Big Sky Homecoming

by Linda Ford

  Somehow she made it to the sleigh without saying or doing anything to further embarrass herself.

  Duke held out his hand to help her onto the sleigh. She knew she didn’t imagine he squeezed her fingers before he released her hand and her cheeks warmed even more.

  Duke turned to Lilly hovering in the doorway and sketched a salute. “Good day.”

  “Have a nice time. Will you be in church tomorrow?” she asked him.

  “I plan to be.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to join our family afterward.”

  Rose flung a silent protest toward her sister. What did she think she was doing? Inviting a Caldwell to the Bell farm for their family day? What would Cora say?

  But she held her breath waiting for Duke’s answer.

  “That sounds like a fine idea.”

  Lilly grinned at Rose. “It does indeed.”

  Rose didn’t wait for Duke to swing into his saddle before she flicked the reins and turned down the street toward the hotel...a very public place.

  People would see them together. Would they assume the feud was over?

  A shiver raced up and down her spine and not because she was cold.

  She couldn’t shake the feeling that not everyone would be happy about seeing Rose and Duke together. And the first name that sprang to mind was Ebner.

  She glanced right and left as she stepped off the sleigh at the hotel. If they could escape his notice perhaps they could also escape his vengeance.

  * * *

  Duke’s boots barely touched the ground before Rose scurried into the hotel. Why the hurry? He slowly wrapped the reins around the hitching post and followed at a sedate pace. Had she had second thoughts about being seen with him?

  He waited until they were seated and tea was ordered to lean close to ask his questions of her.

  She met his demanding look with one of stubborn defiance. “You said Ebner is in town and I can’t help think he would object to us being together.”

  The muscle in his jaw clenched. Ebner had made it very clear what he thought of the Bells and of Duke saying the feud was over. But surely he wouldn’t outright defy Duke’s orders. “How can he harm you when you’re with me? He’s certainly no danger to the farm while he’s in town.”

  “I’ve found him to be a vengeful man. Sometimes I wonder if he doesn’t have some personal interest in getting us off the land. He certainly takes a great deal of delight in harassing us.”

  Duke couldn’t help notice that she spoke in the present tense. Not Ebner took delight but Ebner takes delight. She’d told Duke of things Ebner had done so he understood her fears.

  Honor Above All.

  How did that fit with his father condoning Ebner’s actions?

  He couldn’t believe his father knew and approved of what Ebner did. “You might have something there.” Ebner must have acted on his own initiative. But what did Ebner hope to gain by driving the Bells off?

  The prim waitress in a black dress with crisp white apron set a teapot in front of them and a tiered plate loaded with dainty sandwiches and a variety of sweets.

  Rose grinned and, as soon as the girl moved away, leaned forward to whisper, “Isn’t this meant for sweet old ladies?”

  He eyed the assortment. “Certainly not for working men.” Using the tiny silver tongs provided, they each selected one of everything for their own plates.

  Rose poured the tea. “Duke, answer me this. Why do our few acres matter so much to your father? He has hundreds of acres. Our farm doesn’t hinder his access to the river or in any way affect the cows grazing. Why does he care?”

  He’d asked himself the same question many times over the years and even asked it of his father. “You remember that picture I showed you of all that’s left of the Caldwell castle?”

  She nodded, her eyes guarded.

  He had to make her understand. “The land was slowly taken from them. Both my father and grandfather insist their forefathers should not have let it go so easily. Both vowed they would protect their land against such erosion. My father purposely hung the picture there to remind him of the importance of holding on to what is his.”

  “But our land isn’t his.”

  “He always believed it was. I think he viewed it as the beginning of having his land taken from him. Every time he looked at the picture of the Caldwell castle he said it began with one person taking just a little until there is nothing left.”

  Rose shook her head. “Surely you know that doesn’t make any sense. No one is trying to take his land.”

  Duke shrugged.

  She ate a tiny sandwich and sipped at her tea. “You know what you should do? Take that picture down and hide it so he doesn’t always see us as the beginning of a tidal wave of invaders.”

  He chuckled at her unexpected solution.

  Her gaze came slowly to his and at the look of regret in them, his breath lodged somewhere between his lungs and his mouth. What did she have to regret?

  “Do you remember Valentine’s Day at school?”

  He nodded slowly. Where was this conversation going?

  “I mean a particular one. You gave me a big red valentine with a poem inside.” She quoted the poem.

  “I remember.” Even then there had been something about Rose that drew him to her. Only then he hadn’t known how to express his feelings and had hoped the poem would say it.

  “It was a very sweet poem but I thought you meant it to mock my hair.” She brushed at her head as though she wanted to erase any trace of her red hair and lowered her eyes. “I’m afraid I was cruel. I gave you a valentine with a mean poem in it.” She lifted sorrow-filled eyes to him. “Do you recall?”

  He nodded; his throat too tight to allow him to speak. He’d been cut to the quick by the words. “My mother made me bathe often. I didn’t think I stunk like a skunk.” He tried for a laugh but it sounded strained even to him.

