“I don’t consider being man-handled fun.” She glared at him.
A twig snapped behind her. She wrenched her head around, taking her eyes off Jeb long enough for him to grab her gun and pull her into his arms. She struggled to free herself, but the more she fought, the tighter his grasp.
“I guess I should thank your horse for distractin’ you. There ain’t nobody here but you and me.”
Horrible pictures flashed through Ellie’s mind. What a fool she was to think he posed no threat to her. Her strength was no match for Jeb’s, and now he held her gun. She fought the welling panic and tried to stay focused.
“You know, if anything happens to me, you’re going to be the first person my Pa and his men come after. You’d better let me go.” She prayed her words would scare him enough to do just that.
Jeb’s arm tightened, making it hard for Ellie to breathe. Her threat apparently made him angrier as his lips disappeared into a thin line. “I ain’t scared of your Pa. I could kill you and hide your body in that there mineshaft if I was a mind to. The animals would have your bones picked clean by the time anyone found you. Lucky for you I’m in a charitable mood today.”
The thought of creatures rending her flesh sickened her. She had to think of a way out of this mess. If she could keep him talking, maybe she’d concoct a plan. “Well what do you want, if not to kill me?” Immediately she wanted to kick herself for asking such a stupid question. She’d seen that hungry look in his eyes one too many times. She tried a different approach. “I promise, if you let me go I won’t tell anyone about this.”
He released her revolver, letting it thud to the ground, and moved his hand to boldly cup her breast. His eyes locked with hers. “Just let this be a warning to you,” he muttered. “My Pa’s gonna make an offer on Fountainhead, and it’s in your best interest to convince your Pa to sell. The next time you and I meet, I might not be so nice.”
She turned her face away, eyeing her gun and wishing she could reach it. How dare Jeb take liberties with her body? She had to do something. Struggling, she managed to turn within his grasp and kick, bringing her right boot hard into his shin.
“Damn you, bitch,” he yelled, shoving her to the ground.
Ellie fell to her knees. Her hat flew off, and her hair spilled over her face. She quickly pushed her wayward locks back and warily glanced up. Now that she’d taunted the wasp, would he sting her?
Jeb bent and rubbed his leg, then without a word, limped over and mounted his horse. To her surprise, once in the saddle, he doffed his hat. “Nice seeing you, Miz Fountain. You can be sure if we meet again, I’ll not be the gentleman I’ve been today. I have plans for you and me, and soon.” His veiled threat came through much louder than his phony attempt at courtesy.
Her stomach roiled. He had plans? There was no way in hell she’d involve herself with him in anything, but this was neither the time nor place to further engage him. Angry words bubbled, waiting to be hurled at Jeb. Instead Ellie bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood.
Just let him ride away.
For once, she listened to her sensible side. When she no longer heard hoof beats, she crawled the short distance to where her Smith & Wesson lay. Her hands shook as she clutched the cold metal to her chest. She glared down the empty path, her hatred for Jeb Bryant running through her like a fever. “You’ll never get Fountainhead as long as I’m alive…or touch me again.”
Chapter Five
Ellie stood and holstered her weapon. Her stomach knotted. She waited a few moments to make sure Jeb didn’t return, then stood and brushed the dried leaves and grass from her clothing.
Shaken by the realization of what had just happened, she swallowed hard and battled tears. Things could have turned ugly. The perfect circle in the middle of her target served as a grim reminder of his expert marksmanship. She shivered. That day at Fountainhead, he could have killed her, if that had been his intent.
She wiped at her shirt, trying to erase the feel of his hands, especially the brazen manner in which he grabbed her breast. Just his mere touch made her want to bathe.
The realization of her encounter turned her knees to jelly. She steadied herself against a tree and waited for the weakness to pass. How dare Jeb man-handle her. How dare he threaten her in any way?
She pondered Ty’s reaction if she confided in him and shook her head.
Why tell him at all? He’d been hired as the ranch foreman, not her personal guard. Sharing the incident would be like giving a nod of approval to butt into her business. Besides, if Jeb hadn’t taken her by surprise, she could have easily handled the situation. Or could she?
