“Davie already left. She has a nasty gash on her head. We need to stop the bleeding,” Michael instructed as he moved upstairs, clutching Rosie to his chest. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt in that moment, he couldn’t love her more.
He gently laid Rosie on her bed. Mrs. Sheridan arrived a minute later with a bowl of steaming water, several cloths, and the medical kit AJ kept at the ranch for minor doctoring.
Michael stood by as Mrs. Sheridan removed his bandana from around Rosie head. Her beautiful hair had escaped the bun and lay matted on the pillow.
“Appears the bleeding has stopped. We just need to clean up the blood and dirt, and then bandage the wound. Doc Bennett can tend to it properly when he arrives.” Mrs. Sheridan carried out her intentions while Michael paced the floor. “This goose egg on her head troubles me a mite. Seems she took a nasty fall.”
“I saw the whole thing happen. She flew out of that saddle and landed hard.” Michael stood over Rosie, watching her slow, even breathing, praying she’d come to soon. “She maybe hit her head on a rock or something. I hope she hasn’t concussed herself. The way that ankle is swelling worries me more. I hope she hasn’t broken it.”
Mrs. Sheridan completed her ministrations and then patted Michael’s hand. “All we can do now is wait for Doc Bennett. I’ll clean up some of the blood on her face in the meantime. Once he’s checked her over, I’ll wash her and get her into a nightgown. She’ll be fine. You tend to whatever you need to do.” She shooed him out of the room and closed the door.
Michael stood in the hallway, contemplating exactly what it was he should be doing. Worrying at the bedside of the woman he loved dearly seemed the most logical thing, but Mrs. Sheridan had taken that duty away from him when she’d banished him from Rosie’s bedroom. Footsteps drew his attention and Michael turned to discover his father climbing the stairs.
“I just heard about Rosie. How is she, son?” AJ called from the landing.
“Unconscious. Goose egg on her forehead. Might have broken her ankle or sprained it good.” Michael dragged his hand down his face. “A deer spooked old Mick. She fell out of the saddle. Landed hard.”
“Dang it anyway. That girl has the worst luck.” AJ shook his head. “Davie should be back with Doc Bennett soon. He’ll fix her injuries. We just have to pray she’ll be all right.”
Michael nodded. He hoped all the praying he’d done on the way back to the ranch would prove of some worth.
Suddenly, Mrs. Sheridan poked her head out of Rosie’s bedroom. “She just came to, and she’s cleaned up. Is Doc here yet?”
Michael shook his head. “I’ll send him up the moment he arrives.” At least, Rosie had regained consciousness. He raced down the stairs and out onto the veranda. He inhaled deeply, the cool evening air hitting his lungs. Hurry, Doc. Hurry.
An hour later, Doc Bennett and Davie rode up to the ranch house. Both dismounted and Davie lead the two lathered geldings toward the horse barn.
Doc lumbered toward the front steps. “I hear Rosie took a spill.”
“Mrs. Sheridan is with her now.” Michael huffed out a breath and raked his hand through his hair. “Cleaned a gash on her forehead. Rosie might be concussed and there’s something wrong with one of her ankles, too. She finally regained consciousness a half hour ago.”
“Thank you for that thorough explaining. More words than I’ve heard from you in one sitting as long as I’ve known you. Miss Rosie means a lot to you, I’d reckon.” Doc chuckled and strode into the house with Michael on his heels.
“You reckon right, Doc. I plan to marry that girl someday. And I’d appreciate it if you kept her in one piece so I could carry out my plan.”
Doc chuckled. “I’ll do my best, son. You look in a worse way than Rosie likely is. Never seen a fellow so worried and concerned about his gal.” He climbed the stairs and disappeared into Rosie’s room.
Michael collapsed on the stairs and dropped his head into his hands. Rosie had to recover. He couldn’t love her more, and he wouldn’t be more worried about her if she already were his wife.
Chapter 19
Rosie lounged on the sofa beside the parlor window, watching birds flitting between the treetops. She admired today’s vibrant blue sky and longed to return to the barn to help Willow with the new foals. And, of course to ride Mick again.
