A Matter of Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  “And it seems there are plenty of new folks,” William added.

  “Speaking of new folks,” Austin said, turning to Jake, “did your friend find the place all right?”

  “What friend?” Jake asked.

  Austin looked from the younger man to the older. Returning his gaze to Jake, he spoke. “While I was visiting with the marshal in Cedar Springs, a fella stopped by the jail asking how to find your place. Said he was a friend from your banking days in Denver. He said you’d told him to stop by if he was in the area. Marshal told him how to find you.”

  “I don’t have anyone from Denver who knows about me livin’ here.” His brow knit as he narrowed his eyes.

  Just then Jake and Marty’s three oldest boys came flying out the front door and disappeared in a flash around the house. That seemed to give Jake an idea. “There was the orphanage director. Maybe it was him bringin’ more children to the ranch. You know he had the Barnetts take some older boys for local ranch help.”

  “He didn’t appear to have anyone with him,” Austin replied. “Said his name was Cuker. Randolph Cuker.”

  “I don’t know any Cuker. What’d he look like?”

  Austin could easily remember the man. “He was tall, lean, and had brown hair and a beard, although both were graying. He was well dressed and probably somewhere in his fifties, as far as age goes.”

  “I don’t know anyone like that,” Jake said with a frown.

  “That’s mighty strange,” William said, his voice edged with concern.

  “Seems to me,” Jake began, “there have been a lot of strange things happening around here. Marty felt certain someone was watching her hang clothes the other day. Said she felt it more than saw anything, but it made her uncomfortable just the same. And then there’s that note Alice received.”

  “What note?” Austin asked.

  “It was one congratulating her on the baby, but it wasn’t signed, and given her past, that doesn’t bode well.”

  Austin felt perplexed. “What past?”

  Jake looked to Will and received a nod before continuing. “In Denver some men killed Alice’s father over some forged gold certificates. That’s how Alice got the scar on her face. They held a knife to her and cut her when her father wouldn’t give them what they wanted. He tried to interfere and they pushed him away. He fell and hit his head and died almost instantly. Alice passed out. Some folks found her and hauled her off to the hospital. After she recovered, one of the men followed her around and tried to bully her into finding the missing certificates. Then he started threatening her and Marty. When it got to be really bad, Marty and Alice decided it was time to join me here in Texas.”

  “I’ve worked around counterfeiters before,” Austin admitted, without thinking. “I worked in the Secret Service for the Treasury Department. Counterfeit and fraud were my areas of work.”

  “Then maybe you’ll have some insight to offer us. If this stranger is someone from Alice’s past who’s come to seek those certificates, we may all need to lend a hand,” Barnett said. “All I know for certain is the letter scared my daughter-in-law to such a state that she’s scarcely slept or eaten since it came.”

  “I can well imagine,” Austin said, remembering the way the man at the jail had seemed most eager to find the Wythes. “I’ll keep an ear out. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know. I’ve got friends back in Washington. I can let them know about the situation.”

  William nodded. “Maybe you should. If you want, you can come by tomorrow for breakfast, and I’ll fill you in on more details. I’ll let you know what we figure out tonight, too.”

  Austin agreed, but there was a heightened sense of concern that he’d not felt since working for the Secret Service. Counterfeiters could be quite ruthless, as those men in Denver had proven to Alice and her father. They would stop at nothing until they got what they wanted, and Austin had no plans to see these people hurt.

  Chapter 10

  With the harvest party only a week away, Jessica began to worry that she’d made a mistake in turning down the beaus who’d asked her to accompany them. She had hoped that perhaps Harrison Gable or Austin Todd might ask her, so she had refused the others. Now, with the festival nearly upon them, Jessica wasn’t sure what to do. She supposed she could just attend with her parents. Or perhaps on her own.

