A few days later, as the weekend approached, Maura was considering driving over to the Diamond D on Saturday. Her mother was still hounding her about having supper with her family and Maura knew that Fiona wouldnt let up with her nagging until her eldest daughter showed up.
But on Friday evening Abe came in early from the ranch yard and spent the last waning hours of sunlight in his easy chair. The behavior was out of character and, though he insisted he felt fine, Maura suspected the man was dizzy but just didnt want to admit it to her.
Deciding she needed to stay close, Maura crossed the family meal off her plans and promised herself to go another time, when Abe wasnt behaving so peculiarly. But by Saturday afternoon, he appeared to be back to his normal self and raring to get back with the ranch hands.
Late that evening, sometime after dark, Abe was still out when she answered the phone and was vaguely surprised to hear Quints voice. Since Abe carried his own cell phone, his relatives usually called him directly on it rather than over the landline.
Hi, he said. I was about to think you werent in the house.
Just the sound of his voice caused her heart to trip over itself and she realized no man had ever made her feel so giddy and young.
I was in the laundry room, she explained. Abe is still down at the ranch yard. Did you try his cell?
Im not calling to talk to Gramps, he answered. I wanted to speak with you.
A warm flush swept up her torso and over her face. Since the night of their little kissing spree, shed not seen or heard from him and shed tried to write the whole thing off as a frivolous impulse on his part. Thered not been any other way to explain his behavior.
Oh. Well, if youve been concerned about Abe, dont be. He appears to be back to normal.
Concerned? I didnt realize anything had been amiss with Gramps. I talked to him this morning. He sounded fine. Has anything been wrong?
Not exactly. Yesterday he stayed indoors more than usual. Thats all. But that appears to be over with now.
Good. Then you wouldnt feel anxious about leaving the ranch for a few hours?
Mauras mind raced ahead. What could he be getting at? No. I wouldnt worry. Why?
There was a long pause and then he spoke in a low voice that skittered lazily down Mauras backbone.
Because I wanted to see if youd like to come over to the Golden Spur tomorrow. Ive finally gotten a few of my good horses moved over here and I thought the two of us might take a ride. Maybe have a little picnic.
It was a good thing Maura had sat on the edge of the armchair when shed picked up the phone, otherwise she would probably be collapsing with shock.
Youre inviting me on an outing? she asked bluntly.
He chuckled. Why not? I cant think of anybody else Id rather ask.
What about asking no one and going on the ride alone, she silently asked. What about the guy who was so swamped with work he didnt socialize? The guy who wasnt that interested in women?
Her hands began to tremble ever so slightly and she gripped them tightly around each end of the telephone receiver in order to steady them.
I dont know, Quint. Its been ages since Ive been on a horse.
More reason for you to accept my invitation. So you can get back in the saddle.
The heat in her cheeks grew hotter and she was very relieved he couldnt see her. I thought you had lots of work to do, she countered. Thats what Abe is always telling me.
Hes right. My kind of work never gets caught up. But tomorrow is Sunday. After church, I dont work.
Shed not expected him to be a man who kept the Sabbath. But then she didnt really know everything there was to know about Abes grandson. Other than he was as sexy as all get-out and the perfect picture of walking, talking danger.
Releasing a long breath, she passed the tip of her tongue over her lips. The other night, after theyd walked on to the horse stables, hed remained a perfect gentleman. She couldnt believe the man was going to this much trouble just for a chance to kiss her again. Maybe he actually wanted her company? Liked her company? The idea thrilled her even more than the memory of their torrid kiss.
Oh. Well, you make it sound like I shouldnt refuse.
Im not going to let you. Can you be here by twelve?
If she went on this outing with Quint, what would Abe think? What would her own family think?
Youre a grown woman, Maura. This is nobodys business but yours. And its high time you started acting like a woman instead of a fraidy cat.
Bolstered by that idea, she blurted, Sure. I can be there by noon. What do I need to bring?
Nothing, except yourself. Just be sure to wear heavy jeans and cowboy boots. Just in case you get too close to a jumping cactus.
