Setting Things Straight

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  “Now, I have some chores to do. It’s cold out today, so you better stay inside. As soon as I’m done, I’ll be back inside to warm up. And visit with a certain girl. One that I definitely have my eye on.”

  Jillian took a sip of water and admired Theo. Such a strong, good man. She was all for getting Summer and Spencer together, but the thought of spending time with Theo was first on her mind.

  Chapter 7

  Summer had tied her horse to the back of the wagon and rode with her father. She’d brought her horse just in case she wanted to ride with Spencer, or if things went poorly between them, and she wanted to go home before her father was ready.

  Father understood. And to his credit and kindness, he didn’t ask her any questions on the ride to the Box R. She did hope Spencer was there. They needed to talk things over. After all, they were supposed to have gotten married on New Years’, but after one of their many fights, they’d postponed it.

  They pulled up into the road to the ranch house, and her father reined the horses toward the barn. “Do you want to go to the house and ask about Spencer?”

  She nodded. “I do.” She hugged her father. “Pray for me.”

  He embraced her and kissed the top of her head. “Everything will work out, you’ll see.”

  Summer smiled and left him. She wanted everything to work out. But her father had waited years for her mother to return, and she never had, not even a letter. Walking to the ranch house, she traded her missing mother for the trouble with Spencer.

  Why they couldn’t get along, she wasn’t sure. They’d been so close, but the nearer the wedding date, the more distant they had become. At times, she wondered if he regretted not marrying the rich woman in Connecticut.

  Neither of them made enough money to support themselves. Not yet, anyway. And half the time, Summer got the idea that Spencer resented whatever she did make. She knocked on the door.

  The door was opened by the maid. The kind woman smiled. “Dear Summer, we have missed you. Spencer is in his room writing a story. Should I get him, or would you prefer to go and announce your presence?”

  “If it’s all right, I’d like to go and talk with him.”

  She opened the door. “Go ahead, dear.”

  Summer walked up the stairs to the farthest room down the hall. Spencer’s uncle was a gracious man and let him stay without paying rent. She and Spencer had agreed it was better than if he spent money they didn’t have to live in town.

  She knocked on the open door. “Spencer?”

  He slammed his pencil down and whirled. “Summer. What are you doing here?”

  She stepped back. Spencer didn’t look at all happy to see her. “I came to talk to you. We’re going to be married soon. Or I thought that was what we decided.”

  He lowered his shoulders almost as if in defeat. “I know.” He stood yet kept his distance. “But how can we? I don’t have any money to take care of you.”

  “We will. We can write together and put out more books and stories. Together we can make it work.” Summer feared she had lost him. She wanted to embrace him and feel his arms around her, but she stayed in the hallway.

  Spencer walked to his window and looked outside. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t feel like a man unless I could provide for you.” He turned to her. “I love writing stories. I won’t make myself go back to my father’s firm as an accountant.”

  “I’m not asking you to.” Tears trailed down her cheeks. “I love you, Spencer. We can make it work.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe we can postpone the wedding again. Maybe later in the spring when we’ll have enough money.”

  Summer stopped at the threshold to the door. Afraid to enter, afraid not to. She was losing him. “I love you, Spencer.”

  His look softened. “Don’t look so sad, Summer. I’m not leaving you.”

  “I feel as if you’ve already left me.”

  “My uncle gives me free room and board. I help out at the ranch when he needs it, but I’ve gotten a lot of writing done.” His face brightened. “I could go back with you and interview Jillian about her time as a rustler.” He looked around. “You haven’t told anyone about her?”

  “No. Jillian is feeling much better so we could talk to her. I brought my horse. We can go now.”

  Spencer crossed the room and stood before her. “Let’s go. We do need to spend time together.” He looked at her in that old way that made her heart race.

  She smiled and kissed his hand.

  He ran his hand over her hair. “Have you been writing?”

  “I’ve been too sad since you left me.”

