Shea: Cowboy Chance
The Kavanagh Brothers Book 10
Kathleen Ball
Copyright © 2021 by Kathleen Ball
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Afterword
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Cinder’s Bride Chapter One
About the Author
Other Books by Kathleen
Chapter One
The bull was stronger than Shea imagined. He had three separate men at the train station to load Leo, but Leo wasn’t about to go easily. Ropes slipped from two of the men’s grips and Leo ran amok. People scattered in all directions, screaming as they stumbled out of the way.
Other cowboys jumped in to help, and Leo was finally in his own boxcar. The station master and the conductor both yelled obscenities at Shea as he raced toward a woman Leo must have knocked down. He was a mighty bull but had seemed amiable enough before he’d encountered the ramp onto the train. Shea shook his head. Of all the luck. Now he might just be too unpredictable to have on the ranch.
“Someone get the doctor!” he shouted as he dropped to his knees among the growing crowd, gawking at the woman on the ground. “Why are you all just standing there? This woman needs help!”
Someone yelled that he would fetch the doc.
“Ma’am?” Shea focused on the woman before him. “Don’t move. The doc’s on his way.”
The young blonde stared up at him. Her sky-blue eyes were full of suffering, though the absence of blood relieved him somewhat.
Shea’s gaze flickered to the boxcar where Leo waited. He wanted to go check on the bull, but this was his current responsibility. Briefly, he closed his eyes when he spotted the station master and the conductor marching toward him.
“Mr. Kavanagh! You need to board so we can leave!”
“One of my brothers will meet the train in Fort Worth to take the bull.”
“That will not do,” the conductor scolded. “You need to be on the train, or I insist you get your bull off.”
“The doctor is coming,” someone announced.
Shea stood and narrowed his eyes. The station master took a step backward. “I said one of my brothers will be there. I will wire them, and I will also have them pay you extra. That bull had best arrive in perfect shape,” he practically growled.
The doctor pushed his way through the crowd and immediately fell to his knees.
“Gentlemen, don’t you have a schedule to keep?” Shea asked.
Neither answered, but after subjecting him to hard stares, they turned and left in a hurry.
A heavy sigh escaped Shea. He needed to concentrate on the battered woman. It was his fault she’d been injured.
“I need someone to carry her to my office,” the physician said as he put his instruments back into his bag.
“I’ll take her,” Shea volunteered. He lifted her gently into his arms and followed the doctor to his modest office.
Her loud groans rumbled through him. Every step jarred her. Thankfully, it was a brief walk. Shea set her down on the examining table and nodded when he was told to wait outside. Plenty of other people were there waiting as well. The townspeople must like her.
“Hey, mister!” A young, black-haired youth said. “I can take your things back to the boarding house.”
Shea smiled and flipped the boy a coin. “I’d appreciate it. The young lady would probably like to have her things brought here.”
The boy shook his head. “Didn’t see no other bags there. She had one when she got off the train.”
“Do you know who she is?”
“Never seen her before. I’ll take your stuff to Mrs. Carroll’s.” The boy ran off toward the train station.
“Does anyone know the woman who was injured?” Shea asked, scanning the crowd.
Most shook their heads, but one older gray-haired woman stepped forward. “I think she’s Davey Rank’s mail-order bride. I saw him walking toward the platform, but I don’t see him now.”
“She traveled alone?” A towering man stood frowning. In his left hand, he clutched a Bible against his chest.
“Yes, Reverend,” a pleasant, well-garbed woman answered as she smiled at the reverend.
The reverend glanced around. “Has anyone seen Davey Rank?”
Hopefully, he was close by. Shea sat and then shifted, trying to get comfortable on the rough bench. This might take a while. She had looked very banged up. What in tarnation had happened? Leo had been as harmless as a pup before they tried to put him on the train.
Finally, the doctor opened the door and gestured for Shea to go inside. The sight of the woman still on the bed surprised him. Why hadn’t the doctor placed a privacy screen between them?
“Her name is Phoebe Kagan, and she traveled here to marry Mr. Rank.” He gave a slow shake of his head. “I highly doubt he’ll come to collect her now. He likes nothing to go outside of his plans. Now for the question of payment…”
“I’ll pay all her bills,” Shea said gruffly. The woman… Phoebe looked to be in pain and the doc wanted payment already?
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Mr. Kavanagh. She can’t walk.”
Shea glanced over at Phoebe, and she quickly turned her head away from him. “What do you mean? Is her leg broken?” His tolerance was wearing thin.
“She suffers from a broken back and will probably never walk again. There are a few institutions you can ship her to.” He grimaced, clearly wanting to simply wash his hands of the matter.
“Doc, maybe we should speak in private,” Shea suggested.
“I believe the patient should be involved with all decisions.”
Shea sighed. It didn’t appear Phoebe had been consulted at all. “These places, are they like sanatoriums?” It was well known about the intolerable conditions in such places.
