Setting Things Straight

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  “Where’s Theo? The one who brought me in.”

  “He and Spencer rode back to the ranch yesterday.”

  Jillian leaned against the pillow and put a hand over her forehead. “You don’t think they’ll get the sheriff?”

  Summer sat on the edge of the bed. “No, I don’t. By the look on Theo’s face, he was as smitten of you as you are of him. He’s a good man, Jillian.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Not like I can even think of marrying a good man. Pa wants me to marry Jake Black.”

  Summer put a finger to her chin. “Seems like I’ve heard that name before.”

  Jillian rubbed her forehead as if she could erase the memories of the man. “I don’t doubt it. He’s got wanted posters in every town.” Jillian stared at Summer. “I hate him. I’m glad I’m here, so Pa can’t make me marry him.”

  “When was that supposed to happen?”

  “Next week.” Jillian shook her head and regretted it. “What a way to start the year.” Her head pounded.

  “I’ll get you some breakfast. Remember, you’re to rest and recover your strength.”

  Jillian nodded. One thing she knew for sure, she wasn’t leaving today. Looking at the white sheets over her brought back a faint memory of her mother.

  Jillian had been a little girl, maybe three, and her mother had sheets outside on a line to dry. She remembered running into the big white sheets, wrapping herself in them, and smelling clean.

  Mother died that year. Soon after, they’d lost the ranch and moved to a small shack on the prairie. From that time on, all Jillian knew was hardship. Freezing in and out of the shack, never having enough to eat, or new clothes to wear. She’d hated her life.

  Many times, her pa would raid a neighbor’s clothesline and bring her stolen clothes that never fit.

  Now, here at Summer’s, Jillian breathed in the clean sheet smell and the aroma of good food and didn’t want to ever leave. There was nothing to go back to. Her biggest fear was that her family would come looking for her and bring trouble to Summer and her father. And Theo.

  Summer came in with a steaming bowl of porridge. “Here you go. This will give you some strength.”

  Sitting up, Jillian smiled at Summer. “It smells wonderful.”

  Summer put some pillows behind Jillian. “I’ll be here all day. I’ll check on you later.”

  “Wait. Could you stay with me for a little while? I’ve spent most of my life around men. Hard, cruel men.”

  “I’m sorry. That must have been so difficult for you.”

  Jillian nodded. Tears burned her eyes, wanting to be let loose, but that was weak. She was taught to never show weakness, or the others would take advantage.

  Summer poured more water for her. “My mother left us when I was young. Father says she loved me but had problems. He said she ran off with a drummer. For years, my father would look for her, but just this last year, he met a wonderful woman, Olive, and I think he is finally willing to let memories of my mother go and marry Olive.”

  Jillian smiled. “I’m glad. You seem like nice people.”

  “I’d like it if we could be friends. I know that Spencer and I want to interview you for our stories, but more than that, I’d like to be your friend.”

  Jillian nodded. She was so tired again. “I’ve never had a friend.”

  “I better let you sleep. I’ll be in later to check on you.”

  Jillian nodded. Being friends was fine with her, but Jillian wasn’t at all sure it would be safe for Summer and her father.

  Chapter 5

  Theo was out in the frozen countryside watching the herd. He’d told the boss about the rustlers, and as a reward, he’d been sent out to keep a lookout for more trouble. Spencer was in the barn cleaning stalls. So, it was just Theo, Tumbleweed, and cattle.

  The cattle were a mixture of longhorns, leftovers from the cattle drives that brought them north from Texas, and Herefords. The Box R had been switching over to the red and white beefier cattle for several years. For now, there were some crosses, but yearly they were taking out the longhorn bulls, and it was only a matter of time before Herefords ran the range.

  To ward off the chill, Theo thought about Jillian. He prayed she was feeling better after being so sick. Then he wondered about Summer and Spencer. They’d made up, or so he thought.

  Then he’d heard Spencer mutter as they were getting on their horses. “I’m going to interview that girl and get her to take me to her family of outlaws. That’s all too dangerous for Summer.”

