A Lost Love's Legacy (Sons Of A Gun Book 5)

by Brenda Sinclair

  “Yes, sir. I wouldn’t mind doing some cooking in a hotel or an eating place. I’m done with thieving and I’m straightening out my life.” Eric met eyes with Hermes who snorted. He patted his neck. “Sorry, Hermes. Maybe these folks will take a look and see what’s troubling you.”

  Just then Rosie returned with Willow.

  “I was told there’s a horse needs some tending.” Willow glanced at AJ and then spotted the horse and stranger. She hurried over. “This is Hermes from the livery.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I hired him for the trip out here, but he’s taken to limping once in a while.” Eric handed over the reins.

  Willow led the horse away. “Might have picked up a stone. I’ll check his hooves.”

  “Dang it. I didn’t think to do that,” Eric muttered. “I ain’t much of a horse fellow either.”

  “I can see that,” Michael muttered, shaking his head. “What fool wouldn’t think to check a limping horse’s hooves?”

  “Well, I warned your pa he wouldn’t want me working for him,” Eric defended himself.

  “Ain’t a feller to work with cattle or horses that we need.” AJ scrubbed his face with one hand. “So you’re a fair cook?”

  Eric leaned back in his boots and chuckled. “Well, fair to middling, I reckon. Ain’t poisoned nobody yet.”

  Michael rolled his eyes and Rosie poked him in the ribs.

  AJ chuckled. “That’s one thing in your favor.”

  “Just joshing with you, sir.”

  “I figured that. We could use a cook’s helper. Need a fellow to lend old Sourdough Sammy a hand. Maybe move you up to ranch cook if you work out and we can convince Sammy to retire,” AJ suggested. “Would you be interested?”

  “Pa, are you sure?” Michael blurted. “He’s a con.”

  “Ex-con, son.” AJ looked Eric in the eye. “Every man deserves a second chance. But if’n you try anything of an illegal nature, something goes missing and we can peg you for it, Eric, you’ll be off this ranch before you can blink an eye.”

  “Hear that?” Michael added, slipping an arm around Rosie again. “You step out of line just once and you’ll be off to town for Sheriff Manning to deal with your sorry behind.”

  Eric straightened and looked AJ in the eye. “I’ll take the job. Just to prove I meant it when I said I’m done with thieving. Could still learn a few things from another cook, no doubt.”

  “Then you’re hired,” AJ proclaimed. “Let’s get you settled in the bunkhouse and I’ll introduce you to Sammy.”

  “My gear’s in my saddlebag which rode into the barn with Hermes. I’ll go fetch it.”

  “I’ll come with you.” AJ headed off with Eric in tow. “That little gal who’s tending Hermes is our head horse wrangler, and she’s Adam’s wife. I’ll introduce you.”

  “A lady horse wrangler. Who’d a guessed it?” Eric exclaimed. “Course, some fellers reckon cooking is women’s work, so who am I to talk.”

  AJ burst into laughter. “On my ranch, as long as the job gets done and done right, I don’t rightly care who’s doing it.” He slapped Eric on the back and the two of them walked inside the horse barn through the side door.

  “Guess time will tell if Eric works out or not,” Michael muttered.

  “He sounds sincere.” Rosie touched Michael’s arm. “I’ve been dying for details… what all did the lawyer say?”

  Michael took Rosie’s hand and led her toward the garden. “I reckon it went as well as we expected. Jamieson Davies sent those telegraphs to a few lawyers in Butte to inquire if your ma hired any of them. Jamieson says she contacted Randolph Barnes, so we’ll wait and see what comes our way before we can decide how to defend ourselves.”

  Rosie’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry. I should never have come here. If I’d only let matters be when I found Grandmother’s diary.”

  “Don’t cry, sweetheart.” Michael wiped a tear off her cheek with his thumb. “This is not your fault.”

  “But it is. If I hadn’t come—”

  Michael silenced her self-criticism with a warm kiss, right there in front of Mrs. Sheridan who’d been tending the garden. He didn’t care one iota who saw them. Seeing the girl he was falling in love with, crying, ripped a gaping hole in his heart. It pained him terribly hearing her feeling so poorly about herself.

