Blessing (Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

  She scanned from side to side. Would they see the cat before it leaped? Or, would it pass them as an unknown peril?

  “Your horse is edgy with good reason.” He inhaled. “Can you smell it?”

  “Smell what?”

  He stage whispered, “The wildcat. Getting close. Be quiet and real still.”

  He could smell that cougar? The only odor she noticed was the water’s sulphur. She inhaled a slow, deep breath. Yes, there might be a scent on the air besides the water’s strong smell.

  The horses grew frantic. Was Thad using their mounts for bait? She didn’t ask but kept her vigil. Part of the area she watched was the spring and she didn’t think the big cat would come across the stretch of hot water.

  Still, she wasn’t willing to risk her life on the theory cats didn’t get into water. They might not like getting wet but that didn’t mean they couldn’t swim. She’d once seen one swim across a creek to chase a deer.

  That time, she’d been with Papa and he’d shot the cat as it emerged from the water. Her father had sent her to the ranch for the wagon. By the time she returned, he’d skinned the carcass and they’d hauled the hide to the ranch.

  Dub and her papa had tanned the hide. It hung on the bunkhouse wall. She was glad he hadn’t brought the skin into the house to hang or use as a rug.

  Goldie was on watch. Sundown snorted and whinnied.

  Thad whispered, “Get ready. I see him crouched.”

  She turned slowly and focused in the direction Thad stared. Her gaze was drawn to a shadow between two trees. At last, she saw the glowing eyes.

  With a roar, the animal leaped toward the horses.

  Thad fired and the wildcat dropped only feet from the crazed mounts.

  Buster rushed to calm the steeds. After insuring the cat was dead, Thad joined her. Fighting to calm the horses, they moved them fifty feet away from the dead cougar and tied them to a different tree.

  Thad pulled a feedbag from his gear that he fastened on Goldie’s head. Buster did the same with Sundown. In addition to the oats providing a treat, the cloth reduced the horses’ ability to smell the cat. After stamping, the horses calmed enough to be left.

  Thad examined the emaciated wildcat. He knelt and picked up the cat’s left hind leg. “Explains why he was hunting this time of day.”

  Tears sprang in Buster’s eyes. “Poor thing’s paw is mangled and part of it missing. Must have been caught in a hunter’s trap. Those things are so horrid to animals.” She couldn’t regret the cougar hadn’t been able to stalk her stock but she hated that the animal had suffered needlessly.

  He gazed up at her. “You wouldn’t prefer they roam the range killing your cattle and horses?”

  She cradled her rifle in her arms. “Of course not, but that’s no way to get rid of them on a ranch. Often as not stock step into the traps. That’s a horrible sight.”

  “I agree so don’t snap at me. Expect this trap was in the woods. Wound looks festered. Probably recent.”

  “What can we do with it? The road crew is supposed to start work tomorrow. I don’t know if someone will be coming up here then or not.”

  “No way to get the carcass to the ranch to tan the hide. Don’t think we should leave it to the elements and other wild animals. Dadburnit, guess I’ll have to bury the carcass.” He strode to his horse and opened the saddlebags. When he’d extracted a camp shovel, he returned.

  He unfolded the implement. “Digging a large enough hole with this will take hours. Let’s look for a natural low spot.”

  They scanned the ground.

  He pointed to a depression under one of the boulders. “I can wedge the carcass here and fill in around it.”

  First, he worked more soil loose and deepened the hollow. When he was satisfied, the two of them dragged the body to the hole and shoved the lifeless animal into the shallow grave. Thad shoveled dirt over the carcass and tapped down when he’d finished.

  Buster had gathered rocks to place atop the grave so other animals wouldn’t undo their work. First she transplanted a clump of violets on the grave then piled rocks everywhere else on the mound. Thad stomped the rocks in place. When they were finished, they stood to examine their handiwork.

  He folded his shovel and returned it to his saddlebag then flexed his shoulders. “I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that’s done.”

  “Let’s wash our hands and eat our lunch.”

