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Zac lowered Prudence to the step, gave her a quick kiss, mumbled an even quicker apology, and then raced down the steps and out the door.
Prudence stood bewildered and distraught. She stamped her foot like a spoiled child and mumbled her disappointment. But after several minutes of exasperation, she recalled Silver Fox's words about Zac's dream of building the ranch and how he wanted his wife to share in it. And here she was complaining instead of offering her help.
She picked up her skirt and ran upstairs to change into her denim skirt. She couldn't help but glance regretfully at the large, empty bed.
"Tonight," she reassured herself. "Definitely tonight."
She hurried out the door and down the path that lead to the corral and barns. The late spring air was cool and fresh, and all around her signs pointed to the approach of summer. The trees were majestic in their height and their leaves were brilliant greens. Wildflowers grew in profusion, pink, yellow, and red adding cheer to the deep green of Mother Nature's carpet.
The ranch hands respectfully tipped their hats in greeting as she passed by, and one stepped aside so she could enter the barn. Zac had been wrong, she thought. There were many gentlemen in the West.
Prudence spotted Josh. They had been introduced briefly, shortly after her arrival at the ranch. He stood by a stall, looking down. He was a tall, lanky man with the thickest moustache Prudence had ever seen and kind blue eyes that didn't fit his rough cowboy exterior.
Inside, Josh had a tender heart.
She approached slowly and when Josh saw her, he held his hand up for her to remain silent but motioned her forward.
Prudence joined him, looking down into the stall. Zac was kneeling beside Lucky, talking softly and soothingly to her while stroking her neck.
"It's going to be a long night," Josh whispered to Prudence. "Lucky is our top mare and this colt is the beginning of good horse stock for the ranch."
"Will she be all right?" Prudence asked.
"Can't say. Just have to wait it out and do what we can."
The night passed slowly. Prudence was kept busy making coffee and sandwiches for the ranch hands that helped with the difficult birth.
It was close to midnight when Lucky finally delivered and easier than they had all expected. A roar was heard throughout the barn when Lucky produced the most beautiful male foal Prudence had ever seen. Of course, it was the first foal she had ever seen, but that didn't matter; the newborn was still beautiful to her.
And the way Zac tended to the mother and son was heartwarming. She thought with envy of the care and tenderness he would provide for his wife and newborn babe. It was hard to believe that hands that were so fast and lethal with a gun could extend such comfort and care.
Prudence looked at him, so tired and worn from the night's strenuous event. She could see his weariness in the way he rubbed his neck and twisted it back and forth as he stood.
"I can handle it from here, Zac," Josh insisted.
Zac nodded, still rubbing his neck. I’ll be out early tomorrow to check on them both."
"Okay, boss," Josh said, and then added, "That's some missus you brought home. She's one fine woman."
"That she is," Zac agreed, and he reached out his hand to Prudence.
She took it and smiled her thanks to Josh for the sincere compliment, before leaving the barn.
She held firm to Zac's warm grasp. He pulled her into the crook of his arm as they walked toward the house.
"Lord, but I'm tired." He rested his face against her hair, enjoying its sweet, fresh scent.
"You need to rest," she said in fierce protection of him. She was overwhelmed by the need to care for him. She was certain it was part of being in love, this over-protectiveness, this need to shelter.
Prudence directed him straight upstairs, and once in the bedroom she fussed over him. She immediately built a small fire to chase the night chill from the room. She then motioned in her staunchest manner for him to sit and proceeded to help him remove his boots. His shirt was next, and she couldn't help but admire the strength of him, so thick and broad.
"I need to wash up," he said, getting up from the bed.
"But you're tired."
"And dirty," he added, disappearing into the bathing room.
Prudence turned down the bed and quickly undressed. She changed into her pink nightgown, tying the thin pink silk ties at her throat and chest.
Zac entered the room with only a towel draped around him. He didn't waste any time but headed straight for the bed, discarding the towel just before he crawled in.
Prudence got a quick peek at his bare backside and muscled thighs. She sighed with regret, pushing away her disappointment. She climbed into bed, slipping beneath the covers, trying not to disturb him. He lay on his stomach and was silent.
