Blessing (Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Book 2)

by Caroline Clemmons

Thad opened the door, wiping his feet on the mat before he entered. “Hello, Sleeping Beauty, don’t you look nice? We’re ready to move the horses to town.”

  Pleasing warmth shot through her from his compliment. “I’ll come with you and help.”

  Marnie set a plate on the table. “Not until you eat something, you won’t.”

  With a sigh, Buster sat at the table. She had to admit she was hungry.

  “Are you and Dub alone?”

  Thad sat across from her and accepted the cup of coffee Marnie handed him. “Just the two of us are here. Mac insisted on coming back to work as a guard. Dub told him he has to sleep at the hotel tonight and tomorrow night and can’t do anything more strenuous than sit in the shade at the corral.”

  She considered Dub’s orders between bites of food. The instructions were exactly what she would have given.

  “Being in the sun is bad for a concussion. Have you checked on Eddie?”

  Thad set down his cup and nodded. “On our way here. He isn’t delirious but he’s not conscious either. I suspect he’s been dosed with laudanum to keep him quiet. Doc thinks he’ll be all right but it’s too early to be sure.”

  “I can’t help feeling angry at the same time I’m sorry for Mac and Eddie. And, for us having to round up the horses again. I disagree with Dub about who’s responsible. I told Marnie I think that man you whipped and his friends caused this.”

  “I agree. He was the sort who carries a grudge and has to feel he’s gotten even for every slight. Losing in front of his friends would have to be avenged.”

  Dub came into the kitchen. “Finally, I catch you two when you aren’t all tangled up and pawing each other.” He accepted a cup of coffee from Marnie and took a seat at the table.

  Buster’s face went hot and she knew she blushed. “Dub Reilly? Why would you say such a confrontational thing?”

  Dub looked at her over the rim of his coffee cup, his eyes warm with mirth. “Just telling things like I see them.”

  Thad only laughed then drank his brew. When he set down the cup, he was still smiling and his blue eyes twinkled with mischief.

  She pushed away from the table, swallowing the last bite of breakfast as she did. “I’m ready to move those horses.”

  When she left the kitchen, she saw her horse Sundown was saddled and waiting. The dogs danced excitedly. “Stay home, boys.”

  The canines sent her reproachful looks. She’d swear they muttered under their breath as they trotted toward the barn.

  She rode with Thad and Dub. The three of them drove the horses from the paddock toward Wildcat Ridge. This time, Mortimer Crane did not attempt preventing them using Front Street as a passage for the horses. They got them into the corral and Jasper Jones greeted them.

  She stopped to talk to him. “We brought twelve more, Jasper.”

  He scratched his chest. “Folks been helping and brought in a few. This twelve brings the total to ninety-six. You aim to keep looking for the other four?”

  “I certainly do. What a lot of trouble someone caused us for spite. The marshal is riled about it, too.”

  Thad reined in beside her. “I’m going to look around some more. You plan to come with me or stay here?”

  “I’ll come with you.” She pointed at Mac. “You be sure to stay in the shade and don’t do anything more strenuous than sitting there. If your head starts hurting, you go to the hotel and lie down. Understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am, Buster. I’ve already been fussed at by Dub and Thad. I’d sure like to find out who knocked me in the head.”

  “So would the marshal. So would we all.” She waved and rode off behind Thad.

  When she was alongside, he said, “Tony covered from Chestnut south and west. I thought we should work our way from Chestnut north to the river. How many did Jasper say were missing?”

  “Four. We covered the area pretty well last night until we got to Priscilla’s. I think they’ll be up near where we found Eddie. He was up there for a reason.”

  Thad looked at her under the brim of his hat. “Okay, let’s head that way. Keep your eyes open though. There’s good grazing west of the miner’s row houses.”

  She wondered what living in one of the miner’s cottages was like. Hester lived in one and she’d appeared happy until the explosion killed her son and husband. The depth of Hester’s loss shamed Buster for her anger and sorrow at losing only one of her family.

