by Cherie Shaw
Logan, walking up to Claude, took two cigars from his shirt pocket, and handed one to Claude, then struck a match, lighting both cigars. “You know, Claude,” he began, “I can’t begin to thank you, and your niece, for what you’ve done for me. My life was certainly hopeless a few short months ago, and if it hadn’t been for you two, I wouldn’t have had much of a future, probably none at all.”
“We were glad to help you son and no thanks are needed. You have more than repaid anything we did for you. I’d do it all over again, and I know my niece would also.” Claude looked over at Olivia.
“Certainly, Uncle Claude.” Olivia agreed, then turned to Logan. “We were glad to help, and as my Uncle said, you have gone out of your way to befriend us on this journey, besides delaying your trip back to your folks’ ranch in Wyoming. We certainly thank you so maybe we are even now.” Olivia gave a breathtaking smile.
Logan couldn’t resist, and grinned back at her.
Maria and Amelia were sitting on the bank of the stream, watching the exchange, and talking among themselves. Maria said, “I will be glad to see my Ricardo again. Maybe he can talk some sense into Señor Logan. This cold natured romance of those two needs to be warmed up. Maybe we can figure a way to make one of them jealous, sometimes that will work.”
“As for me,” Amelia began, “I would discourage this budding romance. That, at least, would push Olivia in Logan’s direction. She always was a rebellious child and certainly knows her own mind.” She laughed, “But then, this chap Logan seems to be a little slow in declaring his feelings. Something drastic needs to be done. Maybe while we are at the ranch we can figure out something to get those two together. Olivia figures that her Uncle Claude wouldn’t approve, though that couldn’t be further from the truth. None of the young men back in England seemed to be of interest to her. I think Claude would like to see her happily married, but not to a spoiled offspring of one of those stuffy members of British society.. I’ve had my dealings with those folks, when I came upon hard times myself and believe me, there was no sympathy there, and I thank the Lord every day for my Claude Beckford. My family were wealthy for a time, but when they passed away I almost became homeless. All my inheritance went to pay off past debts. Well, anyway, Claude quickly hired me to run his household.”
“However,” Maria asked, “you became more than a servant, did you not, Señora Amelia?”
“Actually we became very good friends, and came almost to the point of marriage, then we began raising Olivia and her brother, Garth. Though Claude insisted that we should marry, even then, I felt it would be improper at that time to even think of such a thing. So we waited, and it was agreed, between the two of us, that we would wait until the children were grown, and possibly married themselves, then we could eventually lead our own lives, marry and no one would talk, at least not too much, but it hasn’t worked out that way. We always wanted the best for Olivia and Garth, now I’m not so sure I made the right decision at that time.”
“Let me tell it like it is, Señora Amelia, Olivia, she and Garth both know, and even most of the employees at Beckford Manor, from what I hear. And that will be all I will say.”
“They can’t possibly know, we haven’t said a work to either of them.” Amelia insisted.
“Wait until Olivia marries then. You will wait forever at the rate that girl is going.”
“Well, some of Claude’s friends urged him to find a husband for Olivia, but of course she would rebel, even if he would go so far as that, which he wouldn’t. The lass has a mind of her own and when she doesn’t want to do something, she won’t do it. Although, when she sets her mind to do something she wants to do, there is no stopping her. Her Uncle Claude found that out when she was very young. Of course, Olivia learned quickly how she could wrap that Uncle of hers around her little pinkie, and she well used that information throughout the years.” Amelia sighed.
“Si,” Maria agreed, “the Señorita has a mind of her own, as I have seen that temper of hers. When Señor Logan was feverish and ill, the Señorita suggested to her Uncle, that he should throw the ‘lout’, meaning Señor Logan, overboard, Then she slammed the door to her room.”
“Oh, my, it must have been love at first sight then,” laughed Amelia.
<><><>
When the team had once again been hitched to the wagon, and the sleek black horse hitched to the buggy, the group were on the move. From here the trail became hilly, and, with more and more scrub oak, the scenery was enhanced even more the higher they climbed. They came upon a grove of Aspen trees, eventually making way for majestic pines to take over.
Olivia couldn’t stop looking at the forest as they rode, now oblivious to the bumpy ride she was getting on the wagon seat. “I never dreamed, after that stagecoach ride through so many miles of nothing but prairie, that anything so beautiful existed around Uncle’s ranch.” She breathed.
“Wait until you see the valley, where the actual ranch is located.” Logan answered. “This is a rugged country, but there’s nothing like it. Yes, in the desert and plains, you smell the sage, cacti, and lots of dust. Then, in the mountains, the smell of pines almost takes your breath away.
“But down there in the valley, where all the buildings of the ranch are, well there’s lots of green grass, wildflowers, and trees. I guess old Sam Beckford planned well when he first homesteaded here. He sure made the place homey. Your Uncle likes it. You’ll see for yourself soon, we’ll be there shortly.”
“If Uncle Claude likes the ranch, then I shall love it too.” Olivia said, then she hesitated before saying, “Um……Logan, I never did thank you. The rose was nice, actually it was lovely……and a nice gesture. Thank you. Oh……..you did leave it on my door?”
