Made for the Rancher Read online

  “Why are they so special?”

  “His line comes from the Ma’amin horses recovered from the Minam line of Chief Joseph’s horses. Today there are approximately four thousand Nez Perce Indians left in the Pacific Northwest. In 1995 they started crossbreeding their own horse.”

  “I didn’t realize that.”

  “It’s a fascinating story. Jim’s horses are a crossbreed of the Appaloosa and the Asian breed Akhal-Teke. According to him, the traits of endurance, substance and athleticism have been bred into them. He swears they’re suited for every discipline.”

  “I have to admit it gives me chills to think I could own a horse with a history like that. What a great legacy from Chief Joseph.”

  If she’d only known it, every time she made remarks like that, she endeared herself to Wyman more and more.

  “In my opinion, their intelligence and love for humans is extraordinary. We have a lot of horses on the ranch, but I have to tell you I’ve never found a breed easier to teach or more of a pleasure to live with.”

  “For you to say that has convinced me I can’t go wrong if I find the one I want.”

  “Jim will give you some more reasons you need to get one. He’ll tell you they’re hardy and in good health. That makes them easy and economical to care for.”

  The two of them talked until they arrived at Jim’s ranch. They drove up to the office where he introduced her to his friend. Jim walked them around to the huge corral where all the horses for sale were grazing.

  “Oh, Wymon—look at that adorable brown-and-white marbled Appaloosa.”

  Jim smiled at him. “That’s the only filly I have right now.”

  By the excitement in her voice, Jasmine had already made her choice anyway. “Can I go in and talk to her?”

  Jim nodded. “She’ll like that. She’s very playful.”

  Wymon watched as she slipped into the corral and walked over to the filly. She’d been around horses all her life. That was apparent in the way she greeted the horse and touched it. Every so often he heard laughter and little sounds of delight come out of Jasmine.

  She looked over at Wymon. “I love her. Do you think your brother could take a look at her? I plan to pay him.”

  “I’ll call him right now,” Wymon said.

  Wymon had already told Jim what he’d planned to do so there wouldn’t be any surprises. The whole time they waited for Roce, she stayed in the corral and handled the little filly as if the two of them had been friends for a long time.

  “Ms. Telford has a way with horses.”

  “As I told you earlier, her last horse died three months ago. Obviously she’s ready to be a parent again.” They both chuckled before Jim grew more serious.

  “I heard from Harry Walters. He wants a few of us from the committee to approach the Bennington Philanthropic Foundation.”

  Wymon nodded. “I’ve thought that would be a good route to go. With their name, their support would be a big coup for us. Let’s talk later and make it happen.”

  While they stood talking, Roce came walking toward them with his bag. “I can see the horse you want me to check out.”

  “I saw you eyeing the potential buyer first,” Wymon teased.

  “Yup.” He grinned at Wymon, then shook hands with Jim. “Let’s get that little beauty into the barn, so I can check her out.”

  Correction, Wymon mused. Two beauties.

  All four of them accompanied the filly inside to her stall. After more introductions, Roce did his exam while Jasmine watched raptly. Wymon thought about how he preferred watching her. Jim had another prospective buyer to talk to, so he left the three of them alone for a time.

  “This three-year-old has good ground manners and lets me touch her everywhere. Notice she even stays still for a stranger like me, another plus,” Roce said. After a little while, he made a pronouncement. “Her hooves are clean. She’s had floating maintenance. I’d say she’s perfect. Jim has been an excellent trainer. You couldn’t ask for more, unless you just find her too ugly.”

  “What do you mean too ugly?” Jasmine cried. “She’s the most adorable horse I ever saw in my life!”

  Roce burst into laughter. Wymon joined him. “He’s just teasing you, Jasmine. I told you there are sides to my brothers you don’t want to know about.”

  “I get it. How much do I owe you for this visit, Dr. Clayton?”

  “That depends on how angry Wymon will be if I take money from you.”

  She held her stance. “This isn’t about Wymon. You dropped everything at your practice to drive over here. If you won’t tell me now, then I’ll just send you a check.”

  “I’m afraid my big brother will go through the roof if I cash it.”

  “Is he that horrible?”

  “You really don’t want to know.”

  “Well, he doesn’t know how horrible I can be if I don’t get my own way. I’m an only child and am known for being impossible. Ask my parents and they’ll tell you. I’m the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead. Never mind when she’s good. But when she’s bad...”

  Laughter was still rippling out of both men when Jim rejoined them.

  “Mr. Whitefeather? I would like to buy this filly. Shall we go to your office to do business?”

  There was a gleam in Jim’s eye. “Right this way.”

  Wymon watched her walk out of the barn with Jim without turning around.

  Roce let out a whistle. “Well, what do you know?”

  “I know it’s time for you to get back to your office. Thanks for coming.”

  “I’m going. Let me know how soon there’s going to be a wedding, so I can block some time away from work.”

  He shook his head. “You’re full of it.”

  “Good grief. First Eli, now you. I’m starting to get nervous that it’s contagious.”

  “It’s not like that, Roce.”

