She screwed up her face and big tears appeared. “But, Papa, I didn’t come when you weren’t here.”
“You know I meant that we came here together. Since you sneaked in without telling anyone, that lets your mother and I know you knew you were misbehaving.”
Dorie protested, “But, Papa, Millie wanted to see Blackie.”
Travis yelled, “Dorie, go to the house now!”
Vanessa grabbed her daughter’s hand and pulled her toward the house. “Young lady, you have disobeyed and lied. Don’t try pretending you didn’t know you were doing wrong.”
“I’m sorry, Mother. Honest I am.” She cried, “Papa yelled-ded at me. He liked me before but now he doesn’t anymore.”
“Of course he still likes you. He wants you safe. Plus, Papa puts a high value on honesty and keeping your word. No wonder he’s disappointed in you.”
Dorie sobbed uncontrollably. Inside the house, Vanessa helped her remove her coat and marched her to her room. “You’ll stay there until Papa and I decide when you can come out.”
Vanessa sat at the kitchen table, thankful her legs had supported her.
“Are you all right, Mother?”
“Now that I know your sister is fine I am. She sneaked out to play with the kittens and show them to her doll. She can’t go back to see them for a week.”
“She’ll be awful sorry.” He acted genuinely sad for his sister.
“Better she’s sorry now than injured or dead later. Okay, let’s start on your spelling words for this week.”
***
Later that day, Travis paced the barn. Billy and Paco should be back now. He prayed no foul play would befall them.
Sam leaned his pitchfork against the wall. “The snow might have turned to ice and that’ll slow them some, Mr. Boyd. I’m sure they’re all right.”
Travis whipped around. “Not Mr. Boyd, call me Travis. No doubt you’re right about the weather, but I can’t help wonder how they’re doing.”
Sam cocked his head. “Listen, I reckon that’s them, don’t you?” The young man opened the barn door and peered out.
Billy drove the wagon into the barn. He slapped his gloved hands together. “I’m froze plum through.”
Travis nodded toward the house. “Go on inside. Sam and I’ll bring the supplies.”
“I ain’t so cold I need mollycodllin’.” Billy grabbed a bag of flour and one of sugar.
Paco smiled as if in a daze. “Marisol was able to get away for a few minutes. I have seen my sunshine on this snowy day.”
Travis chuckled. “Come on, Sunshine, and grab some supplies. Sam, will you take care of the horses?” Travis hefted more of the supplies going to the house.
“Sure thing, Mr… Travis. I’ll put the barn goods where they go after the horses are tended.”
Travis closed the barn door behind him and hurried for the house. No snow was falling but the wind cut right through him. He looked forward to the warmth of his home, small though it was. He chuckled again.
Inside, Billy unloaded his cargo. “Sheriff sent the note all right. Worse, one of John Carter’s hands spotted someone he was sure was that fella. Tried to follow him but lost his tracks in the falling snow.”
Travis accepted a cup of coffee from Vanessa. “I wonder where he’s holed up. Can’t live rough in this weather.”
Paco sat at the table and warmed his hands around his cup. “I know of no places nearby where he could hide. Perhaps he has a friend in this area.”
Travis nodded, deep in thought. “Could be. Don’t know who it’d be. Might be in a line shack or some abandoned building.”
Billy joined Paco at the table. “I tried to think who’s pulled out but came up empty. Places I remember have been taken over by someone so they’re not vacant.”
They discussed possibilities while Vanessa set supper on the table. Dorie was still banished to her room. Lord knew seeing her unhappy took all the starch out of him. She had to learn, though, or she could be harmed or killed.
When they were ready to eat, Vanessa took a meal to Dorie.
The child was still crying. “Now my Papa doesn’t like me.”
Hearing that cut into him and he stood and walked toward her room.
As he passed Vanessa, she patted his arm and whispered, “Be brave. She’s good at managing people.”
He went into the room and sat on the bed. She had cried so long she hiccupped. He pulled her onto his lap.