He looked down at her, “Guilty as charged, Olivia.” The smile he gave her was sincere. I was hoping you’d know it was me who left it there, and not one of those other many admirers of yours.”
“Oh, I was actually hoping…..I mean, I thought, well I just knew it was you…..Logan.”
“There,” he chuckled, “that didn’t hurt, did it?” Say by the way, I talked to Marshal Rhodes, last night and, speaking of your admirers, he said that fella, Henry Adams, left town. He hadn’t bothered you while we were gone, had he?” Logan asked seriously.
“Oh no.” Olivia giggled. “But I’m afraid my friend, Amelia, gave him a hearty sendoff, as he climbed into the stage.”
“That little lady?” Logan looked surprised and puzzled.
“Well, Amelia does swing a rather hearty umbrella.” Olivia said, between giggles, “I believe Marshal Rhodes had already put some kind of a scare into him, then Amelia made a believer out of poor Henry. I don’t think he’ll recover from his send off for quite some time.”
Logan laughed, “I never would have believed it of that prim and proper little lady. I’ll have to personally thank her.”
“Heavens, Logan, please don’t encourage that woman, and I don’t think Uncle Claude knows about her antics yet. He’s been so busy retrieving his ranch from those two crooks, then the court trial. But I’ll make sure he finds out just what a wild umbrella Amelia swings and what a temper his little lady has.”
“His lady?” Logan looked at her, and raised one eyebrow.
“Oh well,” She said, “They’ve not been hiding their feelings for each other so very well. Back in England even all the employees of Beckford Manor figured it out long ago. It’s been rather a topic of conversation around the place ever since I can remember. But of course, they both deny any sort of involvement.”
“Interesting.” Logan said, in an almost whisper. “Very interesting. Hiding one’s feelings seems to run in the family.”
“Excuse me, what was that?” Olivia asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself.” He answered.
<><><>
Back in the carriage, Maria was talking, “Señor Claude, why has the Señorita Olivia never married?”
“Oh, to be honest, Maria, I don’t beli
eve she ever really gave it much thought. By Jove, not that she hasn’t had numerous prospects during the years. She just couldn’t get serious about any of the young men who came calling.
“Some of my friends suggested that I choose a husband for her, but I have never felt comfortable in making Olivia do anything she didn’t want to do. So my niece has remained single. As a last resort, I suggested this trip, hoping maybe, just maybe, she would meet a worthy chap. After a little coaxing, she consented to go.” He laughed, “It seems to be working out, somewhat anyway.”
“Thank you Señor, I was only wondering.” Maria said.
Claude looked down at Amelia, his blue eyes twinkling, “Oh, and by the way, Amelia, my love, you did a fine bit of acting making Olivia think you didn’t want her to go on this trip. She really believed you did not want her to go. I believe that fact finally convinced her to go, just to spite you, if nothing else.”
Amelia looked up at Claude, and smiled, “I knew what you were up to, you old fool. She does seem to be enjoying herself though. Maybe your plan wasn’t so bad.”
Maria joined in, “Oh, si, it’s obvious the Señorita is already in love, and won’t even admit it to herself.”
“My niece has obviously met her match, in that Logan chap, a fine young fellow, though you may be right, Maria. She either doesn’t realize it, or hasn’t figured out how to handle her feelings as yet. Give her a little time.”
Amelia put in, “Bah, my love, all Olivia’s had is time.” She turned to Maria, and said, “By the way, Maria, that was a stroke of genius, having her ride in the wagon with Logan. She couldn’t very well refuse and I hadn’t thought of that myself.”
<><><>
Slowing the team to a walk, that began a slow descent, Logan pointed ahead to the verdant valley, “There it is, Olivia. There lies the Triple-B. Is it every bit what you would have expected?” He asked.
“Oh, even more so! It is utterly breathtaking.” She breathed, fascinated. “It’s more like a small town, than a ranch. And a very colorful one at that. Are we on the property now?”
“We’ve been on ranch property for about the last three miles. It extends even farther on west of here.” He explained. Then, “By the way, what happened to the rose? Did it wilt?” He questioned, as his green eyes twinkled.
“Oh, well……..it did dry out, but………um…..I couldn’t very well toss it into the trash, so I, um…..just pressed it into the pages of one of my poetry books. It was so lovely and still smelled so fragrant, like a sachet. I don’t like throwing out useful things.” She explained.
“So you kept it?” Logan mused. “I hope you pressed it in the book with the poem, Hiawatha. One of my favorites, my mother’s too.”
“I did, and I…..I’m glad I have pleased your mother too.” Olivia folded her hands in her lap, and sat up straighter, prim and proper.
Logan glanced down at her, noting her now stiff posture, and chuckled softly.
<><><>
A while later, as the wagon neared the ranch yard; Olivia held her breath taking in the busy scene. This was definitely a working ranch, and something was going on in the corral. She could see a few cowhands straddling the fence, watching some kind of display inside the corral.
