“I certainly have. He’s the man I want to spend the rest of my days with.”
“Then I hope it works out for you.” Violet winked at her. “And if he waits too long, let me know and I’ll light a fire under his britches.”
“You have a deal.”
Violet sighed. “I’m so very close. Before long Roland and I will own this ranch. I have to believe it will be ours.”
“There’ll be a celebration that day,” Faith predicted. “I’ll definitely bake a cake.”
Violet laughed. Seemed Faith baked a cake for every occasion, big or small. Following in Mrs. Sheridan’s steps. “We can count on it.”
Moe started barking furiously and Violet peeked out the kitchen window. “Sheriff Manning is here,” she mumbled. “I wonder what he wants.”
“I’ll find out.” Faith hurried to the front door.
Violet followed her down the hallway, arriving as her friend whipped open the door. “Sheriff, good day.”
“Good afternoon, ladies.” The local sheriff removed his Stetson and entered the house. “I’ve come to see Miss Harding.”
“Me?” she blurted, glancing at Violet.
“Could we sit down and chat for a while?” He met Violet’s eyes. “You should hear this also.”
“Of course.” Faith led the way into the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee?”
“That would be nice.”
Violet hurried forward. “I’ll get the coffee. You sit down,” she instructed Faith as she grabbed the coffee pot off the woodstove.
The sheriff took a chair and Faith sat opposite him.
“Why did you ride all the way out here?” Faith inquired, wringing her hands.
Sawyer Manning set his Stetson on the chair beside him. “Since the community learned about your past, the local lawmen have been watching for someone coming to Milestone inquiring about a Faith Harding.”
Faith leapt to her feet. “Is he here? I’ve got to leave,” she blurted.
Sawyer reached for her hand. “No. He’s not here. He won’t be coming either.”
Faith slumped onto the chair.
Violet abandoned the coffeepot, rushed to Faith’s side, and then met eyes with Sawyer. “What do you mean? What happened?”
“I received a telegraph from the sheriff in a small town north of Butte. He was looking for Faith Harding.”
“A sheriff?” Faith whispered.
“Yes. He provided information about your father…” Sawyer glanced at Violet and then concentrated his gaze on Faith. “There was an accident. Your father was drunk, aggressive and obnoxious. He’d been thrown out of a saloon in their town. He stumbled into the middle of the street and was struck. The driver of the wagon and team couldn’t have avoided hitting him. The incident was declared an accident.”
Faith’s hand flew to her mouth. “Was he…”
“The horses and wagon ran over him.”
Faith met Sawyer’s eyes. “And…”
“I’m sorry to bring this news, Faith. Your father died instantly. They buried him the next day. That was almost a month ago.” Sawyer leaned back in his chair.
Faith heaved a sigh. “He can never hurt me again. Ever,” she whispered.
“I can arrange for you to travel home if—”
“No,” Faith blurted. “I won’t ever go back there.”
“No keepsakes or something else you’d like to fetch?”
Faith shook her head. “Nothing. I took everything precious with me when I left.”
“I’m so sorry,” Violet whispered, rubbing her friend’s back. “I don’t know if you consider it a loss. But the man was your father, and there must have been some happy times before…”
“Doesn’t take many bruises to obliterate years of happy memories,” Faith muttered. “My mother’s love…remembering her kindness, her smile… that’s what I’ll cherish.”
Sawyer reached for his Stetson and stood. “I’ll telegraph the other sheriff. Tell him that you’ve been informed of your father’s death. And that you won’t be returning home.”
“Thank you,” Faith replied. “He wasn’t a pleasant man, the past few years. I… I do appreciate you coming out here with this news. Brings my worries to an end. Gives me peace of mind. Thank you so much.”
Sawyer touched his brim. “Just doing my job. My condolences, Miss Harding.”
She nodded and Violet walked Sawyer to the front door.
“She’ll be all right. I’ll keep an eye on her. That man hurt her terribly, but the realization her father is gone might rattle her later on,” Violet suggested. “Or maybe not.”
