Blessing (Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

  When they reached the ranch, Dub and Buster hurried to greet them.

  Thad said, “Sam’s all shot up but the doctor saw him. He’s supposed to stay in bed for quite a while. Lost a lot of blood.”

  Buster wrung her hands. “Sam, I’m so sorry you’re hurt.” She looked at Dub. “Bring him into the house.”

  Sam whispered, “Bunk’s fine.”

  Thad and Dub helped Sam from the buggy. “Come on, man. How often do we have the chance to have several women pampering us?”

  When they entered the house, they looked at the stairs.

  Lucy said, “Take him to my room. No stairs.”

  Buster looked at the usually silent woman. “Are you sure, Lucy?”

  Lucy nodded and gestured impatiently toward her room. “Get him in there before he passes out.”

  Dub nodded at her. “Thanks, sure will be easier on Sam and on the rest of us if he’s downstairs.”

  Lucy hurried in front of them and turned back the cover of her bed. “Put him here. You men get his britches and shirt off and make sure he’s covered. I’ll make him some broth.”

  Thad had never before heard Lucy speak. She had a soft, pleasant voice. After Sam was settled, Thad looked around. Feminine touches added to a good sized room with a lot of pink. In addition to the usual bedroom furnishings, there was an upholstered armchair with a hassock, a folding screen in one corner, and a small desk-like table and chair.

  Dub also assessed the room. “Not a bad place to live.”

  Thad asked, “How long has Lucy lived here?”

  “About ten years. She said more today than I’ve heard her say at once in all that time. Shyest person I ever met.”

  Thad scrubbed his hand across his face. “I’m beat. Tony promised doc we’d bring his wagon back today but I know he’s as tired as I am.”

  Buster spoke from behind him. “I’ll take it. I couldn’t sleep last night but at least I was in bed instead of on a horse or getting shot.” She brushed a hand across Sam’s brow. He had finally given in and was unconscious.

  “Where’s he hit?”

  “Leg was what bled so much. Also hit in his shoulder just above his left arm. I thought first the bullet hit his arm. Guess that Oglesby aimed for Sam’s heart. Doc said he’ll need a long time to recover—weeks instead of days.”

  Lucy appeared with a pitcher of water and a glass. “Everyone out so he can rest. Marnie and I will take care of him.”

  Thad handed her the instructions and the medicines the doctor had sent. “I leave him in your care.”

  Dub clapped Thad on the shoulder. “Tell me briefly what happened and then you can go sleep.”

  “Everything went as planned except for Vic Oglesby.” Thad summarized the events. “I promised the marshal I’d show her where the cattle are held so she can check the brands. Must be some others in with Rafter O beeves because we counted seventy-five or so head.”

  “But, we only lost fifty as far as we know, so—”

  “Dub, let the man go to bed for a while. We can hear the whole story later.” Buster gently pulled Dub by his arm. “I’ll take the wagon back to Dr. Spense in case he needs it.”

  Buster’s relief overwhelmed her when she saw Thad was safe. When had he become so important? She was grateful each of the men returned, of course, but what she felt when she saw Thad ride in was totally different.

  Someone had taken care of Sam’s mount. After she fed and watered the doctor’s horse, Buster tied Sundown to the back of the wagon.

  Marnie came out to see her off. “Are you sure you don’t need to have a nap before you go to town? I know you didn’t sleep last night.”

  Buster hugged her housekeeper. “I’ll be fine. The horse knows the way to town and Sundown knows the way home. I think I’ll have lunch at Garnet’s café. I’m so jittery I don’t think I can settle down yet.”

  “See you take care.”

  Buster smiled. That was Marnie’s way of expressing her affection. Although Buster’s mom had died when she was five, Marnie had stepped in to do her best at mothering the child.

  Marnie forgot Buster was grown now. At least, Buster knew someone cared for her. In fact, she knew Dub and Marnie cared as if they were her parents.

  After she returned the doctor’s wagon, thanked, and paid him, she decided to linger in town. She ambled down the street.

