A Western Heart (Choc Lit)

by Liz Harris

  She laughed. ‘You can wager I will. Mattie said you were talking about her. Can I ask what about? You can say it’s none of my business, if you want,’ she added quickly.

  ‘I don’t mind telling you. In fact, I think it’s something you should be aware of, if you aren’t already. In fact, you probably are – you and Mattie are real good friends and I guess you know more about what’s in her thoughts than I do. But it’s something that’s been concerning me.’

  Cora screwed up her forehead and looked at him questioningly.

  ‘It’s about Sam, the new cowman,’ he said. Her forehead cleared. ‘It’s obvious that Mattie’s got a woman’s feelings for the man, if you get my drift. I’ve seen the way she looks at him. She’s a real determined gal and can be headstrong, and I’m afear’d for her. Sam’s only a hired hand and in the fall, he’ll move on. It’s what he might leave behind him that worries me.’ He glanced quickly at her. ‘I guess that’s not something I shoulda said in front of a lady. Forgive me, Cora.’

  She beamed at him, her eyes shining. ‘I can easily forgive you, Will – I reckon that’s the first time you’ve spoken to me as if I’m all grown up.’

  ‘Is that so?’ He glanced down the length of her, and she felt a blush start to spread across her chest and up to her face. ‘Yup,’ he said, with a slow smile. ‘It’s not just Mattie who’s grown up – it’s you, too, Cora. You’ve both turned into beautiful women while I was busy looking somewhere else. I guess that makes me someone who’s kinda slow at seeing what’s happening right under his nose.’ His eyes wandered across the picnic area to Rose, who’d thrown back her head and was laughing at something Nate had said.

  ‘But about Sam,’ Cora said quickly. ‘Are you gonna fire him?’

  Will turned back to her and shook his head. ‘It wouldn’t be fair on him. He’s done nothing wrong and it’d set Mattie against me so bad she’d never speak to me again. All I can do is hope he’s an honourable man, who wouldn’t take advantage of her feelings for him. But he’s never worked for us before and I don’t know him, and every time I see her looking at him like she does, it worries me.’ He gave her a quick smile. ‘But I’m gonna give myself a break from worrying today – Sam’s back at the ranch with the animals, and Mattie’s here where I can see her.’

  ‘I know what you’re saying, Will, and I’ll do everything I can to stop Mattie from getting hurt.’

  ‘I’m mighty grateful to you, Cora. You’re a good friend to my sister.’ He smiled warmly at her. ‘But tell me, have you enjoyed the picnic today?’

  ‘Oh, I have,’ she said beaming up at him.

  ‘I’m not surprised. Like I said, you’re looking real pretty. I wager you’ll be standing up for every dance when the music strikes up so I’d better ask you now to save a dance for me or I might miss out. So, will you save me one?’

  ‘Of course, I will,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Now let’s change the subject or I’m gonna go crimson in colour. My red hair’s to blame.’

  ‘I don’t know about blame – it’s a real pretty colour,’ he said, smiling into her face. ‘But Okay, then – to change the subject, you can tell me about Mr Galloway. He’s stirred up a lot of interest around here. Word is that he’s looking into setting up a meatpackin’ house in Wyoming, but surely that won’t happen, not with it being impossible to ship dressed beef any distance without it rotting. I guess it means he’ll soon be leaving Wyoming with empty hands.’

  ‘I’m not sure that’s so, Will,’ she said slowly.

  He glanced at her sharply. ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘Just that shipping dressed beef’s gonna be possible now they’ve got ice-cold boxcars. The beef won’t rot, no matter how far it’s shipped. I can see Mr Galloway thinkin’ about settling here if things go the way he wants.’

  ‘Is that so?’ he said, and he glanced across at Rose. Her head was close to Nate’s.

  Looking up into Will’s face, Cora saw the light dim in his eyes.

  ‘I hadn’t realised Rose was so interested in meatpacking,’ he said quietly.

  Chapter Five

  ‘You two have been talking together for a long time,’ Rose said, coming up to Will and Cora. ‘I’m curious to know what you’ve been saying to each other.’ She arched her eyebrow and glanced from one to the other. ‘Well, Cora?’

