The Brides of Chance Collection Part 45

Delilah eyed the sling on Paul's arm with obvious misgivings but held her tongue.

Appreciating her tact, Paul decided to try it her way. "Would you feel better if you gave old Speck here some carrots and patted him a bit before we go? That way you could get to know him."

"Yes, I think that just might work." Relief colored her voice, and a smile returned to her lips.

"Do you feel comfortable holding his reins while I go grab some of those carrots?" She nodded, and he went to fetch some sugar cubes and carrots.

Lord, if I can say one thing about this woman Thou hast brought into my life, it's that she's consistent. She doesn't trust Thee, and until she does, she can't trust me, and Speck doesn't stand a chance. I wonder whether she even trusts herself. Please be with us today so she'll feel the peace of Thy presence and gain no further reason to withdraw from others.

"You're a handsome fella." Paul squelched a spurt of envy when he realized Delilah was crooning to Speck. She stroked his mane and grinned at Paul when he stepped next to her.

"He's a beautiful animal, Paul. Sweet, too." She took the chunks of carrot and held them out to Speck, giggling when he lipped them from her hand.

"Kind of tickles, doesn't it?" Paul commiserated as Speck chomped his treat and buried his nose in her hands, searching for more.

"Now don't be greedy," Delilah chided. "We're going for a little ride, and afterward you can have some more. Ready?"

Paul helped her into the buckboard, then jumped in beside her. "Now to get Speck going, you give the reins a bit of a flick and give him the command." To ill.u.s.trate, he clacked his tongue, and the wagon gave a slight lurch as Speck obeyed. "I want you to hold the reins with both hands." He waited until she had them securely in her hands before letting go.

"And I just hold them?"

"Make sure you don't let the line go slack, or he can have his head and yank the reins out of your hand. Then we have a runaway wagon."

She blanched, and he hastened to rea.s.sure her. "Just keep a good grip on them." Her knuckles went white as she clutched on to the leather. "How's this?"

"If you keep on like that, you'll cramp up. Relax a little. Pulling the reins will make him slow down. If you say, *Whoa, boy,' and tug on them, he'll stop."

"Good. Whoa, boy," Delilah called, tightening the reins. A relieved smile crossed her face as the buckboard came to a halt. "That wasn't so bad."

"Very good," Paul praised. "But if you're going faster, remember you'll need to slow down before telling him to stop, or it'll be too sudden."

"Makes sense." Delilah, obviously feeling more in control, flicked the reins and clacked her tongue, grinning as Speck began to walk forward once again. "I think I've got the hang of it."

"You've got starting and stopping down, but there's a lot more to it," he warned, not wanting her to get too complacent.

"I suppose. How do I get him to move a little faster?"

"If you want him to speed it up, you flick the reins again and tell him to giddyup. Go ahead and try it. Remember if you want him to slow down, just tug on the reins- but don't yank."

Soon she had Speck going at a jaunty trot. "Do you think I should try an even quicker pace?"

"If you ever actually want to get to town, you'll have to step it up a bit. Go ahead and have him go into a slow run-a canter."

"Oh, that's a big difference." Delilah gasped and tugged the reins, breathing more easily when the horse dropped back into a clip. "You did a wonderful job training him. He does exactly what I ask."

Paul refused to puff up like a rooster at the compliment. "Animals are a lot like people. It takes time to earn their trust, but when you do, it's always worth the wait."

She stayed silent for a moment, then asked in a small voice, "Always?"

"Always," he repeated firmly. "Some take more time than others, but those are the ones who are most worth the effort." This time she didn't respond at all.

He reached over and took the reins from her. "We'd best be getting back. Reba'll be here soon."

Lost in thought, Delilah washed her hands slowly. Paul hadn't just been talking about horses.

He wants me to trust him, and I already trust him more than any man I've ever known-even Papa. As much as I loved him, he couldn't keep promises he made to himself, much less the ones he gave to me. Paul has never broken his word to me or anyone else as far as I've seen. But that'll just make it so much harder when he finally does. No one's perfect, so how can I trust him more than I already do?

As she dried her hands, she wiped away the unsettling thoughts, then went to the parlor, where Reba, Alisa, and Miriam waited. Davie had a cold, so Widow Greene couldn't make it, and it was simply understood that Priscilla couldn't be bothered to st.i.tch hems.

"I brought by some flannel for you, Miriam. Thought after we took care of the mending, we could make a few things for your firstborn son."

"So you think the baby will be a boy, too?" Alisa asked, slanting Delilah a victorious look.