  He put his arms around her and hugged her to him in that familiar way. “Ah, Summer. You know I love you.”

  Eyes moist, she looked at him. “No, I don’t. You left me.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not far away. It’s going to work out.”

  Summer thought of how her father had said the same words. But then she thought of her father’s life and sadness because of a wife who left him. His marriage hadn’t worked out. Putting aside the disturbing thoughts, she smiled. “Bring your notebook and pencil. I have my horse tied up outside.”

  “Good. I’ll be right behind you.”

  ***

  Theo finished watering the animals and saw Spencer and Summer ride toward him. Theo grinned. He and Jillian had come up with a plan to keep them together. The way he felt about Jillian made Theo more than ready to keep Summer and Spencer on the path to marriage.

  Theo smiled and waved to them. “I’m sure glad to see the two of you riding together.”

  Spencer smiled and tied his horse to the post while Summer kept her head down and led her horse to the corral.

  Theo went to her. “I’ll take care of your horse.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll do it.”

  He didn’t like that she had tears coming down her cheeks. Not knowing what to say, Theo went to the house and found Spencer sitting at the table.

  His friend looked at him. “I’ve missed the meals here.”

  “Why is Summer crying?”

  Spencer looked up. “I didn’t know she was.”

  Theo rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like to see her unhappy.”

  Spencer took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I don’t think we can get married next week. We don’t have the money, and I won’t marry her until I can take care of her.”

  “Just don’t let her get away, Spencer. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you lose her.” Theo was quiet for a moment, then pointed to the pencil and notebook. “Are you and Summer going to interview Jillian?”

  Spencer nodded. “I told her we could do it together. I thought that would make her happy.”

  “I’d like to be in the room with you. I kind of feel like I’m responsible for Jillian, and I want to protect her and let her know that I’m there for her.”

  Spencer smiled. “So, you’ve got your eye on her. Jillian is pretty.”

  “I’ve never felt about any girl the way I do about Jillian. I want to protect her from any more hurt. She’s had a hard life.”

  Spencer stood and nodded. “Let’s go see if she’s ready to talk.”

  Theo caught his friend’s arm. “I think you need to talk with Summer first. Maybe you should talk about fun things and tell her how you love her.”

  “I do, and it doesn’t do any good. Not for long anyway. Summer is the most stubborn woman.”

  Theo shook his head. “Well, it wouldn’t if you go on about how you can’t marry her. Why don’t you start planning on how you can?”

  Spencer nodded. “Good idea, Theo.” He started into the hallway when, without a word, Summer brushed past them and into Jillian’s room.

  Spencer frowned. “See. That’s what she does. Try and talk to the back end of a tornado.”

  Theo laughed. “Women, nobody ever said they’d be easy.”

  Theo followed Spencer to Jillian’s room. The door was shut, and he h
eard the soft voices of the girls in the room.

  Spencer knocked rather forcefully.

  Summer opened the door. “We’re coming out and will meet you at the kitchen table.” And shut the door in his face.

  With a quiet growl, Spencer darted an irritated look at Theo. “She is up to something.”

  Theo stared at him, not knowing what to say.

  Waving his hands, Spencer shook his head as he shoved Theo toward the kitchen. “Summer. I can see it in her eyes. Trust me on this.” Spencer led the way to the table. “You sit over there. That way, the girls will be between us.”

  Theo nodded. “I don’t understand. Why do you think Summer is up to something?”

  Spencer shook his head. “Trust me, when you fall for a woman, you begin to see their devious side. Oh, they make you think you’re the one in control, but don’t be fooled by that. Deep down, they will take control, and you will soon find that out.”

  Theo began to wonder if having a girl to love was a good thing, but then he thought about Jillian. Surely, she wasn’t that way. She was the sweetest, most innocent woman he’d ever met. Theo frowned. Then again, Jillian was also an outlaw. Maybe Spencer was right. Here he was wary of Summer, and Summer had never stolen a cow.

