The main house could rival any of the wealthy homes in Chicago. It was a striking home. The white-sided structure of the main house only hinted at its inner beauty with its covered balcony, walkways, and large picture windows.
The Great Hall was the least furnished of all the rooms on the main floor, but it was an intentional omission. The room was designed specifically for entertainment purposes.
The upper floor had five bedrooms, beautifully decorated with white dimity hangings or crewelwork on linen for the large four-poster mahogany beds. Masterfully carved mantles on each of the fireplaces in the rooms. Lowboys with delicate white embroidered runners, Queen Anne chairs and mirrors with landscape portraits decorating the walls. French doors in each of the rooms opened onto the balcony stretching the length of the house. The upper floor also had a comfortable drawing room with an antique raspberry sofa and Sheraton chairs. Each room’s stunning beauty enthralled her. The main house overlooked an extensive private lake with the majority of rooms boasting large windows, and scenic views of the water or mountains. She had not expected anything so stunning or as vast as her aunt and uncle’s ranch.
The property also included over fifty cottages, bunkhouses for the ranch hands, numerous corrals, stables, wagon sheds, the dairy, sawmill, and blacksmith’s shop. The outlying buildings, constructed of virgin redwood milled on the property, extended beyond sight. There were miles of horse trails winding through the forest of trees bordering the private lake. Her uncle had clearly done well during the Gold Rush days when he amassed his original fortune. She only hoped she could learn her way around without getting lost.
****
Current activity on the ranch consisted of preparing for the engagement party hosted by Aunt Gwen and Uncle Jonathan for their manager, Luke Morrell, and his fiancée, Anita Adams. Taryn found herself caught up in her aunt’s excitement even though she had only met Luke Morrell, and had yet to meet his fiancée, Anita. The party was two weeks away. Aunt Gwen strove for perfection. There was polishing to do, the menu to prepare, the guest list to check, the furniture to arrange, and those items were today’s list. Organized in her preparation for the party, Gwen worried the remaining time was insufficient to complete the arrangements. Taryn learned quickly, her aunt thrived on the hectic pace.
Aunt Gwen’s concern over the details was understandable. Luke was the son they never had. His management of their ranch over the last five years had only improved its productivity. Both swore they didn’t know what they ever did without him.
She and Aunt Gwen were reviewing the menu for the party. Taryn’s curiosity revisited the topic. “How did you meet Luke?”
“We met shortly after he arrived in Sacramento. Your uncle came across him in town looking for work. Luke impressed Jonathan with his knowledge of ranching for a young man. Your uncle brought him home to meet me with the intention of hiring him. He was a fine young man. When I discovered he’d recently lost his parents…” Gwen placed her palm to her chest. “Well, he had my heart. We’ve considered him a part of our family ever since. Now, Luke has met someone of his own in Anita. We couldn’t be happier if he was our own son.”
Taryn smiled, fully understanding how easily her aunt and uncle embraced Luke Morrell. Tall, blond, and ruggedly handsome with a ready grin, people took to him immediately. Friendly and charming, it was inconceivable anyone wouldn’t like him instantly. She had fallen under the same spell upon meeting him.
Three days after her arrival, Taryn was in the living room polishing the tall case clock while a maid steamed the silk damask draperies into pleated perfection.
Gwen walked in with a vase of flowers. “Taryn, would you mind riding over to Luke’s home. Ask if he or Anita would have any objections to inviting Robert Michaels to the engagement party.”
She paused in her work, turning toward her aunt. “When did you meet Robert Michaels?”
“This morning when I went into town. I stopped by the newspaper office to see if they would have someone cover the occasion. The owner of the paper introduced me to him. He was very amiable. “I’m sure Luke and Anita won’t mind if he comes, but out of courtesy, I’d like to ask first.”
“I’ll go right away.” Although Luke Morrell’s home resided on the same property boundaries as the main house, a horse would be necessary to cover the distance. Arriving at his home, she knocked on the door. Luke opened the door, his mouth breaking into a smile.