"Be mighty surprised if we didn't have another Chance man on the ranch soon, seein' as how his papa has five brothers," Reba confirmed.

"But Miriam's side of the family runs to girls," Delilah protested. "Think about it-there's me, Miriam, and Hannah, and we're cousins because Grandma had two daughters in the first place. Then there's Polly and Ginny Mae, and Daniel has five Chance brothers, too. I'm not saying the babe won't be a boy; I just figure it could go either way."

"I suppose it could, come to that," Reba allowed.

"If you're all finished speculating, I can tell you." Miriam spoke softly, her hand resting on her rounded tummy. "My son will be born in early summer."

"Well, that settles it," Reba finished.

"Have you told Gideon?" Alisa asked.

"We've decided we'll name him Caleb after his grandpa." Miriam looked so content and proud, sitting there in the rocker Gideon had made for her and their babe, Delilah just had to get up and give her a hug. It didn't surprise her when Alisa joined them, and Reba came over to say a prayer.

"Lord, we thank Thee for Thy many blessings and lift up Miriam and her babe, Caleb, to Thy arms for protection and comfort."

Even Delilah couldn't help joining the fervent chorus of "Amens." If it might help Miriam and her child, she'd pray to their G.o.d.

"Why are you all smothering my wife?" Gideon demanded from the doorway.

Everyone untangled as Reba let loose a bark of laughter. "We were just having a woman moment, Gideon."

"Reba prayed for me and the babe." Miriam stood up and walked over to her husband, who put his arm around her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

"What are you doing here so early, honey?" she asked. "Supper's hours off yet."

"I knew you were all having a sewing day, so I figured I'd change and hand this over." He held out the brown chambray shirt he'd been wearing earlier that day. "Got caught in some th.o.r.n.y fence."

"Good thinking." Reba bobbed her head. "Nothin' worse than spending a day mending, only to have your man come home with another load."

"I'll just leave you women to it." Gideon left the room, and Alisa giggled.

"What's so funny?" Miriam asked.

"Nothing much. I couldn't help thinking your husband might've felt a bit uncomfortable in here. It's not often the women outnumber the men on Chance Ranch."

Delilah couldn't hold back a chuckle at that observation. "Oh, I don't know. When Paul took me and the girls on a picnic for my birthday, he held his own."

"We all had a nice day." Alisa smiled at the memory. "Gideon, Daniel, and t.i.tus finished whitewashing your cabin in no time at all. Logan and Bryce gave Shortstack a bath, if you'd believe it. Never would've thought dunking a feline would prove a challenge for two young men, but that cat was bound and determined not to get wet. 'Course in the end, Bryce and Logan had their way."

"I don't know about that." Miriam smiled as she threaded a needle. "I thought Shortstack matched 'em drop for drop when they came in looking like they'd been dunked in the fishing hole."

"And all my favorite food lay spread out like a feast when we got home. You two kept yourselves just as busy as the men." Delilah wanted to let them know how much she appreciated their kindness.

"Well, you did right by 'em in return." Reba nodded at the landscape hanging on the parlor wall. "Right before you came in, Miriam and Alisa were telling me how you painted that in thanks."

"Oh, that hardly took any time at all," Delilah a.s.sured her. "I sketched it that day while we were on the picnic and filled it in with watercolors the next day. I love painting."

"And it shows in every stroke," Miriam complimented.

"You've got a talent, that's for sure. That's a piece of art any rich man in the city would be proud to hang on his wall. Something peaceful and happy about it." Reba stared at the painting, her fingers darning a sock almost by memory.

"I wouldn't suppose you'd paint another one?" she wondered aloud.

"I don't paint anything in the exact same way twice," Delilah apologized.

"Oh no. I didn't mean the same picture. I just mean another painting. It'd be a real nice addition to the store. I'd hang it right over the counter." The dreamy look on Reba's face faded as she took on the visage of a businesswoman once again. "I'd give you a fair deal in store credit."

"Oh, you're so nice to us. You'll be here for Miriam's birthing, too. I'd be happy to make you one as a gift, Reba."

"Nonsense. I wouldn't feel right about it." Reba looked across at her with a stern expression. "Now you just have it for me some Sunday, and we'll set you up with that store credit. Do we have an understanding?"

"Agreed." Delilah couldn't find it in her heart to argue with the determined woman. "What type of landscape would you like?"

"Whaddya mean?"

"Well, I can paint the barn, or a grove of trees, or the creek," Delilah elaborated.

"Oh, you should paint the fishing hole!" Alisa encouraged.

