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MCNEAL RANCH LAND, Near Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, August 1885
“I’m sorry, little sister, but could you please repeat what you just said?”
Margaret McNeal stuck her pinky finger into her ear and acted as though she were cleaning it out, as though the buildup of detritus within had somehow caused her to mishear what her younger sister had just stated.
Leyla stood her ground and returned her older sister’s intense stare with her own. “I said that Chase McAllister will be visiting the ranch tomorrow afternoon,” she said firmly.
The McNeals and John Baldwin had returned from the performance just moments earlier when Leyla declared offhand that she had invited Chase McAllister to visit the McNeal ranch the following afternoon. The declaration resulted in Margaret whipping around so fast that both John and Abigail thought her head would keep spinning from the force of it.
The two sisters continued glaring at one another for a moment longer before Margaret turned to her mother and John. “Mother,” she growled out slowly, “did Leyla inform you of this at all?”
Abigail had been quiet up to that moment, content to watch the confrontation play out in silence along with John. Unlike her older daughter, she did not appear to be angered by Leyla’s admission.
“I’m afraid that this is a revelation to me, Maggie,” she replied, her use of the diminutive form of Margaret’s name indicating that she was nowhere near as concerned as Margaret was. In fact, it almost seemed like she was pleased by this turn of events.
Margaret turned her venomous gaze to her beau who met it with his cool and calm gaze, having gotten used to the vitriol the woman he loved could dispense when riled.
“John,” she began slowly.
The Kentuckian held up his hands before she could continue. “I had no knowledge of this information before this moment, Maggie,” he stated openly. “You know I can’t keep a secret from you.”
Satisfied by their declarations of innocence, Margaret returned her gaze to her younger sister, still standing before her in all of her headstrong glory.
“No,” was all Margaret said after a moment.
Aside from a slight narrowing of her eyes, Leyla remained still as stone. “I recall stating his visit tomorrow as a fact, not a request for permission,” she quipped.
“That’s funny, considering the land you’re standing on is mine,” Margaret retorted. “I said no. When he arrives tomorrow you can send him right back where he came from.”
“Margaret,” Abigail said firmly, finally interjecting. “Your sister will do no such thing. Inviting a guest and then turning them away would be the height of inhospitable actions. You know as well as I do your father would turn over in his grave before letting an invited guest be turned away.”
“Mother,” Margaret growled out once more, “don’t tell me you approve of what Leyla did behind our backs?”
Abigail met her daughter’s glare evenly, unaffected by the heat in her eyes in the slightest. “I neither approve of it nor condemn it,” she stated. “What’s done is done and you will welcome Mister McAllister warmly and without disdain tomorrow.”
Mother and daughter remained locked in a staring contest for a few more moments following the statement. And, as always during their verbal and mental sparring matches, Margaret flinched first, her independent and tempestuous will still no match for the determination and patience of the woman who had brought her into the world.
Leyla grinned smugly for a moment before Abigail turned her steady gaze on her, the smile eroding as quickly as it arrived.
“Leyla McNeal, do not think for a moment that what you did will go unpunished,” Abigail declared resolutely. “Your sister is right that the ranch is hers and that you should have asked her permission first. We will discuss these consequences after Mister McAllister leaves tomorrow.”
The young redhead’s gaze dropped to the ground at the knowledge that there would be repercussions to what she did, but the fact that she would still be able to entertain Chase at the ranch meant that it was well worth it.
Sparing one last glace between her daughters, Abigail sighed with a shake of her head. “I believe that’s enough excitement for one night,” she said softly. Silently, the other three agreed with her.
***
IT HAD TAKEN SOME WHEELING and dealing on his part, but Chase McAllister had managed to convince Professor Monro to let him and the other show riders skip the next afternoon’s practice in order to engage in some rest and relaxation. As long as they were back with enough time to prepare for that night’s performance, then they could have the afternoon and early evening off.
While his fellow show riders made their way into Cheyenne to see what fun they could scare up there, Chase took Cannonball and rode out in the direction of where Leyla had told him the McNeal ranch was.
The afternoon sun was high in the sky, beaming down on the Wyoming territory with all of its strength. Chase, dressed in more practical clothes suited for riding the trails, pulled his hat from his head in order to draw his forearm across his head, wiping the sweat away.
