“You boys get these horses put away, then clean up and get in the house for supper,” Chester instructed Jerrod and Roy. He was glad his two oldest hadn’t deserted him yet but knew it was only a matter of time. They’d both already told him they wouldn’t be at the ranch through winter, and they really weren’t all that much help. At least not until Chester promised them both a hefty sum of money. That had put their back into their work.
Chester wasn’t at all sure what the future would hold because of this. He’d always figured to have the boys and even their families working alongside him for the years to come. But now that was clearly not going to happen. His hope would have to lie in Elsa. Perhaps she could bear him some sturdy grandsons.
In the meanwhile, Chester had hired an extra twenty ranch hands for the cattle drive, keeping on ten of those to stay out with the herd for the winter. It wouldn’t be the same as having his sons there. Sons who stood to inherit the fortune would care about the livestock, maybe even risk their own comfort to see to the herd, but not hired men. He’d be lucky if all ten lasted the winter.
Heading into the house through the back porch, Chester pulled off his heavy coat and gave it a good shake. It would need to be cleaned. He’d have to remember to get someone to see to that. For now, he tossed it onto a peg and went into the house.
“Elsa!” he called in a loud booming voice as he entered the kitchen. He pulled off his hat and gave another holler. “Elsa!
Where are you?” He had plans to tell her of his further arrangements with Henry Denig. The only time he’d mentioned her marriage to the older man, Elsa had been livid, spouting off that she’d never marry him. But Chester wouldn’t let her slip away from him the way he’d allowed Mara and Joshua to go.
“Elsa!”
“Sir, she’s not here,” the cook told him as she came in from the dining room.
“What do you mean, she’s not here? Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Chester slapped his hat against his leg. “What are you talking about? Has she gone for a walk or a ride? Where is she?”
“She’s been gone for over a week. Left just hours after you and the boys moved out with the cattle.”
Chester let loose a stream of curses that would make most men pale. “It’s that no-good brother of hers, isn’t it? He came here while I was gone, didn’t he?”
“I didn’t see him, sir. I only saw Miss Elsa take out on her horse.”
“I know where she’s gone,” Chester snarled. “And I’m not going to tolerate it. Get supper on the table and be quick about it. I have business in Virginia City and it won’t wait.”
CHAPTER 16
“I THINK THIS DRESS IS GOING TO BE PERFECT,” CHARITY told Mara as she took in the waistband and pinned it securely. “You were certainly wise to heed the Lord in making it.”
“It was funny,” Mara admitted. “I knew I wanted to marry, but there was no man to choose. Still I felt the Lord direct me to prepare.”
“Like the wise virgins in the Bible,” Charity mused. “Only with a gown instead of oil.”
Mara laughed. “Well, maybe not quite.”
“There,” Charity said, stepping back. “I think we’ve tucked and tightened all the right spots. It looks perfect now, and I can easily finish the alterations by tomorrow.”
“You still have a couple of weeks,” Mara said, trying hard to get a look at herself in the gown. It was difficult to model the dress and see how it fit all at once. Twisting around, she tried to get a glimpse of the bustle. “Is the train lying right?”
Charity checked the back again. “It’s perfect. Not too long—just the proper length, and it drapes so nicely. You were quite creative.”
“I took one of my older gowns and patterned it after that,” Mara told her. “I knew there’d be little chance to buy a real pattern or even have a gown made professionally.”
“And why should you when you have such a talent for sewing? You should consider doing this professionally. I hear that Mrs. Danner is looking for an apprentice.”
“Truly?” Mara thought it might be a wonderful way to earn money. Then she remembered Zane had already told her they wouldn’t be living in Virginia City. At least not for the time. “I don’t suppose it would be prudent to begin work with her. Zane plans for us to live in Butte or Anaconda.”