“Taryn, what a nice surprise. “Come in, come in,” he said, stepping aside.
Luke had such a welcoming demeanor, she felt she’d known him much longer than the few days it had been. “Aunt Gwen said you would be working in your office this time of day. She wanted me to ask you…” She paused, noticing a woman present.
Luke drew Anita close. “Taryn, this is my fiancée, Anita Adams.”
Taryn extended her hand. “Hello. After hearing so much about you from my aunt, I feel I already know you.” Anita Adams appeared near her own age, a very pretty girl with her long golden hair and pretty smile.
“I’ve been anticipating your arrival ever since Gwen told me you were coming out here. In fact, I came over today to ask Luke if you’d arrived. Have you been given a tour of town yet?”
“Actually, I’m still trying to learn my way around the ranch.”
“A feat in itself. If you’d like, I’ll help you. I can also show you some of the more intriguing aspects of town. We’ll all have to go to Breck’s Casino one night. It has the most exciting entertainment.”
“I’d appreciate your assistance.” Anita was as nice as her aunt had said she would be.
Luke considered the two girls together, smiling in enjoyment. He cleared his throat. “You two don’t mind if I get back to work, do you?”
Both women turned to Luke, apology in their gaze for excluding him from their conversation.
“Before you go, Luke, Aunt Gwen wanted me to ask if it would be all right with you if the new journalist, Robert Michaels, could attend your engagement ball to cover the event for the paper.”
“I don’t mind.” He turned to Anita. “Do you have any objections, honey?”
“Not at all.” Anita turned. “Luke’s been telling me how you’ve been helping out with the arrangements these last few days. It’s very sweet of you.”
“I’m happy to do it. It’s helped me familiarize myself with the names of my aunt and uncle’s neighbors.”
“Since Luke needs to finish his work,” Anita said, “why don’t you and I go to the main house to see what else Gwen might need. I’ve been running around with last minute fittings for my gown. I haven’t had much time for anything else,” she explained. “After we’re done, I’ll show you the best ways to get from one place to another on the ranch.” Anita kissed Luke good-bye, expressing the happiness of a bride-to-be.
His arms lingered at Anita’s waist. “Remember, Gwen wants us for dinner tomorrow evening. I’ll come by with the carriage for you at five o’clock.”
Smiling, Taryn politely averted her gaze, allowing them their moment. How nice to see two people so in love, each parting sparking a touch of passion.
The following afternoon, the typical pattern of the day changed by a visitor’s arrival. Walking toward the house from the lake, Taryn noticed a man getting off a horse. Gwen and Jonathan were coming out onto the verandah to greet the visitor.
There was something familiar about the powerful build of the man, but with his back to her, she couldn’t see his face. Climbing up the verandah stairs, her gaze riveted to the person she saw before her eyes. Her heart beat wildly as she stared at his face. His hands rested on his hips in an easy stance, those blue eyes penetrating her very soul briefly touching upon her. In her flustered state, she could barely voice any words. When Uncle Jonathan introduced her, she found her tongue.
“We’ve already met, Uncle Jonathan.”
Jonathan paused in his introduction. He and Gwen stared in surprise.
“Mr. King was one of the passen
gers aboard the train.” She chose to study the ground rather than look at Jared directly. She tried to breathe normally but couldn’t stop the erratic beat of her heart. She hoped none of them noticed.
“Well, what a coincidence.”
“Yes,” she said stupidly, with an attempt to smile. She didn’t know what to think of his sudden appearance on her uncle’s ranch. Had he searched for her or was it, as her uncle had said, a coincidence? Why did he have to appear when she’d regained control over her emotions?
She couldn’t decipher his reaction to seeing her, but his gaze lingered on her.
