Chapter 16
Lucy watched Chris from the kitchen window. He was on the roof of the barn, hammering down new shingles to replace the ones that had blown off in the storm last week.
Thoughts of the storm had Lucy absently tracing the ridged line of a scar that stretched across her palm. Sometimes she could still see what Chris had looked like when he came into the kitchen, gun in hand, lightning flashing into the dark house, a hard look of justice in his eyes.
Her hands trembled even now. But then she would think about what happened next. He had set his gun aside when he saw it was just Lucy alone in the kitchen. He had kept his distance, but hadn't left her alone. When she had woken to Vin there, Chris was still in the kitchen. She couldn't understand why he would have stayed in the kitchen with her.
She watched Chris lean over to grab another wood shingle from his stack on the roof and set to work nailing it down. The day was heating up and he had taken his shirt off. Lucy watched in fascination as the muscles in his back and shoulders coiled and moved under tan skin as he hammered the nails in with minimal strikes before moving to another place on the roof and reaching for another shingle.
He set aside his hammer to pull off another broken piece of roofing and the hammer started a downward slide. She saw Chris reach for it, but it skidded down the roof to land in the grass beside the barn.
Without thinking, Lucy hurried out the door, intending to save Chris a trip down the tall ladder. She ran across the yard lightly, until she reached the hammer.
Chris was at the edge of the roof. He looked down at Lucy as she picked up the hammer.
"Got it ok?" he called down.
Lucy went to the ladder, mindful of her long skirt. "Yes." She climbed the ladder carefully until she was to the height of the roof. She handed the hammer to Chris.
"Thanks," he said. But he didn't move to go back to work.
Lucy stayed on her perch at the top of the ladder. Her eyes strayed to Chris' bare skin and her face heated more than the sun warranted. She quickly looked away, out to the view afforded by her height.
She could see a creek winding through the land on the far side of the hills. She pointed. "Is that where your herd gets their water?" she asked, timidly, not sure if Chris wanted to get back to work, but curious about the ranch she had found herself living on.
"In the spring and early summer. When it's dry, have to move them over near the pond."
Lucy looked over the sprawling vista, unable to spot any other water.
"It's over on the other side," Chris said. He hesitated, then held a hand out in invitation.
Lucy looked at his hand, not sure she wanted the grip of a man on her, even if it was just her hand. But she also didn't want to be this person she had become anymore. She didn't want to be jumping at every sound and movement.
She put her hand in Chris' and let him steady her as she climbed the rest of the way onto the slanted roof.
His hand was warm, rough against her skin, and his hold was firm, he wasn't going to let her slip. But it wasn't uncomfortable. Still, she appreciated the distance when he released her hand as soon as he was certain she was steady on the roof.
He guided her over to the peak of the roof and to the other side, staying close enough to steady her if she needed it.
Standing close enough that she could feel his warmth, but with enough space she didn't feel crowded, Chris pointed out to a distant patch of blue.
"Pond's more of a small lake, really. Over there."
Lucy took in the lake, its surface a glassy reflection of the sky from this distance. She could see the shadows of the few puffy clouds in the sky rolling across the grazing land.
"Your land is beautiful," she said, then felt foolish for her breathless words. She ducked her head and started to shuffle away as much as their precarious footing would allow.
Chris didn't seem to notice, his eyes fixed on the hills and trees. "It's somethin'," he agreed.
Lucy was relieved he didn't mock her for her obvious emotion over the beauty of wide open spaces.
"You must have a lot of fence line," she said, trying to find something more neutral to say.
Chris frowned and her gut clenched. It had been the wrong comment. She instinctively pulled away, but her foot started skidding, much like the errant hammer that had drawn her outside.
Chris quickly reached for her and grabbed ahold of her, stopping her momentum.
The suddenness of his movement, combined with the unexpected solid grip of his hand on her arm had Lucy's muscles twitching violently in reaction, but she didn't pull away.
Chris waited until he was sure she wasn't going to lose her balance before he let go of her.
"Thank you," Lucy murmured, dropping her eyes.
Instead of responding, Chris looked out over his land again. "You want to go ride the fence line?" he asked.
Lucy's eyes darted to him.
"It can wait," he said with a frown. "When Nathan or Buck comes out next, they can stay at the house with you—"
"I'll go," Lucy said, then bit down on her lip when she realized she had interrupted him.
Chris didn't seem to notice. He looked down at her. "Yeah?"
Lucy nodded. "Yeah."
