On the Mountain

by Peggy Ann Craig

  He didn’t reply immediately, but when he did, his voice was slightly hushed. “No, Kathleen, I don’t believe she will.”

  It was said not in a harmful manner but stated more as a fact. A fact Anna was far too aware of, however, could not help but feel as if she had been cast off.

  Kathleen sighed and said, “Well, at the least, it will provide a form of communication until she gets her voice back.”

  “I think perhaps you are building this girl’s hopes up far too much.” He stood up and addressed Anna, “It’s getting late, girl, best get dinner started.”

  She nodded, then got to her feet and hurried out of the room. She had been foolish to allow his sister’s generosity to get the better of her. Wade was right. Anna came from nothing and her future looked just as hopeless. He and his brother had allowed her to remain at the Circle H even after discovering her true identity. She should be grateful. At least now she had shelter and food. As long as she continued being submissive and keep her place and not make trouble, there was no danger of being sent away.

  When the dinner hour rolled around, Anna had cooked a large pot of vegetable soup, biscuits and a cured ham out of the Haddock’s ice box. She was impressed with their huge supply of food and spices and their means of preserving. If allowed, she was looking forward to all the variety of cooking she could prepare with such ample provisions.

  She was informed what time meals were to be served and at exactly seven o’clock, the Haddock’s arrived in the dining room. Prescott and Kathleen acknowledged her with a warm smile and kind words, whereas the oldest Haddock brother chose to avoid her altogether. Anna tried to not let it hurt, but it did nevertheless. If she were still the boy, he would have offered her a smile or playful wink.

  With dinner over, she quietly began to remove empty dishes. She had just picked up Kathleen’s empty teacup, with the spoon still inside, when Wade spoke to her for the first time. “Leave the cup behind, girl. My sister is not done with her tea. She is requesting a refill.”

  Startled, Anna quickly put the cup back down in front of Kathleen. The woman took pity on her and covered her shaky hand with her own. “That’s perfectly all right, Anna.”

  Her eyes met his sister’s understanding look.

  “A refill would be lovely, thank you.”

  “When a lady leaves a spoon in an empty teacup,” Prescott offered to explain. “It is a quiet request to replenish her cup.”

  Anna nodded, bowing her head at the same time before turning to make her exit, however, Wade’s angry retort stopped her. “For god’s sake, girl, don’t bow. We’re not royalty.”

  “Wade,” Kathleen scolded. “There’s no reason to be so harsh, and stop referring to her as girl. She has a name.”

  For response, he grabbed his mug of coffee and took a huge gulp.

  Her attention back to Anna, she said, “It certainly is not necessary for you to bow to either my brothers or myself, however, it would be informative for you to know that it is proper to bow to society who rank higher than yourself.”

  Wade growled something and Anna glanced at him, but his attention was intent on the contents of his mug. So instead she offered Kathleen another nod, then hastily exited the dining room. It disturbed her having Wade’s sudden antagonism toward her.

  After just returning with the teapot, the chimes from the front door sounded.

  Prescott looked surprised. “Who would that be at this hour?”

  She wondered if it was her place to go and answer it, but this was resolved when Wade scraped back his chair and got to his feet. “I think I have a fairly good idea.”

  After filling Kathleen and Prescott’s teacups, she made her way back to the kitchen to finally sit down and have her own supper. Filling her plate and plucking a warm biscuit from a platter fresh from the oven, she pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down. It was then that she heard the voice of the constable in the other room.

  “Evening, Mr. Haddock, Mrs. Rideout. I’m sorry to have interrupted your dinner, however there is business I must see to here at the Circle H.”

  “That’s quite all right. We’ve just finished.” She heard Kathleen respond. “I hope it isn’t anything too serious?”

  “That’s where I was hoping Mr. Haddock would be able to assist.”

  “What is it you want?” Wade answered, sounding annoyed.

  “Perhaps we could speak alone, away from the presence of your sister.”

