Lords of Ireland II

by Le Veque, Kathryn

  Doctor Mitchell was an older man who rarely smiled. Of course, with a full mustache and beard, if he did, Charlie figured it would not be visible. He placed his black satchel on the end of the bed and pulled a chair to sit next to it. “Did you take the tonic I prescribed for you upon feeling the headache coming?”

  “No,” Charlie admitted. “It wasn’t so bad. My head did not hurt as much as before, so I thought I could withstand it. I don’t think it was the headache that made me pass out. I did not eat all day. My stomach was upset all day yesterday.”

  He nodded and took his stethoscope out. Listening to her heart and breathing, he then looked down her throat and studied her eyes and ears. “What other symptoms do you notice of late?”

  Mary Ellen interrupted. “She’s always tired, is clumsy and barely sleeps. When she does anything that requires too much exertion, she gets the headaches.”

  The doctor looked to Charlie. “What about your appetite?”

  “I mostly eat bread and vegetables. Don’t care much for meat.” She knew it was absurd, owning a cattle ranch and all. But after seeing calves grow up, she couldn’t stomach eating them.

  The doctor frowned. “Like it or not, I’d like for you to try a diet rich in red meat for the next few weeks.” He winked at her. “Try to follow my instructions this time, young lady.”

  Charlie smiled and nodded. “Yes, Doctor. I’m sorry to have troubled you to come this far. I am fine, just a bit under the weather. I’m sure you have more urgent things to attend to.”

  “Surprisingly it’s been quiet of late. It’s not a bother at all. As a matter of fact, I’m heading over to Winfrow’s now. Seems one of his hired men hurt his leg.”

  Mary Ellen escorted the doctor out, promising to bring Charlie tea and the doctor’s tonic.

  In the quiet of her room, she let out a breath. This was not the time to be sick, to have the miserable headaches and dizziness. She hadn’t been eating enough, she knew better. But with everything that happened, and all the work needing to be done, Charlie worried.

  Worry led to lack of appetite which she paid for now. For days she’d pretended to eat, moving the food around her plate, taking only a few nibbles to keep Mary Ellen and Joe from suspecting. A stupid mistake, with so much to do, she felt foolish at becoming ill when she could have prevented it.

  With the arrival of the new men, things would be easier. If they weren’t sent by Winfrow, which she hoped wasn’t so. Perhaps there was a chance they and Joe would get everything done in time for summer and the ranch would be taken care of through the winter.

  It would be easier to sell it and move to town. She wouldn’t have any worries. Sometimes she contemplated it for long moments. Considered living in a small house with only her garden and self to worry about. But she loved her home, the views of the mountains and the large expanse of unspoiled land.

  Charlie let out a sigh and closed her eyes. No more worrying. She’d do her best to eat better and maybe even plenty of meat.

  Patrick Callahan’s presence unsettled her, but she’d push that aside. It wasn’t as if she’d never seen a handsome man before. Although if she were to be honest, never one as good looking as this man. He was breathtakingly attractive, which in itself made her stomach tumble.

  Today she’d rest and tomorrow it would be a new start. More time to herself since Joe had help, which meant she could get things done around the house and spend time in the garden.

  With a smile curving her lips, she allowed slumber to take over.

  Chapter Five

  A man could get accustomed to good food. Patrick wiped his mouth and picked up his cup of coffee. Ranch work was hard and steady, a constant stream of things to be accomplished. And while it was exhausting, Patrick enjoyed having full days and after a good meal relaxing until bedtime.

  Each day Mary Ellen outdid herself, ensuring they ate their fill for two meals a day. In the early afternoon, they’d eat leftover bread and whatever she sent out with Joe to sustain them until the evening meal.

  Although he saw Charlie on occasion, she was quite adept at avoiding both him and Jerrick. Once again that day, she was absent during the meal and other than asking about her health the day before, he’d not found it easy to gather any other information about her. For whatever reason, he hoped to see her every day when going to the house for breakfast and supper, but it was rare to even catch a glimpse.