“You’re a good friend. Either way, she’ll appreciate you being here.”
Violet smiled. “I own the ranch. Of course, I’m here.”
“You know what I mean,” Sawyer said.
“Thank you for bringing us word of his death.” Violet stood on the veranda and waved as the sheriff rode away toward town.
Faith walked up beside her. “He’s such a good man. Amanda is lucky to have found him for her husband.”
“She’s younger than him, but they love each other so much,” Violet shared. “Like you and Roland. And now you’re worry free. No more concerns that your father will somehow ruin your life here.”
“Yes. He’s gone. But I don’t feel sad… just… relief,” Faith said, softly. “Does that make me a bad person?”
Violet shook her head. “Not at all. I don’t know that he deserves you grieving his death. But remember, your father was a troubled man. I hope he’s found peace now. Wherever he is in the afterlife.”
“He’s probably with Mama. Maybe she’ll forgive him,” Faith muttered, adding, “who knows? Perhaps in time I’ll forgive him also.”
“That’s up to you.” Violet touched her friend’s arm. She couldn’t imagine hating her father as much as Faith hated hers. But then again, she’d never experienced anything resembling the emotional torment and physical pain Faith had endured. Her friend was entitled to feel disheartened by her father’s treatment, and Violet wouldn’t dissuade her from her opinion. “In the meantime, you have your own life to live. And now you’re free to do that. Any way you please.”
Faith smiled, weakly. “That I am. And we both know who I intend to share my life with.”
“I have my special someone, too.” Violet smiled. “Now, if my money would arrive, both of our futures would be settled.”
“It will happen, Violet.” Faith hugged her tightly. “You’ll see.”
Chapter 33
Simon tied Hero’s reins to the hitching rail across the street from the First National Bank in Milestone. He gazed up the street seeing nothing in particular. Today, he would realize what he’d dreamed of since he’d turned sixteen, owning a piece of land that would be his and Violet’s. Acres and acres of their own property, not part of the McLennon legacy. A piece of heaven on earth, especially with Violet at his side.
Violet said yes to his proposal and he would exchange ‘I dos’ with her soon enough. Today, he’d sign the paperwork to purchase the Triple C Ranch. Well, half ownership, but he didn’t begrudge his future bride owning the other half. Life didn’t get better than this.
Who said a fellow couldn’t have it all?
He strode across the street, took the steps two at a time, and entered the First National Bank. Roland’s leg had healed well over the past three weeks, but he still required the wheeled chair to get around. Simon hadn’t any idea how his friend would manage it, but Roland promised to meet him here at eleven o’clock. Simon gazed toward the manager’s office. The closed door suggested either they had started without him or perhaps he’d been the first to arrive.
“Good morning, Simon.”
He turned around and met eyes with Jamieson Davies, the local attorney who owned the Davies Law Office. He and Roland hired the lawyer to complete the paperwork on the ranch sale. “Good morning, Jamieson.”
“How are you?”
“Couldn’t be better.
” Simon shook his hand.
“I hear there’s a wedding in your future.”
Simon smiled. “You heard correctly. Violet and I haven’t set a date yet, but we both agree it won’t be too far in the future.”
Jamieson patted his arm. “Glad to hear it.”
“Is the paperwork in order?”
“All ready for the signatures.”
“Wonderful. I’m waiting for Roland to arrive and then we’ll sit down with Harold Watson and finish this.” Simon nodded toward the manager’s office.
“Milton Brown mentioned that Roland is already here,” Jamieson offered.
The bank manager’s door opened and Doc Bennett stepped out, shaking hands with Harold Watson. “Let me know if you need me to come fetch Roland.”
Doc Bennett strode toward the bank’s front door, waving to Simon and Jamieson on the way by. “Good day, gentlemen,” he called.
“Hello, Doc.”
“Good morning, Doc.”
Jamieson waved his hand. “After you, Simon.”
The two of them strode toward the manager’s office, seemingly equally eager to complete the day’s business.
