by Danni Roan
Soon the gray sky became more overcast and then fat rain drops began to fall. The two riders stopped to pull their rain gear off the back of their saddles but continued on their way toward the mountains. The horses, used to traveling in all sorts of weather kept up their steady pace as they pointed their noses toward the far blue hills.
“How far’s your uncle’s place then?” Will finally ventured as the wind began picking up turning the steady rain first one direction and then another.
“Oh, yes, you don’t know do you? Well he’s just at the edge of the Wind River Range. It will take us most of the day to get there.”
Suddenly Will realized just why Katie had been so angry. The whole crew was mustering out the next day to start the drive toward Casper. There was no way he or Katie could possibly be back in time to leave with them. Pondering the thought, he first wondered if he’d done something to upset Mr. James, something that had made him decide to have Will escort Katie instead of leading the drive. Then he wondered if he simply thought that as the newest and youngest hand he could just catch up with the drive later on. Either way the whole thing was odd. He looked up to see Katie’s eyes on his face.
“Now you get it.” She said her tone wry. “I guess there’s nothing to be done now but get to uncle Brion and then go from there.”
Will noted the resignation in her face and smiled despite himself.
“Yep. I reckon that’s all we can do.” He said and tilted his hat to shed more of the water away from his neck.
More clouds, black and billowing rolled toward them over the distant mountains and by midafternoon, rain was coming down hard. As they approached the foot hills to the tall Rockies the weather worsened and rain lashed at them as they rode, driving rain under slickers and around collars.
Soon they were both shivering and the storm not only showed no signs of lessening but distant thunder indicated that a real storm was brewing in the big mountain range. Will was beginning to worry and started looking for likely places to shelter in the foot hills. Soon they were trotting their horses into the pelting rain trying to reach the shelter of the trees and hoping for an overhang or cave. Thunder crashed above them as he guided Whisper into the pines and they steadily climbed. The thick branches of the pines lessoned the impact of the rain but deepened the gloom, bringing almost total darkness.
Straining his eyes, he scanned along the tree line for a break in the mountains above. Suddenly Whisper began turning toward a dark out cropping of rock and with great relief Will let the pony pick its way into a deep recess in the rock. Behind him the pack horses moved restlessly as Katie, shivering in her saddle, pushed her little mare up next to them.
Will stepped down from the dripping horse, then reached up to help Katie out of her saddle. He noted that she was shivering all over and as she slid off of her horse wrapped his arms around her to steady her. She leaned into him, her head coming to rest just under his chin.
“I’ll get some blankets and start a fire.” He said gently pushing away from her. Outside the meager shelter thunder crashed against the mountain and lighting back lit the horses standing huddled together at the entrance of the cave.
Will pulled the bedrolls from the saddles as rain dashed across the mouth of the overhang, and quickly brought them to Katie, draping them both around her shoulders. Then finding some dead wood further back in the cave, he quickly started a small fire. It wouldn’t be much but it would be a start. As the wind picked up and lightning flashed Will pulled his hat down over his eyes and hunching his shoulders stepped out into the storm.
Heading back into the trees he dug under the low branches of the pine trees breaking off dead limbs that were kept dry by the thick green needles above. Little by little he gathered arm loads of smaller branches then began picking up larger ones. It wasn’t much but would have to do.
When he returned for the last time he saw that Katie had a battered enameled coffee pot sitting on a rock next to the flames. The light reflecting from the sand stone walls, painted a rosy glow on her face and he stopped to catch his breath before he could move forward. Placing the wood near the fire he turned back to the horses and began stripping their tack. Katie looked up from the fire to see what he was doing.
“I don’t know how long this storm will last so I might as well make them as comfortable as possible.” He said in answer to her questioning look. A nod was her only reply.
Unpacking the horses, Will carried the gear and heavy packs toward the back of the semi-circle of rock that protected them from the storm then walked over to the fire to warm his hands. Katie went to the saddle bags and packs and pulled out a skillet and provisions for some hot food.