Logan laughed, “Looks like some of the boys are at it again, trying to break a wild mustang. It’s hard work, but enjoyable when they tame down them wild creatures. I hadn’t done that kind of thing for years, and my body ached for days after Ricardo and I had our turn at it. Sure was good to be in the saddle of a wild bronc again though. I wouldn’t trade the experience for all the tea in China.” He added, “I kind of look forward to doing it again soon. Just a glutton for punishment, I guess, but I have really missed this life, and, at times, wondered if I would ever see the west again. Nothin’ like it anywhere in the world. Sometimes at night, during those eight years, I would actually think I smelled the sage and wild flowers of the desert, then in the morning it would be the same. Nothing but hard labor aboard that Devil’s ship.”
“What are your plans, Logan? I mean after you return home, then what?” She asked.
“Well, soon as I see my folks, I’ll know more what I can do. I may need to help my pa with his horses for awhile, depends on his health, he’s not been getting any younger. Though, I always dreamed of raising cattle myself. That’s why I worked so hard on ranches, then panned for gold in Alaska, hit it good there, and got my stake.
“Sure glad I had sense enough to deposit what I made in a Seattle bank. I wanted my folks to use some of that money, while I was away, but they never did, only added to the account. Just like them to do that.” He shrugged, then looking wistful, said, “I’m their only offspring, but regardless, my folks have always been independent, taught me to be the same. Those eight years away, took a toll on my independence, though thankfully, I never lost hope. Then I took my chance when it came. Glad the other three men got safely away too.”
Olivia liked hearing the sound of Logan’s voice as he talked, then she said, “That evil Captain Devlin was arrested and taken back to England to stand trial, my brother told us all about that.”
“Yes,” Logan answered, “With Devlin under arrest now, I guess the rest of the prisoners were released. Some were in pretty bad shape. I only hope they all got at least half as good a care as I did.” He smiled at her, set the brake on the wagon, jumped to the ground, then reached up to assist Olivia. Heavens, why did her heart skip a beat every time he helped her from the wagon? She needed to take more control of her reactions to his touch. A person would think she was in love. Olivia pondered this, as Logan lifted her easily to the ground. She stepped quickly away from him, walking back towards the buggy to greet the others.
The sleek black horse had pulled the buggy to a stop a ways behind the wagon, just as Olivia was being swung to the ground by Logan.
The housekeeper of the main ranch house, Consuelo Alvarez, was in the process of opening the gate to the courtyard, with a wide grin on her face. Trudy Perkins, carrying a small carpetbag, along with the tall, slim young cowhand, Cougar Olson, who was toting several pieces of Trudy’s luggage, stood behind the housekeeper. They hesitantly followed Consuelo, as she stepped through the gate.
“Consuelo beamed, as she walked forward, “Your rooms have been readied. She said, “I hope everything meets with your satisfaction.”
Maria spoke, as she looked around, “Just where is my Ricardo? He’s not out here to greet his wife?”
Consuelo laughed and waved a hand towards the bunkhouse, from which place Ricardo was exiting and he called to Maria, “I had almost given up on the fact that I had a wife, but now that I see you, my love, I believe I will keep you after all.”
Maria strolled up to him, then after looking him up and down carefully, she said softly, “I suppose I shall have to keep you also, my Caballero, as I searched the town of Coyote Springs, but could not find a replacement for you.” She reached up and removed the sombrero from his head, smoothed down his thick head of black hair, then kissed him.
Claude introduced Consuelo to the ladies, as Logan began unloading the wagon, setting each piece of luggage inside the gate to the courtyard.
Cougar Olson stepped forward, “Claude,” he began, “I guess I should call you ‘Boss’ now though…..”
“No, no, son, you call me by my name. You call Chester Burns ‘Boss’ now since he’s the foreman of the Triple-B. I understand he was foreman for Sam Beckford, before Holderman took over.” Claude stated.
“Yes, Claude, I heard he was, but that was before my time. Some of the older hands call him ‘Smiley’ though, cause he never smiles. Anyway, what I wanted to talk to you about……Oh, sorry, this here is Miss Trudy Perkins, Woody Perkins’ daughter. Trudy, this is Claude Beckford.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Perkins.” Claude extended his hand.
“Well, I’m not pleased to meet the man who put us out of our home.” She ignored the outstretched hand, then snapped at Cougar Olson, �
�I thought you were going to haul my bags to my Pa’s. Are you, or aren’t you?” She stomped her foot impatiently.
“Oh, uh, yes, Trudy. Sorry about that, Claude. Would it be alright if I use the wagon to haul Miss Perkins’ things down to her Pa’s spread?” Cougar asked.
“Of course, Olson.” Claude answered. “Make sure you hitch a fresh team to the wagon though, oh and when you see Mr. Perkins, tell him to give you a list of what he needs to get his ranch going again. Being neighbors, I’d like to help the chap some in starting over.”
“That’s good of you.” Olson said, “I’ll be sure and tell him that.”
“Oh,” Trudy snapped, “don’t do us any favors, old man.”
“No favor, only being neighborly.” Claude smiled.
Trudy moved over to where Logan was taking the last satchel out of the wagon. “Some of us move out and others move in.” She quipped to Logan.
Logan nodded to her, “Ma’am.” He said politely, then walked into the courtyard.
