"So when were you planning on telling us about all of this?" Prudence asked sharply.
"I did mention it. Once or twice."
Prudence frowned, recalling Cal's casual comments about various problems around the ranch. But she hadn't realized it was this serious.
"We would have gotten around to discussing it sooner or later," Cal admitted. He sounded as if he regretted not revealing any of this.
Prudence sat back against the end of the sofa. "Was the man planning on stealing anything? Or was he going to cause some other kind of damage?"
"He wouldn't say a word," Cal replied. "That's why we took him back to where we thought he'd come from."
Prudence frowned. "I thought he was a stranger."
"He was. But we figured he must have something to do with your neighbor, Rafael Largo," Cal explained.
Prudence had heard Largo's name a few times in recent weeks. If he had something to do with the troublemaker, she figured she should know more about her neighbor.
Cal continued: "When we took him to the Largo ranch, it turned out we were right. He was one of Largo's men, alright."
"You haven't told me anything about this Rafael Largo," Prudence said. "Did he admit to sending one of his men to our place?"
Cal laughed quietly. "You don't know Largo. He isn't the kind to admit to anything, much less that he'd send a man to trespass on the Circle T in the middle of the night. Largo is a tough man. I should know."
"Have you and Largo crossed swords?" she asked.
Cal laughed quietly. "You could say we've exchanged some harsh words. He and Silas didn't get along, either."
Prudence gasped. "He wasn't mean to Silas, was he?"
"Let's just say that Silas wasn't the kind to let Largo bully him. Largo bought his own ranch a while after Silas had arrived and built the Circle T house." Cal gazed around the room with obvious appreciation. "Silas picked this spot personally for the new ranch house. There was a smaller place on another part of the spread. But Silas just loved this setting with the live oak trees circling it. And he loved the bluebonnet flowers out back." Cal sighed. "Silas said he adored the natural beauty of the place."
"So, how come Largo wanted to cause trouble for Silas?" Prudence asked.
"Greed," Cal said bluntly. "Largo wants more land. And he's willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Including causing trouble for any of his neighbors." Cal lifted a brow. "And that means you, Grace and Hope."
Prudence frowned. "Doesn't Largo have enough of his own?"
Cal shrugged. "His spread is pretty big. But, he's an ambitious man. There're plenty of men like Largo out here, these days. There's big money to be made from cattle." He smiled at Prudence. "You and the your friends are going to discover that."
Prudence leaned forward. "May I remind you that Hope, Grace and I didn't come here for the money, Mr Logan. We came because we gave our word to Silas. We all want to honor our promise to him." Prudence realized her voice was shaking again. Cal had touched a raw nerve. "He left us this place. And it is our duty to do the best we can to honor his legacy to us."
Cal lifted both his hands. "Sorry. That didn't come out right. I didn't mean to question your motives."
Prudence composed herself for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. Cal had presented her and the others with a problem. She wasn't about to let Rafael Largo believe he could get away with intimidating the three new owners of the Circle T. Something would have to be done.
Cal stood quickly, taking Prudence by surprise. "I better be getting back," he declared.
Prudence stood and faced him. "I thought you'd come back for lunch."
Cal shook his head. "I just remembered something I have to do."
Cal moved quickly to the hall and she followed him. He stepped out onto the porch and turned to face her. "You take care now," he said and placed his Stetson on his head. She watched him mount up and ride off.
Prudence turned to the staircase when she heard footsteps. Grace and Hope came downstairs.
"Was that Cal?" Grace asked.
Prudence nodded.
"What did he say about last night?" Hope inquired.
Prudence closed the door. "Let's go to the parlor. I've got something to tell you. And I have a suggestion to make."
CHAPTER NINE
Later that afternoon, Prudence guided the buckboard through the open gate of the Largo ranch complex. Next to her sat Grace and Hope. All three women wore the same gowns they'd worn on the day of their arrival. Prudence drove the buckboard to a halt outside the front of the huge Largo ranch house.