  The girls came around the corner and stopped. Summer pointed to the table. “I want to sit next to Jillian.”

  Spencer shook his head. “No, we want it this way.”

  Jillian stared at Summer. “I don’t mind. I wanted to sit by Theo anyway.”

  Summer folded her arms. “All right.” She glared at Spencer. “It seems you won this round.”

  Theo helped Jillian into the chair. “Round of what?”

  Summer glared at him. “As if you didn’t know. It doesn’t matter anyway. What is it you want to talk about, Spencer?”

  “Our story.” Spencer looked at Jillian and smiled. “If it’s all right with you.”

  Jillian nodded. “If it helps me stay away from my pa and brothers, I’m all for it. I never want to go back to them.”

  Summer patted her hand. “And you won’t. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. My father said it was all right.”

  Theo grinned.

  Spencer kicked Theo under the table. “Go get us some lemonade.” He pulled out his pencil and paper, placed them on the table, and stared at Summer. “All out in the open. I figure we can both write a story.”

  Jillian shook her head. “I thought you were writing a story together.”

  Summer nodded, keeping her eyes on Spencer. “We were.”

  Spencer tapped his pencil on the table while trying to figure out how to address the hardness in the way she’d said were. “Fine.” He matched her tone for tone.

  Theo gave everyone a glass. “As long as Jillian doesn’t get too tired.”

  Jillian looked up at him with an adoring gaze. “Thank you, Theo. It makes me feel better knowing you’re on my side.”

  Summer popped her pencil on the table. “We are all on your side, Jillian.”

  The young woman nodded but scooted closer to Theo.

  Spencer opened his pad to a clean sheet of paper. “Why don’t you start from the beginning.”

  Jillian nodded. She closed her eyes and shuddered. “The earliest thing I can remember was a house. A lot like yours, Summer. My mother was hanging clothes on the line. My father was chopping wood.”

  She smiled. “It was a good day—” Suddenly, her eye opened wide. “No!” She shuddered and hid her face behind her hands. “No, no, no.”

  Summer put an arm around her. “Easy, Jillian, we’re here. Nothing is going to happen.”

  With tears, Jillian faced Summer. Jillian’s lips trembled, and she shook her head. “My mother and father were killed. I was hiding in the hay and watched.” She buried her head against Summer. “I can’t go on.”

  Theo sat back. “Murdered? But you said your father and brothers were outlaws.”

  Spencer stopped writing. “Was your name Jillian?”

  The young woman nodded. “Jillian Louise. Jillian Louise… Granger.”

  Theo looked at her. “Granger? That’s not what—”

  Spencer grabbed his hand and shook his head to silence him. “You don’t have to go on if you don’t want to.”

  Jillian looked at him, confused and dazed. “I don’t know. I never remembered that before. Never. Oh, my mama and papa. And Gordon.”

  Spencer looked at her. “Did they kill Gordon?”

  She stared at him. “I don’t know. He wasn’t there. He was older than me. At least ten. I think he was hunting with the dog.”

  Summer rubbed Jillian’s arm. “A dog that looked like Dreamer?”

  She nodded. “Yes. That must be why I couldn’t stop looking at your dog. It reminded me of Stormy.” Jillian put her head down and cried long, sobbing cries.

  Summer looked at Spencer and Theo. “I think that is enough for today.”

  Spencer nodded. “I agree. Theo, why don’t you look after Jillian. I need to talk with Summer.”

  Theo didn’t need to be asked twice. He was as confused as Jillian. What had she been talking about? Jillian had said her last name was Duff.

  Chapter 8

  Summer followed Spencer outside. Once they were far enough away from the house, she tugged on Spencer’s arm. “What are you thinking?”

  “By the look in your eyes, the same thing you are.”

  She nodded. “Jillian was kidnapped. I wonder if the Duffs or Indians killed her family.”