  Theo shook his head. He liked both Spencer and Summer, but Theo believed Spencer was going to get himself in more trouble than he would know how to get out of. Did Spencer really think the outlaws would just let him leave after he knew their hideout?

  And Summer, she wasn’t going to let Spencer have an interview without her. He patted the rangy mustang. “Tumbleweed, I’m afraid my friends are going to get themselves in more trouble than a mouse in a cat house.”

  Theo counted down the hours until he was free. He was going straight to Summer’s and see how Jillian was. Finally, Jake came and took his place, and Theo was on his way. Half frozen, Theo reined his horse into the yard and saw that Spencer was already there. He must have gotten the boss to let him off early. Being the boss’s nephew had its benefits.

  Running up the steps, Theo stopped at the door and knocked.

  Summer opened it. “I thought I might see you. You do like Jillian, don’t you?”

  “Yes, none of your business. How is she?”

  Laughing, Summer pointed to the guest room. “She’s in there. Go see for yourself.”

  Theo ran in and was relieved to see that Jillian was sitting up. Her face had some color and looked much better than the deathly pale look of yesterday. “You’re looking good.”

  Jillian’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “Theo, thank you. I feel good.”

  Spencer sat in a chair beside her with a pencil and paper.

  Theo glanced at him. “Summer is letting you interview Jillian?”

  “For now. Later, Summer will interview her, and then we’ll compare notes.”

  “Sounds reasonable.” Theo took a chair and sat near the head of Jillian’s bed. “I prayed for you today.”

  She tilted her head. “I don’t think anyone has ever prayed for me before.”

  Theo scooted his chair closer and took one of her hands. “I’d like to see more of you.” He blushed. “I mean more time. You don’t have to go back to your family. I have some money saved and—”

  “Shh, you barely know me,” Jillian said it, but there was a sweet smile on her face.

  “I want to take care of you.”

  “Summer and her father have offered me a place here. They said I could help with the animals and cooking after I feel better.”

  “That’s great. I just couldn’t stand to think of you living in the shack and being cold and hungry anymore.”

  Spencer got up. “I can see this interview is over, and I need to give you two some privacy. I’ll leave the door open, though.”

  Theo ignored Spencer and grinned at Jillian. “Could I call on you?”

  She nodded. Then frowned. “I am worried that my pa will come for me and take me back. I don’t want you or Summer to get hurt.”

  “You let us worry about that. I’ll make sure no harm comes to you if I have to camp outside your room every night.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t even know me.”

  Theo patted his chest. “I know you’re in here. In my heart. And that’s all I need to know.” He looked into her eyes. “I’d like to court you.”

  Jillian shrugged. “I don’t even know how to go about that. You certainly can’t ask my pa.”

  “Mr. Vance is kind of in charge of you.”

  “If Summer says it’s all right. I trust her.”

  “They’ll be getting married soon. Then Dr. Vance will really need help here. Summer said she and Spencer will be living in town. In fact, I was
thinking of asking Dr. Vance if he needs help to hire me. I’d feel better if I was close.”

  She sat up. “Do you think you could?”

  A door slammed.

  Theo looked at her and shook his head. “Oh, no. That sounded like Summer and Spencer again. I better go see.”

  He left Jillian and walked into the kitchen. Summer had her head down on the table and was crying. Spencer was outside, saddling his horse.

  With a frown, Theo went outside. “What’s wrong?”

  Spencer nodded toward the house. “That woman. She’s unreasonable.”

  “I thought you had everything worked out.”

  “She got mad at me because I wouldn’t share my notes with her. I thought it would be better if we went ahead and wrote from our own notes. I thought it would give us different points of view in our stories.” Spencer tightened the cinch.

  “I guess she didn’t agree.”

  “That’s putting it lightly. I don’t know, Theo. I think this time, the wedding is off.” Spencer mounted his horse. “Permanently.”

  Theo shook his head. “Don’t say that.”

