Where There's a Will

by Brenda Sinclair

  WHERE THERE’S A WILL

  SONS OF A GUN SERIES

  BOOK 3

  Brenda Sinclair

  Kindle Edition

  ISBN 978-1-926474-23-6

  Copyright 2020 by Brenda Sinclair

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Except for use in any review, the reproduction of this work in whole or in part in any form now known or hereafter invented is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names.

  Willow Harrison is forced to disguise herself as a boy when she and her brother flee the Texas ranch they’ve called home their entire lives. Considering their past, they can never return. If anyone learns their true identities while on the run, they will spend the rest of their days in prison, or worse.

  Adam McLennon unknowingly hires the fugitives to work with his Thoroughbreds and Morgan stock on the Double M Ranch. Adam couldn’t be more satisfied with their work, but he suspects the two brothers are hiding something. He’s determined to discover what it might be.

  What will happen if Adam learns one of his talented horse wranglers is a woman? Will he concede she’s perfect for the job? Especially if Willow has already found a way into his heart. Discovering all of her family secrets could spoil everything. Or can Adam and Willow find a future together?

  NOTE TO READERS

  In 1886, when this book is set, my heroine is a female horse wrangler experienced in the care of Thoroughbred horses. At that time, veterinary schools were for male students only and had existed in the United States for approximately thirty years. Willow learnt all she knew from horse doctors she worked with and her father, an excellent horseman in his own right.

  Since the 1700s, slings have been used in assisting horses recovering from leg and hoof injuries, by supporting the horse’s weight to help the healing process in the injured area. The scenarios within these pages are for entertainment purposes only and in no way should be construed as anything but fiction. Any mistakes in terminology, practices or procedures in the care and treatment of horses, including the birthing of foals, are mine alone. I hope you enjoy reading Willow’s story.

  Brenda

  DEDICATION

  To anyone who tackled a seemingly impossible task or goal,

  and despite all odds and the naysayers, succeeded.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title

  Story Blurb

  Note to Readers

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Acknowledgements

  Books by Brenda Sinclair

  About the Author

  Find Brenda At

  Chapter 1

  April 1886

  Willow Harrison lived life disguised as Willie Hughes for so long she sometimes forgot she’d been born female. Considering what she and her older brother had left behind, discontinuing the deception wasn’t an option. But she would give an eyetooth to spend one day in a dress!

  She and her brother had worked with Thoroughbreds on the family ranch back home in Cactus Plains, Texas until fleeing eight months ago at the height of the racing season. They’d hopped on a train and headed north, hoping to distance themselves as far as possible from what had happened. Although they’d been fortunate in finding employment last autumn after initially arriving in Montana, they hadn’t found any ranch work when their jobs were terminated following fall roundup.

  A body did what was necessary to survive, and she preferred a roof over her head with a warm bed and food in her belly to facing the elements and perishing in a frigid storm. All winter, she’d pushed a mop around the filthy plank floor of the Pick Axe Saloon in Butte, when she wasn’t working in the small kitchen. Leonard helped the owner by serving customers and ejecting rowdy patrons. They’d detested the work while continuing their deception, but the Hughes brothers received three meals a day and the use of two lumpy cots in a tiny, windowless room off the kitchen. At least, they’d survived the winter while maintaining their anonymity.

  A week ago, Leonard spotted an advertisement in the Butte Daily Miner, and the two positions seemed tailored for them. Soon after applying, they’d learned the jobs were theirs; they’d finally found work again as horse wranglers. If she never mopped beer swill, tobacco juice, and puke off another saloon floor it wouldn’t be too soon.

  That afternoon, her brother overheard a fellow talking to the owner outside Benson’s Mercantile in Butte, informing Mr. Benson he’d be heading home to Milestone as soon as the wagon was loaded. Leonard approached the man and explained that he and his brother had been hired to work for Adam McLennon on the Double M Ranch. Sam Perkins introduced himself as the owner of the Milestone cooperage, and he agreed to give them a ride part way to the ranch.

  Now, Willow rode with her back against a wooden box of food staples in the rear of the covered supply wagon, listening to nature sounds mixed with the muted conversation between Leonard and Mr. Perkins seated together up front. She recalled the grin on Leonard’s face when he told her Adam McLennon sent them a telegraph. She’d never in her life received a telegraph from anyone, and she dug the paper out of her shirt pocket.

  Jobs are yours. Come to the Double M. You both start immediately. Adam.

  Willow returned the correspondence to her pocket for safe-keeping and eavesdropped on the men’s conversation.

  “Lived in Milestone long?” Leonard occupied the bench seat alongside the driver, who expertly handled his horses and rig.

  “Since I was a little feller tugging on my ma’s apron strings.” Sam chuckled. “Can’t remember living anywhere else. Where you folks hail from?”

  Willow cringed, hearing the innocent but often-asked question she and her brother dreaded.