The doc’s face reddened. “Not exactly, but it’s the same type of concept.”
Shea stepped around the doc and stood next to the bed. Her eyes were filled with misery.
“Miss Kagan, I’m Shea Kavanagh and that was my bull that did all this damage to you. I know a lot has happened rather quickly. I’m staying at Mrs. Carroll’s boarding house, and I know she has rooms to let. I’d like to move you there for now while we wait to see how you do. Would that be to your liking?”
Tears filled her eyes. “For now, and if it’s fine with Mrs. Carroll, I’d like to take you up on your offer while I try to figure out what I will do.”
Chapter Two
There wasn’t a way to avoid the prying expressions on the faces of the individuals they passed. Closing her eyes made her feel unwell. Mr. Kavanagh had been more than generous to her. Davey Rank not claiming her as his mail-order bride hurt her pride. She’d talked herself into thinking she was half in love with him before she had set out on her journey. His letters were so charming.
And now look at her.
There wasn’t a way
she could wrap her mind around the fact that she couldn’t walk. Being helpless didn’t sit easily. She knew that her injury could improve, possibly. There had been so many miracles when she volunteered at the hospital during the Civil War. But that seemed a lifetime ago. Now she was the injured one.
The house Mr. Kavanagh stopped at was the biggest house in town. The garden in the front beamed with color. Phoebe inhaled deeply. The fragrance soothed her soul.
“I was informed you were coming, Shea,” a woman said as she swung wide a squeaky door. “Hello dear, I’m Mrs. Carroll. I have a room all set up on the first floor. Shea, follow me.”
Mrs. Carroll led the way, and she turned down the bed for Shea to just slip her under the blankets.
The sense of warmth and security left as soon as Shea put her down. Mrs. Carroll plumped up the pillows before they slowly helped her to lie down.
“Your things are all here, a bag and a trunk. I’m going to prepare you some willow bark tea and later we can talk about what the doctor advised you to do.” Mrs. Carroll left the room. She seemed to be a bit of a whirlwind.
She glanced up at Shea and found him regarding her.
“Please stop looking at me like that,” she pleaded.
He blinked. “Looking at you like what?”
“Your eyes hold both pity and guilt. This wasn’t your fault. I mean I’m upset, but right now I’m hurt because my groom left me lying on the platform. Thank you for all your help. I know you were on your way out of town, and I’m sorry you missed your train.” She struggled to smile but failed.
“I have a telegram to send, but I’ll be back. Miss Kagan, would it be all right if I check on you when I return?”
“If you call me Phoebe, then it would be fine.”
He smiled. “I’m Shea. I’ll look in on you later, Phoebe.”
He left, and finally, she experienced a moment to breathe without an audience. So much had happened, her thoughts were still jumbled. Emotions ranging from deep despair to gratefulness ran through her. Unfortunately, all the good was erased by all the terrible.
Would Davey eventually come to claim her? How could he have left her there? She was on the ground and he didn’t step in to help. Rushing to judgment was one thing, but he responded like a coward. His letters had been nice and pleasant. They were very straight forward of what he required of a wife and he was sure she knew that life on his ranch was full of hard work. He had written he was a good Christian man searching for a woman to share his life with. He could still show up, but her heart suffered from his rejection.
Maybe she had built him up too much in her imagination. He certainly wasn’t the kind of cowboy she’d hoped to wed. Her hurt turned to rage. People claimed he had slipped away after she’d been plowed down by that bull. Too bad she didn’t have the luxury of turning him away. This trip had her only option for a new life.
Her chest tightened. What if she never walked again? Her despair grew worse when her legs refused to move. Staring at them and concentrating hard didn’t serve at all. Reaching out, she patted her thigh and ice shot through her veins. She didn’t feel a thing in her thigh. What on earth was she supposed to do now? How was she supposed to make her path in the world? The doctor had likely spoken wisely in suggesting a place for her to go.
Tears streaked down her face. How much was she expected to take? Her life had been transformed in mere seconds and there was no way to fix it.
The door opened, admitting her smiling hostess.
“Now, now,” Mrs. Carroll tutted. She set the teacup down on the bedside table. “It must be shocking but keep the faith. Maybe you’ll mend.” She handed Phoebe a handkerchief. “Drink the tea, and I’ll be back.”
Phoebe nodded, hoping her tears would stop, but she was passing through the kind of rainstorm that didn’t let up. Her hands shook too much to handle the drink. She gradually was able to lessen her tears. They didn’t stop entirely. She was the doer. She did for others and relied only on herself.
Perhaps this was all her fault. Maybe she should have married William, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to do it. Now she had no groom, and her mother had disowned her.
