Chapter 11


'Close your eyes Lil Miss-' Hoss instructed, placing his hands over her eyes as he guided her towards the barn. 'Keep em closed good and tight.'

'What's going on Hoss?' She giggled, trying to take a peek but there was nothing except blackness. 'Where are you taking me?'

'Adam n I have a little surprise for you.'

'Can I have a hint?'

'Nope.'

'Not even a little one?'

'Dadburnit Missie, you're worse than Little Joe on Christmas mornin.'

She laughed, still letting him guide her wherever they were going. 'Adam's told me that more than once. Maybe it might be true then.'

'I reckon he's right.' He stopped her in the middle of the ranch yard, still with his hands over her eyes so she couldn't look. 'Won't be much longer now-'

'Oh come on big brother, just a Lil itty bitty hint?'

'You sure are impatient.' Adam started forward with the mare, leading her out of the barn and he took his hands away. 'Okay, you can open your eyes now.'

Missie opened them, gasping. Adam was leading Lilly around in front of the barn and she watched in amazement. The mare was moving freely, no sign at all of any soreness or stiffness in her gait. Lilly turned to look at her, knickering softly as Adam brought her to a halt.

'What do you think?'

'Oh Hoss, I can't believe it.' She exclaimed, leaving him and running over to the mare. Adam chuckled as she hugged Lilly, Hoss coming over to join them. 'How'd you get her going so well?'

'It's been a bit of a combined effort.' Adam ran his hand down the mare's neck. 'With you being laid up sick, Pa, Hoss, Joe and I didn't want all the work you put into her waisted. So, the four of us have been taking turns to massage her and work with her while you've been recovering. If you run your hand over her shoulder you'll feel her muscles are a lot looser now. There's still scar tissue there but I think it's a good improvement.'

'It's a great improvement Adam, a great improvement.' She hugged the mare again then ran her hand over her shoulder and back. 'I didn't expect her to come so good, I thought the best I could hope for would be only a bit of a limp but she's got none at all. What have you been doing with her?'

'Well I was speaking to Thompson down at the livery stable a few weeks back and he was telling me about a new liniment out for horses. He wanted to know if it was as good as the salesman said it would be so he gave me a couple bottles to try.'

'I'd love to know what was in that stuff, I think the scar tissue feels like it's breaking down considerably.'

'I think there's castor oil in it, can't remember what is on the rest of the label.'

Missie's face lit up. 'Castor oil! Of course. It penetrates deep into muscles to break down scar tissue, I can't believe I didn't think of that.'

Hoss gave the mare a pat then turned back to the girl. 'Would you like to take a little ride on her?'

'Are you sure she's sound enough?'

'For a little ride, just a walk around the ranch yard. We put Joe on her a couple times just to see how'd she go after havin someone on her and she held up real well.'

'Oh please then, I've been so wishing to ride her again.'

Adam chuckled as he picked her up around the waist and placed her on the mare's back. 'There you go. Now no ideas of galloping off into the sunset you both aren't up to it.'

'It's good just being on her again.' She lent down over the mare's neck and gave her another hug. 'Thank you, both of you. You've no idea what this means to me.'

'That there smile says it means a lot. We were happy to do it.'

'Yeah, if it means seeing our favorite sister with a grin on her face again.'

'Your only sister.' She corrected Adam, still hugging Lilly. 'Alright my girl, how about we show these gentlemen what we can do, hey?'

Adam handed her the lead rope and both he and Hoss stepped back to give her room. 'Now remember, just a walk. You don't want to overdo it and ruin our work.'

'I know Adam, I won't. Promise.' She lent forward, slipping the halter off over the mare's ears and let it fall to the ground. Gently nudging her with her heels she urged her forward and Lilly stepped out like she'd never been injured.

'Those long hours were sure worth it with that there grin on her face.' Hoss remarked as they watched her walk the mare around the yard. 'Only time other than now l remember her bein so happy was when you brought that little ball of fluff home for her.'

'That kitten sure was the best present I ever gave a girl, despite the fact she likes sleeping on my books.'

'Or when she curled up in your boot and you thought she was a rattler.' He chuckled, earning an unamused look from his brother. 'You gotta admit Adam, that was right funny.'

