Confident enough that none would fall ass-over-teakettle and be trampled to death, Inky started the branding. It was backbreaking, hot, smelly work. Debbie Ann tied a neckerchief around her nose and mouth to keep from gagging from the smell of burnt hair. Cinnamon’s sleek hair curled like lamb’s wool from the heat of the fire and branding iron. Fancy cried. “You’re hurting them poor babies, Dixie.”
“Fancy, I assure you the brand only stings for a few minutes.”
“Says who?”
Good question.
“I just can’t watch this, Dixie. It’s cruel.”
I banished her to the kitchen.
Beat the hell out of me how she could wring the neck off a chicken, cut it up, and fry its ass and liver without blinking an eye, but slap a brand on a horse’s rump, and she’d damn near fell into convulsions.
Chapter Thirty-One
Most afternoons I took over for Inky in the catch pen gentling the wildness out of the mares. With winter knocking on the door, Inky wanted to finish his cabin before the snow flew. Couldn’t fault him. He’d been sleeping in the tack room and had reached his limit smelling leather and saddle soap all night long. Besides, the quicker he got his home finished, the sooner he and Cinnamon could be together. Winter hung low over my head too. I still had no cattle for Black Bear.
From sunup to sundown I was too busy to think of Jackson. There were times, however when I caught Inky and Cinnamon walking hand-in-hand. On good days, I didn’t give it a second thought. On fair days, I envied their closeness. On bad days, it made me hornet-buzzing mad. A team of plow mules couldn’t pull that confession out of me, but I wasn’t fooling Sassy. She would cock that damn eyebrow of hers and shoot me an all-knowing look. Nine times out of ten, I could shake off the feeling, chalk it up to foolishness. I didn’t need a man to complicate my life.
Night time called me a liar.
Dog tired, I’d crawl into bed only to have Jackson McCullough ride through my dreams. Sometimes he’d linger for only a hazy moment. Other times, all night long. I’d wake grumpy and out-of-sorts for hours remembering the vision of those cursed dimples of his waltzing through my head.
It was his fault. He never should’ve gone. Oh hell. Who was I fooling? I was to blame. One word. I only had to say one word. But for some reason stay lodged in my gullet and strangled me.
Peg surprised us one morning with a basket of kittens courtesy of Big Mike’s barn cat, Sylvester. As promised, Rebecca Sue got first pick of the four. Her heart went out to the runt of the litter, a little calico she named Patches. Scrawny and rib-thin, I prayed the tiny gal would make it. If she died, it would break Rebecca Sue’s heart. Mine too.
“She needs lots of good milk. Dixie. Get a cow. Now. Today.”
“Rebecca Sue is right, Dixie,” Debbie Ann chimed in. “Got plenty of chickens, but it’s time we got a least one milk cow. A few hogs wouldn’t hurt none. Maybe even a goat.”
“Don’t forget about them steers neither, Miss Dixie. Don’t want Black Bear going on the warpath.”
“What? You didn’t make another deal with that Indian, did you? Ain’t it enough you chopped off all your hair for him?”
I wanted to wring Sassy’s neck. Yes, sir. I surely did.
Only two others beside Jackson and Spotted Owl knew the real story behind my short hair: Cinnamon and Sassy. Didn’t have any notion of telling them. The secret just slipped out. Course that shot of tequila I had while Cinnamon tried to style the ragged mess might’ve had something to do with that. Now, thanks to Sassy’s loud mouth, everyone knew. All of them gawked at me like I’d grown mule ears.
“I didn’t cut it for the Indian, and you know it, Sassy. But even if I had, what right do you, of all people, have to judge me?”
I never understood why they were called Doves. These women were tough as boot leather. Hawks or eagles would’ve been a better name. Yet, for all their independence and grit, they willingly sold themselves. They allowed slobbering, whiskey-breathed, sweat-drenched strangers to kiss, fondle, pinch, and slap. I told myself what happened behind closed doors was none of my business. They had their reasons. Mainly money. But I’d just as soon clean spittoons for pennies a day then lower myself to such ruin. But here again. That was me. Not them.