Chris looked out at the view again and Lucy wondered what he was thinking. The thought of going out for a ride, getting away from the house where she had been cooped up for weeks now, was more than appealing. She held her breath, hoping Chris wasn't going to change his mind.
"I'll get the horses ready," he said. "You want to fill the canteens?"
Lucy nodded quickly, not wanting to give him a chance to rescind the offer. He went and retrieved his shirt, pulling it on and buttoning it. Lucy averted her eyes, the movement to personal for her to be observing.
She barely noticed his hand on her this time as he guided her to the ladder, crouching down and holding the top of it secure against the edge of the roof while she carefully stepped off the roof onto the rungs. She made her way down, then waited for Chris to gather his roofing supplies and climb down.
She didn't say anything more, just taking the hammer and nails so he could take the ladder down. But everything in her was nearly singing with excitement at the prospect of a horseback ride in new scenery, no matter how simple and mundane the task that was attached to it.
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Chris led out the gelding Lucy had ridden previously and tied him to the rail next to his own stallion. She seemed to be a good fit for the horse, though he suspected she could handle one of the more skittish mares he was working with, and the mares could use more time under saddle with a good rider. She was more than competent with the horse on the ground and in the saddle.
Knowing what she had endured in Texas had earned her his respect, even before any of the smaller details had come out. But seeing her skill with the horses, her work ethic day in and day out, and her compassion for the small scrap of feline that currently resided in his kitchen had brought his admiration. It was hidden beneath her timidity and took some work to see, but there was a lot depth beneath the fear.
Lucy Tanner was a hell of a woman.
Lucy Larabee.
With a grunt, felt his jaw tighten and he turned his attention back to the horse. He double checked the cinch, making sure it hadn't loosened with the walk from the barn. He made sure he had the supplies needed to fix any fence they may need to along the way.
Lucy came down the porch steps, her face shaded by the hat he had bought her, two canteens and a saddlebag dangling from her hands.
"Let's go," he said gruffly.
Lucy's brows knit together in worry at the quick order and she quickly picked up her pace. Chris mentally kicked himself for chasing away the tentative peace that had been there. And he doubted their plan to ride out to check fences. He wasn't sure he had the most basic manners to keep from terrifying the girl. There may have been a time he did, but he wasn't that person anymore, and it had been a long time since he was.
He crossed to her, mindful to keep his steps slower so as not to convey anger he didn't feel and took the canteens from her. He tied one to his saddle horn and the other to hers, then took the saddlebag and secured it behind her saddle, his saddlebags carrying the fencing tools already. He lifted one of the flaps and looked inside. Wrapped in clean cloths were sandwiches and apples, homemade cookies resting on top.
"Looks good," he commented, going around to mount.
The relief on her face said he had gotten it right for once and the relief in his own chest at that was completely out of proportion for such a small thing.
He kept from saying anything else while Lucy swung herself up, an impressive feat since she was too petite to reach the stirrup from the ground.
He made sure she was settled in her saddle and had gathered her reins before he nudged his horse to move.
Lucy didn't say anything and matched his pace. Chris found himself glancing her way to check on her less frequently as she had her horse navigating the uneven terrain easily. Instead, he found it easy to get used to her quiet presence off to his side.
They rode without conversation until they had crossed over the hills and he was aware she was slowing.
He reined in his stallion, Lucy was still riding, but at a slow walk, her eyes fixed on the herd that dotted the hillside. He turned his horse to go back to her.
Lucy was studying the cattle, the spring calves who were starting to fill out beyond their spindly newborn stage bringing a small smile to her face.
When Chris drew near, she glanced his way and quickly straightened in the saddle.
"I'm sorry," she apologized quickly, kicking her horse to get him moving.
Chris followed at a slower pace until she slowed and fell back with him.
"They're—they're good looking cattle," she said. She darted a look towards him.
Chris felt a stir of pride.
They fell back into silence.
Chris kept his eyes on the fence line, well aware of the weight of Lucy's gaze every time she moved it from the fence to him, and measured him with those blue eyes before turning back to the fence.
"When…"
Chris glanced at her. She kept her face turned away from him. Her shoulders lifted as she took in a breath, then she started again, her voice a quiet rhythm Chris was starting to find a familiarity in in spite of how little he heard it.
"When Vin and I were hardly in our teens, back in Texas…" she paused and risked a look towards him. "We lived on a ranch for a spell."
Chris wondered if it was a good memory. Her voice didn't shake the way it did when she spoke of her time with Eli Joe.
They continued on along the fence, a few birds scattering up from the grass at their approach with a rapid flutter of wings.