Adam ignored him, looking back at the girl. 'How's she feel?'

'As good as she ever was.' She nudged her gently with her heel and turned her back towards them. 'I'd forgotten just how much I loved riding this one, she's still as easy on me as she ever was.' She brought her to a halt then asked her to sidestep. 'Either of you fellas going to ride your horse without any tack at all anytime soon?'

'Not me, I like my saddle. Makes sure I don't fall off.'

She chuckled. 'What about you Adam?'

'Well anyone can sit bareback on a horse at a walk. You tried riding the roan without any tack?'

'I've ridden him bareback before.' She sent the mare sidestepping back to them then halted her again. 'But his leg cues need work before I'd take a bridle off him.'

He raised his eyebrows. There wasn't a hand on the ranch who'd ride that horse without a saddle. The roan had earnt quite the reputation amongst the permanent cowhands. 'You rode him bareback?'

'And the other one. Like I told Pa, my Pa believed in making us earn our saddles. We had to ride a horse from walk to gallop and over jumps before he gave us a saddle. He said it was the way his Pa taught him to have a good seat. If Lily was up to it I'd be happy to give you a real exhibition but for now I'll just leave it at that. Don't want to overwork you, hey girl?'

'Hey you two are looking good.' Joe exclaimed as he and Ben rode into the ranch yard. 'I hope Adam and Hoss haven't taken all the credit for her.'

'No they haven't, they told me you all worked on Lilly for me. Thank you all so much.' She rubbed her neck then slid off and picked up the halter and lead rope. 'This means so much to me.'

Ben dismounted Buck as the girl haltered the mare again. 'The boys worked real hard on her, they wanted to surprise you.'

'They did, they truly did.'


'Morning all.' Missie exclaimed cheerfully as she came down the stairs to join them at breakfast. Ben and the boys were already eating and she took her seat beside Adam at the table.

Adam handed her her plate. 'You seem bright and chipper this morning.'

'I actually had a really really good sleep for once.'

'Would it also have anything to do with the fact the doc lifted your restrictions?' Joe teased with a smile.

'Maybe.'

'Well it's right good seeing you in a good mood.'

'I'm always in a good mood Hoss, what are you talking about?' She grinned. 'Even better now that Hop Sings back.'

'I'm glad to be out of the kitchen.'

'Don't worry Pa, we are too.'

Ben shot a look at Joe and both Missie and his other sons had a little laugh. 'Next time Hop Sing is away Joe, you're on kitchen duties.'

'What?'

'That's what you get for teasing Pa.' Missie chuckled. 'Pa's actually doing quite well now cooking.'

'Thank you for the compliment my girl-' He looked at his sons. 'It's nice to be appreciated around here.'

'Your welcome Pa.'

Adam lent down next to her ear. 'Crawler.'

'Yeah yeah.'

'You boys could learn a thing or two from young Missie.'

'Well Missie-' Hoss helped himself to more bacon. 'What are you plannin on doin with your new found freedom?'

'First thing I'm doing is not spending the day resting. What's today's plans Pa?'

'Well Hoss and Little Joe are heading out to check on some cattle down in the back country, they'll be gone a couple days. I've got business to attend to in town so I won't be back until supper-'

'I guess that leaves me to babysit.' Adam placed his empty mug back on the table. 'How's spending the day with me sound?'

'Sounds great. What are we going to do?'

'Chores first. There's some other things around here I've got to attend to as well.'

'When I was out saddling Buck I noticed that stallion in the corral. He's been here sometime now Joe and you still haven't done anything with him yet.'

'I've been busy. I'll ride him when I get back.'

'Well I don't expect I'll be too busy the next couple of days, I could have a go of him for you.'

'That wouldn't be a bad idea Joe.' Ben agreed. 'Something always seems to come up and stop you from working him. He's been eating our hay without working long enough now, either her gets worked or he goes.'

'Yes Pa.'

He wiped his face with a napkin as he stood. 'Time for me to be moving.' He gave Missie a kiss on the cheek as he went past her and headed for the door. 'Behave yourself Missie.'

She chuckled. 'I always do Pa. Have a good day.'

'See you boys.'

'Bye Pa.'