"I think I'd like something with a bit of water in it," Reba mused. "Well, I trust you. Just go ahead and surprise me."

Chapter 14.

Delilah," Paul started to say as Polly and Ginny Mae peered down from the wagon. How can I tell her that even though she's learning very quickly, I'd rather drive today? She's only had three lessons, and I don't want to risk Polly and Ginny Mae getting hurt.

While he searched for words, Delilah spoke. "If you don't mind, I think you should drive this afternoon. You're a wonderful teacher, but..." She smiled at the girls. "Today we carry precious cargo."

Lord, we are alike in so many ways. Why can't she see it? She values home and family, everything I want to give her. Please help me find the words to reach beyond the wall to her heart.

"We certainly do." He helped Delilah up into the back of the wagon and watched as Polly and Ginny Mae immediately scooted toward her. She wrapped an arm around each of them and listened attentively as Ginny Mae rattled off the beginning of the alphabet.

She'll be a wonderful mother. He let those pleasant thoughts run through his mind until they neared the fishing hole.

"I don't see any water." Delilah gave a slight frown and craned her neck to get a better view. "Is it past that hill?"

"Yep. Just past those trees and bushes." He gestured toward the greenery. Spring always touched the pond first. "It's best to leave the wagon right here and walk Speck up so he can have a drink."

Delilah lent a hand in unhitching the horse and held Speck's reins while Paul hefted down the girls and supplies. He accepted the reins and led the way up the well-worn path. Glancing back, he saw Delilah holding the basket on one arm, with Ginny Mae clutching her hand and Polly's in her chubby fists, completing the chain. He hastily tied Speck to a tree and met them at the bushes.

"Before we get any closer, I need you dumplin's to listen to the rules." He knelt to be at eye level with Polly and Ginny Mae. "Neither of you can swim, so you'll have to steer clear of the fishing hole-it's far too deep. Do you understand?" The little heads bobbed in unison. "And you're not to run off where Delilah and I can't see you." That way, the girls wouldn't venture toward the creek, which ran a little ways off. "Got it?"

"Yes, Unca Paul," the girls chorused as he took the basket from Delilah.

"All right, then. Let's go!" He started back up the path, only to see two tiny blurs race ahead of him beyond the bushes.

"Hey!" The girls froze at his roar. "What did I just say about running off?"

"Sorry, Unca Paul." Polly scuffed the toe of her shoe in the dirt.

"We got 'cited."

"If you do that again," Delilah said, shaking her finger, "we'll go back home." Her stern demeanor crumbled when Polly's lower lip trembled and tears welled up in Ginny Mae's eyes.

She knelt down and gathered them in her arms. "We love you both very much, and it's our job to make sure you're safe. I'd rather take you home than see either of you get hurt."

"That's why you have to follow the rules," Paul finished for her.

"We'll be good." Polly hugged her.

"Pwomise," Ginny Mae vowed solemnly after a particularly loud sniff.

"Mind that you do," Paul said.

Two seconds later, all traces of crying evaporated.

"It's so pretty!" Polly stared around, awed at the lush vista.

The trees lent cool shade to the newly green hills as rays of sunshine sparkled through the leaves. Wildflowers nestled in clumps of clover, leading to the tall rushes tickling the water's edge. The tiny rivulets feeding the pond gurgled softly, underscoring the chirps of birds lining their nests. A calm breeze chased wispy white clouds across the sky and ruffled the gra.s.s along the small hills. Dragonflies skimmed the rippling water, where plump trout eyed them hungrily. Paul couldn't imagine anything closer to paradise than being in this place with the people he loved.

"It's wonderful," Delilah breathed, seeming to drink in her surroundings.

"No, Ginny Mae!" Polly grabbed her younger sister's hand as Ginny Mae toddled after a bright orange b.u.t.terfly. "We ain't s'posed to go by any of the water." She cast a yearning glance at the cool pond.

"Well now, that's not exactly true." Paul winked at Delilah. "There's one place you can play in the water. See over there?" He strode over to where a bubbling stream of water sprayed over a small outcropping of rocks to form a shallow pool, rolled up his sleeve, and touched the sandy bottom. The cool water lapped halfway up his forearm, not even reaching his elbow, while the stones at the top of the hill would be too high for the girls to touch. Dappled sunlight warmed the water, so he knew the girls wouldn't catch cold.

Polly and Ginny Mae hovered eagerly by his shoulder, anxious to get closer but hesitant to break the rules. They were good little girls and deserved a treat.