One Brave Cowboy Read Free

tack room, and the woman stood tucked among the bridles. Small and slim as she was, she might have been one of them.
    â€œHow close was it, really?” she asked, her voice reedy.
    â€œClose.”
    â€œYou couldn’t see him, but you stopped?”
    â€œThat’s right.” He didn’t quite know what to do with himself now that he’d crossed his own line. He’d just met the woman, and he felt like he was looking at her naked. He took a leather headstall in hand and hung on, steadying himself for a bumpy ride. “Some people have eyes in the back of their head. I have something inside my head. It picks up where the eyes and ears leave off. Sometimes. Not…not always.”
    â€œWhatever it is, I need some.”
    He gave a dry chuckle. “It doesn’t always turn out this good.”
    â€œIt did this time. Mark’s in his own world, and I’m on the outside, trying to look in. I blink, and he gets away from me.” She drew a quavering breath. “But he’s not hurt. What am I blubbering about?”
    â€œI’ve still got the shakes, too. We know what could have happened. Mark doesn’t, so he doesn’t need to worry too much right now. We can do that for him.”
    â€œHe does know what could have happened. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knows better than we do.” She swallowed so loudly Cougar could taste her tears. “He had a terrible accident. Lost an eye.”
    â€œCar accident?”
    â€œNo. It happened…” She shut herself down. He had all the details he was getting right now. “This isn’t the first time I blinked.”
    â€œWon’t be the last. You got another pair of eyes in your family?”
    â€œMark’s father and I are divorced.” She paused, shifting gears. “I want what you have. A mother’s instincts aren’t enough with a child like Mark.”
    â€œOrdinarily I’d say take mine, but I’m glad I had it goin’ on today.”
    â€œMe, too.” She took a swipe at each eye with the back of her wrist as she emerged from her little harbor. “Just Cougar?”
    â€œIt’s all I need. Pretty big name.”
    â€œIt’s a great name.” He took half a step back as she edged past him. A singular moment had passed. “You know, the winner of the training contest gets twenty thousand dollars.”
    â€œYeah, that’s what Sergeant Tutan said.” He followed her through the tack room door. “Mary Tutan. She’s the one who told me about the competition.”
    â€œOh, yes, Mary,” she said, her voice brightening. “She just got married.”
    â€œI stopped in and met her husband before I came here. She’s…”
    â€œâ€¦back in Texas.”
    â€œSays she’s put in for discharge. Kinda surprised me.” Seeing the boy with the kittens made him smile. “Sergeant Tutan had lifer written all over her. She’s a damn good soldier. Uncle Sam will miss her, but she’s served well.”
    She took his measure with a look. “You, too?”
    â€œI’ve been out for two months now. Officially.” Which was like saying her son had had an accident.There was a lot more to it, but nobody wanted to go there. “Tell Sally I’ll be at Logan’s place. I’ll check back in with her.” He reached down and touched Mark’s shoulder. “You’ve got a nice family there.” The boy offered up a little calico. Cougar rubbed the top of its head with his forefinger and nodded. “They’re too young to leave their mama.”
    â€œMaybe we’ll see you when you come back for your horse,” Celia said. “You’ll get to choose.”
    â€œIf Mark’s around, maybe he could help me with that.” He still had the boy’s attention, maybe even some awareness of what he was saying. Cougar felt some connection. Close calls could have that