Page 58 of Christmas at the Ranch
She was about to go back to the barn when the door opened. Bruno stepped out. A robe was tied over his pajamas.
“The barn’s on fire,” she said before he could speak.
Bruno ran down the stairs and Samantha followed him. Hegrabbed a bucket while Samantha opened the first stall and led the horse outside. She heard the sizzling of water on flames and the air took on a pungent smell, like popcorn overcooked in the microwave.
“It’s all right, the fire is out.” Bruno’s voice sounded behind her. He took the horse’s reins and stroked him gently on the nose.
Fear and relief washed over her and she couldn’t stop shaking. Bruno led her back into the barn and pulled out a stool.
“Sit down,” he instructed. “You’re in shock.”
“I looked out my window and thought someone left the light on in the barn.” Samantha sunk onto the stool. Her teeth chattered and she couldn’t stop shivering. “Then, I realized there were flames.”
Bruno stood near her. His cheeks were sooty and his silvery hair was covered in ash.
“It’s my fault, I must have left on the Christmas tree lights,” he said. “You were incredibly brave.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Samantha shrugged. “I ran upstairs to find you.”
“You opened the barn door without knowing what was inside,” he insisted. “And you calmed the horses. A few more minutes, and the whole place could have gone up in flames.”
Samantha glanced at the high ceilings, the wide stalls, the tall, graceful windows.
“I’m glad it didn’t, it’s such a beautiful structure.”
“Arthur wouldn’t care about the barn, but he’d care very much if anything happened to you or his horses.” Bruno’s voice was tight. “Elaine is going to have my hide, and I don’t blame her. I can’t be trusted to turn off the damn lights on the Christmas tree.”
“It’s not your fault either,” Samantha countered. “There might have been a fault in the wiring.”
“I’m in charge of the horses,” Bruno said, frowning. He studied Samantha closely. “I told you Blixen was smart. He knew the first time he met you that you were a true friend.”
Bruno’s wife, Elaine, clattered down the staircase and insisted on wrapping Samantha in blankets. Bruno found a bottle of scotch in the cupboard and Samantha drank some gratefully.
Elaine suggested Samantha come upstairs for a cup of hot chocolate, but Samantha wanted to go back to the main house.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come inside?” Samantha asked Bruno when they reached the driveway.
“I need to take care of the horses.” Bruno shook his head. He smiled thinly. “Elaine is already devising my punishment. She has years of practice; she was a very strict mother.”
Samantha had barely opened the door when a figure came rushing toward her.
“Samantha, there you are.” Arthur stood in front of her. “Bruno texted and told me what happened. I was about to come to the barn.”
Arthur led her into the kitchen. Samantha sat at the table and told him everything that happened.
“I’ll call the doctor to check you out.” Arthur took his phone from his pocket.
“I don’t need a doctor,” she stopped him. “I’m perfectly fine.”
Arthur walked to the coffee machine. He pressed the silver buttons and returned to the table with two steaming cups.
“It’s warm milk and honey.” He handed her one. “When you get to be my age, you can’t sleep without it.”
“I really didn’t do anything. Bruno put out the fire,” she said, accepting the cup. The hot milk smelled heavenly and the honey soothed her throat. For the first time since she saw the flames, she let herself relax.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Arthur said, sipping his milk. His expression turned pensive and he resembled an older version of Drew. “When I was young, I thought I was so brave. But once I didn’t act fast enough and lost the thing I loved most in the world.” He paused as if he was bringing his mind back to the present. “I can see why your fans love you. You behaved exactly like Sloane Parker.”
Later, Samantha leaned against the headboard in her room. It was midnight and she was exhausted. The other guests had returned from the bar and everyone stopped by to congratulate her. The only people who didn’t appear were Drew and Beatrix. Perhaps they went to bed early and missed the commotion.
