When You Are Near

by Tracie Peterson

  He pulled back the dish towel. “Buttermilk biscuits and jam. He didn’t eat this morning, and I figure if you take this in there and have one, maybe he will too.”

  She took the plate. “I suppose I can try, but he never listens to me.”

  Lizzy followed Wesley into the office and found he was already sitting behind his desk. He watched her in that casual way of his—seemingly uninterested, while at the same time taking in every detail. She’d seen him deal with snakes the same way. She felt her cheeks flush and put the biscuits in the middle of the desk just to ensure his focus would be on something other than her face.

  She reached for a biscuit. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m hungry.” Without waiting for his approval, she plopped down in a chair and started munching.

  “Thought you might like some coffee to wash down those biscuits,” Cookie said, following her in with a couple of mugs.

  Lizzy happily accepted and smiled at the coffee’s milky hue. “Thank you for remembering that I like cream in my coffee.”

  “It’s the other way around, isn’t it?” Cookie teased. “You like a touch of coffee in your cream.”

  Lizzy smiled and nodded. “You know me too well.”

  “I should hope after all this time that I do.” Cookie put Wesley’s cup beside the plate of biscuits. “Now, you just holler if you want anything else.”

  “I didn’t want this,” Wes said sarcastically.

  “Well, that’s too bad,” Cookie replied with a chortle, “’cause you’ve got it now, and I’ll be offended if you don’t eat and drink what I’ve served.” He left and closed the door behind him.

  For just a moment, Lizzy waited in silence, trying to figure out whether she should tease Wesley or just get down to business. She wished things could be lighthearted between them. It seemed so terrible that such a good friendship had to be compromised by the past.

  “I’m glad we have you, Wesley. Father said you were by far the best foreman he’d ever had. He said he would have been proud to call you his son—that if God had blessed him with a son, he would have wanted him to be just like you.” Lizzy put down her cup and placed the half-eaten biscuit beside it. “My mother also puts great stock in what you think. She has admired your abilities for years.”

  As she talked, Wesley watched her without attempting to comment. There was no hint of pride in his expression for the praise she offered, but when she spoke of her mother, she saw a softening in his face.

  Lizzy continued talking, desperate to fill the silence. “Mother is very wounded over losing my father. He was her very best friend, and she will never be the same. However, I’m hopeful that with your help and mine, she will be able to find happiness here at the ranch again. I know she wanted to come home to be near his grave, but also to be in the place she thought him happiest.”

  “If he was happiest here, why stay with the show?” Wes asked, then looked surprised, as if he’d never meant to be caught up in the conversation.

  Lizzy shrugged. “That’s easy enough. He did it for Uncle Oliver. My uncle hates ranch life—always has. Uncle Oliver was born to perform. He loves to make pretty speeches and promote the show. If he hadn’t been injured so many times, he’d still be out there, performing on horseback.” She tried to look relaxed. “My father put Uncle Oliver’s desires ahead of his own. He promised his mother they would always look after each other.”

  “Oliver was five years your father’s senior. If anyone should have been looking out for anyone, it should have been the reverse.”

  “That’s probably why Uncle Oliver is having such a difficult time with Father’s passing. He’s drinking again. Did you know he bought several crates of alcohol and brought it back here?”

  Wes frowned. “No, I didn’t know that. I knew your mother was concerned about him drinking.”

  “Well, whatever we can do to keep him from getting that liquor is going to be to the betterment of everyone. I heard an unexpected shipment came in today. Was it by any chance for Uncle Oliver?”

  Wes nodded. “It was.”

  “I was afraid of that.” She picked up the biscuit and nibbled at it. There had to be a way to keep Uncle Oliver from receiving the alcohol. She supposed she could just take it and dispose of it somewhere. But where, and how could she manage huge crates by herself?

  “What do you want me to do about it?” Wes asked.

  She glanced up to see him watching her. She swallowed. “I want you to help me take the crates away from here and get rid of them.” She fully expected an argument, but instead he nodded.

  “I can do that, but you don’t need to be involved. I’ll just load it up and drive it out of here.”

