“Pleased to meet you,” Spring replied.
“What a lovely name,” his short, wren-brown mother said, smiling.
“Thank you.”
His father, as tall and lean-framed as his son, eyed her and her leather attire questioningly for a silent moment as if not sure what to make of her or what to say. “That was quite a show with the young lady and the mare. Is your family’s business horses?”
“No. Just mine.”
He cocked his head.
“Ed Prescott and I are business partners,” she explained. “This is his spread. We sell wild mustangs.”
Fannie said, “How interesting.” She turned to Garrett with the same questioning look on her face as her husband’s.
Garrett said, “She’s a rancher, Mother.”
“You own a ranch?” she asked, turning back to Spring.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Garrett’s father asked, “Along with your husband?”
She shook her head. “I’m not married.”
He glanced from her to Garrett. “I see.”
Melody, whose bright skin and chestnut hair made Spring wonder if she was mulatto said, “I’ve never met a lady rancher. Truthfully, I’ve never met any rancher. Odell said in one of the wires that you’ve been taking care of Garrett. Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome, but the praise should go to my brother, Colton. Were it not for his skill as a doctor, the outcome might not have gone so well.”
Vernon, with his well-trimmed beard, whiskers, and costly suit, added, “Then we’re glad your brother’s doctoring proved helpful. Burying Garrett would have put a damper on the wedding Melody and I have planned.”
Melody rolled her eyes. “Nothing is set in stone, Vernon.”
Spring found the interaction interesting. She was also aware of Hiram McCray’s intense scrutiny. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking, so she decided not to worry over it. Whatever was going through his mind would reveal itself soon enough.
Hiram asked, “Is your brother here? I’m excited to finally meet him.”
“He is. He’s busy at the moment with the thrown riders, but I’m sure he’ll make the time to come and say hello.”
“I assume you leave that aspect to the men.”
“If you mean the breaking and being thrown parts, no. I do that, as well.”
He stiffened with shock. He again turned to the now-amused Garrett who shrugged and said, “Life’s different out here, Hiram.”
His father was now viewing her as if she’d grown two heads. Unconcerned by that, she asked, “How long do you plan to stay in Paradise?”
“Just long enough for my son to gather his things, so he can return with us.”
Garrett didn’t seem pleased by the response.
Fannie said, “But for the moment, I just wish to find a place to sit that isn’t moving. Between the train, then the stagecoach, and the wagon ride here . . .”
“You can sit at one of the tables over there under the shade,” Spring said sympathetically. Ed had a number of trestle tables set up. “There’s also food available if you’re hungry.”
Melody said, “I’m starving.”
“Then let’s find a spot and get you all something to eat.”
As they walked, Spring noticed Garrett gently stretching his shoulders and back. “Are you okay?”
“Just a little stiff.”
His father asked with concern, “Are you certain you don’t need more medical attention? We can probably find another doctor in one of the bigger cities.”
Hearing that, Spring was offended on her brother’s behalf.
Garrett replied plainly, “I’m fine. Dr. Lee is a superior physician. I owe him my life.”
His mother rubbed his forearm comfortingly and asked, “Have the villains been found?”
He told her the news Whit shared earlier.
Melody said, “That’s good.”
Garrett added, “The sheriff is hoping to find Matt Ketchum soon.”
“I hope so, too,” his father said. “Seems like a pretty lawless place.”
Spring took offense again but remained silent.
Garrett didn’t. “I’m fairly sure more people are attacked in the District than here.”
Hiram grumbled, “If you say so.”
On the way to the table they stopped by the food station run by Chauncey Miller’s wife, Lacy, and Lucretia Watson and filled their plates with pieces of roasted chicken, slices of beef, vegetables, and biscuits. They then took seats at a table with enough free space to accommodate them, and the visitors sighed with relief.
“I’m exhausted,” Melody admitted. “Garrett, you’re never allowed to travel this far from home ever again.”
“Understood,” he replied, smiling.
Fannie noted that Spring hadn’t gotten a plate. “Are you not hungry, Spring?”
“I’ll eat later. If I have to help with one of the mustangs, it’s better if my stomach is empty.”
“Oh.”
Vernon glanced up from his plate. “You’re just pulling our leg about riding those bucking horses, right?”
“As Garrett said earlier, life here is different.”
Hiram asked, “Do other women do what you do?”
“I’m sure there are some in other places, but around here, I’m the only one.”
Spring turned to Garrett. “I see where you get all your question asking.”
He chuckled. “They’re just as impressed by you as I was when we met.”
Hiram said, “My son said in one of his letters that you met in a snowstorm?”
“Yes. Came across him in the middle of a blizzard.”
Garrett said, “The Lee family has kept me alive three times now. Her grandfather Ben found me in the road after I’d been shot, and took me to Dr. Lee’s office. I’m forever in their debt.”
Spring met the sincerity in his gaze and saw his mother watching them for a moment before she returned to her plate of food.
A few moments later Spring noticed Colt coming their way across the grass. He was wearing the black suit he always favored and she realized it had been quite some time since she’d seen him in anything else. His legendary devotion to caring for people was honorable but she worried that he never seemed to rest. “Here comes my brother now.”