  “You didn’t stink. I was mean to you when you didn’t deserve it. I think I was looking for offense when none was meant. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?” Her eyes were awash.

  He placed his hands on his knees to keep from brushing the unshed tears away. Joy and happiness poured into his heart that she had acknowledged the pain she’d caused. “I forgive you. I did the day you gave me that valentine.” It was the only way he’d gotten over the pain.

  He brought the words out for her to hear. “I think I envied you a little.”

  “Envied me? Why?”

  “For so many things. You had your sisters. They were ready-made friends and allies. I always felt my friends valued me more for being the rich rancher’s son than for me. Do you know how many times someone would ask me to ask my father to buy this or that for ‘us’? Meaning ‘them.’” He lifted one shoulder as if it didn’t matter. “Of course you don’t. And I envied you because your parents had chosen you. I often wondered if my parents would have chosen me or if they were stuck with me because I was born to them.” He shrugged. “Silly, isn’t it?” But silly or not, he still wondered if his only value was his part in building an empire. “I think I still envy you for being chosen.”

  “Aren’t we a foolish pair? I envied you because you knew exactly who you were and who your family was.”

  “I’d be glad to trade you.”

  They considered each other for one fragile moment, perhaps seeing each other as never before.

  Her eyes seemed lit from within. He leaned close to whisper, “I like being your friend but after kissing you, I hope we can be more.”

  He was rewarded by a rosy blush on her cheeks.

  She glanced at him from beneath the curtain of her eyelashes, a sweet, half-innocent, half-coy gesture. “Seems that’s a possibility.”

  If they hadn’t been in such a public place he would be temp
ted to kiss her again. Certainly he would have shouted for joy. Instead he gave a deep-throated chuckle. “I like possibilities.”

  They finished every bite of the goodies and drained the teapot, then he held her coat as she slipped into it. He forced himself to resist the temptation to rub his hands down her arms as he released her.

  They stepped out into the cold. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said.

  She nodded. “Thank you for the tea.” He helped her up onto the seat of her sleigh and handed her the reins, then stood watching as she drove away.

  Grinning widely, he untied King and was about to swing into the saddle when Ebner unwound from the shadow of the wall and crossed the wooden sidewalk.

  “You a Caldwell or not?” His words rasped with challenge.

  “I was born a Caldwell. I’ll die a Caldwell.” He stared at the man. He would not flinch at the hard look.

  Ebner snorted. “Your father might say to end the feud but don’t fool yourself. Nothing has changed. He still wants his land back.” He made a rude noise. “I intend to see he gets it. Your pappy will be most grateful.” He grinned crookedly.

  Duke had no doubt about what he meant. He had his sights set on driving the Bells from their land and earning approval from Duke’s father. Had Father promised him a generous reward in return for that success? “My father meant it when he said to stop harassing the Bells. If you want to earn his favor, you would do well to abide by his orders.”

  Ebner let go a scowl fit to curdle Duke’s breakfast.

  He shuddered. Ebner needed watching, but it was impossible to follow him around every hour of the day.

  God, please guard the Bells.

  His prayer brought a tiny measure of relief from his concern. God saw everything, including Ebner.

  He swung into the saddle, then turned back to the foreman. “It’s time to head home.”

  Ebner stomped away, the sound of his boots ringing in Duke’s ears. He had half a mind to hang around town until Ebner left, but surely the man couldn’t do anything to the Bells so long as he remained in town.

  But Ebner wouldn’t stay in Bar Crossing forever. Would he return directly to the ranch or go by the Bell farm? And what would he do if he did the latter? Duke pictured damaged fences, dead animals, maybe worse. Rose might be hurt in the next mischief Ebner perpetrated on the Bells.

  Duke’s insides twisted into a worried knot. He simply didn’t trust anything about Ebner—except his vow to get the Bells to leave.

  He rode slowly down the street, trying to assure himself that Rose and her parents would remain cautious while out in the yard. It was a good thing Rose had said she wouldn’t believe the feud was over until she saw hard evidence.

  They had good reason to be concerned about Ebner. He shared their concern and glanced over his shoulder.

  But Ebner had disappeared. A fact that caused Duke’s muscles to twitch. Best if he stayed in town and kept an eye on the man.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rose glanced back several times as she drove toward home, expecting—hoping—Duke would join her and at least ride as far as the fork in the road. But she reached the spot where the trails diverged. She shielded her eyes and watched a rider in the distance but couldn’t make out if it was Duke. And the rider made no attempt to catch up with her.

  Well, it wasn’t as though she needed him to accompany her.

  Need had nothing to do with it, she admitted. She wanted to share more of his company.

  She reached the farm and pulled up to the house to unload the few things she’d bought and to assure her folks she was home safely. Likewise, to assure herself Ma and Pa were okay.

  Pa napped on the cot but his color was good and he breathed easily. He appeared to be improving.

  Ma sat in her rocking chair, the book of poems Duke had brought open on her lap. She glanced up and smiled. “I’m surely enjoying these poems. It was generous of Duke to bring it. He seems like a decent person.”

