by R. C. Ryan
“Different strokes,” Cheyenne muttered.
They shared a laugh.
Cheyenne was still laughing as the truck veered off the paved highway and onto a gravel road. After several twists and turns in the road she caught sight of the open gate and the weathered sign with the big C that stood for Conway, and the words Devil’s Wilderness burned into the wood.
Up ahead stood a lovely old three-story building of wood and stone that was as graceful and natural as the foothills of the sunlit mountain range that formed the background.
“Oh.” Cheyenne caught her breath. “It looks too pretty to be a working ranch.”
Quinn gave a laugh. “Trust me. I have the scars and bruises to prove it’s a down and dirty ranch.” He slowed the truck to give her a better view as they approached.
He found himself seeing it through her eyes. The big curving driveway that led to a wide porch that ran across the entire front of the house. A pair of weathered rockers his grandfather had made for his grandmother sat beside several comfortable modern gliders. Though the porch was still snow covered, the family would soon gather there to sit on a warm night and watch the parade of deer and elk that often wandered across the yard.
There were double front doors, and beyond them the huge foyer that led to a great room.
Quinn avoided the front driveway, choosing instead to drive around to the back, where several vehicles were parked.
“Looks like everyone’s home for a change.” He brought the truck to a halt and released his seat belt.
Opening the door, he walked around and held the passenger door for Cheyenne. “Come on in and meet the family.”
Cheyenne trailed Quinn to the back door and stepped into a big mudroom much like the one at her own place, except that it was twice the size. The floor was concrete and sloped toward a drain, making it easy to hose off muddy boots. A hose attached to a low faucet was coiled nearby. A parade of clean boots stood in a row atop a low perforated shelf, allowing their soles to dry. Wide-brimmed hats hung on pegs along the wall.
Despite an accumulation of gear, there was order here. She found herself admiring it and made a mental note to duplicate some of this when the contractors started work on rebuilding her utility room. She especially admired the floor drain and the hose and the long, low sink where a person could wash up before stepping into the house.
Quinn opened the door to the kitchen. Cheyenne heard the low hum of voices suddenly cease when his family spotted him.
There was a rich, deep baritone barking a welcome and then a feminine voice giving a cry of surprise. Laughter and raucous comments followed, and Cheyenne stood back watching as Quinn was caught in a series of bear hugs by his family.
After greeting them warmly he turned and caught Cheyenne by the hand. “I’d like all of you to meet Cheyenne O’Brien.”
He nodded toward the white-haired man who was already starting forward with his arms outstretched. “Cheyenne, this is my grandfather, Big Jim.”
“Nice to meet you.” The older man gave her a long, steady look. “Are you Dan O’Brien’s girl?”
She nodded.
He surprised her by taking both her hands and holding them. “You look just like your daddy. I was really sorry to hear about Dan’s accident. And before that, your brother. That’s quite a load of sorrow. How are you managing without them?”
“It’s been a tough adjustment, but I’m okay.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And very happy to meet you.” Big Jim stepped aside as Quinn said, “Cheyenne, this is my father, Colby.”
“Everybody calls me Cole.” He offered a firm handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Cole.” Cheyenne was aware of his careful scrutiny.
“My brother Josh.”
“Welcome to our humble ranch, Cheyenne.” He closed her hand in his big one and gave her a warm smile that immediately put her at ease.
He was as tall as Quinn, but his eyes were brown instead of gray. His smile was quick and easy.
“And my brother Jake.”
“The veterinarian,” Cheyenne said as they shook hands.
At Jake’s arch look she added, “You brother was bragging about you, Doctor.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear. He usually has some disparaging remarks ready whenever we’re together. As for the title, it may take me a while to get used to it. I just got my degree a few days ago.” He shot a look at Quinn. “Thanks for missing my graduation.”
“Did you stick around for it?”
Jake flushed. “Actually, I skipped the ceremony. But I knew I’d earned my sheepskin. I aced all the finals.”
“Does that mean you delivered a calf to the good professor’s satisfaction?”
The family laughed, and Jake joined in. “It means I didn’t cause death or bodily harm to any of my test subjects.”
“That’s a relief.” Quinn gave him a hard punch to the shoulder before turning to their father. “Now you can fire old Dr. Hunger and let Jake start earning back all that money it cost you to send him to school.”
“You use Dr. Hunger, too?” Cheyenne turned to Cole.
He shrugged. “I think everybody in Wyoming has used him. He may be old as the hills, but he knows his stuff.”
“Are you suggesting that I don’t?” Jake asked.
“Not at all.” Cole winked at the others. “But I don’t think we ought to fire old Doc Hunger just yet.”
“It’s nice to have the trust of my family.” Jake turned to Cheyenne with a mock frown. “See what I have to put up with? No respect, I tell you.”
That had all of them laughing aloud.
Phoebe Hogan entered carrying a tray of longnecks. When she spotted Quinn she set aside the tray and hurried over to give him a welcoming hug.
“We’ve missed you,” she said.
“I missed all of you, too.” He turned to include Cheyenne. “Cheyenne O’Brien, this is Phoebe Hogan, our housekeeper, all-around den mother, and the best cook in Wyoming.”
