Free Wyoming Woman by Elizabeth Lane Page B

heard the sharp intake of her breath. She swayed toward him as if she were about to collapse, but when he reached out and caught her elbow to steady her, she twisted away and stumbled backward, falling against a wagon loaded with straw.
    Sheet lightning glimmered through the open door of the barn, transfixing her pale face and wildly tangled hair with an eerie blue light. Her eyes were huge, as if she had just received a terrible shock and was about to burst into racking sobs.
    To Luke, this show of emotion was both puzzling and disturbing. The news of Miguel’s death should have evoked no more than a murmur of polite sympathy from this cattleman’s pampered daughter. The old man meant nothing to her. She could not possibly understand what a crushing blow his loss would be to his sons, to the ranch and to Luke himself.
    What was happening here? Could the woman know more than she had told him? Luke was too weary to even think about the possibilities.
    Steadying her weight against the wagon, she pushed herself fully erect. One hand passed across her face, her small fingers raking back the sodden tangle of her hair. When she looked up at Luke again, the expression of panic was gone. Her features had rearranged themselves into a mask of composure. Only her eyes, illuminated by the storm outside, showed traces of shock and fear.
    â€œI’m…truly sorry for what happened,” she said in a shaky voice. “Is there anything I can do?”
    â€œNot likely.” Luke bent and unfastened the cinch, then lifted the saddle off the horse and laid it over the side of a stall. “Just stay out of the way until I can see clear to get you home.”
    â€œI know the way!” She was too eager, he thought, too frantic. “Give me a fresh horse, and I’ll leave now!”
    Her words were lost in a violent thunderclap that shook the ground beneath their feet. The sky split open to let loose a deluge of rain. Water streamed in solid gray curtains from the eaves of the barn. She flashed Luke an anxious glance in the darkness. He shook his head. It was no secret that he would be relieved to have her gone. But no one could be turned out in such a storm.
    Hands moving swiftly, he slipped off the buckskin’s bridle and turned the horse into its stall. Sebastian, he noticed, had left some oats and fresh water for the hungry animal. Even in the face of tragedy and grief, there were chores to do, animals to tend. Life continued—thank heaven for that, Luke thought.But without Miguel’s humor and wisdom, life would not be the same.
    â€œGive me a towel. I’ll rub him down.” Rachel’s voice startled him out of his reverie. He glanced toward her, startled by her offer.
    â€œI grew up on a ranch, remember?” she said. “I probably know more about horses than you do. Give me a towel.”
    He tossed her a clean cotton rag. “Here. Make yourself useful.”
    She caught the rag deftly, then turned away without a word. He could hear her breathing in the darkness of the stall as she began rubbing the water from the buckskin’s wet coat. It was a decent thing to do, offering her help, Luke thought. Under different circumstances, he could have almost liked her for it. But he didn’t want to like her. Especially not now.
    â€œThey’ll be needing you in the house,” she said. “Go on, do what you need to. I’ll be fine here.”
    A protest sprang to Luke’s lips, but he bit it back as he realized she was right. Sebastian and Ignacio would need his support, and Rachel’s presence would only be an intrusion. For now, at least, it would be better if she remained in the barn.
    â€œI’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said, turning to go.
    â€œTake your time. I’m all right.” Her voice came out of the darkness of the stall. She was not all right, Luke knew. She was cold, wet, hungry and exhausted, but right now he had even more