I’ve been in the east too long, he thought glumly. I used to be able to handle this heat like it wasn’t even here, and now I’m sweatin’ like a hog in a stockyard.
Thoughts about the August heat aside, Chase allowed himself to wonder for the umpteenth time just what he was doing riding out to some local girl’s ranch when he didn’t even know a thing about her.
Well, that’s not exactly true, he begrudgingly admitted. I remember the McNeal ranch was supposedly one of the most prosperous cattle ranches around here last time. And there were some whispers back east about a woman show rider and ranch owner named McNeal. Wonder if they’re related at all?
As Chase passed under a gate declaring that he had entered the land of the McNeal Ranch & Cattle Co., he began to suspect that there might be some relation after all, given that he could just make out the ranch’s homestead in the distance.
On top of that, there was something to Miss Leyla McNeal that had intrigued him, and not just the fact that she was prettier than a sunset in October. Something about her told him that she was a kindred spirit, someone who enjoyed show riding and was willing to push the boundaries of her own skills and abilities.
Still, no matter how intrigued he was by the potential of the day ahead with Leyla McNeal, he couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut that he shouldn’t press his luck with a prolonged stay in Cheyenne.
As though sensing his misgivings, Cannonball huffed in order to try and shake his rider from his disconcerting thoughts.
Chase smiled down at his partner, giving him a pat along his mane. “I appreciate that, Cannonball, but I still think we should be careful around these parts,” he cautioned.
Cannonball gave another blast of air from his nostrils, seemingly in an effort to push his rider to take a chance on something other than his risky show riding maneuvers.
“Yeah, well, we’ll see about that,” Chase conceded as the homestead of the ranch drew closer.
***
“EASY NOW, WHIRLWIND, easy,” Leyla said to her new mount, guiding him around the corral. She’d been up since the crack of dawn, putting the white steed through his paces, helping him become more acquainted with her and her riding style.
Hopefully he’ll be trained just enough that I can show some of my skills off to Mr. McAllister, she prayed.
From the fence of the corral, Margaret and John kept a careful watch on Leyla, making sure she was putting the techniques they’d both taught her to use in order to help tame the horse further. The two had been amazed at how quickly Whirlwind became acclimated to Leyla, especially considering the fight they’d seen him put up the day before when Leyla had first lassoed and rode him.
Leyla simply took it as further evidence that she had made the right choice and had found the horse that was destined to be hers.
She was bringing Whirlwind around for another loop when she spotted him. There, approaching the homestead, was Chase McAllister, riding the white and roan mount he’d had in the show. He was dressed in more practical clothes, but that didn’t detract from the handsome cut of his jawline, the smoky richness of his dark eyes or the way his long brown hair flowed behind him in the wind.
Without thinking, Leyla spurred Whirlwind toward the corral fence and gave him the direction with her legs to leap over it. The horse complied without incident, easily clearing the corral fence and landing on the other side, much to John and Margaret’s shock.
She met him halfway between the house and the corral, flashing him a welcoming smile.
“Welcome to the McNeal ranch, Mister McAllister,” she greeted. “I’m honored you could accept my invitation.”
Chase removed his hat and bowed at the waist, still seated atop his horse. “The honor is all mine, Miss McNeal,” he replied. “It’s not often I get invited by such notable residents of a town.”
Leyla colored at his flattery, dipping the brim of her own hat low in the hopes that he wouldn’t notice.
“If you’d like, we can take a ride around the ranch before we—”
“So, this is the famous Chase McAllister?” came Margaret’s voice, cutting off Leyla’s offer. Leyla turned and fixed her sister with a glare as she and John walked toward the two riders.
At least John has the decency to at least appear amiable, Leyla sulked.
With his hat still in hand, Chase moved toward the approaching figures, still maintaining his amiable disposition. “Howdy do, folks?” he asked cheerily. “And yes’m, I am Chase McAllister of Professor Monro’s Western Show. Would you be Miss McNeal, owner of the McNeal ranch?”
If Margaret was pleased with his show of respect, she didn’t show it. She simply continued to regard Chase as though he were a tumbleweed blown in fresh from the prairie.