She knuckled away a tear and scolded herself for being such a baby.
After a composing deep breath, Ellie crossed to the target. Jeb’s dead-on hit amid her errant shots mocked her. She ripped the paper bull’s-eye from the tree, crinkled it into a ball and tossed it into the bushes. If only it was his face. God, she hated him so much it hurt. The mental image of his cocky smirk made her jaw go rigid.
Ellie started to unbuckle her holster, but thought better of it. Maybe she’d leave it on until she got closer to home.
Humph! You had it in your hand and he still...
But it wasn’t her fault he crept up on her. Heck, it could have happened to anybody. She’d have to be more careful from now on.
She mounted Chessie, wondering how to warn her father about the Bryants’ planned offer on Fountainhead. Pa already knew they wanted to grab as much land as they could, and he had no intention of selling it to them or anyone else. Still, he needed to know what those dirty polecats had in mind.
Something underhanded, she’d bet. A shiver passed through her as Jeb’s words rang in her ears…“a plan for you”.
If she told the whole truth, she could start a range war on her own. If Pa so much as thought Jeb laid hands on her, Jeb would be on the receiving end of hot lead. It was a pleasing image, but still a dilemma. Pa could get hurt, too.
On the ride home, Ellie decided against mentioning anything that had transpired. She’d handle Jeb in her own way. She just had to decide what that was. If only Jeb was more like his brother.
How could two people who looked so much alike be so different? Like the same breed of horses, she reckoned; one with a mean streak and one easily tamed.
Although she rode at a good clip, she kept a nervous watch over her shoulder. The big “F” finally appeared on the horizon and she heaved a relieving sigh. She reined Chessie off the path, removed her gun, wrapped the holster around it and stuffed both in her saddlebag. With her secret hidden, she nudged Chessie into a gallop.
A hot bath, tasty supper and a good night’s sleep was what Ellie needed. She waved to the guard sitting on the fence rail, figuring she’d worry about the Bryants tomorrow.
Ty walked out of the barn as Ellie entered the compound. He had the most bothersome timing. She grimaced, hoping not to be interrogated about her daily activities.
The rising desire to run and tell him all about Jeb’s inappropriate behavior became overwhelming. She craved having Ty hold her and tell her everything was all right, but she fought the urge.
Her mind boggled at such strange notions. Why the sudden need to have him involved in her business? Maybe she wanted to feel the comfort she imagined those muscular arms could provide
She expelled a rush of air through pursed lips. God, he was good-looking. Why did he make her feel so… so…womanly?
Ellie gave a brief nod as she rode into the barn. Hopefully, he would go on into the house so she could stow her weapon back in its hiding place.
She dismounted and began to unsaddle Chessie. Her heart still raced and she wasn’t sure of the cause.
“You were gone for quite a while.” Ty’s voice broke the silence.
“Uh huh,” she answered, staying focused on the task at hand. The timbre of his voice threatened to distract her.
“Did you have a nice time?”
“Uh huh.”
“I…Ellie,
I need to…”
Ellie glanced at him. Perspiration dotted his forehead. He fidgeted with his collar, looking like he was about say something, but didn’t. Why this sudden inability to speak? Her heart skipped a beat. Was something wrong with Pa?
“Spit it out, Ty. For heaven sakes, what’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Oh, nothin’s wrong. I just wanted to ask you…ah…”
“Ask me what?” She leaned in and, for exaggerated emphasis, cocked her head to listen. His curious behavior made her anxious, but she remembered him starting to question her earlier. For heaven sakes, a simple discussion shouldn’t be this hard.
“Ah…are you hungry? Cook’s got a fine meal prepared in the house.” Ty quickly spun on his heel and left.
Ellie rubbed the scowl puckering her brow and shook her head. Surely food wasn’t what made him so nervous.
Always the smooth-talker, he suddenly had lockjaw. What was really on his mind? He wasn’t one to be rushed; she knew that. If he had something to ask, he’d do it when he was good and ready. But he’d stirred her nosy side into a frenzy. If she was a man, she’d shake it out of him.
