Read Online Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley - Free Book Online Page A

either.”
    He pulled a clean red bandanna from a box and tossed it to her. “Wear it at all times. Next to a hat it’s the most useful article of clothin’ you’ll ever own.”
    â€œDoes it come in any other color?” she asked, tying it around her neck.
    â€œI reckon you can have any color you want long as it’s red. If you git shot you don’t want the other fella seeing blood. Puts you at a disadvantage.”
    Her mouth fell open. If she got shot? She studied his face for some sign of humor but he looked serious as a monk.
    He walked over to an iron saddle stand. “This here is what I call a real saddle,” he said, stabbing it with his finger. “If you know what’s good for you, you best get to know it like you know the back of your hand.” He patted the saddle before continuing. “First thing you do is move everythin’ out of the way.”
    He demonstrated by folding the cinches and breast collar on top of the saddle. Naming each part as he worked, he hooked the right stirrup over the horn. He tossed her a colorful blanket before lifting the saddle with both hands and starting for the door.
    She followed him to a brown gelding that stood far taller than any of the Morgan horses she’d ridden back in Boston.
    The horse pricked his ears at the sight of the saddle, forefoot stomping.
    â€œThis here is Decker,” Ruckus said.
    â€œAfter the English author, Thomas Dekker?” she asked.
    Ruckus looked at her cockeyed. “Decker because it’s the bottom of the deck as far as workhorses go. It’s the smallest horse we have and also the slowest.”
    She gulped. This was the smallest horse?
    Ruckus chuckled. “Don’t look so worried. He’s also pretty gentle. Just let him know who’s boss and you’ll be fine.” He nodded toward the blanket in her hand.
    Taking her cue she placed the blanket onto the gelding’s back and ran her hand along his long slick neck.
    â€œFirst you place the saddle gently on the horse like so,” Ruckus drawled. “Don’t thump it down or you’ll startle him. Tighten up the front cinch first. Next you lower all the trimmin’s, making sure everything hangs down nice and neat.”
    He dropped the cinches and breast collar in place. He then showed her how to lace the latigo through the cinch ring. “You gotta make sure the back cinch is buckled over the belly, like so.”
    When the horse was saddled, he demonstrated how to take the saddle off. “Now you try it,” he said.
    â€œYou want me to saddle the horse?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t see anythin’ else around here needs saddling,” he said. “Do you?”
    Ignoring his comment she bent to pick up the saddle. It was heavier than she imagined, weighing at least thirty or forty pounds. It took every bit of strength she had to lift it high enough to place on the horse’s back. After that it was a series of missteps and errors, but she finally got all the straps connected.
    â€œI reckon you’re as ready as you’re ever gonna be,” he muttered. “Just remember God forgives.” He waved his outstretched hand side to side like a rocking boat. “Horses not so much.” He patted Decker’s rump. “Time to ride. The thing to remember is not to spook him. Let yourself into the saddle nice and easy.” He mounted and dismounted the horse himself before handing her the reins.
    Kate braced herself with a deep breath. The horse blew through its velvety nose but otherwise looked calm enough. She held the reins tight in her left hand and grabbed the cantle with her right. Shoving her left foot into the stirrup, she bounced off her right foot.
    â€œNice and easy,” Ruckus repeated.
    She bounced up and down several times without leaving the ground. Finally, Ruckus put his hand on her behind. Of all the . . .
    Finding herself suddenly astride the