“Aye, and he means it.” Galen slapped his brother on the back. “Not a day passes that they don’t show their appreciation to one another. I’m thinking one of these days, when I get married, I’ll do the selfsame thing. A wee bit o’ praise goes a long way toward makin’ a woman feel valued.”
“When Melinda ran off with that butcher, you stopped talkin’ on e’er taking a bride. Have you taken a fancy to someone?”
“I’ve not made my mind up yet. A man oughtn’t rush into matters—I learned that sad lesson already.” Galen hooked his thumbs into his suspenders. “The only filly I’m troubling myself o’er at the moment is Sorcha.”
Colin started. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Come to the stable. She’s your mare. You need to be the one treating her.”
Colin stood taller and lengthened his stride. The slight swagger to his step left Galen smothering a grin. He usually saw to the horses when they ailed, but part of his plan for the summer was to teach Colin more and let him stretch toward manhood. Aye, he was a tad younger than Galen thought would work; but with Da’s condition as it was, Colin was already maturing before his time.
Lord, grant me wisdom.
“It’s not something bad, is it?” Colin worried aloud.
“If it were dreadful, I’d already be with her.” They entered the stable and went to Sorcha’s stall. “Walk her a few steps and tell me which leg you think’s ailing.”
Colin led the mustang to the end of the stable and back. “It’s her right foreleg.”
“Aye. Now, gentle-like, run your hand down it and back like this.” Galen demonstrated on Sorcha’s left foreleg. “Tell me where she’s tender.”
Face puckered with concern and concentration, Colin followed his example. “It’s down low. Here, on the inside by her knee. Easy, girl. She flinched, Galen!”
“That, she did. It’s a splint. She’s the age where the ligament turns to bone there.”
“What do I do to treat it?”
Galen noticed how his brother assumed responsibility. He rose and patted Sorcha. “Time does most of the work. She needs to be on soft ground. We’ll put her in the pasture and rest her for the next month.”
“A whole month!”
“Aye. She’ll serve you well for many a year if you sacrifice this time. I know you relish the freedom of owning a mount, but with that ownership comes the duty to do right by her. We’ll all share our horses. Until late, we did well enough at that. There’s no reason we can’t do so again.”
“A month,” Colin repeated.
“Aye, and e’en after a month, you’ll need to take care not to ask her to jump or do heavy work for a while.”
Colin cast a glance over at the Pony Express horses’ stalls.
“We’ll not be borrowing horses from the Express. It’s not honorable to use company property for private use. Now go on and lead Sorcha out to the pasture. I didn’t give her much water this morning so she’d head toward the creek. The shade and soft grass there’ll suit her fine.”
While his brother did as he bade, Galen hefted the handles to the wheelbarrow. He’d mucked the stalls and saved the manure for Ma’s almond trees. Each tree needed about thirty pounds around it. Though Ma was willing to do the chore, Galen didn’t want her to. He could haul twice as much in a trip, and Ma was already too busy.
Arriving at the east edge of the garden, he spotted his two youngest brothers off to the side.
“En garde!” Dale shouted, brandishing a carrot.
“En garde!” Sean attacked with a carrot of his own.
They fenced for a few minutes before Sean’s carrot met Dale’s chest. “Touche !”
“I’m dying!” Dale dropped his carrot, clutched his chest, and slumped to the earth.
“You might not be dyin’ boyo,” Galen said in a slight growl, “but your backside surely will be burning if I don’t see a great big pile o’ weeds about here someplace.”
Scrambling to his feet, Dale stammered, “We did do some weeding. Didn’t we, Sean?”
Sean’s red head bobbed vigorously.
“That may well be, but I sent you little men out here to work, not to play. There’s a world of difference between some weeding and a lot of weeding.”
“Okay, Galen.”
As they set to work, he headed toward the almond trees. Sean shouted, “Galen, that stinks so bad, I’ll bet Sacramento can smell it!”
“Yeah,” Dale agreed. “Can’t you wait and spread it later?”
“Nope. A man does what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. ’Tis a lesson the both of you ought take to heart.”