  “McLennons stand together during troubling times. Don’t worry. We’ll overcome this. It’ll require more than one greedy easterner to snag this ranch from Pa’s hands.” Michael’s breath caught when he realized what he’d said. He met Rosie’s eyes. “I’m sorry if that sounded—”

  “I couldn’t agree more. What Mother is attempting is horrible. I’m completely on your family’s side.” Rosie stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Don’t ever doubt my loyalty to all of you.”

  Michael almost blurted that’s why I love you but caught himself in time. Looking into her beautiful brown eyes, he could see her sincerity and something more that he couldn’t put words to. Admiration? Should he dare to believe he saw his love for her reflected back at him? He couldn’t deny it a moment longer; he loved Rosie dearly. Did she share similar feelings for him?

  “I believe you, sweetheart. Trust me when I tell you, we’ll sort this out. Nobody is moving one foot off this ranch.”

  “Except my mother, if she dares to show her face here again.” Rosie’s hands fisted. “I’m fed up with her conniving, greedy ways. She cannot return to Boston soon enough.”

  Michael looked deep into Rosie’s eyes. “I’d gladly drive her to the stagecoach myself.”

  Chapter 18

  That night, Rosie sat opposite AJ in the study wondering why she’d ever traveled to Milestone. What had begun as a wonderful adventure in search of the grandfather she’d never known, had turned into a peck of trouble for this remarkable family who’d welcomed her into their fold and treated her so well.

  This was definitely all her fault.

  AJ met her eyes. “Rosie, no one blames you for your mother’s actions. We’re all going to let your mother be. Given time, she might see reason. Anna lost her husband not long ago and a devastating loss like that sets a person back on their heels for a long time. No one knows this better than me.”

  Rosie shrugged. She’d heard about the wonderful marriage he’d shared with his wife until she passed several years ago.

  “I cannot tell you the emotional mess I found myself in after Edna passed.” AJ shook his head. “Heck, I couldn’t have even admitted such a thing for years afterward. But I know now how devastated I was, losing that woman.”

  “But you didn’t turn to stealing from folks when you had no right to anything of theirs.”

  “No, I didn’t. But grief affects folks in different ways. I turned inward on myself. I wouldn’t talk to my family or my friends. Reverend Fitzpatrick tried his best to reach me, but I shut everyone out of my life. And it lasted for months and months until one day I turned a corner in my grief and everything became a little brighter, a little more hopeful. Day after day, things slowly improved in my mind until I joined the human race again.” AJ smiled at Rosie. “Could be your ma experienced a bad day. Maybe several of them. What happened hadn’t been real to her until something someone said or something she did brought everything a little clearer. Then everything came crashing down around her ears. She finally realized her husband is gone and he’s not coming back.”

  “Perhaps,” Rosie conceded. “But their marriage wasn’t much of a… a partnership. They barely tolerated each other. I doubt she’s terribly heartbroken that he’s passed.”

  “Still, the man had been there if she needed him. I figure he provided a comfortable living for his family, and she wanted for nothing. Now, perhaps to her way of thinking, she’s all alone in the world. Her parents are gone. Her husband, too. You’ve come here, leaving her completely on her own.”

  “She hasn’t been much of a parent either.”

  “I believe you. But Anna might be acting in a way she
wouldn’t otherwise… if her world hadn’t been turned upside down.”

  “You’re giving her too much credit.” Rosie shook her head. “She’s consumed with money. She’s lived a privileged life since birth. I believe pure greed is responsible for what she’s doing.”

  “Maybe you’re right. You know your mother much better than I do.” AJ held up his hands in surrender. “But consider the possibility there’s more than just greed driving this obsession to lay claim to what she believes her father would have wanted her to inherit.”

  “I cannot believe you’re such a compassionate, understanding man.”

  “Your mother won’t win her case, so I’m not particularly concerned about her shenanigans,” AJ said, touching Rosie’s arm. “Too much time has passed and there isn’t substantial proof, to my way of thinking at least. So, don’t you worry none. We’ll find a solution to this.”

  “Goodness, I hope you’re right. I pray this all works out.” And not only settling the ownership of the ranch. She hoped with all her heart that things between her and Michael worked out also.

