Page 83 of Tempest (Old West 3)

“Yes, fences, creeks, potatoes on the ground?”

Ed looked stunned and confused. Her husband was trying not to laugh at his friend but failing.

Regan turned the horse away. “Never mind, I’ll find out.” With a kick and a yell, she and the horse set off. She rode the mare at a medium gallop at first but as they became more attuned, she felt Star straining to increase the pace, so Regan leaned in like a jockey and let the mare have her head. Star’s strides lengthened. Moving together as one, they pounded around the field a few times then headed for the fence that separated the meadow from the road. “Do you like to jump, Miss Star? Can we take that fence?” Regan asked. She knew that if Star balked at the last minute, they could both be injured, but she sensed the horse had no fear. She was right, they sailed over the fence with ease, and Regan yelled her joy. Star landed solidly on the other side, and they continued, galloping hell-bent for leather up the road.

With Star trailered behind the wagon on a lead, Colt drove his horse-riding woman home. “You know you almost gave me and Ed a heart attack when you jumped that fence.”

Snuggled close to his side, she said, “I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not. Between the fence and watching the mare rear at you, it’s a wonder both of us are still alive.”

“She was just testing me.”

“Well, you tested us for sure.”

“Mr. Blanchard traded horses when Portia and I were growing up, so we learned a lot from him. Some horses hate jumping. Not Star. I could feel it as soon as she began to run. And she loved it. She had her eyes locked on that fence, her ears were back. I’m going to love riding her.”

“Good, but try not to scare me into my grave, would you, please?”

“Yes, sir, and thanks so much for the surprise.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I enjoyed meeting Ed.”

“He enjoyed meeting you, too. In fact, once we got over the shock of you clearing that fence and could breathe again, he asked if it was okay to kill me, so he could marry you.”

He liked the sound of her laugh. After Adele’s death, he never imagined finding another woman to fill his heart, but he had. “Can I be truthful with you?”

“Yes.”

“I never thought I’d love another woman after Adele passed away.”

She met his eyes and he wasn’t sure what she was thinking. “I don’t mean to offend you talking about her.”

“You don’t. You loved her and you don’t have to forget her just because you’re married to me now. She gave you a beautiful little girl who will probably grow up and look exactly like her and that doesn’t bother me. I’d be very mean-spirited to try and erase her memory from you or from Anna.”

So surprised by her words, he stopped the team. “Do you mean that?”

“No, Dr. Lee, I’m telling you a lie,” she groused sarcastically. She cupped his cheek. “Of course I meant it. If you want to leave her portrait hanging over the mantel until we’re old and gray, so be it. In fact, she and I speak all the time.”

He laughed. “What?”

“Sometimes when I’m in the house alone, I hold conversations with her. They’re one-sided of course, but I value her opinion. We’ve been discussing getting rid of all the stuffy old furniture and we’re trying to decide which pieces to keep.”

He threw back his head and laughed loud and long. After recovering he took in the remarkable woman at his side, and once again thanked the angels for bringing her into his life. “I love you very much, Regan.”

“I love you, too.”

“What’s she doing now?” Anna grumbled, watching Regan check the underside of Star’s shoes.

Colt explained, “She’s looking for any stones Star may have picked up on their ride.”

“Is she going to play with her horse all day?”

He hid his smile. He and Anna were outside by their small barn. Regan and her new mare were just returning from a short after dinner ride and it sounded as if Anna was jealous that a horse seemed to have taken her place in Regan’s heart. “This is the first day she and Star have been together, so your mama’s really happy about having her. She still loves you best though.”

The look on Anna’s face didn’t change.

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