by Nan O'Berry
“Checkmate, Mel.” He placed his queen before her king. “Ah, Augustus,” she groaned.
“Study a bit more,” he remarked. Leaving his little sister to study the board, he stood and made his way over to the hearth. Lifting his foot, he placed a boot on the stone and grabbed the poker. Augustus leaned forward and shifted the log toward the back, stirring up a shower of sparks as the log broke in two. Without turning his head, he lowered his voice so only Max could hear, “That load you’re carrying seems mighty heavy, brother.”
Max lifted his gaze and watched the yellow light shimmer along his brother’s face.
Augustus turned and looked at him. “You need help….” He let the sentence hang.
“I’ll manage.”
“Yep, right.” The tone of Augustus voice signaled he didn’t believe him. Instead of pointing out the obvious, he asked another question, “Are you heading up to meet with Cameron at the logging camp tomorrow?”
“Got to go,” Max replied. “Supplies are needed. Cameron will be looking for that block and tackle to help get the logs on the flume to send down to the mill. Winthrop has a big project in the works.”
Augustus gave a grunt. “When doesn’t he?”
“You’ll be okay till I get back?”
Augustus nodded. “I’ve got a few horses to begin to gentle.”
“How’s the south pasture look? Is it ready for cutting?”
“It will be in a few weeks. Looks like a good crop.”
The two grew silent.
“Your friend,” Augustus began. “Will she be staying here, at the ranch?”
“I got no place for her to go. She can’t go in town alone. If she struck up a conversation, you know what would happen.”
Augustus took a deep breath. “Seth would find out in a heartbeat.”
Max nodded.
“He back in town?”
“According to Lou, yes, but he and his new bride are getting to know one another.”
His brother’s cheeks turned red and he gave a cough. “I bet.”
Max pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Watch yourself, little brother. I’m not in a forgiving mood.”
Augustus held his hand up. “No offense meant.” He brought his leg down and stepped back from the hearth. “I think I’m going to bed. I hope you’re able to sleep tonight. That’s a lot of information to juggle.”
Max noted he punctuated his statement with a large yawn.
“You enjoy your book. He moved away and headed toward the stairs. “Oh and Max?”
“Yeah?”
“Since when did you get some interested in Fairy Tales?”
Max blinked. He glanced down at the book he was holding. The spine had gold embossed letters that read, ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’.
“Hey, that’s mine,” Melinda groaned and moving to his chair took it from his hands. “Get your own book!”
“Sorry, thought it was Plutarch.” Max slunk down in the seat as Augustus laughter filtered down from the stairway.
* * *
Callie didn’t want to open her eyes. It had been way too long since she had the luxury of clean sheets. She breathed deep and stretched. Oh, she should be up, helping Mrs. Barringer with the chores, but…
“Just a little while longer,” she murmured.
Last night, she’d left the front window of her room cracked despite the cold. Now, she could hear the chirp of the song birds and the voices of the cowboys that worked on the Diamond B.
“Get those horses watered.” Augustus’ voice called out.
She remembered that Max said five men helped his younger brother. A male voice answered but it was too far away for her to make out the exact words. A horse neighed. Somewhere in the distance, a rooster crowed.
Callie opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. “So, this is what it’s like to wake up to ranch life,” she mused. “Not so much different than our farm.”
She pulled her arms from beneath the blankets and crossed them over her chest. Below her, the heavy door to the house opened and slammed shut. The sound of boots running off the porch and onto the gravel in front of the house followed
“Slow down, Mel,” Augustus called out.
“Got to get the eggs.”
“Watch those horses.”
Another neigh followed.
The banter between the two made her smile.“I hope when Seth and I have children, they will be that close.”
She breathed deep once more before throwing back the covers and to rise. Moving to the window, she leaned against the opening and looked out on to the scene below. Two cowboys were carrying buckets of water to the troughs in the corral. She could see Max and his brother working to pull the wagon she’d ridden in on out from under the shelter next to the barn.
Once in the clear, she watched Max disappear into the barn while Augustus waited. Minutes later, he led the two horses out and together they backed the animals so the wagon tongue was between them.
“That’s right. Max has equipment to deliver to the lumber camp.”
Augustus looked up. He smiled as he straightened and lifted a hand. “Good Morning.” His voice rang out across the barnyard. Max turned around and looked up at her window.
Callie realized she had been caught spying. “Morning,” she called back.
Max stepped away from the wagon and moved toward the house. “Did you sleep well?”
She nodded. “Best sleep I’ve had in weeks.”
“There’s coffee in the kitchen. Breakfast will be ready in few minutes.”
“I’ll be right down.” Moving away from the window, Callie hurried to pull out some fresh clothing. The water in the pitcher was cool but it would have to do. Washing her face, she donned her skirt and blouse before sending a brush through her hair. Pulling it toward the top of her head, she gave a few twists and used her hair pins to capture it in place. Her high top boots laced, she opened her door and headed down to the first floor.
At the landing, she could hear the bang of the door on the cast iron stove swing shut. Walking around to the archway, she spied Max’s mother moving back to the chopping block and the side of bacon waiting to be slice. “Can I help?”