  They made their way toward the stables, Jerrick walking alongside him. “I don’t know how they’ll manage once we leave. Joe needs to hire more help.” They watched the wiry man, already heading to whatever chore needed to be done. He rarely gave more than a couple instructions, trusting them to see to whatever work was required.

  “He asked me if we’d stay through next month to help with calving. Said he’d talk Charlotte Kennedy into selling me cattle once I buy land,” Patrick said.

  Jerrick scratched his head and then replaced his hat. “I’m heading to town tomorrow. Looking into finding out about land for sale and such. And I want to get familiar with the local townsfolk.”

  “Or perhaps the town’s womenfolk?” Patrick said knowing Jerrick enjoyed the company of the fairer sex. “I suppose it’s good to know what families live here and such.”

  “Since you got your eye on the Misses, I don’t reckon I can step in there. Although it would be interesting to see if the elusive woman would come around if we both vied for her attention.” Jerrick chuckled at Patrick’s scowl. “Don’t give me that look. You constantly keep an eye out for her. And when she does appear, you sit straight as a board.”

  “I’ll get the horses,” Patrick walked faster, doing his best to ignore Jerrick’s chuckle.

  Patrick rounded the ranch house later that day carrying wood for the fireplace. He stopped short at seeing Charlie on the porch. With her head bent, she sewed, taking advantage of the bright sunshine. He studied her for the moment before she’d notice him.

  Relaxed, her lips curved slightly at the corners, her features soft. The breeze blew the loose tendrils of hair across her face and she reached up to brush them away. The woman was beautiful, enticing.

  When Charlie noticed him, for an unguarded moment, she studied him, her gaze falling from his face to the wood he carried. Just as quickly her expression shuttered, becoming harder, as if a shield fell.

  “Good afternoon, Misses Kennedy. How are you feeling?” Patrick asked.

  “Much better, thank you.” She went back to her sewing, an obvious attempt to dismiss him. When he didn’t move, she looked back up with expectancy. “Is something on your mind, Mr. Callahan?”

  Something in him stirred. In that moment a feeling of wanting to protect her lodged in his chest. A need to look after Charlie Kennedy, get to know her became strong. At the same time, he knew it wouldn’t come easy. Not good timing, either. Whatever had happened in her past, made her distrustful and aloof. “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight, Misses Kennedy? Or continue to avoid our company?”

  She straightened and frowned. “Why do you ask such a thing? Surely it’s my choice when and who to eat with.”

  “So you prefer to eat alone then?” he prodded, finding amusement when she bristled, scowling at him.

  “Mr. Callahan, is the wood not getting heavy in your arms?” Once again she returned to her sewing and pulled the needle through the fabric with deft smooth motions.

  When Patrick put the wood on the edge of the porch, she looked up with a questioning expression, then frowned.

  “Why do you mistrust me?” Patrick pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the perspiration from his face. “Have I given you reason to?”

  Charlie let out a huff. “I don’t know you, Mr. Callahan. Of course, I don’t trust you. Around here it’s best to sit back, give people time to show who they really are. You’d best learn that if you plan to stay. Not everyone is trustworthy.”

  “I understand that. But I’d rather give people the benefit of a doubt. Like you sa
id, time will tell, but I trust that most people are good. And there is a difference between trusting fully and giving people the benefit of a doubt.”

  She looked out into the distance, it was obvious her mind went elsewhere for a few moments. “I tried that, Mr. Callahan, and paid a high price for it.”

  Whatever she meant by the statement, Patrick could see someone in the past had caused her great pain. He suspected it was a man and whoever the bastard was, had done a lot of damage.

  “I’ll leave you to your sewing then. Enjoy the afternoon sun.” He lifted the wood and climbed the stairs.

  Just as he reached the door, she spoke. “Thank you for helping Joe around here. It’s much appreciated.”

  When he walked back outside moments later, Charlie was no longer on the porch. Instead she stood a few yards away. Her hand shielding her face from the sun, she looked off into the distance. Three horsemen rode toward the house.