“Dorie, since I married your mother, my responsibility is to protect you, your mother, and Jack. Doing so is my job and much more important than running this ranch.”
She didn’t look at him. “You yelled at me. You never yelled at anyone before, not since we came here.”
“So, you know how important your safety is to me.”
She jumped up and put a hand on either side of his face. “Please don’t hate me. Please don’t stop being my papa. I’m sorry I was a bad girl.”
He pulled her onto his lap and cradled her. “Sweetie, I could never hate you. I’ll always be your papa. Hearing you call me Papa makes me happy but I have to keep you safe.”
She turned into his shirt. “I’ll be good now. I promise.”
“Your promises won’t mean anything if you break them, Dorie. That’s why I was so disappointed in you. You promised me you wouldn’t go to the barn without me, but you did. I know I was in the barn, but you sneaked in so I wouldn’t see you. Now, you’ll have to prove to me that your promise is trustworthy.”
“But how?”
“Don’t break another promise. If you say you will or won’t do something, make sure that’s what you do.”
“I will, Papa. Can I get out of my room now?” She looked up at him hopefully.
“No, not for three days.” He remembered he’d said a week, but he couldn’t stand her unhappiness that long. Being a parent was harder than he’d ever imagined.
“Papa, why? I said I was sorry.”
“Dorie, suppose you broke your mother’s favorite dish. Would saying you’re sorry make it like new again?”
“No… but I didn’t break anything.”
“You broke your promise. Saying you’re sorry is nice, but it doesn’t undo the fact that you lied. Your punishment is to stay in your room for three days. Then, we can start over.”
Tears spilled from her eyes but she wasn’t sobbing now. “Do… do you think you could ever love me like your own little girl?”
He hugged her. “I already do. You and Jack are my children now and I love you both.”
She flung her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Papa. Wait until I tell Jack.”
He set her on the bed. “Now, you eat your supper and then you and Millie can play until bedtime.”
“I will but I sure hate being punished.”
Weak legs barely supported him until he was back at the kitchen table. Billy sent him a knowing smile. Sam nodded as if he approved. Paco was still in a daze after seeing Marisol.
Vanessa smiled at him—a genuine smile that reached her beautiful eyes. “Papa, you handled that well.”
He exhaled. “I think I aged five years in there.”
Her quiet laughter reassured him. “Being a parent is not pleasant when you have to be a disciplinarian. I noticed the number of days for punishment decreased.”
He grinned. “What can I say? Dorie and Jack are a joy and I don’t want either of them to be unhappy.”
Jack looked at him with a puzzled expression. “I’m happy, Papa.”
He hugged the boy’s shoulders. “That’s good to hear.”
Chapter Nine
The next night, Travis wakened to the sound of the dogs barking. He pulled on his pants and shoved his feet into his boots. As he hurried to the door, he slid into his coat and grabbed the rifle over the doorframe.
When he reached the porch, he saw his hands in the yard.
Billy moseyed toward him. “Someone rode off toward the east. Saw him from the window. Only one person near
as we can figure.”
The dogs danced around Travis, excited by the intruder. He rewarded them with pats and praise.
“Where was he when you saw him?”
Sam looked at Billy before he answered. “Near the older barn, the one where you store hay. Don’t reckon he had time to go inside before the dogs went for him.”
“Can anyone give me a description?”
Paco spat on the ground. “The dark concealed the hombre, but he was not tall as you. More like my height I think.”
Billy and Sam agreed.
“Thank you for springing into action so fast. Might as well get some sleep.” He petted the two dogs more. “You both deserve a treat. Come to the smokehouse and I’ll see you have something special.”
He sliced off ham for the dogs and got them back into their beds in the barn. They had a small doorway so they could get out and chase intruders. Good thing tonight.
Inside the house, he found Vanessa in her robe and slippers waiting for him. He replaced the rifle over the doorway.
Her eyes were like saucers. “Was it the robber?”