"This place is bigger than ours," Grace observed gazing up at the front of the ranch house. It was white-fronted, just like their place. But this was more like a mansion. Tall, shuttered windows stretched across the front. The porch ran the entire length of the house and was elevated from the yard. The fenced-in porch was large enough to accommodate a large table at both ends and six chairs.
Beyond the wide, dusty yard Prudence saw three corrals, and six outbuildings, probably barns, stables and bunkhouses. It had taken a long time to drive the buckboard along the trail across the Largo spread. She'd seen a huge herd of cattle and twice as many ranch hands as they used at the Circle T.
"Largo must have money," Grace observed.
"That may be the case," Prudence announced. "But, we're not going to allow him to interfere in us running the Circle T."
The women got down from the buckboard and paused at the foot of the steps. Prudence smiled at Grace and Hope. "You remember why we're here."
Hope and Grace nodded. "We need to give Señor Largo a clear message," Hope said.
"That we're here to stay and that no-one is going to run us off our own land," Grace added firmly. Prudence recalled Grace's outraged reaction back at the house when she'd heard about Largo's actions toward Silas. Grace had an acute sense of justice. She hated anything that stank of unfairness. She'd been the first to agree to Prudence's suggestion that all three of them pay Largo a visit. Just to make it absolutely clear where they stood on the subject of neighborly interference.
They walked up the stairs. Grace knocked on the door. Grace's gloved knuckles rapped sharply upon the glass pane of the high wooden door.
The door was opened by a Mexican woman. "We're here to see Señor Largo," Hope declared. Hope thrust out a calling card. It was one she had left over from her time back at Kansas City, but it would suffice as an introduction.
The Mexican woman's mouth opened in surprise as she peered at the card. It probably wasn't every day that three women called upon her boss, Prudence reflected.
The servant disappeared, closing the door behind her. A minute later, a man came to the door. He was tall, dark-haired and powerfully-built. He was dressed in an elegant black suit, neat shoes and white shirt. Prudence guessed he was in his fifties. His skin was smooth and his eyes narrow. When he smiled, it seemed forced and somehow insincere. This must be Rafael Largo, she told herself.
He held the card in his hand and was clearly perplexed. "Am I right in supposing that you three ladies are the new owners of the Circle T?" he asked. His voice was deep, resonant and heavily accented. Prudence thought there was even something animal-like about his voice.
"We are indeed, sir," Prudence said.
Clearly taken aback for a moment, Largo ran his gaze slowly from Prudence to Grace and to Hope. "You have me at a disadvantage, ladies," he said.
"How so?" Grace asked.
"If I'd known we were to have the pleasure of such beautiful visitors, I would have prepared some special afternoon tea for us to enjoy."
"I take it you are Señor Largo," Prudence stated.
The dark-haired man bowed slightly. When he smiled at Prudence, she felt a chill run up her spine. "I am."
Prudence quickly introduced herself, Hope and Grace.
Largo pulled the door open wide and gestured. "Please. Enter."
For a moment, Prudence, Hope and Grace exchanged a long look. They were
about to step over the threshold into their neighbor's private domain. There would be no going back, Prudence told herself. But they'd come with a purpose in mind, and she as determined to see it through to the end.
They all stepped inside and paused, admiring the wide staircase in the high-ceilinged hall. Largo led them into a sumptuously-furnished parlor. Expensive leather-covered chairs and sofas; rich wooden dressers and tables; carpets with Mexican inspired designs covered the floor. The whole house spoke of wealth and privilege, Prudence told herself as she took her place on the sofa alongside Grace and Hope.
Largo asked for coffee to be brought. He sat on a high-backed chair next to the fireplace. If he'd been caught off his guard at the door, then now he had completely regained his composure, Prudence observed. This was a man used to putting on a performance. In another life he would have been on the stage, sh told herself.
"To what do I owe this very delightful surprise?" Largo asked. He smiled at all three of them.