  She’d helped her mother can pumpkin all day. It was a tedious job, and it heated the house something awful. Mother had planned to do all of the cooking and canning outside, but then changed her mind. Now Jessica longed for cooler air. She was grateful the kitchen help had already cleaned out the insides of the pumpkins and had cut the edible parts from the thick orange skin. This shortened their work considerably. After that, it was easy enough to cook the pumpkin and jar it up. It was just far too hot.

  “You certainly seem quiet today,” Mother said, handing Jessica a cooled jar to label.

  “I suppose I’m just thinking about things.”

  “Things?”

  Jessica grimaced. She didn’t want to admit her worry to Mother. “Just life, Mother. I’m just thinking about my life.”

  “And did you come to any conclusions?”

  A loud knock sounded at the front of the house. “Who could that be?” Mother wore a puzzled look. “It never fails that when we get caught up in something like this, someone shows up to visit.” She laughed and quickly washed up, dried her hands on a towel, and pulled off her apron. “I’ll see who it is. You get the rest of these sealed jars off the stove. Let them cool before you try to label them.”

  Jessica nodded and lifted the heavy kettle off the stove. She’d barely made it to the wooden table before the weight and steam threatened her hold.

  Her mother appeared at the door. “Jess, take off your apron and come. Mr. Gable is here.”

  Excitement flooded Jessica. She dabbed her forehead with a towel, then tossed her apron aside. Hurrying down the hall, she touched a hand to her hair, hoping she didn’t look a fright. Everything felt in place, however, so she entered the front room with a smile.

  Harrison Gable gave her a look that Jessica found almost invasive. He seemed to study her with great interest. “Miss Atherton, what a pleasure to see you again.” Gable took hold of her hand and pressed a light kiss on the back.

  Jessica trembled and pulled her hand away more quickly than she’d intended. “It’s nice to see you again.” Why did this man affect her so?

  “Since it is Saturday, I thought I might have better luck seeing some of the local ranchers in the area. Your father suggested Saturday afternoon and evening might be best.”

  “I’m sure he’s right,” Mother said before Jessica could respond. “Most will be at home getting ready for the Sabbath. Tyler is out in the barn. I’ll go ask him to join us.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Atherton,” Harrison said with a slight bow.

  Once Jessica’s mother left the room, Harrison moved closer. “I was hoping I might see you today. And here you are.”

  Jessica worried about her appearance and felt an explanation was in order. “I’ve been helping my mother to can pumpkin. I’m afraid I didn’t have time to arrange myself.”

  “You look lovely.” His gaze swept over her again. “Quite lovely.”

  “Thank you.” She couldn’t help but feel the intensity of his compliment.

  For a moment neither said a word. When Jessica heard voices coming from the kitchen, she knew her time alone with Harrison was over.

  Father bounded into the room with his hand extended. “Good to see you again, Harrison. I hope you’ll stay till supper.”

  “I can’t. I need to speak with some of the ranchers who border your property and Mr. Barnett on the north. I know there’s just a couple, but it is important I get their signatures.”

  “Of course. That would be the Harper and Watson places. Let me get my coat, and I’ll go with you.”

  “Thank you. I’d be much obliged.” Tyler started to go, but Gable cleared his throat. “I
wondered, too, if I might ask permission to escort your daughter to the upcoming harvest party.”

  Tyler smiled. “Well, it’s good with me if Jessica gives her approval. I can have Osage bring her to town, and the two of you can meet up there.”

  Everyone looked to Jessica. Without hesitation she said, “Of course. I would like that very much.”

  Gable grinned. “Then this has been a most productive day. Shall we meet around ten that morning? I understand there is to be a bountiful noon meal and thought we might partake of that, not to mention the other activities.”

  “Of course. There’s a dance later in the evening,” Jessica offered.

  “We plan to attend, as well,” Mother said. “So it’s no trouble for us to stick around for the dance. That way Osage won’t have to wait in town until late.”