  Did Ma’s look suggest she’d noticed Rose’s changing attitude toward Duke? Rose almost snorted. Ma would have to be blind not to notice. “He’s changed.”

  “For the better?”

  “Definitely.” She ducked out to take care of the horse and sleigh before Ma could say anything more.

  As she led the horse toward the barn her thoughts wandered to the lovely tea she and Duke had shared at the hotel. But it wasn’t the fine china and linen, or even the dainty goodies she thought of. It was the pleasant company and the growing attraction she felt toward Duke.

  She moved across the yard automatically, paying no heed to the familiar path, but something out of the ordinary caught her distracted attention. In an instant her full focus returned to the present and she stared at the ground. Footprints from a boot much larger than her own. Right in front of the barn door. She pressed a hand to her chest as if she could still the way her heart beat frantically at her ribs.

  Sucking in a deep breath and praying for God’s protection, she eased the barn door open. “Who’s there?” She congratulated herself that her voice sounded firm and challenging. She felt quite the opposite.

  There was no answer but a gentle moo from the nearest cow and meows from a couple of the cats.

  Not allowing herself to back away in fear, she grabbed the nearby pitchfork and stepped into the shadows. “Come out. Show yourself.” She tiptoed to the tack room. No one there. Down the alley she peered into each stall. No one. She glanced overhead. No way was she going up there. Not alone.

  Had someone been inside the barn?

  She looked around for clues. Yes, someone had piled a small stack of hay in the corner. She stared at it a moment. It seemed a harmless thing to do yet it caused her nerves to twitch.

  She returned to the doorway and studied the footprints. A pair led in and another set led out. Perhaps the invader had left. Her muscles relaxed marginally. Still carrying the fork as her only means of protection, she exited the barn and followed the tracks. They led to the back of the building, where a trampled area indicated a horse had been tied. Another pile of hay had been left close to the barn. Had it been someone feeding his horse? She had no objection to anyone with need helping themselves, but this didn’t feel right.

  The footprints led to the sheep shelter.

  Her nerves twisted until she could barely clutch the fork.

  The Caldwell cowboys had made several attempts to harm the sheep in the past.

  Tracks returned from the shelter, making her certain the intruder was not there. But she had to investigate, see what harm had been done, and she forced her leaden feet onward. She eased around the corner and peered into the sheep shelter. The animals huddled in the far corner and bleated at her arrival. Apart from that, they seemed unharmed. But something had caused them to bunch up. She shifted her gaze to the left and gasped. A dead chicken. She grabbed the bird, kicked straw over the blood and hurried from the shelter.

  After disposing of the body, she retraced her steps and examined the footprints again. She stood where the horse had been and looked around. From here the intruder would not be visible from the house. The tracks indicated only one man and he’d left not-too-subtle warnings. It seemed like something Ebner would do, but he’d been in town with Duke.

  Hadn’t they been late arriving in town? At least, she hadn’t seen him until she was almost ready to leave for home.

  Had Ebner done this before he and Duke had gone to town? After Rose had left the farm?

  She shuddered. Whether Ebner had done this or another cowboy following his orders, the message was clear.

  Ebner meant to continue his efforts to get rid of the Bells.

  She must tell Duke. He’d do something to stop the man.

  The thought did nothing to ease the tension in her neck, which lingered throughout the rest of the da
y and even as she climbed into bed. She prayed most earnestly for the safety of her parents and their farm.

  And, please, God, protect us and help this land feud to end in more than hopeful words. Let the harassment end.

  * * *

  Ma and Pa were dressed for church the next morning when she came out of her bedroom. “Are you up to the trip?” Rose asked her pa.

  “I’m feeling better every day.”

  He’d said the same thing every morning since the stampede. Rose hoped this time it was true.

  As she did the chores she glanced around, wary of any sign of things being amiss. No cowboy or cows came over the hill. Nothing had been disturbed around the yard. On her way back to the house, she gave another slow, deliberate, complete study of the surroundings.

  Grub watched her.

  She patted his head. “Grub, old friend, I think we might have to find a better watchdog to keep you company.” Though what difference would it make? She had half a mind to stay behind with a loaded shotgun in her hands except for two things.

  Pa had never allowed the Caldwell threat to prevent them from attending church. “If they’re set on mischief it will happen whether we’re here or not.”

  Second, and more importantly, she wanted to see Duke again. When he was around she found it much easier to believe he’d changed and to trust his good intentions of ending the feud.

  So she hurried to her room to change for church into her dark blue woolen dress. Did it accentuate her coloring in a flattering way?

  She brushed her hair and began to braid it but Duke’s words filled her thoughts. He’d said her hair was beautiful. He’d made her believe it.

  Instead of a braid she normally wrapped tightly around her head and covered with a bonnet, she coiled her long hair into a soft roll and pinned it in place. It would frame her bonnet.

  Pa had hitched the horse to the sleigh and was waiting for her at the door. She hurried out to join her parents. She would volunteer to drive but Pa looked so hale and hearty that she sat back, pleased he was having a good day.