Once and Always (Women of Character) (27 page)

"Keep looking at me like that
and I'll have to pull you behind the barn for a private talking-to," he
said, surprising her as he traced his finger lightly down her nose. "You
look pretty busy," he added more seriously, as if suddenly remembering
they'd been cool to each other all week. "Is there anything you need me to
take in hand?"

Anna gathered her thoughts, still
affected by his nearness and the intimacy of his words. "Um, let's see―as
long as you've got the sale horses all tagged and people on hand to answers any
inquiries, I think we're all set."

"Tony's overseeing the sale
barn and since Danny isn't here, I put Mario in to help him."

"Okay. The only change might
be Carol. She's not feeling well and may have to pull out."

"I saw her mother. Who's
going to fill in if she doesn't ride?"

Anna looked up from her papers,
tapping her pencil against the clipboard. "I thought I'd move up the
chainsaw carving demonstration. Wade told me he brought extra wood just in
case."

"Mmm." Tyler rubbed his
chin thoughtfully. "You could do that, of course." His eyes zeroed in
on hers. "Angela said you're going to ride."

"I made a deal with
Carol," she said quietly. "If she's up to riding, I'll do a short
stint also. By the way, congratulations, everything seems to be running
smoothly and you've done a great job organizing."

"Thanks, but I couldn't have
done it without you."

"Yeah, well―" she
let her voice trail off as she stared hard at the men in the picnic area. They
had an area roped off where they were basting the roasting pig on a barbecue
spit. The aroma caused her empty stomach to growl and she remembered she'd only
eaten a couple pieces of dry toast this morning in her rush to get down here.

"You'll be riding
Spirit?" he asked.

She looked up at him. "Of
course, but I don't want to think about it too much or I'll really get nervous.
I thought we'd demonstrate Carol and Lady in the early stages of training
compared to Spirit, who's ready to compete. So I'm presuming you're happy it's
turned out this way? I'm getting before a crowd again."

"Only if it feels right to
you," he said. "I hope you don't think I planned this," he said,
his mouth curled mockingly. "But if you think about it, you'll admit you
have the skills to go out there and fill in at a moment's notice. You're top
notch, all you have to do is step back into that slot."

"Thank you." Anna stared
into Tyler's face and some of her protective shell cracked. They'd both worked
hard all week and she really wanted him to do well today. Unable to resist the
temptation, she stood up on her toes and pressed her mouth to his.

Tyler put a hand behind her neck
and held her still for several moments while he proceeded to kiss her slowly
and thoroughly. It had been so long. His fingers relaxed, slid down to her
shoulder, squeezed and were gone.

"I'll make sure Spirit is
ready and saddled for you," he said, his voice husky.

Anna reminded herself that she
used to be considered one of the top riders. Nothing had changed, just her
confidence. Maybe she and Carol had more in common than she realized.

"Make sure you put out
Spirit's best silver bridle!" she called out as Tyler walked away. Anna's
heart felt like a freight train in her chest as she acknowledged she couldn't
back out now.

Tyler lifted his hand in
acknowledgment and Anna wiped the moisture from her forehead, suddenly
determined that she would be up for the challenge and she wouldn't let anyone
down, least of all herself.

Ω

Outside in a small area he'd
penned off, Tyler finished saddling Frisco. It was early yet, but quite a few
people had already wandered down to the barns and the pasture where some of the
demonstrations were to be held. Whistling, Tyler turned, brushes in hand, and
came face-to-face with Tara Dakins. The whistle died on his lips, but,
remembering his manners, he said good morning and removed his hat.

"Annie is around here
somewhere," he said pleasantly, knowing there was no way she'd come
looking for him. "You might want to try the picnic area."

"I've seen Anna and
congratulated her on the turnout today. I came to see you, Tyler."

Surprise didn't describe the way
he felt. He contemplated the pasture beyond her shoulder, then settled his gaze
on her. "What can I do for you?"