  AJ nodded. “So do I, Rosie. So do I.”

  * * *

  Rosie stood waiting for Davie to saddle old Mick. After her discussion with AJ, Rosie needed to clear her mind and the best possible method she’d discovered had been a long ride. Nothing she loved more than the breeze on her face and the sun warming her body while she inhaled the sweet scent of sage and listened to birdsong on the wind.

  “There you go, Rosie. Need a leg up?” Davie inquired.

  Rosie smiled at the personable ranch hand. “Thank you. But that’s not necessary.” She leaned back and stuck her boot into the stirrup and hoisted herself into the saddle. Wearing her denims and boots, there was no need for a side-saddle today. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. And I won’t venture too far.”

  “Very wise, ma’am. Don’t do anything foolish.” Davie waved her off.

  Rosie sat tall in the saddle, pleased with her talents as an experienced horsewoman. Even Michael had praised her abilities. Much to her mother’s dismay. Nowhere on earth had Rosie found more peace and tranquility than while riding a horse. Feeling the strength of a well-muscled animal beneath her as they flew across the miles together, freedom theirs with every hoofbeat. Worry left behind in a trail of dust or carried away on the wind with every exhalation of breath. Soon, she’d become calmer already, her anger at her mother’s unreasonable opinions dissipating.

  Rosie pulled on the reins and slowed old Mick to a walk. “A fellow your age requires a rest from time to time,” she crooned to the aging equine.

  For several minutes they loped across the valley, Rosie deep in thought. She hadn’t a clue as to her mother’s plans. Michael had insisted they take a wait-and-see stand and not ruffle her mother’s feathers with accusations or waste time on what could prove useless speculation. Sitting around and doing nothing seemed a poor strategy to Rosie, but she hadn’t any experience with someone plotting to steal anything of great value from her. All things considered, perhaps she should simply listen to Michael and AJ and follow their lead.

  “Ready to race, Mick?” she called to the horse.

  The gelding snorted.

  “All right, time to head for home anyway.” Rosie kneed the horse’s sides and the gelding raced down the valley.

  Wind in her face and more worry-free than she’d felt in weeks, Rosie laughed aloud, catching herself smiling for the first time in days. Could she hope this feeling might belong to her forever? Living here on the Double M Ranch? Someday becoming Michael’s wife? “Wouldn’t that be absolutely marvelous?” she shouted aloud.

  Suddenly, a doe bounded out from a cluster of bushes only a few feet ahead, startling Mick. The gelding veered sharply to the right. Caught off guard, Rosie sailed out of the saddle, landing hard on the valley floor. Pain raced up her leg and she couldn’t catch her breath. Something warm ran down the side of her face and she reached up touching her cheek. When she removed her hand, she gasped at the sight of her own blood.

  “What have I done?” she whispered, her vision blurring and wooziness overtaking her. Would anyone come looking for her? She blinked and attempted to stand but the pounding in her head forced her to lie back on the ground.

  A moment later, everything went black.

  * * *

  Michael strode toward the horse barn. He’d spent the last half hour looking for Rosie and finally Mrs. Sheridan informed him she’d seen her heading toward the barns some time ago.

  “Rosie,” he called as he strode down the center aisle, peeking into each stall as he progressed to the back.

  “She’s not here,” Davie called. “Went riding Mick about twenty minutes ago.”

  “Riding? Alone?”

  “Yes, sir. Promised she wouldn’t do anything foolish. Planned to ride close to the ranch so she wouldn’t get lost.”

  Michael paced the floor, dragging one hand through his hair. Should he trust that Rosie knew her way around the ranch now? She’d been out riding more times than he could count, but always with him or AJ or Willow. Never alone before.

  “Saddle Brick for me, please. I’m going to check on Rosie,” Michael instructed Davie, suspecting the ranch hand could saddle his gelding quicker than he could, especially in his current state. His heart pounded, his palms sweated, and his mind was consumed with concern for Rosie. Hopefully, his condition proved needless worry, but he required assurance he wasn’t being overly cautious.

  “Will do. Give me a couple minutes.” Davie raced for the tack room.