"I liked it there," Lucy surprised him by speaking again. "We couldn't stay because the family that hired us there sold out and moved back East."
The sorrow in her voice was clear, but then she spoke again, her words quieter, but some sort of contentment making them steady. "I always hoped I'd get a chance to live on a ranch again."
Chris didn't have to say anything because Lucy was pointing to the fence. "There's a weak section," she said.
"Good eye," Chris said, swinging off his horse. He reached in the saddle bag and took out what he needed.
Lucy got down from her horse and went with him without comment. She picked up the hammer when he set it down and pulled a U shaped nail out of the sack.
Chris gripped the sagging strand of wire and pulled it into place, leaning his body weight against it to get it taut.
Lucy moved quickly getting near him out of necessity, holding the nail over the wire and hammering it in with minimal strikes.
"Nice work," Chris said, not holding back how impressed he was.
Lucy didn't respond, but he noticed the pink flush of her cheeks as she stepped away from him and went back to the horses.
The task went quickly, they were able to move the horses into a trot and cover ground swiftly, Lucy's efficient work making the day go smoothly and more quickly than if Chris had been on his own.
They ate their lunch in the saddle as the sun arced across the sky. Chris stopped Lucy once, taking the hammer from her.
She startled, but didn't pull back.
"Let me see your hand."
He didn't know why he hadn't thought of it earlier. He was too focused on the job, the pleasant day outside in the saddle.
Lucy obediently held out her hand towards him.
Chris turned it over, feeling the way her muscles tightened under his touch. He forced himself to move slowly, he let go of her hand as soon as she was holding her palm up for him to see.
He had never noticed the callouses on her hands before. Sarah's hands had been soft. She had been raised to be a lady, taking care of the household chores and preferring the indoors. He shoved aside thoughts of Sarah.
The state of Lucy's hands shouldn't surprise him, not when she had all but been left alone to care for herself and fend off Eli Joe in equal parts. She was no stranger to labor.
But it was the scar that spanned her palm he looked at. Nathan had been out to the ranch only two days earlier to remove her stitches, declaring her healed up.
"It's fine," Lucy assured him, her shoulders shifting self-consciously.
Chris stepped back and Lucy immediately withdrew her hand, rubbing it uncomfortably along the worn fabric of her skirt.
He handed her back the hammer.
"Tell me if the work bothers your hand. If you need a break."
She met his eyes then, again with that look like she was trying to figure him out, decipher what would make him say something like that. Chris turned away from the pressure of her gaze, going back to the wire that had fallen away from the fencepost, pulling it tight, waiting for Lucy to do her part.
They didn't speak again, working to the sound of the herd lowing, and the occasional bird call, until Chris glanced at the level of the sun.
"Let's call it a day," he said. He packed the tools back in his saddlebag and mounted his horse.
Lucy sat atop her horse, relaxed. The setting sun behind her turned her into a silhouette, touching her long hair beneath her hat with a golden glow.
"What—what's wrong?" Lucy asked.
Chris realized he had stopped moving. "Nothing," he said. He slapped his hands against the dark fabric of his pants, dusting off the last of the dirt before mounting up.
He pushed their pace a little faster on the way home, letting his stallion stretch his legs, seeing that Lucy was holding her seat easily as the gelding kept up.
She moved like she was born in the saddle and once again Chris realized how clear it was that she had been raised by Vin.
They were unsaddling in front of the barn when Chris' senses alerted.
He stopped Lucy's movements with a hand held out towards her. She froze, her eyes darting toward him to where he was looking.
"More visitors than a hotel lately," he muttered under his breath. He had chosen this land because of the isolation, something that it seemed to be lacking as of late. He set his saddle on the ground and reached for his gun.
"Stay close," he said, still not sure what had grabbed his attention.
A rider was coming, more than one. He could hear the hoofbeats now. Not from the direction of town, from the south. He thought of the coverage the barn would provide, rather than risk the run across the yard.
He could feel Lucy close at his back, feel the pressure to keep her safe, protected.
As soon as the rider came into view, Chris recognized him.
"It's Vin," he said.
And Lucy was pulling away from him, looking toward the rider, leading a riderless horse behind him. Their day together abruptly over as she took a few steps toward her approaching brother.
Chris told himself he was glad Vin had turned up, belatedly holstering his gun. Lucy had missed Vin and it was good her brother was back.
Vin started to raise a hand in greeting, but the horse he was leading spooked at something and started to pull back on the lead rope.
Lucy let out a small cry and started to rush toward Vin and the horse. Chris stayed back, not needed anymore, at least for right now, for his one job of protecting Lucy.