  When she saw Diantha Ames, owner of the Ridge Hotel, crossing the street, she waved. “I’m on my way to have lunch at Garnet’s café. Would you like to join me? We need to talk over the dance.”

  “I’d love to. First, let’s check out the dining room.”

  They strolled the short distance inside the hotel.

  Diantha led her through the lobby. “We can set up refreshments at that end. I had the tables removed and stored so there would be plenty of room for dancing. The chairs are scattered around the edge for those who don’t wish to dance. Of course, they can also sit in the lobby.”

  Buster turned slowly. “This is a lovely room, Diantha.”

  The gold medallion-patterned wallpaper had a coordinating border about a foot wide around the top. Draperies were a shade darker gold and held back with the same color cord. Puncheon planks covered the floor.

  “The white woodwork is refreshing.”

  Diantha blushed. “We couldn’t afford to have walnut for the wainscoting and trim. We used cheaper wood and painted it white.”

  “The effect is very pleasant and refreshing. Seeing the room empty makes a bigger impact than when I dined here in the past.”

  “I’ll take care of decorations. Several have promised to help.”

  “I hope they remember. If they don’t, please don’t do them alone. You can always gently remind others they volunteered. Shall we go have lunch?”

  They ambled to the café across the alleyway and next door. After they’d greeted Garnet she showed them to a table.

  Once they had ordered, Buster relaxed. “Thank you for agreeing to let us hold the dance at your hotel. It’s really the only place in town that’s suitable.”

  “I’m looking forward to the event. I’ll even play the piano part of the time for dancing.”

  “That’s wonderful. Dub—you remember my foreman—plays the banjo and George Tweedie agreed to play his fiddle.”

  Garnet set their food in front of them. “Someone said the undertaker plays the mandolin. I haven’t heard him, you understand, so I don’t know how well.”

  Buster laughed. “I don’t think it matters, do you?”

  Diantha joined her and Garnet in laughing. “You’re right. Most people just dance any which way they wish regardless of the music. I guess with buyers in town to look at the horses, there’ll even be enough men there so all the women who wish can dance.”

  “I hope so. Men from the road crew might come, and then there are the ranch hands and farmers from around here.” Garnet’s expression revealed her surprise and she put her hand on her cheek. “I guess I sound awful but I do love to dance. I’ve been teaching Joey and Hyacinth the steps.” She sent a fond glance to her nephew and niece who were in her care since their parents had died in the mine disaster along with her husband Michael.

  Buster patted Garnet’s arm. “Nothing awful about that.”

  Garnet’s face turned solemn. “Well, it’s so soon after the explosion and we lost so many. I guess I shouldn’t dance until my mourning time is finished.”

  Diantha said, “Nonsense. Things are far different out West than they are in the East. We’ve all lost someone but we have to forge ahead right away. I’m trying hard to hold on to the hotel. The horse sale will help me because some of the prospective buyers will stay at the Ridge Hotel.”

  Buster smiled at her friend. “I’m glad we put the hotel’s name on the advertising we sent out of town. I hope the sale is a success.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes.

  Buster sighed and pushed her overalls strap back onto her shoulder. “I need to finish my err
ands. Thanks for joining me for lunch.” She paid for both of them.

  “I’ll pay for my meal,” Diantha protested.

  “No, I invited you to be my guest. I enjoyed visiting.” Buster waved at Garnet and went on her way.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Buster gave Sundown her head and enjoyed the ride. Being on her horse was one of her favorite things. She stretched out her arms and laughed up at the sky. What a great day.

  Her missing cattle had been located and the rustlers—who turned out to be murderers also—rounded up and taken to jail. Everyone returned from the fracas and the only one of her hands who had been injured was recovering. Soon the horse sale would commence and she and the widows in town would benefit. Helping her neighbors was something Buster enjoyed.

  Then the picture of poor Sam lying in Lucy’s bed hit her. Buster rejoiced that he hadn’t been killed, but he was gravely injured. Three years before he came to Wildcat Ridge and the Rafter O Ranch, his wife had died in childbirth. He’d been so deep in grief he’d lost his spread. Now, to add to his troubles, he’d been shot helping her save her ranch. He was a good worker, a loyal employee, and a fine man.