She looked uncomfortable, but she
said, "First of all, let me congratulate you on the fine job you've done
with this ranch. I hardly recognized the place. In bringing this place back,
you've helped Anna a great deal, perhaps even more than I know. I haven't been
around here much for her lately, which I regret, but I intend to rectify
that." She drew a deep breath. "Second, I must apologize for my
rudeness during our initial meeting. I was shocked―you look very much
like your father when he was younger. I wasn't expecting it."

Not sure he even wanted to have
this conversation, Tyler let out a deep breath. "You knew my dad
well?"

Tara gripped her leather purse,
but she nodded. "It was a long time ago. Grant and I used to see quite a
lot of each other."

"I didn't know."

"It was over long before you
came along. We were both young and hotheaded. We each wanted our own way. One
night we had a big fight and neither one of us would admit we were wrong.
Several weeks later it broke my heart when I saw Grant with your mother. I knew
I'd made a big mistake. I went to see him one night." She brushed her hair
back, her eyes carrying a heavy sadness. "I was ready to beg his
forgiveness, ask him if we could start over. He met me at the door of the place
he and your mother lived. There was sadness in his face, but resolution too. He
told me they were getting married. I later found out your mother was pregnant
with you." Tara pressed her lips together. "I held bitterness in my
heart for a long time. When I saw you that day in the restaurant―you look
so much like him―" her voice trailed off and she cleared her throat.
"All that old hurt came to the surface. I was reminded of Grant and what
I'd thrown away. It was wrong to let it out on you."

"I'm sorry for what
happened." He took no responsibility for his father's actions, but he felt
sympathy for Tara's apparent upset. He'd never known about his father and her.
It shed some light on why his mother and father never really got along.

She searched his face, and hers
softened. "I'm not asking you to be sorry. I met Gill and I'm happy. All
week Gill has spoken of nothing else except the expected success of the Double
B with you and Anna combining forces. I imagine you've worked hard to become a
successful businessman and accomplished rider." Surprisingly, she lifted
his rough, calloused hand in her much softer one. "I wish you the best of
luck Tyler, as do a lot of the people hereabouts. Gill really believes in you
and Anna, and I do trust his judgment. Even without that, we can see what
you've done for Anna. She's finally coming back to the lovely, happy girl I
once knew, and that alone is worth more to me than anything in the past."

"Annie's pretty strong."
Tyler cleared his throat. He had to admire her courage in seeking him out.
"She considers you and Gill the best of friends, I'd like to think some
day I can claim the same honor."

"As long as you treat Anna
well, we'll be friends," she said simply.

When Tara left, Tyler stared into
empty space, replaying their conversation. A small knot eased inside. Wryly, he
wondered why he should be gullible and begin to feel differently about the
place where he'd grown up, but that's just what was happening. It wasn't just
Tara, but a whole combination of events since he'd returned to the place of his
birth. He began to wonder how he could have been so shortsighted about so many
things.

Ω

Anna made her way through the
crowd, excited by the number of people who had shown up for the open house.
Some were strangers, many were local people she recognized. In sheer numbers
alone, the day was already a success. She stepped into the small holding corral
where her horse waited patiently, saddled and ready to go as Tyler had
promised. Spirit gave her a friendly whicker in greeting, and Anna rubbed her
velvety muzzle while blowing softly into one nostril. With a grin, she noted
the decorative silver ribbon threaded through Spirit's ash-colored mane. What
surprised and delighted her the most, was the tied bunch of deep purple Irises
that had been tucked into the stirrup fender. Anna looked all around the area,
knowing it had to have been Danny who placed the flowers there, but she didn't
see him. Anna smiled to herself, taking this as a good sign, but knowing she
wouldn't see Danny unless he intended it.

Touched, Anna carefully retrieved
the flowers, breathed their sweet perfume and placed them with her clipboard
outside the ring. Returning to her mare, she untied her from the hitching post
and made her way to the area above the paddock. From here she'd have a bird's
eye view of the riding ring where Tyler would demonstrate reining techniques.
She had no intention of missing his ride. The only regret she had was that she
didn't know where Danny was, but the Irises were a good sign.