The horse backed wildly at Lucy's approach, rearing slightly, and causing Lucy to stop.
Vin, an excellent horseman, was keeping hold of the horse, but losing control.
Lucy slowed, then backed away, easing the pressure the horse seemed to feel from her.
Vin got his horse moving more quickly, giving the small palomino he led no choice but to start moving forward again.
"You got an empty paddock handy?" Vin asked when he got closer to Chris. The horse snorted wildly at the sight of Chris.
Chris moved slowly, keeping every step smooth and easy, giving the horse space. Something he had been doing with Lucy. With a small huff of humor at that thought, he opened the gate and stood back as Vin trotted his horse in, the other horse following with dancing steps to the side.
Still on horseback, Vin drew the led horse closer, slipping the loop of his rope over the horse's head, freeing her.
As soon as his rope was off her, she danced backwards, her hooves churning at the dirt, her head high as she looked around wildly. Chris opened the gate again to allow Vin and his horse out of the paddock before he closed it behind him.
Lucy was at the edge of the small fenced area, her eyes fixed on every movement of the horse.
Chris looked at the horse more closely. Her tail was stringy, her mane nearly matted with burrs. Lacerations cris crossed her hide. She moved frantically around the pen, not aggressive. She was terrified.
As soon as Vin was off his horse, Lucy rushed to his side. Vin put his arm around her shoulders, every movement showing his weariness.
"Sorry I couldn't clean her up some," Vin said. "She wouldn't let me close. Just got her and pushed for home."
Lucy's face was filled with love for her brother as she shook her head. "How did you—how did you get her?"
Vin's face was nearly impassive, but Chris saw the fine lines that moved at the corner of his eyes. "I took 'er," he said evenly.
Lucy's eyes flew to his in concern. "You stole her?"
"I took back what's yours," Vin said, and Chris didn't miss the anger that simmered under the even words.
"You adding horse thief to that wanted poster?" Chris asked Vin, humor keeping the words light.
As if just then remembering Chris was there, Lucy turned to him, but stayed near Vin's side. "That's my horse. That's…" her words were strangled and she blinked back tears, lowering her head and pressing her lips together as she fought for control.
"That's Gal," Vin said. "Lucy's horse."
The one Lucy had told Chris that Eli Joe had taken from her. He looked at her then, saw the way she looked at the horse. Her eyes shining in a way Chris had never seen, her looking up at Vin like he could do anything.
Chris cleared his throat. "I'll go get our horses put up," he said, excusing himself.
He went back toward the front of the barn.
"Hey, Cowboy."
Chris slowed his steps, turning slightly to let Vin catch up to him.
"Everything ok here while I was gone?" Vin asked.
Chris glanced over Vin's shoulder at Lucy standing outside the fence, her entire body pressed right up to the rails, with her eyes fixed on the sorry looking horse that was running around the pen, giving a wild buck if it came near her.
"Fine," he said. "Quiet." He was relieved to have nothing to report to Vin from during his nearly week long absence.
Vin nodded, blowing out a breath. Quiet was good.
"You find out anything?" Chris asked, making sure his words wouldn't carry to Lucy, keeping an eye on her.
Vin angled toward Lucy, and was silent. Chris waited for his friend to gather his thoughts.
"They're a good three days hard riding from here. And they ain't riding hard. Ain't even takin' a straight route. No way they'll be here in the week." His jaw worked and he looked at Chris. "You ok with Lucy for another week?" he asked.
Chris nodded. He had committed to taking care of Lucy and wasn't about to stop until Lucy was no longer threatened by Eli Joe.
Lucy looked toward them then, looking past Chris to Vin and giving Vin a small smile before she headed toward them, one last look over her shoulder at the mare who was finally running out of steam.
"You need to head back into town?" Chris asked.
"Not yet," Vin said.
"Stay for supper," Chris said. "You got time for that?"
Vin nodded and Lucy's face relaxed into a small smile. "Come on," Lucy said. "I was planning on heating the roast from yesterday. With garlic mashed potatoes, your favorite."
"Let me take care of the horses, then I'll be in."
Lucy nodded agreeably.
"I've got 'em," Chris interrupted. "Go on in," he said to Vin.
Vin gave Chris a tired smile from beneath the trail dust and fell into step with his sister, heading toward the house.
The look of happiness on Lucy's face as she listened to Vin talk was something that Chris hadn't seen from her before. It was a world of difference from the wary looks she gave him.
He was glad Vin was back for Lucy's sake. He told himself that it was good she had Vin back.
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