  She’d been surprised by Lucy’s adamant instructions to put Sam in her room for his recovery. Buster had never heard the woman speak so forcefully or say that many words at one time. The solution was a good one because it meant no stairs to check on Sam as he recovered. In addition, when he was well enough to be up for a while, he could come to meals.

  Buster was brushing down Sundown when Dub came in. She asked him, “Who are the four strangers I saw standing outside?”

  “I’ve hired four men to help temporarily. They’ve moved into the bunkhouse and Tony’s giving them his this-is-how-we-do-things speech.”

  “That’s good. Did you write down their information for me?”

  Dub grinned and leaned a shoulder against a support post. “You’ll be surprised because I did. Joe Appleby is the one whose hair is redder than Mac’s and he seems to be their spokesman. The tall, thin one is Zeb Parker and I’d say he’s second in command. Dexter Thorn is the dark, stocky man. Scott Dorian is the biggest of the four and has light brown hair.”

  She grinned at her foreman. “You make them sound like a set. How did you find them?”

  “They found me. Joe said they rode to town hoping for work on the road crew but those jobs are filled. He asked at the mercantile so Tweedie sent them to us. They’re from the same small town and said there’re no jobs there and none of them wants to be a miner.”

  She picked Sundown’s hooves. “Too bad they had to leave their home but this works out for us. Tweedie’s a gossipy sort but he does keep tabs on what’s needed where.”

  “Our men who went after Hansen feel like they’ve been dragged behind a horse for a mile. Reckon you don’t feel any better.”

  “I’m tired but good. Eddie sure had a tough first day on the job. How did he work out last night?”

  “Thad said he did well. I talked to Eddie about being thrust into danger so soon. He said he plans to be here a long time and figures everything will balance out over the years. He wants to learn all he can so someday he can own his own place.”

  After giving her horse a loving pat on the neck, Buster left the gelding in his clean stall. “Glad Eddie’s planning ahead. Dub, you realize Hansen being in jail will mean his ranch will be up for sale. You think we should bid on the spread?”

  Her foreman rubbed at his jaw. “Been thinking about that. You study the cash angle. We could benefit but you can’t afford to get overextended.”

  “No, but I went over expenses and earnings last night when I couldn’t sleep. We’d have to hire more men but we’d have more income. I calculate we could recover the expense in five years if we get the place for a good price. That’s even figuring in a year of uncooperative weather.”

  The dinner bell pealed.

  She hurried toward the house. Dub walked with her while the other ranch hands appeared from the bunkhouse. They reached the wide porch at the same time.

  Laughing, she sped through the kitchen door. The men each washed hands and face at the pump near the house while Buster used the kitchen pump. She was surprised to see Marnie working alone.

  Buster asked, “Lucy busy being nursemaid?”

  Marnie rolled her eyes. “Haven’t seen much of her today. She’s busy caring for Sam. He developed a bit of fever and she’s afraid to leave him for long.”

  Buster set a bowl of glazed carrots on the table. “Shouldn’t we send for the doctor?”

  The housekeeper’s expression turned solemn. “On the instructions Dr. Spense sent, he said a fever was likely. If it goes up, Lucy will let us know.”

  Buster thought about Sam’s experience. “After all he went through getting to the doctor’s and then here, no wonder he’s feverish.”

  She was pleased that there were enough places for the four new hands at the table. Thank goodness they had enough chairs.

  Lucy ate a small amount then rose and went to the range. She ladled soup into a bowl and poured a glass of milk.

  “Sam,” she said then carried the tray to her room and her patient.

  The others were still eating when a knock at the door sent Marnie to answer “Come in, Tommy. You’re in time for supper.”

  The young man wiped his feet and came just inside the door. “Two telegrams for Miss Odell.” He inched close enough to give the envelopes to Buster.

  Marnie gave him a tip from the change jar kept in the cupboard for such purposes. “Sit down and I’ll get you a plate.”

