

“If you wanted to go parking, all you had to do was ask,” she said. “But I can think of more comfortable vehicles in which to do it.”

Wyatt laughed. Leaning forward, he rested his tanned forearms on top of the steering wheel. “I want to show you something,” he said.

Gabby raised her eyebrows. “Like what? There's nothing out here but a lot of grass and tree clumps. It's endless.”

“Exactly,” Wyatt said.

“I still don't get it.”

Wyatt pointed into the distance. “Look out at the horizon,” he said. “Then follow it full circle until your eyes return to their starting point.”

Gabby did as he asked, but she saw nothing new. “Okay,” she said. “What's the big secret?”

“No secret,” Wyatt said. “It's just that for as far as you can see, you're looking at Flying B land. One needs to actually come out here in order to grasp the full scope of the ranch.”

Gabby was amazed. Although she knew that the Flying B was huge, until this moment her idea of the ranch had been limited to the big house and its immediate surroundings. Like the man sitting beside her, the Flying B was much more than she had first supposed.

“My God,” she said. “I had no idea.”

Wyatt smiled and shifted the Jeep back into gear. “I know,”
he answered. “Nobody really gets it until they come out here. I'm glad that you could see it. I'm also glad that after five long years, I have someone to share it with again.”

Ten minutes later, they arrived. The little house on stilts was adorable, Gabby thought. The lake looked broad and clean, its sky blue water rippling lightly in the wind.

“It's wonderful,” she said.

Wyatt smiled. “Ram and Morgan don't think so! Morgan says that it's like being in prison, with a chance of being eaten by alligators.”

Gabby laughed. “It can't be as bad as all that. If you love it, then I'm sure that I'll love it, too.”

Wyatt parked near the front steps, then he and Gabby unloaded the Jeep. After taking the cooler and Gabby's tote bag up into the house, Wyatt started opening the windows.

Gabby immediately understood why Wyatt loved this place; the sense of solitude was wonderful. She could easily envision Wyatt swimming, fishing, and sitting in one of the rocking chairs as he watched the sun set. While Wyatt continued opening up the house, Gabby stepped onto the porch.

The view from the porch was lovely, and when the wind was right she could hear the lake waves rushing the sandy shore. Pine trees stood nearby, their aromatic tops waving lightly in the wind and sometimes pleasantly brushing across the roof. She decided that she quite liked the house being up in the air this way. After admiring the view for a few moments more, she joined Wyatt in the kitchen.

Wyatt opened the cooler and removed two long-neck beers.
After opening them he handed one to Gabby, and they clinked bottles. Gabby took a welcome sip then peered into the cooler. As was her custom, Aunt Lou had provided them with more than they would ever eat.

“Could we go for a swim first?” Gabby asked.

Wyatt nodded. “I put your bag in the first bedroom.”

Gabby immediately left the kitchen, happily waving her beer bottle overhead as she went. “Last one ready has to clean up after dinner!”

Ten minutes later they were walking across the sand and toward the water. Gabby wore a one-piece white suit; Wyatt had donned a pair of simple black trunks. This was the first time Gabby had seen Wyatt this way, and she was far from disappointed. His body was hard and lean from his many years of working on the ranch.

Gabby put one toe into the water. “It's nice.”

Wyatt carefully looked up and down the shoreline.

“Is it okay?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Then I'll tell you what,” she said. “Let's race to the float.”

“Why?”

“Because I'll win, that's why. You don't stand a chance.”

“Like hell.”

“Then prove it!” she shouted. Without warning, she ran into the water and dove in headfirst.

Wyatt was a fair swimmer, but she beat him by a good fifteen seconds, giving her enough time to recline on the float and gloatingly watch him struggle aboard. His lungs heaving, Wyatt collapsed onto his back. Gabby laughed.

“Jesus!” Wyatt exclaimed, gasping for air. “You're…amazing! But you conned me! I had forgotten that you're the girls' swim coach!”

Just then the sun peeked out from behind a cloud to begin drying their bodies. As Wyatt raised his left hand to shadow his eyes, Gabby again noticed the white ring around his third finger. This time she reached out and touched it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

Wyatt looked into her eyes. “It's mostly why I brought you here.”

“I'm listening,” she said.

Wyatt told Gabby about Phoebe's unborn child. He also recounted how he had finally made his peace with Krista and Danny, and buried his wedding ring at Krista's grave. When he finished, Gabby had tears in her eyes.

“I understand,” she said gently.

Wyatt smiled slightly, but said nothing. Then Gabby saw his jaw muscles harden a bit, and his blue eyes narrowed. Reaching up, he grabbed a handful of her wet hair. Suddenly he could wait no longer. He pulled her head down to his to find that her kiss came willingly, eagerly.