Charity nodded. “I’d forgotten all about that. I’ve not visited Anaconda, but Butte is not at all a nice town. They’ve torn down all the trees, and the mines and smelters have corrupted the land and air. It’s certainly not as lovely as the Madison Valley where you grew up—not even as nice as Virginia City.” She leaned forward as if sharing a secret. “And it’s full of rowdies and lowlifes who need the Lord.”
Zane had already warned her of the town and its bad air. “I know from what Zane has said that it won’t be as nice, but I’ll be with him, and that makes up for a great deal.”
“Then it must be true love,” Charity teased. “For anyone who would willingly move to Butte in order to be with a man must surely love him.”
“I do,” Mara said, smiling.
“Just keep practicing that phrase for the wedding.” She laughed and added, “Although I seriously doubt you need to practice. Sounds to me you have it down to perfection.”
“Where’s the Selby house?” Chester Lawrence demanded at the livery.
“Cole Selby? He lives in that big house up on Idaho, near Warren Street. He ain’t there, though. If you had business with him, he’s in Kansas right now.”
“Kansas?” Chester asked the balding, overweight stable keeper. “Why Kansas?”
“Heard tell his father died. He went back there to take care of his mother. Took his family earlier this summer. Don’t know if he’s coming back.”
“Well, good riddance, I say. Never could stomach the man. What about the others? Are they still living in the house?”
“The sister is still there. Mrs. Sperry and her daughter, Winona. There’s also a couple of other folks there. A brother and sister.”
“Mara Lawrence?” Chester asked. The man nodded and Chester growled. “She’s my daughter.”
“Oh, well, then you’ve probably come for the wedding. Ain’t for another couple of weeks, though.”
“You certainly know everything about everyone,” Chester said, throwing the man a coin. It wasn’t in his nature to give money away, but the man might prove useful at a later date and Chester wanted to make sure he kept on friendly terms.
“Thanks, Mr. Lawrence. You want I should put that horse of yours up for the night?”
“Maybe later. Right now I’ll need him to get around.” Chester reined the horse back toward the street. “Thanks for the help.”
He didn’t wait to hear the man’s reply but instead rode out to find his sons. They were loafing, as usual, in the closest saloon. Seeing that they were well into their second glass of beer, Chester sneered down his nose at them. “It would benefit us all if you were to remain sober long enough to help me retrieve your sister.”
“How will it benefit us?” Jerrod questioned.
Roy nodded. “Yeah, how’ll it benefit us?”
Chester had suffered their temperaments long enough. He cursed them both and added, “Stay here and drink yourself to death. I really don’t care. In fact, don’t even bother to come back to the house. Just head out for whatever parts you were figuring to head out to and save me the touching good-byes.” With that, Chester forgot all about having any kind of refreshment for himself. He stomped out of the saloon and mounted his horse, still cursing his children.
Why had his life taken such a sudden turn for the worse? It seemed to Chester that all his best laid plans were being usurped by his disrespectful offspring. It was too late in life to start over. He had no desire to marry again—especially after Portia. He still wasn’t entirely sure how he’d managed to let that woman weasel her way into having him marry her. It wasn’t like him.
But he had to admit th
ere was something about Portia Langford that had been almost mesmerizing. He supposed he went along with marriage first of all because she made it clear that she’d get rid of his nagging, sickly wife. That appealed in ways Chester couldn’t even begin to list.
Then there was something about the power she seemed to exude. She struck him as a female counterpart to himself, so it seemed natural that they should be together. But she was gone now, and Chester had no desire to endure another woman. He wanted the power and glory for himself. He wanted a bigger spread, more cattle, and stronger herds. He wanted it all.
“And I would have left it to those no-good, ungrateful brats of mine—if they hadn’t turned traitor on me.”
Yet Chester held hope that he’d find Elsa. She wasn’t yet twenty-one, so he could no doubt get the law to help him see her returned to the ranch. First he had to locate her, however. No doubt she was hiding out with her sister and cowardly brother. The thought of Joshua sneaking in after he’d left for the cattle drive and stealing Elsa away made Chester want to pummel the boy. No doubt he’d arranged for everything.
