Free Buy a Cowboy by Cleo Kelly Page B

home.” Baya’s face was shuttered as he pushed past her to take the sleeping little girl to her room.
    “Daniel’s horse?” Her breath caught in her throat. She stared at Daniel, and his round blue eyes looked warily back at her. “Did Socks get loose?”
    He shook his head, his gaze shifted to a place behind her head.
    The deep rasping drawl sounded over her shoulder. “He’s too big for a Shetland pony. Hope can use the little monster. The man who sold the tractor had a little paint he was going to send to the meat market. It has a few kinks to work out but it will serve the boy fine. I got it for fifteen dollars and that’s probably all it’s worth. We’re bringing down the string from the high meadows tomorrow. Until they are broke out we’ll use what we have.” His tone allowed no room for argument.
    Bonnie looked again at her son.
    “She’s real pretty, Mom.” The pleading quality of his voice was interrupted by the four beat sound of a fast moving horse.
    They all turned to the road about the time a brown and white pony erupted into the yard.
    Faith was fighting the pinto as it crab-stepped and twirled trying to go back the way they came.
    Baya started toward them with his long calm strides.
    “She been this way the whole time?” He asked as he grabbed the bridle close to the bit.
    The paint laid her ears back against her head and rolled a mean eye his direction.
    “No.” Faith slid off with a sigh of relief. “Just at first, and now. She heard Gadfly whinny and became hateful. I’ll take her in and stable her.” She grabbed for the reins.
    The cowboy’s big hand stopped her. “This is Daniel’s horse. It’s time he learned.” He handed the reins of the snorting horse to the boy.
    Bonnie made an instinctive protective move toward them.
    Baya frowned at her with a shake of his head.
    She raised her chin and locked her jaw but stood silently at the top of the steps.
    The hand that took the reins was still chubby with baby fat, and the boy tried not to show traces of uncertainty. As the mare threw her head, his little hand instinctively tightened with a small jerk. The little paint paused and turned toward the curly head. She snuffled his hair, snorted, jerked again and started prancing around him in agitation.
    Baya rested his hand below her bit. “Let’s get her put away and then get some supper, son.”
    As they walked toward the barn, Bonnie felt her stomach fall away in sadness. The anger in her gave way to loneliness. Her children were leaving her one by one.
    With his dark look, Baya stated plainly that he wouldn’t back away from this course.
    A small hand, all long fragile bones and tender skin slipped into hers. The windblown head leaned against her upper arm.
    Bonnie slipped an arm around her oldest daughter, feeling love tighten around her heart. Later. She would deal with Baya later.
    “I am so tired, Mom. I just want to sleep.”
    “Well, eat first, little spider monkey.” Tears started to her eyes as she saw the weariness in the dirt-streaked face. She kissed the forehead. “Go take a shower. I got the curtain up today. I’ll have everything on the table when you get back down. Don’t lay down after the shower now. You’ll never get up until morning if you do.”
    Faith started up the staircase.
    Bonnie went back to the kitchen. She set the little table in the breakfast room. Pausing with the plate halfway to the table she came to a decision. That it would help her save face was only half her reasoning.
    She put the everyday dishes back and pulled the good service out to set the dining table in grand splendor. Under the chandelier, the dishes and silverware glowed. She put crystal goblets out on the snowy tablecloth. In the kitchen, she pulled out the good platters and bowls for when the food was done. Looking over the results, she smiled before running upstairs to slip into a simple cotton dress.
    Daniel and Baya returned.
    “Go get cleaned up you two. Be quick.