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

“I like it T.J.  When do we move?”

“In a few days.  Maybe some afternoon. That way they’d have to search for the kid until dark, giving us more time to get far away.”

Elise received her first letter from her parents and felt elated to hear from them.  She sat down one evening to respond and found herself writing glowing reports of her job.  She reread what she’d written and smiled.  Elise supposed her heart had taken over her hand in the writing.  She'd gushed over the quality of the horses and property, but mostly, she'd written about her new “family,” although she dared not refer to them as such.   She'd bragged about Martha’s cooking, and Clay’s politeness and eagerness to work, and when it came to Millie, she'd written two paragraphs on what an amazing child she was.  She'd even told them how wonderful Harlan was as a father to his children, and how well he'd treated her.

Smiling, she blotted her letter and folded it to put it into the envelope.  It was all true—she loved the ranch and the Tanners.

As she prepared for bed, her mood changed.  What would happen when the job was over?  Would there always be horses in need of training, or would Harlan let her go now that Pedro had returned?  She’d never asked him about that.  Was he just training horses for the auction, or was it a permanent position?  She’d hate to leave if that were the case.  She’d especially miss Millie.  She’d come to love the child.  And Clay—he was such a great young man.  Martha... not only would she miss her cooking, but they were friends.  What about Harlan, she asked herself—would she miss him?  Her mind went back to the picnic that day.  What fun it had been.  She knew she’d miss him, too.  He was gentle and kind, but at the same time, very sensible and strict about things.  Except for the day he'd been angry with her about Millie’s riding too soon, they’d had a warm and friendly relationship.  He had something she found hard to resist: his cockeyed smile.  He hadn’t had it when she’d first met him, but lately when he smiled at her, it was a slightly off-center, almost flirting smile.  Elise shrugged.  She rather liked it.  His brown eyes twinkled when he grinned, too.

The color of Harlan’s eyes made her wonder as both children had bright blue eyes.  What had his first wife been like?  How had she died?  No one ever mentioned it, so she'd assumed the subject was off limits.

Elise slid into her nightgown and stared at her image in the mirror.  Was she pretty?  She turned from left to right, gazing at herself.  She’d never cared for her looks, although she did like her long brown hair.  She pulled out the hairpins and sat on the edge of the bed to brush it.  Elise made up her mind that she was no beauty, but perhaps she had other qualities a man might be attracted to someday.  Naturally, she hoped to marry in a few years and have children… if she could do it without giving up caring for horses.  She’d want a daughter just like Millie.

Climbing into bed, Elise curled up beneath the quilt, reached over, and put out the lamp.  She said her prayers and knew she’d fall asleep quickly as she did most nights after working hard.  She gazed over at Millie who’d been long asleep.  Elise smiled.  Millie was hugging her pillow and looked so sweet and peaceful.  She made up to her mind to speak to Harlan about the permanence of her job soon.

Elise’s first opportunity to speak to Harlan was at breakfast the next morning.  It took her half-way through the meal to get up the nerve to ask.  “Harlan, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course, you can,” he said.

“After the auction, will you still need me to work here?”

Harlan stopped eating and gave her a serious look.  “I hope you aren’t thinking of leaving us.  The job is permanent.  I love your work.”

His answer threw Elise off of her next question.  She felt elated that he wanted her to stay.  All she could do was answer with a smile.

“In fact,” Harlan added,  “I’m going to give you and Pedro a percentage of the auction profits to show my appreciation.”

Elise sat stunned by his offer and couldn’t think of a thing to say.

“I’m sorry, Elise.  I didn’t give you a chance to say if you wanted to stay on after the auction.  I know you must miss home.  I’d understand if—”

“No!” Elise said, finally finding her voice.  “I love the job, and I’d love to stay on.  I was worried that I’d be asked to leave.  And a percentage of the auction money isn’t necessary.  I love what I’m doing.  I don’t need any incentive.”

“It’s not incentive; it’s appreciation.  I insist.”  He gave her one of his lop-sided smiles.  “I’m relieved that you love it here and want to stay.  You feel like a part of the family.”

Millie came into the room rubbing her eyes.  “Elise, you didn’t wake me.”

“You were sleeping so soundly, I just couldn’t.”

Millie climbed up on a chair and said, “What’s for breakfast?”

“Well, look who’s here,” Martha said, coming from the kitchen, carrying a plate of eggs and ham.  “It’s little miss sleepy-head.”

Elise finished her tea and stood.  “I’m off to work.”  She turned to Millie.  “How about we try riding out in the fields behind the house today?”

“Yes,” Millie said excitedly. “I’m ready.”

“Good.  I’ll be ready for you right after lunch.”

“Can I take Cocoa to the church picnic on Sunday?” Millie asked.

“No,” Harlan said,  “we’ll be taking the buggy.”

Millie frowned.  “Are you going with us, Elise?”

Elise hadn’t been formally invited, so she hesitated.

“Of course,