Ellie stashed her gun in the hayloft, curried Chessie and gave her some oats before leaving the barn. She stopped at the pump to wash her hands, and on the porch stomped her boots to clean them. Three times. She chuckled at her copycat antics as she hung her hat on the outside wall, opened the door and entered. Her stomach rumbled.
All eyes focused on her. She grinned nervously and ran her hands through her tousled locks. The delicious aroma of fried chicken filled the room. Ellie inhaled deeply.
“Oh, it smells wonderful in here. I’m starved.”
She pulled out the chair next to her father, sat and anxiously eyed the platters of food while she waited for them to reach her end of the table.
“Well, where ya been, daughter?” Ben asked. “I’d feel much better if you let a body know where you’re off to.”
“Oh Pa, there’s no need to fret.” The words weighed heavy on her tongue, but she was resolute in keeping her secret. She brushed an errant tress over her shoulder. “I can handle myself. I was out enjoying the beautiful weather while I still can. I took a ride up in the hills.” With an inward sigh, she spooned mashed potatoes onto her plate. Life had become one lie after another, but not because she enjoyed it.
Ben’s eyebrows joined together in a straight line. “Roselle, how many times have I told you it’s too dangerous for you to go gallivanting off by yourself? It’s one thing to ride to a friend’s house but…”
“I know, I know, Pa. I realize it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. I promise I’ll stick closer to home.” Thoughts of her encounter with Jeb Bryant sent chills through her and confirmed her vow. She was lucky things had worked out…but…the plan?
Ty’s gaze bore into her.
Ellie hunched to quell an uncomfortable shiver.
Her assurance appeased her father. He looked over the rim of his coffee cup. “Have ya got a date for that dance yet?”
Her cheeks warmed. “Really, Pa! I don’t care to discuss my personal life during supper.” She purposely screwed her face into a scowl and nodded towards the other end of the table where the men sat.
“We’re all family here, aren’t we boys?” Ben said, raising his voice to garner everyone’s attention.
The dozen ranch hands took time from stuffing their faces to look up and nod in agreement. Appearing to respect her wishes, Ben didn’t pursue the subject, but Ty’s smirk didn’t go unnoticed.
He passed the chicken platter across to Ellie. Still perturbed at him, she fixed a fake smile on her face, while snagging the only remaining breast. After heaping a hearty spoonful of string beans on her plate, she grabbed a biscuit from the bread basket before it passed out of reach and settled down to enjoy her meal.
When her father’s voice turned serious, she held her fork in midair.
“We’ve got to be more alert about trespassers, boys. Someone poisoned the ponds on the Carston’s ranch, and they lost several head of cattle. It does seem a mite strange it occurred right after Dude Bryant and his boys visited and offered to buy Hank’s land. I heard tell it happened to Alf Miller, too. Those Bryants are determined to buy up this mountain, come hell or high water. I tell you, it’s news of that blasted railroad and all this coal mining that’s the cause. I much prefer the good ol’ days when you could trust your neighbors.”
Ben focused on two men at the end of the table. “Joe, you and Harley make sure to ride the perimeter and keep a good eye out. The last thing we need is to lose any of our cattle, especially at the hands of those ornery, no good Bryants.” Ben paused and took a bite out of his chicken leg.
Ellie seized the opportunity. “Pa, what are you going to do if the Bryants come back and try to buy Fountainhead?”
“Fountainhead is not for sale, and they know that. If they come around here, they’ll just be borrowin’ trouble. As long as the mortgage is current, they haven’t a prayer. Poor ol’ Alf is really sweatin’ bullets. He got behind on his payments and the bank is threatenin’ to foreclose. You can bet Dude Bryant will be the first in line to make a bid, but he’s gonna be madder than a wet hornet when he finds out I’ve already talked to the banker about pickin’ up the deed until Alf can get back on his feet.”
Jeb’s words resounded in Ellie’s head. She needed more assurance. “But what if they find a way to cripple us? Kill off our cattle, poison our water holes. They seem to make good on their threats. We can’t keep an eye on every inch of land.”