  ‘I’m surprised you noticed anything about anyone else, Rose, you’ve been talking so much to Mr Galloway,’ Cora said with a slight laugh.

  ‘Well, I’m talking to you now,’ Rose said airily.

  ‘I guess that’s because everyone’s finishing eating, and they’ve started moving around. Mr Galloway’s got quite a group about him now, including Pa. No wonder you decided to come back to us.’ Cora turned to Will. ‘I sure enjoyed talking to you, Will. But if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go and find Mattie now.’

  Will smiled at her. ‘Remember, we’re gonna have a dance later, grown-up Cora.’

  She laughed, gave him a little wave and went off to find Mattie.

  Will glanced across at Nate Galloway again. He was deep in conversation with the owners of some of the largest ranches in the area. He turned back to Rose. ‘I reckon your Mr Galloway will consider the picnic today a rip-roaring success. I’m guessin’ that every cattleman in these parts, no matter the size of their ranch, will be coming to town on Tuesday to hear him speak.’

  ‘He’s not my Mr Galloway,’ she retorted, ‘but I’ll let that pass. Are you gonna be one of those cattlemen?’

  ‘I sure am. It’s an interesting idea, what he’s suggesting. Cora’s just been giving me a rundown on what he’s here for, and Pa’s one of those who’s talking to him now. We’ll certainly wanna hear what he has to say on Tuesday, and we’ll be at the general meeting on Wednesday to find out what the mood of the ranchers is. That’s when they’re all gonna get together to discuss the proposals. I’m also interested in what Silas Poole thinks about the idea. I don’t like the man, and I wouldn’t trust him any more than I’d trust a snake not to bite, but he’s shrewd.’

  ‘I’m amazed Cora was able to remember all the details.’ Rose gave a short laugh.

  ‘Don’t underestimate your sister,’ he said sharply. ‘She’s a smart gal.’

  ‘I didn’t mean to say she wasn’t. It’s just that it’s complicated and we were tired when Mr Galloway was telling us.’

  ‘Not so tired that she didn’t take in enough to give me a good idea of what he’s here for. And anything she’s missed, I’ll find out tomorrow.’

  ‘Tomorrow! That’s Monday. You mean Tuesday, don’t you?’ Rose exclaimed. ‘I thought Mr Galloway was talking to the townsfolk in two days’ time. I’m sure he said Tuesday.’

  ‘He did. You missed hearing your father invite Pa and me to your ranch tomorrow morning to meet with him and Mr Galloway. I think he’s gonna suggest that Silas Poole comes, too. It’ll be useful for the three of us to have had a talk with Galloway ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.’

  She looked up at Will in pleasant surprise. ‘I didn’t know I’d be seeing you so soon again. That’ll be nice.’ Her eyes strayed back to Nate. ‘Talking of Mr Galloway, I think Cora’s quite taken with him.’ She turned back to Will. ‘Don’t you agree? Every time I saw her last night, she was watching him closely, and also today.’

  ‘Or she might’ve been watching you and wondering what you were doing, since you’ve been with him for most of the day today, and I imagine you were with him for most of yesterday evening,’ he remarked dryly. ‘He’s a good-lookin’ man, and he has the way of the world about him. I reckon that would appeal to a woman.’ He paused, and glanced at her. ‘Does it appeal?’

  Her heart gave a sudden thump. ‘What d’you mean?’

  ‘I woulda thought my meaning was clear. You’ve been so busy talking with Mr Galloway that I’ve hardly spoken to you today. I’ve seen more of Cora than I have of you. And like Cora rightly said, you’re only here now because the ranchers have finished eating and they’re w
anting to talk to the man.’

  ‘Yup, he’s a fine-looking man and yup, I’ve talked to him some today. But he’s a guest at our ranch and he doesn’t know anyone here. And it wasn’t so much talking to him as introducing him to our neighbours. That’s all there was to it.’

  ‘If you say so,’ he said.

  ‘I do say so.’ Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a couple of ranchers breaking away from the group around Nate and heading in their direction. ‘I reckon those two are planning to join us in a minute. You’re right, we’ve hardly spoken to each other since we got here, and if we don’t move now, we’re not gonna be able to talk for much longer. Why don’t we go for a walk? Just you and me.’

