No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Book #1): A Novel

by Brendan, Maggie

  Crystal felt a sharp pain crease her brow, and then she was carried upward as a deep heaviness encompassed her like a warm shroud. For a period of time she was dreaming of her new ivory hat . . .

  8

  Luke pushed his hat off his forehead and wiped his face with his bandana. He looked in the direction of the town. He didn’t usually worry about Kate because she was a strong and determined woman, but today he felt uneasy. He wasn’t sure why, maybe it was just the eerie stillness that hung over the valley. For certain rain was on its way and would bring blessed relief from the heat. Maybe Kate and Crystal would get back from town before it started. He rode back to the barn, dismounted, then led his horse to a stall and proceeded to remove the saddle.

  “Rusty, it looks like we’re in for a storm.”

  Rusty’s spurs jangled as he entered the barn. “Yep, I’d say so . . . I had Jube put the cows in the barn. It’s starting to get purty dark northwest of here. I told Kurt and Curly to start tying things down.” Rusty strode over to the barn’s open doors and shut them tight. “Let’s just hope all we get is a little wind and rain. That corn on my little toe is burning like a small fire. My ma always said that was a shore sign of rain. And we better see to the house. I thought Kate and Crystal would be back by now.” His voice was a bit agitated.

  Carmen was busy yanking the clothes off the clothesline in the backyard. The wind was beginning to kick up, and she struggled with the wash in her arms. Luke and Rusty closed the windows just as the cowhands gathered on the front porch to look at the sky that was growing blacker by the minute. Wind yanked at their hats while they scrambled to get the rocking chairs into the house. The dogs tucked their tails between their legs and retreated under the house.

  After a glance at the ominous black cloud whirling across the meadow, Luke hollered, “Let’s head for the cellar out back, guys. This here is no regular rainstorm. Looks like a twister is headed our way!” He grabbed Carmen’s arm, spilling the wash from her basket. With Rusty and the boys right behind them, they raced to the cellar. Luke pushed Carmen ahead of him and waited until everyone was in before slamming the door down against the hail now battering the top of his head.

  Carmen’s black eyes were wide with fright. She huddled on the cellar floor. “Do you think Kate and Crystal will be okay?” She twisted the edge of her apron.

  “Where are they?” Kurt asked.

  “Drove into town early this morning. Let’s hope that’s where they still are,” Rusty answered. But even as he said it, Luke knew they both thought the women were probably already on their way back.

  “Maybe we’d better go after them,” Curly said.

  Luke leaned against the wall of the cellar and slid down into a sitting position. The wind was so loud he knew that the twister must have been passing within a few feet of them, if not directly overhead. “You can’t go out yet, Curly. Don’t you hear that racket? Soon as it passes us, I’ll head in the direction of town. Maybe they’re holed up somewhere nearby, like at the Johnsons’. They’ll be safe in their soddy.” His firm jaw clenched as he spoke hopeful words, a painful contrast to the roar of the storm.

  Luke observed how Kurt took his time to roll a cigarette between his slender fingers, unconcerned, and blew tiny smoke rings toward the ceiling. He had a deck of cards with him and with much savoir faire was trying to impress Carmen with a card trick. For a moment, the frown in her brow eased, and a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

  Curly sat with his knees pulled up to his chest on the dirt floor of the cellar, his head bowed underneath his hat where no one could see. Luke wondered if he was praying silently for Kate and Crystal’s protection.

  Rusty leaned against the wall with deep concern on his ruddy face as he ran his hand through his now windblown red tangle of hair.

  Strong wind rattled the storm door, and Jube’s big eyes rolled toward its direction as though his staring would make it cease. He plucked imaginary lint from his ten gallon hat and ran his hand around its brim.

  The hail sounded like marbles hitting the door, and the wind blew mightily overhead with a roaring, eerie sound. In a matter of moments it seemed the hail diminished with a random ping here and there. The raging wind stopped just as quickly as it had started, but in its wake a torrential downpour slammed against the cellar door.

  “Reckon it’s safe enough to go on out now,” Luke concluded, pulling the latch on the door. “I’m going after Kate and Crystal.”

