The Rancher's Perfect Bride

by Caroline Clemmons

  Their sympathetic remarks brought tears to her eyes. “Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll learn how to do everything needed eventually. Meanwhile, I appreciate your kindness more than I can say.”

  Now that Callum and the cowboys had returned, the incident was less momentous. She exhaled slowly, grateful that instead of criticizing her, they offered encouragement and compliments. Perhaps there was hope for her after all.

  ***

  The next morning after her chores, Zenobia aimed and fired at the row of eight tin cans Callum had arranged atop a boulder. Once again, she missed. She was so annoyed at her bad aim that she believed she could have spit the bullets and hit those cans.

  Callum stood behind her and placed his hand on hers. “Remember to sight along the top of the barrel. Think of it as an extension of your arm and point at the target.”

  “I thought that’s what I was doing.” She heard the annoyance in her voice, but he kept saying the same thing and she kept doing the same thing and she kept missing.

  She heard him exhale and knew his frustration grew with each of her misses. He’d taken time off work to teach her to shoot and it wasn’t going well. Wasn’t she frustrated too? Although she understood this was a skill she needed, apparently this one was beyond her.

  Although he had to be ready to throw up his hands and desert her, his voice was soft and gentle. “Try again. You can do this, I know you can.”

  His confidence warmed her heart. She followed his instructions just as she had before but this time one of the cans flew into the air. She jumped up and down.

  “Did you see that? I hit one.”

  He grabbed her by the waist and twirled her around. “I knew you could do it. Now knock those others off the rock.”

  With careful concentration Zenobia fired and hit another can. She continued until all the cans had been knocked off the rock.”

  “Eight cans out of the last twelve shots is not bad.” He reloaded the revolver. “Now you have the hang of it, I’ll leave this revolver with you. Don’t leave the house without it, understand?”

  “I’ll carry it in my apron’s front pocket.”

  “Good. Next we’ll practice the rifle.”

  Zenobia took the rifle from him. “This is heavier than I expected.”

  “This is a repeating rifle which means you can fire without reloading. You remember I told you that if you ever have trouble you fire this three times into the air. Then you wait half an hour and do the same thing again if we haven’t shown up.”

  He adjusted the rifle and her arms. “This has a kick that will hurt your shoulder if you’re not careful. You have to be prepared.”

  She stood the way he shown her. “I’m prepared. Are you ready for me to fire?”

  He gave a slight bow. “Have at it.”

  She squeezed the trigger. After thinking she was set for the kick, she was surprised to find herself sitting in the dirt.

  Callum bent to help her. “Are you all right?”

  She let him help her to her feet. “You warned me and I thought I was ready. Obviously, I was wrong.” She dusted off her skirt.

  She picked up the rifle. “I see what you mean but I’m not going to give up.” She took aim and fired again. This time one of the cans fell off the boulder from her shot and she was able to stay on her feet. She fired three more times and hit two of those cans remaining on the rock.

  Callum took the rifle from her. “I’m going to hang this over the door so it’s always easy for you to reach. You keep the revolver with you all the time.”

  “I guess I can keep it in my apron pocket. It’s kind of heavy but I don’t want one of those holster things like the sheriff wears.”

  “The next time I’m in town I’ll get you a smaller gun more suitable for a woman. For now, you’ll need to keep this one with you at all times when I’m not here.”

  Feeling cocky from her success, she sent him a saucy smile. “If you say so, Mr. McFadden. I sure hope I won’t need it.”

  “I hope so too but it sure would’ve been easier than a garden rake for killing a rattler.”

  She put her hand in the crook of his arm. “Can we go back to the house now? I should get on with my chores.”

  He grinned at her and kissed her cheek. “Far be it from me to delay progress. I’ll have a cup of coffee and then go join the hands.”

  She slanted him a glance. “You could take the day off.”

