The thought of that phantom daughter haunted her now. In a strange way, she began to see Allie Mastluehr as the daughter she never had. Right from the moment the young woman had seemed so interested in the story of the Wilde family, Cattie had felt her heart become tender towards her. She felt so attached, even though as of a day ago, she didn’t even know Allie existed. Now, it was as if Allie had walked out of her dreams of what a daughter would be.
It felt as if her old heart wouldn’t be able to handle it if Allie boarded the train the next morning and disappeared forever. The thought of going back to her unbearable loneliness, Cattie realized, was a fate worse than death.
“Please stay, Allie,” she found herself whispering loudly in the dark. “Since all the others have gone, I’ve just been goin’ through the motions, but with you at my side, I feel like I could actually live again. I want to live again.”
It was a very sincere wish and she hoped that the heavens were listening to her. Her thoughts were, however, interrupted by the sound of an approaching automobile before she could finish with them. Slowly wriggling out of bed, she shook her head, wondering why the same car was back on her land.
“Kincaid?” she shook her head in disbelief as she stared through the window, confirming that it was indeed his car, “You’ve gotta be kiddin’. What could he possibly want now?!” But then she knew.
*****
Connor quickly stepped out of his car after he pulled up in front of the bunkhouse. He straightened his tie as he walked up to the door, anxiously heaving a sigh before knocking on the dense wood. It had been a very long day, and now to deal with this.
As expected, a single sound was not coming from the house. Before he decided to come over, he had pointed out to himself over ten various reasons Catalina Wilde wouldn’t bother to welcome him into her home. Hopeful, though, he knocked on the door again and waited, turning around to stare at the dark, plain field behind him. He was about to knock again when the door suddenly jerked open and a small derringer was pressed to the base of his skull.
His body froze immediately while goosebumps rose under his shirt sleeves in fear. She really wouldn’t just shoot him in cold blood, would she? At least this was Catalina Wilde he thought attempting to reassure himself. From what he had heard of her had it been Lijuan he would probably be already dead.
“May I turn … turn around, Miss Wilde?” he stuttered.
“Real slow now,” Cattie’s voice thundered in his ears.
Connor did as he was told, plastering a gentle smile on his face to indicate that he was only on her porch to talk. He also raised both hands just to show that he wasn’t armed.
“I was born in the west, but my sister, Cassie used to tell me when they first arrived here from back east, my Papa would shoot polecats on sight. Ya’ll should know I am my papa’s daughter,” Cattie grumbled at him.
“I see,” Connor said softly. “From what I always heard growing up, though, I thought it was Holly Elizabeth that was your father’s daughter.”
She snarled at him, keeping the gun fixed on his head. “Honor Elizabeth! What are you doin’ here, Kincaid? Start flappin’ those gums of yours because it’s cold out here and my trigger finger might get a jitterin’!”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but I think you already know why I am here,” Connor suggested lowering his hands.
“Allie, of course,” Cattie rolled her eyes at him.
“Yes, Allie. It’s clear to me that you haven’t revealed to her—let us say, some very colorful opinions of my family to her.”
She understood perfectly what he meant. He watched as a grim smile gradually lit her face that betrayed no actual humor.
“You mean she’s still sweet on you and not lookin’ at you all cross-eyed because I didn’t tell her your family counts among the number of snakes in the grass that engineered the ruination of us Wildes and the fall of Cedar Ledge?”
It was a rhetorical question and he knew it. Connor cleared his throat, though and pleaded with her with raised eyebrows.
“I seek for you to be reasonable. You know fully well everything that went down with our families happened before either I or my sister were ever born. We are not responsible.”
“Do you know how hard it is for me to hear that when the words are comin’ straight out a man who is wearin’ the face of my enemy?” Cattie blurted. “You’re a spittin’ image of your pa and I don’t see one trace of that mother of yours in you but maybe you inherited her black soul. But yeah, look at you—the same shiny blonde hair—those same sparklin’ blue eyes. Lijuan never had a chance when she fell into the Kincaid’s trap.”
