Lori Wick Short Stories, Vol. 4: The Rancher's Lady

by Lori Wick

  “I need to get going. Will you be all right?”

  “Yes. How many for lunch?”

  “About 20.”

  “All right. I’ll have it ready.”

  Kyle took his leave then, his heart thoughtful as he thanked God for Clare’s willingness to fill in. He also prayed on Marcy’s behalf. He knew that the doctors would keep a close watch for infection, but he also knew that she would be chafing to be back in action soon. Moving his mind toward matters of the day, he walked toward the barn.

  You didn’t tell me she was pretty. Clare’s comment rang in Kyle’s ears a few hours later as he watched Shasta in action and thought how true it was.

  Shasta was pretty. She was also bright, fun, positive, encouraging, experienced, and hardworking, but she was not, as he’d originally believed, looking for a man.

  In fact, Shasta McGregor was so unaware of the male attention she often received that she fascinated Kyle. Lex could barely keep his eyes off of her, and Bennett and Peter openly flirted with her on a regular basis. However, anytime the subject ranged to the personal, Shasta would simply smile and not reply. She didn’t even acknowledge comments on the way she looked.

  He had heard the men tell her that she was beautiful, that her hair was like a streak of sunshine down her back, and that her eyes were the largest and deepest brown they’d ever seen. All of which were offered in sincerity, but Shasta always looked slightly indulgent over these remarks, or at the very least, openly skeptical.

  Kyle had never known anyone like her. He was going to be 45 on his next birthday, and for the first time in his life wondered whether they might not have become close, married even, if he’d met Shasta sooner. He knew it was too late now; he was too old to start such a life and change all of his ways, but even having the thought surprised him.

  He mentally shook his head. The guests would be arriving even before they were ready, and he had no time for such contemplation. Determined to put his thoughts where they belonged, Kyle went back to work.

  The day before the first guests were due, Marcy, who had come back to work in fine form, announced that she would be going into town after lunch to buy supplies. In need of some very personal items, Shasta debated what to do. She had yet to see a paycheck from the Harrington Cattle Company, and since she hadn’t really become close to anyone at the ranch, she hesitated to ask anyone for money.

  Kyle had been especially kind in the last few days, and after some thought, Shasta realized that she should go to him. He was in his office, and when he looked rather pleased to see her, Shasta felt emboldened.

  “Kyle,” she began. “Marcy is going into town this afternoon, and I wondered if you could spare me for a few hours?”

  “Sure. The guests arrive tomorrow, and I won’t be able to let you go much after that.”

  “Great, I’ll plan on it,” Shasta said but made no move to leave.

  Coming to enjoy her company immensely, Kyle would have relished talking some more, but he had work to do.

  “Was there anything else?”

  Shasta cleared her throat and looked at her boots.

  “I’m afraid I’m a bit short of money.” She watched him frown. “I can give it right back to you on payday—” she hastened to add, but the phone rang.

  Kyle picked it up, and Shasta saw immediately that he needed privacy. She moved toward the door, glancing back before exiting, but Kyle didn’t even notice her. With a prayer for wisdom she went outside to work.

  Hours later Scott was in the office with Kyle. The phone call that morning had been important, and the news had effectively wiped all other thoughts from his mind.

  “Okay, I think that wraps it up. Go right now and tell Marcy that—”

  “Marcy went into town,” Scott reminded him.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Some of Kyle’s memory was now returning.“Shasta was going with her.”

  “Shasta didn’t go.”

  “She didn’t?”

  “No,” Scott told him, giving little thought to it.“She rode out with Lex and Cal. See you later. I’ll leave a note for Marcy.”

  “All right. Thanks, Scotty.”

  The phone rang, much as it had been doing all day, and it was still another two hours before Kyle saw Shasta. He had not searched her out but saw her across the dining room. They didn’t speak then, but when the meal was over he caught up with her as she headed toward her cabin.

