Page 67 of Dark Side of the River

He’d picked a good horse for her, an older mare named Honey who had a good disposition. Deacon and Cooper had agreed it was a good choice. Not too large, though she still had to use a stool to get her foot into the stirrup, despite being tall for her age.

“You’ll have to use a stump or a log,” Holden told her. “But that’s only if you dismount or get thrown.”

“Thrown?”

“Horses do buck, you know.”

She looked at him as if he was teasing and went back to her work. She had so much to learn about ranch life, but there was plenty of time, he told himself. She hadn’t been happy to hear that he was going along on the ride with her. He hadn’t taken it personally. He couldn’t keep putting it off, telling her how it was that she came to be here on the ranch. It was something he wasn’t looking forward to telling her or the rest of his family. But it would have to be done, and soon.

“You got her signed up for school?” Cooper said to him as they both watched to make sure Holly Jo was saddling her horse properly.

“Ran into the principal. It’s all set,” Holden said. “Elaine has promised to help with school clothes. Not sure about taking her to Billings, though. Not sure she can be trusted not to take off.”

“Big ears,” Cooper said, pointing in Holly Jo’s direction.

“I do not have big ears.”

“It’s an expression.” She looked skeptical. Cooper sighed. “It means you’re always listening to adult conversations when you should be minding your own business.” She couldn’t argue that, apparently, because she went back to saddling her horse.

“She seems to be doing better, don’t you think?” Holden asked his son.

He made a sound that could have been agreement, but probably wasn’t.

“I’m ready,” Holly Jo announced, all smiles. She started to lead her horse toward the stable door.

“Settle down,” Cooper said. “Dad’s going with you.” Deacon had saddled a horse for him when he came out after Holly Jo and surprised her, saying he was going with her. “Where are you taking her?”

“Not far,” he said. “Don’t look so worried. I can handle this.”

Cooper nodded but didn’t appear convinced. Holden had to admit that he didn’t ride enough anymore. He hoped to change that now that Holly Jo was here and so enthusiastic about learning to ride.

The girl stopped by the stool just inside the door and mounted the mare. Cooper grabbed the reins and gave her a warning look. “There’s something you should know about my father. He’s a lot tougher than he looks. You mess up today, and he’ll tan your hide and I won’t let you ride again until he says you can.”

“Tan my hide?” She laughed.

“I used to tan Cooper’s hide. He knows of what he speaks,” Holden said as he joined them.

Holly Jo didn’t look convinced. “Are we going riding or not?” she asked impatiently.

Holden swung up in the saddle, telling himself he wasn’t too old to raise another child, even this one. “We’re going to take it slow and easy, got that?”

He waited. “Got that?”

“Got it.”

He appreciated the fact that she wasn’t afraid. Just the opposite. But she didn’t realize the dangers, and no matter how many times she had to be warned, she wouldn’t until something happened to her. That was what worried him as they rode slowly out of the yard, headed for the hills in the distance.

“How’s it feel?” he asked as they wound their way through a grove of cottonwoods.

“Too slow.”

“Ever heard the expression ‘You have to learn to walk before you run’?” He looked around, loving the familiar gait of the horse, the smell of the grass and saddle leather, the sun on his back. “Enjoy the view from up here.”

Holly Jo said nothing. When he glanced at her, he saw her looking toward the river and the county road beyond the trees. The next thing he knew, she’d dug her heels into her horse, giving it free rein. The mare took off toward the river with her holding on for dear life.

“Pull in the reins,” he called after her. But she wasn’t paying any attention. He could see the barbed-wire fence between her and the river. Holly Jo and her horse were headed right for it.

He swore and raced after her.

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