  They took advantage of the warm springs and washed. Buster wished they could swim in the pool. The picture of the two of them swimming in the altogether sprang into her mind. Good heavens, what caused such a scandalous thought?

  As if he read her mind, Thad smiled at her. She turned away and busied herself setting out their food.

  While they were eating, Thad asked, “I’ve been wondering something. Do you have any idea why Lucy is so skittish?”

  “Why? You taken a shine to her?” She didn’t begrudge Lucy her happiness but Buster hoped Thad’s interests weren’t there.

  “No, but I’ve wondered why she looks at me as if I’m the big bad wolf about to attack her.”

  She relaxed, deciding he was only curious. “That’s because of her family. Her parents died when she was about four and she went to live with an aunt and uncle who didn’t want her. They used to lock her in a closet if she was what they called ‘bad’.”

  “That’s awful. She’s so timid I can’t see her misbehaving.”

  “One of the things they didn’t like was for her to talk. She was supposed to do what she was told quickly and quietly. Her uncle was quick with fists when he didn’t think she was moving fast enough.”

  “Makes me wish I could talk to her uncle. He still around?”

  “She won’t say. She ran away when she was fourteen and showed up here one day. She was thin as a rail and wearing rags. Marnie took her in, of course, and she’s been here ever since. I guess the uncle must be close by because Lucy avoids crowds.”

  They polished off their meal and she placed their trash in her sack.

  She looked up into the trees. “Birds are singing again. Do you think the horses will still smell the wildcat?”

  He nodded. “I imagine we carry the scent because we dragged it. Should be an interesting ride back to the ranch.”

  “Now that it’s peaceful again, I hate to leave. I know we must, but I’m so glad I’ve seen this place before people change it.”

  “Same here. If you want to swim, I’ll turn my back and stand guard. That is, unless you invite me along.”

  “T-That wouldn’t be proper.” She waved a hand at her clothes. “I know I don’t appear respectable and fitting, but in most things I am.” She gazed longingly at the water. This was the only chance she’d have to bathe before the site changed.

  He motioned to her. “Go ahead. I’ll sit here with the rifles.”

  She leaped up. “Thank you.” When she had gone a few feet, she watched to make sure he wasn’t peeking. Quickly she stripped to her chemise and drawers then wondered if minerals in the water would color them. After divesting herself of every stitch, she slid into the water.

  Heavenly. She swam for a few minutes then simply floated. Her body relaxed and she could easily have dozed off. Trying to be fair, she thought Thad had waited long enough. She climbed out and used her shirt to dry then quickly pulled on her clothes.

  She ran to stand in front of Thad. “That was wonderful. I’ll stand guard if you want a turn.”

  “No tricks?”

  “Of course not. I’ll sit where you did and keep watch. You need it after digging that grave.” She sat beside him on the boulder.

  He set his rifle beside her and walked away. She held hers ready to aim if disturbed. When she heard him enter the water she was tempted to turn but didn’t. Still, she couldn’t help wondering what he looked like without clothes. Goodness, what had come over her to cause such outrageous thoughts?

  Thad’s splashing sounded as if he was swimming. “This is great. I’ll
be one of the customers up here that’s for sure.” His splashes sounded energetic.

  After a few minutes, he left the water. Soon, he stood in front of her, dressed and smiling.

  “Are you ready to head back to the ranch?”

  She glanced around. “I hate to leave but we need to, don’t we? Dealing with the wildcat took up quite a bit of time.”

  “I don’t want to get in trouble for keeping you out too long. Not sure Dub trusts me where you’re concerned.”

  She laughed and stood. “Dub doesn’t trust anyone where I’m concerned. He’s like a mother hen.”

  Thad smiled at her and joined her walking toward the horses. “You’re a special chick. All your employees are loyal to you, but Dub and Marnie act like parents toward you.”

  “They always have. Since Papa passed, well, they’re even more protective.”

  He returned his rifle to his saddle scabbard and she did the same with hers.

  Before he untied the reins, he gently grasped her shoulders. “There is one more thing we should do before we leave.” He lowered his head.