  “Mr. Callahan, will you remain with me for a moment?” she asked, her attention not leaving the men. “It’s Winfrow, my neighbor to the west.” She didn’t say anything more, instead went back to stand on the porch and Patrick followed. When the men neared, only one dismounted from a beautiful palomino. The man seemed to be in his late thirties, of nondescript appearance. He knew automatically this was Jessup Winfrow.

  Winfrow was of normal height and build, with sandy brown hair and a thick mustache. He seemed like most men by outward appearances. The same could not be said for his shrewd eyes as they scanned over the lands before moving to them. They were cold and calculating, slow when blinking reminding him of a reptile.

  Immediately the man focused on Patrick, barely giving Charlie a glance. When neither of them spoke, the man looked to her. “Hello, Charlotte. Came to see about you. Doc told me you were unwell.” His gaze skimmed over her. “You look to be recovered.”

  “There was no need for you to trouble yourself by coming. Unless there is another reason for your visit.” Charlie’s voice dripped with ice, yet it seemed to have little effect on Winfrow.

  Winfrow narrowed his eyes at Patrick. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  “Patrick Callahan,” Patrick said not moving from beside Charlie. “And you are?”

  Winfrow gave him a droll look. “I’m sure Charlotte told you who I am. I own the lands surrounding this ranch.” He gave an impatient huff and looked to Charlie, who remained stock-still. “Can I speak to you in private for a moment?”

  “If you wanted privacy, why did you come with two men?”

  Winfrow looked to Patrick, as if challenging him to speak. Patrick remained quiet, allowing Charlie to take the lead although it went against every fiber of his being. His body quaked with the need to confront the man and demand he speak with more respect. But he knew instinctively Charlie would not appreciate it.

  “All right,” Winfrow said and looked over his shoulder. “You boys go on ahead. I’ll catch up.” He gave Patrick a triumphant look. “Now, Charlotte, may I have a word?”

  She turned to Patrick and gave him a soft nod. “I’ll be fine. Please let Mary Ellen know I’ll join everyone for dinner in a few moments.”

  Although it was obvious she did not want to speak to Winfrow, Patrick had no choice but to leave. He had no claim over her, no right to do what his instincts screamed for him to do. “I’ll be within hearing range, if you need me.” He threw a warning glance at Winfrow who narrowed his eyes.

  Once inside he paced by the door, which he left open. If the bastard tried anything he would not hesitate to hurt the man.

  Chapter Six

  “So you found some ranch hands. Newcomers at that. It surprises me. You’re not normally the trustin’ kind.” Winfrow smirked allowing his gaze to linger on the doorway through which Patrick had entered. “Looks to me like that one is already feeling proprietary over you.”

  Charlie wished Patrick hadn’t left. It was not a good feeling to be unprotected and without support, vulnerable to whatever Winfrow spewed. She squared her shoulders and jutted out her chin. “You wished to speak to me. What is it about?”

  As was his habit, he didn’t get straight to the topic. Instead he played a game of intimidation, holding her gaze not looking away. No doubt an attempt to get her to fidget or looked away first.

  Charlie refused to play the game. Tapping her foot, she rolled her eyes. “I know all your tricks, so don’t pull this fear thing with me. You know as well as I do why Joe couldn’t find any help in town. You hired or paid off everyone so no one would come work for me. It’s not going to work. I will never sell you my ranch.”

  Winfrow’s lips twitched, as if he found humor in her words. “I am not asking for you to sell it to me. Make things easier on everyone concerned and marry me. We can join our lands and you won’t have to worry about runnin’ things. Can devote your time to other things like raising our children.”

  It took a lot of willpower not to shudder when his gaze roamed over her body with leisure. “Long time since you’ve been with a man, Charlotte. I know the nights can be very long.”

  She would not satisfy him with a remark on propriety. It was what he wanted. To shock her. To unsettle her. Instead she lifted one shoulder in what she hoped looked like an easy shrug and looked toward the doorway through where Patrick had entered the house. “What’s to say I am lonely?”

