The Courtship of Izzy McCree by Ruth Langan

Author:Ruth Langan [Langan, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Historical
ISBN: 9781459261280
Google: fMO8xC3MLccC
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Get back in that saddle, boy. We don’t have any time left to waste if we’re going to have these damned mustangs ready.” Matt’s temper was simmering just below the boiling point.

“Yes, sir.” Aaron picked himself up from the dirt and limped over to where the mare stood, breathing fire. He winced in pain as he pulled himself into the saddle and continued trying to win the horse’s trust.

All day his father had driven him unmercifully. They’d started at dawn and had gone until dusk without a break. And even now, though Matt was working with the most defiant member of the herd, the stallion they called Red, there was no doubt the horse would be ready when the army came to call. For above all, Matt was hardest on himself, pushing to the very edge of collapse.

“Del.” Matt’s voice, angry, gritty, sliced through the silence. “What in hell are you doing sitting there on the corral? Get back to your chores.”

“Finished ‘em, Pa. It’s almost suppertime.”

He seemed startled. Where had the day gone?

“Then help Benjamin and Clement with theirs. Or I’ll find something useful for you to do. Now get.”

One salty tear coursed down her cheek as she climbed from the rail and headed for the cabin. Inside, Izzy looked up from the scraps she’d been piecing together for Del’s dress. She searched for some way to soothe over the tensions, though she was still struggling with her own tender emotions.

“Your pa doesn’t mean anything by this, Del. He’s just worried about having the herd ready in time.”

“That’s not my fault.”

Feeling clumsy and tentative, Izzy dropped an arm around her shoulders. “Of course it isn’t. And Matthew knows that. But sometimes folks say things they don’t mean when they’re feeling upset.”

“But why is Pa so upset? This is the worst I’ve ever seen him.” Del pushed away and stared out the window, watching as her adored brother was tossed from the saddle yet again. It pained her to see him struggling so hard to please his father. “Even after Ma, Pa was never this mad.”

Izzy was reminded of the words Matt had shouted at her the night before. Driving me to the brink of madness. And I vowed I’d never go there again for any woman. She paused beside the little girl to watch as Aaron picked himself up yet again. “Sometimes grown-ups just have too much on their minds. I don’t think your father could ever be intentionally cruel.” She turned away, not wanting to see the way the father and son were punishing themselves. Every fall, every bruise hurt her heart.

“Come on, Del, you can help me with supper. I’ve planned a special one to celebrate the sale of the herd. Once your pa concludes his business, I’m sure he’ll be more like his old self.”

At least that was her fervent hope. She couldn’t bear another scene like the one last night. She still wasn’t certain just what had brought it on. Was it something she had said or done? Oh, she knew so little about men.

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