  “I’m sorry about this morning, Shasta. Did you have Marcy get your things for you?”

  “Well, no,” Shasta said a bit uncomfortably, thinking that it never occurred to her to go directly to Marcy.

  “Oh, well,” Kyle said, not noticing her discomfort. “She goes in fairly often. I’m certain she’ll help you out if you’ll let her know.”

  “Sure.” Shasta smiled and started away, but once again his voice turned her.

  “I’ve just remembered that you said you needed money.”

  Shasta turned back but didn’t say anything. Earlier she’d had the nerve to ask, but right now it felt humiliating. She found it easier to stay silent, but Kyle spoke up.

  “I’d completely forgotten.” He was reaching for his wallet, but without a ride to town Shasta wasn’t sure it would do her much good.“Will this be enough?”

  “Yes,” Shasta answered without even looking at the bills. “Thank you.” She would have turned away, but Kyle asked conversationally,

  “How did you manage to run out of money?”

  “It was foolish of me,” Shasta admitted. “But I was so tired when I landed that I didn’t even think to have my bills changed over.”

  Shasta stuffed the money into the front pocket of her jeans, and Kyle studied her. She was once again on the verge of turning away when Kyle asked, “What do you mean, ‘when you landed?’”

  “When I got into the airport at San Francisco. Morgan said I could change money there, but I completely forgot.”

  Shasta suddenly found her arm in Kyle’s large hand, and he was leading her to some lawn chairs at the side of the ranch house. No one was about, and Shasta was glad since it looked like Kyle was going to lay into her. She didn’t know what she’d done, but he looked thunderstruck.

  “Shasta,” he began after he’d nearly pushed her into a chair. “Haven’t you been living in America for a while?”

  “No.”

  “When did you arrive?”

  “Let’s see,” she thought to get it right.“It was the day before my interview.”

  Kyle swallowed.“How did you get up here?”

  “On the bus.”

  “With what?”

  Shasta stared at him a moment.“Oh! Peg had some American currency, and it turned out to be just enough.”

  “So you flew from Sydney—”

  “No, Brisbane.”

  “All right. You flew out of Brisbane, landed at SFO, and then got on a bus and came right up here?”

  “Yes.”

  “But I didn’t interview you until the next day.”

  “Right.”

  “Shasta,” Kyle continued, beginning to feel slightly horrified, “where did you go that night?”

  “Back up the road,” Shasta said simply.“There was a large outcropping of rock. I’m sure I was on private land, but no one disturbed me.”

  “You slept outside on the ground?” He was looking so alarmed that she tried to reassure him.

  “It’s not the first time.”

  “That’s beside the point. What did you do for food?”

  “Well, you fed me after the interview.”

  He took a moment to think about this. “What about the other night, when Marcy cut herself?”

  Shasta grinned.“I wasn’t all that hungry.”

  “Goodnight, Nellie,” Kyle muttered under his breath, dipping his head to rub the back of his neck.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “No, Shasta,” he said softly as he raised his eyes to hers, “I beg yours. I had no idea. I thought Morgan sai
d that you were an Aussie living here in the states. I never dreamed you’d only just arrived. You must have wondered what kind of man I was to treat you in such a way.”

  “No,” Shasta told him with a shake of her head. “Some of it was my fault. I could have asked for help.”

  Kyle didn’t agree but remained silent. He had not been at all kind to her when she’d come, and as he thought back, he’d have been more surprised if she had asked for aid. His mind moved on to everything she’d revealed. Some of the people who roamed the area were not to be trusted, and he couldn’t sanction the thought of her sleeping outside.

  “I get the feeling that you’re used to doing things on your own, Shasta, but it’s not that safe around here.”

  “Well, I’ve my cabin now; I won’t need the rocks.” Her voice was light, but Kyle didn’t smile.

  “But you do need to get to town?”

  “Well,” Shasta replied, knowing this might be her last chance. “I do need some things. If I recall, it’s a pretty fair walk.”