She assured him that shed be there at twelve and wearing appropriate riding gear, then they exchanged goodbyes. As Maura slipped the receiver back on its hook, she stared dazedly around the small kitchen, while a part of her wanted to dance and shout, laugh and run about the room like a wild thing that had just been let loose from a cage.
But she stopped herself short of expressing such exuberance. This wasnt the first date shed been asked on since her divorce with Gilbert, she grimly reminded herself. One of the main reasons she was here on Apache Wells was because Dr. Weston had made a daily habit of asking her to go out with him. So why had she continually turned him down and jumped at the first chance shed gotten to be with Quint?
Because when Dr. Weston had looked at her, talked to her, the only thing Maura had felt was annoyance. Thered been no sudden pounding of her heart or normally even breaths dissolving into soft little gasps. No heat firing her blood, urging her to touch, to move closer and even closer still.
Had she gone crazy? Shed run from Dr. Weston as though he was the devil incarnate and straight to Quint Cantrell. A man that made the good doctor seem as hazardous as downing a bowl of vanilla pudding.
The next morning, Quint slapped pieces of meat between slices of white bread sopped with mayonnaise, then covered them in plastic wrap and shoved them in a worn saddlebag. For dessert, he smeared peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread, wrapped the lot up and added them to the meat sandwiches. In the opposite saddlebag, he packed cans of beer and soda, then felt enormously proud of himself for remembering to add napkins.
He supposed he should have driven into town and purchased something special for the picnic meal. Like fried chicken and chocolate cake. But he was miles from town. And anyway, he didnt want to buy Mauras friendship. He wanted her to like him just for himself. Not because he was rich. Or young. Or good-looking. The last of which hed never thought of himself, until shed said such a thing to him the other night.
The other night.
Even now, days later, he could easily recall the way shed felt wrapped in his arms, the way her lips had tasted against his. For a moment he closed his eyes as images and sensations assaulted his senses, filled him with hunger.
Maybe spending more time with Maura was asking for trouble. For the past four days, hed been asking himself what he was doing by allowing himself to get so caught up in the woman. Hed not set out to get this involved. Hed only meant to kiss her, to prove to himself that she wasnt some sort of walking goddess.
Maybe spending more time with Maura was asking for trouble. For the past four days, hed been asking himself what he was doing by allowing himself to get so caught up in the woman. Hed not set out to get this involved. Hed only meant to kiss her, to prove to himself that she wasnt some sort of walking goddess.
But that kiss had done something to him and by the time it had ended hed felt as though hed been spun around in a violent whirlwind, then dropped into another world. Everything around him had suddenly seemed different, felt different.
Later, hed realized he had to find out why shed affected him so. Why one little red-haired nurse had put a spark in him like no woman hed ever met.
With the saddlebags packed, Quint carried them down to the barn, where he began saddling two of his most dependable horses. He was tightening the back cinch on the last mount when a male voice sounded behind him.
Hey, whats with the horses? Youre not going to ride fence today, are you?
Groaning inwardly, Quint turned around to see Jake standing a few feet behind him. He wished the other man hadnt shown up right now. Maura would be here soon and hed just as soon not discuss his personal life with his old friend.
No. I have something else planned, he told the other man.
Oh. Well, I came by to see if youd like to drive over to Bonito Lake and do a little trout fishing.
Resting his arm on the mares rump, Quint stared at the other man. Fishing? Since when have you taken up a rod?
Shrugging, Jake turned his gaze toward the open doorway of the barn. I used to like it. When I was young and Dad was still around.
Youve never told me that.
No.
So what made you want to go fishing today? Quint persisted.
Mom has been wanting some fresh trout. And she hasnt been feeling well. With a self-deprecating grin, he glanced at Quint. I dont always just think of myself.
Quint figured most people thought of Jake as a rounder, a guy who was only out to have fun, but he knew there was another side to his old friend, one that he kept fairly hidden.
Quint smoothed his hand over the mares rump. Well, I would have liked to go with you, he said. But Im going on a picnic.
Jake chuckled. Picnic, hell.