  He shook his head. “Naw, sure sounds tempting but afraid not. When there’re four of us, we divide into pairs to do the work. Safer that way. If I’m gone, then that means someone is on his own.”

  “Then I won’t try to convince you to relax for the rest of the day. If the lone person was hurt and no one was there to help, I’d feel responsible.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  On Sunday, the men stopped work at noon. They had finished dinner when Zenobia heard the jingle and creak of a wagon.

  Callum grinned at her. “Sounds like we have company.”

  When she went to the window, she saw Marcy and Andrew. Her heartbeat sped up and she wanted to shout for joy. She smoothed her hair and strode toward the door. “Did you know they were coming?”

  “Andrew tries to come one Sunday and I go there the next. Can’t always make it, of course, so I couldn’t be sure. Since we were married on a Friday, we didn’t count last Sunday.”

  She went onto the porch as Marcy was coming up the steps. The two women hugged one another.

  Zenobia urged Marcy into the house. “Come see the changes.”

  Marcy turned slowly. “I see you’ve done the same things I have. I’m so grateful you shared your possessions with me. Our home looks as inviting as yours, thanks to your generosity.”

  “I’m so happy to see you. Tell me all that’s happened, especially whether or not you’re happy with Andrew.”

  “He’s very kind and considerate. I believe we’ll be happy for the rest of our lives. What about Callum?”

  “The same.” She squeezed Marcy’s hands. “Aren’t we lucky?” They went into the parlor and sat on the couch.

  Zenobia assessed her friend. “Are you as exhausted as I am? I have never been so tired in my life.”

  “I’m tired, but not so that it interferes with my chores. Good heavens, I see the fatigue in your face and circles under your eyes. Perhaps you’re trying too hard.”

  “Callum is a considerate and kind husband. I’m determined to be the perfect bride he deserves. Once I learn everything better, my life here won’t be quite so draining.”

  Marcy squeezed Zenobia’s hand. “You can’t expect to become an expert so soon.”

  “I have to do my best. So far, Callum has been complimentary—even when I ruined the biscuits.”

  Marcy giggled. “I did that too. Even the dogs wouldn’t eat them.” A cloud passed over her expression. “Do you ever think of your life in Atlanta?”

  At once, Zenobia sobered. She couldn’t keep from thinking of her stepfather occasionally. “Only to hope my stepfather doesn’t cause problems for me. He would be evil enough to do so just to make sure I was punished for escaping from him. You know that’s true.”

  “Yes, but I shouldn’t have mentioned Atlanta and reminded you. Let’s put that behind us.”

  “I’m trying, Marcy. Help me think of something I can prepare quickly to offer you and Andrew.”

  “I brought a cake. Since you didn’t know we were coming, I could hardly expect you to have something special to serve. Andrew will bring it in when he and Callum are ready.”

  Zenobia showed Marcy the gun from her pocket. “Callum has shown me how to fire this revolver and I have to keep the thing with me when he’s not here. Do you know how to shoot?”

  “Andrew says he’s going to teach me but he hasn’t yet. What prompted this?”

  “I was gathering eggs and saw a snake. I used the garden rake to kill it and then it turned out to be a huge rattlesnake. Callum decided right then that I needed to be able to defen
d myself against all critters.”

  “I hadn’t thought about snakes in the eggs. Now I’ll be worried but I’ll be prepared. I was more concerned about two-legged critters.”

  “You haven’t had any problems have you?”

  Marcy frowned, unusual for her. “No, but one of the hands reported seeing two men out on the range that he didn’t recognize. They rode off before he could challenge them.”

  A chill slid up Zenobia’s spine. Hadn’t she had a feeling someone was watching her? She’d convinced herself the prickling hairs on her neck were her overactive imagination. “I guess there are always drifters riding through. Have you had anything disappear or lost any cattle?”

  “Not a thing that we know of. I guess I’m just not quite used to being alone during the day.”

  “Do you dislike the solitude? So far I haven’t minded a bit for myself but I’ve been pretty busy getting organized. I haven’t even started sewing yet.”