Gwen gave her a curious glance then glanced at Jared King. “You’ll have to excuse me, Mr. King, but I have some bread baking. I’m afraid it will burn if I don’t get back to it.” She turned to go inside then paused. “Mr. King, as long as you have business to discuss with our ranch manager, would you care to join us for supper?”
He smiled, a gleam in his eyes. He turned his attention to Gwen Dalton, accepting the invitation.
“Fine.” Gwen excused herself, a pleased expression on her face as she walked into the house.
Jonathan returned to the original conversation. “As I said, my ranch manager is on the range this time of day. Let me get my hat, and I’ll escort you.”
Taryn faced Jared alone while her uncle went into the house. She forced a casual tone into her voice as she addressed him. “What brings you here?”
“I have some business to discuss with Luke Morrell.”
She felt a surge of anxiety. “Business? You’re a gunman.”
An energetic smile spread across his too handsome face. “Thank you for the reminder.”
She grasped his arm. “Jared, please. These people are my relatives, and Luke Morrell has become a friend. Please don’t do anything to hurt them.”
His smile widened. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I have no intention of hurting anyone, sweetheart.”
The endearment did strange things to her stomach. Her uncle’s reappearance prevented her from asking exactly what business he did have here. She quickly stepped back from him allowing the men to pass. She waited for them to depart then took a deep breath. She couldn’t seem to stop the fluttering of her heart.
****
Following Jonathan Dalton on horseback, Jared immersed himself with thoughts of Taryn. Ever since they’d parted on the station platform, she’d haunted his thoughts. He had cleared her from his mind, until she stood before him. She had said she was going to visit her aunt and uncle who owned a large ranch. He had never considered it would be the same ranch to which he would venture. Damn it, he did not need the complication! Yet, having come in contact with her again, he didn’t know if he’d be able to stay away from her.
Luke Morrell finished tying off the barbed wire onto one of the fences they’d erected to protect the Dalton’s ranch boundary lines when Jared and Jonathan Dalton approached. When they came closer, Luke couldn’t prevent the expression of surprise on his face at seeing who rode beside Jonathan Dalton. The two dismounted. By the time they reached him, Luke had recovered himself.
“Luke, I’d like you to meet Jared King.”
Luke extended his hand.
“He says he has business with you.”
“Yes,” Luke managed in amazement.
Jonathan turned to Jared. “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. King, I have some things to take care of before the day is out.”
Once Jonathan had ridden away, Luke and Jared embraced giving the other hearty slaps on the other’s back.
Jared stepped back, affectionately slapping his younger brother on his upper arm. “God, but it’s good to see you again, Luke,” he said in a rare display of emotion.
“I’ve missed you, Jared. Even with the frequent letters you wrote, there were times when I feared the next I’d hear of you would be that you’d been killed.”
“I’m sorry my letters were so vague, but it became necessary. I didn’t want to risk your life by giving specifics. If the letters had been mislaid and our relationship discovered, it could have caused problems for you.”
Luke waved off further explanation. “I know. Whatever your reason for coming here, your timing is perfect. I’m about to be married.”
Jared smiled broadly, his exuberance evident at the news. Amusement filled his gaze. “Do you need me to rescue you from the altar this time?”
Luke laughed aloud. “I was nineteen then, mistaking infatuation for love. This time I am certain. When I look at Anita, I’m seeing her with a man’s eyes and heart.”
Jared nodded, knowing Luke spoke with the assurance needed for such a decision. He was no longer a boy. He hadn’t seen his brother since Luke was twenty. All traces of the boy in him had vanished, replaced by a twenty-five-year old with the rugged build of a man.
Luke cocked an eyebrow. “What about you? Is there one special woman in your life?”
Jared conjured up a vision of Taryn. The instant reaction to his brother’s question unsettled him for a moment. “No. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to ask a woman to share a life as complicated as mine.”
Luke’s smile faded. “Still running from the law?”
“Some things never change.”
“Not much has changed here either. Marcus Rhodes is still here. He…”
A couple of ranch hands rode up to inform Luke their group was ready to move to the next section of the range requiring barbed wire fences.