“We might as well have something hot in us if we’re going to have to stay here.” She called to him, her head bent to her task. Will smiled, pleased that she wasn’t falling apart as the storm raged.
Katie, rummaged through the panniers for supplies. There was bacon and a few loaves of Nona’s long slim loaves of bread. She could make some hot bacon sandwiches, and soon she had the bacon sizzling in the pan. Going through the motions of something as familiar as cooking bacon steadied Katie’s nerves.
What in the world had her father been thinking sending her out here with a storm on its way, and with this man who was a virtual stranger? It would have been different if it had been one of the other men; men she’d known nearly her entire life.
Soon the sooty, salty smell of the bacon was filling the little space they’d found for shelter. The curving walls of the cave were perhaps twelve feet in circumference, with a wide mouth and a heavy overhang jutting out into the darkening day. The front of the cave was just tall enough to stand up in but it tapered upward as you moved further back and she was forced to stay bent over the fire while she cooked.
Every now and then she would look up to see Will standing near the mouth of the cave looking out at the storm. He’d taken his hat off and shaken most of the water from his dark hair, which curled and twisted around his ears and along his collar. She could see that his shirt was damp as it peeked out of the turned down collar of his rain slicker. His jeans below the knee were damp and his boots muddied; her's were no better. Turning back to the fire she tore open a loaf of bread and began laying strips of crispy bacon into the fold, allowing a liberal amount of the drippings to be soaked up by the bread.
“Food’s ready.” She finally stated holding out one of the sandwiches. Will turned away from the entrance and stooping a little walked to the fire, folded his tall frame onto the floor of the cave then took one of the sandwiches.
“Thank you.” He said, looking up into her bright eyes and biting into the warm sandwich. Katie then handed him a cup of coffee and sat down as close to the fire as she could.
“We’ll need to get out of these wet clothes.” Will said between bites. His eyes now on the fire. “There just isn’t enough wood to dry us out.”
“Yes, I see what you mean.” Katie replied slowly munching through her own bit of bread and bacon, her eyes wide with the thought of having to change her clothes out here in the middle of nowhere with a man nearby.
“It just makes good sense.” Will added, trying to put her more at ease. “When we’re done with this.” He gestured with the bread in his hand “I’ll just step out and you can change.”
“But that means you’ll be soaked through again.” She paused for a long moment. “Why don’t we just use a blanket as a curtain and change behind that.” Her voice was matter of fact, though it quavered at the end.
“Alright, if that suits you.”
They finished their sandwiches then Will picked up one of the blankets and stretched it behind his back, making a wall from his out stretched arms as he faced toward the entrance. Katie, dug out a change of clothes she’d found in her saddle bags and quickly shimmied out of her wet trousers and shirt. No matter how hard she tried she could not suppress the deep blush that warmed her cheeks at the thought of being this close to the handsome young puncher in
next to nothing but her camisole and knickers. As quick as she could, she pulled the warm, dry clothes on and buckled or buttoned with madly scrabbling fingers.
“All done.” She finally squeaked.
Will lowered the blanket behind him letting it fall to the floor behind him and swallowed hard. The sounds that had been coming from behind that blanket had left his mouth dry. He’d found Katie attractive since the first time he’d laid eyes on her but the thought of her stripped nearly naked just inches away from him had made every nerve in his body pulse. Keeping his eyes down, he took his turn while Katie held the blanket at her back.
On inspection of the improvised wall, he wasn’t sure that it was actually very effective but at least it gave some sense of propriety to the situation. Shucking off his boots he crawled out of his wet jeans, then pulled his still half buttoned shirt over his head before yanking the dry clothes back on and stomping into his boots. He had to admit he was much warmer but wasn’t entirely sure if it was due to the dry clothes or from the heat coursing through his system.