I’d never thrown the White Dove in their faces. It hurt me to do so now. I cringed yet stood defiant. Hard as year-old jerky, Sassy glared at me with eyes smoldering hot. Then as quick as the fire had flamed, it went out.
“None. I ain’t got none.”
I saddled Joe and rode off.
If anyone had the guts to ask me where I was going, I would’ve claimed target practice. Truth was, I was fed up with the whole situation. I needed to get away. Clear my head. Maybe I stepped over the line. They might all walk out on me. So be it. It was bluff. I’d be hard-pressed if they left. But the loss of their friendship would trouble me more than no ranch hands.
Lin Chow tripped over his tiny feet when he saw me.
“Missy Dixie. Missy Dixie. You come see Lin Chow?” His eyes narrowed. “You not come to cook again.”
“Not in a hundred years.” I laughed. “Big Mike around?”
“Boss man with horses. You drink tea with Lin Chow?”
I really didn’t like tea. But I did like Lin Chow. One cup wouldn’t hurt. When I got up to leave, he handled me a covered basket.
“You give to Missy Fancy. You come again. I have more vegetables.”
I missed Chow Chow more than I wanted to admit.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Big Mike jumped when I called his name.
“What be on your mind, lassie?”
“Can’t I just come to town to visit old friends?”
“Aye, ye can. But ’tis not the case today. Ye wear the look of a troubled soul.”
I didn’t mean for it to happen. Everything tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Sassy and I got cross-ways this morning. I’m worried about Jackson. I promised six head of cattle to Black Bear that I don’t have. Rebecca Sue will pound me to dust if I don’t come back with a milk cow. And I need some pigs and a goat.”
“That be the all of it?”
Well hell. Wasn’t that enough? Something else was gnawing on me, but nothing I was willing to share.
“Not quite. But it’s all I’m gonna talk about.”
“Well then. Work here is near done. Take me cow, Matilda. I can acquire your pigs and the goat with little trouble, but the beeves be trickier. Will have to study on that. Jackson is a strapping lad. Can take care of himself. As for Sassy Anne? She be a head-strong lass for sure. Had heated words with her a few times me self. But no worries, lass. Sassy be a good woman. She hold nar a grudge.”
“She plans on marrying you.”
“Oh does she now?”
“Yes. Don’t let on I told you.”
“Not a word, lass.”
“Would you?”
“Would I what?”
“Marry her?”
“Aye. That I might. Providing she lets me do the askin’.”
“I’ll drop a hint.”
“Would’cha now? Well then, in that case, I’ll throw in that worthless tomcat Sylvester with the cow.”
I loved Big Mike.
Sylvester rode peaceful and quite content in my saddlebags. Every now and again curiosity got the best of him and he’d poke his scarred head out just to make sure things were on the up-and-up. Matilda, the cow, was a different story. She balked at every twist and turn. I was in a hurry to get back. To see the shock on everyone’s face. Turned out, however, I was the one who got the surprise.
Lips pulled back. Teeth barred. Fang had a white-faced, short-legged cowboy pinned against the corral gate.
The cowboy’s horse ran wild.
Debbie Ann cussed a blue streak.
Fancy screamed back at her.
Steers milled about ready to stampede at the drop of a hat.
Inky and the others were nowhere in sight.
&n
bsp; Sylvester hissed and growled.
Matilda bawled.
Joe goose-stepped.
What the hell did I ride in to?
Chapter Thirty-Three
I jumped to the ground.
“Fang! Back! Fancy, shut up.”
“Good thang you come along when ya did. I was jest getting ready to give that dawg a good ass-whupping.”
I hated the cowboy right off. Shot him a look that would melt stone. “I beg your pardon?”
Fancy rushed over. “Dixie, this is my friend, Cody Wayne. I have no idea why Fang attacked him like that.”
The cowpoke put his arm around Fancy’s shoulders. Pulled her tight to his side.
“That’s right. He jumped me for no good reason.”
“Liar.”
I glanced over at Debbie Ann. Always composed, neat as a pin, at the moment she was anything but. Look like she’d run a mile. Sweat trickled down the side of her blotchy-red face.
Dark stains circled her armpits. Straggly hair flew about her head. She brushed the wild locks back with a trembling hand.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Where did these cattle come from?”
