“Appreciate that. Could you also let Ned know to put up Mr. Wolcott’s horse for the night?” Fitz turned and walked along the hall to the den, suddenly aware of how the lawyer would probably include notes about the condition of the house in the report he gave to Adam Grant Saunders. Noticing his boots had left chunks of drying mud along the hallway, he stooped, gathered several into an open palm, and tossed them into the den’s fireplace where a log glowed with a rosy hue. He spotted Nigel perusing the titles of his fiction collection, although he secretly thought the man was probably more interested in the heat from the fire after an hour spent in the wintery air.
Fitz moved to the oak desk where he spent many hours calculating future earnings and cattle breeding strategies. From a drawer, he pulled out the red leather-bound ledger book and centered it on the desktop in front of the chair. “Here are the accounts, current through to the fifteenth of last month. Review them at your leisure, and then start in with whatever questions arise. Supper will be served in a half hour or so.”
“Thank you.” Nigel moved to the desk and sat in the upright chair with a forest green upholstered seat pad. He pulled a writing tablet from the inside of his satchel before opening the ledger book.
“Here’s the coffee, sir.” Mrs. Hutchins scurried inside the room, carrying a tray. She looked toward the desk and raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you.” Fitz took charge of the tray and set it on an open space near the desk corner. He poured himself a full measure into a thick ceramic mug and carried it to his favorite stuffed leather chair. On a nearby table sat James Fennimore Cooper’s novel, The Spy, which he had halfway finished. After settling into his chair, he rested the novel in his lap and was soon lost in the tale about the American Revolution.
Nigel cleared his throat. “Fitzadam, I’ve completed my review.” He closed the ledger and set his tablet on the satchel.
“Excuse me.” Mrs. Hutchins knocked on the door jamb. “Gentlemen, the meal is ready and on the table.”
“We will follow you, Mrs. Hutchins.” Fitz set the novel on the side table and stood then gestured for Nigel to precede him. “We can discuss your report while we eat.” He walked to the dining room and sat in his usual chair. That the table displayed a bottle of wine had been set out from his small collection and a full cloth, instead of placemats, didn’t escape his notice. Both were evidence of civilized living he normally eschewed as unimportant for ranch life. Another “thank you” would be directed to his housekeeper.
Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, cooked carrots, and fresh rolls—one of his favorite meals. After filling both glasses with a red wine, he focused on enjoying the first few bites of food before he spoke. “Nigel, I’m sure you noticed the ranch has turned a profit for four successive quarters.”
“I did.” The man sliced off a cube of beef and held the upturned fork poised before his mouth. “As well as noticing an increase in the breeding program.”
“This year a dozen calves were born, and I’m experimenting with a fall calving season.” He relished a long sip of wine. Rich notes of black cherry and cedar rolled inside his mouth before he swallowed. “Having eight cows calved means even more breeders will be put into the insemination program in a couple of years.” He focused a steady gaze on the man to his left. “So, your report to my father should be that I’ve met the requirement of the ranch’s success.”
Nigel dabbed a napkin against his mouth then held up a hand. “Granted you’ve met that requirement. Raising healthy animals indicates a solid base, and the herd count continues to rise. A promise for a prosperous future. But you must remember the other stipulation to be met before your trust is released.” He reached into an inside jacket pocket and pulled out a folded newspaper and a sealed envelope, and then pushed both along the tablecloth.
“From my father, no doubt?” Fitz reached for the items and grabbed them. He tore one end of the envelope and tipped out a single sheet of Vellum paper.
Fitzadam, Congratulations on the success of your ranching enterprise. I have to admit surprise over you pulling off this cowboy business. You are halfway to meeting the conditions to release your ten thousand dollar trust. I look forward to hearing of your nuptials which must be recorded prior to your upcoming thirtieth birthday. Your mother asks if we’ll be enjoying your company this holiday season. Send word with Nigel.
Adam Grant Saunders
Gritting his teeth, Fitz crumpled the sheet, fighting to control the frustration at the reminder of yet another stipulation tied to his birthday. Additional demands had happened so many times during his life that he’d grown to dread the date. For years, he’d refused any type of celebration on the thirtieth of December. A crinkling of the crushed paper sounded, and he relaxed his grip.