Hiram hastily wiped his mouth with his napkin. He’d removed his brown suitcoat earlier due to the warm day, but now put it back on. Watching him brushing himself off and straightening his vest as if he were about to meet royalty was amusing, but she was pleased by the show of respect.
Colt nodded Garrett’s way when he reached the table. “Odell said your folks were here. I wanted to come say hello.”
Garrett did the introductions.
“Pleased to meet you all,” Colt responded. “And Mr. McCray, it was an honor to be interviewed by Garrett for your newspaper.”
“People back East need to know about you, and I can’t thank you enough for saving his life.”
“You’re welcome. Things like that rarely happen here, but I’m glad to have helped.”
“Is he fit to travel? I’d like to return home as soon as possible. He’s enjoyed himself here, but his true place is back East.”
Garrett’s jaw tightened. Colt’s eyes glanced at Spring’s. She kept her face blank.
“He and I have discussed his options,” Colt replied. “He’s free to share them with you at his convenience.”
Spring noted how gracefully her brother avoided Hiram’s trap. Garrett was a grown man, yet his father acted as though his son had no say in his own future. Did the man always ride roughshod over the lives of his children? Did they object? Her thoughts were interrupted by her brother saying, “Spring. Odell had to leave. He’s asked if you could take Garrett’s visitors back to town when they’re ready. They’re staying at the boardinghouse.”
The request caught her off guard because she’d planned to help Ed with the mustangs all day, but she an
swered, “Of course.”
“Good. Thanks. You folks enjoy your stay. Nice meeting you.” With that, he departed.
Watching him walk away, Melody asked, “How many doctors are there here?”
“He’s the only one in Paradise,” Spring replied.
“The whites don’t mind him treating them?”
“Some do, but most don’t. He’s held in pretty high regard.”
Hiram said, “That’s good to hear.”
They’d just finished their meal when an unhappy-looking Ed rode up on his white stallion, Snow. Behind him were Cheyenne and Paint on a lead.
Spring stood. “What’s wrong?”
“Take your children home.”
“Jesus and three fishes,” she snarled with frustration. “What did they do?”
“Cheyenne keeps challenging the young stallions and Paint is running amok. As always. Between them they have the whole herd riled up.”
She dropped her head. “I’m so sorry.”
“We probably won’t need you for the rest of the day anyway. Helping Cass and her mare was my biggest concern. Thanks for working with them.”
“You’re welcome.”
Spring saw the visitors eyeing him. “Have you met Garrett’s family?”
“No. But I heard they were here. I’m Ed Prescott.”
Garrett introduced them, and Ed nodded in response. “I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.”
They nodded and stared, but Ed didn’t seem bothered by it. “Spring, if I need your help tomorrow I’ll send one of the hands over to let you know. Here are the ledgers.” He handed her the leather pouch he’d placed them in.
“I’ll check the numbers tonight.”
“Thanks. Nice meeting you folks.” He touched his hat and rode away.
Hiram said, “Not to be disrespectful, but is he a foreigner?”
“No. He’s a member of the Bannock tribe.”
Melody asked, sounding confused, “Tribe?”
“He’s what people back East call an Indian,” Garrett replied.
Vernon smirked. “What’s he call himself?”
“Ed,” Spring said coolly.
He seemed startled by the tone of her reply and the harshness in her glare.
Garrett added, “This is his land. That beautiful house on the hill? He built it. He’s an engineer.”
Vernon scoffed. “You don’t actually believe that, do you? Everyone knows they’re savages.”
Garrett snapped, “Some people view our race the same way. Are they correct?”
“Of course not.”
Spring wanted to rip out his heart. “My grandmother was Shoshone. How about you walk back to town? I’m sure you don’t want to ride in the wagon of a savage.”
Seeing all the angry eyes trained his way, he swallowed visibly. “My apologies for speaking out of turn.”
“Keep your bigotry to yourself.” She turned to the others. “I’ll be back with the wagon.”
She stalked off and her horses followed.
Chapter Fifteen
Spring’s temper was still simmering when she ushered her visitors inside her cabin. She’d stopped there first to change clothes before driving into town. They glanced around the cabin’s small interior and silently took seats. Hiram stared at the stuffed head above the fireplace and asked. “What is that?”
“A mountain goat,” she said. “There are herds of them here. This one had been caught in a rockslide and was buried from the shoulders down when I came across it. I dug it out hoping it could get back on its feet but the back legs were broken. The bleating was terrible.”
“Poor thing,” Fannie whispered.
“It was in a lot of pain, and wasn’t going to survive, so I showed it the mercy it deserved and took the carcass back to town—”
“You killed it?” Hiram asked, interrupting.
“Yes. Otherwise, it would’ve taken days for it to starve to death, and no animal or person should endure that.”
He studied her for a long moment before saying, “I suppose you’re right.”
Spring knew she was right, and because he was Garrett’s father she didn’t allow her irritation to rise and take hold. She was already mad enough at Vernon. “We respect life here in the mountains, Mr. McCray. Anyone coming across an injured animal beyond help will do just as I did. You don’t do them a favor by allowing them to die in pain or from starvation.”