Prudence had to hand it to Largo. When needed, he could be charming. But that was always the way with the greedy and the powerful, she told herself. Wasn't it? On the surface, they seemed pleasant enough. But underneath there was so much to fear. She knew she'd have to tread with caution.
"Unfortunately we have come on a very serious matter, Señor Largo," Hope said, sounding serious.
Largo lifted a brow. "Oh, really. And what is that?"
"We understand a man came onto our ranch last night," Prudence declared. A shadow crept into Largo's dark eyes. "And we have cause to believe that he was one of the men who works for you."
Largo touched a hand to his chest. It was a theatrical gesture, and one that struck Prudence as fake. "One of my men?" Largo exclaimed.
Prudence nodded. "Our foreman caught him and, I believe, brought him to your ranch, last night."
Largo tilted his head. "Mr Logan did bring someone here."
"So you admit it," Grace demanded.
Largo shook his head. "I admit the man does work here. But I did not instruct him to trespass on your land, ladies." Largo smiled sarcastically. "The poor man was under the influence of drink. He lost his way in the dark."
Hope scoffed. "You want us to believe he was intoxicated?"
Largo fixed Hope with a weary stare. "You ladies are new to ranch life. You'll find out soon enough that ranch hands can be difficult to manage." Largo waved a dismissive hand. "I have dismissed the man. And I apologize if he caused you any distress."
Once again, Prudence heard the insincere tone in Largo's voice. This was a man completely comfortable with lying, she told herself.
The coffee arrived. After a few minutes, Prudence laid her cup on the side table and peered at Largo. "I'm afraid what you've told us is quite unsatisfactory, Señor Largo."
Largo paused, looking at Prudence over the rim of his coffee cup. "It is?"
Prudence nodded and glanced at Grace and Hope. "I think I speak for my partners when I say that we need assurances from you that you will not interfere in any way with our ownership of the Circle T."
Largo seemed taken aback by the directness of Prudence's tone. "I give you my word, ladies," he said evenly. "Is that not enough?"
Prudence peered at Largo for a long moment, trying to judge whether he was telling the truth. Of course he wasn't, she told herself. He had every intention of interfering. She could see it written on his features. What Cal had told her was true. Largo had something in mind for the new owners of the Circle T. He wanted something. And he was willing to go to great lengths to get it.
Grace, Hope and Prudence sat up straight and faced Largo directly. "We know the law, Señor Largo," Grace declared. "And we know our rights."
"You do?" Largo said with more than a hint of sarcasm. Maybe he wasn't used to dealing with strong-minded women, Prudence told herself.
Grace straightened her shoulders. "Silas left us the Circle T. It belongs to us now. And we aim to keep it."
Prudence smiled at Grace, feeling proud of her friend. It was important that Largo understand who he was dealing with.
Largo placed his coffee cup down. "Silas was a man who didn't always know what was best for him. He and I didn't always agree. I tried to persuade him to do what was right, but he wouldn't see things my way."
"You tried to force him to sell the Circle T to you," Prudence stated.
Largo seemed surprised that Prudence would know that. "I came to this land after enjoying some success in other parts of the territory. I bought my ranch and built this home. Silas was here before me. I asked him if he would sell his land to me, and he decided not to. It was that simple. I didn't agree with his decision, but I accepted it."
Prudence didn't believe that for a moment. She could just imagine how much trouble Largo had caused for Silas. Thinking about her kindly benefactor suffering at the hands of a man like Largo made Prudence feel a sudden indignation. She knew that, if she Grace and Hope stayed any longer, then there would be problems with their arrogant neighbor.
Prudence stood and looked down at Largo. "We've made our case, Señor Largo. You know where we stand." Prudence watched Hope and Grace rise and take their place alongside her. "There is nothing more to say on the matter. We trust a man of your character understands that we do not wish to be troubled by you or your employees." Prudence made sure there was firmness in her voice. She owed it to Hope and Grace that she should speak plainly.