  “No. If you do it alone, he might get mad and try to fire you. If I do it, then he’ll be angry, but he’ll get over it.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Wesley insisted. Then he gave a wry smile. “He’s not going to fire me. Like you said, he hates ranch work.”

  Lizzy decided it wasn’t worth the fight. “Thank you. I have to do whatever I can to help Uncle Oliver stay sober. It’s bad enough that he even took another drink, but that he’s been drunk several times is going to make this even worse.”

  “It’s really not your responsibility. He’ll most likely just find more liquor.”

  “That’s true, but Mother hopes to convince him otherwise, especially now that he has a bad chest cold. He might listen to her. He respects her and loves her like a sister. She plans to sit down with him and talk about Father. Maybe if he talks about how much he misses his brother and how hard losing him has been, then he won’t feel the need to drink.”

  “And what about you?” Wesley asked. “Are you willing to talk about how much you miss your father and how hard losing him has been on you?”

  Lizzy hadn’t expected that turn and nearly dropped the coffee she’d just picked up. “I’m not seeking alcohol to comfort myself, so I’m not sure why you ask that question. Of course I miss Father, and it’s been very hard to lose him.” It was her turn to speak matter-of-factly—with no emotion. She raised her chin and looked Wes square in the eye. “Not that I believe you are overly concerned about my feelings. No doubt Mother told you to be concerned, but you needn’t be. I’m just fine.”

  “Yeah, I can see that. Stubborn and closed up. I guess that equals being fine to you.”

  “You’re one to talk. You wouldn’t even speak to me for the last two years. Would you like to tell me how much you miss Clarissa? How difficult it’s been for you to lose her?” Lizzy regretted the words the minute she said them.

  Wes stiffened, and something hardened in his expression. “No.”

  She nodded. “Then I suggest we discuss ranch business and leave it at that. I hoped we could at least be friends, but in lieu of that, I’ll simply be my mother’s envoy.”

  She was surprised to see him shake his head and frown. “I don’t want that, Lizzy.”

  “No? Then what do you want?” For a moment she thought he might actually tell her.

  But then he opened the desk drawer and took out two large ledgers. He tossed them on the desk. “For the books to balance.”

  Realizing he wasn’t going to let the conversation get any more personal, she reached for the book on top. “Then let’s get to it. I’m fairly good at math.” It’s understanding a man’s heart where I fail.

  They pored over the ledgers for the next two hours. Lizzy could see that Wes had been careful to keep track of every detail. He had noted every transaction. From what she could see, the ranch was in good order.

  She was about to ask him about riding into town with her when a light knock sounded on his office door.

  “Come in,” Wes called.

  Ella opened the door and peeked inside. She smiled at the sight of Lizzy. “You said you’d give me a lesson at ten, so I thought I’d come find you. I don’t know much about the place yet, so I was hoping you’d show me where you want to work.”

  Lizzy got up. “We’ll work in the e
nclosed arena. It looks to start snowing at any time.” She looked back at Wesley. “I need to get to town soon—maybe once the threat of snow is past. I was thinking you could ride in with me.”

  Wes frowned and looked like he would refuse, but Ella piped up before he could answer. “I’ll bet Mr. Adler would go with you.” She smiled so sweetly that Lizzy wasn’t sure if she was innocent of the suggestion or had done it purposefully to goad Wesley into agreeing.

  “I can spare the time,” Wes muttered.

  fifteen

  Wesley didn’t know why he’d just agreed to go to town with Lizzy. The last thing he wanted was more time alone with her. Thinking about her being alone with Adler, however, was more than he could bear to consider.

  “I’m so excited to learn some new tricks,” Ella said, stepping fully into the office. “Isn’t it exciting that she’s going to teach me, Mr. DeShazer?”

  Wesley had been glad for the interruption, but at Ella Fleming’s words, he felt a chill run up his spine. “Not particularly. It’s dangerous.”

  Lizzy looked at him and narrowed her eyes, as she so often did when she was angry. If eyes could alight with flames, then Lizzy’s would be blazing. Her feelings were evident, but maybe that was better than her pretense at having none at all.