“From me.” The cowpoke squeezed Fancy harder to his side. “Ain’t that right, darling?”
“What’s he talking about, Fancy?”
She ducked her head. Made tiny circles in the dirt with the toe of her boot.
“I just wanted to help, Dixie. I knew you needed cows. Cody Wayne visited me a lot at the Dove. Told me more than once what a big cattle ranch he had, so I went to see him. We…we…made a deal.”
“What kind of deal? Did you buy them?”
“Well, no. More like traded for them.”
I let that sink in for a moment. Didn’t like the sounds of it one bit. “Traded what?”
No answer.
“Fancy. Answer me. What did you trade?”
“Her soul. She traded her soul, Dixie.”
Debbie Ann’s outburst severed my last nerve. I jerked Fancy away from Cody Wayne. Made her look me square in the eye.
“Tell me the truth, Fancy. What did you trade?”
“Git your hands off her! It ain’t none of your business no how. The deal is between me and her. One night for each cow. Yes, siree. Ten long days and nights of good loving. Whenever, wherever, and however I want. Come over here today to hold up my side of the bargain. Now it’s her turn. For the next ten days, she belongs to me.”
I didn’t know what to do next. Puke. Or shoot the bastard’s face off.
“I tried to stop him, Dixie,” Debbie Ann said. “He pushed me down. Got rough. That’s when Fang grabbed him.”
“Why are you making such a big fuss, Dixie?” Fancy yelled. “I get so sick and tired of your uppity ways. Maybe I want to go with him. Ever think about that? Maybe I like the deal. Agreed to it, didn’t I? And let me tell you something, Debbie Ann. A leopard don’t change his spots no matter how many horses they wrangle. Once a Dove. Always a Dove.”
All the blood drained out of me. Stunned, I watched Fancy climb up behind Cody Wayne and ride off. Numb, all Debbie Ann and I could do was stare at one another. I didn’t understand. Couldn’t even feel Debbie Ann’s hand on my arm when she pulled me to the house.
“Come on, Dixie. We both need a drink. Where do you keep the whiskey?”
“Kitchen,” I mumbled. “In the cupboard. Behind the plates.”
I sank onto the kitchen chair and watched her pour two shots. I downed the first one like water. She refilled the glass. “Sip this one. You know how you get.”
The sharp whiskey burned away my stupor. “Am I that righteous?”
Debbie Ann scoffed. “Pfff. You? Not hardly.”
She poured another round. “Are folks always gonna think me tainted?”
“No.”
“Think I’ll ever find a man who’ll love me no matter my past? Like Inky does Cinnamon?”
“He sure does moon over her, that’s for certain.”
“I’ll say. Sometimes he’s so sweet it gives me a belly ache.”
Maybe it was time to put the bottle away.
“Where’d you get the cow?”
Shoot! I done forgot all about Matilda. Sylvester too. “Got her from Big Mike. Guess I better get her in the barn. Gotta’ round-up those steers too. Where is everyone?”
“They all went to help Inky and Cinnamon at the cabin. Left me and Fancy behind to hold down the fort. I made a mess of that, didn’t I?”
“Not your fault. You ever hear her talk that hateful before?”
“Never. Think she’ll come back?”
I shrugged. “Can’t say.”
“What are you going to do if she does?”
I shrugged again. “Got no idea. Feel like a fool. Thought we were like sisters. Guess not.”
“Well, don’t fret too long about it. Sisters fight all the time, ya know. Especially about men. Come on. I’ll help you with the cows.”
“Debbie Ann? Can you cook?”
It was late when I sank into bed. Inky and the girls got back in time to help pen the steers in the corral. Overjoyed at Matilda, Rebecca Sue threw her arms around me. Gave me a big kiss on the cheek. “Bless you, Dixie, for the milk cow.” Everyone listened in shock when Debbie Ann and I filled them in about Fancy.
“Don’t sound like her at all,” Sassy said. “I know that Cody Wayne. He’s a cocky little son-of-a-bitch. It’s his daddy’s ranch not his. Causes trouble wherever he goes. You should’ve let Fang gnaw on him a while.”