  Harrison looked to Mother. “Thank you, ma’am. That is quite considerate. I’d very much enjoy sharing a dance or two with Miss Atherton.”

  Jessica enjoyed his charm. There was something engaging about the man. She tried not to show her delight in his asking her to the party, for she didn’t want to appear too eager, and she certainly didn’t want him to know how he made her feel. That might truly cause embarrassment, since she didn’t really know him.

  “Well, if you’re ready,” Tyler said, “we might as well head out.”

  “Don’t you want to eat something first?” Mother asked. “You might be gone a good while.”

  “No. I’ll just see Harrison to the Harpers’ and eat when I get back. I’m sure Hank Harper will show him how to get to the Watsons’. They’ll probably offer you a room for the night,” he said, looking to Harrison.

  “Folks around here are certainly accommodating,” Gable commented.

  “Not like folks in the city, eh?” Father questioned.

  “Indeed, they are nothing like the guarded and cautious folks who cross your path there. However, they guard themselves with good reason. Life in the larger cities can be quite difficult and even dangerous.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t want it,” Father said. He leaned over and kissed Mother. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “We’ll wait dinner for you, sweetheart,” Mother said, embracing Jessica’s father.

  Jessica watched her father gave Mother another quick kiss, then he slapped Harrison’s back and guided him to the door.

  “That was quite exciting, don’t you think?” Mother asked.

  Smiling, Jessica didn’t even try to feign confusion at her question. “I’m so happy I could fly.”

  “Don’t do that,” Mother chided playfully. “Flying is for birds and angels—not for people.”

  “I was afraid he might not ask.”

  “You two make a beautiful couple,” Mother replied, leading the way back to the kitchen. “I can see your being attracted to him. He has a profession and plans for the future that would suit you well.”

  Jessica took up her apron but didn’t put it on. Mother’s words troubled her. “What do you mean?”

  Mother was already donning her apron. “Well, it seems to me that Mr. Gable already does well for himself. He’s been impeccably dressed each time I’ve seen him. He carries himself as a man of quality, and I believe he could provide the things in life that you love.”

  “Why does everyone think I’m interested only in things?” Jessica said, throwing down the apron. “I’m tired of people looking at me that way. I might have been spoiled and useless in the past, but I’m trying to change.”

  “No one said you were useless,” Mother countered. “But you’ve always preferred nice things and expensive clothes. You’ve often said how much you enjoyed traveling with your grandparents and how much you love city life. It seems to me that Harrison Gable shares your interests.”

  Jessica knew her mother was right, but she still felt insulted. “Those aren’t the only things that are important to me. I would never marry a man just because he had money. I would only marry if I loved him.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Mother replied. “I know it was difficult for you to adjust after Robert married Alice. I have been more than a little worried that you would take up the first marriage proposal offered.”

  “I’ve been asked to marry several times,” Jessica said, hands on hips. “You should give me more credit than that. I’m not a silly simpering girl. I know what’s valuable in life, and I’m sick and tired of people suggesting otherwise!”

  Harrison Gable enjoyed the ride north. There was still plenty of light, and Atherton had chosen to cut across his land rather than go all the way back to the road. It would shorten their trip by at least fifteen or twenty minutes, the older man had told him.

  “I don’t suppose you ride a lot back in Dallas,” Atherton began. “Hope you won’t be too saddle sore after all these visits.”

  “Surprisingly enough, I do ride quite often. I love it. I have, ever since I was a small boy.”

  “Me too,” the older man admitted. “There’s something peaceful about being out here in the fields—cattle grazin’, clear skies, sun slowly settin’. If not for the fences, it might seem like old times.”

  Harrison glanced at the man. “You don’t approve of fencing?”

  Atherton shook his head and didn’t look Harrison’s way. “I can’t say I’m very fond of it. I know it’s helped cut down on damage done to some of the farms. I even understand it comes with the settlin’ of a place. I just don’t happen to like it.