  “Been on our own since our parents passed. Our family moved around for years before that. I don’t rightly know how to answer,” Leonard replied, chuckling.

  Her brother had practiced the response endlessly. Now, the lie slipped off his tongue so easily that Willow almost believed it. No one could learn they were raised in Texas for fear someone discovered their true identities. Neither of them favored the possibility of spending their remaining days in a prison cell.

  Sam stopped to rest the horses and walk them to the river for a short drink. Willow helped with the unhitching and hitching up as would be expected of any man. The matched pair of gray gelding
s appeared in excellent condition which delighted Willow. She couldn’t abide any man who abused animals. Especially horses, her favorite of all.

  Once on their way again, Willow gazed toward the sun hovering above the horizon, lost in her own thoughts. After some time, she spotted a weathered wooden crossbeam attached to two upright poles in the distance.

  “We’ve been crossing Double M land for a while now. The ranch lies down in the valley a ways beyond yonder ridge.” Sam halted the supply wagon beside the beaten-down path leading to the entry to the ranch.

  “Thanks for the ride.” Leonard shook their benefactor’s hand, grabbed his gear out of the back, and jumped off the wagon. “Can’t tell you how much we appreciate it.”

  “We sure do. Thank you, sir.” Willow tossed her gear out the back of the wagon and leapt out.

  “It’s a mile past the sign. You can’t miss it.” Sam waved, flicked the reins, and the rig headed off south toward the town of Milestone.

  Willow groaned. A mile past the sign? Judging by the sun riding lower in the sky, they wouldn’t complete the walk to the ranch much before suppertime. At least, they’d arrive in plenty of time to start their new jobs tomorrow. Hopefully, they’d be allowed something for the evening meal since neither she nor Leonard had eaten since breakfast.

  She trudged along behind her brother following the grassless rutted path created by years of wagon transport. The spring temperature cooled as the sun continued to sink toward the horizon and a brisk wind started blowing, making conditions less favorable for their late afternoon trek. Willow tugged her coat’s collar higher around her neck. Thankfully, she’d remembered to don her work gloves.

  “Did we do the right thing?” she ventured softly.

  Leonard swung around and stared at her. “What do you mean? Applying for these jobs?”

  She shook her head. “No, leaving Texas.”

  “Of course we did. We hadn’t much choice.”

  “We could have summoned the law,” she whispered.

  “You know what would have happened,” Leonard blurted, sounding displeased she’d still dared to question their decision after all this time had passed. “Considering the argument between Uncle Clarence and me after the race, there wouldn’t have been any doubt who’d be blamed for what happened at the ranch.”

  “Someone might have believed us. If we hadn’t panicked and fled.”

  “It’s too late now to second-guess ourselves. And don’t ever mention this aloud again for fear someone overhears,” Leonard warned her as they crossed under the sign burned into the wooden crossbeam: DOUBLE M RANCH.

  Only one more mile to go. Willow hurried to keep up to her brother.

  “Want me to carry your bag for a while?” Leonard offered, despite his evident frustration.

  Willow shook her head. “Better not. No man would be that accommodating to a younger brother.”

  “Suit yourself, Willie,” he replied, winking at her.

  Her brother had called her Willie for months now, and she couldn’t recall the last time he’d addressed her as Willow. Of course, the name Willie had become habit and prevented slip-ups during important conversations.

  “Let’s rest for a few minutes.” Leonard tossed his bag to the ground and collapsed on the grass.

  She dropped her bag, knowing the rest break had been announced solely for her benefit. Leonard took his responsibility for her well-being seriously and he wouldn’t be stopping any time soon. Or perhaps the break served as her brother’s unspoken apology for his terseness.

  She removed the battered old hat that had belonged to her father and ran a hand through her cropped hair, remembering how long and luxurious her locks had been back home. Now all she smelled was the lingering stench of stale beer, cigar smoke, and fried meat. She blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. Three more days until Saturday. Bath night.

  A few minutes later, they grabbed their gear and without a word spoken between them continued on, lost in their own thoughts. Willow played that fateful evening’s argument between Leonard and their uncle over and over in her mind. Her brother shouldn’t have lost his temper, threatening to kill Uncle Clarence for his ineptitude in running their family ranch. The accusations and the anger had been witnessed by too many prominent citizens attending the post-race celebrations in the local hotel. And then a few hours later, they’d discovered their uncle lying in a puddle of his own blood and the door wide open on the ranch’s safe. Neither the foreman nor housekeeper had been on the ranch at the time. With no one to turn to for help, Willow and Leonard panicked and fled. Months later, they hadn’t been found and arrested, and as time passed, Willow had grown less fearful of discovery. But knowing they could never return home saddened her.

  Finally, they topped the ridge and gaped at the scene in the valley below.

  “Flying flapjacks!” Willow exclaimed, all concerns for sore muscles, aching feet, and troubling memories of home evaporating from her thoughts. “Is that the Double M Ranch?”

  “Has to be.” Leonard whistled long and low. “Holy cow. Look at that operation!”