He nodded. “Expect so. Dogs chased him and woke everyone. He rode off east.” Travis put his arm around her shoulders and guided her toward their bedroom.
“Do you think there’s money hidden here?”
“Must be, but we’ve worked every inch of this part of the ranch building and rebuilding. Unless the cash is buried, I can’t think where it could be.”
She wrung her hands. “Having a killer hanging around is frightening.”
“I’m sorry you have to contend with this. Two of us will be in the barn or house until the man is caught.”
“Thank you, Travis. The situation is still frightening. You could be injured or killed. He’s killed before.”
That she displayed concern for him warmed him through and through. “I’m glad you’d care, Vanessa. But the four of us are careful and plan to survive this man. Just the same, I’ll be happier when he’s back in custody.”
***
Vanessa kept her daily schedule as if there wasn’t a murderer stalking their ranch. All the time the thought was at the back of her mind. Dorie was still banished to her room, but only for one more day. Jack had to stay indoors, something very hard for him.
“Mother, when can I play with my dogs? They must be worried about me.”
“They’ll be waiting when the bad man is captured. In the meantime, they’re heroes for scaring him away once.”
“Aw, I bet they think I don’t care about them anymore but I do.”
“Of course you do. Jack, dogs are probably the most forgiving animals in the world. As soon as they see you again, it will be as if you never missed playing with them. Now, run and play with your toys in your room or the parlor.”
When Travis motioned to Jack to follow to the master bedroom, she was curious. As quietly as possible, she tiptoed close enough to overhear their conversation.
Travis sat on the bed. “Do you know you mother’s birthday?”
“No, but it’s in the family Bible.”
“Where would I find this Bible?”
“Well, I guess I can show you. Mother keeps it in this trunk.” She heard the lid being opened. “Papa, promise you won’t make fun of me.”
“I’d never make fun of you. What are you talking about?” After a slight pause, Travis said, “Good heavens, is this you?”
“Please don’t tell anyone my real name.”
“Not only is that a terrible name, but four people had to tolerate it. Jack, I think you chose wisely. Your new name is a strong name. I think it suits you.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
“Okay, now I know your mother’s birthday as well as yours and Dorie’s.” The creak of the trunk lid reached her.
Jack asked, “When is your birthday?”
“I don’t know. See, there were too many children in my family. When I was eight, my mother died and Da took all eight of us to the orphanage.”
“That’s awful. I’ll bet you were scared.”
“You bet I was. We all were. But that wasn’t the worst part. We were put on the orphan train.”
Vanessa had to clap her hand over her mouth to cover her gasp. Poor Travis and his siblings.
“What’s the orphan train?”
“Several train cars full of orphaned children go across the country. At each stop, some of the children are made to stand on the platform so people can look them over and see if they want to adopt them. The older children are chosen first because they can help with chores. Not many people want the babies or toddlers because they’re more trouble.”
“What happened to you and your brothers and sisters?”
“For years I’ve wished I could find them. I have no idea if they changed their name to the last name of the people who adopted them as I did. Our real last name was O’Brien. I was adopted by the two meanest people in Illinois and Boyd was their last name. They wanted a slave and that’s how I was treated.”
“What did they do to you?”
“ For four years I was always hungry. I slept in a shed behind the house where there was no stove and in winter wind came in between the boards. When I asked for another blanket, I got a beating instead.”
Vanessa wiped away tears trickling from her eyes. Her husband had endured a terrible life far worse than anything that happened to her.
Jack asked, “How did you get away?”
“One day, Mr. Boyd sent me to the back field to get a hoe he’d forgotten. I walked toward there but kept going. I was only twelve, but I was tall and could pass for older. I got jobs doing whatever I could—sweeping out stores, mucking out stalls, chopping wood, anything that paid me a few coins or a meal.”
“Gosh, Papa, that sounds dangerous and scary.”
“Scary is right. Plus I didn’t have a home or anyone who cared whether I lived or died.”