  “I suppose that might sound strange to you.” He paused for a moment and seemed to be lost in thought as he studied the landscape. “When everything was open, it was like the entire state was yours to be had. You could ride from one area to another and never worry much about somebody takin’ offense at you for crossin’ their land. Seems like the fences have popped into place almost overnight. Feels kind of like a noose being tightened.”

  “But fencing helps in keeping your herds together,” Harrison offered.

  “Yup. I can agree with that. It’s not nearly so difficult to round them up, and you don’t have nearly the trouble with strays. In the past Will and I have run our cattle together with the Watsons’ and Harpers’. And the Wythes’, too, of course. Now with the town being platted, the Watsons and Harpers are putting in fence, and Will and I have set ours in place, as well. It’s the end of an era, to be sure.”

  As they approached the northwest edge of Atherton’s property, Harrison spied a gate leading out of the pasture and onto the road. Tyler managed the gate, never leaving the back of his mount. Harrison could see this was second nature to the man. Once they were on the road, he couldn’t help but regard Tyler Atherton.

  “You have the bearing of a man who’s worked hard and accomplished much,” he told Atherton. “Have you always lived here?”

  “Pretty much. There were times when I had to be away. Before the railroad came to Cedar Springs, we had to drive the cattle north to Kansas each year. Then I was gone quite a time during the war.”

  “Were you in many battles?” Gable asked.

  Atherton considered the question for a moment. “Enough to make me know I never wanna see another war.”

  Harrison nodded. “That’s exactly what my father said. I was born during the conflict, and my mother was terrified we would be killed in the midst of it.”

  “A lot of innocent folk died. Those were sad times.”

  “Did you have to fight the Indians out here, or was the area already civilized?”

  Atherton frowned at this. Obviously this wasn’t a pleasant topic. He was silent so long, in fact, that Harrison feared he’d offended his host. Harrison didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing at all.

  Soon Atherton picked up the conversation again. “There were always Indians around when I was young. They would raid and threaten death. My people would rally and fight back. Eventually the Comanche managed to get the upper hand. They killed my father and several of his men. It wasn’t easy to have much grace for them after that.”

 
; “I can imagine. If they’d killed my father, I’d feel the same way.”

  Atherton gave a heavy sigh. “It didn’t serve me well to bear a grudge. I learned that revenge couldn’t satisfy the void. I had to forgive and move on. I knew it was what God would have me do.”

  Harrison wasn’t sure how to respond. It was clear the man didn’t enjoy the subject. Who could blame him? Still, with his years of training to understand people by their actions and words, Harrison was certain there truly was a peace about Mr. Atherton.

  “Looks like Austin Todd is headin’ our way.”

  Gable looked down the road to see the same rain-drenched cowboy he’d seen sitting beside Jessica Atherton in church. Only this time he was dry.

  “Afternoon, Austin,” Mr. Atherton called out as they came together.

  “Near to evening,” Todd replied.

  “Do you know Mr. Harrison Gable?” the older man asked.

  “Only by reputation.” He gave a nod and smiled at Harrison. “Mr. Barnett speaks highly of you.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I have enjoyed doing business with both Mr. Barnett and Mr. Atherton.”

  Atherton chuckled. “He’s only enjoyed doin’ business with me because it got him a date to take Jessica to the harvest celebration next Saturday.”

  “That right? Well, I hope you have a good time.”

  Harrison wasn’t sure, but Todd didn’t sound any too sincere. Perhaps he’d better watch himself. This man might also be after the lady’s affection.

  “I intend to,” Harrison said. “Thank you.”

  “I’m glad we ran into you, Austin. I have some things to discuss with you.” Atherton looked to Harrison. “If you don’t mind, I’ll let you go on ahead by yourself. Just follow this trail north, and you’ll come to the river, where there’s a bridge that will bring you pert near to Harper’s drive. Just cross the bridge, angle to the right, and you can’t miss it.”