Page 6 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas (Redemption Mountain #27)

The corral was a flurry of activity as Billy and Travis worked to break a wild mustang.

Eliza leaned against the fence, enthralled by the spectacle unfolding before her.

The horse bucked and twisted, desperate to throw Travis from its back.

Mud and ice flew through the air with each powerful kick of the mustang’s hind legs.

Eliza winced as the horse bucked again, throwing Travis into the air. “Doesn’t what he’s doing hurt the poor thing?” she asked Spencer.

He chuckled. “I’m pretty certain it hurts Travis more than the horse. Billy and Travis know what they’re doing. Breaking a horse takes skill and patience.”

Eliza pursed her lips, unconvinced. As Travis climbed back into the saddle, the mustang erupted into another fit of bucking before finally giving up and calming.

“Why don’t you stay and watch them work with the next one?” Spencer suggested. “See for yourself how gentle they can be.”

Intrigued, she nodded. This was a world foreign to her city upbringing. Perhaps Spencer was right and there was more to horse breaking than met the eye. She intended to find out.

Her attention was drawn back to the corral as Billy and Travis led in another wild horse, a chestnut mare. She watched as Billy began swinging the rope into the air so the horse ran in circles around him.

“Doesn’t the rope frighten her?” Eliza asked.

“Billy is tiring her out some,” Spencer explained. “Makes it easier to put the saddle on once she’s not so fresh.”

Eliza frowned but kept watching. When the mare slowed, Billy threw a loop around the mare’s neck and began stroking her, speaking softly.

Stepping back, he nodded to Travis, who also threw a loop of rope over the mare’s neck.

The mare began bucking. This didn’t go on long before the already tired horse stilled, blowing air through its nostrils.

Moving closer, Billy inched a blanket onto her back. The mare bucked in protest, dislodging the blanket. He persisted, picking up the blanket from the ground and setting it back on the horse until she accepted the unfamiliar weight.

“He’s so calm with her,” Eliza murmured.

Spencer nodded. “A good wrangler knows you can’t force a horse. Takes time for them to get used to things.”

Eliza was about to respond when a loud whinny drew her gaze back to the corral. Billy had managed to get the saddle on the mare and was now tightening the cinch. The mare erupted in a frenzy, bucking and twisting violently. Billy and Travis held their ropes firm, waiting for her to tire.

“Poor thing,” Eliza said. “She’s so frightened.”

“Give it time,” Spencer replied. “Billy will win her over.”

Eliza watched as he swung up into the saddle, the mare standing still until bursting into a final explosive fit. Hanging on, Billy’s face was set in grim determination until the mare stopped bucking and came to a stop.

She had to admit, his patience and persistence were admirable. Perhaps she’d judged the process too quickly. As the mare settled under Billy’s steady hand, Eliza felt herself softening.

“Reckon she’ll need more work when he saddles her the next time,” Spencer noted.

Eliza nodded. “Thank you for talking me into staying. It was, well…a learning experience.”

Turning toward the ranch house, she found herself reflecting on the insights she’d gained. Her mind swirled with new thoughts after witnessing Billy’s remarkable patience and skill in working with the wild mare. Hearing shouts from behind her, she turned around.

Travis and Billy were working with another horse, using the rope to move the mustang in circles, the same as with the mare. The horse slowed to a quick trot.

The horse’s eyes were wide, ears pinned back as he tried to evade the loop Travis threw. Billy threw his, dropping the rope around his neck in an easy, practiced move.

Eliza watched the scene from the porch. It was a dance of sorts, this breaking of horses. A battle of wills took infinite patience and skill. Qualities often in short supply back east.

Yet Billy possessed them, along with a deep wisdom about horses Eliza was only beginning to comprehend. There was much she could learn, if she could open her mind to new ways.

Eliza walked back into the ranch house, her mind swirling with thoughts. She replayed the scene in the corral, seeing it now through new eyes.

Where before she’d judged the process of breaking horses as cruel and domineering, she now saw the nuance—how skill and instinct could align human will with an animal’s nature, not simply overpower it. There was an art to understanding the horse’s mind and gaining its trust.

Billy had shown remarkable ability at calming the mare, communicating with subtle cues and steady patience. He and Travis seemed to sense when to push forward and when to ease up, adapting to the horse’s responses. The results spoke for themselves.

Stepping into the living room, Rachel walked out of the kitchen. “Did you enjoy watching them break horses?”

“I found it quite fascinating. Your ranch hands are very impressive. They have a remarkable way with the horses.”

Rachel smiled. “Yes, Billy has always had a gift when it comes to working with animals.”

Eliza nodded.

“Give folks a chance, and you’ll find most are not what they seem at first,” Rachel said gently. She turned to go back to the kitchen, then looked back with a twinkle in her eye. “Even the wildest ones can surprise you, if you’re patient.”

She then disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Eliza to ponder the deeper meaning of her words.

Eliza entered the dining room later in the evening, the aroma of roast beef and freshly baked bread filling the air. Several people were already seated at the long wooden table, chatting among themselves.

“Good evening,” Eliza greeted, taking the chair Dax pulled out for her. “Supper smells divine, Rachel.”