“Well, he won’t get away with it.”
The small town was fairly quiet for a weekday. Chester made his way to a large two-story house on Idaho Street and, seeing it to be the nicest in the neighborhood, figured it must be the Selby house. He dismounted and looked around. The place seemed to be deserted.
He tied off the horse and marched up the front walk to the porch steps. He was about to climb them when Joshua appeared in the doorway.
“Father. I was expecting you.”
“Where is she?”
“Where is who?” Joshua asked flatly.
“You know good and well who. Where’s your sister Elsa?” Chester was in no mood to brook the boy’s nonsense.
“Elsa isn’t here, I can tell you that much. Beyond that, I won’t betray her.”
Chester charged up the stairs. “I’ll beat it out of you then.” He raised his fist, but Joshua only crossed his arms against his chest.
“Do what you think right, but I won’t tell you where Elsa is. She came to me for protection when you would offer her none. Now she’s safe and happy and far away from here.”
Chester let out a stream of profanity that made Joshua wince. “She’s not yours to protect or hide. I have a business arrangement, and you aren’t going to ruin this for me.”
“I’m sorry, Father, but I cannot help you in this. You’re welcome to come in and have some coffee with me. I’d like to talk with you instead of fight.”
“I don’t have time for talking. I need to know where my daughter is. If I have to, I’ll involve the law.”
Joshua frowned. “If that’s how you want it. But I can’t understand what drives a man to care nothing for his offspring. You could have had our loyalty if you’d only given us kindness and love instead of hatred.”
Chester was unmoved by this attack, and that was truly how he saw it. Joshua would fight him with words of love and God, but it would be a fight just the same. “I’m going to round up your brothers from the saloon, and then we’re going to find your sister.”
Joshua said nothing, but his gaze never left Chester. The old man thought for once his son actually showed some gumption—some strength of character. Unfortunately, it was to Chester’s frustration and detriment, instead of his benefit.
“I don’t understand why I can’t get back to work,” Jamie protested as Elsa took away his breakfast tray. His sister, Susannah, came into the room with a basin of warm water and a washcloth.
“You can’t get back to work because Mama said you couldn’t.”
At nearly seventeen, Susannah had taken on the grace and charm of their mother. Her skin was as white as Elsa’s, but her hair was dark black like her mother’s. Her Blackfoot heritage was hidden in an exotic beauty that had men in Virginia City noticing her much too often for Jamie’s comfort.
“I’m tired of being bossed around by a bunch of females,” Jamie said, struggling to throw back his covers. “I’m not taking this anymore.” He got up and ignored the wave of dizziness that momentarily blurred his vision.
Elsa returned from taking the tray and shook her head. “You aren’t supposed to be out of bed.”
“Help him to a chair,” Susannah instructed. “I have to change his bedding anyway.”
Elsa went to Jamie and looped his arm around her shoulder while taking hold of his waist. If Jamie hadn’t been weak-kneed before, this action certainly brought it on. In the days since the accident, Elsa had been at his side, completely devoted to seeing him well. And in that time, Jamie had found himself more and more taken in by her charming attention.
“Come on. Let’s get you to the rocker,” Elsa said, pulling him along.
Jamie stumbled a bit, leaning heavily on Elsa—maybe more heavily than was needed. He liked the feel of her soft touch, the way she smelled so good. He couldn’t help but wonder what the scent was that wafted from her hair, but of course he couldn’t ask. That would really be unseemly.
Elsa helped him into the chair much too quickly and released him to retrieve a blanket. “Here, this will keep you warm while Susannah and I see to the chores.”
Jamie found it hard to understand the change in Elsa, but he liked it. She’d come to the ranch all spit and tacks—angry and wounded. Now she seemed content, even happy. Perhaps she was one of those people who could easily dispel with the past and look only to the future.