Doc had assured her that the gash on her head would heal without a visible scar since the wound was hidden by her hairline. She hadn’t concussed herself despite the nasty fall. But she’d managed an admirable job of spraining her ankle, and Doc insisted she remain off it for at least two weeks. Michael carried her downstairs every morning and upstairs every night so she wasn’t confined to her bedroom. She enjoyed the change of scenery and appreciated taking her meals with the family. Occasionally with Mrs. Sheridan’s help, she hopped on one foot into the kitchen and spent pleasant hours seated at the table and talking with the cook while she worked. She helped peel potatoes and a variety of other minor jobs she could easily manage while sitting.
She tired of being confined to the house every evening with only her books for company or a bit of needlework. She’d written in her journals, relating her adventures while riding the innumerable acres comprising the Double M. She derived greater pleasure from her written musings more and more, to the point she’d been seriously considering writing for the local newspaper. She promised herself, one of these days she’d muster up the courage to make inquiries with Richard Green at the Milestone Weekly Gazette, in hopes such a thing would be possible.
Rosie craned her neck, staring out the parlor window. She gaped at the familiar rented buggy pulling up to the ranch house. Was she seeing things? Billy Turner from the livery hopped down from the bench seat and offered Anna his hand. The moment her feet hit the ground, her mother strode toward the front door while the driver began unloading her trunks.
“No, no, no. Mother, you are not staying here,” Rosie muttered. “Mrs. Sheridan. AJ,” she shouted, hoping to catch someone’s attention and prevent her mother from entering the house. When no one replied, she clambered off the sofa and hoisted her skirts, planning to half hop and half hobble toward the front entryway to intercept her mother and put an end to her intentions. Immediately, hot pain stabbed her foot from the ankle injury and she slumped back onto the sofa.
“Rosemary, how lovely to see you again,” her mother greeted her, smiling broadly as she swept into the room.
“What are you doing here?” Rosie demanded.
“It shouldn’t be any surprise. I’ve returned to spend time with my daughter.”
“You cannot be serious,” Rosie scoffed. Considering her mother had ignored her the majority of her life, the statement sounded completely ridiculous. Her mother had ulterior motives for returning to the Double M; Rosie would wager any amount on it. But what could she possibly hope to accomplish by coming back? No one wanted her here. Least of all, any of the McLennons.
“Of course, I’m back. You’re here. Where else would I be?” Anna gaped at her. “Why is your ankle bound? Whatever have you done to yourself?”
Rosie waved off the questions. “Return to Boston. That’s where you should be.”
“Only if you’ll accompany me home when the time is right.” Her mother settled beside her on the sofa and attempted to examine her ankle more closely.
When the time is right? After you’ve robbed the McLennons of their ranch? Not a possibility. “I’m never moving back to Boston, Mother. My future is here with Michael, with the McLennon family.” Rosie waved off her mother’s attempt to argue. “I sprained my ankle, but it’s fine.”
“Fine. I very much doubt that.” Anna shook a finger at Rosie. “It’s bandaged. Whatever did you do?”
“I… I fell off the horse I was riding,” Rosie admitted in a whisper.
“What? You could have broken your neck,” Anna exclaimed. “I forbid you to ride one of those smelly animals ever again.”
“Mother, it’s nothing and horses don
’t smell bad,” Rosie huffed. “Now, I suggest you return to Milestone or Butte or Boston. Any place but here.”
“Nothing?” Anna screeched. “Was a doctor summoned? What did he say?”
“You relinquished your right to lay down rules for me years ago. I’m grown now and I’ll do as I please, and that includes riding a horse whenever it suits me.”
“So this will be your future? Falling off horses? Hurting yourself? Or worse? You should leave here immediately and return to Boston. Surely there’s one fellow in the entire city you could be happy with,” Anna pleaded.
“You’re attempting the same thing Great-grandfather did to Grandmother.” Rosie shook her head, her conviction matching her contempt for her mother’s attempted interference in her life. “I’ve discovered where I belong. I’ve found the gentleman for me, and I’m not going anywhere.”