Recipe for Buttermilk-Crispy Chicken
¾ cup buttermilk
2-3 plump garlic cloves, crushed
1-1-1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts
¾-1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp flour
½ rounded tsp paprika
¼ rounded tsp dry mustard powder (or more if you like spicy tastes)
¼ rounded tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp hot chili powder
½ tsp ground black pepper
3 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
Pour the buttermilk into a wide shallow dish and stir in the garlic. Slice the chicken into chunky slices, about 4” long x 1.5” wide. Lay the chicken in the dish and turn it over in the buttermilk so it is well coated. Leave in the fridge for 1-2 hrs, or preferably overnight.
Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick frying pan and pour in the panko crumbs and flour. Toast them in the pan for 2-3 mins, stirring regularly so they brown evenly and don’t burn. Tip the crumb mix into a bowl and stir in the paprika, mustard, thyme, chili powder, pepper and a pinch of fine sea salt. Set aside.
When ready to cook, heat oven to 350° (moderate-high temperature). Line a baking tin with foil and sit a wire rack (preferably non-stick) on top. Transfer half the crumb mix to a medium-large bag. Lift half the chicken from the buttermilk, leaving the marinade clinging to it. Transfer it to the bag of seasoned crumbs. Seal the end of the bag and give it a good shake so the chicken gets well covered (you could do all the crumbs and chicken together if you prefer, but it’s easier to coat evenly in 2 batches).
Remove the chicken from the bag. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan, then add the chicken pieces and fry for 1½ mins without moving them. Turn the chicken over, pour in another ½ tbsp of the oil to cover the base of the pan and fry for 1 min more, so both sides become golden. Using tongs, transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining seasoned crumbs, oil and chicken.
Bake all the chicken on the rack for 15 mins until cooked and crisp, then serve warm or cold.
Titles Coming Soon in Dorado, Texas series:
Mail-Order Haven, Book #5
Ione’s Dilemma, Book #6 preorder link
Other historical stories are:
Laced by Love, a Montana Sky Kindle Worlds novel and Book #1 in the “Entertainers of the West” series, is set in 1886 in Morgan’s Crossing, Montana Territory. The title reached #30 on the top 100 list of western historical titles.
A vaudeville troupe arrives in Morgan’s Crossing late in the traveling season. When an event occurs that shakes up the troupe, seamstress Cinnia decides to say no to older sister Nola who has made the sisters’ decisions since being orphaned a decade earlier. Leather worker Nicolai Andrusha is lying low and using an alias until the patent is approved on his family’s leather tanning formula. But he finds the auburn-haired poetess irresistible. Will Nicolai oppose his family obligation to help the stranded beauty who has caught his eye?
AMAZON
*
An Unlikely Marriage, a Montana Sky Kindle Worlds novella and Book #2 in the “Entertainers of the West” series, is set in 1886 Sweetwater Springs and Montana Territory.
Vaudeville performer Nola York and horse wrangler
Torin Quaid agree to a temporary marriage of convenience. He needs help driving mustangs north to his ranch, and she needs an east-bound train ticket so she can audition for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Expectations go out the window when the couple is beset with wagon problems and worries about impending bad weather. Forced to rely on one other to survive, they draw close. At the end of the drive, will they still have an unlikely marriage?
AMAZON
*
Dance Toward the Light, a Montana Sky Kindle Worlds novella and Book #3 in the “Entertainers of the West” series, is set in 1886 Morgan’s Crossing, Montana Territory.
Ex-vaudevillian Dorrie Sullivan decides Morgan’s Crossing, Montana Territory needs a community dance. From the first night, things have a way of not going as planned, but Dorrie vows to persevere. Even when a mysterious stranger in town drives her to distraction.
Haunted by the past winter, trapper Valerik Andrusha is seeking refuge with his brother. Instead, Valerik meets vivacious Dorrie who has a knack for drawing him from his depression. Living in adjoining shops, the pair draws close over the summer but do their futures lay on the same path?
AMAZON
*
Libbie: Bride of Arizona, Book #48 in American Mail-Order Brides series, is set in 1890 Arizona Territory.
On her own for the first time, tomboyish Libbie Van Eycken accepts a mail-order proposal and travels across country to find a place to call her own. Arizona rancher Dell Stirling needs a wife but didn’t count on the eccentric creature that brings chaos in her wake.
Can they overcome cultural clashes and unrealistic expectations to create a real marriage?
AMAZON
*
The Ring That Binds, released by Prism Book Group, is set in the small mining town of Aspen, Colorado. This title spent seven weeks on the Top 100 western historical list.