  ‘Okay, if that’s what you want,’ he said.

  She nodded. ‘It is. Come on.’ She grabbed his hand and they hurried away from the picnic area, heading across the grass-covered slope towards the wooden bridge that spanned the shallow river, which meandered a little way to the side of Hope.

  ‘It sure is a beautiful day,’ she ventured as they walked along, breaking into the silence that had fallen between them. She tightened her hold on his hand, gave him a half-smile and then turned away from him and stared across the river towards the rolling green hills. Behind the hills, the bluish-pink mountains rose up to the cerulean sky, their peaks golden in the early afternoon sun.

  He glanced at her. ‘For someone who had a lot to say earlier today, you’re very quiet now, Rose,’ he said. ‘You suggested taking a walk so we could talk some. But I don’t hear much talk coming from you.’

  She shook her head. ‘It’s just I’ve been thinking.’ She could hear the strain in her voice, and she coughed.

  ‘Thinking about what?’ he asked after a short pause.

  She didn’t answer.

  ‘About what, Rose? About your Mr Galloway?’

  ‘Of course not!’ She gave a shrill laugh. ‘And I told you he wasn’t my Mr Galloway.’

  ‘I’ve known you since we were real little, and I know when something’s not right,’ he said quietly as they reached the bridge and started to walk across. ‘It’s not been right all morning, and it’s not right now. If you tell me what the problem is, I might be able to help.’

  ‘There isn’t a problem,’ she said quickly. Then she gave a loud sigh, and stood still. ‘I guess that’s not true. Maybe there is.’ She released his hand and leaned back against the side of the bridge. ‘I’ve been getting so angered with our folks dropping hints every day about you and me. And I know you feel it, too – I’ve seen you walk away when they start on you. It’s why I came to collect Cora yesterday. Ma just couldn’t get away from the subject, and I’d had enough.’

  ‘And there I was, thinking you’d come to see me,’ he said, a look of feigned surprise on his face.

  She gave an awkward laugh. ‘That came out all wrong. Of course I wanted to see you, Will. It’s just that after listening to Maall morning—’

  ‘—coming to me was your way of escape.’

  ‘It was more than that. I could’ve escaped to some place else, if I’d wanted. I could’ve gone and sat somewhere out of the way, like Jonah’s Cabin. I didn’t ’cos I wanted to see you. And that’s the truth.’

  ‘Okay,’ he said, and he smiled at her. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, she noticed.

  ‘And there was more about the two of us at dinner last night. Pa told Mr Galloway that he and your pa were expecting our two ranches to be working together before too long. And it’s not just our folks. Everyone in town looks like they’re waiting for us to say something whenever they see us together. The only person who doesn’t keep on about us getting wed is Cora. She’s been real sisterly and always tries to change the subject of you and me when it comes up. So it’s all the hinting that’s bothering me, and that’s not a problem as such.’

  She turned away from him and stared over the side of the bridge at the clear water flowing beneath them.

  ‘I don’t think that’s the only thing bothering you, Rose,’ he said quietly. He put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her gently round to face him. ‘Say what it is you really want to say.’

  She looked up into his face and met eyes of intense blue, eyes that wanted an answer, insisted on an answer.

  ‘Okay, I will.’ Her stomach did a somersault. Struggling to quell her sudden nervousness, she took a deep breath. ‘Like you said, we’ve known each other all our lives. You love me, and I love you. It’s not something we’ve ever said aloud to each other – this is the first time I’ve said it to you, and you’ve never said it to me – but it’s something we’ve both known forever. We’ve never actually talked about us getting wed, though – everyone else is doing that for us. But I was wondering …’ Her voice trailed off and she felt herself going red.

  ‘Wondering what?’

  ‘Why you hadn’t asked me to marry you.’ The words came out in a rush, and she gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘I should be real ashamed of myself for asking you that – it’s not a thing a lady asks a man. But we know each other so well I feel I can ask it. I’m being really honest with you now, Will – I’ve been lying awake at night, wondering why you haven’t asked me.’

  ‘I reckon that’s a fair question. Why don’t we go and sit down?’