She'd seen Tyler work his animals
numerous times, but she still found it exhilarating to watch him put his horses
through their paces. Today, he'd elected to ride Frisco. The announcer
explained in brief detail the purpose of the demonstration, then introduced
Tyler and his horse.

Mounted and ready, Tyler stood in
the middle of the arena and signaled for the gate to be opened. A dozen or so
steer were herded into the arena and then the gate closed behind them to
prevent their exit.

With a fluid economy of movement,
Tyler rode Frisco toward the herd, causing them to mill and turn away almost as
one body. With lowered head and his ears flat, Frisco moved forward and after a
series of short passes to the left and right, he cut a steer out of the herd.
Each time the steer attempted to return to the herd, Frisco kept him back,
counter-acting each move the steer made with one of his own, his movements so
pure and fluid it was an incredible demonstration to witness.

Sitting straight in the saddle,
his hand steady, Tyler used his weight and legs to aid Frisco, but anyone could
see it was all the horse. When the steer made a quick lunge to the side, Frisco
rolled back on his haunches and once again blocked the steer, then turned the
animal to the opposite end of the corral in record time. Anna knew a horse's
instinct played a part in the making of a top notch reining horse, but Tyler
and Frisco made the entire demonstration appear effortless. She applauded their
efforts as enthusiastically as the other spectators.

Next, the work crew set up the
three barrels in the arena for the cloverleaf pattern. Anna moved closer to the
arena so Carol would be able to see her if any problems cropped up. As Carol
entered the arena, she gave her a reassuring smile and noticed that the younger
girl looked much better than when she'd talked to her earlier.

Keeping in mind her promise to
Carol, she watched the teen take Lady through the pattern, heart in her throat
the entire time. She wanted this to be a good ride for Carol. They rode well
and Anna's heart filled with awe for this young girl who'd confessed her fear
and uncertainty and yet had had the courage to go out there anyway. Anna
whistled for Carol's performance and she clapped as Carol exited the ring, a
huge grin spreading across her face. She saw a dark-haired man waiting for
Carol outside the ring, and there was no mistaking him for Carol's father. Even
from this distance Anna could see his proud smile as he congratulated his
daughter.

As Anna and Spirit entered the
arena, she passed Tyler and he tipped his hat, giving her the thumbs-up sign.
Anna dipped her head slightly and smiled as she ran a soothing hand over
Spirit's withers. Looking out over the expectant faces in the crowd, Anna
suddenly caught sight of a tall man standing next to the fence rail, the
distinctive Rollaway Center logo emblazoned on his white shirt. For a split
second her concentration broke and she was brought back to that fact that the
ranch's future was at stake. Her heart skipped a beat but she knew she needed
to regain her concentration.

Anna breathed deeply and tightened
her fingers around the reins until she could just feel Spirit's mouth. Her mare
tensed, her anticipation evident as she pranced in place, dipping her head
forward, pulling against the bit, testing her. The muscle and power beneath her
legs, the control and yet cooperation of her mare, filled Anna with a sense of
familiarity and serenity. Leaning forward, she dropped her hand to Spirit's
withers, allowing the mare to leap ahead. They wound tight to the right on the
first barrel. Anna knew the barrels, knew how close she could get without
knocking them over, how much she could ask of her mare. They pulled around the
barrel in a cloud of dust, then raced to the inside of the second barrel. Anna
stared hard at the barrel as they came into it, pulled Spirit back slightly and
to the left and then they raced for the third and last barrel, Spirit executing
a flying change of lead as smooth as butter. Around the barrel and then they
raced in a beeline for home.

The arena rail drew near. .
.Spirit tucked her haunches, her front legs almost straight in a walking motion
as she came to a sliding stop. Sitting deeply, tears filmed Anna's eyes over
the pure poetry of her mare's strength of movement. The dust settled and Anna
felt enclosed in an almost surreal hush. Chest heaving, adrenaline high, she
threw her arms around Spirit's neck. "We did it, girl."

Only when she straightened did the
applause impinge upon Anna's awareness. Startled, she looked out over the
crowd. She saw Carol's beaming face and Tyler stared at her with a knowing
grin, as if he'd never doubted that she could pull it off.