Two more trips, and he’d gotten the almonds fertilized. “Is that the last one?”
“Aye, Dale, ’tis. But now they’re all needin’ to be watered. Ten buckets apiece.”
“Ten!”
“Aye. Irrigating them now keeps the manure from burning the roots.”
“But there are six trees.” Dale’s little sun-kissed face wrinkled as he concentrated.
“Six times ten is sixty,” Sean calculated. “Sixty buckets of water!”
“Right you are. I’ll be sending Colin to help you. The three of you are to take two trees apiece.” He pressed his finger to his mouth. “Sean, don’t answer. Dale, you are to water two trees. Each requires ten buckets. How many are you going to have to haul?”
“Aw, Galen. School’s over.”
“But you’re going to stay sharp o’er the summer by recalling these things. Here.” He squatted down and wrote in the dirt. “You have ten buckets plus ten buckets.”
“Twenty!”
“That’s right, lad. And no skimping. We need all of the almonds the tree can produce.”
“To pay for Da’s medicine?” Sean peeked over Dale’s head and gave Galen a wary look.
“Aye. Our garden and orchard are important for the family. You boys have jobs to do. There’s more than enough work here for us, and I don’t want to have to catch you shirking again.”
Walking away, Galen’s steps felt as heavy as his heart. Sean’s a sharp-witted boy. He’s figuring out the truth. I hoped he’d have a month or so more of blissful innocence, Lord. Truly, I did.
“Galen?”
He froze.
Sean ran up. “Could you leave the wheelbarrow? I reckon we can use it to carry the buckets. It’ll make the chore easier.”
“Sure. And that’s good thinking on your part. You’re a clever lad.” He left the garden and went over to the corn. With free-range cattlemen around, Galen and his father had needed to fence in their property. He stood on a fence slat, shaded his eyes, and made sure the enclosure was secure. Satisfied, Galen took a look at the corn and calculated when he’d harvest the field.
Ma, Da, and he had planted two cornfields so they’d ripen in succession. After having suffered through the potato famine, Ma and Da refused to rely on any single crop. As a result, a diversity of crops filled other plots: peas, oats, and barley covered the land.
“You’re lookin’ right pleased with all you spy,” Ma said from behind him.
“The crops are doing well—God be praised.”
“Aye, He gets the credit. Your da and I appreciate all the hard work you’re doing, too.”
“You needn’t thank me, Ma.” He walked to the fence and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I wasn’t so young before we came here that I forget what hunger is or does. Whene’er I take a moment to witness this bounty, it fills my heart. When do you think we ought to plant the beans?”
“I bought seeds in town today.” She smiled. “I thought to have the boys plant them by the corn this week. Dale and Sean are old enough to do it on their own, but giving Colin the task of overseeing them will make him feel important.”
“I had him put Sorcha to pasture for the next month. She’s developed splints. It’ll do him good to stay busy so he doesn’t fret o’er having to stay home.”
“He does like to wander, doesn’t he?”
“Be
that as it may, we need him home.” Galen bent and picked a weed. “On days when he can’t stand to stay put, I’ll take him off to the far boundary of our land. We’ll drag back some downed limbs for firewood.”
“I don’t want him chopping or sawing down trees yet, Galenmine. He’s still too young for that.”
Galen nodded. Much as I hate to ask, it’ll be a task I need to have Josh help me with.
“You asked me to tell you if I heard anything more about the railroad.”
“Aye. Josh told me some folks are making grand plans.” He raised his brows in silent inquiry.
“Lester mentioned it.”
Half laughing, Galen said, “Then every soul in the township knows about it. Ever notice how he’s either the first to know something and passes it to everyone who walks in the store, or he’s the very last one to catch wind of something?”
Ma smiled and nodded.
“If ’tis true that they’ll follow the Pony route, I’m going to fight a bit. I won’t have them laying track right past our front door.”