Bethany looked up. “You sure you want to? You are our guest.”
“I’m positive.”
“Apron’s hanging the peg. There are eggs in the bowl that need to be scrambled.”
Callie donned the white muslin and moved to the bowl on the counter. Six brown eggs lay in the bottom and a glass of milk beside it. She wiped her hands on the towel lying next to it and then reached in to grasp the chicken’s offerings. One by one, she tapped the eggs against the lip of the bowl and emptied the contents. Pouring the milk into the mix, she added a dash of salt and pepper before picking up the whisk and whipping the ingredients together. Working in tandem, the two soon had the meal ready for the table. Callie was pouring coffee into the cups as the door opened and Max entered.
She put the pot down and smiled. “Morning.”
“Morning,” he answered.
They stared at each other. She tried to think of something to say. “You-you are going to the lumber camp today?”
He nodded. “Got to deliver the supplies.” He gave a jerk of his thumb in the direction of the front door and the wagon waiting outside.
“It will be a nice day for a journey.” She smiled at him.
His grin widened. “Yes, it will.”
“Oh, Max,” his mother interrupted. “Call Augustus and Melinda, breakfast is ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Max hurried out the door.
As a loud bell rang, Mrs. Barringer entered from the kitchen with a platter of biscuits piled high.
“Let me put this towel down,” Callie folded the towel in her hand and placed it on an empty spot in the middle of the table.
“Thank you, dear.”
The scuffle of feet on the wood floor gave notice that the others had arrived.
“Did you get the eggs, Mel
inda?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The young girl held up a basket containing several.
“Put them in the kitchen. We’ll wash them after we eat.”
Callie watched as Mrs. Barringer moved to the head of the table. Max hurried over and pulled the chair out for his mother.
“Thank you.”
Then, he moved to the chair beside Callie. She watched as his hands grasped the chair and pulled it out for her. A rush of heat pooled in her cheeks. She tipped her chin forward and whispered, “Thank you,” as she took her seat.
They waited for Melinda to return from the kitchen and take her seat.
Then, Max and Augustus joined them.
“Shall we hold hands?”
Callie reached out with her right hand and grasped Mrs. Barringer’s. Holding out her left hand, she felt Max’s calloused palm take hers. A jolt of warmth just like the day before shot up her arm and made her heart beat erratically.
“Let us bow our heads,” Bethany said.
Please, don’t let anyone at the table notice the way I shiver. She prayed silently.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us another day in Your beautiful world. Keep our family safe as they go about their daily chores and bring them back home again.”
Callie felt Mrs. Barringer squeeze her fingers.
“Thank You, Lord, for bringing Miss Caledonia McBride into our lives. We hope You will make her new life here in Rattlesnake Ridge all that she imagined. Amen.”
“Amen,” they all answered.
Callie opened her eyes surprise to find them shinning with tears. “Thank you,” she murmured to Max’s mother.
Bethany Barringer gave her a wink.
Chapter 7
Max tapped the rump of the chestnut gelding with the leather reins as he rounded the curve and headed up the grade to the logging camp. The morning light had just crested the hills and streaked the land with its golden rays as it continued to rise into the sky. Glancing up, he yawned.
“Could have used a couple more hours of sleep,” he grumbled to no one.
The horse snorted.
Max pressed his lips into a thin line. He knew all too well what prevented his good night’s sleep.
“That woman,” he muttered.
His dreams magnified the touch of her hand the soft brush of her lips against his cheek, and the soft fresh scent that was totally female.
“How did she get under my skin so fast?”
He gave a shake of his head. He’d given up all pretenses and risen before the sun, hitched up the wagon, and met his mother coming down the stairs as he was going out to get the wagon ready. Once they’d finished breakfast, he’d hurried out of the yard as if Satan was at his heels. If she thought it strange, she didn’t say and he didn’t wait around for any discussion to uncover his motives.
The horse leaned against its yoke and the wagon groaned as it slowed.
“Come on, Jake. Get up.”
The animal pressed forward and soon the wagon drew to the crest.
“Whoa,” Max called. His foot on the brake, he pulled back on the reins, and brought the animal to a halt.
The horse blew out a deep breath and gave a toss of his head.
“Let’s get our breath before we head into the camp.”
Climbing down from the wagon, Max grabbed the canteen and walked toward the animal. Unscrewing the top, he poured a little water into his hand and allowed the horse to drink. When Jake was satisfied, he placed the cap back on and moved back to the wagon. Hesitating, he took time to glance around the hillside. The slopes above Lake Tahoe were dotted with huge ponderosa pines and hardwoods. The contrast from the dark earth to the deep green seemed comforting to the eye.
“God’s country, full of promises.”
Yeah, he could understand why Callie took the opportunity to come out. He placed the canteen back in the box and leaned his arms over the side. He wasn’t in any real hurry to climb back on.
“Maybe I ought to check out those letters in the General Store to see why women come out here. Perhaps, I can figure a story to help ease the shock.”
As soon as he said it, Max hung his head.
“Nope, I need to tell her the truth.” He looked up and watched a doe race across the hillside below him. “She’s not going to believe it. I’m not even sure I believe it.”