AJ strode into the room. “Ladies, is there a problem?”
“Mother has returned. Considering what she’s planning, I’ve informed her she is no longer welcome here.”
“AJ, please… I only want to spend time with my daughter,” Anna pleaded. “Especially since you’ve allowed Rosemary to injure herself. Completely irresponsible of you.”
“Mother, my accident certainly wasn’t AJ’s fault. No one was to blame… it was an accident.” Rosie winced slightly with the additional pain acquired from her foolish attempt to stand on the foot. “If you refuse to return to Boston, you could rent a room at Mrs. Landers’ boarding house in Milestone.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Spend time with Rosie, Anna.” AJ waved away Rosie’s concerns. “I’ll have one of the boys bring in your trunks. You’re welcome to stay.”
“AJ, what… what are you… what are you thinking?” Rosie stammered.
He patted her arm. “It’s quite all right if Anna stays with us. She sounds genuinely concerned about you and your injury.”
“But—”
“She’s your mother and we never turn away family.”
“She’s not your family. I barely consider her part of my family.”
“Rosemary, what a hurtful thing to say to your own mother,” Anna scolded her.
AJ shook his head. “Anna will stay with us. There’ll be no further discussion about it. Anna, supper is at six.”
Rosie threw up her hands as AJ exited the parlor. Whatever could AJ be thinking? The old idiom keep your friends close and your enemies closer popped into her mind. Perhaps AJ decided the best way to learn what Anna might be planning was having her staying under the same roof with his family. That made sense. Rosie promised herself she’d remain vigilant and inform AJ of any suspicions she might develop. No matter how insignificant they seemed. Just in case.
“All right, Mother. It appears you’re staying.”
A knock on the door interrupted her. A young man stepped inside, one of her mother’s smaller trunks hoisted onto his shoulder. “Where do you want this, ma’am?”
Anna smiled. “Follow me, please.” She led the fellow out the door.
Rosie promised herself she’d ensure AJ was told about her mother’s plans the moment Rosie became aware of anything suspicious. If there was any possibility things worked out between her and Michael, she might as well begin acting like a future McLennon and watch out for the family’s best interests.
Starting today.
* * *
Her mother had lived on the ranch for over two weeks now, and Rosie hadn’t noticed anything that would indicate all wasn’t as it should be. Her sprained ankle had healed nicely and she could walk on it for short periods of time again, as long as she didn’t overdo.
Her mother’s physical condition appeared another matter. Mrs. Sheridan sent up Anna’s meals on a tray to her room, following her mother’s instructions. Except for the occasional stroll around the back gardens, her mother seldom left her room. And her mother wouldn’t talk to anyone. Even her daughter whom she claimed she’d returned to the ranch to spend time with. Definitely a lie. Rosie hadn’t a clue what to make of it all. Was her mother simply too embarrassed to face the McLennon family? Or was she plotting something? There must be a reason for her malaise. Or was it simple standoffishness?
Perhaps Rosie should insist her mother leave. If her mother masterminded some plan that harmed the McLennon family from right here under their noses, Rosie would never forgive herself. She slowly climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on her mother’s door.
“Mother, I know you’re in there. Please open the door.” Rosie stood, waiting. “I’m not leaving. Open this door.”
A moment later, the door cracked open and her mother peeked around the corner. “What do you want?”
Rosie rudely pushed her way inside. “Talk to me, Mother.”
Anna brushed her hair off her face. Rosie gaped. Her mother’s hair resembled a rat’s nest; she mustn’t have brushed it for days. Her wrinkled nightgown suggested her mother hadn’t dressed for some time either.
“What on earth is wrong?”
Her mother shook her head and flopped down on the bed. “Nothing,” she whispered.
“You normally appear for breakfast dressed appropriately for a day with your lady friends in Boston. Look at you. What caused this turnaround?” Rosie settled on the bed beside her mother.
“I…I don’t know.” Anna heaved a sigh. “It’s all too difficult.”
“Difficult? What is?”