“No used borrowin’ trouble that isn’t here yet.” Ma sighed. “Speaking of trouble … I ought to warn you: Laney and Ruth will be coming in a few days. Laney was pouting that you haven’t noticed she sewed a pink dress. She says you asked her to make one.”
“I did?” Galen watched a crow. “I can’t say as I recall that.”
“You have to mind offhanded comments, son. That lass has her heart set on you, and those wee slips o’ the tongue can be misconstrued.”
He nodded. “Ma? What do you think of Ruth?”
“As a person, or as someone who might mean more to you?”
“What’s the difference?”
“There’s a world of difference. If you asked me about her in generalities, I’d say she’s a fine girl. If you’re thinkin’ on wooing the lass, I’d say she needs to untie a few knots in her soul. The grief she holds is fresh—so fresh that she cannot bear to speak much of it. Until she comes to peace with God’s decisions, she can’t very well be heart-whole.”
“I see.”
“Nay, son, you don’t. There’s another complication.”
He scowled. “Laney?”
“Aye. Ruth’s her friend. She’s a loyal lass, and I fear you’d put your heart on the line only to have her turn you down because she loves Laney too much to wound her.”
“God wouldn’t put a fondness in my heart for Ruth if He didn’t plan to work things out.”
“Don’t be too certain of that. I don’t mean to prod a sore spot, but you thought the same of Melinda. Colossians exhorts us to set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth. You need to pray for the Lord to guide your steps instead of planning them out and asking Him to bless them.”
“Ma!” Sean shouted.
“What?”
The little boy ran around the corner and came into sight. “I stopped in the house to fetch another pail so we could water the trees. Da—” His voice broke.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
What do you have there?” Josh asked.
Ruth casually set the dime novel atop a few other books and pushed them across the counter toward Lester. “I appreciate your ordering those camellias. Laney and I can hardly wait to plant them in the front by the steps.”
“I’ll send them out to the Broken P as soon as they arrive.”
“Thank you.”
Josh drummed his fingers on the countertop. “I asked what you’re buying, Ruth.”
Turning to him, she said, “You’ll be pleased to know I found the Dickens book, A Tale of Two Cities, that neither of us has read.”
“Good. Perhaps we can read it to Laney.” He clamped his jaw shut, realizing too late he’d spoken without thinking.
“Why not let Laney read it for herself?” Lester asked as he started to total up Ruth’s purchases.
“Oh, I wouldn’t think of it!” Ruth glanced at Josh. In no way would she ever betray Laney’s secret, yet she couldn’t lie, either. Choosing her words carefully, she asked, “You know we’re still worried about her. Laney couldn’t possibly read that just now, could she?”
“That was dumb of me.” Lester pushed too hard on his pencil and broke the lead. “Does her head still ache from that concussion? I’ve missed seeing her at church.”
“Ruth’s been very protective.” Josh smiled at her. “But she has Laney’s welfare at heart. You’ll let her attend this Sunday, won’t you?”
“Most likely so.”
Josh reached across the counter and spread out the books.
Crack! Ruth’s closed fan hit the back of his hand. She piled the books up again and gave him a coy smile. “You weren’t really snooping, were you, Joshua McCain?”
“I’ve invited you to read whatever books we already possess on the Broken P. Don’t you plan to extend the same courtesy with yours?”
“She just offered the biggest one to you, Josh,” Lester said as he took a knife to his pencil and started to shave a new point.
“Yes, I did.” Whew. Lester rescued me on that one!
“Indeed, but it’s always nice to anticipate what lies ahead.” Josh gave Ruth an I-dare-you smile and lifted the books, one-by-one, to identify the titles.
She’d hoped he wouldn’t see the dime novel. That hope dashed, Ruth brazened it out. “The first one is a ladies’ novel, Josh. Surely it wouldn’t suit your taste.”
“Malaseka, The Indian Wife of the White Hunter, by Mrs. Ann Stevens,” he read aloud. “I might be interested, Ruth. I enjoy hunting on occasion.”
The sparkle in his eyes taunted her. Josh wasn’t ever mean, though. This was more of a boyish cockiness. After worrying about Laney the past two weeks, the change felt fun. Eager for him to put down that little novel, she lifted the next book and popped it into his hand. “This might be to your liking, too. You do tie knots, don’t you?”