The two women shook hands.
Cole picked up the tray and began passing around the drinks.
“So,” he asked, “how did you two meet?”
“I killed Quinn’s wolf,” Cheyenne said simply.
That had everyone staring in surprised silence.
“There’s a little more to the story than that,” Quinn said with a grin. “And I intend to tell it. But first I ought to explain that I brought Cheyenne with me in the hope that she could spend some time here while her house is being repaired.”
“What happened to it?” Big Jim tipped up his longneck and took a long pull.
“There was a fire. It caused a lot of destruction, and since she lost her furnace and hot-water heater, I thought she’d be more comfortable here while things get restored.”
“Of course.” Cole nodded. “We have plenty of room.”
Phoebe gave a sigh. “How awful for you, dear. I hope nothing of value was destroyed.”
Cheyenne shook her head. “It was pretty much confined to the utility room and kitchen. But when I think how close I came to losing everything…” She shivered.
Phoebe closed a hand over hers. “Don’t think about that now.” She turned to Quinn. “Why don’t you take Cheyenne up to the spare room?”
“Sure thing.” Quinn laughed as he started to lead Cheyenne to the stairs. “I’d better warn you. This is a pretty masculine place. But at least you’ll get a suite of rooms, with all the bells and whistles.”
Phoebe started toward the kitchen. “I’ll let Ela know that we’re having two more for supper. She’ll be thrilled to hear that Quinn is home. According to Ela, the spirits never rest until the family is all together.”
Cheyenne paused on the stairs. “Quinn mentioned that Ela is Arapaho. So was my mother, and she used to say that very thing.”
“Ela will be thrilled to have a kindred spirit in the house.” Phoebe hurried away while Cheyenne followed Quinn up the stairs.
The upper hallway
seemed to go on forever. Cheyenne found herself thinking that the space was as big as a hotel.
To Quinn’s back she called, “How many rooms are there?”
“It’s hard to say, since Ela and Phoebe both have their own suites downstairs. Probably fifteen or more.” Quinn stopped and held open a door.
Cheyenne preceded him into a huge bedroom with a king-size bed and long, custom cabinets on either side of a soaring fireplace made of granite.
“The bathroom is right through those doors. Since you don’t have to share it with anyone, you can put all your own things in it and make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.” Cheyenne walked to a wide floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over the snow-covered landscape and offered a grand view of the mountains in the distance. Somewhere, just beyond those foothills, was home. The thought comforted her.
“Well.” Sensing her thoughtful mood, Quinn turned away. “You can unpack and freshen up, then join us downstairs before supper.”
“I will. Thanks, Quinn.”
“You’re welcome. I think Ela and Phoebe will enjoy having another woman around.”
The door closed, and Cheyenne found herself alone.
She walked around the room, touching a hand to the pretty desk and chair set in an alcove. The perfect place to set up her computer and keep in contact with Wes and the wranglers.
She was pleased to see a television on a stand near the bed. If she began to feel too intimidated by the Conway family, she could always sneak up here and tune them out.
The Conway family. Quinn’s family. Her introduction to them had been easier than she’d anticipated. Their acceptance of her had been warm and welcoming. And for that she was so grateful.
She’d seen their speculative glances and knew that they were wondering what her relationship was to Quinn. That thought had her smiling wistfully. What was their relationship?
He’d burst into her life like an avenging angel, and she’d both feared and disliked him on sight. The change in her attitude had been so gradual, so easy, she hadn’t even been aware of it. But it had seemed the most natural thing in the world to invite him to spend the night. After all, he was a neighboring rancher and that’s what neighbors did for one another.
Of course, his reaction after the kick from the mustang had been above and beyond neighborliness. And his quiet competence while her shoulder recovered from the trauma had cemented her trust.
She stood, shaking her head in wonder at what had transpired next. The fire had left her much more shaken than she’d wanted to admit. She’d almost lost everything, including her life. It was Quinn who’d alerted her to the danger.
What if he’d left earlier? What if he had awakened too late?
She took a deep breath and deliberately shut out the troubling thoughts. After the loss of both her brother and her father, she’d had to teach herself ways to stay positive. It hadn’t been easy. In fact, there were times when she’d feared that she would never again know happiness. It would have been so easy to remain mired in misery. But through sheer effort she’d managed to turn despair into hope.
Work had always been her solution when she couldn’t turn off her brain.
She opened drawers and doors in the custom cabinets until all her things were neatly filed away. Then she made her way to the bathroom, which was equally elegant, with both a large walk-in shower with glass doors and marble bench and a sunken whirlpool tub. The perfect way for a rancher to ease aching muscles, Cheyenne thought with a smile. She wished she could give it a try right now.
After washing up, she turned away with a sigh of contentment. At least, if she had to leave home for a little while, she couldn’t have found a better spot to settle in.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Cheyenne descended the stairs and followed the sound of voices to the kitchen, where the family had gathered around an enormous fireplace. Big Jim and Cole were carrying on a heated discussion about the need for a new flatbed truck to haul feed. Josh was teasing Jake about replacing old Dr. Hunger on the ranching circuit. Quinn was reaching over an old woman’s head to help himself to one of the steaming biscuits she had removed from the oven. She rapped his knuckles with a wooden spoon, causing him to chuckle and press a kiss to her withered cheek before turning away.