  Spencer frowned. “I really thought I loved her and that she loved me. But we don’t seem to do anything but fight. See ya back at the ranch.”

  Theo watched him ride away. He turned to find Dr. Vance behind him.

  Summer stood in the doorway with her arms folded. The look on her face was one of sadness and falling tears. “I did love him.”

  Dr, Vance put his hands in his pockets. “Spencer leaving before dinner, that sounds serious.”

  Wiping her cheeks, Summer shouted. “That’s Spencer leaving for good. The wedding is off.”

  Dr. Vance went to her, embraced her, and patted her back. “There, there. He’ll be back. You’ll see.”

  Theo wasn’t so sure. His friend looked pretty determined as he rode away. In a few minutes, Summer went back inside the house.

  Her father let her go and stood outside the door as if thinking about what he could do for his daughter.

  “Dr. Vance, I was wondering if you need help around here. I’d feel better if I worked here while Jillian is at your house. She’s worried that her family might try to take her back.”

  Aaron frowned. “The outlaws? It might be a good idea to have you here. How soon can you start?”

  “Today. I don’t want to leave Jillian.”

  Aaron looked the direction Spencer had ridden. “Maybe you can talk some sense into Spencer and Summer. They were made for each other.”

  “I’ll try to get them to talk.”

  Aaron shook his head. “Love only comes a few times in a person’s life. I hope they both reconsider.”

  Theo went inside and knocked on Jillian’s door.

  The door opened, and a crying Summer stood in front of him. Sniffling, she leaned against Theo’s chest and sobbed. “He left me for good. How could he do that?”

  “He’s hurting too, Summer. You guys need to make up. Isn’t that right, Jillian?”

  The girl nodded. “I like you both, Summer. I can tell Spencer loves you.”

  Summer shook her head. “If he loved me, he’d be here.”

  Theo glanced at Jillian. She looked sad, too. He left Summer and went to Jillian. “Everything will work out. I’m good at setting things straight.”

  Chapter 6

  Jillian dressed in the clothes Summer brought her. She fingered the material and marveled at the colors. Her clothes were so stained and tattered that even after she’d washed them, they looked the same.

  It felt good to get out of bed. Jillian’s fever had broken a couple of days ago, and her strength was slowly returning. She had no doubt that if Theo hadn’t roped her that day, she would have died. He’d saved her life.

  Jillian rested and thought about Theo. He was a handsome man. Dark hair and eyes. Strong. And he was determined to be prosperous and had ideas to start a small ranch as soon as he saved enough money.

  She took the brush Summer had given her and ran it through her hair. She gazed into the mirror and watched her brown hair shine. Summer had put some special potions on it to make it untangle and shine and then helped Jillian wash her hair yesterday.

  Never had Jillian thought she was pretty, but now in her new dress and clean hair, she was pleasant to look at. She was happy and hoped Theo came to her soon. He’d had to go back to the Box R to tell his boss he was going to work for Dr. Vance.

  Today, Theo was supposed to be back, and Jillian couldn’t wait for him to see her now. She thought of him and smiled. He’d been so kind to her. And she could still remember how it felt to be in his arms on the ride to Summer’s house. How Theo had stopped the horse and took his jacket and put it around her. Never had she had anyone go out of their way to care for her. Maybe her ma, but she’d died when Jillian was only three, and what memory she did have of her mother was confused.

  Her father and older brothers had treated her as a slave. Wash the clothes. Make dinner. Clean the shack. Do this and do that. And not one of them cared for her. Even now, she was sure the only reason they missed her or even knew she was missing was when they had to do all those chores for themselves.

  If only she could stay here and not return, but she knew her pa would come looking for her and take her back. Jillian stopped brushing her hair and stared into the mirror. “I will not go back with them and that way of life.”

  Saying the words bolstered her courage. She could only hope that they never came for her. Maybe the sheriff would chase them out of the country or capture them and put them in prison. She shuddered. She knew that a rustler’s reward was a noose. Jillian didn’t know if she could wish that on her family, but she never wanted to see them again.