  “What you have to say to my brothers, can be said in front of me.” She sounded firm and not anything like the soft spoken person Anna had gotten to know.

  “Very well,” the constable responded. “I understand there was an incident here last night.”

  “What happens on my property is no concern to you.” Wade’s controlled voice sounded very close to the entrance to the kitchen.

  “The law says opposite.” From the tone of the constable’s voice, he wasn’t going to let Wade rid of him so quickly as he had done on his last visit.

  “No one’s been seriously hurt and I’ve dealt with the matter.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you have.” The lawman’s voice sounded closer. “However, Chuck Rhodes has said some unbelievable things and I thought I would come up here and check them out myself. You know, ease his mind and all.”

  There was silence, then Wade replied, “I think the word you used was unbelievable. The man is unbalanced and has been shooting off insane accusations all day, I wouldn’t put any weight to them.”

  “Normally I wouldn’t,” the constable agreed. “However, he did mention one thing that did raise my suspicion.”

  Again a small silence, then Wade asked, “What would that be?”

  “He claimed you threatened him and told him if he ever came back to the Circle H, you would tear him apart.” Then paused to add for effect. “Like a beast.”

  “The old man has gotten crazier over the last few years.” Prescott spoke up in an attempt to oust the constable’s suspicion. “This last act was enough, and both Wade and I agreed the old man should be released from his duties.”

  “And, exactly, what act are you referring to?”

  “Well.” Prescott sounded nonplussed and Anna didn’t have to see him to know he glanced in Wade’s direction for assistance.

  “Chuck Rhodes got into a disagreement with another ranch hand.” Wade sounded impatient as if the subject was of no consequence. “Unfortunately, since Chuck is a much smaller and weaker man, he did not fare as well.”

  “And the other man?”

  “Fared better.” Wade simply replied.

  “May I see him?”

  There was silence from the opposite room and Anna held her breath.

  “For what purpose? To see if he’s hiding fangs and claws?” His voice started to rise and growing agitated. “I should hate to think you rode all the way out here for that. Though some of my ranch hands may act like animals, I can assure you none of them have long pointed teeth.”

  The constable offered an insincere chuckle. “I’m beginning to feel, Mr. Haddock, that you are trying to hide something from me.”

  “Because I won’t humor a crazy old man’s ravings?”

  There was a pause before the constable asked, “Where’s the boy?”

  Wade took his time in responding. “He’s here.”

  “In the bunkhouse?” The constable sounded dubious. “I made my stop there first.”

  “Without my permission?” He sounded angry. “I will remind you that this is my property and trespassing is still against the law, as far as I’m aware. However, being the constable maybe you can enlighten me differently.”

  “Don’t worry,” he replied. “No one spoke or refused to divulge the name of the man Chuck Rhodes got into a scuffle with. However, I did notice the boy was missing.”

  “I said he was here.”

  “Here?” The constable’s voice was getting peeved. “Where exactly is here?”

  “In the kitchen.”

  Anna
felt her heart rate begin to pick up speed and stared at the door hard, praying the lawman would go away. Instead, she heard, “Could you go get him?”

  There was silence, then Prescott said, “Of course, I’ll go fetch him.”

  Instinctively, Anna withdrew further from the door. It opened and Prescott’s face came around the corner. He silently sent her a message of forgiveness before saying, “Peter?”

  With her bottom lip beginning to tremble, she bit down on it to stop the revealing sign of her trepidation. Why, however, she wasn’t sure. Chuck had survived the night, she couldn’t be hung for murder. But she could be discovered disguising as the opposite sex, and for some reason the constable planted fear deep inside.

  “Come on.” Prescott quietly urged.

  She slowly made her way across the kitchen and into the dining room. All occupants turned to look at her. Anna’s eyes shot immediately in Wade’s direction. He looked away.

  “Evening boy.” The constable greeted her.

  She nodded.

  “Can you tell me anything about what happened here last night?”