  Mesmerized, she watched his mouth descend toward hers. His lips were gentle and pliant and she returned his kiss. His arms came around her and pulled her closer as the pressure of his kiss increased. Her arms wound around him.

  Pleasure shot through her and set her mind spinning. Warmth pooled in her lower abdomen. Her legs threatened to give way.

  When he broke away, his eyes appeared dazed. “G-Guess we’d better get going,” his voice rasped.

  Unable to speak, barely able to stand, she somehow managed to climb into Sundown’s saddle. So that was what a real man-woman kiss was like? How could she have imagined touching a man’s lips could ignite her entire body?

  Chapter Eight

  Thad gauged the setting sun and figured he was in big trouble. Sure enough, Dub was standing on the house’s porch when they rode in and the man did not look happy. The dogs that had been resting on the porch leaped into action to come greet them.

  Sam strode out of the bunkhouse. “Mac and I will take care of your horses.” He rolled his eyes at Thad and gave a slight nod toward Dub.

  Buster hopped up on the porch. “Any supper left? Do I ever have a lot to tell you?”

  Dub glared at Thad. “Both of you have a lot to tell.”

  Thad followed Buster in and Dub closed the door firmly behind them. He didn’t slam it, but that’s what Thad heard in his head anyway.

  Marnie took two plates from the warmer and set them on the table. “Well, ’bout time you two came home. I was getting worried something had happened to you both.”

  Lucy stood back in a corner. Now he knew what made that woman so shy. He hated she’d had such a sad life. At least she wouldn’t take part in the inquisition he figured was about to take place.

  Buster tucked her thumbs in the straps of her overalls and preened. “Thad killed a wildcat.”

  Speaking at the same time, Dub and Marnie shouted, “What?”

  Lucy gasped.

  Buster sat at the table and spread her napkin across her lap. “We hadn’t been there long when a wildcat showed up. Like to have driven the horses crazy.”

  Thad dropped to a chair. Suddenly, he felt far older than his twenty-six years. “Didn’t see a way to get the carcass out of there. We buried it and piled rocks on the grave. Plus a clump of violets Buster added.”

  Buster ate as if this had been an ordinary day, ignoring the glares from Dub and worried glances of Marnie. “The road builders start tomorrow. We didn’t see any other option than the burial.”

  Dub’s scowl hadn’t completely vanished but Thad figured at least now he wouldn’t be shot or dragged behind a horse—or both.

  Just the same, Thad reckoned he still had explaining to do. “All I had was one of those folding camp shovels. Looked for a depression to use but still took quite a while to hollow out a grave large enough for the cat. Need to warn whoever is developing the place.”

  Buster said, “I’ll go tell Hester tomorrow. Everyone will be relieved the wildcat’s not up there any longer.”

  Dub looked at her and shook his head. “There will be others, Buster.”

  He turned to Thad. “Can’t figure one attacking that time of day. Think it was rabid?”

  Thad shook his head between bites. “We wondered when we heard the cry. Turned out the back paw had been mangled by a trap. Looked like it happened a week or so ago. What was left of the paw had festered and was in terrible shape. Cat was emaciated and probably in a lot of pain.”

  Dub nodded. “Better off dead then. Wonder who’s using traps. Hate those things, especially if they’re where stock can find them.”

  Thad swallowed a bite of his pork roast. “No idea how far the animal could travel on a gimpy leg. I doubt he could go far as bad as the paw was. I figure the trap was probably nearby in the forest. You still have hunters going out from town to check traps?”

  Buster said, “Levi Akridge hunts and takes meat to the women but he doesn’t use traps.”

  Marnie refilled their coffee cups. “What was the spring like?”

  Buster’s lovely face lit with pleasure. She was a joy to watch. “Beautiful. Oh, Marnie, I wish you and Lucy and Dub could have seen it with us. The spring makes a large pool that overflows with a waterfall to the next pool and down to a third pool before it disappears back into the ground at some rocks. Already there are new plants nestling up to the edges. I don’t know the names of most of them. Some had flowers and some were fern-like and some were kind of mossy.”