When he did, he caught sight of Cheyenne, standing hesitantly in the doorway.
He hurried over to take her hand. “Did you get lost?”
She laughed. “Only once or twice. This place is huge.”
“Really?” He feigned innocence. “I hadn’t noticed. You haven’t met Ela yet.”
He drew her across the room to where the old housekeeper was arranging hot biscuits in a linen-lined basket.
“Ela, this is Cheyenne O’Brien.”
The woman’s blackbird eyes studied Cheyenne with great interest. “I knew your mother, Lolotea.”
“You did?”
“All our people are connected here.” Ela touched her heart.
Without thinking Cheyenne caught the old woman’s hand in both of hers. “What do you remember about her?”
She was unaware of the eagerness in her tone. But it wasn’t lost on the old woman.
“Young Lolotea was considered a great beauty among our people. Many of our young men hoped to win her heart. She greatly displeased her aunt and uncle when she chose to marry her rancher. Like all of our people, they wanted to keep her with her own kind. They feared that she would not be welcomed by his people. And they secretly worried that he might not respect her.”
Seeing the little frown line between Cheyenne’s eyes, she added quickly, “But in their old age her relatives grew satisfied that she had made a fine choice. And though she chose his way of life, she never forgot the old ways. All of us could see that there was great love between Lolotea and her rancher. Great love,” she added for emphasis.
Cheyenne felt her eyes fill and blinked quickly. “Thank you.” It was all she could manage over the lump in her throat as she squeezed the old woman’s hand.
Before she could turn away Ela added, “You have your mother’s sweet smile and spirited nature.”
Cheyenne wondered at the lightness around her heart. She could have kissed this old woman. It had been years since she had spoken with anyone who had known her mother so intimately. Cheyenne felt a sudden connection to this woman with the lively eyes and parchment skin.
“I hope…” She swallowed and tried again. “I hope we can talk more another time, Ela.”
“That is my hope as well.”
Sensing Cheyenne’s emotions, Quinn decided to deflect attention away from her for a moment, to give her time to gather herself.
“Well?” He lifted a hand to encompass the room. “What do you think of Ela’s domain?”
Cheyenne recognized his intention and was grateful for it. Taking a breath, she studied the kitchen.
There was a big trestle table with cozy wooden benches along each side of it, cushioned with cheery fabric decorated with native symbols that appeared to be hand-stitched on both the seats and backs. At the head and foot of the table were sturdy armchairs, the dark wood softened with cushions of the same fabric.
In the middle of the table was an enormous lazy Susan holding an assortment of napkins, salt-and pepper shakers, sugar and creamer, and cruets of various sizes holding oil, vinegar, and spices.
The pretty, bright colors and the cozy fireplace gave the room a warm, inviting feeling. It was plain that this was the heart of their home.
Quinn pointed to a tray of glasses. “There’s milk, water, and beer. Name your poison.”
She laughed. “Nothing right now.”
“Okay. Let’s join the others.” He leaned close to add in a stage whisper, “Just don’t let the arguing get to you. It’s the Conway equivalent of hugs and kisses.”
“I heard that.” Big Jim looked up with a grin. “I only argue with those who think they know more than me.”
“Which is just about everyone in thi
s room,” Cole deadpanned.
The others burst into gales of laughter.
“It’s the folly of the young to think they know it all.” Big Jim took another drink of beer. “I just don’t see how spending forty grand on a flatbed truck can be practical.”
“What’s impractical is having valuable cattle wintering in the hills without enough feed to see them through, and no way to bring them down through all this snow.” Cole gestured with his longneck. “The way I see it, we spend the money or we sacrifice half a herd to starvation.”
“I’ve been feeding cattle from the back of my pickup for the past fifty years.”
“Because you had no choice. But it’s time to move into the twenty-first century, Big Jim, and you know it.”
Quinn, Josh, and Jake exchanged glances and rolled their eyes but refused to be sucked into the argument.
“Dinner is ready,” Phoebe called.
Big Jim refused to concede. “You’re always knocking the old ways. But they were good enough—”
“Oh boy, have I heard this one before.” Cole turned away and headed for the table, leaving his father to stare after him.
“That’s right,” the older man called. “Walk away. That only proves that you don’t have any evidence to back up your claim.”
Cole took his seat at the foot of the table and watched as the others drifted over.
Quinn indicated a spot on the cushioned bench. “Sit here, Cheyenne.”
When she was seated, he sat beside her while Josh and Jake sat across from them.
When Big Jim reluctantly took his place at the head of the table, Cole looked up with a sly smile. “I don’t need evidence or advice, Big Jim. I’ve already ordered the flatbed.”
“You…” Big Jim’s eyes widened, before narrowing on his son. “Just like that? Without even a word to me?”
Cole shrugged. “I figured we could have the argument before the fact, or after. And since the snow refuses to melt fast enough, I made an executive decision and decided to order the equipment we needed, and deal with the fallout later.”