“That’s better.” He finally spoke so that the girl standing with her back to him could relax. Again, heat coursed through him as she let the blanket fall affording him a view of her bottom covered in loose fitting jeans. He found himself swallowing hard again, then with a weak smile he stepped back toward the entrance of the cave to check the horses and let the cool, damp air cool his face.
He felt more than heard, Katie walk up next to him as he gazed at the storm outside. “It’s not letting up is it?” She asked softly.
“Afraid not.”
“My uncle’s place is still hours away from here.” She almost whispered.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to bed down here tonight then.” Will’s voice sounded flat event to his own ears. Another peel of thunder punctuated his statement.
With no sign of the storm letting up Will and Katie set about making up their beds. Darkness had fallen hours ago but with the driving rain and roiling black clouds it was hard to tell the difference.
Will couldn’t help but notice that Katie was efficient in all she did. She didn’t waste time with worry, or fear. She just got on with the job that was needed. Still he knew she had to be uneasy about spending the night alone in the mountains with him. He wracked his brain trying to think of any way to put her at ease.
Katie, rolled out her bedding, absorbed in her own thoughts. It was full night now and there was no sign of the storm lessening. These early summer storms could wreak havoc on the ranch and she hoped that everything was alright. Again she wondered what in the world had possessed her father to send her away at this time. Perhaps uncle Brion was in really bad shape, but if that was true why hadn’t he come down the mountain. Worry creased her brow as she chewed her bottom lip impatiently. She had hoped to get to her uncles cabin and then back to the ranch the very next day. She was sure she’d be able to catch up the cattle drive if she were only a day behind.
“How long will it take us to get to your uncles cabin once the storm breaks?” Will's rich voice interrupted her troubling thoughts.
“Huh?” she said, startled.
“I was wondering how long it would take to get to the cabin.”
“Oh. Well as far as I can guess it will take about four hours from here. Maybe a little less. We’ll probably have to stay another night there though because even if we just need to drop off the supplies we couldn’t make it back to the ranch before nightfall.”
“That’s going to make it hard for me to catch up with the drive to Casper then.” Will spoke without thinking. Then noting how Katie’s eyes had gone wide, he stood up from where he’d been leaning against the cave wall, and gazed around him looking for what had startled her.
For a long moment Katie was struck dumb by the fact that the man standing across the fire from her had echoed back her own thoughts.
“You’re worried about the drive too?” she finally questioned softly.
“Well, yes, of course.” Will’s thoughts felt muddled as he gazed into the pale green eyes of the girl looking at him. “I’m to be the new foreman and the first drive I’m here for I’m high up in these forsaken mountains instead of down there seeing that the job is done and everyone gets through safely.” He couldn’t keep the frustration out of his voice.
Katie, emboldened by his words, stepped around the fire and came to stand directly in front of him. “Uncle Benji’s not getting any younger.” She said “He needs to start settling some of the work on others.”
“I know.” Will said running a callused hand through his dark hair in frustration. “I’ve been trying to take things over a little at a time. He’s been teaching me how things are done at the Broken J, but he can’t keep it up forever. For that matter none of the men your father has on the ranch are young. Every day I see the toll the work takes on Benjamin. That’s why I don’t understand why I’m up here. Just about anyone could have taken these supplies up the mountain.” Katie’s soft gasp stopped him.
“Oh, I’m sorry ma’am, I didn’t mean any disrespect to your Pa. It’s just…”
“I know.” Katie’s soft voice and bright smile brought his words to a stumbling halt.
“I feel the same way. I can’t imagine what Pa was thinking. Any of my sisters could have come up and he could have sent just about anyone to do it. Now it has me wondering what Uncle Brion’s message said. I just get so frustrated sometimes.”
Her eyes flashed as she looked at him intently. The passion in her voice glowed on her face and for a moment threatened to take Will’s senses.