  Others had lost so much more than she had. Knowing that didn’t diminish the pain of losing her father. She was coping, like the women in town were, but she wasn’t over her grief.

  Thad’s voice snapped her from her reverie.

  “You going to the dance?”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t miss it. I hope you’ll attend.” And she hoped he’d dance with her at least once or twice.

  “Plan to. We’ve worked out a plan so each of us can go for part of the evening. Dub said he’s playing the banjo. Have to see that.”

  “He’s good. Marnie plays the concertina but she doesn’t want to play this time. She wants to be free to dance.”

  “I’ll look forward to that as well. Shame Sam won’t be well enough. He might get Lucy to attend.”

  “They talk and laugh and it sounds as if they’re getting close. Like I said, it’s not that I’m eavesdropping. Her bedroom is next to the office, you know, and I can’t help hearing them when both doors are open.”

  He wore a pensive expression as they searched. “Guess Sam’s had a tough time. Once he mentioned he’d lost his wife in childbirth and then sank so far in grief he lost his spread. Nice guy, though.”

  “Lucy’s nice, too. I’ve never known anyone as shy as she is. She can read and write, but she didn’t get to attend school very often.”

  “I noticed your handwriting is elegant, far better than mine. Did you like school?”

  Her posture dipped at the memories but she straightened her spine. “The first few years I loved going. Then, the teacher married and we had a new one who was hateful.”

  He sent her a knowing glance. “And thought girls shouldn’t wear overalls?”

  Putting up a front, she raised her chin and spoke vehemently. “How did you guess? As if that had anything to do with how well I learned.” Humiliation at the hands of that misguided teacher had left its mark.

  “Well… to play devil’s advocate, dressing properly is part of learning and preparation for life.”

  “For your information, Marnie taught me everything I need to know. At least, she tried. Some things I was averse to understanding.”

  He laughed. “I can guess what those were. Doesn’t matter, does it? You’re grown now and in charge of your ranch and your life.”

  “I suppose it shouldn’t matter, but sometimes it does. There are women in town who look down on me.”

  He grinned at her. “Not so much they’ll turn down your financial assistance, though, do they?”

  She appreciated him understanding. “You have that right but I think it makes them resent me more. How dare someone who doesn’t know how to dress and act have the resources to help them? I’m lending aid, though, because of the nice women and because I don’t want this town to die.”

  “What happens if your plan doesn’t work?”

  “If the town dies, not only will we have to go to Curdy’s Crossing or Lizard Hill to buy supplies but a lot of nice people will lose everything.”

  “I agree that the Tweedies, Mrs. Ames, Mrs. Chandler, the marshal, and several others wouldn’t be able to recoup their losses. Even if the widows survive the raised lease rent and find a man to bring into the business, it would be moot if the town dies.”

  “Look, there are some people gathered over there by the church.” Buster kneed Sundown and loped to see the commotion.

  Walter, the man who’d insulted her, had a halter he tried to put over Sugar’s head. She reared back, threatening to stomp him.

  He stepped back and swung the halter at her, striking her flank before he s
tepped back. “See, she’s a killer. Ought to be put down before some poor rancher buys her.”

  Buster reined in and jumped off Sundown. “Get away from her. She’s a gentle horse when handled properly. You wouldn’t know how to treat a horse if it came wrapped like a Christmas present.”

  When she glanced over, Thad was at her side.

  Walter leered at her. “Well, if it ain’t the little lady and her hired watchdog. You can’t push this horse off as tame.”

  One of his friends grabbed his arm. “Now, Walter, you know what the boss said.”

  “Leave me be, Max.” Walter jerked free of his friend and pointed his forefinger at Buster. “I’ll let everyone at the sale know what kind of ruse you’re pulling and you won’t sell any of the horses.”

  “You’re an even bigger idiot than I suspected. Give me the halter.” After grabbing it from Walter, Buster toed out of her boots and shoved them into her saddlebags.

  “Thad, will you see nothing happens to Sundown while this man is around?”