  “I’ll take you,” he immediately answered and stood. With a relieved prayer of thanks, Shasta followed suit. “Let me tell Jean where I’ll be.” Walking toward the office Kyle asked, “What did you need?”

  They were walking side by side, and when Shasta didn’t answer, Kyle looked down to see her face lit up like a stoplight. He was old enough and wise enough to see that he’d blundered, and as Shasta moved to his truck, he knew he would need to refrain from making further comment or inquiries.

  “I think ice cream sounds good. Are you game?”

  Shasta smiled.“It does sound good, but I’m the one who had to borrow money just a few hours ago, so I—”

  “If that’s all that’s stopping you, I’ll take that as a yes.”

  Shasta had nothing else to say to this and sat quietly while Kyle pulled up before a small ice cream parlor. They were reaching for their door handles when Kyle said, “Were you able to get all you needed?”

  Shasta blushed again, but Kyle wanted an answer.

  “Shasta, if you say yes when you mean no, I’ll fire you.”

  It was just what she needed, and with laughter in her voice she said, “I have everything I need, providing I will eventually get a paycheck.”

  “Thursday.”

  “Great.”

  The remainder of the evening was spent in companionable fellowship, but the conversation never ranged to the personal. Once Shasta arrived back at her cabin, she put her things away and prepared for bed, but her mind was still on her boss. He was nothing like she had previously believed, and she was still getting used to her new impression. He was still strong on her mind when she finally climbed into bed and dropped off to sleep.

  “This is not the horse I wanted!” An angry voice split the air, and Shasta thought the ache in her head would split her skull as well. It was already the fifth week of working with the hotel patrons, and for some reason Shasta couldn’t please anyone on this particular day. This certainly accounted for the headache, but it also didn’t help that she was furious with her boss. The girl she’d been teaching to ride that morning had been hurt, and Kyle had blamed Shasta. He had come on the scene without knowing the facts and passed immediate judgment. Shasta had stood silently and taken the rebuke, but she was furious inside.

  That night at supper she barely touched her food, and just as soon as she was able, she moved back to the stables and saddled a mount. She was still working on the cinch when she heard footsteps and then Kyle’s voice behind her.

  “I’m really disappointed, Shasta.”

  The small blonde only turned and stared at him.

  “You don’t strike me as the type to pout.”

  “I’m not pouting,” Shasta said, going back to the saddle. “I just don’t care to be anywhere near you right now.”

  If Shasta had been looking behind her, she’d have seen Kyle’s brows fly upward. He wasn’t used to this kind of bluntness.

  “Where are you going?”

  Shasta answered from the saddle.“For a ride.”

  Kyle was not satisfied, but he wasn’t going to baby her.

  “Are we ever going to talk about this?”

  “Yes. When I’m calm enough to say what needs to be said.”

  “And what exactly needs to be said, Shasta?” His voice demanded an answer.

  “Well, for starters you made a judgment without knowing all the facts,” Shasta told him, her voice angry. “Did you know she was 14?”

  “Fourteen?”

  “That’s right. She lied to you.”

  “You had no business taking a 14-year-old out like that!” He was at her again.

  “I didn’t know until we’d ridden out to the middle of nowhere and she fell on her head! You’ve got no business taking someone’s word and not their ID.”

  With that Shasta wheeled her horse around and took off. Kyle watched her for long minutes. She was an excellent rider, he had to give her that. He thought he’d been more than justified in raking her over the coals for risking the safety of a client, but as she stated, he hadn’t known all the facts.

  Taking note of the exact direction Shasta was headed, Kyle moved to the stall that housed his horse. Inside of ten minutes he was mounted up and riding out. His destination: wherever he would find Shasta McGregor.