'See you when we get back.'

'Don't forget about seeing if that rifle I ordered has come in.' Adam added, waiting for Missie to finish her breakfast. 'You about done Missie?'

'Yeah, I'm full. You want the rest of my bacon Hoss?'

'Sure Lil Miss.' She handed him her plate. 'Go easy on Adam while we're gone will you?'

'Go easy on Adam?' Little Joe chuckled. 'I think it's Adam that needs to go easy on Missie.'

'That'll be quite enough out of you.' He cuffed him playfully up the side of the head as he stood. 'See you two when you get back.'

'I'll give Adam curry.' Missie whispered to Joe as she walked past and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 'Don't get into any trouble without me.'

'Shucks, I should go away more often to get a kiss from a pretty girl.'

'Don't push your luck Little Joe.' She went to Hoss and gave him a kiss too. 'You keep an eye on Joe, I don't want to have to patch him up when you guys get back.'

'Yes ma'am.' He gave her a hug back. 'Behave yourself too you hear?'

'I will. Promise.'

'Okay Missie-'

'Coming.' She laughed and hurried around to the door where Adam was putting his gun belt on. Quickly she got her hat and placed it on her head as he opened the door.

'Coat on Missie, it's getting cold out.'

The girl poked her head through the door. 'Mmm, yeah.' She grabbed her coat off the hook and put it on as he closed the door behind themselves. 'You don't mind looking after me today?'

'Not at all Missie. It's good you being well enough to come along.'

'What are we going to do today?'

'Well barn chores first obviously.' He picked up a shovel as she brought the wheelbarrow over and began on Sport's stall. 'You feel up to riding?'

'Sure. Doc Martin says as long as I'm careful and don't overwork I should be fine to resume my normal activities. Where are we riding to?'

'First off to the stock barn to bring the roan back, Pa took the roan and the grey back there while you were sick so we didn't need to tend to them. We'll have to ride double on Sport.'

'Wouldn't be the first time.'

'At least this time you'll be conscious.'

'Ugh, don't get me started.' She picked up Lilly's feed bucket and went over to fill it. 'I'm just glad that it's over. Pneumonia is not fun, I'll say that.'

'Wasn't much fun watching you sick either.' He finished with Sport's stall and moved onto the next one. 'I've been wondering something Missie.'

'Hmmm?'

'How come you've never learnt to swim?'

'I'm scared of water.' She replied soberly after a moment. 'I've been scared of water for as long as I can remember.' The girl took the mare's feed over to her then returned to Adam to brush Sport. 'Sometimes my father would take me out to the water barrel and hold my head under for punishment. I hated that worse than being beaten.'

He looked over at her. 'He what?' Missie took a deep breath before repeating what she'd said. 'No wonder you're scared of water then.'

'I don't like having baths either for that reason. There was a little creek at the school my Ma forced me to go to, the bigger boys tied me up one time and threw me in. I almost drowned then and that's why I've never learnt to swim.'

'Your going to have to face your fear sooner rather than later.'

'What are you scared of Adam? Pa said everyone's scared of something.'

'Me? I ain't afraid of anything.' He teased with a laugh.

'You're pulling my leg.'

'I know.' Taking the geldings halter off he bridled him while the girl finished brushing him down. 'I was pretty scared when you were sick. Guess my fears are the same as any elder siblings. Something happening to their younger sibling. Joe's had me right worried more than once.'

Missie placed the saddle blanket on him thoughtfully. 'I understand that. I got worried every time something happened to them.'

'You realise then why I'm so against you riding those broncs?'

'I do but it still doesn't seem fair. If I were another brother would you be feeling the same way?'

'Most likely not.'

'Then why are you so worried about me?'

'Because you're my sweet, gentle, kind, beautiful, little sister.' He placed his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 'That I love very much.'

'Awe, I love you too.' She chuckled. 'What brought that sentimentality on?'

'Can't a brother tell his favourite sister that he loves her?'

'He can, you just surprised me is all.'

'Contrary to popular belief I'm not as hard hearted as people think I am.'

'I know that, I just like teasing you is all.' She stepped back as he picked up the saddle and swung it onto his back. 'I consider myself lucky to get to see this side of you, from Hoss and Little Joe's stories no one gets to see the nice side of you.'