  A wide grin split his face. “Thank you, Mrs. Keith. Pa sent me as soon as the wires came. He’d already told me to come here with the first one when the second one came. Sure glad he caught me before I left.”

  Buster opened the first telegram.

  Surprised King found horses Stop He earned them Stop Tell him they’re his Stop Mailing bill of sale Stop. Colin Ross Jr

  “Well, I’ll be. Thad, this is a surprise.” She passed him the paper.

  He rubbed at his jaw. “Have to admit he was less greedy than the others. Bet his kin don’t know he sent this.”

  “I’m sure interested in buying those horses. Are you willing to sell?”

  He appeared to be mulling over the idea. “We’ll talk about it later. What’s in the other wire?”

  She opened that one and read, “Captain Bixbee is sending six soldiers to pick up Hansen and his men.” She folded the small sheet of paper and returned it to the envelope. “Tommy, when you go back to town, this should go to the marshal.”

  “Sure thing, Miss Odell.” He directed his gaze to Marnie. “This sure is a good supper, Mrs. Keith. Sure glad you invited me to share.”

  Marnie’s eyes sparkled with humor. “I’m sure glad you like the meal.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The following morning, Thad was tightening Goldie’s cinch when two people rode into the yard.

  Marshal Cordelia Wentz was accompanied by another lawman. “This is Aubrey Bowles, County Sheriff. He’ll ride out to inspect the rustled cattle with us today.”

  “Glad to have you along.” Thad signaled to Mac. “Tell Dub and Buster they have guests. I believe they’re in the office.” He signaled Eddie. “Would you saddle Dub and Buster’s horses as well as yours and Mac’s?” He couldn’t see Buster missing out on this trip.

  Marnie came to the door. “Would you like coffee before you go?”

  Before answering, Cordelia glanced at the lawman, who shook his head. “No, thanks, Mrs. Keith. We had breakfast before we left town.”

  Dub, Buster, and Mac hurried from the house as Tony emerged from the barn on his horse and leading those of Dub and Buster. Eddie rode out leading Mac’s mount. Sport and Diablo leaped for joy, as if they knew they could come today.

  The four newest men drifted out to get orders.

  Dub rode to talk to them. “You men hang around here today. Take care of the horse stalls, milking,
chickens, and anything my sister has for you. I don’t want to leave the ranch untended with newcomers showing up in town for the sale.”

  The four dispersed to their various chores. Thad wondered if Dub realized the men he’d just spoken to were among the newcomers. The rest of the group set out retracing the route Tony had shown Thad the night they discovered the rustled cattle.

  When they came to the gate they believed had been used, Dub pointed at the lack of a trail. “We don’t know how they managed to steal so many beeves without more sign.”

  Cordelia rested her hands on the pommel. “Mick is talking in the hope of saving his neck from a noose. He said they took two or three a night and not always through the same gate. At that rate, they could get sixty to ninety a month.”

  Buster appeared angry. “That varmint Hansen pretended to be Papa’s friend. I hope he gets beaten up in prison before he hangs. If not for him, Papa would still be alive.”

  Dub reached over and patted her arm. “Now, Buster, we’ve talked about this. Let go of the past and look to the future.”

  Thad figured the foreman was wasting his breath but he kept that thought to himself. He wondered if he would be a part of her future and realized he wouldn’t mind. She was more than a beautiful woman—she was smart and had grit.

  They reached the box canyon and showed the marshals where the guards’ camp had been. Next, they made their way to the penned cattle. A creek ran through the canyon. In spite of the number of cattle, there was still grass for forage.

  Dub gestured at the beeves. “We count the heads once a month so these were rustled in that time span. Probably started when William died. Hansen was trying to get Buster to sell to him or marry him but she’s smarter than that.”

  Thad’s heart plummeted at the thought of Buster’s life married to that rat. Hansen wanted not only the ranch but also Buster, just as Thad had suspected. She was so naïve, what if she’d accepted. Thankfully she was innocent, but not stupid.

  The group rode slowly through the cattle examining brands.

  Tony dismounted for a closer look. “They haven’t even tried to change them. Guess I don’t understand what Hansen was thinking.”