  Marcy brushed at a speck of dust on her skirt. “Being alone doesn’t bother me. I shortened the hems from several dresses you gave me so that they don’t touch the ground. That’s the extent of my handwork. I plan to sew this week and hope to finish a dress.”

  “Having you visit is such a treat. Callum said there’s going to be a barn raising next week followed by a dance. He thought we could both go together. What do you think?”

  “Andrew mentioned it and I’m looking forward to going. We’ll get to meet our neighbors. I’d like to know them.”

  “Me too, even if we don’t see them often I’d like to know who they are. Most of all, my sister, I miss seeing you. I feel like half of me is gone.”

  Marcy took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so glad you said that because I’ve felt the same way. I love having my own home and such a kind and considerate husband but I do miss seeing you every day. I hope Andrew will show me how to ride a horse so I can visit.”

  “I know how to ride but I don’t know the way to your house. Callum has promised to show me. Then I wouldn’t be afraid to ride over and see you once or twice a week.”

  Marcy squeezed Zenobia’s hand again. “I would love that.”

  Andrew and Callum came into the house laughing and wiping their feet at the door.

  Andrew set a parcel on the table. “Marcy had me bring this cake. I hope that means I get a large slice.”

  Zenobia hurried into the kitchen and took down four dessert plates then she took out her cake knife. “Do you want milk or coffee with your cake?”

  Both men called “milk” at the same time.

  Marcy said, “I’ll pour the milk.”

  The two couples sat at the table to have their milk and cake. How lovely it was to entertain friends in her home. This was the life she’d hoped for when she came to Montana Territory.

  After a couple of hours, Marcy and Andrew left for their ranch. Callum stood with his arm around Zenobia as they watched the other couple drive toward their place. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

  He turned and guided her up the porch. “Don’t forget the men only expect leftovers for supper today.”

  “There’s enough cake left for dessert. That will be a nice surprise for them. It was good cake, don’t you think?”

  “Not as good as yours, but good. I’m sure the men will be happy to make it disappear.”

  His words pleased her even though she thought he said them to bolster her morale.

  ***

  Callum was a happy man. Things were sure shaping up perfect. He congratulated himself on having gotten such a good wife. She’d brought things with her that improved the house and made it seemed more home-like.

  She might not be as skilled at cooking and cleaning as his mother was but she had lots of years coming to learn. He remembered Papa talking about things that happened when he and Mama were first married that let him know his mother hadn’t been so skilled back then. He figured Zenobia was catching on real fast.

  Having his brother and sister-in-law come for a visit just like he and Andrew had planned was grand. In a few years, God willing, their children would be playing together. Yessiree, life was looking pretty good right now.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Zenobia had done her chores while the men were still there this morning so she would have time to work on a new dress. She was positioning the fabric on the table when she heard two horses. When she went to the window, two strange men were dismounting near the barn. Maybe that’s why she’d had that weird feeling. Maybe these two were watching her.

  Their furtive glances around let her know they were up to no good. One headed for the chicken pen and one for the smokehouse. These must be the two that Andrew’s ranch hand saw. That they came to steal from her good and kind husband made her angry.

  She took the rifle down from over the doorway. The revolver resided in her pocket. As quietly as she could she opened the door and stepped onto the porch.

  By this time the tall skinny one of the men had two of her precious hens by the feet and held them upside down. The hens were squawking something fierce but the man paid no attention. At least he had closed the pen door behind him.

  His stocky companion came out of the smokehouse carrying two hams. “Lookee here what I found. That smokehouse is plumb full of good stuff.”

  Zenobia controlled her trembling but kept her knees locked to support her. With her back against the house’s wall, she pointed the rifle at the man with her hens. “You can both drop what you have in your hands. I don’t want to have to shoot you but don’t think I would hesitate if you don’t do what I say.”

