His Outback Cowgirl(6)

“That’s bad.”

“Yes, I know.”

Bridie pursed her lips. Seriousness sobered her expression. “It’s not an option for every trip.”

“I know.”

She nodded and the action was as binding as a handshake.

Satisfaction fired in Henry’s eyes. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” she said.

Ethan ground his teeth. He wasn’t going anywhere. He mightn’t have the don’t-mess-with-me edge his brother had but he could be just as stubborn. “Sorry to rain on your plans, but Henry you still can’t drive. I’m not leaving you isolated and housebound.”

Bridie’s gaze fastened on his. By putting his foot down he’d waved a red flag at the willful cowgirl. She’d told Henry she’d take him with her and now she’d be determined to fulfill that promise.

She glanced at Henry. “How long until you can drive?”

“Three days.”

She faced Ethan again. “Perfect. We’ll leave Friday.”

Ethan stood, jaw set. “I won’t be leaving Friday or any other day.”

Henry stood too and in his eyes Ethan caught an emotion he’d never witnessed before – weariness. “Ethan, go, please. I see the way you look out the window when the sun shines on the Absaroka peaks. You’re a cowboy. You need to be out on the range. You’re not meant to be inside, anymore than I am.”

Ethan stayed silent. Henry spoke the truth. With every passing week it became harder to stay indoors, but he’d come to Montana to look after Henry and that’s what he’d do.

Henry spoke again. “Rosa comes every day, so I won’t be on my own. Cordell and Payton are just down the road. It will do you good and give me a chance to feel like I’m not ... so useless.”

Ethan’s heart squeezed. He knew how hard it was for Henry to accept that with age came a decrease in his independence. The past month he’d received more help that he’d had his whole life. He could understand Henry wanting the space to regain the autonomy he’d lost.

Ethan replied before he heeded the voice of reason in his head. “Okay. I’ll go with Bridie, but only once I know you can drive and after I’ve spoken to Rosa and Cordell.”

Henry’s gleeful smile appeared faster than a child let loose in Copper Mountain Chocolates.

“Great. Next Friday it is.” He turned to Bridie as she too came to her feet. “Clara mentioned you’d be calling in today so while Ethan was out yesterday I got the horses in. There’s a mustang mare you might like to take a ride on and get to know now before the rain comes? She’ll keep you safe in the backcountry.”

Ethan scraped a hand around the base of his neck. Henry’s vulnerability had been genuine but it’d disappeared quicker than raindrops in the desert. He risked a glance at Bridie and his thoughts were mirrored in her narrowed eyes.

They’d both been played.

“We didn’t stand a chance,” she said, smile wry as they left the ranch house to head to the barn and corrals.

“Tell me about it.” He turned to wave to Henry who’d accompanied them as far as the porch and now stood watching them. “As if I could ever be bored while here? Stopping Henry from overdoing things is a full time job.”

Bridie chuckled. “It would be. You’d have to keep your wits about you. Just as well he’s a lovable old rogue. Mom says he’s always been a hard but a good man.”

Ethan nodded and slowed to avoid Milo as the puppy dashed in front of him to follow Rocket. Ethan looked beyond the dogs to where a pasture usually housed three horses. “To think I was worried Henry would drive the truck while I was in town. Somehow he’s made it past the barn and brought the horses in.”

“It does beat doing crosswords.” Amusement threaded her words and she arched a fine brow at his unspoken question. “Unless you wear heavy tortoise shell reading glasses, I know Henry’s the one going stir-crazy and doing a crossword every day.”

Ethan matched her grin and led the way around the side of the large red barn. “If you knew Henry was doing the crosswords why agree to let me come with you?”

Bridie didn’t immediately answer. She stopped at the corral fence and gazed at the huge bay gelding who shuffled over to them.

“To be honest, I don’t know. Henry is very different to my father but there’s something about his eyes that reminds me of my dad when he’d been in hospital too long.”

Ethan nodded and rubbed Captain’s glossy neck. Henry had mentioned Bridie’s father had passed away last spring after a long illness.

“I’m sorry to hear about your father.”