“All of it. Being at home. Being here. Having my entire life turned upside down.” She stood and crossed the floor, then gazed out the window. “I’ll never forgive your father for leaving me alone.”
“Mother, he really hadn’t any choice in it. He died,” Rosie reasoned. She suspected her father’s death had finally caught up with her mother, and the finality of being left behind had sunk in. Exactly as AJ had warned her. Rosie didn’t dare say the word ‘grief’ aloud knowing her mother would deny the suggestion, considering it an accusation and a sign of weakness in her character.
Anna crossed her arms and glared at her daughter. “Your father worked himself to death. All he thought about was business. Being a success. Making money. And more money and more money. Outdoing the other fellow in every business dealing.”
Rosie couldn’t have offered a more accurate summation. “Father and every man I’ve ever known was the same. Grandfather was no different. I’d wager Great-grandfather also.”
“I know. That’s why I sold Woodley Enterprises. Not for the money, although that will ensure I’ve the funds to see me through the rest of my days.” She slumped onto a chair near the window. “I hated that company. I couldn’t wait to rid myself of it.”
Rosie peeked over at her mother. “And the realization you didn’t have the foggiest notion about business probably factored into the decision.”
A small smile twitched at the sides of her mother’s mouth. “Yes, I suppose you’re right about that.”
“Of course, I’m right. None of the women married to gentlemen who owned or worked for Woodley Enterprises have possessed even a hint of business sense. And why should any of them? I cannot fathom the almost insane preoccupation with such things as investments and properties and the like.”
“Men definitely see the world in a different light than we do.”
“That’s one thing we can agree on.” Rosie frowned. “Although what you’re planning to do to the McLennon family… we will never see eye to eye on that matter.”
“No, I suppose not.” Anna dragged a hand through her tangled locks. “I need to pull myself together. I’ll hear from Mr. Barnes any day now, I’d imagine. I haven’t a clue what he’ll tell me, but I’m hoping he’ll agree to handle this matter for me. I cannot wait to settle this issue of my true father.”
“You’re going about it the wrong way. I’m not convinced at all that Michael Miller was your father. I pray someone can shed some light on who the man may have been.” Rosie stood and shook out her skirts. “Meantime, I’ll see you downstairs for su
pper tonight. Everyone is away at some community event in Milestone. As far as I know, only AJ and myself will be at the table tonight. Please, Mother, come and join us.”
Her mother nodded. “I will. I promise. And I’ll keep a civil tongue in my mouth. I won’t mention anything but the weather.”
Rosie chuckled. “Mother it has rained for several days and we’re sick of it.”
“It has?”
“Mother, I’m just teasing. It’s lovely outside. You should take a walk after supper.”
Anna wagged a finger at her. “You’re a very naughty girl.”
Rosie let the comment be, knowing she wasn’t the problem. She walked downstairs to converse with AJ until supper was served. Whatever her mother hoped to accomplish would destroy the lives of the entire McLennon family, should she succeed. No, Rosie wasn’t naughty in comparison to Anna.
Rosie almost stumbled on the stairs, her ankle still weaker than normal. Could she dare hope this Mr. Barnes fellow would realize the futility of her mother’s case and refuse to represent her?
Perhaps there was still hope for a good outcome.
Chapter 20
Michael accompanied Rosie for a walk following supper, having surprised her by appearing at the table despite her belief everyone but AJ had attended the event in town.
“I smile every time I recall the look on your face when I walked into the dining room tonight.”
“I thought I was seeing things.” Rosie swatted his arm. “You should have said something this afternoon.”
“You never asked if I was going with the others.”
“That’s true. A person shouldn’t make assumptions.”
“Exactly.” Michael reached for her hand and they continued strolling among the apple trees. “I was surprised to see Anna at the table. She didn’t appear too well.”
Rosie heaved a sigh. “I believe the realization that Father is truly gone finally registered. She hasn’t left her room in days, and she appeared in a terrible state when I pushed my way into her bedroom this afternoon.”
A Lost Love's Legacy (Sons Of A Gun Book 5) Page 13