1886 —Widow Celina Innes struggles to run her dress shop and pay her late husband’s debts for the sake of her four-year old daughter, Keena. Following his dream for silver was a mistake and Celina has sworn her independence. Co-owner of Toussaint’s General Store, Mikel, wishes to make this proud woman’s life easier. He slips treats to the child hoping to please Celina. When illness strikes Keena, Celina turns to Mikel for help and they work together all night, deepening their friendship. But when the crisis ends, Mikel disappears and Celina learns he wishes to increase his stores. How could she have been so wrong about him? Can a woman sworn to put down roots and a man seeking more riches find happiness?
AMAZON
*
Silent Signals released by Prism Book Group as part of “A Christmas Cowboy” series is set in December, 1887 Aspen and includes characters also introduced in The Ring That Binds.
After losing half his herd in the Great Blizzard of 1886, rancher Konrad Werner needs to safeguard his cattle. Tomboy Anora Huxley trains the Australian Shepherds and Kelpies that run the family’s sheep herd. Although cattlemen and shepherds are at odds, the pair discovers common interests. A threat is overheard, and Konrad rides out to Anora’s ranch to protect her. The tense situation reveals their true feelings. Will Anora be swayed by family loyalty, or will she listen to her heart that responds to Konrad’s silent signals?
AMAZON
*
Golden Moments is included in Christmas Caring II, an anthology of holiday-themed stories by multiple authors with all proceeds donated to Legacy Initiative of Utah.
Days before Christmas in 1850 gold rush country, laundress Felicity Albertine sets out to deliver the last bundle of clean clothes to a tardy customer. She arrives at Hagan Rendell’s mining cabin to find him injured and sick and can’t abandon him—no matter the risk to her reputation. In and out of fevered dreams for two days, Hagan is vaguely aware of a caring presence, tending the gash in his leg and keeping him fed. When he rouses, he discovers a beautiful woman who looks on the bright side of every incident—a balm to his lonely spirit. Then outsiders arrive in the midst of a storm. Will their special idyll be ruined?
AMAZON
*
Wishes On A Star is included in Sweetwater Springs Christmas, an anthology of short stories by eleven authors set in the 1895 world created in Debra Holland’s popular western historical Montana Sky series
Free-spirit Richelle Quaid is outspoken, confident and a little bit spoiled. She sets tongues wagging with her bloomers and bicycle but also catches the eye of visiting rancher Landon Howard. An incident with her bicycle causes his prize colt to bolt into the cold Montana night. As Richelle and Landon track the animal together, they can’t fight their growing attraction. Will a wish made on a star foretell their future?
AMAZON
*
Bewitching Gypsy is included in a Halloween-themed anthology titled Spooktacular Seductions published by Roane Publishing.
Fiona Mikolas is an outcast—branded by her fiery red hair and a purple birth mark—forced to live a solitary life, traveling a circuit of southern states in America and selling healing potions. Until the night of All Hallow’s Eve, when her lonely life is changed by the arrival of two strangers in her camp. Beaten and robbed, rancher Hagan Fletcher tracks his stolen stallion and stumbles toward a campfire in south Texas. He awakens, suffering from amnesia and is intrigued by the mysterious beauty to look beneath the surface to who she really is.
AMAZON
*
Dreams of Gold is published by The Wild Rose Press and is set in 1871 Wyoming Territory.
Easterner Ciara Morrissey travels west to honor a sacred promise to her mother and locate her fortune-seeking father. Three years of acting as caretaker to her grandparents and mother until their deaths has created a thirst in Ciara to see what the wide world has to offer.
Sheriff Quinn Riley has been tracking the Irish charlatan who swindled half the population of Bull City, Wyoming. He’s determined to stick close to the opinionated woman who arrived on the runaway stagecoach. Within only a few hours, easterner Ciara Morrissey upsets the townspeople by making inquires about his prime suspect. He’s duty-bound to keep her safe, even when being close to the green-eyed beauty sets off a stampede in his heart.
AMAZON
*
Lone Star Angel is published by The Wild Rose Press and is set in 1860s Texas.
A repentant ex-outlaw, Carnelian Wendell, visits her sister on a Texas cattle ranch. Solitary rancher, Luc Tarrant, hesitates about adding this spoiled lady to his struggling ranch but soon discovers he can’t resist her irrepressible spirit.
Carni is jailed for suspicion of train robbery and Luc develops a plan to spring her. When the sheriff calls his bluff, Luc’s plan backfires, leaving the couple with a decision that will change both their futures.
AMAZON
*
For a complete listing of Linda’s contemporary and historical titles, go to her website www.lindacarroll-bradd.com
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Sparked By Fire (Dorado, Texas Book 4) Page 7