  “Ha!” He threw his head back and laughed. “I know you enough to be sure you are not allowing either of the newcomers into your bed. Always been more the conservative type.”

  It occurred to her that he’d only seen Patrick. How did he know about Jerrick? “I don’t know why you think you know me so well. You were a friend of Daniel’s, but we rarely had cause to be in the same room. If that’s all you wished to talk about, then I must tell you, my answer is still a resounding no.”

  Winfrow’s eyes narrowed with anger. “Stubborn woman. Not sure what you want. You know damn well you can’t run the ranch on your own. Joe is old and maybe he could manage a smaller homestead. But this…” he motioned toward the field with one arm, “is too much for the old geezer. Go ahead. Face reality. You’re gonna run this place into the ground. It’s a damn shame. Sell me the cattle and half the land. You’ll have enough money to take care of a smaller herd and a smaller ranch.”

  A part of her hated to admit Winfrow was right. They were having a hard time keeping up with everything that had to be done. The ranch was too large and even though the money from selling the cattle would help maintain them for a year, maybe a bit more if she was frugal, it was doubtful they’d make enough the following year to sustain them.

  Charlie glared at him. “I’d rather run my ranch into the ground, as you say, than sell to the likes of you, Winfrow.” She took a breath. “I don’t know why you can’t just let me be. Why do you want more. You already own more land than anyone in Colter Valley and have more than enough money.”

  Something flickered in his eyes. He looked past her toward where the cattle grazed lazily, their tails swishing side-to-side, oblivious to the drama playing out. “I have my reasons.” He tipped his hat at her. “I’ll be speaking to you again very soon, Charlotte. And you best keep those newcomers at a distance. Never know, maybe they have ulterior motives worse than what you think I have.”

  He mounted and gave her one last long look before spurning his horse to a gallop. Charlie let out a breath, her heart pounded against her breast as she climbed the steps to the porch and collapsed onto a rocker.

  The only thing she agreed with Winfrow about was the newcomers. She planned to keep an eye on Jerrick and Patrick. At the moment she needed their help too much. Just that morning, Joe had said they needed to convince them to stay on longer.

  The cattle would be herded once more before the buyer came and there was the harvesting to be done right after. Not to mention the mending of fences, repairs to the roofs on the stables and bunkhouse. The list of things needing to be done seemed to grow daily. With only two ranch hands, they would be busy for
months.

  “Are you all right, Misses Kennedy?” Patrick’s smooth voice fell over her and instantly she inhaled, allowing herself the luxury of looking into his green eyes. For a few beats, she wanted nothing more than to confide in him, to ask him his opinion.

  No one had to tell her he was intelligent and more experienced in ranching than she was, it was obvious in his stance, the assured way he carried himself. He was not a man who smiled or had an easygoing nature like Jerrick. But more subdued, almost stoic and yet she felt the urge to trust him.

  Behind his gaze, she sensed a sort of restlessness. If anything, she could relate with that. How often she’d dreamed of doing something, of somehow changing the direction of her life. But instead, she was stuck. Horseshoe Ranch was her home, a large beautiful gilded cage.

  “I suppose you gathered that I am not fond of Mr. Winfrow.” She measured her words. “He is very wealthy and also powerful here in Colter Valley. Many people seem to blindly follow him.”

  “But you don’t.” It wasn’t a question, more a statement. He lowered his large frame to sit in the chair next to hers.

  “No, and he doesn’t take too kindly to that fact. Winfrow is used to getting his way and when anyone doesn’t agree with him, he removes them.”

  When he scowled, Charlie wanted to believe he was not involved in Winfrow’s scheme. But there was no way to know for sure. Patrick turned his attention toward where Winfrow had rode off. “I think I can speak for Jerrick when I say, if there is anything we can do to help you. To ensure Winfrow doesn’t bother you any further, please let us know and we will do it. A man should never disrespect a woman in such a manner.”

  It occurred to Charlie that she shouldn’t be sharing so much with Patrick, yet she could not stop herself. In his gaze there was concern, and better yet, he kept his eyes on her face, but not trying to intimidate, unsettle or look down on her.