  “I’ll ride with you.” Rusty was right on his heels.

  Five minutes later, they had saddled up and donned their slickers, leaving the others behind to assess the damage in the pouring rain.

  Less than three miles into their ride, they slowed their horses where the bend in the road was visible. In the dusk and pouring rain, all they could see was the upturned wagon with its wheels still turning eerily, taking on a macabre form. The redhead yelled, “Dear God, no!”

  With disbelief they spurred their horses the last hundred yards to where the wagon hung over the ravine and quickly dismounted. Rusty rushed ahead of Luke, unmindful of the rocks sliding under his boots. At one point he lost his footing and half walked, half slid to the front end of the wagon. Luke clamored behind, all but falling against Rusty. The horses had broken their harnesses and were standing fifty feet away, the reins tangled in the underbrush.

  Several feet from the wagon Rusty found Kate’s sprawled form, a grotesque twist to her neck. He fell on his knees, lifted her upper body to his chest, and clung to her as if trying to breathe his very life into her. Enormous tears spilled down his cheeks and into his beard as he rocked her back and forth, smoothing her wet hair from her face, while the rain continued its onslaught. Luke fought back his own tears. He didn’t even need to ask if she was alive.

  Luke had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had to find Crystal.

  After a quick search of the wagon, Luke found her sticking halfway out under its heavy weight. He placed two fingers to the side of her slender neck and felt for a pulse. He sighed with relief and turned to Rusty.

  “Rusty,” he said, touching his shoulder, “I’m so sorry.” He felt tears stinging his eyes again. His curled hat brim formed a trough for the rain that splashed down the front of his slicker.

  “Did you find Crystal? Is she all right?” Rusty’s voice croaked between sobs. It pained Luke to see his friend hurting this way.

  “I did. She’s unconscious, and I need your help. She’s pinned under the buckboard,” Luke answered through the knot in the back of his throat.

  Rusty placed Kate’s head back on the rain-soaked ground with tenderness and reverently covered her with his slicker.

  With the two of them, it was easy to turn the wagon upright. By chance the wheels were all still intact. Although one had a few broken spokes, Luke thought they might be able to make it the three miles to the ranch.

  They worked side by side and said little as they righted the wagon and lifted Crystal’s limp form to place her in the bed of the wagon. Crystal moaned, but her eyes remained closed. She was mercifully unaware that her beloved Kate, whom Luke and Rusty laid next to her, had seen her last Colorado sunset. Luke removed his slicker and tucked it around Crystal to keep her as warm as possible. Her face was a chalky white, and her beautiful hair, wet and matted with dirt, clung to her face and neck. Her small frame weighed no more than a sack of feed, and he was struck afresh by her delicateness.

  They were soaked to their skin, but nothing mattered except their own private pain. Luke talked soothingly to the horses and, with Rusty’s help, made a makeshift harness and hitched them to the buckboard.

  After three attempts of slipping and sliding in the downpour to pull the wagon from the ravine, they managed to maneuver around the boulders and thickets and finally reached the road. Rusty tied his horse to the back of the wagon and took the reins. Luke mounted his horse, and with hearts heavy they slowly started home.

  Carmen heard horses approac
hing and grabbed her lantern. She ran out of the house, holding her lantern high. Her hand flew to cover her mouth in horror when she saw the wagon approaching, and she tried to calm her thudding heart. The two men were soaking wet and muddy. Luke had a large scrape on his forearm that was bleeding, but he seemed to take no notice. Rusty’s eyes were red rimmed.

  “Hurry, Carmen, Crystal’s hurt. We need to get her inside and warm,” Luke barked.

  “Kate?” Carmen pleaded, but one look at Rusty’s face answered her. He said, “I’ll send one of the boys to fetch Doc Gibbons.”

  Hot tears stung Carmen’s eyes as she raced ahead to open the door and make way for Luke. Kurt had joined the small group on the front porch, and he gasped when he saw Crystal.

  Luke scooped Crystal up, carried her down the hall to her bedroom, and placed her on the bed. He continued to stand around looking helpless, shifting his weight from one boot heel to the other.