'And just what exactly have those brothers of ours told you?'

'Wouldn't you like to know?'

'Hmmm.' He picked up the reins, leading the horse out of the barn then handed them to the girl. 'I'll ride behind you.'

'You trust me with Sport?'

'I'd like to see how you go with him.'

'Okay.' Missie placed her foot in the stirrup, took hold of the horn and swung up into the saddle. Sport tossed his head as she waited for Adam to mount up behind her. 'All set?'

'Yes ma'am.'

'Alright, let's go then.'

They rode out of the ranch yard at a trot, the girl getting a feel for the gelding at a slow pace before going faster. Sport tried to test her a little, tossing his head and speeding up but she kept him under control with ease. She was growing to like the gelding, he was spirited but sensible and was responsive to both the rein and her leg.

'You like him?'

'He's not bad, not bad at all. If he wasn't your horse I'd be considering him quite thoroughly.' She nudged him with her heels once more and he jumped into a canter. 'You don't want to get another horse, do you?'

Adam chuckled. 'I'll stick with this one thank you. Took me long enough to find him.'

'I thought that might be the case. The roan and the grey are good but there's no connection there between us.' The barn came into view as they rounded a corner and she slowed him back to a trot. A couple ranch hands tipped their hats at her as they rode past, the girl nodding back in return. She stopped Sport in front of the barn and one of the workers came to hold him as they dismounted. 'Well, did I pass your test?'

'You did real well with him, I'm impressed.' He complimented, the worker taking the horse to the hitching rail and they walked into the barn. 'I've been thinking about perhaps taking you to Sacramento or San Francisco to the horse markets if you don't find one you like.'

'That's not necessary, I'm happy to wait for the right horse to come along.'

'Well you've got up until Spring, the roan and the grey will be used on the cattle drives. We use them on new workers to test them out.'

'So in other words don't train them too well?' She grinned, collecting the tack for the roan. 'How many riders has this one dumped?'

'A few. Joe ate gravel a couple years back from this one.'

'This one got Joe off? I'd loved to have seen that.'

'Bucked him clean off, straight into a pile of manure.'

Missie wrinkled her nose up as she tightened the cinch. 'Lovely. At least his landing was cushioned.'

'He didn't find it funny, we were all laughing and he just stood there glaring at the roan. He put a burr under Sport's saddle cloth as revenge.'

'You didn't get hurt did you?'

'No, but Pa saw to his hide. He didn't sit for a week for that escapade.'

The roan argued for a moment when she went to put the bit in but gave up and she slipped the bridle into place. 'Ouch. How many times did you get your hide tanned?'

'Less than Little Joe.' He chuckled. 'I learnt my lesson the first time where's Joe's a little slower.'

'Adam, glad you're here.'

Adam turned around as one of the hands over. 'What's the matter Scotty?'

'One of the broncs for the army, that big black threw Dan and crushed him.'

'How bad is he?'

'He's banged up some but that bronc's more than ornery now.'

He sighed heavily. The horses for the contract weren't fully trained yet and having a rider down would only put more work on the other hands. 'Put him in the chute, I'll sort him out.' The hand left, Missie leading the gelding from his stall. 'I've got to ride one of the horses for that contract, he threw one of the hands off.'

'Are you going to have the horses ready in time? You've got what, three days yet till they've got to be delivered?'

'Two. We'd better have them ready.'

'Is there anything I can do to help?'

'You know I'm not letting you on those broncs so don't ask again.'

She rolled her eyes as Adam climbed over the fence and started to the chute. 'Guess I've been told.' She remarked to the roan, scratching his neck as Adam mounted the bronc. The hands opened the gate, the black leaping out as if the devil were in his tail. Adam was holding on as the bronc bucked around the pen and she gasped as the horse fell. Her brother was still on the bronc as the dust cleared, the horse getting to its feet and resumed the fight. 'Hang on Adam, you've almost got him!' The horse bucked and twisted, his bucks becoming less aggressive as he began to tire. 'That's it! You've got him now.' The bronc finally stopped and a pickup rider rode in to collect Adam, her brother hopping onto the back of the other horse and slid off next to the fence. Another hand led the bronc away as she hurried over to him. 'You okay?'