A tiny meow interrupted my thoughts. I reached over and pet the tiny fur ball beside me. Rebecca Sue wasn’t the only one who was a sucker for kittens. I fell in love with the little dickens first time I saw him. Hmm. Dickens. Good name. Not content to stay by my side, he wobbled up my leg and snuggled all comfy-cozy on the pillow. So small. So innocent. So trusting. Just like Fancy.
Fancy.
The day crashed down on top of me. I broke into tears.
I cried for Mama. I cried for Papa.
For Jackson.
For Fancy.
But most of all, I sobbed for me. Today was my birthday.
Only the kitten knew.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The girl in the looking glass stared at me with red-rimmed eyes. What a fool. I wasted a good night wallowing in self-pity. Mama and Papa were gone. Couldn’t change that. Jackson was gone too. My fault. I pushed him away. No one knew of my birthday because I never told them.
I studied my reflection. Nineteen. I was nineteen. I giggled. Most girls my age would be married and have young’uns by now. Bet my childhood friend, Ima Jean, was trapped in a tedious life depending on some dull, bald-headed, round-bellied, store clerk for money and a roof over her head.
Not me.
I owned a ranch. Nineteen years old, and I had my own place.
My best friends were rough and tough Doves who bowed to no man. I was Foxtail Woman who rode into Indian camps without fear and made deals with medicine men and chiefs. I’d stabbed a man who tried to ruin me. Stole a lawman’s horse. I drank whiskey. Granted not very well but still. Smoked sometimes too. I could rope and ride. And when push came to shove, I could whip up a batch of biscuits as soft and fluffy as clouds. I looked mighty pretty in green too.
I was Dixie Dandelion and by God, I wasn’t going to let any sawed-off buckaroo ride onto my ranch, shove my friends in the dirt, threaten my dog, and take my sister away without a fight.
So much for perfect hair, ironed skirts, and manners. I strapped on my Colt and grabbed the Winchester on my way out the door.
“Just where do you think you’re going?” Sassy caught me half way to the barn. I whirled on her.
“After Fancy.”
Rebecca Sue and Mary Lou walked up beside her.
“Been doing some thinking on things.” I said. “We all agreed. Fancy would never act or talk that way to us without a good reason. I think Cody Wayne forced her to go.” I eyed Sassy. “Don’t try and
stop me. My mind’s made up.”
“Stop ya? Hell, I’m going with ya.”
“Us too,” the twins said.
“Not without me,” Debbie Ann joined in. “I got a score to settle with that bowlegged runt.”
“Dixcee? You should not go without Inky. He is at the cabin. I will go for him.”
I’d purposely waited till Inky rode away. I didn’t want him mixed up in this. “You can go fetch him if you want, Cinnamon. I can’t stop you. But I’m not waiting.”
“Ah, Dixcee. Always full of the fire. I will get him all the same.”
“Suit yourself.”
Horses saddled. Pistols and rifles loaded. Fang by my side. We mounted up and rode.
I stopped at the ranch gate and stared at the sign:
Daggett’s Rocking R
Daggett? Where had I heard that name before? No. Couldn’t be. I twisted in the saddle and glanced at Sassy.
“Don’t tell me this ranch belongs to Rutherford Lee Daggett, the land bank president?”
“Yep. One in the same.”
“Cody Wayne is his foreman?”
“Son. Now ya know why he thinks he’s God’s gift to the world. After his mother passed away, Cody went wild. Spends his daddy’s money like water. Whiskey. Women. Cards. Rutherford thinks he hung the moon. Can’t do no wrong. Thought you knew.”
“Nope. I had no idea.”
“That change your mind any about Fancy?”
“No. Makes it all the sweeter. I didn’t like that pompous jackass the first time I dealt with him. He’s uppity and probably a lying swindler. Talked down to me like I didn’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain.”
“He talks to all women that way.”
“Not today.”
Had to admit. The Rocking R was quite the outfit. A barn big enough to stable a herd of buffalo inside stood surrounded by corrals large enough to hold the wooly beasts. At least a half-dozen long-legged, fast looking horses stood tied to the hitching rail. They snorted and pawed the ground ready to run. Good-looking and flashy but a far cry from working cow ponies.
The Adventures of Dixie Dandelion Page 13