He nodded tersely. “I understand. It’s just women back East wouldn’t consider doing such a thing.”
Spring said, “You aren’t back East, sir.”
Fannie smiled. “Touché!”
Her husband grumbled a bit but had nothing further to say, which suited Spring just fine. She glanced Garrett’s way and saw his chilly eyes focused on his father.
Melody was at the window looking out. “I can’t get over the beauty of these mountains.”
“I know. I enjoy waking up to them each morning. If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, I need to change clothes before I take you to town. This leather is pretty warm.”
Fannie said, “Take your time.”
“Thanks.”
Spring noticed Vernon watching her. There was a veiled anger in his eyes but she ignored it and him as she left the room.
After her departure, Hiram said, “Garrett, I see your books and journal on the table there. Are you living here?”
Garrett expected the blunt question. The unexpected part was that his father had waited until after Spring’s exit. “She and Odell moved me here so I could sleep and heal in a bed. After the surgery I was sleeping on a cot in Dr. Lee’s office that was as uncomfortable as a floor.”
“The woman at the boardinghouse said you’d rented a room. Why weren’t you taken back there?”
“Because Dr. Lee was called away on an emergency, and the boardinghouse proprietress, Dovie, has enough to do without having to deal with a bedridden man. Spring volunteered to take me in.” He knew this wouldn’t be the only thing his father would want to know, and at some point Garrett would have to remind him that he was fully grown and no longer subject to his authority.
His mother said, “Miss Lee seems very unconventional.”
“Is that a compliment?” Garrett asked.
“Truthfully? I’d have to know her better to be certain, but I believe it is.”
He could always count on his mother to be fair-minded. “She’s quite a force, Mama. I’ve never met anyone like her.”
The next question came from Melody. “Do many of the women here dress the way she does? In trousers? I saw a few at Mr. Prescott’s place.”
“A few, yes. Spring’s a rancher. She can’t do the work that needs to be done in a gown.”
Vernon asked, “So she really isn’t married?”
“No.”
“A widow?”
“No. She’s never been married.”
Hiram huffed. “The way she carries herself, I see why not.”
The statement raised Garrett’s ire. “Meaning?”
“What man would want a woman who wears trousers, and boasts of killing sheep, or goats—whatever that thing is?” he said, pointing to the stuffed head over the fireplace. “Men of our class prefer someone with the elegance and grace of say an Emily Stanton.”
Garrett offered a bitter chuckle. “I’m not marrying Emily, Hiram.”
“You certainly aren’t marrying Miss Lee.”
“She wouldn’t have me if I asked.”
Sounding puzzled, his mother asked, “Why not?”
“She doesn’t plan to marry anyone. She’s content with her land and her horses.”
Fannie eyed him as if attempting to gauge his feelings on Spring’s stance before replying, “That’s her choice, I suppose.”
Vernon said importantly, “Every woman wants a husband.”
Melody chimed in, “Emily doesn’t.”
“Emily will do what her parents decide is best,” her father countered. “As will you.”
&nbs
p; Resentment flashed over Melody’s features before she turned back to the view through the window.
Garrett knew that at some point he’d have to talk to his father about forcing his sister to marry. Vernon was a lawyer, a member of the city’s elite, and fit the mold of what Hiram viewed as her ideal mate. But in talking with her, Garrett knew she had no tender feelings for the man. She’d always tried to please their parents, especially Hiram. Garrett thought it stemmed from the fealty she believed she owed him for claiming her as his daughter, in spite of being sired by the brother of Fannie’s master. Melody had been a year old when their family reunited after Freedom.
His father said, “Back to the question of returning home. When will you be ready?”
“Whenever you are, but I’ll only be returning to put my affairs in order. I’m coming back. I’m planning to purchase some land and live here permanently.”
His mother looked stricken. Melody turned from the window in surprise. His father, features tight, asked, “Is it the woman?”
Garrett replied honestly, “Partially yes, but mainly, I’ve enjoyed being here. The pace, the people, this way of life suits me.”
“You almost lost your life,” his father pointed out.
“True, but this is where I prefer to be.”
“A future with Emily would be far more advantageous to you in the long run.”
Garrett had no plans to argue. He knew how much it upset his mother when they did, so he said simply, “My mind’s made up.”
Melody asked, “How will you make your living?”
“Ed Prescott thinks my furniture-making skills will be in demand.” Ignoring his father’s sullen face, he added, “There’s always a call for carpentry. I’ll be fine.”
Spring returned a few moments later. She’d traded her leather pants and vest for a pair of denims and one of the numerous men’s shirts she tended to favor. “Are we ready to leave for town?”
They were, and followed her out to the wagon. Fannie and Melody joined her on the bench while the three males climbed into the bed.
As they got underway, Hiram asked Garrett, “She always wear that gun belt?”
“Always.”
Vernon asked, “Do you plan to do the same once you move here?”
“I do. I’m probably the only person around who doesn’t carry a Colt or a rifle. Spring carries both.”
Wild Rain Page 19