The front door opened. A petite woman, her brown hair swept up in a chignon, entered, followed by her young son who stayed close by her side. The man who followed wore a silver deputy’s badge on his vest and rested his hand lightly on the woman’s back.

“Eliza, I’d like you to meet Dorinda and Dutch McFarlin, and their son, Joel,” Rachel said. “Dorinda is Spencer’s sister.” She motioned toward Eliza. “This is Doctor Eliza Gladstone.”

Dorinda’s voice was soft and melodic. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. Gladstone.”

Joel peeked out from behind his mother. “Are you really a doctor?” he asked in a hushed voice.

Eliza chuckled. “Yes, I am, young man.”

Spencer strode to his sister, brushing a kiss across her cheek and shaking Dutch’s hand before ruffling Joel’s hair.

Dutch tipped his hat cordially as they took their seats. “A pleasure, ma’am.”

Eliza studied Dorinda as they began passing the food around. What had inspired this delicate woman to start a new life in Splendor? She wondered if it had anything to do with her brother, Spencer.

Her curiosity got the better of her. As Dorinda passed her the bowl of carrots, Eliza said, “So, Dorinda, I understand you are from Utah originally. What made you decide to settle in Splendor?”

Dorinda glanced at Dutch. “Well, my circumstances in Salt Lake changed, forcing Joel and me to leave. Spencer had written many letters telling me of the beauty of the Montana frontier and the opportunities in Splendor. I decided to join him and start fresh.”

“It must have been difficult, leaving your whole life behind,” Eliza said gently.

Dorinda nodded. “It was, but the church provided little support. All the elders backed my former husband. I felt so alone. Here, we were given a chance to build a new life.”

“Which you’ve done,” Rachel said.

Eliza’s eyes shone with interest. She had so many questions, but she needed to be careful. “Forgive my ignorance, but you were part of the Mormon church in Utah?”

“Yes,” Dorinda said. “We followed the teachings of Joseph Smith.” She hesitated. “Though I confess, my faith wavered when my husband took a second wife. His decision was the reason we left.”

Eliza offered a grave nod. She knew little about the Mormon church, or the pressure men felt to take more than one wife. She was glad to have broached the subject. There was much she still hoped to learn about Dorinda and her transition to a new life.

“Well, now, enough of all this heavy talk,” Rachel said. “Dutch, why don’t you tell us a story from your days as a Pinkerton detective.” She looked at Eliza. “He had some real adventures chasing down outlaws.”

Eliza’s eyes lit up with interest. She’d read about the Pinkerton Detective Agency in the newspapers in New York, but had never met an actual agent.

“I know little about the agency,” Eliza said. “Is it true Pinkerton agents often went undercover to infiltrate criminal gangs?”

Dutch chuckled. “Yes, ma’am, we did.” He glanced at Luke, who sat at the other end of the table with his wife, Ginny. “I was asked to play all sorts of roles to get the job done. Though I don’t miss those days. Being a deputy in a fine town like Splendor suits me better now.”

He launched into a tale about working with Luke Pelletier. “At the time, Luke was also an agent.” Dutch continued, with Luke chiming in now and then to add his own anecdotes. Eliza listened with rapt attention, her doctor’s curiosity in full force.

Eventually, the conversation turned to Reverend Paige’s wife, Ruth, who was deeply involved in planning Splendor’s Christmas festivities. Rachel explained how Ruth spearheaded the holiday decorations, nativity pageant, and charitable drives each year.

“Why, she’s got half the town getting ready for the season,” Rachel said. “You must meet her soon, Eliza. I know she’d appreciate an extra pair of hands.”

Eliza’s eyes shone. “To be honest, I’ve never helped with any Christmas preparations. I’m willing to do what I can, though. Please let me know how I can help.”

“Well, there is one event coming up you could assist with,” Rachel said. “We’re doing a donation drive for the local orphanage. All sorts of things are needed—clothes, books, toys for the children.”

Eliza nodded. “Just tell me what’s needed, and I’ll gladly help.”

“We appreciate every bit of help, I assure you. Reverend Paige usually helps gather and sort the donations with some of the other townsfolk. But Ruth has him working on something else this year. Spencer has already volunteered to take his place, so the two of you could work together.”

At this, Eliza’s gaze darted briefly to Spencer. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment before both looked away.

Later, as Eliza helped Rachel and the other women clean up from supper, the conversation turned back to the donation drive.

“It’s important each child gets something suitable,” Rachel said as she handed Eliza a plate to dry. “We organize the gifts by age and whether they’re for boys or girls. It makes the distribution go smoother.”

Eliza nodded, carefully wiping the plate before setting it in the cupboard. “I imagine it takes quite a bit of work to sort through it all.”

“It does, but it’s worth it to see the smiles on those youngsters’ faces.” Rachel’s expression turned thoughtful. “The church ladies will wrap the gifts once you and Spencer have everything organized. I’m sure they’d welcome another pair of hands if you’d like to help.”

“I’ll help however I can,” Eliza replied. This donation drive was important to the community, and she was honored to participate.

As she bid Rachel goodnight and walked to her room, she felt warmth flow through her. This little frontier town was becoming much more than a short stop due to a sudden winter storm.