Free Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

luggage on the back of a mule, then led Lucy toward a black-and-white horse whose markings reminded her of a cow. Its forlorn stance with its shaggy back to the wind softened her heart.
    “This is Wanda. Riding her is like sitting in your mama’s rocking chair.”
    “Why can’t we take a buckboard?”
    “Mine is at the cabin. Pa will need his for supplies later. Besides, we need to get these horses to the cabin for our future use. Don’t be afraid of Wanda. She won’t let you fall.” The horse nuzzled Nate’s hand and he laughed, then dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a lump of sugar for the mare. She lifted it with soft lips from his hand.
    Lucy’s trepidation eased. Wanda glanced at her with gentle brown eyes, then dropped her head again. Lucy let Nate help her into the saddle. He’d had the foresight to provide her with a sidesaddle. It was old but well oiled and in good condition. This high up, she could see out across the land. Stanton land. And she was as much a possession of Nate’s as these boundless acres. In that moment the thought terrified her.
    Jed bounded onto his horse, a small buckskin that shied nervously at his exuberance. Nate lifted Eileen in his arms and showed her how to pet his horse. “This is Whisper, Eileen. Would you like to give him a lump of sugar?”
    Eileen’s face was white with fright but she nodded, and Nate gave her a lump of sugar. The gelding’s lips closed gently around the sugar, and Eileen gave a squeal of delight. “I feeded the horse, Lucy!”
    Lucy gave her an encouraging smile, full of pride. “You’re a brave girl, Eileen.” Something in the way he spoke to Eileen—gently and respectfully—eased her unsettled feeling.
    Nate set Eileen at the front of his saddle, then swung up behind her. “Follow me,” he told Lucy and Jed.
    Clutching the reins, Lucy managed to get her horse to follow Nate’s lead, but she had a sneaking suspicion it had more to do with her mare’s determination not to be left behind. As the horses labored through the snowdrifts, Lucy kept stealing glances at Nate’s firm jaw. She had so many questions she wanted to ask him, but her tongue seemed stuck to the roof of her mouth.
    They traveled over a hill, and a frozen creek appeared in the valley below. A building crouched beside it, the siding gray and worn. A small, leafless tree, shaking in the wind, seemed to cower under the cabin for cover.
    Lucy smiled. The way he’d talked, she was imagining a soddy or something even worse. He didn’t know how rude their former lodgings were. This little place was simply waiting for her. Its forlorn appearance warmed her with the desire to make a difference. This would be home, and she would make Nate glad his father had found her. She would earn his admiration and respect yet.
    Nate pulled his horse to a halt and jumped down, then pulled Eileen down against his chest. His gaze scanned Lucy’s face, and puzzlement clouded his face when she gave him a serene smile.
    “It’s not much,” he said. There seemed to be regret in his voice. Was he ashamed of the little cabin?
    Her smile warmed. “It’s charming.”
    His eyes widened, and he gave her a sharp look, then turned to go inside.
    Jed dismounted and thrust his hands into his pockets. Surveying the shanty, he turned to Nate with a grin. “This doesn’t look so bad, Mr. Stanton. Lucy’s real good at fixing stuff up. You should see the house we used to live in.”
    Lucy felt the heat of a blush on her cheeks. Such faith was humbling. Her gaze was drawn to the cabin again. It seemed to call her like a long-lost child. In her mind’s eye she could see a small garden patch out front and wild roses climbing on a trellis under the kitchen window where she could enjoy the fragrance.
    Eileen sidled closer to Lucy and thrust her small hand into her sister’s larger one. “I have to go potty, Lucy,” she whispered.
    Nate’s expression softened. “Outhouse is out back. I’ll show you,