  A knock on the door and the smell of bacon made Jillian put away her dark thoughts. “Yes.”

  Summer came in. “You’re dressed and look how lovely you are.” She felt Jillian’s forehead. “No fever. I think you’re over the sickness. Now you just need to eat well and gain your strength. I have bacon and eggs for breakfast. Do you want to eat it in here or come to the table with the rest of us?”

  “The table. I’ve been in this room long enough. As pretty as it is, I am going a little stir-crazy, looking at the same walls.”

  “I don’t blame you. Let me help you.” Summer offered her hand to help Jillian stand.

  On unsteady legs, Jillian leaned against Summer and walked to the kitchen. Dr. Vance was at the stove, flipping pancakes. Theo was sitting at the table and smiled as he saw her enter the kitchen.

  He quickly jumped to his feet and pulled out the chair next to his. “Am I glad to see you up and around. You look good, Jillian.”

  Her heart warmed under his kind words. “Thank you.” She stared at him. He was such a fine, good man. “Thank you for saving me.”

  Theo blushed. “Anyone would have done the same.”

  Summer brought out the eggs and bacon. “Save room for the pancakes. My dad makes the best.”

  Theo nodded. “I’ll attest to that. I’m going to have to buy new trousers if I don’t get busy and work harder.”

  Dr. Vance turned from his pancakes. “Speaking of work, I have to go to the Box R today. They had a couple horses ready to foal and wanted me to look at them. I’d like your help, Theo.”

  Summer shook her head. “I’d like to go. Theo can stay here and do the chores and watch after Jillian.” She glanced at Jillian and grinned.

  Jillian nodded.

  Dr. Vance sat down and took a couple of pancakes. “All right. That will be fun, I’ve missed being with my daughter.”

  In her heart, Jillian sighed. How she had longed to hear her pa say such words. But she knew he never would. The man didn’t have any decency left in him, and he’d beaten any chance of goodness out of his sons. And nearly out of her.

  Just being in this house for a week had changed her. Jillian had never seen how good people acted. The way they loved one another had taught her of a new way of life. And prayer.
She didn’t know much about that but hearing Dr. Vance read the Word seemed to bring back old memories. She found it comforting.

  Shortly after breakfast was over, Summer and her father left for the ranch. Jillian hoped that Spencer would still be there, and he would make up with Summer. They belonged together.

  Theo cleaned the table and began washing the dishes.

  Jillian went to him to help.

  “No, you’re not strong enough.” He put his wet hands on her arms and led her back to her chair. “You sit and talk to me. That’s your job.”

  She nodded. “I’ll do that.”

  Theo returned to the dishes and scrubbed on a frying pan. “I hope Summer and Spencer get back together.” He stopped and turned, water dripping from his elbows. “I was thinking, what do you say if we try to make them see how much they need each other?”

  Jillian smiled. “Yes. A perfect idea. How will we do that?”

  He shrugged and dried the pan. “Later this month, there’s a social at the church. You could beg her to take you. Tell her you’re still weak, and there is no way you can go unless she helps you. And I can persuade Spencer to go.”

  “I’ve never been to a social. What will I do?”

  “Mostly eat and drink punch. Dance if you want. Talk to people.”

  Jillian frowned. “What would I talk about? I don’t think it will go over too well if I tell them how I rustled their cattle.”

  Worry crossed his forehead in furrows. Then he grinned. “We’ll get Summer to make up a story for you. You can memorize it, and then that’s what you’ll tell people who ask you questions.”

  Jillian tugged on a strand of her hair and enjoyed how soft it was. “I think that just might do the trick. I like stories. I used to dream of a house with a loving mother and father. Sometimes I could see it so clearly that I wondered if it was a dream.”

  “Great. As soon as Summer gets back, you can ask her about writing a story for your life. That should satisfy the curious people of Belle, Wyoming.” Theo finished the dishes and cleaned the table.