“Come in, gentlemen.” Harold waved the two of them into his office and closed the door.
Simon shook Roland’s hand after he entered the banker’s office. His friend sat in a wheeled chair situated against the far wall, his leg completely immobile in a large cast. “I see you’ve managed to arrive with a bit of help from Doc.”
Jamieson shook his hand next. “Good to see you looking so well, Roland.”
“Thank you. Doc Bennett didn’t mind going out of his way to wheel me over here, so I decided I wouldn’t bother either of you.”
“Take a seat, gentlemen,” Harold instructed them, settling himself in the upholstered leather chair behind his desk. “I’ve a busy day today, so if you don’t mind, could we begin?”
Simon took the armless chair beside Roland’s wheeled chair while Jamieson seated himself in the chair against the opposite wall. The lawyer dug official-looking papers out of his leather case.
“This shouldn’t take too long, Harold,” Jamieson began. “Several days ago, Roland, Simon and I talked over the terms of the sale of Roland’s half of the Triple C Ranch. The next day, there was one change Roland wanted made, but everything is in order.”
Simon glanced at Roland. “You made a change?”
“One.” His future brother-in-law stared straight ahead.
Simon slid forward on his chair. Why wouldn’t Roland make eye contact with him? What was he up to? Surely, he hadn’t changed his mind. Simon’s heart beat faster, concerned his plans for the future might come tumbling down around him any second now, ruining any possibility of a happy life with Violet. Preventing him from owning his own ranch. Or at least the ranch he wanted. “Someone care to explain this to me?”
“Certainly. I’ll let Roland do the honors.” Jamieson waved at his other client.
Roland heaved a sigh. “After we talked with Jamieson, I got to thinking. I asked Doc to request Mr. Davies drop by the clinic so we could discuss something.”
Simon glanced at Jamieson, sitting stone-faced. “All right.”
“I reckoned that with my recent streak of bad luck… almost taking a bullet and then breaking this leg, I’d better consider my future a little more seriously. Being laid up for six or more weeks is almost killing me. What if something happened while I was doctoring? I could tangle with an ornery bull or be kicked badly by a bucking horse. If an accident got the better of me, I might never walk again. I’d have to give up being a vet altogether, and I had no idea what I’d do then.” Roland met Simon’s eyes. “So, I figured I’d ask a favor of you.”
Simon nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere but near family. So I would hope you and Violet would allow me to live on the Triple C with you and the children you’ll have one day.” Roland dragged his hand down his face. “Of course, I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”
“You wouldn’t be a burden. You’re family,” Simon interjected.
Roland patted his future brother-in-law’s arm. “I know. But looking after an invalid would mean hiring a nurse. Medical equipment. All that sort of business costs money.” He waved off Simon’s attempt to argue before he got a single word out of his mouth. “I reduced the cost of my half of the ranch, intending to make a provision of future assurance I’d be taken in by you and Violet if something should ever happen to me.”
“What kind of provision?” Harold inquired.
Jamieson passed the papers over to the banker.
Simon noticed Harold’s surprised expression. “Let me see that.”
Harold turned the papers around and pushed them across his desk.
Simon gazed at the document. “I don’t see any sale price here.”
Harold pointed to the line on the document, where the amount in question appeared.
Simon reared back. “Are you plumb loco? You intend to sell me your half of the ranch for one dollar?”
“That’s all the law requires to make it legal.” Roland shrugged. “I can’t risk becoming a burden to my family.”
Simon sat, arms crossed over his chest. “And what would you do if I’m the one crippled and can’t work the ranch? What would you do if your sister is left with a crippled husband?”
Roland stared at him. “Well, we’d ensure you were taken care of. We’d hire someone to help Violet run the ranch. We would—”
“Exactly. Because we’re family. And family takes care of their own.” Simon waved at Jamieson. “Rip up that piece of garbage and prepare the paperwork the way we originally agreed.”
Jamieson smiled and dug into his case again. “I’d guessed that you wouldn’t agree to this, Simon, so I prepared a sales agreement with the original terms as well. Here’s the copies for signing.”