He tossed her hair. 'Just fine Missie-Moo. I don't expect they'll have any further problems with him.'

'You sure you're not hurt?'

'I'm just fine my dear. I'll have a look over the other horses and then we'll head back.'

'Alright.' He headed over to a pen and she mounted up to wait for him. She got a few curious looks from some hands working with the horses but they ignored her and she them. Adam went over the horses and spoke to a couple of the hands then came back to her. 'You sure I can't help with them?'

'The men have it under control, the black was the last one that needed to be licked. The rest are broken enough, they'll ride them a bit then we'll take them into the army.' He collected Sport from the hitching rail and mounted up, the two of them riding back to the ranch house. 'After lunch we'll take a look at that stallion.'


Missie watched the stallion intently as Adam walked closer to him, reading the stallion's body language. Adam had insisted that he be the one to work with the stallion first and had given her strict instruction to remain outside the corral fence. When Adam spoke with that tone she knew there was no arguing with him and had taken a seat up in the fence to watch instead.

'Hello boy. You and I are going to be friends aren't we?' Adam questioned softly as he slowly approached the stallion, the black eyeing him cautiously but made no movement from his spot. He extended his hand out to him as he walked closer, the stallion reaching out a little to sniff him. 'Easy boy. That's it.'

'I'd take it careful with him Adam.' She cautioned. 'I don't like the way he's standing so still.'

'I'm being careful, don't you worry.'

'Hmmm.' He had a halter and leadrope in his hands, showing it to the stallion before putting the lead around his neck. She saw the stallion stiffen at the touch as he was haltered. His language was speaking loud and clear that he didn't want anything to do with this strange human but Adam couldn't read it. If she were in there with him she'd work him without touching or haltering him first.

Adam placed the halter on him and took hold of the leadrope. 'Nothing to it.'

'I wouldn't trust him Adam.' She reinstated as he led the horse over to the gate where the tack was. 'Read his body language. He's being cold, he's not open to you.'

'I think he's going quite well.'

The girl sighed as she shrugged. He was the expert after all, wasn't he? The vibes she was receiving from the horse was that of fear and uncertainty. She could feel him and what she was feeling Adam couldn't. She could feel he was afraid, he was scared and she could feel his aggression. He was putting up with Adam for the moment but she could feel it wouldn't take much for him to break. 'Adam, listen to me. Please. He's not ready to be ridden, you need to gain his trust first.'

'I've been breaking horses before you were born Missie-' He placed the saddlecloth on the stallion's back and turned for the saddle. 'I know what to do.'

Oh Adam, sometimes you are a yankee granite head. She sighed inwardly. If he didn't listen to her there was nothing that she could do about it. 'I'm just saying that it might be a better idea to wait a bit before riding him.'

'He's been here for weeks, he's had plenty of time to settle.'

The stallion accepted the saddle without fuss but she could see his body language practically yelling to her that he was scared. Every muscle in his body was stiff as Adam bridled him. That stallion was ready to either bolt or fight. He was taking it way too fast. He needed time to learn to trust and he wasn't being given that opportunity. Taking it too fast with a horse as frightened as this stallion was only asking for trouble.

'Let's take this nice and slow.' Adam spoke softly, leading him to the middle of the corral to mount. The stallion stood stock still as he went to mount, rubbing his shoulder as he put his foot in the stirrup. 'Easy boy.'

The stallion snapped as Adam went to mount, switching from freezing to aggression in a split second. Adam tried to hold onto the saddle and mount but he couldn't get his leg over as the stallion spun and spun, his teeth bared as he tried to bite him. The stallion bellowed, bucking and twisting and his hold slipped. Adam fell heavily on the ground, trying to back away as the stallion turned to attack.

'Back off! Back!' Missie roared, running between her brother and the stallion. Stick in hand she hit him as hard as she could across the muzzle, trying to hold him off so Adam could get to his feet. 'Get out of here Adam.' The stallion reared up, striking the air but she didn't move. She wouldn't let him hurt her brother. 'Back off! Back! Get back!' Adam was making for the fence but she didn't know how much longer she could hold the stallion off him. 'Hurry Adam!'