Her father leaned back from the table, picking at his teeth. “If we double up on our watches and stay alert, those polecats are gonna know we aren’t just sitting ducks waiting for them to strike. They can make all the threats they want, but they ain’t gonna catch us sleeping on duty. I’m not like the small ranchers they’ve run roughshod over. There ain’t nothin’ gonna scare me off.”
Ty quickly swallowed a mouthful of food. “Ben’s right. Linc, you ride out to the south forty tomorrow and check on the herd that’s grazin’ there, and Russ, you ride to the north. If those Bryants wanna dance, they’re gonna have to do it to our tune.” He took a big bite from his buttered biscuit.
It annoyed Ellie how Ty always put in his two cents worth.
“Speakin’ of dance….” Pa’s gaze rested on Ty.
Ty’s face turned beet red as he choked on his bread. Wheezing and sputtering, he took a swig of buttermilk and coughed loudly. He gave Ellie a quick glance then stared down into his plate. “I’ll get around to it, Ben.” His voice was barely audible.
Ellie looked to her father then to Ty, wishing one of them made sense. Neither of them offered an explanation about their strange behavior. “What are you two talking about?”
“I think Ty has something to ask you. Don’t you Ty?” There was a sly smile on her father’s face.
The tension in Ty’ jaw was apparent. He took a quick breath, and then looked directly across at her, his eyes serious, his lips twitching. Finally, he took a big deep breath and exhaled loudly.
“Miz Ellie, I would be very honored if you would allow me to escort you to the Fall Festival.” He appeared to be holding his breath.
Ellie’s eyes widened. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips, and again she pivoted her head, looking at her father before her gaze darted back to Ty. This must have been what Ty tried to ask in the barn. What was going on? Sure she wanted to go with him—dreamed of going with him, but pain twisted like a knife in her heart knowing it wasn’t his idea. She swallowed a growing lump and kept her emotions in check. When she finally spoke, it was through pursed lips.
“To say I’m surprised is an understatement, and I’m flattered to be asked, but it seems as though Pa is twisting your arm.” She turned her full attention to her father. “I’m not a charity case. I don’t need you to threaten or bribe someone to take me to a dance. For your information someone has already asked me.” She quickly crossed her fingers under
the table and hoped lightening didn’t strike her for telling such a whopper.
“Hmm, and who might that be?” Ben questioned.
Her mind raced. Now she had to counter one lie with another, and quickly. “Uh, not that it matters,” she stalled, “but my escort will be…Percy.” Percy, oh my God, is that the only name I could dredge up?
Ty’s mouth dropped, but then he asked, “Percy, as in Percy McCord, that scrawny, red-headed fella at the mercantile?”
When she nodded, Ty burst into laughter.
Several of the hands clearly tried to stifle their amusement, but their underlying snickering couldn’t be masked.
Ellie wished she was invisible, but maintained composure. “I’ll thank you not to demean Percy. He’s very kind. A true gentleman.” She glared at Ty. “You could take lessons from him.”
Ellie’s chair squealed in protest when she pushed away from the table, leaving her food barely touched. She stood and glared at the men. “I’m happy you find my social life so amusing, and that my father feels like he has to buy me a dance partner. You can all…” she paused, her whole body tensing until it visibly shook, “you…you can all go to Hades for all I care.”
She spun and stormed out the back door.
Chapter Six
Ellie sat on a hay bale in the darkened barn, not caring that the lantern was just a few feet away. She didn’t want anyone to know where she was. Damn them all for making her feel so foolish. Unbidden tears dampened her cheek, and she brushed them away. She hated crying. It was so…so girlish.
The sound of the kitchen door slamming sliced through the silence. Ellie tiptoed to the wall closest to the house and listened to the ranch hands engage in normal chitchat on their way to the bunkhouse. Her mood lightened. At least she wasn’t the topic of conversation.
She returned to sit and, resting her elbows on her knees, pondered her stupid announcement about Percy McCord being her escort. She never should have lied about having one, let alone name him. What’d she been thinking? About Ty, of course. Damn him. These days, he was on her mind most of the time, and the thought of his pity at her not being able to find a male companion mortified her. In frustration, her fingernails dug into the palms of her fisted hands.
Ellie's Legacy Page 5