  She paused and her eyes shot out Kathleen. Her face was full of understanding. She gave Anna a nod of encouragement. Glancing back at the constable, she was startled to notice his eyes were staring her down hard. And if she weren’t mistaken, with a silent hatred. She cowered away from him instinctively and took a step back.

  “Boy, I asked you a question.” The lawman moved toward her, his voice rising.

  “Don’t touch him.” Wade stepped forward and put himself between her and the constable. “The kid doesn’t know anything. You’ve seen him, so I would appreciate you removing yourself from my property.”

  The constable’s eye’s glared up at Wade. “Where did he get those bruises?”

  Wade didn’t respond immediately, simply holding the lawman’s angry look. Finally he said. “I hear there’s a wild beast on the loose.”

  * * *

  Kathleen’s two weeks passed far too quickly. She had spent a good portion teaching Anna how to read, contrary to Wade’s disapproval, while the majority of her visit was dedicated to the preparations of a Christmas party she was planning at the Circle H. Anna’s companionship was called upon many times, and even though she knew it made Wade unhappy, she couldn’t be more delighted. It was wonderful to be in the presence of a woman after weeks of only men.

  Apparently, Wade had gone down to the bunkhouse and informed Joe and the ranch hands that the boy would be staying in the house permanently as his personal servant. She had seen very little of them except for visits to Lucy. However, with the return of Kathleen to the city, Wade decided she could return to feeding the animals and mucking the stalls. Anna gladly obliged. Anything to please him.

  Since the discovery of her identity, he rarely spoke to her except when required or, more times than not, to reprimand her for yet another wrong doing. He never seemed pleased with her or her work and she feared that he may eventually decide she was of no value to him, and send her on her way.

  The other Haddock’s, however, were more receptive of her company. Prescott remained his usual civil self, always offering Anna a bright smile and friendly word. Along with her teaching, Kathleen genuinely seemed to enjoy Anna’s company. She was sad to see the woman wave good-bye from the back window of the stagecoach as it headed out of the entrance of the Circle H.

  It was nearing the hour in which she was required up at the main house to prepare dinner. She quickly finished the stall she was working in and headed for the back entrance near the kitchen. It was creeping closer to December and though winter had certainly arrived, the snow had yet to follow. She drew her wool coat closer and hurried up the path between the barns and the homestead.

  The warmth of the kitchen engulfed her immediately upon her entrance. She shrugged out of her coat and hung it on a hook near the door then turned toward the stove. Wade stood there warming his hands as he waited for the kettle to boil for coffee. Instinctively, she came to a halt, her eyes darting to his face. He simply glanced at her before turning his attention back to the kettle.

  “You’ll need to get in the habit of cleaning up before preparing supper.”

  She looked down at her soiled clothing from the result of cleaning the horse’s beds, then turned toward the large sink with the enormous black handled pump.

  “Not there.” He stopped her in the process of lifting the handle. “Follow me.”

  Unsure, but not wanting to displease him, she followed him out of the kitchen to the back staircase which led up to the main sleeping quarters. He came to stop at a door furthest to the back. When he opened it, she saw an area not much larger than the cook’s room, but it held no bed. The room was tiled in green diamond patterns both one the floor and walls, except where an enormous mirror hung on one side. There was an elegant table with a porcelain bowl for cleaning, and a stack of crisp white towels. However, it was the large white tub with claw like feet supporting it off the floor that drew her attention. It was the fanciest bath she had ever seen, but it was still a bath. She took an unsteady step backward.

  “This is a shower,” he said, indicating an assortment of pipes above the tub. “Unfortunately, it only produces cold water, but it does the job. There’s a bar of soap and a towel on the side table.”

  Her brows drooped, not having any idea what he meant by shower, but had no intention of going near that monstrous chamber. He leaned forward and lifted a lever. The pipes running along the back of the tub began to groan, then gradually shake before suddenly a burst of water exploded from the large round cylinder at the top of the contraption. It came gushing down like a waterfall and emptied into the large bath. The sound of the plunging water sent an unexpected chill down Anna’s back.