“Some fancy moves you showed at the performance last night,” she said, though her tone suggested she was less than impressed. “Where’d you learn to ride like that?”
“Maggie!” Leyla hissed, trying to discourage her sister from browbeating the handsome young man.
John stepped in at that moment in an attempt to calm things before they escalated. “Now, Miss McNeal,” he began, slipping into his ranch boss persona, “you know it’s bad manners to ask a rider their secrets. How’d you like it if someone started poking at all your tricks of the trade?”
Margaret gave John a warning glance while Leyla mouthed a “thank you” to him.
“Pardon me, Mister McAllister,” John continued, intent on keeping things civil as he stuck a hand out to the visiting rider. “Name’s John Baldwin, ranch boss hereabouts. And I must say, you’ve got some fire in your riding and a mighty fine looking steed you have there.”
“Much obliged, Mister Baldwin,” Chase replied, giving his horse an appreciative pat. “Cannonball here’s as fine a horse as any man could ask for.”
John kept his grin friendly. “I think my friend Longbow might disagree, but there’s no harm to our opinions,” he joked.
“None at all, sir, none at all,” Chase agreed.
Margaret looked like she was going to say something else, but John subtly cut her off again. “Well, I leave it in Miss Leyla’s hands to show you around the ranch, Mister McAllister. There’s a few training obstacles set up in the southern pasture if you’ve a mind for getting some practice in. C’mon, Miss McNeal, I believe the herd needs tending to.”
Margaret didn’t allow herself to be led in the direction John was trying to take her. Instead, she marched over to where Leyla was sitting atop Whirlwind.
Oh, what is she going to do now? Leyla fretted.
Margaret motioned for Leyla to bend down so that only the two of them could hear the conversation. Before she said a word, Leyla felt Margaret press something hard into her palm.
“If he tries to get funny, shoot first and we’ll take care of him later,” she whispered heatedly.
Leyla’s eyes bulged at her sister’s words and she looked down in her palm to see that her sister had shoved a derringer into her hand.
“Maggie, I am NOT taking this,” she hissed back.
“You’ll take this with you, Leyla McNeal, or so help me I’ll keep my Henry trained on this dandy the whole time he’s here,” Margaret growled.
“He’s not a dandy and you wouldn’t dare,” Leyla retorted.
“You willing to bet on that?” Margaret asked dangerously, and Leyla could see that her sister wasn’t playing games. Reluctantly, she stuffed the two-shot firearm into one of the interior pockets of her range coat.
Before her sister could get off another word, Leyla spurred Whirlwind away from her. “C’mon Mister McAllister,” she said to Chase. “The southern pasture’s this way. We can talk about all of those marvelous tricks you pulled off along the way.”
Chase followed her lead and guided Cannonball to follow her. “Mister Baldwin, Miss McNeal,” he said as he replaced his hat on his head and gave it a respectful tip to the both of them.
The two rode off in the direction of the southern pasture, though Leyla couldn’t resist looking over her shoulder at Margaret and sticking her tongue out at her.
Shoot first if he tries to get funny, she mocked internally. Where does she get off?
***
JOHN AND MARGARET WATCHED the two ride off toward the southern pasture. Margaret waited a full minute before she slugged her employee in his arm.
“Hey!” John exclaimed, rubbing the spot on his arm where she’d nailed him. “What was that for?”
“What’s the big idea taking their side, hmmm?” she asked angrily. “We don’t know anything about that man and we just let my little sister ride off with him! Aren’t you the least bit worried you fool?”
John heaved a long-suffering sigh at his lady’s outburst, having become used to them. “I wasn’t taking anyone’s side, Maggie. I was greeting the man the same as I would any stranger. You, on the other hand, looked like you were sizing his neck up for the noose.”
Margaret pursed her lips and looked away. “Was not,” was all she could reply with.
John chuckled a little before casting a look around. Seeing that none of the other ranch hands were in sight, he pulled Margaret’s hat off of her head and pressed his lips to her forehead, a little technique he’d discovered that would calm her down no matter what.
“No harm in being the protective older sister, Maggie,” he soothed, “but Leyla’s 22 years old, and she learned everything she knows from you and Abigail. I figure that’s four times more than the average lady ever learns about how to handle herself. She’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
“Have I mentioned before how much I hate it when you make sense, John Baldwin?” she asked in mock anger.