  Thad leaned back in his chair. “One of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. Should develop into a moneymaking site. Too bad there’s not more land available. We saw the surveyor’s stakes. There’s room for a modest house, changing stalls, small café, maybe even two or three little guest cottages.”

  Buster’s excitement hadn’t dimmed. “The place should save the town and bring in travelers. I hope developing it doesn’t diminish the beauty.”

  Dub leaned his elbows on the table. “Crane’s probably heard about it by now. You can bet he won’t let it slip away without a fight.”

  Buster nodded, her face thoughtful. “We expect him to challenge the claim. Hester has a lawyer on hand. She bought and filed on the land.”

  Thad crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m curious to meet this Crane fellow. He sounds like the worst sort of scoundrel.”

  Dub’s eyes sparked. “You bet he is. You ask me, the mine explosion was his fault. Heard talk he didn’t use enough shoring timber in the mine and it was unsafe.”

  Thad said, “Talk like that can shut down a mine.”

  Buster’s expression turned sorrowful. “Wish it had shut down the Gold King so there wouldn’t have been an explosion and Papa would still be alive.”

  Dub patted her arm. “Best not to think like that. We all miss your father but we have to move ahead and keep this place going.”

  She sent the foreman a sweet smile. “I intend to, with your help.”

  Thad pushed back from the table and stood. “Reckon I’d better get myself to the bunkhouse and turn in.”

  Dub rose and sent him a scalding stare. “Sounds good. I’ll walk you over there.”

  Thad figured he wasn’t going to enjoy the next few minutes. With any luck, he wouldn’t lose his job before he had a chance to look for Colin’s horses.

  Before they reached the bunkhouse, Dub stopped him. “Now let’s hear all of what happened on that mountain.”

  Thad was several inches taller than the foreman’s six feet, but Dub still managed to intimidate him. “Buster told you what went on. You want a step by step retelling?”

  “Start with the ride up there.”

  Thad didn’t appreciate the foreman’s attitude. He faced the man with his hands on his hips. “Look, you’re the one who insisted I go with her. I did exactly what you ordered. I protected her and didn’t leave her alone.”

  “Details.” His fingers move
d in a motion to beckon more information.

  “Okay, first we rode up there.” He related the events exactly as he remembered them. When he came to the wildcat’s scream and the deer, Dub held up his hand.

  “What did you do to protect Buster?”

  “I told her to get behind a boulder, which surprisingly she did. But, she complained that she was a crack shot. I figured I’d better get her a rifle in case I missed and the cat got to me.” He continued with his story up until they’d buried the wildcat and eaten their meal.

  “You didn’t take her swimming?”

  “I told you I’d protect her and that’s what I did.” Oh, man, he’d never be able to admit they went swimming even separately. Dub would not believe that Thad had not soiled his precious Buster.

  Dub pointed his forefinger and stabbed at Thad’s chest. “You’d better make sure that’s all you do.”

  “Look, whether you like it or not, she’s a grown woman. You can’t keep her a child, you know.”

  “She may be twenty-two but she’s had a sheltered life. You don’t get any ideas about educating her, got that?”

  Thad held up his hands. “And once gain I’m reminding you it was your idea for me to ride with her today.”

  “Yeah, well, you remember what I said here.”

  “Goodnight, Dub.” Thad pivoted and went inside the bunkhouse.

  The others were playing cards.

  Sam glanced at him. “Looks like you’re all in one piece. There was some doubt when suppertime came and you weren’t back.”

  Mac pretended to peer around behind Thad. “Checking to see if there’s a strip of hide gone.”

  Tony tossed down his cards. “Tell us how does this place look since the explosion?”

  “Except for the wildcat, it’s the prettiest place I’ve ever seen.” He laughed at the expression on the three faces staring at him. “Have I got a tale to share with you?”

  Chapter Nine

  Buster rode to town the next morning to tell Hester about the wildcat.

  The mayor was in a tizzy getting the road crew underway.