“Listen, please!” Connor tried again. “I fully understand you have a justifiable grievance against my family for actions taken against yours in the past, but I repeat I am not to blame. Of course, that doesn’t matter to you. So why didn’t you say anything to Allie Mastluehr?”
That was the question of the hour, wasn’t it? Cattie bit her upper lip briefly before expelling a soft sigh. He watched as she gradually lowered the derringer, glaring up at him with a somber look.
“Because she’s a good woman and I can see she cottons to you, and if interest in you is enough to sway her into stayin’ here, then I’m holdin’ my tongue,” she leveled with him.
Yes, Allie staying in Alamieda had been why he was on her porch in the first place. As much as he would love her to stay, there were some things that mustn’t come to light.
“If she stays, she said you were going to give her access to the family journals. I imagine there is quite a bit on the Kincaids in there?”
Apparently, Cattie expected him to talk about it. “Damn straight, there is,” she replied instantly. “But I won’t let her see those. To preserve her interest in you, she can’t know that you come from a nest of vipers.”
“I am not like my family,” Connor insisted, “and if she stays, then you and I may see a lot of each other and I will prove it to you that this apple fell as far from the tree as possible.”
“Well, if she stays, I guess that will bear itself out, but Connor, I double dog dare you not to hurt that girl because if you do, I will smoke you so fast you won’t ever know what hit you, and I’ll do it with this.”
Connor couldn’t control his eyes from going wide as Cattie lifted the derringer at him again. But this time, she twirled it on her finger and then gripped the barrel, displaying the handle to him.
“It’s hers, isn’t it?” Connor asked after it was certain she wasn’t going to shoot him.
“Read the initials,” she told him.
Connor frowned at the handle, reading out the capital letter that had been inscribed on it.
“LWW,” he said in a voice barely audible.
“Lijuan Winifred Wilde,” Cattie pronounced with pride. “Takin’ out a Kincaid with her gun would be what them slippery editors Allie was tellin’ me about would call … what’s that phrase?”
“Poetic justice?” Connor offered.
Cattie nodded and saluted him with the derringer, a menacing smile spreading across her face.
“I won’t hurt her ever. I swear.”
He didn’t have to promise her, but Connor had a feeling she wanted to hear him say it. He meant it, anyway.
“So, it looks like we have an understandin’.”
“That we do. Shall we shake on it?” Connor asked, totally relieved by how everything had turned out.
He was even more relieved when Cattie slowly grasped his outstretched hand and her mouth parted in a smile.
“What a remarkable day this has been … me not only savin’ the life of a Kincaid, but shakin’ his hand at the end of it,” she said as her smile tightened further.
Connor wasn’t even aware that they were both on the porch of the house until she whirled around and opened the door, stepping back into the house. “I hope she stays,” she said, glancing behind her shoulder at him. “…so you can prove me wrong about you, Mr. Kincaid.”
“
As do I,” Connor replied, tipping his hat.
“One more thing, Mister Kincaid... exactly how is Annabelle these days? Catalina had said very slowly, almost hesitantly
Connor’s eyes widened in surprise at the inquiry, especially after Catalina assessment of her several minutes ago. “Mother? She is fine. Soon she will be returning from Europe soon with my sister from their extended holiday there. Why do you ask?” It was a strange question given all the bad blood that lay between the families.
She was back inside the house, but still kept the door half opened and said nothing, ignoring his question. As he turned, got into the car and drove off, he swept her inquiry out of his mind, thinking about the new day that was fast approaching and a possible unknown future with Allie.
Behind him, Cattie finally closed the door, her attention immediately drawn towards the envelope on the mantle. She had yet to bring herself to be able to read Dutch’s letter. She gently picked it up and slowly sat down in the wing tip chair, wondering all the things that might have been going on in Dutch’s head while he was writing it.
She fell asleep a minute later, the unopened letter, floating from her hand to the floor.
*****
“Good morning, Miss Allie!”