“Every other day so far, Miss McNeal,” he chuckled.
***
SHE HANDLES A HORSE well, Chase admitted, watching as Leyla maneuvered her white mount with the grace and skill of a seasoned rider. The two had put some distance between themselves and the homestead and were now just enjoying the pleasure of riding.
Chase took his position just behind her to further study her features. Though she was dressed in clothes suited for ranch work and riding the trails, she still cut a seductive figure. Her wide-brimmed hat shielded her alabaster cheeks from the sun’s rays, but it also acted as a frame to her long, fiery-red ponytail that bobbed up and down behind her like the tail of a kite.
And blazes if she isn’t the prettiest lady west of the Mississippi, he thought dreamily, and a rider to boot.
“So, Mister McAllister,” she said conversationally. “How long have you been show riding professionally?”
The question caught Chase slightly off guard. After all, no one except other riders ever thought to ask such a question. But then he reminded himself that Leyla had mentioned she had some experience show riding.
“Give or take five years now, I’d reckon,” he replied after giving it some thought. “Believe it or not, I wasn’t a great rider when I first started out.”
“You’re right; I don’t believe you,” Leyla answered with a giggle. “What I saw you do last night does not seem like it’d come from a man who couldn’t handle a horse right from the get go.”
Chase laughed at her open opinion, finding it refreshing coming from a lady who wasn’t a traveling performer.
“Oh, I could ride, Miss McNeal, but—”
“Please, Mister McAllister,” she interrupted sweetly, “feel free to call me Leyla.”
Once more she surprised him, but he soon recovered. “Only if you call me Chase, Leyla,” he said with a grin, using her Christian name as if he’d been doing it his whole life. “But as I was saying, I could ride, sure, but I was scared to death of making a horse go any faster than a trot.”
“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?” she asked, looking at him with a doubting glint in her lovely eyes.
“My hand to the Gracious Heavens above, Leyla,” Chase replied, raising his right hand as he did so. “Only way I could stand to make a horse run back then was by closing my eyes.”
It was silent for a moment following that admission. Chase began to worry that she genuinely believed that he was making it up when he heard a snort of laughter come from her. He fixed her with a look of disbelief as she began laughing uproariously.
“I didn’t think it was that funny,” he breathed bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck.
Leyla managed to gain control of herself after a few moments, taking a few deep breaths to calm down. “Oh, it’s not that, Chase,” she assured. “It’s just it sounds like something I did a few months ago.”
“Something you did a few months ago?” he echoed, curiosity creeping into his voice.
Leyla shook her head as she recanted her story. “A few months ago, I snuck into the stable and took out a horse named Wildeye, thinking I could impress my sister by breaking him. The moment I climbed on his back, he bolted out of the stable like lightning from a bottle. All I could do was hang on for dear life and keep my eyes closed.”
She laughed at the memory of how she had put herself in mortal danger, but Chase’s jaw dropped at what she told him.
“Hang on a second, Leyla,” he said in confusion. “You seem like you’ve been riding for years and you mean to tell me you didn’t think twice about trying to break a wild horse?”
The redhead laughed embarrassedly at his question. “Believe it or not, Chase,” she began shyly, “up until just after that, I’d only had a little riding experience. When Mister Baldwin showed up and took the job as ranch boss, it gave Maggie more time to teach me how to ride properly.”
“Isn’t your sister a show rider, Leyla?” he asked. “There were some rumors rustling about back east that there’s a woman out here that not only owns her own ranch but could also outride and outjump the Devil himself.”
Leyla sat up straight in her saddle, beaming proudly. “That’s my sister,” she declared. “She’s the best rider in the entire Wyoming Territory, maybe even the whole west of the country. And one day...well, one day...” Leyla’s confidence seemed to falter and her gaze dropped down.
“One day, what?” Chase asked anxiously. “C’mon, Leyla, it’s not fair to keep a showman in suspense!”
She looked up at him, a hint of nervousness trembling in her eyes. “Promise you won’t laugh?” she asked timidly.
