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

the auction, but  I suppose a quick tour wouldn’t hurt.”

“I’ll stop by some afternoon, then.”  T.J. patted her hand.  “It’s so good to see you.”

Elise smiled. “It’s always good to see a friend.”

She watched him mount his horse and wave before galloping down the lane.

Elise was wondering what Harlan had thought about T.J. when he came out and sat in a chair.

“This man… T.J. , was it?  He traveled with you?” he asked.

“Yes. All the way from Cleveland.  We spent days together, chatting to pass the time.”

“I see.  I hope you don’t mind me asking you questions about him, for I like to know who’s on my property.”

“I understand.  He wants to return for a tour of the place.”

Elise was surprised to see Harlan frown.  “He does?  Well, then, make sure I’m here—I don’t like strangers around my stock.”

“I’m sorry.  I didn’t realize.  I offered to give him a tour.”

“Just make sure I go along with you is all.”

Elise was somewhat confused, but she nodded.

“Do you have any idea what our stock is worth?” Harlan asked.

“You have the finest horses I’ve ever seen.”

“Have you noticed the padlocks on the stables and all of my fences?  I need to protect my property.  T.J. might be an acquaintance of yours, but to me he’s a stranger.”

Chapter Eight

Elise was finishing her lesson with Millie a few days later when she saw T.J. riding up the lane.  She whispered to Millie, “Go and get your Papa.”

Millie scampered into the stables.

Elise watched T.J. tie his horse to the hitching post and walk over to where she was standing. She watched his eyes widen as he saw her trousers.

“I love the riding outfit,” he said, eying her up and down.

Elise felt uncomfortable, and she was glad Harlan would be accompanying them.

“I’m here for my tour,” he said clapping his hands.

Feeling friendly but also uncomfortable, Elise opened the corral and let him walk inside.  “Mr. Tanner will accompany us.  He knows more about the stock than I do.”

T.J. nodded as Harlan walked out of the stables.

Harlan returned his nod. “Mr. Andrews.”

“I’m anxious to see your stock,” T.J. said.  “Since I’ve just inherited a ranch near Hunter’s Grove, and I’ll be looking for a few good horses.”

“Will you be breeding or riding?” Harlan asked.

“For now, riding.  Presently, we’re a cattle ranch.  My crew just left for Topeka with a herd.”

“Working horses or pleasure riding?”

T.J. answered, “I could use both, actually.”

“We don’t have working horses here. They are all top quality riding and racing horses.”

“Racing horses?  Wow.  I’d love to see one.”

“Come this way,” Harlan said as he opened the stable door for him and Elise.

From T.J.'s expression, Elise could see that he was impressed.  He seemed most interested in the most expensive horse in the stable, a giant black Stallion.

“This is a fifth-generation thoroughbred,” Harlan said.  "He’s a show horse, and I already have a buyer for him: Matt Stanley, the town banker is more than a little interested.

At the end of the tour, T.J. complimented him on his stock and thanked him for the tour.

After T.J. left, Elise felt a sense of relief for some reason.  She sensed a mutual dislike between the two men even though they seemed friendly, and she hoped that inviting T.J. to the ranch hadn't  caused any problems between them.  She liked and respected Harlan.  He knew his horseflesh, and he was a wonderful father.

As Elise made her way out of the stables pulling a horse to train, she noticed Millie hiding behind a stable post. “Why, Millie, what are you hiding from?”

“The man.”

“What man?”

“The one named T.J.  I don’t like him, Elise.”

“He’s all right.  Come here.”

Millie slowly came out of hiding to face Elise.

“It’s nearly lunch time.  What do you say we ask Martha to pack us a picnic lunch, and we take it down near the stream?”

“Yes!  Can Papa and Clay come, too?”

Elise shrugged. “Sure.  If they want to.”  She watched Millie run to the other stable to ask her papa and brother.  Elise sighed.  She knew Harlan would agree to go along if he wasn’t busy because he did just about everything Millie asked of him.  It’s not that she didn’t like Harlan or enjoy his company, it’s just that she wasn’t good with men.  She never knew what to say or not say.  She’d have to mind how she sat and be on her best manners.  Of course, if it made Millie happy, she’d go along with it.

Clay was busy mending fences with Pedro, and he declined the picnic but gratefully so.

Harlan put his arms out for Millie, and she ran to him.  “Hey, Millie-Billie, what’s your hurry?”  He swung her around.  “Did you finish your horse riding?”

“Yes... but Papa, it’s almost lunchtime, and I’d love to go on a picnic.  It’s such a wonderful day.”

“I do have a lot of work to do, but you also know I try never to be too busy for my favorite girl.  Where should we picnic?”

Millie brought her finger to her cheek.  “How about the stream by the woods?”

“All right, but we can’t linger eating too long.  Go ask Martha nicely if she’ll pack us a basket.”

“Um...” Millie said hesitantly. “Is it all right if I invite Elise, too?  I thought that way, we could ride horses to the stream.”

Harlan tapped Millie’s nose.  “Of course.  Now, hurry—I can only give you an hour.”

He watched her run through the stable and wondered how he’d come to love that little girl so much.  He often recalled the moment he'd first seen her, clinging to Clay’s shirt.  He was so glad, he'd decided to adopt her along with her brother.  Now, they were a family.