  Shasta rode hard for the next half an hour, not in fury, but with a need to run. She gave the horse its head and sat back for the enjoyment. When her mount finally slowed to a halt, Shasta let her take her ease. In fact, she had dismounted and was walking alongside of Daisy, the reins hanging from her hand, when Kyle caught up to her. He dismounted as well, and for a time they walked in companionable silence.

  “The biggest disappointment,” Shasta suddenly said, “is that I thought you were better than that.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, I could see that girl was underage from ten yards away. Surely girls have tried that before and you haven’t fallen for it.”

  She had him there. Why hadn’t he seen how young she was?

  “That’s true,” he finally commented, but Shasta was just warming up and gave him no quarter.

  “And you tell me the customer is always right. Is that what I’m to say on the witness stand when someone sues the socks off of you? The customer is right, judge. I mean, she lied to us about her age and ability, but she got hurt, so no matter what, you should still award her the property deed to the Harrington Cattle Company.”

  Kyle’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, and Shasta gave him a sidelong glance.

  “Honestly, Kyle, what was I supposed to do?”

  He shook his head. “Right now I don’t know. All I heard was that when you had Miss Presley out on the hardest trail, she was injured.”

  “She insisted on that trail,” Shasta told him. “She told me she’d been riding since she was a child, not to mention the fact that she smiled and flashed those eyes at you, and you said I should take her wherever she wanted to go. Again I ask you, what was I supposed to do?”

  Kyle stopped, and Shasta followed suit. “If you could see she was that young, why did you take her up onto Bracken Ridge? I’d have thought that would have been enough to cause you to defy me.”

  Shasta opened her mouth and closed it. A spark of humor lit Kyle’s eyes even as his brows rose upward.

  “It looks like we both owe each other an apology,” Kyle said softly.

  Shasta put her hand out.“Here’s mine.”

  Kyle took her hand in his larger one and held it for a moment.“God was smiling on the Harrington Cattle Company the day He sent you our way, Shasta McGregor.”

  Shasta smiled.“I rather like it here myself.”

  They mounted up again and continued their ride. They talked off and on, but most of the time was spent in amicable silence. The ranch was thousands of acres large, and both felt they would be content to ride for hours. However, the setting sun drove them back toward the ranch, and they had to settle for just o
ne. Everything was quiet by the time they arrived, and again they fell mute as if in reverence for the silent surroundings.

  “I’ll see you in the morning, Shasta,” Kyle told her and watched as she lifted a hand and started toward her cabin.

  Kyle had planned to get some things done after supper, but since he’d gone out, he was now forced to move toward his office. He was hoping not to be disturbed, but the phone rang.

  “That you, Kyle?”

  “Morgan! How are you?”

  “I’m fine. How about yourself?”

  “Busy, but doing well. Shasta’s a real help.”

  “How is she?”

  “She’s doing great. Hasn’t she been in touch at all?”

  “She has, but since I can’t see her face, I’m not completely satisfied. And Peg worries from time to time.”

  “I think she’s doing well.”

  “Has she made some friends?”

  “Definitely. All the workers like her.”

  A silence fell on the other end, and Kyle asked, “Are you worried about something, Morgan?”

  “Not really, but has she, oh, you know, shared anything with you, Kyle?” Morgan’s voice was hesitant.

  “About her personal life? Not really. She told me one day that her parents have been dead for years, but no one really knows why she left Australia.”

  Kyle listened to Morgan sigh on the other end.

  “If you want to share, Morgan, you know I’ll be discreet.”

  Again the sigh. “Shasta was to be married this Saturday, but he broke it off. It sounds like she’s doing well, but I just need someone there to keep an eye on her.”

  “You can count on me; you know that.”

  “Thanks, Kyle. Peg just sent a letter off that should arrive before the twenty-ninth, but if it doesn’t, I just want her to know someone cares.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on her. She tends to keep to herself to a certain extent, but that might be self-preservation, since some of the men are falling over themselves to be noticed.”

  Morgan’s laugh cracked over the line. “Peg told her that would happen, but she didn’t believe her.”