  “I’ll take care of her and get those wet things off. You’d better do the same. There’s hot coffee on the stove,” Carmen said. “Go!” She tossed her head sideways, her big eyes now flooded with tears. Carmen loved Kate because she accepted her for who she was. What would she do without her?

  Luke stepped into the kitchen, poured himself some coffee, and wearily sat down, then stretched out his long legs. It was still raining, and he watched the droplets slide down the wide kitchen windowpane. He remembered Kate’s thrill when he and Rusty had ordered the glass window from Denver. It had provided her with a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains every morning.

  Suddenly the full impact of Kate’s death hit him, and he let the tears flow until his moustache was wet. She was the dearest person he’d ever known, and she’d raised him like her own. And poor Rusty. He knew that Rusty had been in love with her for a long time. Things would never be the same for either of them. A heavy knot formed in his chest, and he could hear his own heartbeat thudding in his ears.

  “Boss,” Jube whispered.

  Luke hadn’t heard Jube come into the room. He looked up over the rim of his coffee cup. The coffee’s steam and heat were the only warmth he was feeling at the moment. He wiped his nose on the back of his shirt sleeve and noticed Jube’s red-rimmed eyes. He was so consumed with his own grief that he hadn’t thought about what the punchers must be feeling. After all, they had worked for a mighty long time at Aspengold.

  “We placed Kate in her room. We figured Carmen will be needing some help, laying her out and all, so I sent Curly over to fetch Mary Franklin.” Jube took out a large handkerchief from his hip pocket to wipe the tears that started to fall again.

  “’Preciate it. How’s Rusty?”

  “He rode off somewhere. Should I go after him?”

  “Naw, just leave him be. He’ll be back. How bad is the damage around here?” It was hard to consider the damage in light of Kate’s death, but Luke knew it must be done.

  “Not too bad, considering everything else. We’ll know tomorrow when it gets lighter if we lost any cattle. Well . . . I’ll just be going.” Jube backed up to the kitchen door.

  Luke rose and took one last gulp of his coffee. “I gotta get out of these clothes before the doc gets here.”

  “Reckon you’re officially in charge here now, Luke.”

  “Maybe. I expect Crystal will go back to Georgia if she recovers. Ranch life is new to her, and she won’t know how to run one.” That was the last thing he wanted to think about. A hard knot formed in the center of his chest.

  Flowering dogwood and brilliant fuchsia-colored azaleas crowded the pathway, leading Crystal farther toward a bright light. Her father called out to her, and Kate whispered to her. Dressed in white, her beloved mother stood near the path, her delicate face smiling wistfully at her. On her head she wore Crystal’s new cream hat with its trailing ribbons. Crystal reached out to her, feeling so happy and warm, but strong arms pulled her back. Drew guided her back away from the light and peacefulness surrounding it. She reluctantly followed, not wanting to leave her mother’s beautiful, sweet face. The path widened, and the fragrant smell of honeysuckle surrounded her. Drew handed her a small bouquet, and Crystal drank in its sweet fragrance. Honeysuckle had always been a favorite of hers. Then the brightness began to fade away . . .

  After a careful examination of Crystal, Doc Gibbons told Luke that she had a mild concussion and bruising, but fortunately no broken bones. Luke took Mary’s place to let her have a little rest. She hadn’t left Crystal’s bedside in the last eight hours. A fire burned in the drafty fireplace, its logs crackling and popping in the quiet stillness. The candle sputtered and cast a soft glow on her pale skin and her thick lashes that lay against her high cheekbones.

  Luke bolted up in his chair when Crystal stirred. He moved closer as she mumbled something. “Drew . . .”

  He flinched. Who is that? He lifted one small hand, and her fingers curled around his as her eyelids fluttered open. “Kate?” she murmured.

  “Crystal,” he said quietly. “It’s me, Luke. You’ve hit your head. Be still.”

  She struggled to sit up, but then she moaned and lay back against the pillow.

  “Where’s Aunt Kate? I want to see her.” Crystal’s voice was weak.

  The bedroom door opened, and a sleepy-eyed Mary came to stand next to the bed, with Carmen close on her heels. Carmen and Mary both had red, swollen eyes from crying. Mary had lost her best friend in the world, and now this dear girl whom she had become fond of was lying there without her aunt.