  “Ella is an experienced equestrian. She tried her hand at trick and Roman riding when she was younger. She wants to learn it again so she can perform and perhaps even take my place.” Her words were clipped and hard.

  “I like the idea of you quitting the show, but don’t you think it’s dangerous for someone like her to learn to do what you do? From what your mother said, Miss Fleming has been raised as a proper lady. Not just that, but in a refined Southern manner that would never allow for such things. A person needs a great deal of muscle and body control for what you do.”

  Ella responded before Lizzy could. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. DeShazer, but I know what I’m doing, and I didn’t just do such things when I was a child. I’d try my hand at various tricks when I was out riding alone and knew I could get away with it. Lizzy has given me exercises to do in order to strengthen my muscles and gain additional balance. I practice them several times a day—faithfully. I want to learn all that I can. I’ll need to be able to support myself, after all.”

  “I don’t want to offend, but there are easier ways than this. It is, after all, 1900. A great many women work jobs, and the opportunities are far more numerous than ever before.” He glanced at Lizzy for confirmation. The instant his gaze met hers, he regretted it. “I’m not trying to offend either of you.”

  “Well, for someone who’s not trying,” Lizzy said, taking Ella’s arm, “you’re doing a great job.”

  “Hey, Wes, do you have—” The voice fell silent as Phillip entered the room and nearly knocked Ella over. He reached out to steady her and grinned when she turned to face him. “I’m sure sorry for that. I wasn’t lookin’ where I was goin’.”

  Wes couldn’t see Ella’s expression, but his brother’s left little doubt of his attraction to the pretty blonde. “Lizzy, Miss Fleming, this is my brother, Phillip. He’s recently come to work for us.”

  Lizzy crossed her arms and looked at the ceiling. “Great, now there’s two of you.”

  Ella smiled. “How nice to meet you, Mr. DeShazer,” she said.

  “Just call me Phillip. Everybody does, and I sure hope that the prettiest girl I’ve ever met would too.”

  “Phillip, you’re in the presence of two very beautiful ladies. It’s not polite to single one out, especially when the other is the ranch owner’s daughter.” He knew better than to point out Lizzy that way, but the words were said before he gave them thought.

  Lizzy stepped up to Phillip. “That’s quite all right, Phillip. I’m glad to meet you, and I believe people should be honest about the way they feel. I agree with you that Ella is very pretty, and I don’t mind at all that you think her prettier than me.”

  Phillip went ten shades of red and shook his head. “But I didn’t even see you, Miss Brookstone. I’m real sorry too,’cause I think you’re mighty pretty. But it’s like dessert. I love cherry cobbler and I love chocolate cake. But I love them both for different reasons, and right now I’m really very fond of cherry cobbler.” He grinned in his impish way.

  Wes had seen that smile disarm even the angriest of opponents. Phillip was a sweet kid, and for the most part he could always talk his way out of trouble.

  Lizzy laughed. Once again Phillip’s charm seemed to work. “I’m very fond of cherry cobbler myself, so I completely understand. Please know that I am not offended in any way by anything you have said.” She emphasized the word you, and Wes knew it was intentionally done to make sure he knew she was offended by him. As if concerned that he wouldn’t pick up her subtle comment, she added, “I wish it could be so for everyone.” She took hold of Ella’s arm. “Sorry, but Ella and I have work to do.”

  “What are you going to do?” Phillip asked. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “I don’t think your brother would approve, and I learned long ago that when you step on his toes, there are repercussions.” Lizzy looked at Wesley and raised a brow.

  No one said a word for several long moments.

  “Lizzy is going to teach me some riding maneuvers for the show,” Ella interjected into the uncomfortable silence. “I’m going to trick ride.”

  Phillip grinned. “I break horses. I’m the best there is. You should come watch me sometime. I do my own trick riding.”

  Ella nodded. “Maybe I will, but for now I have a lot to learn, and I’m anxious to get started.”