“I’ve spent nearly my whole life on this ranch.” Katie continued. Will could sense that she needed to talk and determined to listen. “It’s everything.” Her voice picked up again as she gazed toward the pitch black mouth of the cave.
“I was only four when we came here. I barely remember the wagon train or anything other than the little sod shack we built. Pa, Uncle Brion, Uncle Benji, Deeks, and several of the other men all agreed to just stop here on their way to Oregon. I almost remember my mother’s joy at finally having a home.”
She paused again, her voice taking on a faraway sound. “Muiread, was only two and Mammy was carrying Fiona. I used to help her in the soddy as much as I could. I knew that as the oldest I had responsibilities. I’d keep Meg busy and help make sandwiches for Pa and my uncles.” She paused again as her thoughts roved back over her childhood memories dredging up joy and pain alike.
“Mammy died after Fiona was born.” For just a moment her eyes drifted back to his. He could see the sorrow within them, mixed like the flex of gold among the green in her gaze. “I did my best to take care of Pa and my sisters. It was a God send when Nona Bianca and Grans Isadoro came. Fi was tiny, and sick too, she was only six months old.Nona and Grans wagon had broken down and the wagon train they were with just left them. Pa and some of the other men found them trying to make their way back to Casper and brought them home.” A soft smile stole across Katie’s face as she remembered the day she’d met her new mother. “Their daughter Camilla was with them. She was so beautiful. She married Pa that next year and became our new mother.”
Again Katie turned her eyes to Will’s. He wanted to reach out and touch her, the joy and sorrow in her voice pulling at his heart. “Of course we lost her to a fever several years later. In some ways that was harder for me than losing my own mother. I could just barely remember my mother, I didn’t get the chance to know her like I did Cammy.”
“Grandpa Isadoro is the one who started the ranch house we live in now. He built most of the structures on the Broken J. He’s a real master builder. He learned wood working in Italy as a boy.” Her voice was full of pride.
“Pa, and the other men had been farming the land then but the year Cammy and her parents arrived they decided to get cattle and start ranching. I had to help Nona and Cammy and keep everything going while the men went to buy the herd.”
For a long moment Katie’s voice faded. A branch, collapse
d and crackled in the fire, sending sparks toward the rock above their heads. Will waited; not breathing, not saying a word.
“Before Nona and Grans came Meg and I went everywhere with Pa. We rode horses, plowed fields. It’s not like he could leave us at home. Billy took care of Fiona, he had a goat and that’s what saved her. After Nona and Grans came we still spent a lot of time out in the fields learning how to do work while Cammy took care of Fi. I remember the day they came back with the cows.” She said with a smile. Four hundred head of cattle they moved from Texas. Pa was thrilled. We still had to do a lot of farming and Pa and Brion even brought timber down from the mountains and hauled it to a developing Casper. We all did our part. That’s how I learned to work the ranch, filling in when someone was away.” Her eyes took on a fiery gleam; a spark of pure determination.
With the mention of her uncles name Katie stopped slowly coming back to reality. “I don’t know why I’m going on about all of this.” She sighed heavily. “Right now we’re stuck right here so we might as well just make the best of it.” She looked up at him and without thinking Will reached out a hand and brushed a strand of soft, damp hair away from her face, sending a mild shock racing up his arm; Katie closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. Remembering himself Will yanked his hand away, leaving it feeling suddenly cold and bereft of heat. Katie’s eyes flew open and with a gasp she turned away, stalking back to the fire.
“We’d better get some sleep.” She snapped bending over and crawling into her bed roll.
Will stood rooted to the spot looking at the stiff back of the woman lying on the floor of the cave, her thick golden braid reflecting the colors of the fire. Mentally he cursed himself. What had made him do it? What could he possibly have been thinking? He had only wanted to comfort her, to take away some of the worry she was feeling. Silently shrugging into his slicker he turned toward the mouth of the cave and stepped into the storm that crashed and rolled outside hoping to escape the one that raged inside his soul.