  “I heard her talking. Did you tell her?” Mary inquired with a quaking voice.

  “No. I think you’d better do that. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

  Mary nudged him toward the door. “No, you go on to the bunkhouse and get some sleep. Tomorrow we have to talk to the reverend and notify Kate’s friends. I believe you were the only family besides Crystal that Kate had. I’ll need you to be rested, Luke. Now off with you.” She patted him on the arm. “She’ll be all right. You can count on that.”

  Luke was too tired to fight her, so he left. He fell into his bunk and was asleep before he could take off his boots.

  9

  Three days later, as Crystal looked over the rolling valley, it was hard to tell that a storm had even occurred and touched lives with such havoc. Out of respect for Kate, Luke had hired someone from a neighboring ranch to continue patching the roof. The cowboys had the day off so they could attend the funeral. Already repairs were being made on the roof of the house and the barn. The ping of a hammer sounded, keeping time to the throbbing inside Crystal’s head. She gazed out her bedroom window, her aunt’s funeral so very fresh on her mind. Earlier that morning, Bill Alden had eulogized Kate as a beloved neighbor and friend to all whose lives she touched. Crystal couldn’t bear to look at Rusty. His pain was written on every line in his rugged face.

  The sharp pain in her chest had become a hard knot while a feeling of emptiness inside took over, and she couldn’t eat a morsel of food. There was no word to describe how she was feeling. One more loss. How many more could she endure? She felt like an orphan with no family to speak of. It was just too much to bear. Returning from the cemetery, Mary took charge, much to Crystal’s relief. Kate’s friends came by to pay their respects. Most of them Crystal didn’t know. Many brought a covered dish of food or a dessert to be shared, but she had no appetite. She instead busied herself with making coffee for everyone.

  Puffing on his cigar, Jim McBride approached Crystal and steered her away from the hot, stuffy room in the direction of the doorway. His huge frame commanded authority just in the way he stood, with the firm thrust of his chin and his thumbs hooked into the lapel of his expensive suit. Once he had offered his condolences, he immediately became the cattle baron and got right down to business.

  “Miss Clark, I have a business proposition in which I would purchase Aspengold, allowing you to return to Georgia free of your aunt’s debts.” He chewed on his cigar.

  “Mr. McBride,
I do not think that now is the time to discuss business.” Crystal could not believe his insensitive timing. With fury in her eyes, she started walking away, but he placed his hand on her arm.

  “Perhaps not, my dear. But you see, I have to look out for my best interest, and since Kate was a little—how shall I put it?— strapped for cash, I was good enough to tide her over till the steers could be shipped to market. It would be best if you sold Aspengold lock, stock, and barrel and rid yourself of this problem. I am willing to pay top dollar since her property adjoins mine. And let’s face it, you know nothing about ranching.” His brown eyes pierced into Crystal’s, and his smug face made her want to slap him. Then she was shocked that she had even had such a thought and that he had made her so angry. Now she understood Rusty’s dislike of McBride.

  “I don’t need you to tell me how to set my aunt’s affairs in order. Now, if you will excuse me, this little conference is over.” She hadn’t meant to raise her voice, and now she was aware of a dozen pair of eyes boring into her. Crystal removed McBride’s hand from her arm.

  Josh was now making his way to her side. Luke, who stood some distance away with April hovering near his side, made a step in her direction, but Josh was quicker.

  “My apologies. We’ll continue this conversation another time, very soon.” McBride’s level brown eyes were so like Josh’s but lacked his warmth.

  “Is there anything wrong?” Josh asked Crystal as his father bowed and walked away.

  Crystal sobbed and pressed her hankie against her lips. “Nothing that I can’t take care of,” she answered with more bravado than she felt. “I’m a little tired. Perhaps I’ll go lie down awhile.”

  “If you need anything, anything at all, you’ll let me know?”

  Looking into Josh’s sincere face, Crystal knew he meant it. She knew she must look awful with puffy, swollen eyes. The pounding in her head was worsening, causing a splitting headache.