Chase gave her his biggest smile and crossed his heart with his fingers. “On my honor as a professional show rider, I promise,” he vowed.
His gesture seemed to reignite her confidence as she took a deep breath. “Okay,” she breathed, taking another moment to gather herself. “One day, I’m gonna be just as good a show rider as Maggie! Or even better!”
So that’s what it is, Chase realized, even as a satisfied smile creased his lips. That’s why this lady’s got such a draw. She’s passionate about horses and performing and she’s got the fire to see it happen. The realization that she had the soul of a determined show rider was more than enough to help him make up his mind.
“Miss Leyla,” he began, bringing his horse to a momentary stop. Leyla looked at him in mild confusion before he continued. “I would be right honored if you’d let me help you achieve that dream of yours in any way I can. If you’ll have me, that is.”
***
LEYLA FELT LIKE SHE was going to faint. Not only had she just admitted one of her biggest dreams to this man, but he was openly supporting it and offering to help her make it a reality.
Please don’t let this be some wonderful dream, she prayed to whatever power was listening.
“You’d really like to help me, Chase?” she asked, still unable to believe what she had heard.
“Absolutely, Leyla,” he answered genuinely. “There’s nothing I love more than teaching riders who are passionate about show riding a few things to help them become even better. It’s how I was taught all those years ago, and I’ve been set on passing it along ever since.”
Leyla could feel her heart throbbing against her ribcage as a blush crept across her pale cheeks. Everything about this man was absolutely perfect in her mind, and she wanted nothing more than the chance to get to know him even further.
But rather than let herself swoon any more, she remembered that there was something extremely important that she had to tell him.
“Chase,” she said quietly, once again feeling slightly embarrassed. “Before you try to help me, I have to tell you something. Something I think you really won’t believe.”
“I think I can handle one more impossible fact, Leyla,” he said in a jocular tone.
“It’s just that...” she bit her lip, trying to force the words out.
“Yes?” Chase asked encouragingly.
“I only just broke this horse yesterday.”
***
OKAY, NOW THAT’S A stretch, Chase thought in disbelief. I’ve met riders all over, and I’ve never seen one riding a horse they’d just broken the day before like she’s riding hers now.
But sure enough, there was Leyla McNeal, perched atop a white horse that she claimed was freshly tamed as if it was nothing.
Still, I know a few tricks that should be able to help her along, he thought optimistically.
He pulled Cannonball alongside her horse and reached a hand out to test something. The moment one of his fingers gently brushed the horse’s white mane, it bristled against his touch. Leyla gripped the reins out of impulse, keeping herself planted.
Well, roll me sideways and call me a barrel, he thought in amazement. She’s telling the truth.
He realized that she was staring at him again and he gave her another smile. “Whether he’s freshly broken or not shouldn’t be too much of a hitch,” he assured her. “I know a few techniques that’ll help train any horse into a fine show horse.”
“Really, Chase?” she asked in amazement. “You know how I can train Whirlwind to be just as good as Apollo or Cannonball?”
“Leyla, if you’re not a better rider than you already are by the time the sun sets today, then I’ll eat my hat,” he pledged, giving her a confident wink.
She gave him a beautiful smile in return before her attitude changed to one of confident seriousness. “Well then, what are we waiting for?” she asked, spurring Whirlwind forward toward the southern pasture with Chase and Cannonball following close on her heels.
***
FOR THE BETTER PART of four hours, Leyla and Chase covered every inch of the training course in the southern pasture, leaving no blade of grass untouched by the metal shoes of their horses.
The two had begun the practice and tutoring session with Leyla demonstrating what she could do so far. She put Whirlwind through the rounds that Margaret and John had taught her, even managing to take him up to a full gallop at one point.
Despite taking Cannonball around the track a few times, Chase remained on the side, watching Leyla make her progress and occasionally calling out gentle pointers and pieces of advice. When Leyla employed his advice, and her face lit up like a starry night, Chase couldn’t help but sigh.
Chase had watched her closely, whether in rapt study of her abilities or just continuing adoration of her beauty even he could no longer tell.
And I don’t much care, either, he thought with a smile, drinking in the sight of the lovely redhead and her majestic white steed galloping around the hastily assembled obstacles.
