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Wade frowned and glanced at his brother’s slumbering form, and then at the boy. It was too dark to see if either were awake, but from what he could see Prescott was laying on his side breathing heavily in sleep. The boy lay perfectly still and was more than likely fast asleep as well. What would old Chuck Rhodes want with Prescott? Or, even stranger, with the boy?
Chapter 10
“Now, kid, you gotta keep the line taut when leading Lucy around the ring.” Joe scolded Anna as she allowed the lead in her hand slack once again. “You gotta keep control or she’ll trample all over ya.”
As if understanding his words, the wild filly reared up and kicked her front legs.
“Whoa, girl.” Joe brought the lead close to his body, but the young horse only bucked further. “She’s a little feisty, this one. You best to show her who’s boss.”
With an unbelievable strength he pulled the rope under his arm and cupped it close to his hip, then lifted a booted foot and put his weight on the rope forcing the horse low to the ground. She neighed and kicked the earth and Anna winced.
“See, horses have a natural pecking order. The most dominant horse becomes the leader. What ya want to do is let the horse know you’re the alpha.” He put the full force of his body onto the lead. “Come here, boy. Let the horse get familiar with your scent.”
Anna hesitated. She was certain the horse was already familiar with her and being associated with Joe’s brute force would leave Lucy’s trust in her shaken.
“Come on now, boy, don’t be ‘fraid. I got her good and tight.”
Lucy’s dark eyes darted around in her head. Inside, Anna felt a mix of fear and sorrow for the frightened but powerful creature. Keeping her calm and steady gaze on the horse, she waited until Lucy was able to focus on her, then with slow and deliberate movement walked toward her. Still maintaining eye contact, Anna reached out and laid a gentle hand upon Lucy’s hindquarter then gradually moved across the horse’s barrel until she stroked her shoulder and neck. The horse rolled her eyes as far back in her head as possible to keep a watchful eye on Anna.
Finally she could feel the tension in Lucy’s body begin to ease somewhat, her only movement was the shuffling of her hind legs. Anna’s hand moved forward, toward the makeshift bridle, and lightly grasped the rope. With slow and deliberate movements, she followed its length until she reached Joe’s foot.
He watched her entire action, frowning heavily, but stepped off the lead as her hand picked up the rope. “Your funeral, kid.”
Looping the excess rein, she stepped back so as to stand next to Lucy’s shoulder and then gently urged the animal into a walk. They proceeded to circle the ring several times before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
With no idea how to train a horse, Anna simply felt since Lucy was a sensitive animal, she needed tenderness and time to trust the people handling her. With a start, she realized something she, herself, still needed.
She led the horse to the center of the ring and dropped the rope in her hand. Other than her eyes shifting to keep a watchful eye on Anna, the horse remained still. Stepping around her, Anna ran her hand across the big animal’s body feeling the soft coat beneath her fingers. Lucy was breathing hard and Anna could sense her wariness slowly seep from her pores. Coming to stop at her shoulder once more, she followed the line of her leg until she cupped the fetlock and applied a small amount of pressure. The horse instinctively lifted her foot and Anna gave her a rewarding pat. She did this with all four legs before taking the horse back around the ring. That was when she noticed Wade watching from the opposite side of the fence.
A week after the roundup and Anna still had difficulty looking him in the eye. Every time she saw him, the image of him in that saloon room came back to mind. So instead she worked hard to forget it. No easy task when he was always around. Watching her closely.
Her shoulders tensed and the fingers clasping the reins clenched. Lucy stiffened then neighed. The big horse pulled back and refused to go further.
“Getta hold of her reins, boy,” Joe hollered.
Lucy became excited and pulled on the rope. Anna dropped it instinctively and the horse bolted off like lightning.
“Jesus, kid.” Joe was angry as he ran after the young filly.
She stood and watched as Joe cornered the animal with both arms outstretched, hollering at the horse before bending down and snatching up the lead rope.
“If ya spoil the animal you might as well shoot her, ‘cause she ain’t going be any good to us.” The wrangler dragged the unwilling horse out of the ring toward her holding pen.
Anna watched Lucy with sad eyes. The horse was not spoiled, but rather frightened, and she knew exactly how that felt.
“Joe, is right about that.” Wade came toward her. “Horses are easily confused and if you don’t make it clear you are in control, they will learn early not to obey.”
She stared at the dirt on her boots until he had finished talking, then turned and headed out of the ring.
“Just hold on, boy.”
Anna halted faithfully, but wanted to run instead.
“I came down here to have a word with you.” She heard his voice come closer and her back went stiff.
She waited for him to continue, but only silence stretched out behind her. When she thought he would say no more, he at last finally spoke.
“I’m not sure what happened last week in Lantern, but I know something has upset you.”