  “Give me a break. It’s exactly like that! You think I don’t know my own brother? Just don’t be surprised if Farnsworth comes around with a shotgun to blow up the wedding.

  “I can’t decide who’s more gorgeous—the brown-and-white filly or the one with eyes as green as a lush meadow. I’m convinced you came upon that plane crash for a reason.” He closed his doctor bag. “I’ll be keeping close tabs on you.”

  After Roce walked out of the barn, Wymon remained in the stall, rubbing the filly’s forelock.

  Wouldn’t it be something if what Roce had said was true.

  “You’re a lucky little horse to have a new owner like her, you know that?”

  It didn’t take long before Jasmine came back with Jim. He led the filly to the corral. They followed and said goodbye. Wymon had trouble tearing Jasmine away.

  The filly stood at the fence and let out a long neigh as they walked off. Already the two had bonded. On the way to their cars he asked Jasmine what she planned to do.

  “I think I’ll bring the horse trailer tomorrow and take her home.”

  “I have a better idea. Why don’t I meet you at your house in the morning, and I’ll pull your trailer with my truck?”

  “Only if you’ll let me pay your brother.” Her answer was all he could have hoped for. “Since he’s younger than you, he has a medical practice to grow and needs all the income he can bring in.”

  “You’re right. I promise I won’t interfere. What time do you want to leave your house? I’ll meet you there, and we’ll drive to Missoula together.”

  “Mr. Whitefeather said I could come any time after ten tomorrow morning.”

  “Then I’ll be at your house at nine.”

  She stared up at him. “How do I thank you? Your friend is wonderful, and I’m so happy to own a horse like this with such a fabulous pedigree.”

  “Ha
ve you decided on a name?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Let’s talk about it on the phone while we’re driving. Give me your cell, and I’ll put my number in.”

  “That’ll be fun. Let me have yours, and I’ll do the same.”

  Once they’d made the exchange, he helped her get in her car. “Drive safely.”

  “You, too.”

  It was getting harder and harder to leave her for any reason. Once they drove away, she phoned him. “How come you’re still behind my car?”

  “I’m making sure you get home safely.”

  “No, Wymon. Please, don’t do that. It’s too much driving.”

  “I like it.”

  “I’m getting more and more in your debt.”

  “I like that, too. What kind of a name do you have in mind?”

  “I can think of dozens of names, but since seeing her, I think I want an Indian name in keeping with her heritage.”

  “Did Jim suggest any? He’d be the one to know.”

  “He mentioned five I couldn’t pronounce.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure out the perfect name.”

  “Your horse has a great name. Titus sounds regal. I think it’s a good Biblical name, too.”

  A smile broke out on Wymon’s face. “Part of my English heritage. How about Marble?”

  “Wymon—that’s not Indian-sounding.”

  “If she were a he, you could call her Chief for Chief Joseph.”

  Now she was chuckling. “Be serious.”

  “I’m trying. How about Percette? The feminine of Nez Perce.”

  “Will you stop?”

  “All right. I’ll only suggest one more. What do you think of Moondrop?”

  After a silence, “That’s beautiful.”

  “I think so, too, but it’s not Indian. She has polka dots that look like white moons dropped in milk chocolate. If my new little niece were to see your horse, she’d point to them and say the word moon over and over again.”

  Jasmine chuckled. “That name is brilliant!”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “That’s what I’m going to call her.”

  “Maybe you should sleep on it before you make a decision. Once you call her that, you can’t go back to anything else. Horses remember their names.”

  “I know. They have fantastic memories. Oh, this has been the most wonderful day!”

  “It’s not over yet. When we reach your house, how would you like to go to a movie? We’ll grab some takeout on the way.”

  “I’d love it, but are you sure? You still have to drive back to Stevensville.”

  “Let me worry about that.”

  “You’re spoiling me.”

  “I haven’t had fun for a long time. Humor me. Now I’m afraid I have to hang up because I need to get off and fill the gas tank. I’ll see you at your house in a few minutes.”

  “All right.”

  Jasmine hung up and headed for the turnoff leading to her parents’ home. It had been such a perfect day—she was higher than a kite, as her father always said when he was happy.

  But her spirits plunged when she saw Rob’s familiar Escalade in the driveway. She had no idea how long he’d been there. He’d driven from Helena and had barged in on her parents. That meant Buzz had already run to him with the news that he’d seen her with Wymon in Drummond on the Fourth.

  Her anger flared. How dare he come to her house after their phone call a few days ago! She pulled in next to his car. But before going inside, she phoned Wymon to tell him not to come. Please, pick up.

  To Jasmin’s chagrin, her call to Wymon came too late. He pulled in right behind her and got out of his truck just as Rob opened the front door and came walking toward them. His head bandage was gone. A clear Band-Aid had been put over the stitches. You would never have known he’d suffered a head injury.

  Her heart plummeted as Rob’s unfriendly gaze focused on Wymon. “Mr. Clayton? I guess I’m not surprised to see you here after learning you and Jasmine were together at the rodeo on the Fourth.”