  Wade stepped away from the device and turned to look down at her. A frown formed between his two thick brows. “What’s the matter?”

  All she could hear, however, was the thundering of water as it flowed from the pipes. An overwhelming urge to run came over her. She backed up quickly and hit a wall. Her eyes grew large and darted about the room, feeling the need to escape.

  “Hey,” he said, holding out his hand to steady her. “Slow down.”

  Her eyes pleaded up at him while her hands grasped for something to cling.

  Wade frowned even harder but looked back at the water. “Is it the shower?”

  She nodded earnestly, not wanting to stay there any longer.

  “Christ, I didn’t think you were serious about being afraid of water.” He reached over and quickly shut off the contraption. The water ceased until it came to a complete halt. “How can you be afraid of water?”

  In all sincerity, Anna had no idea why the sound of the water falling from the shower sent a chill of fear down her spine, she was just grateful that it was gone. She tried desperately to bring her pulse back to normal and her breathing down to a steady pace. Lifting a shaking hand, she automatically placed it over her heart and noticed Wade watching her closely.

  “You’ll have to come up with some form of bathing.” Though he spoke the words, she could tell his mind was elsewhere. “Go change your clothing and use the kitchen sink to wash yourself.”

  She was only too happy to oblige and fled swiftly from the room. In the safety of her bedroom, she closed the door tightly and collapsed on her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. Anna wrapped her arms around herself and rocked to and fro, trying desperately to calm the convulsions raking her body. She had no reasonable explanation for her reaction to the shower. Never had she seen one before, but taking a bath in the river was never an issue back home, so Anna had no idea why the idea of being submerged in water was suddenly so frightening.

  Later, after she was able to bring herself under control, she changed into a fresh set of clothing and used a bar of soap and washcloth to scrape her skin raw. Tonight was the first night without Kathleen at the dinner table and she wondered if anything would be different. She sensed that Wade was not as ke
en on social protocols as his siblings and knew that he was willing to accommodate during Kathleen’s visits. It was very obvious the Haddock brothers adored their sister. For Wade, there was no other female in comparison.

  The brothers talked quietly to each other as she silently served their dinner, then slipped out to the kitchen for her own meal. Wade had asked before dinner if she felt better, but said little else throughout the evening. They finished rather early and took their coffee into the great room. Anna decided to offer them a refill once more before planning to visit with Lucy for the night.

  Placing the iron plate over the fire in the cooktop, she used an oven mitt to carry the steaming pot out to the two men. As owner of the homestead, Anna approached Wade first. He had a newspaper unfolded on his lap and seemed engrossed in his readings. Idly, Anna wondered if she would someday be able to read it as well.

  Holding out his mug, he said, “Thank you, Anna.”

  She jerked, causing the hot liquid to splash over the rim of the coffee pot and onto his newspaper. He cursed and leaped out of the way in fear she spilled more.

  “What the devil is the matter with you today?”

  “Wade,” Prescott admonished his older sibling.

  “What?” he snapped back.

  Prescott looked at Anna then back at Wade. “You must try to remember there is a lady present and to watch your foul language.”

  His face definitely growled, but he refrained from commenting. Anna glanced at Prescott with a startled look. No one had ever referred to her as a lady before. She had an urge to smile, but bit her lip instead and thought about Wade’s words.

  It was the first time he had ever said her name. So used to him referring to her as the boy or kid and recently the girl. It was an unexpected feeling to hear her name on his lips. She felt a gush of warmth. Not able to stop herself, she smiled and shook her head. Biting hard on her bottom lip, she tried to force the smile gone. But it refused to budge.

  Chapter 13

  Time over the next month went quickly at the ranch and before Wade knew it, Kathleen would be arriving. And bringing her brood. In less than two hours, he could expect to see her stagecoach coming up the lane.