  Speaking softly, she approached Sugar with the halter behind her back. After rubbing on Sugar’s left and stepping back a couple of times, she did the same with her right. Then she approached Sugar head on and, still speaking softly, rubbed her nose. She slipped the halter over the mare’s head amid admiring comments from onlookers.

  “How’s this for a killer horse?” With a jump, Buster pulled up onto the horse’s back and sat astride.

  Then, when she had walked Sugar a few feet and still held the reins, Buster stood on the horse’s back.

  “Come on, Sugar, let’s show them what a sweetheart you are.” With a click of her tongue against her teeth, she rode toward town.

  She had done this dozens of times on Sundown and others, but never on Sugar. Still, the horse trusted her and she rode through town and to the livery corral. When Sugar was in the corral, she climbed from her back onto the top fence rail and looked around for Sundown to retrieve her boots.

  When Thad rode up leading Sundown, his face was thunderous. “You’re a crazy woman. You could have been killed or seriously injured?”

  She turned up her nose at his high-handed manner. “Would you please hand me my boots?”

  With jerky, angry movements he retrieved the footwear and handed them to her. “I would like to throttle you. Do you realize how many people depend on your welfare? Why would you pull an insane stunt like that?”

  Balancing on the fence while putting on her boots was tricky but she got her toes in far enough to jump down and shove her feet into them the rest of the way.

  “I’ve done it dozens and dozens of times. I had to prove Sugar is sweet-tempered so people wouldn’t pay attention to that lying polecat Walter. She’s the best of the horses for sale and you know it.”

  “I hope you’ve made out a will. Do you realize if you’d broken your pretty neck that Marnie and Dub would lose their home? Sam and Mac and Tony and Lucy, too. You said they’re family, but I’ll bet there’s no paperwork to prove it.”

  She thought all her blood evaporated right then. The breakfast meal she’d eaten earlier threatened to come up. Thad berating her put her ride in a different light. Buster realized she needed a detailed will to be sure her family was taken care of in case she died young.

  No need to let him know his accusation had hit the center of the target. “That lawyer is still in town. I’ll have him write a will. There, do you feel better?”

  He hooked his thumbs on his pants pockets and glared at her. “Not until I get the picture of you riding Sugar bareback through town out of my head. That’s going to take time. Dang, that’s gonna give me nightmares.”

  “You have no right to be angry with me. I’m trying to recover the horses someone stampeded. I couldn’t let folks think Sugar was a bad horse. Surely you know one man’s comments like those Walter made can ruin a sale.”

  He gently grasped her arms and pulled her closer. Then, he gazed into her eyes. “Buster, I’m not arguing that. I agree you needed to do something to show Sugar was tame. What I’m saying is you didn’t have to be so risky. You have responsibilities that involve keeping you alive.”

  She wanted to curl up and cry, something she never did when anyone else could see. “I’ll try to think before I act in the future. And, I will have that lawyer write up a will.”

  Jasper moseyed over to them and rubbed his chin. “Have to say you standin’ on that horse was a good show. She makes an even hundred horses in the corral. Marshal Wentz brought over one and Daryl over to the bathhouse brought a couple he found by Moose Creek. Reckon you’re set for the sale come tomorrow.”

  “Until then, we’ll have our men on guard round the clock. Not having another stampede.”

  Jasper bobbed his head. “I second that. Lotta trouble for nothing. I hope the guilty fellas get caught. Marshal Cordelia is right het up and determined to catch ’em.”

  “Sheriff Bowles is still in town and he’s helping. Are you coming to the dance tonight, Jasper?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “I can’t decide. If you think I’d be welcome, I’ll go to the bathhouse and clean up.”

  “Of course you’ll be welcome. I’m surprised one of the ladies hasn’t snapped you up already.”

  Under his grime, she would swear Jasper blushed. “Then I might just see you there. Haven’t been to a dance in donkey’s years.”

  From the way he looked at her, Thad was still hot under the collar. “Don’t think Dub won’t hear about your ride from a dozen people. And, since I was present, you know I’ll get the blame.”

  “Don’t be silly. How could he blame you for anything I do?”