Okay, let me rephrase this so youll understand. Im going riding and taking food with me.
Man, youd better get that redheaded nurse back over here to check your temperature. Cause youre definitely sick.
Turning back to the mares side, Quint began to unnecessarily adjust the latigo. You dont need to worry about my health, Jake. The redheaded nurse is going with me.
Quint could hear the other mans footsteps drawing closer.
Maura Donovan? Youre going riding with her?
Thats right.
There was a very long pause and then Jake said, A man only takes a woman he really likes riding.
Quint supposed Jake was right. The few women hed tried to get interested in since Holly, hed taken on traditional dates like dinner and a movie. During those outings, he been bored and wondering why hed bothered in the first place.
If youre asking if I like Maura, I do.
Hmm. You gettin serious about her?
Faint unease stabbed Quint as he combed his fingers through the mares black mane. Me? Get serious about a woman? You know me better than that, ol buddy.
Yeah. How could I forget that youre a warped man? You dont have a decent thing to offer a woman.
Turning from the horse, Quint glared at the other man. Dont you think youd better head on to the lake? You cant catch a fish in the middle of the day.
Jake chuckled. Arent you lucky that term doesnt apply to a woman?
Before Quint could make a retort, the other man turned and headed toward the open doorway.
See you in the morning, he called out.
As Jake disappeared from view, Quint wondered if catching Maura was what he really wanted. If he did catch her, what would he do, besides the obvious? He didnt want a wife. At least, he didnt think he did. To be a good husband, a man had to invest a hell of a lot of himself.
At one time, when hed been engaged to Holly, hed thought that way of life was the way he wanted to go. His father, Lewis, had been a great husband and father. Hed been a happy man and hed loved his wife until the last second of his life. Quint had wanted to follow his example. Hed wanted that same deep connection with a woman that his father had shared with his mother. But Quint had failed at a real love. Why the heck would he want to risk going through all that pain and humiliation over again?
Because your house is empty. Your bed is empty. Your heart is empty.
Quint? Are you in here?
Mauras voice jerked him back to the present and he looked around to see shed entered the cavernous barn. The sight of her was like a sudden ray of sunshine and at that moment he decided that today he wasnt going to analyze or fret over his motives toward Maura. A man didnt have to have a good reason to simply enjoy himself.
Over here, he called to her.
Spotting him, she walked to the middle of the wide alleyway and stood while he led the horses over to her.
As he drew near, she asked, Have you been waiting on me?
The smile on her face was bright and lovely and made Quint feel so unexpectedly happy that he could have waited on her for hours and not complained.
Not really. Ive just now finished saddling the horses. And Jake came by for a few minutes.
As I was driving in, I met a truck on the road, she commented. I thought you might have had company this morning.
He grinned. Jake isnt company. Hes family.
Yes. We Donovans have family like that, too, she said, then peered around his shoulder at the two horses. Beautiful horses. Which one is mine?
The roan mare, Pearl. Shes very smart and very mannerly. So I think youll like her.
Im sure I will.
As shed promised, she was dressed ruggedly in boots and blue jeans and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled back against her forearms. Her long hair was tied back from her face with a pale pink scarf and earrings made from polished cedar beads hung from her earlobes. Short of his mother, she was the only woman he knew that looked strong, yet utterly feminine at the same time, and in spite of himself he was totally drawn to her.
Using his head, he motioned toward the open doorway. Shall we go? Do you have everything youll need with you?
I brought saddlebags packed with a few things. Theyre just outside the barn door, she told him.
Once they were outside, Quint tied Mauras saddlebags onto the back of Pearls saddle.
I thought wed ride over to Chillicothe. Thats about five miles from here. Think you can go that far before we eat?
She chuckled. Shouldnt you be asking if I can make it that far? Period?
He turned to face her and Maura was completely taken with the easy smile on his face, the fetching dimple in his cheek.
Sorry. I wasnt thinking that you might not be hardened to riding. Can you make it that far? he asked.
I think so. If not, just tie me to the saddle and swat Pearl on the rump. The two of us will end up somewhere, she joked.