That first, new kiss is always a wondrous thing. More than any that might follow, it is the one that seals all the promises, exposes the heart's true secrets, and makes all things possible. For Wyatt, kissing Gabby was all of those things and more.

When he released her, she opened her eyes. He had always thought that her eyes were beautiful, but they now held an especially seductive quality he had not seen before. She smiled gently and brushed the wet hair from his forehead.

“Let's swim back,” she said quietly. Saying nothing more, she stood and dove from the float.

Their return swim was slow and languorous. As they walked out of the water, Gabby held Wyatt's hand. Soon they were standing before the living room fireplace, their still wet swimsuits quietly dripping water onto the floor. Gabby walked closer and put her arms around his neck.

Wyatt kissed her again, harder this time. As she pressed her body against his, he felt the heat rise between them. Gabby took Wyatt's hand, placing it against one of her breasts. A hungry look possessed her dark eyes.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes, Wyatt,” she answered softly. “I'm sure. I want it all…”

With a single movement, Wyatt scooped her up into his arms.

As she placed her head against his chest, he carried her into his bedroom.

A
S IS THEIR WONT,
the days became weeks, and the weeks became months. Today the afternoon sun was high, and Trevor was thrilled to be riding alongside Ram for the first time.

Ram had wanted to take Trevor riding across open ground for a long time. But given what he had in mind, he first needed to be sure that Trevor's riding skills were up to the task, and so he had waited these many days to do so. Doc had been successfully weaned from Sadie, and he was growing like a weed.

Ram was on Sadie, and despite his advanced age, he rode expertly. Trevor sat on Gypsy. As Trevor rode across the scruffy grass, he felt a unique thrill of discovery that he would long remember.

Ram had insisted that they eat lunch before leaving, and Lou had happily obliged. After they downed huge ham sandwiches,
homemade potato salad, and big glasses of iced tea, Ram pronounced the two of them fit for travel. He had then told Trevor to go saddle up Sadie and Gypsy. Trevor was already familiar with Gypsy, and Sadie needed the exercise, Ram said.

After saddling the horses, Trevor led them from the barn. Ram stood waiting in the yard, his still sharp eyes watching as the young man in the red Windbreaker walked their mounts nearer. When Trevor handed Sadie's reins to Ram, the old man smiled.

“Are the saddles cinched tight?” Ram asked.

Trevor nodded.

“Good,” Ram said. “There's just one more thing to do before we go.”

“What's that?” Trevor asked.

“Go and fetch my rifle. It's in the barn office.”

Trevor eagerly hurried off. Since first hearing that Wyatt had shot two alligators, he very much wanted to learn about guns. After carefully taking the rifle down from its place on the office wall, he brought it to Ram.

“Good boy,” Ram said.

Trevor watched Ram load the lever-action rifle with ten cartridges. Ram slid the rifle into Wyatt's tooled leather scabbard then tied it to his saddle.

“Do you think that we'll see any gators?” Trevor asked eagerly.

Ram shook his head. “Doubt it. We won't be near any sizable body of water. But it always pays to have a gun, just the same.”

That had been half an hour ago. As they walked their horses across the grassland, Ram started schooling Trevor in riding across open ground.

“This isn't like riding in the ring,” Ram said. “There the dirt is soft and uniform. There are no rocks, brush, holes, or weird critters in the ring. But out here it's a whole different story. We got snakes, lizards, burrowing creatures, bugs, and God knows what all. Most important, the only safe drinking water is in our canteens.”

Trevor steered Gypsy right, guiding her around a rotting log. “Can't the horses drink from a stream?”

“In a pinch,” Ram answered. “But they shouldn't. There's no telling what's in the stream water out here. Far as I know, only the water table can be trusted. Besides, it's far better to take them home thirsty, rather than with parasites in their bellies. Mercy and Big John would have our hides!”

After another ten minutes or so, Ram smiled. “So tell me,” he asked. “How do you feel about Wyatt and your mother being together?”

Trevor adjusted his Stetson brim against the bright Florida sunlight. As he considered his answer, he scowled.

“They're sure sweet on each other,” he said. “But my mom can be embarrassing! Sometimes she gets so eager to see him that I want to puke!”

Ram laughed so hard that tears came. “True enough! But how do
you
feel about it?”

“I'm glad,” Trevor answered. “I really am. Besides, you know how much I like being at the ranch.”

Ram nodded. “Indeed I do, son,” he said quietly. “Indeed I do.”