The stallion landed, snaking his head with teeth bared as he focused on the girl. Adam climbed through the fence just in time, the stallion rushing past Missie to snap his teeth where he'd just been. Breathing heavily he got to his feet, his head aching as his hip protested. The stallion hit the fence then turned, his eyes widening as it set its sights on the girl instead. 'Missie! Get out!'

Missie stood where she was, ignoring him as the stallion rushed towards her. She wouldn't back down. If she did the stallion would learn he could be aggressive and get away with it. 'Back off!' The stallion swerved at the last moment, galloping so close she could feel his hot breath as he went past. She turned with him, watching his every move closely. The stallion was aggressive because of fear. If Adam had been watching and reading him he wouldn't have snapped in the first place. It wasn't his fault. Watching him she could see clearly his fear was that from being abused. He didn't trust humans and was trying to keep himself safe by lashing out.

'Missie! You're going to get yourself killed!'

She ignored him.

'Missie!' Adam watched with his heart in his throat as the stallion bolted towards her once more, swerving again at the last moment. She just stood there, unwavering. Seemingly as unfazed by him as if he were nothing bigger than a rabbit. The black crashed against the fence, trying to get the saddle off for a moment then ran back towards the girl. 'Missie!'

'I've got it under control Adam!' She finally acknowledged him but didn't break her concentration from the horse. After her initial encounter using aggression towards him to protect Adam she now instead was trying to speak through her body language that she wasn't a threat to him. 'If I back down now it'll be set in him to be aggressive. He's not-' He galloped past her again then started to lap around the corral looking for a way out. 'An aggressive horse Adam. He's frightened and the only way he knows to deal with it is fight. I'll be in here as long as it takes. You're welcome to stay and watch but I'm not stepping foot out of this corral until he's ready.'

'Missie, you do as I say. Get out of there now!'

'No Adam! You wouldn't listen to me when I tried to tell you he wasn't ready and I'm not going to listen to you now. You are not my father.'

'But I am your brother and I am telling you to get out.' He was getting increasingly angry with her at her outright defiance. That stallion was more than she could handle, he'd beat her to pulp without a second thought. 'If you won't get out I'll shoot him instead.'

'You won't shoot with me in here.' She held her gaze on the stallion, calling his bluff. He was watching her closely, reins flapping about his legs as he galloped around and around. 'Watch him Adam, closely. He's frightened, he's terrified. He doesn't know I'm not going to hurt him, he's been abused and doesn't know who to trust. He just needs a chance. Give me this afternoon with him and I promise you he will be calm by the time I walk out of here.'

'I don't think you're in any position to be making any deals young lady.'

'Regardless Adam, I'm not stepping foot out of this corral until I've got this horse calmed down. I guess I'm lucky I'm human and not a horse. You might have shot me for being scared of you.'

Adam didn't know what to reply to her, for once in his lifetime he was struck speechless. Hoss and Little Joe they always minded when he told them something. Missie on the other hand, he didn't know just how to deal with her. She was as stubborn and hardheaded as he. Short of marching in and dragging her away there was no way of him getting her out. With that stallion there was no chance and she'd called his bluff of him shooting it. He wouldn't shoot with her in there unless her life depended on it. 'When you get out of there you and I are going to have a very lengthy, stern talk young lady. If that stallion so much as looks like he's going to attack you I'll put a bullet right between his eyes.'

A shiver ran up her spine but she quelled her fear for the stallion's sake. If he knew she was frightened that would make him twice as flighty. There was something about him, the stallion running around still with his hide soaked in sweat. He reminded her of herself. She could see herself in his wild eyes, the person she'd become after her family's murder. 'You won't need to.'

'I'll be having a lengthy talk with Pa when he returns.'

I don't doubt it. She didn't want to think about the consequences and instead focused on the task at hand. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Adam collect his rifle and return with it in hand to the fence. The stallion had slowed down, really taking a good look at her as he circled round. Finally, he stopped. 'That's better. Good boy.' She spoke softly, watching his body language carefully. He snorted, still nervous and on edge as he looked at her. 'Good boy. See, I'm not going to hurt you.' She waited a moment, taking a deep breath. The real work began- now.