“Finally, a man of reason.” Simon waved at the banker. “Get your pen and ink out, Harold. We’ve got papers to sign.”
“Simon, this is…” Roland appeared lost for words.
“This is what’s right and fair,” Simon finished for him. “Yes, I’m buying half the Campbell Ranch. The Triple C. And I’m changing your sister’s name to McLennon. C will no longer stand for Campbell. But it will stand for ‘character, caring, and courage’. All virtues that your sister possesses. All qualities that I believe in. All values that all three of us live by. No matter what the future holds, we’ll face it together, and we’ll have each other’s backs regardless. Sickness. Accident. Infirmity. No matter what. Because we’re family.”
After they’d signed the papers, Roland shook his head. “Well, it appears I’ve come into some money. Please pay off my bank loan, Harold, with the proceeds from the sale of my half of the ranch. Clear up the mortgage on the Triple C also, please. Then deposit the rest in my account. I’ll be laid up for another month, more than likely, but at least I can cover my expenses until I get back to doctoring critters again.”
“You’d better get well as soon as possible. You’ve got another job on the horizon.”
Roland met Simon’s eyes.
“Walking your sister up the aisle. I’m marrying your sister as soon as she agrees to a date.”
Roland chuckled. “If I have to crawl up that church aisle, I’ll do it.”
“I’d expect nothing less of you, my friend.” Simon rested his hand on his shoulder. “And I’ll be proud to have you as a brother-in-law.”
“Works both ways.” Roland straightened as best he could. “Who’s wheeling me back to Doc’s clinic? Mrs. Bennett is making a roast for supper. Can’t be late.”
“It’s barely noon.”
Harold laughed. “Roland strikes me as a man who is always prepared. Always on time.”
“Always hungry,” Simon muttered, rolling his friend out of the banker’s office. “Got time for a celebration? Maybe we should drop by the Copper Nugget Saloon for a beer first?”
“That roast can wait.” Roland waved him forward. “A beer sounds like a fine idea.”
Jamieson led them out of the bank, signed sales agreement in his case. “I’ve got business to take care of, so enjoy your celebration, gentlemen.”
“Thank you for your help with this.”
“I’ll have the land registered under Simon McLennon and Violet Campbell, for now. But I suspect I’ll be doing the paperwork again for Violet McLennon one of these days.” Jamieson winked at Simon.
He smiled and nodded. The lawyer could count on that. As far as Simon was concerned, it couldn’t happen too soon.
Chapter 34
November
Violet recalled this time last year when the first of the horrific storms blew across Montana and buried everything in snow. She prayed this winter the ranchers wouldn’t witness the same wicked weather conditions and resulting cattle losses. At least, with so few head remaining in her herd, she could winter them in the valley close to the barn and assure they would be cared for properly.
She stood outside the First National Bank, smiling as she gazed down at the new traveling suit she’d purchased from Amanda’s store a few days ago, using a portion of the funds Harold Watson had put on her account. Those funds also covered the most beautiful wedding dress she’d ever seen. Amanda promised to finish the few alterations it needed by this morning, and in two days’ time, she’d become Mrs. Simon McLennon. She couldn’t wait.
She received word yesterday from Harold Watson that the funds from the sale of her cattle were received by transfer at the bank. He requested she drop into the bank to settle her debt at her earliest convenience. She couldn’t wait to finalize that either. An answer to her prayers. Realizing her dream. Paying the loan that allowed her to save the cattle. Making the final payments on the mortgage. Finally owning her father’s ranch. Her ranch. And Roland’s.
She opened the door and stepped inside, pausing to allow her eyes to adjust to the darker interior. Before she took another step, Harold Watson strode toward her, smiling.
“Miss Campbell, it’s wonderful to see you.” He shook her hand with unexpected enthusiasm, a broad smile on his face. “Come into my office and we’ll complete our business.”
Inherit A Dream (Sons Of A Gun Book 4) Page 19