Largo's eyes widened and he stood, facing the three women. "I have caused you no trouble."
"You will leave us in peace to run our ranch?" Hope demanded.
Largo's gaze became steady. An unreadable mask settled across his features. "You have my word." His voice was acid. He was lying, and Prudence knew it.
Prudence almost scoffed out loud. She just about managed to contain her reaction as she, Hope and Grace made their way back to their buckboard.
Driving the buckboard away from the Largo ranch, she reflected on what had just happened. She'd come here looking for the truth. And now she knew it beyond all doubt. She'd seen deception in Largo's dark gaze. She'd heard it in his false words. Her heart ached when she thought about the hardship Largo had caused in Silas's life. Had Largo had anything to do with Silas's death? That thought made her jaw tighten. Cal had been right. Largo was a dangerous man.
But there was one thing about which she was certain.
For some reason, Rafael Largo wanted the Circle T and would do anything in his power to get his hands on it.
CHAPTER TEN
When Cal returned to the ranch house later in the afternoon, he was shocked to find that none of the three women was at the house. As she provided coffee to him in the kitchen, Lucia told Cal that they had left two hours before. They'd taken the buckboard and hadn't told Lucia where they were going.
Cal thought the three may have gone into town. After finishing his coffee, he considered another, more troubling, possibility. During his conversation with Prudence, he'd seen a determined glint in her eyes. He was starting to get to know Prudence well enough to know that look. It meant trouble was brewing.
Cal decided to wait a while on the porch. Impatience built up inside him as he waited for their return. The thought that they all may have gone to visit Rafael Largo was infuriating. He'd tried to warn Prudence not to get involved with the neighboring rancher, but clearly she hadn't taken his advice. He was tempted to go riding out to the Largo spread, but knew it might not be the best idea. If they were there, and he faced Largo, Cal wasn't sure he'd be able to control his frustrations.
It was clear to Cal that he had no control over the new owners of the Circle T. Each of the women had a mind of their own. He'd seen plenty of evidence of that during the last few weeks when he'd been giving them a crash course in how to run a ranch. They were hard workers. They were also single-minded and determined. And, when you combined all of that together? Well it spelled trouble with a capital T.
It wasn't just that they were stubborn, Cal reflected. That was
bad enough. What bothered him was that they really didn't understand what it took to live out here in Texas. This wasn't Kansas City. The rules were different in the Hill Country. The dangers were different, too
Ever since they'd arrived Cal had done his best to guide them in the right direction. But he knew there was only so much he could do. There was a limit to how far he could go when it came to being involved in their lives. He was just a foreman. A ramrod on the ranch. And that was the way it was going to stay. There was a line he wasn't willing to cross.
Telling himself that, he knew deep down that it wasn't true, though. He'd spent plenty of time with all three women, but there was one of them in particular with whom he'd spent the most time.
Prudence.
Just thinking about her made his heart beat quicker. And that was something new for Cal. She sure was beautiful. It had been a secret delight to be so close to her, especially when he'd been giving her the riding lessons. He recalled the gentle way he'd touched her, teaching her good posture on the horse; the scent of her hair as he'd leaned closer; the softness of her skin when he'd touched her hands while instructing her on the right way to hold the horse's reins.
The ride out from the corral had been a pleasure too. He'd enjoyed watching her delighted expression when she'd realized that she could ride along next to him. It gave him a quiet satisfaction to know that, even in a small way, he could make one part of her life better.
Cal dragged in a deep breath as he sat on the porch seat. Frustration made his nerves quiver. He'd have to talk with Prudence about a few things.
Hearing the rumble of buckboard wheels, Cal turned and saw it heading toward the ranch. The flash of the red, green and blue gowns in the bright Texas sunlight told him the women had arrived home.
Cal strode out onto the yard as the buckboard ground to a halt. Prudence was the driver. She looked surprised to see him. All three got down from the buckboard.
The Texas Cowboy’s Courtship (Testament Creek Book 1) Page 5
