Free Rancher For The Holidays (Love Inspired) by Myra Johnson

better.”
    Aunt Jane came out a few minutes later, and soon they had four horses saddled and ready. With Ben on one side and Uncle Steve on the other, they helped Marley climb onto Dancer’s back and adjusted her stirrups. When Ben handed up her camera, she looped the strap over her neck with one hand while gripping the pommel with the other.
    “Just be glad you’re not riding Prancer,” Ben said, nodding toward Uncle Steve’s horse, Dancer’s nearly identical brother. “He definitely lives up to his name.”
    With Aunt Jane mounted on Snow, her white Arabian mare, Ben cast Marley another reassuring smile before climbing on Skeeter, a tall Palomino gelding. Uncle Steve took the lead and they set out for the ridge.
    The trail led through acres of Whitlow ranch land, a panorama of rolling hills tufted with hardy desert grasses, cacti and a variety of low-growing shrubs and trees. Ben enjoyed watching Marley’s death grip on the pommel slowly relax as the spectacular scenery captured her attention.
    When they reached the ridge, arrayed in white, gold and purple wildflowers Ben couldn’t even begin to name, Marley sighed in wonder. “It’s gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.”
    They sat on their horses for several minutes just taking in the view, until Ben nudged Skeeter closer to Marley on Dancer and murmured, “You’re not wearing that camera for decoration, are you?”
    Her mouth formed a perfect O before her eyebrows shot up and she gave an embarrassed laugh. After some careful positioning for lighting and background, and with some help from Ben to keep Dancer steady, she snapped several more pictures of Steve and Jane.
    All too soon, for Ben, anyway, it was time to head back. With Marley feeling more at ease on horseback, they were able to carry on an actual conversation. It also helped that Aunt Jane got Marley talking about Candelaria again, because Marley could chat nonstop on that subject.
    When she brought up the committee’s dilemma about trying to come up with an original fund-raising idea, the answer hit Ben so hard that his reflexive action startled Skeeter. When he’d quieted the horse, he rode up beside Marley. “Your committee should sponsor a trail ride. Right here on the ranch. For a minimum donation, people can bring their own horses and enjoy some of the best scenery this side of Alpine.”
    Marley looked from Ben to his uncle. “Wow. Would that even be possible?”
    “We’ve hosted small trail rides here before,” Uncle Steve said. “There’d be a few more things to consider for a big event like you’re talking about, but I’d sure be willing to consider it.”
    Ben could almost see Marley’s mind spinning with the possibilities. While they continued on to the barn, she and Uncle Steve traded thoughts on several logistics issues—rider safety and insurance liability were two immediate concerns. Aunt Jane sparked on the idea of having food and entertainment.
    “And Ben’s got the promotion experience,” Uncle Steve said as they dismounted in front of the barn. “Marley, it looks like you’ve got all the bases covered if you want to go ahead with this.”
    She looked excited but shell-shocked as Ben took Dancer’s reins from her. “We’re having another committee meeting after the work team gets back from Candelaria. I’ll bring it up then. Should we go over some possible dates?”
    The subject of choosing a date hit Ben like a punch to the solar plexus. In his enthusiasm for the idea, he’d conveniently forgotten he probably wouldn’t be around long enough to help much. Leading his and Marley’s horses into the barn, he left the conversation to the others while he worked on putting away saddles and bridles.
    The ladies went inside ahead of Ben and his uncle. They found them sipping tea at the kitchen table.
    Aunt Jane gave several sniffs, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Uh, someone might need to check his shoes.”
    Uncle Steve grimaced as he inspected his boot soles.