  The one with her chickens let go and the squawking hens righted themselves and flapped toward the pen. “Now look, lady, we don’t mean you no harm. We’re real hungry and haven’t had decent food in several days. All we want is a good meal.”

  The man with the hams edged to the side. She figured he intended to get to her side and rush her but she motioned with the rifle. “You two get together. Both of you lay down on the ground. Stretch out on your stomachs.”

  Zenobia thought she was going to have to shoot the stocky one. Her heartbeat raced and her chest threatened to explode. She put a bullet in the ground in front of him. He gently laid the hams on the ground and joined his friend.

  She licked her lips and used her sternest voice, “You heard me—on your stomachs.”

  She shot three times into the air without taking her eyes off the men. They were watching her and she knew they would rush her if she lost focus. She hoped Callum would hear the rifle shot.

  The skinny one who’d had her hens looked up. “We waited ’til the men rode out but didn’t know you was here. You can’t fault a fellow for being hungry.”

  “I certainly can. You could’ve come when the men were here and asked for a job or asked to work for a meal. But, you didn’t do that, you chose to steal.”

  The stocky one nodded toward this smokehouse. “You got so much food in there you wouldn’t miss a couple hams. Don’t know why you’re being so selfish.”

  Anger joined her fear. “Selfish? My husband has worked hard to make a success of this ranch. The men who work for him have also worked hard. Why should you get something for free when you’ve done no work?”

  The skinny one whined and looked at his companion. “We had some bad luck is all. Ain’t our fault.”

  “I imagine your bad luck is that you’re lazy and dishonest. No one in this country would turn you away if you asked to work for a few meals and a place to sleep.”

  The stocky one protested, “We got us a place to sleep and all we need is food. Found a soddie what no one is using.”

  “That soddie is on my husband’s property and belongs to him. He and his brother lived there while they got the barn and other buildings completed. They didn’t just move in and wait for someone to give them food. And they sure didn’t steal it.”

  She saw the stocky man’s muscles bunch and recognized he was going to jump up and lunge at he
r.

  “Mister, you try to stand up and I’ll shoot you.”

  He raised his head and sent her a lethal glare. “I’ll bet you don’t even know how to aim. You look like that there gun is getting too heavy for you.”

  “If it does, I have a revolver in my apron pocket. Would you prefer I shoot you with a revolver?”

  The skinny man’s voice was an unpleasant whine, “Don’t shoot us at all. You let us ride away and we won’t bother you none.”

  “As if I’d believe that. Your promise means nothing. Thieves like you two aren’t going to change your ways.” Where was Callum? He should have come by now.

  She took a step back and fired three times into the air again. When she did, the stocky man leaped to his feet. Her fourth shot was at his feet.

  He kept coming at her so she shot at him, this time plugging his shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise and he stopped momentarily.

  “I’ll teach you to fire at me.” He called her horrid names as he advanced on her.

  The man recovered his momentum and rushed at her. She shot him again, this time hitting his knee. He dropped to the ground cursing and repeating what he would like to do to her.

  His talk caused her knees to shake so she almost collapsed but she couldn’t let him know. She scowled and pretended to regard him as expendable. “If you’re of a mind to continue, I still have ammunition. When I said ‘on the ground’, that’s what I meant.”

  He continued calling her names and cursing. “You shattered my knee. I’ll have the devil of a time walking after this.”

  “I didn’t ask you to come at me and I have no sympathy for the likes of you.”

  The sound of hoofbeats reassured her. Callum and his hands rode into the yard at a gallop. When he reined in, he was off his horse and running toward her.

  The three ranch hands converged on the two thieves.

  Callum grabbed her shoulders and searched her face. “Are you all right? What’s happened here?”

  She set the rifle on the porch and clung to his arms. “I’m okay but I have never been so grateful to see anyone. These two men didn’t know I was here. They waited until you and your men were gone then rode in to steal hens and meat. They’re living in your soddie.”