  “It’s… I’ve seen smaller towns.” Willow stared at the various-sized buildings sprawled throughout the valley. She spotted a wide creek running alongside the thick growth of deciduous trees. To the west, a short wooden fence surrounded a large log house with a tall stone chimney on one side. No doubt the owner’s home.

  Her spirits lightened when the two of them strode into the yard. Willow experienced a moment of concern when a black and white cattle dog appeared from nowhere, barking and circling them in a frenzied welcome. At least the dog wagged his tail while carrying out his duties announcing their arrival.

  One of the main house’s wide double doors opened, and a tall handsome man strode outside and leaned on the veranda rail. His broad chest strained the buttons on his cotton shirt and his slim waist and muscular thighs filled out his denims nicely. Dark brown hair rode above his collar, curling on the ends, and a trim moustache covered his upper lip. Willow gaped at him; the sight of the virile young man took her breath away.

  “Floyd, good boy. But enough of that racket!” he called.

  The dog’s tail dropped, and he loped toward the house, disappearing somewhere under the veranda.

  “Can I help you?” The fellow crossed the veranda and sprinted down the stairs.

  Willow prayed they’d arrived at the correct ranch. She couldn’t walk another mile if someone had promised her a fortune in gold.

  “I’m Leonard Hughes and this is my brother, Willie.” Her brother stuck out his hand as the man approached. “Adam McLennon hired us to work here. We’re to start in the morning.”

  The man spent a moment looking them up and down, and then a broad smile appeared on his face. He shook Leonard’s hand. “I’m Adam McLennon. Pleased to meet you.”

  Willow heaved a sigh of relief. They’d arrived at their destination, and their new boss appeared happy to see them. “Hi, I’m Willie,” she muttered, shaking hands with her new employer while staring into the most beautiful cobalt blue eyes she’d ever seen. Hopefully, the man didn’t believe in overseeing his employees’ work or she’d never accomplish anything if gazing at him all day. And then she reminded herself she was disguised as a boy.

  The three of them wandered toward a large red building that Willow assumed was a bunkhouse. Or it might be one of the barns. With so many buildings on the ranch, she might require a map to maneuver the place until she grasped her bearings.

  “We’ll settle you in the bunkhouse. Supper won’t be until six o’clock, so I have fifteen minutes to quickly show you around the horse barns before Sourdough Sammy, our ranch cook, serves up the hands’ evening grub. Family eats up at the house.”

  “Sounds good.” Leonard glanced at Willie. “How many men share the bunkhouse?”

  “Usually around twenty. Married men live in those cabins over there.” Adam pointed to the left.

  “Well, I hope those fellers in the bunkhouse d
on’t snore too loud. Willie here is a mighty light sleeper. I gotta warn you, boss, he ain’t at his best if he don’t get a good night’s sleep.” Leonard walked abreast of Adam while Willow hung back a bit. “My brother can be grumpy as all get out, and a real pain to work with.”

  Adam halted in his tracks, turned back, and stared at the new hand he believed to be Willie. Willow swallowed hard. Was she about to be sent packing?

  “Of course, we don’t expect no special treatment, but I reckoned I ought to give you fair warning,” Leonard continued.

  “Light sleeper.” Adam appeared deep in thought. “Well, some nights the windows rattle with all the men snoring in that bunkhouse. Guess we could bunk the two of you in one of the vacant cabins.”

  “I’d much appreciate it, Mr. McLennon,” Willow spoke up. “I’ll give you my best work providing I get proper rest.” She blessed her brother for inventing his little white lie to help ensure her identity wasn’t discovered. Truth be known, she could sleep in the middle of a war zone during cannon-firing, military maneuvers, but her new boss didn’t need to know that tidbit of information.

  Adam nodded. “All right, come this way. I’ll assign you two that vacant cabin to the far right in front of the foreman’s cabin. Two small bedrooms, and it’s clean and warm.”

  Willow almost hugged Adam but restrained herself. Considering the condition of some of the accommodations they’d been assigned on other ranches, not to mention the tiny room off the kitchen they’d inhabited all winter at the Pick Axe, the cabin sounded like heaven. Clean. Warm. And most importantly, private. She couldn’t have hoped for anything better.

  When Adam swung open the cabin door and Willow followed him and Leonard inside, she almost squealed in delight, but caught herself in time. The cabin had a fully equipped kitchen including a lovely woodstove in the corner. In the cozy living area, a tall bookcase filled with books stood beside an upholstered sofa and matching easy chair, and a rocking chair occupied a spot beside the fireplace. Further investigation revealed two small bedrooms with clean linens on double-sized beds which meant no more lumpy cots and sore backs. There was even a curtained-off area with an indoor facility for use during inclement weather. Leonard would handle upkeep of those facilities, and she’d cook and clean for the two of them in return. Willow almost pinched herself to ensure she wasn’t still on Sam’s wagon, sleeping.