Lord, why did this happen? I prayed and prayed for Mr. Rank to be a good husband, but it seems that won’t happen. I’m so frightened I’m going to end up in one of those facilities. Everyone knows that most aren’t fit for any human. I’ll go if I must. But I don’t understand, Lord. I hoped good things happened to good people. I’ve sought to be good and kind. I’ve helped so many without expecting praise or a thank you even. Lord, please make it known to me what I did to deserve my groom deserting me and my legs to not work. Just hours ago, I was so hopeful and now I’m shattered. If I don’t know how I’ve displeased you, how am I to make matters better?
She stared at the ceiling for a time. Staying in bed doing nothing was unacceptable. Exhaustion shrouded her.
* * *
“Shea, she’s finally sleeping,” Mrs. Carroll whispered. He could see the many questions in her eyes. He didn’t have the answers.
“I’ll be responsible for her board.” He scrubbed his hand over his face and sighed.
“Come sit. You can keep me company while I ice this cake.”
“Chocolate cake and icing, my favorite.”
Mrs. Carroll smiled. “I know. I can help for a few days, but you might require a nurse to help her. I feel horrible for the poor woman. You didn’t hear anything about Davey Rank, did you?”
He shook his head. “No one expects he’ll be back anytime soon. I discovered a woman doctor who would like to come and examine Phoebe tomorrow. She spoke of something about swelling in the back and how that is sometimes why people can’t walk for a while. She also stated it could be permanent. I feel responsible. It was my bull.”
“Were you able to send your wire to your family?”
“Yes, I did. I didn’t desire to wait for an answer, I know they’ll be there when the train gets to Fort Worth. Why do you suppose Phoebe needed to come all the way to Abilene for a husband?” He frowned.
“There are plenty of reasons. The biggest being we lost so many young men in the war. Many fathers, husbands and sons didn’t return. I’ve found that each has their unique story. Her clothes are excellent quality and she’s not skinny from lack of food. Her blond hair is so shiny. Though her skin has felt the sun. We have clues, but we must wait for the answers we need.”
He nodded. Mrs. Carroll was certainly observant. All he noted was her blond hair and sky-blue eyes. And she was young and pretty. She must have a family somewhere. He could pay to send her home and then he could go back to his ranch. It sure was something how the bull reacted to the train. Maybe he should have a word with the man he bought him from.
“Are those her things?” He gestured to a trunk and bag in the foyer.
“Yes, she’s sleeping, and I didn’t want to disturb her. I can unpack her things later.”
“Have I told you that you’re a gem?” He chuckled as the older woman blushed.
“Oh you! Plenty of people have done for me. I’m just passing it on.”
“In that case, do you have anything you need done?”
She shook her head. “You pay for room and board. I can’t ask you to do anything else.”
“There must be something?”
She smiled widely. “How are you at milking a cow? Sweet Matilda needs to be milked.”
“Consider it done.” Shea walked out the back door.
The small barn was in good order. Mrs. Carroll must work around the clock. “Hello Matilda,” he greeted the brown cow. Grabbing the pail and stool, he got into position. Matilda side stepped away from him. “I’m just here to milk you sweet girl.”
Matilda swished her tail and then gave him a baleful stare.
“You must know by now that being milked makes you feel better.”
Matilda kicked at him, and he jumped up. He took her lead rope and tied it to the end of the stall. Then he sat down, placing t
he bucket in the appropriate place. It didn’t take him long to milk her.
He grabbed the full bucket and moved the stool. “Thank you, sweet girl.” He chuckled. There wasn’t much about Matilda he’d call sweet. He put the pail on the kitchen counter after he entered the residence.
“She’s awake if you wish to keep her company. Thank you for taking care of my sweet Matilda. I’d best start cooking.”
Not wanting to comment on her sweet girl, he just grinned at her and then walked down the hallway. The enormous bed dwarfed Phoebe. He hadn’t realized just how tiny she was.
“How are you feeling?”
The strain in her eyes answered him before she even spoke. There were also purple smudges under her eyes.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
He pulled the only chair in the room near her bed. “There must be someone I can drop a wire to.”
She stared at her hands for so long he didn’t think she’d answer. “I grew up in St. Louis. We lived in town in a big house. My father owned many of the businesses in town. He deemed himself too important to be a soldier. My mother was part of high society and required me to act just so. It was usually easier to do what she requested.” Phoebe glanced up at him. “My father passed, and we discovered he had borrowed more than the businesses were worth. That’s when Mr. Willian S. Bell Jr. came to our home. He owned the bank, and he thought he owned me too.”
She shivered before she went on. “My mother assumed the match would protect us from becoming poor. Funny thing, he never asked me to marry him. He just assumed I would. There wasn’t one element I liked or admired about William. I struggled to find something, but he was a mean snake. When I demanded to see the loan papers, he refused to show them to me. I saw Mr. Rank’s ad for a bride, and I wrote to him. After a few letters he asked me to marry him, and I accepted. It didn’t go over well with either my mother or William. They told me no and to them that was that.”
Shea: Cowboy Chance: The Kavanagh Brothers Book 10 Page 1