  Her heart missed a beat. ‘It’s not a short answer, then.’ She attempted another laugh.

  He shook his head. ‘I guess maybe not.’

  He turned away and continued walking across the bridge. Her heart thudding anxiously in her chest, she went quickly after him.

  When they reached the other side of the river, he led the way to the trunk of a tree that had toppled over near the water’s edge and sat down on it. Rose sat next to him, angling herself to look at him.

  ‘You’ve been honest with me, Rose, and I’m gonna be honest with you. I’ve asked myself the same question – why I haven’t asked you to marry me,’ he said, his eyes fixed on the water.

  The air hung heavy between them.

  ‘And what answer have you come up with?’ she asked at last.

  ‘I haven’t,’ he said bluntly.

  ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying, Will? Are you saying you don’t love me?’

  He turned to her and shook his head. ‘Nope, I’m not saying that. I do love you.’ A bolt of relief shot through her. ‘You were right when you said I loved you,’ he went on. ‘I always have done, and I always will. And I believe you love me.’

  ‘You’re right. I do, Will.’ She put her hand on his arm, and felt his lean muscle flex beneath her fingertips.

  He nodded. ‘The thing that’s holding me back is that I’m not sure just how you love me.’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ she said slowly, taking her hand away.

  ‘You kinda treat me like a brother. That was fine when we were little, but we’re older now, and nothing’s really changed. I’m not sure if you feel for me in the way a wife should feel for her husband. I’ve got a sister already – I don’t want to find I’m living with another one. I wanna wed a woman who wants me as a man, not as a brother. I’m sorry for speaking blunt like this to you, Rose, but that’s the truth of it.’

  She coloured. ‘Of course I want you like a woman wants a man. But it’s not a seemly thing for a lady to talk about.’

  ‘Do you, Rose, ’cos I’m not sure you do. You’re right, it’s something a respectable woman wouldn’t talk about it, but she wouldn’t have to. It’s not just words can tell a man what a woman feels – it’s the way a woman looks at him. I’ve watched Mattie’s face when she’s looking at that new ranch hand, and I seen what’s in her eyes. I’m scared for her ’cos I see the way she feels about him. I’ve never seen that longing in your eyes when you look at me. I see a whole lot of liking, but I don’t see the thing that’d make your pa come after me with a rifle if he thought I’d acted on it.’

  ‘I promise you, you’re wrong,’ she cried.

  ‘And what’s more,’ he went on as if she h
adn’t spoken. ‘I reckon you’ve asked me that question now ’cos you’ve met a man who’s makin’ you feel the way I’m talkin’ about, and you’re fearful of what that might mean. Suddenly you don’t know where you’re going, and you wanna feel safe again.’

  She shook her head vigorously and stared up into eyes, full of regret and pain. ‘You’re wrong, Will. Tell me how to prove to you I feel the way a woman should feel about her man,’ she said, her voice shaking, ‘and I’ll do it.’

  C hapter Six

  ‘I mean it, Will,’ Rose said quietly, her eyes on the ground in front of her. ‘Just tell me what I must do to prove I love you in the way you want.’

  There was a moment’s silence, then Will burst out laughing. ‘You never fail to surprise me, Rose,’ he said cheerfully.

  She looked at him, puzzled.

  Grinning broadly, he jumped down from the tree trunk and held out his hand to her. ‘You sure are one amazing woman. But as I can hear the fiddle playing and the sound of dancing, and as I know you love to dance, I’m thinking we oughta let things be at the moment, go back to the picnic and join in the dancing. But only if you think you can rein in this powerful urge for my body that’s suddenly come over you.’

  She stared at him for a minute, then she, too, burst out laughing. ‘I do love you, Will,’ she said, and she took the hand he’d stretched out to her and let him help her down from the log. She tucked her arm into his and they started to walk slowly back to the bridge.

  ‘So nothing’s really changed then, has it?’ she said. ‘We’re still best friends, but no more than that. Our folks will have to delay their plans for running the ranches jointly as they’re not gonna hear what they want, or not yet at least.’

  He glanced curiously at her. ‘Listening to you, a person might almost think this was about you being anxious that nothing got in the way of our folks’ plans. But I know you, Rose, and I know you don’t think like that.’