  Spencer shook his head. “Could be either, but the year makes me think Indians. I think the Kiowa were on the warpath at that time. Her brother could still be alive.”

  “And looking for her.” Summer walked toward the barn. “Are we going now?”

  Spencer grinned. “To the sheriff?”

  She laughed. “Yes, Sheriff Knight might have heard of the family. Of course, we don’t even know where they were. The Duffs could have hauled her miles away from her farm.”

  “I know, but it’s worth a shot. There’s just enough daylight left to get to town and back.”

  Summer ran for the barn. “Let’s go. Jillian wanted me to ride her horse. He needs the exercise.”

  Spencer saddled the horses while she went in and explained that they had to go into town and see if any of their stories had sold. In minutes, they were riding toward town.

  She and Spencer had decided it was best not to tell Jillian what they were doing. No sense in giving the girl false hopes.

  Summer rode beside Spencer, and it felt like the days when they were together and not at each other. “Spencer, do you think we have a chance at marriage?”

  He nodded. “I do.” He looked at her, love shining in his eyes. “Look at us. We instantly knew the story before Theo or even Jillian figured it out. And now we’re working together to find out about her past.”

  Summer nodded. “It’s going to make a wonderful story.”

  He grinned. “Yes, it is. And it will take both of us to fill it out and make it whole. We’re a good team, Summer. Let’s not break up.”

  “What about the wedding?”

  Spencer reached a hand to her. “We have a week to find out if we’re ready. But even if we decide we have to wait, I still want to marry you.”

  Tears stung her eyes. Unable to talk, she nodded. And then finally looked at him. “I want to marry you, too, Spencer, but I don’t want to wait any longer than a week.”

  He nodded. “It will work out. You’ll see.”

  They were quiet for a mile or more, and then Summer was overtaken by the story. “So those nasty Duffs took her in and have treated her like a slave. Poor Jillian. I hope her brother is alive.”

  Spencer nodded. “It would mean a lot to her. And keep her out of jail. How are we going to ask the sheriff without giving away that we found her rustling cattle?”

  Summer grinned at him. “Spencer, we are storytellers. We’ll make up a story. All we have to say is we heard about
a family that had been attacked, and the little girl went missing. What did she think she was, three years old?”

  He nodded. “That would put it about seventeen or eighteen years ago. I bet the sheriff can help us.”

  They rode down the main street. David Knight had his horse in front of the jail, so they knew he was in.

  Summer and Spencer burst inside the office at the same time.

  Sheriff Knight looked at them. “Here comes trouble. What is it this time? Do you need the names of more outlaws?”

  Spencer told him the story of a long-missing girl of three seventeen years ago and living with a rough family that wasn’t her own. “Her real last name is Granger, and she might have a brother named Gordon.”

  The sheriff shuffled through some papers. “That’s a long time ago. I’m not sure if I have any files that date that far back. But I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I can send telegrams to towns around and see if they know anything. Sheriff Fannin in Laramie has been around the longest. He might have heard about the family.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff.” Spencer shook his hand. “I think she mentioned Nebraska, so might start there.”

  The sheriff made a note on a piece of paper. “Now, about that wedding? I’ve heard rumors that you two called it off.”

  Spencer hugged her. “Rumors are wrong. We love each other.”

  Summer grinned. “Yes, we do.” She looked at Spencer adoringly. “Now, let’s go to the post office and see if we have any mail.”

  Happy and content, she left the jail with Spencer. Hand in hand, they walked to the store. Everything was right again. They would marry and live happily ever after. She ran inside the general store and to the back where the post office was kept. Spencer right behind her.

  The clerk looked through the envelopes. “Yes, I remembered I had one for you.” She pulled an official-looking envelope from the stack and held it out.

  Spencer reached for it, but the clerk pulled it back.

  “It’s for you, Summer. Looks like kind of expensive paper.”

  Excited, Summer took the envelope and was about to open it when she saw the sad look on Spencer’s face.