Moments earlier Catalina had failed to hear the car drive up as she listened to her old beat up phonograph trying to distract herself from wondering about Allie’s decision. She had just been thinking of how mortified she would be if her sisters had found out she loved classical music her whole life while openly poking fun at in her youth. Catalina had nearly leapt from her chair at the knock on the door. She bolted for it throwing it open letting in the new day’s warmth as Allie was stood on the porch with a smile. She greeted the young New Yorker eagerly, noticing Connor in his car behind her. Suitcases were peeking out from the seats behind him as he tipped his hat at her.
“So good to see you again,” Allie said as she gave her a hug. “My but yesterday was quite the day, wasn’t it!?
“Sure was! Course it got me a wishin’ I was back there in the day when we were chasin’ bad guys down all over Arizona!” Cattie said with relish. She nodded towards Connor’s automobile as she asked. “I-I see your suitcases. Will Mr. Kincaid be bringin’ them on in?”
“No. He’s taking me to the train station.”
Catalina’s grin melted immediately and her face fell to the floor as she said, “I see. But of course, … you must continue on to San Francisco in search of a job. I understand that … I guess I was hopin’ well …”
Allie noticed how crestfallen she was and cleared her throat. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologized warmly. “I should make myself clear. Mr. Kincaid is taking me to the train so I can exchange my ticket for one back to New York. I had originally planned to return there and settle my affairs before starting whatever job I found in San Francisco, but instead, I’m going back there to put things in order for my extended sabbatical … at Cedar Ledge.”
Cattie’s smile materialized into place once more. Her gaze moved over to Connor and then back at Allie, revealing how excited she had become.
“Ya’ll wouldn’t be pullin’ the leg of an old woman, would you?!” she asked ecstatically.
“Well, I don’t see any old woman around here, so no, I wouldn’t,” Allie winked at her. “What I do see is a wonderful, kind and generous person who has gracefully opened her doors to me to give me an opportunity of a lifetime. I don’t even know now why I had to think it over.”
“I’m so gonna love havin’ you here. That’s the best doggone news I’ve heard in forever!” Cattie gushed before her voice lowering to a soft emotional tone. “Welcome, Allie.”
She reached out and embraced Allie, trying as much as possible to keep the joyful tears in her eyes.
“I think this is going to be wonderful for the both of us,” Allie beamed, still clutching to her body.
“I know it is,” Cattie sighed, finally letting go of her.
“There is so much I can’t wait to ask you when I get back from the east!” Allie said, clasping her hands together in her customary excited way. “Like this Black Hawk and his Omegas, you kept mentioning. What is that all about? Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and no Indian tribe I’ve ever heard of bears that name. Why were folks calling them that?”
Catalina opened her mouth to speak but was too late.
“…and you told me Dutch was following a clue in Europe. A clue for what?” Allie said, still smiling cheerfully.
“All in good time, young one!” Cattie chuckled. “You will get answers for all you want to know and more. I promise you that, Allie Mastluehr!”
“I’m sorry, Miss Mastluehr, but we will have to hurry to make the train,” Connor said behind them, hurrying Allie up.
“I must be going, but I will be back as soon as possible. I swear it,” Allie clenched her jaw, obviously unhappy that she had to leave so soon.
Cattie squeezed her hand, telling her how much it already meant that she would be staying after all. “I’ll be waitin’. Don’t worry, I’ll fix Dutch and Bright Feather’s room up all nice for you!” she told her.
Allie embraced her quickly, thanking her and saying goodbye with a nod before riding off into the beautiful morning glow in Connor’s car.
After they were gone, Cattie finally let the tears roll down her smiling cheeks.
EPILOGUE
* * *
One of the many unarguable beauties of Cedar Ledge came from the setting of the sun behind its mountains. Whenever evening came, a soft breeze would drift in from the mountains, first, before pleasant rays of yellow and orange filled the distant sky. The sun itself would proudly set in the west, creating monstrous shades from the grey mountains while shadows of flying birds filled the heavens.