The girls changed the bed quickly and had just finished pulling back the covers when his mother entered the room. “I see you’re up. That’s good. I think today you may walk around a bit if you like. I want Elsa or Susannah with you when you are up, however.”
“He was about to start a rebellion,” Susannah declared. “I guess he doesn’t like all this good service.”
“I don’t like layin’ around doing nothing. There are animals to be tended.”
“Your uncle has been seeing to them,” Koko said calmly. She smiled and came to examine his head. “This has healed nicely. I’m confident you’ll be able to get back to work in another week or so.”
“Another week!”
The girls both giggled. “I wish someone would give me a week without work,” Susannah said. Elsa nodded enthusiastically. This wasn’t a battle Jamie was going to win.
“Elsa has fixed you a mixed berry pie. She used some of the dried berries we picked up in the mountains earlier in the summer. I’m sure you can smell it baking. If you behave yourself and don’t exhaust your body, you may have some at lunchtime.”
Jamie tried not to react to the news. The thought of Elsa baking something just for him made his stomach flutter. He wasn’t used to having these feelings or even this interest. Talks with his uncle George had pretty much given Jamie the idea he should spend the rest of his life alone, unless he could find a woman of Blackfoot descent who was in the same fix as he was. No doubt they were out there, but Jamie didn’t know exactly where. And even if he could find them, he wasn’t convinced that was the answer. After all, why would he put his children through the pain and suffering he’d known his mother and uncle, and even himself, to a lesser degree, to experience? But the issue hadn’t even come up because there were no girls of mixed breeding to rouse his interest. So far he’d only met snooty white girls whose parents had obviously warned their daughters about his heritage. But now there was Elsa.
Elsa didn’t seem to mind his heritage. At least she’d never indicated otherwise. He watched her from the chair while she finished helping Susannah clean the room. Was it possible they could have a future together?
“I’ve left you a basin of water,” Susannah told him. “If you don’t feel strong enough to wash up, I’ll stay and help you. I can even shave you if you want.”
“I can take care of myself!” he insisted, irritated at the comment. His sister was making him look the fool in front of Elsa.
His mother laughed. “Come, girls. Let us go and leave Jamie to himself.”
As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Jamie had a hard time washing up and dressing. He felt completely exhausted by the time he worked the last button on his shirt.
“How are you doing?” his mother asked as she peeked into the room.
He grinned. “Well, I don’t like to admit it, but I’m beat. I feel like I should go back to bed.” His grin faded. “This will pass, right?”
Koko nodded reassuringly. She came into the room and closed the door. “It takes time to recover from a head wound. I didn’t want to frighten the others, but you took a pretty good blow. I was afraid you might end up with pressure on the brain, but you bled out good, so I think you’ll be fine.”
Jamie sank into the rocker and sighed. “I knew it was worse than anything I’d experienced before. Even that time I broke my arm didn’t hurt this bad.”
His mother picked up his bedclothes and neatly folded them. “So it would seem to me that Elsa has taken quite an interest in your recovery.” Her change of subject took him by surprise.
“She feels guilty,” Jamie declared.
“I think it’s more than that.”
“Truly?”
She laughed. “You sound as though you’d like it to be more than that.”
He felt his face grow hot and lowered his gaze to the floor. “I guess I was thinking that might be nice. But she’s not going to be interested in someone like me—someone with Blackfoot blood.”
“Jamie, you have to let the Lord guide your heart and life. If it’s meant to be, He’ll open a door to that prospect.”
“He never seemed to care much about me otherwise. God didn’t make it so that I could inherit the ranch or so that I could have my father with me now.”
“But He kept you on the ranch by means of your cousin’s generosity. In fact, Dianne always talks about this being your ranch as much as hers. And He brought you Uncle George right when you needed him most.”
Tracie Peterson - [Heirs of Montana 04] Page 17