  “No more anxious than I am to be out of here,” Lizzy said and pulled Ella toward the door. “I definitely prefer the company of horses.”

  Once they’d gone, Phillip looked at Wesley with a grin. “She’s an angel.”

  “She’s a girl who left her home under bad terms. Stay away from her,” Wesley said, sitting back down.

  Phillip plopped down where Lizzy had just been sitting. He grabbed a biscuit and made a hole in the side, then spooned jam into the hole, mashing it down into the center. When that was done, he pushed the whole thing in his mouth.

  “Have some manners.” Wesley shook his head and moved the plate to the far side of his desk. “What are you even doing in here? Don’t you have enough work to do? Do I need to assign you more?”

  Phillip nodded and swallowed before speaking. At least that was an improvement. “I have a lot of work, but I just wanted to find out if you have any extra boots that might fit me. Mine are plumb worn out, and they’re startin’ to cause me trouble.”

  “I don’t suppose you have any money, although you seemed to have enough to buy liquor the other day.”

  Phillip ate another biscuit before answering. “I didn’t buy that whiskey—it was given to me. But no, I haven’t got a cent until payday.”

  Wes shook his head, then pulled out his wallet. He threw down several bills of his own money. “Go to town and get another pair. Make sure they’re good ones.”

  “I’ll pay you back real soon,” Phillip said, grabbing the money. “Thanks for helping me out. I won’t let you down, I promise.”

  Wesley nodded. “You may have to hold off a day or two. We’re due a snow, and I don’t want you getting stuck in town.”

  “I’ll take the new bay. He needs the exercise and a good, hard run. I’ll be back faster than a whistle, snow or no snow.”

  “Phillip . . .”

  For a moment Wes considered telling Phillip to take Lizzy with him, then thought better of it. He didn’t know why, but even the idea of sending her off with his brother bothered Wes.

  He shook his head. “Be quick about it, and no liquor!”

  Phillip left, and Wesley tried to focus on his work, but Lizzy was all he could think about. He hadn’t meant to upset her. He wasn’t even sure how things had gotten so bad. Should he go apologize? His mother had once said that if that question came to m
ind, there was a good chance you already knew the answer.

  “It’s always good to practice first with the horse standing still and then with someone walking him around or leading him on horseback for control. Since Pepper is accustomed to you doing unusual maneuvers, he’ll be easier to work with, but it’s still a good idea to do some basic moves to start to remind him.”

  Lizzy looked the sleek black gelding over from nose to tail. “He’s got a pretty long back. That makes it difficult for a lot of the tricks I do. We might do better to let you train on my horse and discuss what you want to do for the future. We have some other horses here that have been used for trick riding. I think in the long run, you’d be happier with one of them.” She ran her hand over the black’s rump. “I also have a smaller saddle that might be perfect for you. As you know, the saddles are very different. In fact, I’ve made quite a few personal changes and have pretty much created my own design. Come with me and I’ll show you.”

  They left Pepper tethered to the gate and walked back to where several saddles were posted atop wooden stands.

  “As you can see, these saddles are a little longer than the normal work saddle.”

  Ella nodded and ran her hand along the elongated horn. “This is longer too. I imagine that’s a wonderful tool for tricks. I’ve had some rough moments and all because it was hard to get a grip on my horn. There were also times when I did tricks without a saddle, and sometimes I thought that was easier.”

  “I know what you mean. Sometimes I even perform a few tricks bareback. The crowds love it. But for the most part you’ll use one of these saddles, so you should be familiar with them. If you decide you’re serious about staying with the show, you’ll want to have your own saddle made.”

  “My brother-in-law’s family business is making saddles. He’s part owner of Knox Saddlery. Maybe you’ve heard of them.”

  “Of course I have. Everyone knows Knox saddles. They’re some of the finest.”

  Ella nodded. “That’s how my sister and brother-in-law met. She was having a saddle made, and he came to our farm. It was all very romantic.” She smiled and then sobered almost instantly. “I hope she’s all right and that Father hasn’t made it difficult for her. I never wanted to cause her pain.”