 

AFTER A TIME,
Ram looked over at Trevor again. “I think that you're ready,” he said.

“Ready for what?” Trevor asked.

“Ready for a
real
ride,” Ram answered, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “We're going to gallop for a bit. I want you to follow directly in Sadie's tracks. I'll look back at you occasionally, to make sure that you're okay.”

Trevor was thrilled.
“Really?”
he asked.

“Really!”

Before Trevor knew it, Ram had slapped his reins against Sadie's haunches and they were tearing away. Not to be outdone, Trevor spurred Gypsy into action. Soon the two riders were galloping wildly across the open ground.

For Trevor it was like being in heaven. Even while barrel racing he had never felt such exhilaration! Galloping across the indoor riding ring had been but a short-lived thrill compared to this. Out here there was a sense of freedom and abandon that he had never known, and he immediately became addicted to it.

On and on the two riders charged, as Ram expertly wended his way with Sadie among the brush clumps and trees. Trevor stood confidently in his stirrups as Gypsy charged beneath him, her hooves flinging clumps of earth into the air. While Sadie galloped on, Ram looked back to see Gypsy's chest muscles and front legs straining beneath her shiny coat, her wide nostrils flaring with every breath and her luxurious mane flying. And as he had suspected, he was relieved to find that Trevor's riding skills were nearly as good as his own.

Damn!
Ram thought, looking forward again.
That city kid has come a long way!
Deciding to give the horses a rest, Ram finally
reined Sadie into a walk. Trevor caught up with them, and he slowed Gypsy.

“Goddamn!” Trevor shouted. “That was great!”

Ram laughed. “It was, wasn't it? Few things in life can compare.”

Ram slowed Sadie to a stop then slid down off his saddle. He motioned for Trevor to do the same. “Time to walk them out,” he said. “We'll head back now.”

Grasping their reins, the old man and the far younger one began leading their horses back the way they had come. As they traveled, they talked of many things. With each step and every spoken word, the bond between them deepened. Ram had come to love this strapping, fatherless boy, and they both knew it.

Just then Ram noticed something in the distance, and he stopped. Trevor also stopped, but he couldn't understand what had captured Ram's attention. A softer, more faraway look overcame Ram's face.

“Did I ever tell you that I was once a prizewinning horse jumper?” he asked Trevor, his eyes still gazing across the grass.

“No,” Trevor answered.

“Well, I was. During those days we had a big mare named Lucy. That horse could jump damned near anything. Sadie is almost as good. I miss those days. I don't admit that often, cause it worries everybody when I do.”

As Ram continued to stare, Trevor still couldn't understand what had intrigued him so much. “What are you looking at?” the boy asked.

Ram raised one arm. “Do you see that clump of brush about thirty yards away?”

“The crooked, dead one?” Trevor asked.

Ram shook his head. “No, son. I'm talking about the green one, lying to the right. It's shaped like a rectangle.”

“Yeah, I see it now,” Trevor answered.

“Do you know what that reminds me of?” Ram asked.

“No,” Trevor answered.

“It reminds me of an indoor jump. It's damned near exactly the right size.”

Without a word of warning, Ram stepped into one stirrup then swung up into his saddle. “You stay here,” he ordered. “Under no circumstances are you to follow me.”

“What are you doing?”

“What do you think?” Ram answered. “Sadie and I are going to jump it.”

Ram leaned down and placed his mouth near one of Sadie's ears. “How about it, girl?” he whispered. “One last jump for old time's sake?”

As if she understood, Sadie let go with an energetic whinny and pawed the earth with one front hoof.

“Are you sure about this?” Trevor asked nervously. He wanted with all his heart to stop Ram, but he didn't know how. If he had learned anything at the Flying B, it was that no one told Ram what to do.

“You're damned right I am!” Ram said. “Wyatt isn't around to stop me, and as of this moment, you're sworn to secrecy!” He gave Trevor a mischievous wink. “And yes, I'm in my right mind this time, if that's what you're worried about!”

“I didn't say that!” Trevor protested. “I just think—”

Before Trevor could finish his sentence, Ram dug his heels
into Sadie's flanks and the big mare started charging across the ground, straight for the rectangular section of brush.

Trevor watched in awe. He had never seen
anyone
ride like that! Ram was standing in his stirrups, but this time his upper body leaned so far down that his head was nearly alongside Sadie's neck. The horse and rider made a magnificent team as Sadie thundered toward the brush patch. When Sadie left the ground, Trevor held his breath.