  “I’m not his favorite person in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  “If you say so.” She laughed, unwilling to tell him he definitely was Dub’s favorite person, at least as her husband material.

  She recognized what Marnie and Dub had cooked up between them—and it involved a wedding ceremony for her and Thad. Buster still wasn’t certain how she felt about that. From the way she reacted when Thad kissed her, she wasn’t terribly opposed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Buster and Marnie rented a room in the hotel to get ready for the dance. Riding an open wagon or a horse to town didn’t do the hair or clothes any favors. Buster had hesitated until Marnie reminded her that Diantha needed their support. They also rented one for the hands to use if they needed to change clothes.

  Buster turned in front of the mirror. “I don’t know, Marnie. I feel like a dang fool. I didn’t remember the neck being so… um, so revealing.”

  “Now, Blessing, we talked about this. I don’t fight you wearing overalls when you’re on the ranch, although frankly I think a split skirt is perfectly suitable.” She raised her hand before Buster could protest. “It’s time you wore a dress for things like this. You’re not a little girl any longer and the neckline is quite respectable.”

  Buster brushed her fingers over the Chantilly lace trim at the neck that matched that at the sleeves. “It’s kind of fussy, isn’t it?”

  “No, it is not. That is an elegant dress and the blue brocade becomes your coloring and your figure—even without the corset you refuse to wear. That shade makes your eyes appear even bluer.”

  Buster shook her head. “I’ll never wear a corset and you can carve that in stone. I’m sure they were devised by men who hate women in order to torment them. Bound to be bad for your innards.”

  “Be still while I put these flowers in your hair.” Marnie used hairpins to anchor fake roses to the left side of Buster’s hair with stabs that felt as if they went through the scalp.

  When she’d finished, Marnie turned slowly. “Look me over and see if anything needs repair.”

  Buster fluffed her housekeeper’s skirt. “You look lovely. That shade of yellow is very becoming on you. Why do you have a high neckline while I’m practically falling out of mine?”

  “You are no such thing. Older women don’t have attractive necks. Yours is love
ly and graceful as a swan’s.”

  “I hope not as long. I do like wearing Mama’s pearls.” Buster was certain people would laugh when they saw her all gussied up like this. What would she do if people did laugh at her? What would Thad say when he saw her?

  “You look so like your lovely mother. She and William would be so proud of you tonight, as I’m sure they are anytime.” She checked the lapel watch pinned to her dress. “Now, it’s seven o’clock so let’s go downstairs.”

  Buster closed and locked the door behind them. “These shoes are not as comfortable as boots.”

  Marnie popped her arm with her folded fan. “Don’t complain. Instead, smile and glide gracefully.”

  “Yes, your majesty.”

  “You’re fortunate I don’t want to wrinkle your dress by swatting your behind.” She sent Buster a wry glance. “Tomorrow will be another day, though, so keep that in mind.”

  As they came down the stairs, Buster spotted people she knew arriving. She saw them do a double-take, as if they couldn’t believe their eyes. Refusing to be intimidated, she did her best to glide as Marnie had shown her years ago.

  Women with male partners whirled around the room. A few wore black, but most wore their best and most colorful dresses. Crepe paper streamers and paper lanterns adorned the room to create a festive atmosphere.

  Diantha was playing the piano. George Tweedie’s violin joined in the tune. Dub carried his banjo toward them, but stopped and stared when he spotted Buster. Pride and pleasure shone from his eyes as he smiled at her.

  That alone made her glad she’d worn the stupid dress. She still felt foolish as all get out. Pleasing Marnie and Dub when they’d done so much for her meant she could tolerate a great deal.

  Priscilla rushed up to her. “Blessing, you look lovely. Thank you so much for arranging this.”

  “My small part in this was my pleasure, but others like you are involved too. I’m happy so many are here.”

  “I saw you ride that horse after that awful man yelled and hit at her. I’ve never seen anyone ride as well as you.”

  “Thank you. I suspect Dub will yell at me after this is over, but I had to prove the horse is gentle.”