  Minutes later, Michael raced across the valley attempting to guess which direction Rosie would have chosen. She enjoyed nothing better than a breakneck race across a verdant valley and Mick always complied with her request. A responsible and considerate horsewoman, Rosie rested the old fellow frequently, and she couldn’t have ventured too far away. Perhaps she’d even started back toward the ranch by now.

  He rode onward keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings. Movement up ahead caught his eye and he kneed Brick into action. He spotted Rosie and Mick some distance ahead and he would catch up in a matter of minutes. Suddenly, Mick veered to the right. Michael’s heart almost stopped when he watched in horror as the woman he cared for flew out of the saddle, landing on the ground. Well-trained, Mick stood nearby and bent down to sniff his rider. As soon as Michael reached them, he kicked his feet out of the stirrups, leapt out of the saddle, and raced to Rosie, dropping to his knees at her side.

  “Rosie, are you all right?”

  Eyes closed, she remained motionless and silent.

  Michael’s heart lodged in his mouth. She couldn’t be… He refused to even consider something so horrible. He leaned his cheek on her chest and heaved a sigh when her chest rose and fell with her breathing.

  “Rosie. Rosie. Wake up, Rosie,” he called, frantic with worry.

  A large gash on her forehead bled profusely and blood flowed down her cheek. He removed the bandana from around his neck and pressed it to the wound. He remembered Doc Bennett telling him head wounds often appeared worse than they were, considering the amount of blood shed. He prayed this was the case now.

  Rosie groaned and slowly moved her head from side to side. “What… what…”

  “Shh. It’s all right,” Michael whispered to her, hoping to allay her fears. “You fell off Mick. Do you hurt anywhere?”

  “My… my foot…hurts bad,” she stammered, her eyelids fluttering. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked at him. “What happened?”

  “You fell off Mick. You flew out of the saddle.”

  “I remember. A deer dashed out of the bushes.”

  Michael realized what had startled the horse. “Let me help you onto my horse. I’m taking you to the ranch. We’ll send for Doc Bennett.”

  Rosie nodded slowly and then she passed out again.

  Michael had a dickens of a time getting an unconscious Rosie into the saddle and then mounting up himself without her toppli
ng off Brick before he’d settled behind her. Finally, after a couple attempts, he succeeded in his mission and reined Brick toward the ranch. Mick trotted behind them, anticipating his evening feed waiting in his stall in the barn. Michael prayed for a positive outcome all the way back to the ranch. Rosie never regained consciousness.

  The minute he rode up to the corral, he spotted Davie. “Davie, saddle up and head to town. We need Doc Bennett as soon as he can get out here.”

  Without a word of argument or pausing to utter an inquiry, Davie raced into the barn and in no time at all he flew by Michael, riding his horse out of the barnyard and heading for town. Dang it. Michael cursed his stupidity. He should have asked for help dismounting to ensure he didn’t hurt Rosie. Just then Willow wandered out of the barn.

  “Any idea where Davie is off…” she began until she spotted Michael. “Oh, my goodness. What happened to Rosie?”

  “Fell off Mick. Come and help me get her into the house.”

  Willow spotted Mick drinking at the water trough. “He’ll be fine.” She hurried over and held Rosie in place while Michael climbed out of the saddle. He reached up and gently took Rosie in his arms. “Could you tend to Brick and Mick for me, please?”

  “Of course. Take care of Rosie.” Willow waved him toward the house. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

  “Davie’s off to town to fetch Doc Bennett.” Michael called over his shoulder. “Make sure Doc’s horse is taken care of while he’s here.”

  “Will do,” Willow called, leading Brick toward the barn.

  Rosie moved in his arms, slowly regaining consciousness. “Michael,” she said, her voice croaking.

  “I’m here. I’ve got you. We’re back at the ranch,” he explained as he climbed the front veranda steps. He put the boots to the front door and waited for someone to come. “I need help out here,” he shouted.

  “Land sakes, what are you…” Mrs. Sheridan gasped. “What happened to Rosie?”

  “She fell off Mick when a deer startled him.”

  Mrs. Sheridan wrung her hands. “Bring her up to her room. We should send for Doc Bennett.”