“Ride ahead. I’ll follow.” Luke turned, reluctant to interrupt their reunion. “Where are you staying?”
“The Grand Marquis Hotel.”
“I’ll come by tonight and tell you about Marcus Rhodes.”
“I’ll see you sooner. I’ve been invited to supper this evening by Mrs. Dalton.”
Luke chuckled. “You haven’t lost your ability to charm, have you? I’ll see you at supper then. We can talk afterward.”
The two walked to their horses. “Luke, let’s continue to keep the fact we’re brothers to ourselves. The Daltons aren’t aware we’re brothers, are they?”
“No. They know I have a brother somewhere, but even they don’t know it’s you. I changed my last name as you requested when I first came here and before meeting the Daltons.”
Jared nodded in relief. He would not have Luke jeopardized by someone knowing of their connection. The resemblance between him and Luke was slight. A keen eye would be needed to detect it. They were both of similar heights, but whereas his dark looks and temperament favored their father, Luke had blond hair and an even disposition favoring their mother. Luke was only three years his junior, but Jared still worried of how his career could affect him. Luke must have sensed his thoughts.
“Jared, your troubles may have started here in Sacramento, but maybe now they can end here too.”
“Maybe.”
Chapter Six
Taryn was the last to enter the parlor before supper; her delay due to the fact Jared would be joining them. She had chosen her pale gray gown to wear. The gown had always given her a sense of assurance with its high collar and row of pearl buttons down the bodice matching those at the cuff of her long sleeves. It was not an overly decorative garment. Its simplicity exemplified control, something she wanted to maintain for the evening. With her hair piled in a loose bun atop her head, she felt she could handle anything, even Jared’s presence. Yet, when she walked into the parlor, sitting at one of the side chairs among the group, her gown could have screamed its assurance right through the French designed ceiling above doing her little good.
Jared stood to the side of the mahogany companion table across from her with a drink casually held in hand while his smile made her feel faint. She never felt like fainting! His heavy-lidded gaze didn’t help her equilibrium.
Luke and Anita arrived. Luke brought Anita over to Jared for introduction. “Jared, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Anita Adams.”
He gazed at Anita with a welcoming smile, taking her hand in his. “It’s very n
ice to meet you, Anita. I can well understand Luke’s eagerness to marry with such a beautiful girl as you for a fiancée. My congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mr. King. How very nice to meet you.”
During supper, Taryn sat silently listening to Uncle Jonathan, Luke, and Jared discussing her uncle’s breed of cattle.
Jared’s interest was obvious. “How many head of cattle do you have here?”
Luke mentally calculated the numbers. “We recently purchased another five thousand which puts us at a total of fifteen thousand.”
“During the last drive, we lost a good deal of them which was unfortunate,” Jonathan explained. “The cattle we have are of Eastern stock. We can’t seem to guarantee their sturdiness for the trek.”
Jared considered their dilemma. “Have you considered breeding Texas longhorns with the Eastern stock?”
Jonathan briefly glanced over at Luke before answering. “Actually, Luke had suggested the same thing. The cattle we recently purchased were bought with that purpose in mind.”
He nodded, supporting the wise decision. “The breed will give you the sturdiness of Texas longhorns combined with your meatier Eastern stock. You’ll find the crossbreed will prove beneficial.”
Taryn gaped in utter amazement. How did he know so much about ranching?! The question kept running through her mind as their conversation went into such detail. He even planned on purchasing a horse from her uncle. Their conversation was becoming positively cozy.
She could tell her uncle already like Jared. Their camaraderie was evident as her uncle seemed eager to learn more about him. “Are you considering settling out here, Mr. King?”
“I don’t believe remaining in Sacramento is in my future, Mr. Dalton.”
Jonathan chuckled. “The wanderlust. I had a bit of it in my blood in my youth. What brought you out to Sacramento?”
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