  She was thankful Wymon didn’t try to shake Rob’s hand. “It’s nice to see you up and walking, Mr. Farnsworth,” Wymon said. “When I learned that Jasmine’s horse had died, I told her about Jim Whitefeather, who breeds them. We’ve just come from picking one out for her.”

  Rob shot her a piercing glance. “I didn’t think you were ready to buy a new one yet. You haven’t even talked to me about it.”

  The blood pounded in her ears. “I didn’t know how I felt until I saw this adorable Appaloosan.”

  “That’s because we haven’t been together since the hospital.”

  “If you two will excuse me, I have to get back to the ranch. Like I said, I’m happy to see that you’re doing so well, Mr. Farnsworth.” Wymon tipped his hat to both of them and climbed in the cab of his truck. Within seconds the rancher drove away, taking her heart with him.

  She turned to Rob who was dressed in an expensive navy suit and tie. Her last conversation on the phone with him days ago hadn’t made a dent. He’d come today prepared to take her out to eat. After talking to Buzz he was all fired up, but she couldn’t allow this to go on and decided it was good Rob knew she’d gone to the rodeo with Wymon. It was time to have it out with him, but it was going to be painful.

  Rob moved closer to her with a grim expression. “I know you didn’t expect to see me today, but it appears you forgot about your promise to come to the rally with me on the sixteenth.”

  What? She’d thought he was going to light into her about the night of the fourth. “You don’t expect me to attend that now, surely.”

  “Of course I do. My folks don’t know about our argument on the phone. I’m planning on you being there.”

  She shook her head. “We didn’t have an argument. I turned down your marriage proposal. That changes everything.”

  “I still can’t believe you meant it, and I need you to be at the rally. You promised me. I can’t disappoint my folks before then.”

  His intimidation tactics weren’t going to work. “I’m sorry, Rob. You need to tell them the truth right away. They think things about us that aren’t true.”

  “You’re the coldest woman I ever met.”

  “Please, don’t label me because you don’t want to hear the truth. Ever since we started dating, you’ve had this fantasy about us, but it’s one that has been in your mind, not mine. I heard it when you were talking about your new plane and all the things a family could fit into it.

  “I’ve never seen us as a family, but I don’t want to say things to hurt you. You have to know how proud I am of your accomplishments. You’re going to go all the way in politics, I know it, and I want only the best for you, believe me. But you need a soul mate who can support your ambition and plan a life with you that makes you both whole!”

  His lips thinned. “So I don’t make you feel whole?” He simply couldn’t hear what she was trying to tell him. “Isn’t it interesting that your parents told me you’d gone to look at some horses for sale today, so I waited. I just didn’t realize the big gun from the Sapphire ranch had been the one to put the thought in your head.

  “The man moves fast when he sees something he wants. First he takes you to the Fourth of July celebration in Drummond. Now the trip today. How long have you known him? One week?” he lashed out.

  “Not nearly as long as you have. I only met him the morning he saved us after the crash.”

  “How many times have you been with him since then that I don’t know about?”

  Don’t do this to yourself, Rob. He would be shocked if he knew she’d taken him a gift the day she’d been released from the hospital. “You shouldn’t have come here. There’s nothing more to say. I made that clear on the phone.” />
  With his brown hair and brown eyes, he was a good-looking man, but right now lines marred his features. “We haven’t been together since the crash. How can you make such a serious judgment about us? We’ve been so good together.”

  “I agree we’ve had some great times, but there’s all the difference in the world when you talk about getting married. I can’t say yes to you because I don’t feel it, and time won’t alter that decision.”

  “Clayton is the reason you’ve changed so fast.”

  “How can you say that? I didn’t know him from Adam when we had our plane accident. He has nothing to do with my feelings for you. The more you and I saw each other, the more I realized we’re not compatible. You know we’re not.

  “In the plane you accused me of resenting what you did for your career. That’s just one example that you did sense we had problems, but didn’t want to admit it. I don’t resent what you do for a living, Rob, but I haven’t been able to see myself fitting in to your lifestyle. That’s why I’ve never gone flying with you. I didn’t want to encourage you that way. Don’t you see? It just wouldn’t work.”

  He took a quick breath. “Then at least do me this one favor. Come to the rally with me next Saturday in Helena. It’ll be in the exhibit hall at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds. After it’s over, I swear I’ll tell my folks the truth. But I can’t disappoint them on this.”

  Rob’s life was tied up with his parents. Their bond ran his life to a great extent. He needed to be his own man, but being their only child made that difficult. She could see that, and she felt sorry for him, but she had to be strong right now.

  “I couldn’t, Rob. It would be dishonest.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’ll never be a couple.”

  He winced. “Would it kill you to pretend for one more week? The rally is a high point for me. There’ll be others until November, but not in Helena. After it’s over, there’s a long time before the vote. By then my parents will have accepted that we’re not together anymore and there won’t be any expectations. Can you do that much for me?”

  She knew how much this rally meant to him. He lived for nights like that. So did his parents. Jasmine also remembered that his expertise as a pilot had saved their lives. She did owe him for that and decided she could do him this last favor, though she knew it was against her better judgment.