“I think I’d like that,” Amanda grinned. “Then, we can take this back to the Hampton House, settle up, and head home.”
The way Amanda said home filled Teddy with joy, hope, and cheer. After so long with nowhere to truly call home, he felt that anywhere with the beautiful woman who had become his wife was truly home.
“It is pretty here,” Amanda said a few minutes later as she walked arm in arm with Theodore under the shade of twisted cottonwoods growing along the stream.
“It’s cool and quiet,” Teddy agreed. “I always like comin’ along here on a Sunday. Back home, we had a stream that flowed through the property.”
“You never told me where you were from,” Amanda said.
“Kentucky,” Teddy said, still walking. “It was a long time ago, and there’s nothing there now. My folks died while I was away fighting’.”
“I’m sorry.”
Teddy turned, looking down into blue eyes filled with compassion. “I was angry a long time,” he said. “It was a bad time, but I’m learning that God has a plan for each of us. A path that’s different than anyone else’s.”
Amanda stopped, turning to look up into Theo’s face, hidden in shadow by his new wide-brimmed hat. Reaching out, she pulled the hat from his head, letting it dangle from her fingertips as she smiled up at him.
Teddy touched Amanda’s face, brushing her cheek with a gentle hand. “You’re sure pretty,” he drawled.
Amanda blushed, liking the feel of Theo’s hand on her face. “Thank you,” she blushed.
Teddy leaned in, brushing Amanda’s lips with his. Somewhere between the moment he had punched the saloon owner in the nose, and now, he realized he already loved his little wife. He didn’t care if she ever learned to cook, clean, or do the wash. She was exactly what he needed.
***
“You come to see us anytime you want to now,” Olive said as Teddy and Amanda prepared to depart. “You’re welcome to pop in for tea and a visit whenever you can.”
“I will,” Amanda promised, squeezing the older woman’s hand. “Now that I have a horse to ride and a proper saddle, I can come to town anytime I need to.”
Teddy raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. He wanted Amanda to feel free to come and go as she pleased, but he didn’t like the idea of her traveling to town alone.
“We’ll see ya next week,” he offered, waving at the Hampton’s. “We have a busy week ahead.”
Amanda waved, giving her friends a backward glance, as Teddy helped her up onto Pal’s back. “I’ll have to have you come visit as well,” she called, her eyes falling on Ellen. “As soon as I learn how to make a pot of tea.”
A soft titter of laughter followed the couple down the street toward the ranch.
“I can’t believe you said that,” Teddy grinned.
“Why not?” Amanda smiled at her husband. “Everyone knows I’m all but useless in the homemaking department. That doesn’t mean I can’t learn. Besides, if I can’t learn to laugh at myself, I’ll make life miserable for both of us.”
Teddy reached across the space between them, taking her hand. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
Amanda grinned, a wicked gleam entering her eyes as she released Theo’s hand and urged Pal into a run. “Catch me if you can.”
With a sharp laugh Teddy, kicked Pepper into a run to match Pal. His little wife did have pluck; it just took some time for her to show it.
Chapter 16
The sound of galloping hooves filled the evening as Teddy raced to keep up with Amanda. Her dark hair had come unpinned and flowed behind her, making him grin. He had never seen a woman ride like that, and it made his heart swell with pride as they thundered toward the ranch.
The girl was full of a spark that had remained hidden, but now flared into flame. If only he could love her well enough, perhaps some of that same heat would glow in her eyes for him. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and could ride like the wind.
Together they galloped over the hill, making the turn toward the ranch. Dark clouds crested the horizon to the east, as the sun slipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky a glowing blood-red in the wake of the oncoming storm. Mounds of black clouds were painted in steaks of pink and gold as the thunderheads broke in the distance.
Teddy pressed his hat tighter on his head as the wind kicked up dust, blowing it into a whirlwind of grit. “Amanda, make for the ranch,” he shouted over the gusting wind. “A storm’s coming.”
Amanda nodded as a flash of lightning sizzled on the distant hills, shattering the sky with a roar.
Leaning over Pal’s neck, Amanda urged the horse to quicken the pace, hoping to outrun the sheet of rain sweeping toward them in a curtain of gray.
Pepper stretched out, ears flat along his neck as he felt his rider’s desperation, driving past, Pal.
Teddy looked back over his shoulder as Amanda gave the little palomino her head, hoping they would make the safety of the ranch before the storm reached them.
Another lightning strike split the sky as wind flattened the long grass along the prairie, and Amanda screamed, watching as Pepper stumbled, toppling forward, and taking Teddy with him.
Teddy felt himself tumbling as Pepper fell, the tall pinto flipping over, a flailing hoof connecting with Teddy’s temple as the world crashed into blackness.
Amanda dragged in on the reins, clinging to the saddle as Pal slid to a stop, twisting and pivoting on hindquarters of steel. “Teddy!” she screamed over the sound of the approaching storm. Throwing herself from the saddle as Pepper staggered to his feet with a shake of his head, Amanda hurried to her husband’s side. “Teddy,” she called again, running her hands over his body where he lay in the dust of the trail.
Amanda lifted Teddy’s shoulders, trying to determine if he had any broken bones, but