Catalina sat in a rocking chair on the porch of the bunkhouse that evening, admiring the view far longer than she even realized. There truly was nothing like the beautiful and serene staging of Cedar Ledge as evening descended upon it. Far off she could see the rim of Comanche Canyon disappearing into the gloom but found herself not really seeing it as various thoughts filled her mind.
She was stalling, she knew. Catalina had initially wasted much time preparing herself a glass of lemonade. It would never be as good as old Mrs. Chow’s, but the lemons still came from the same lemon tree by the gazebo in the back yard of the old ranch house. She began slowly sipping from the glass, but wasn’t making it disappear. In her lap, once more, was the letter from Dutch and it was high time she read it. Another thought that crossed her mind was the realization that things would be different—and better—once Allie Mastluehr moved in. Cattie had a good idea how her sisters would have loved Allie. She was beautiful, strong, and adventurous and she also their fighting spirit. It was obvious taking care of family was a thing Allie lived by too.
“It’s like the Great Spirit Blue River was always talkin’ about finally answered my prayers,” Cattie reasoned to herself, a smile spreading across her face as she was reminded of her lovely family once more. “I’ve finally got someone to look after and do right by. All those adventures we had, helpin’ all those people. Now, those escapades were going to help one more person … this wonderful woman, Allie; the kind of woman anyone would have been proud to call a daughter.”
She might be getting right ahead of herself, but Cattie didn’t care. She had a very good feeling about Allie and not one iota of doubt was going to spoil that for her.
Sighing, she finally looked down at the letter on her lap and pursed her lips stubbornly.
“I guess it’s time, isn’t it? I miss you, Dutch … and Rachel … all of you.”
She had no idea why she was speaking to herself, but relief washed over her every time words left her lips. It was as if everyone sat around her once more, the entire family bonding as the brightness of the sky gave way for the dimness of the night. Tears impulsively welled up in her eyes as she tore open the envelope, retrieving the letter from it. It was inde
ed from Dutch as his familiar handwriting stared back at her as she unfolded the tiny piece of paper. First, Dutch reminisced in the letter about his earlier life with Bright Feather, making notes on all the happiness they shared and some of the terrible tragedy they had faced and managed to put behind them. She read the rest of the words on the letter aloud, listening to her own voice and hoping that the sadness in her heart would disappear into the wind as with each word she read.
“They called you Bright Feather,” Dutch had written. “But they should have called you Bright Star because you were the brightest star in my universe. You always were and you always will be in this life or the next. I think I loved you from the first moment I saw you and I will love you long after I take my last breath tonight as this ship slips into these blackest of waters … remember me fondly … your loving Husband.”
“Oh, Dutch.”
Cattie sniffed, knowing how in love Dutch and Bright Feather had been. She bowed her head and let more tears roll down her cheeks before finally regaining herself and reading the rest of the words on the paper. Dutch had written two notes in one letter, the first one addressed to Bright Feather, the second note was addressed to her and she found it hard to keep back the fresh tears as she read the first few sentences silently. Unable to hold the words in any longer, she began to give voice to his words, fresh tears already forming in her eyes.
“My wonderful sister. I know you didn’t want me to go, Cattie, but …” Cattie’s voice trailed off briefly, filled with emotions before she picked up the rest of the words and began reading them silently before finally finding her voice again, even though it was only a soft, constricted whisper now. “… and with those barristers I entrusted everything I have found. Once you have it in your possession, it will all come clear, but with God as my witness it’s true. The key to bringing back the glory of Cedar Ledge lies with Narrow Lake up in the mountains. It’s there, Cattie—your legacy—waiting for you to find it. I won’t live to see it, but you find it. Use it to restore Cedar Ledge in the name of the family of William Henry Wilde and all those who loved you, as I do.”
The Wildes of the West #1: The Daughters of Half Breed Haven: Old west fiction of action adventure, romance & western family drama (The Wildes of the West/Half Breed Haven) Page 26