However, difficulty soon arose when Leyla attempted to coax Whirlwind into leaping over one of the bales of hay. The pale mount just brought himself to a stop and started nibbling at the hay before him.
Despite her attempts to hide it, Chase spied Leyla’s cheeks coloring red with impatience. To her credit, that was the only way that Leyla let her embarrassment show, keeping her lips bolted shut and refusing to look petulant in front of the seasoned show rider.
“Alright, Whirlwind, let’s try that again,” she said, keeping the frustration out of her tone as she gripped the reins and moved the horse to turn around so that she could attempt the leap again.
“Hold that thought just a second, Leyla,” Chase called, moving Cannonball over to where she and Whirlwind were. “I think you might be going about this all wrong.”
“How do you mean, Chase?” she asked, befuddlement lacing her voice.
“Well, it seems to me that you’re trying to force Whirlwind over the bale rather than signal him over it,” Chase observed. “When I first arrived at the ranch, I saw you and him clear the corral fence like it was nothing.”
“Did I?” Leyla queried. The look on her face indicated that she had no recollection of that event taking place.
“I think I see what’s happening here,” Chase deduced. “Leyla, when you’re trying to tell Whirlwind to jump over something, how hard are you squeezing him with your legs?”
“Hard as I can,” she replied, her brim once more dipping to shield her eyes.
“Ah,” Chase answered, the problem becoming clear to him. “A rider and their horse need to work together, not against each other. I want you to try clearing that jump again, but this time squeeze him lightly with your legs, like you were brushing a feather along his sides. Understand what I’m saying?”
Leyla nodded, though she still appeared slightly confused. Chase and Cannonball retreated to the side as she and Whirlwind put some distance between themselves and the hay bale, ready to charge at it.
Work with the horse, Leyla, not against the horse, Chase thought encouragingly.
***
WORK WITH THE HORSE, not against the horse, Leyla mentally chanted, determined to heed Chase’s advice and achieve the jump.
Deliberately taking her time, she directed Whirlwind in the direction of the hay bale, lining him up ever so slightly. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and her throbbing heart at the same time.
What if I fail again? she worried. He’s going to think I’m not fit to be a show rider if I can’t even make Whirlwind do a simple trick.
She lifted her head to look over at Chase and when she did, she felt all of her anxieties evaporate. There he was, sitting atop his two-toned mount and smiling at her in that disarmingly encouraging way. Though he remained silent, his eyes seemed to tell her that he had full confidence in her abilities.
Feeling a reinvigoration of her confidence sweep through her, Leyla gripped the reins and spurred Whirlwind forward, the horse beating a beeline straight toward the hay bale.
As Leyla felt the rhythm of her horse’s hooves pound against the soil, she felt an odd euphoria coursing through her. She had felt the sensation a few times before and only when she was riding.
I feel like I’m the one running, she mused, as though she and Whirlwind were of one body and spirit.
The two reached the hay bale after what Leyla felt was an eternity. But as she and Whirlwind were almost on top of it, she gently squeezed her legs around Whirlwind’s midsection, just as Chase had instructed her to do.
Whirlwind reacted instantaneously, his four powerful limbs pushing against the ground and propelling himself and his rider upward into the air and over the hay bale, much as they had done earlier.
The two returned to earth with the thunder of hooves, and Leyla pulled on the reins, slowing her horse down.
I...I did it, she thought in amazement.
“That a ways, Leyla!” she heard Chase call out. She looked over to him and saw the show rider gently applauding her display.
Leyla couldn’t help but beam proudly at what she’d accomplished. Feeling like the entire world was within her fingers, she spurred Whirlwind toward the other obstacles and cleared them with much the same skill she had just demonstrated.
After another few minutes of trying out her newfound ability, she made her way over toward Chase. The two riders slid out of their saddles and stood before one another, each one’s eyes searching those of the other.
“Sure as the sun rises in the east, Leyla McNeal, you’re gonna make a fine show rider,” Chase complimented.
Leyla blushed, but this time she owned up to it rather than hide it beneath her hat. “I couldn’t have done it without your instruction, Chase,” she replied.
The two stood there for a moment, staring at one another with mutual looks of admiration, though anyone observing the scene could have told that there was more in their eyes than that.