Sadie's jump was magnificent, her front hooves easily clearing the top of the brush. Then Ram and Sadie flew down onto the other side, and for a few precious seconds Trevor lost sight of them. Suddenly Sadie let go a with blood-curdling scream, the likes of which Trevor had never heard. He had been completely unaware that a horse could make such an awful sound. It was a terrible, plaintive wail that spoke of extreme anguish. Then came only mind-numbing silence.

With his heart in his throat, Trevor jumped on Gypsy and he galloped her toward the brush patch for all she was worth. A long, exposed tree branch lay on the ground near the far side of the patch. Sadie's left foreleg was caught firmly in a crook of the branch. She lay on her left side, desperately trying to wriggle free. But Ram was nowhere to be seen.

Nausea overcame Trevor as he looked more closely at Sadie's injured leg. Her foreleg was broken below the knee, and the sharply splintered bone protruded through the gaping wound. Blood seemed to be everywhere; more was coming by the moment. As Sadie thrashed and screamed, Trevor's stunned mind returned to Ram.

Trevor wheeled Gypsy around full circle in an attempt to find
the old man. Finally he saw him, lying some twenty feet away and jammed up against another clump of scrub. Whipping Gypsy madly, Trevor rode to Ram then jumped down from his saddle. Ram lay on his back with his eyes closed, his outstretched right arm lying at an awkward angle. At first Trevor feared he was dead.

Trevor immediately ran back to Gypsy and retrieved his canteen. With shaking hands he poured water onto Ram's face, but the old man didn't come around. Not knowing what else to do, he slapped Ram hard across the face. Ram finally coughed and opened his eyes. Sadie suddenly screamed again, causing Trevor to shudder.

“Can you sit up?” Trevor asked.

Ram nodded. But as Trevor started helping him to his feet, Ram cried out in pain and slumped back to the ground. Trevor helped him into a sitting position.

“What is it?” Trevor asked.

“Right shoulder…,” Ram gasped. “Dislocated…it's an old thing…help me up again…”

This time Trevor grasped Ram's good shoulder, and together they got him to his feet. Ram's pain suddenly overwhelmed him again, nearly causing him to faint. Then he looked over at Sadie, and he knew.

“Oh, God, no…,” he breathed.

Ram looked into Trevor's eyes. “Get me over there…,” he said weakly.

“What about your shoulder?”

“Later…,” Ram said, in between desperate breaths. “Get me over there!”

Trevor helped Ram shuffle over to where Sadie lay. She was
still thrashing about, trying to free herself. Trevor realized that what he'd first thought was a single, wayward branch was in fact a series of exposed roots, their opposite ends still embedded in the ground. One of them imprisoned Sadie's injured leg as surely as any man-made hobble ever devised. Her dark eyes looked hysterical, and foam was starting to flow from her muzzle.

“We've got to help her!” Trevor pleaded. “I'll try to free her leg!”

“No!” Ram shouted, as best he could. “That's not…the answer…”

“What, then?” Trevor demanded.

Unable to watch Sadie suffer, Ram looked at the ground. His right arm hung strangely from his body, as if it didn't belong to him.

“You must do as I say,” Ram ordered, gritting his teeth through his pain. His knees shook, and he was close to collapsing.

“What is it?” Trevor asked urgently.

When Ram again looked into Trevor's eyes, the boy saw only sadness. “Go and get the gun…,” Ram said weakly.

Trevor was horrified. His eyes filled with tears. “No! There must be some other way! I won't let you shoot her!”

Ram shook his head. His strength was fading, and he would soon become unconscious again. “I'm not going to shoot her, Trevor,” he said. “You are.”

Trevor nearly fainted. He looked around madly, hoping that all this was some kind of monstrous dream from which he could awaken.

“I won't do it!” he shouted. “I love her too much! You caused this! You do it!” Just then Sadie screamed again, louder this time.

“I can't hold the gun, Trevor,” Ram said. “It has to be you.
Trust me, boy…it's the only way. It's all my fault, and I will have to live with that. But it has to be done, and you're the only one who can. It's the most humane thing…now go and get the goddamned gun!”

Trevor turned and again looked at Sadie. She had quieted a bit, but Trevor correctly guessed that it was more from blood loss than any relief from her pain. As if in a dream, he numbly walked to Sadie then carefully slid the rifle from its scabbard. Like she somehow knew, Sadie whinnied softly. Trevor waited there, only a few feet from the stricken horse.

“Good,” Ram said. “Now do exactly as I say.”

Still in a state of numb disbelief, Trevor nodded.

“Grip the underside of the gun stock with your left palm.”

Trevor did as he was told.

“Good,” Ram said. Once again he winced and temporarily closed his eyes against the pain. “Now grasp the lever…with your right hand,” he finally said.