“I’m real sorry. Mother wouldn’t let me do that.”
Travis chuckled. “You don’t have to, Jack. You have your mother and me to take care of you. We’ll make sure you and Dorie are warm and safe and well-fed.”
She heard the bed ropes as her husband stood so she hurried back near the range. What a horrible life he’d led, yet he was kind and usually cheerful. Maybe he was a better man than she’d given him credit.
***
The first day Dorie was out of her room, she danced her doll around the kitchen and parlor. “Millie didn’t like being punished either. She’s going to be real good now too.”
Dorie and Jack played in front of the fireplace all morning. Travis was in and out, always with a smile for her and the children. Now that she knew how sad his life had been, she saw him differently.
Sure, she knew he’d lived in a soddie for a while to prove up his land, but she didn’t know he’d never had a real home. Somehow, she had thought he grew up part of a nice, middle class family. He was well-spoken and appeared to know a wide variety of subjects. How did he manage to acquire his polish?
She longed to ask him more about his life but she didn’t want him to know she’d eavesdropped. Perhaps she could bring up their pasts and exchange information. Right, that’s what she’d do.
She froze when she heard the dogs barking.
Travis stuck his head inside long enough to grab his rifle. “Don’t worry. Looks like a wagon. I’ll go see who’s here.”
***
Travis recognized the wagon piled with freight as the one El Davis drove back and forth from Sweetwater Springs to Morgans Crossing. He raised his hand in greeting.
The freighter pulled up even with the door. “Have a special deliver for you.”
Travis stepped off the porch to investigate. Paco, Billy, and Sam wandered out of the barn and came to stand beside him.
El hefted a trunk onto the porch then another followed by three valises. After he moved the trunks from the wagon, two female figures stood, each wrapped in a blanket.
Travis rushed forward
to offer a hand. He recognized one as Marisol Gomez, Paco’s intended. “Welcome.”
Paco rushed to hug Marisol. “Mi amor, how happy I am to see you. But how can you be here?”
Marisol pulled the blanket tighter. “I am frozen. I will explain inside.”
“Of course, mi corazon. Come with me.” Paco guided her into the house.
The other woman was a mystery. Travis helped her from the wagon. “Come inside and get warm. You’ve had a long trip.”
“Ja, longer than you know. Are you Travis Boyd?”
He helped walk on the snow. “I am. Should I know you?”
“I am Greta Hoffman, but you must call me Greta. I have come to see my Vanessa and the children.”
“She has been pining for you, but bravely pretending otherwise. She and the children will be relieved to see you. By the way, the boy is now called Jack and the girl goes by Dorie.”
***
A wagon must mean guests. Vanessa removed her apron and smoothed her hair. Chewing on her lip, she wondered if she had enough food cooking for supper guests. She’d have to wait and see how many people had arrived.
Dorie and Jack stood with her near the door. Jack slipped away to open the shutters and peer out the window.
“Greta! Mother, it’s Greta and a lady and a man.”
Vanessa swung open the door and saw her beloved Greta being escorted by Travis. Vanessa flew into Greta’s arms. “I’ve longed to see you. Come in, come in and warm up then you have to tell me everything.”
Jack and Dorie jumped up and down repeating, “Greta is here, Greta is here!”
Paco half carried the other woman, who must be Marisol from the way he looked at her and spoke to her.
The man stamped his feet. He was so wrapped up his features were indistinguishable but he was of medium height.
Travis gestured inside. “Welcome, everyone.” His smile was wide as he looked at Vanessa. “This is El Davis, our area freighter, and he brought you a special present.”
She helped Greta remove her coat, hat, gloves, and scarf. “The best present ever, but I want to know how this came about. Come sit by the fire and I’ll bring you a cup of coffee.”
She remembered there were two others. “Thank you, Mr. Davis, for bringing Greta to us.”
Montana Sky: Capture Her Heart (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 6) Page 8