“I tie knots, but I haven’t tied the knot.” He chuckled as he set down the volume of Knotted and Crocheted Laces.
“Miss Caldwell said it’s special for Laney.”
“Laney’s handwork is beautiful. Since embroidery is hard on her eyes right now, I thought she would enjoy trying new crochet patterns.”
Lester kept shaving at the pencil tip. “Kelly O’Sullivan and her youngest boys were in yesterday. She looked at that book, herself.”
Josh thumbed through the volume, then shut the cover. His eyes no longer sparked with mischief. Sincerity filled his voice. “That was thoughtful of you, Ruth. Much as my sister loves handwork, it’ll give her plenty of projects to keep her busy.”
Feeling foolish for having made a big deal about his simple curiosity about the books, Ruth flashed him a smile. “We could take it over to Galen’s and share it with his mom. After all, books are for sharing.”
Things had shifted dramatically between them as they’d forged an alliance over Laney’s well-being, and Ruth felt a longing to make it spread to other matters. She’d discovered many facets to Josh, and most intrigued her.
I’ve never had a man for a friend. But that’s what Josh has become. He’s always busy, but there’s a quietness in his soul that I admire. I’ve been silly about the dime novel. She fingered a thin sheaf of papers on the counter.
“Would you mind looking through the sheet music I selected? There’s no use in my buying something Laney already owns.”
He leafed through and set aside a few sheets. “Hilda loves Stephen Foster’s music. We have probably everything he’s composed. I’d take it as a personal favor if you wouldn’t get the ‘Ocean Telegraph March.’ When the undersea line was completed two years ago, everyone played that tune until I grew heartily sick of it.”
Ruth burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Lester wondered aloud.
“I was going to buy it because I thought everyone else liked that piece. Every last girl at school played that song ad nauseum. I loathe it!” Ruth scooped up the sheets they’d rejected and dashed over to place th
em back on the display shelf. When she returned, Josh was handing Lester money.
“I beg your pardon, but those were my purchases.”
“I’m reading Dickens first, and Laney’s getting the crochet book.” Josh threaded Ruth’s arm through his. “Now we’re going to have lunch at the Copper Kettle while Lester fills the rest of my order.”
“Honestly, Josh—”
“You have to be hungry by now. Breakfast was hours ago.”
Pulling away, she insisted, “I need to get back to Laney.”
“You haven’t left her side since she got hurt. There’s nothing wrong with your taking a little break.”
Ruth shook her head in protest. If I’d stayed home with Mama …
“Hilda’s with Laney, Ruth. You and I both know Hilda would scold anyone to death before they ever reached my sister. Laney is perfectly safe.”
“Hey—before you folks leave, mail came in.” Lester waved a few envelopes in the air. “One’s for Miss Caldwell.”
“Thanks, Lester. Why don’t you put them inside one of the books? We’ll be sure to pull them out once we get home.” Josh steered her out the door and down the boardwalk.
Ruth reached up her right sleeve.
He dipped his head and asked quietly, “Why are you fishing for your knife?”
“My knife is up my left sleeve,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to carry a reticule, so I put my money up my right sleeve. Since you bought the books, I’ll slip you funds for lunch.”
Ire darkened his features. “You’ll do no such thing!”
“I meant you no offense. Oh, this is so awkward. If we’re partners, Josh, it’s only right that—”
“Stop right there. First off, I refuse to have a woman pay for my meals. Second, you said a mouthful when you said, ‘If we’re partners.’ We might not be.” He tugged her out of the way as someone else walked by, then kept hold and started for the diner again.
“Waiting doesn’t come easily, you know. I’m very impatient. Until matters are cleared up, I can’t very well just sponge off of you!”
In a low tone, he said, “Ruth, save your money. If things don’t turn out the way you’re hoping regarding the ranch, you’ll still be welcome to stay with us, but you’ll want to have a little nest egg.”
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