He grabbed the side of the wagon and lifted his body back to the seat.
“Something will come to me, it always does.” Max picked up the reins. “Come on Jake, let’s get to the camp before Cameron wonders what’s up.”
Releasing the brake with his foot, Max gave Jake his head and the horse leaned into his collar moving the wagon toward the lumber camp high on Rattlesnake Ridge.
* * *
Callie pulled the rag across the top of the table behind the sofa and hummed to herself. Her heart had been disappointed when she learned Max had departed shortly before breakfast.
“I guess he had to go to work. I just wish he could have stayed to show me around a bit.”
She gave a sigh and picked up the glass vase to capture the dust hiding beneath. Setting it back down, she gave a gentle touch to the prisms that hung around the base of the globe. A stream of light burst into the colors of the rainbow. She stepped back and watched the light dance across the room.
“Oh, my.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected voice, she took two quick steps back from the table. Her eyes widened as she glanced over at the dining room where Mrs. Barringer stood. “I didn’t mean….”
Bethany waved away her explanation. “Oh, not to worry, I’m very used to Melinda doing the same thing as she comes in every day.” She walked to the end of the table and placed her hands on her hips. “I really must thank you for offering to do the dusting. Melinda attention span is – well.” She shrugged. “My daughter loves the outdoors.”
Callie returned the smile. “It’s not a problem. I enjoy keeping busy.”
Bethany smiled. “I was hoping you would say that. Put that away and come over here. I’ve been working on selecting quilt colors and I need a pair of fresh eyes.”
“Of, course. Happy to be of help.” Placing the rag in the wooden box on the chair near the sofa, Callie hoisted it against her hip and moved toward the table.
“The light is better in here,” Bethany explained drawing Callie’s attention to the line of windows along the back wall. “I like to see how my cloth looks. You know my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. Just put the box on the edge there.”
Callie joined in her chuckle as she placed the box on the edge before moving next to her. “Oh, I love that purple.” Reaching out, she ran her fingers over the smooth cotton print.
“It is pretty isn’t it? Melinda loves that color.”
“Does Melinda help you quilt?”
Max’s mother took a deep breath. “I had hoped Melinda would help me make it.”
“I take it, she’s not a quilter?”
Bethany gazed over at her and raised a bow. “Not in the slightest.” She glanced around the empty house. “You see, she has already found another place to be, no doubt, following behind her brother.”
Callie tried to hide the smile on her face. She placed a sympathetic hand on the woman’s shoulder. “It’s going to be just fine. We’ll make it for her. What pattern are you doing?” Callie caught the growing smile on Bethany’s face. She felt her hand touch her arm.
“I’m so glad you are here. I was just feeling a bit defeated. I’ll get the pattern.” Bethany moved to the sideboard on the wall behind them.
Bethany left her alone; Callie began to move the pieces of fabric around finding a pleasing pattern.
“I’ve been saving all the newspaper the boys bring home to cut out my pattern pieces,” Bethany spoke aloud. “Ah, here.”
Callie looked over to the right as she placed a metal tin on the table and pulled the lid off.
“Bear paw,” Bethany said with glee, as she placed the we
ll folded piece of paper on the table. “I love this pattern.”
For the next hour, the two cut out pieces and placed them in the sewing basket.
Finally, Bethany put down the scissors and took a deep sigh. “Let’s get a cold glass of water and move to the front porch.”
Following Bethany into the kitchen, she waited while she poured two glasses of cold water. “Thank you.” Callie murmured as she took the glass.
“Let’s go enjoy the sunshine.”
With Max’s mother leading the way, they moved out onto the covered porch.
“Over here,” Bethany called and led her to a small table set up to the left of the front door.
Sitting down, they both stared at the activity in the barnyard. One of the hands was busy raking the straw from the barn, while a second had a saddle thrown over a wooden barrel and appeared to be mending some of the leather. A neigh from the corral drew Callie’s attention.
“Take it easy with her,” Melinda called out from her perch on the top rail of the fence.
“What are they doing?” Callie asked.
“Oh, Augustus wants to begin training a new filly. Melinda adores horses,” Bethany answered.
“Augustus doesn’t let her work with the horses?”
Bethany shook her head. “He’s afraid she might get hurt. He’ll let Hank work with her until she’s used to the halter, then Melinda will be allowed to help.”
They watched a few more minutes as the wrangler began to teach the young horse to follow his lead as they walked around the corral.
“Tell me, Mrs. Barringer,” Callie began.
“Bethany, remember.”
Callie smiled. “Tell me; was it hard for you in the beginning?”
“Hard?” Max’s mother turned with a quizzical expression etched in her face. “I’m not sure I’m following you.”
Callie dampened her lips before she began once more, “Was it hard for you to begin here, begin a new life?” When there was no answer, Callie glanced down at the hem of her skirts. “I’ve no one else to ask,” she admitted. “My mother passed when I was merely five. My father and our housekeeper raised me through the war. I – I,” she could feel the heat crawl up her neck and settle in her cheeks. Turning to study the woman beside her, she asked. “I guess, I need to know if I am up to the task?”
