A Horsewoman for Harlan by Barbara Goss (the top 100 crime novels of all time TXT) 📕

Elise smiled and wiped away the tears that fell from Millie’s face.  “If they were mean and they scared you, then your lie protected me from danger.  I’m sure God will forgive you that.”

Millie smile back. “I love you, Elise.”

“I love you as well, Millie.  Now, run along and change.  The outfit is for riding only.”

After Millie had left, Elise wondered why two nasty-looking men would be looking for her.  No one knew she was there except... T.J. Andrews!  He’d said he might stop by.  She remembered telling him she’d be working as a horse trainer.  Oh, dear.  She wouldn’t mind seeing her new friend, and she wondered if he’d try to see her again.  It definitely wasn’t a romantic thing—T.J. was a nice man, but she wasn’t interested in anything but horses right now.  He was good-looking in a rough-looking way, so maybe he had scared Millie.  Elise was young, and she had a lot of time before settling down with a man.  T.J. had just been a nice way to pass some time on the trip.

Elise shrugged, and she returned Cocoa to the stables. Whether T.J. returned or not, it really didn’t matter—she had horses to train

Harlan sat on the front porch, reading after a wonderful church service and a light supper.  Millie was helping Martha in the kitchen, Clay and Pedro had gone to the bunk house behind the stables, and Elise had gone for a walk around the grounds.

Things were going great.  Elise did a wonderful job, and having Pedro back was a bonus, yet something bothered him.  It was Elise.  For some reason, he felt off-balance around her.  She was a cute little thing, always smiling and laughing.  She’d brought so much joy into the home, but what he feared the most was happening: he was attracted to her.  How had he let down his guard?  Even if she ever reciprocated, which he doubted, he didn't want to marry after the marriage his parents had.  They must have been in love at one time,  but all he recalled of them was constant screaming and name-calling.  His father had finally left, and he still didn’t know if he were alive or dead.  His mother had come from an affluent family and when she'd died, he'd inherited enough money to move to Russell from Wichita and build the horse ranch.

A horse galloping down the lane from the main road jerked Harlan from his deep thoughts.   He squinted to try to recognize the caller, but then he realized it was a stranger.  On a Sunday?  How odd.

He stood, walked to the porch steps, and waited for the man to stop and dismount.

“Can I help you?” Harlan asked the tall man.

“I sure hope you can,” T.J. Andrews said.  “I’m looking for Miss Ansell.”

Harlan felt tongue-tied for a moment.  He wasn’t sure what to ask next.  “Why?”  he blurted. Then, he realized it was a dumb question.  “I mean, are you acquainted with Miss Ansell?”

“Yes.  We traveled all the way from Cleveland together.  I’m living just outside of Hunter’s Grove.  I inherited my grandfather’s ranch, and  I promised to look her up once I got settled.”

Harlan felt he had no choice but to welcome the man, so he put his hand out. “I’m Harlan Tanner.”

“T.J. Andrews.”

“Miss Ansell is out walking, but I don’t expect her to be gone long.  Won’t you have a seat on the porch?  Can I get you a refreshment?”  Harlan’s welcome sounded sincere, but it wasn’t. What did this man want with Elise?

T.J. took a seat.  “No, I’m good.”  He gazed around. “This is some setup you’ve got here, Harlan.  Two stables and corrals—you must have a lot of horses.”

Harlan’s sense of caution kicked in at his remarks, and he simply nodded.

He was saved from the conversation when Elise came around the corner.

She started up the steps and froze. “T.J.!”

Harlan’s insides twitched.  He couldn’t sit and watch the happy reunion.  “I’ll let you two catch up.”  He stood and walked into the house.

Elise sat in the chair Harlan had vacated. “How are you?”

“I’m doing just fine.  I stopped here a week or so ago with my friend, and some little girl said you’d left, but the post office said you were still here, so here I am.”

Elise blushed.  “She’s very young and was most likely afraid of two strangers.  I’m glad you came back.  It’s good to see you.”

“I promised I would.”

Elise brush the lint from her red skirt. “You did.  How is your ranch coming?”

“Well, it’s going to need a lot of work, so my friend and I will be busy for quite a while.”

“I’ve been busy, too.  I have quite a few horses to saddle train.  I love working with them, and these are the best quality horses I’ve ever seen.”

“Is that right?  Are both stables full?”

“Yes.  We’re planning a horse auction in September, if you’re in the market for some superior horses,” she said.

“I’m always looking for a few good horses.  Do you mind taking me on a tour?”

“I’d love to, T.J., but I believe they’re all locked up for the night.  Mr. Tanner doesn’t like the horses disturbed after the end of the day.”

“He locks them up?  Way out here in the country?  Has there been trouble in the area?” T.J. asked.

“Oh, I don’t think so.  It’s just the way he does things.  He’s very particular about his stables and horses, but he has a right to be—he’s put a lot of money and work into them.”

“What if I came in the daytime—could you give me a tour then?” he asked.

“I guess I could if it didn’t take long.  I do have to train as many horses as possible before