by Linda Ford
Maisie reached for his hand. “The child had endured far too much without being tormented by a bully.”
Beatrice smiled at Levi. He’d spoken up on the child’s behalf. Not that she was surprised. She’d come to expect high ideals from him. Would he defend her, come to her rescue if the need arose?
Telling herself not to let her thoughts get sidetracked, she turned her attention to preparing breakfast.
Levi remained near the stove, making her movements feel awkward and clumsy. She was bound to make a mistake and ruin breakfast if he didn’t move.
“Someone is going to town today if you have a note ready to go to your aunt.”
“Oh, good. Thank you. I do.” She’d written the note after much pondering and finally just came out with the news that Maisie was soon ready to take over her own work and Beatrice hoped her aunt had heard of a job for Beatrice. “I’ll get it right away.”
“It can wait until after breakfast.”
Beatrice’s nerves strummed like a violin during the meal. The tune grew more brisk when Maisie announced she felt better and intended to get up and move around more today.
Big Sam sputtered a protest but Maisie smiled sweetly at him. “Don’t you think I know what I can do better than anyone?”
Levi chuckled. “Pa, you know you’ll give in to her, so why put up a fuss?”
Big Sam held his hands up in a defensive gesture. “At least let me think I’m the boss in my own house.”
“But you are,” Maisie said with such sweetness that Beatrice joined the others in laughing.
Her thoughts grew serious as they finished the meal. She brought her note from the bedroom and handed it to Levi, then turned her attention to washing the dishes. Maisie got to her feet and began measuring out ingredients for bread.
Beatrice laughed. “You couldn’t wait to get on your feet and tackle that job.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Maisie gave her such an innocent look Beatrice almost believed her, until Maisie chuckled. “You’ll learn to make bread if you want to. I think you can do almost anything you set your mind to.”
“Thank you.” The words strengthened Beatrice’s resolve. She would miss the ranch and the Harding family when she left, but like Maisie said, she could do whatever she set her mind to and she had set her mind on proving she could—
Her hands grew idle. What did she want to prove? That she could be independent? Or that she belonged? Or was it that someone valued her enough to put her above their own plans?
Maybe all of those.
She had only glimpses of Levi throughout the morning. He and Big Sam came in for dinner, but ate hurriedly without taking time for conversation. Big Sam said they had to begin work with the horses. Beatrice had no idea what that meant except it appeared to be urgent.
Someone rode in late in the afternoon, just as she was putting the finishing touches on supper. The rider went directly to where Levi and his father had a horse inside the corral Levi had built and handed them a handful of papers.
It was the cowboy returning from town. Would Aunt Opal have sent a reply?
Likely not, she reasoned. It would take time to find someone willing to take on a woman as inexperienced as she.
The men strode toward the house and she hurriedly served up the meal.
Levi entered first, his face shining from washing up at the outside wash basin. “Your aunt sent a reply.”
“Really? Already?” Her heart stalled. “I wonder what it means.”
Levi’s eyebrows rose. “Perhaps read it and you’ll find out.”
“Of course.” She opened the envelope and removed the piece of paper. Unfolding it, she read her aunt’s words.
She must have looked as stunned as she felt for Maisie asked, “Is it bad news?”
“No, it’s good news.” Wasn’t it? It was what she wanted. What she’d hoped for. “My aunt says there is a widower in town who needs someone to care for his three children. He’s willing to hire me for the job.”
The words hung in the air.
She focused her gaze on Maisie, afraid if she looked at Levi she would see relief. “He indicates he will wait until you don’t need me any longer.” She didn’t read the part that said he hoped it would be soon.
Maisie’s surprise disappeared into a kind smile. “I’ll be able to manage on my own in a few more days.”
Dolly grabbed Beatrice’s hand. “What about me?”
Beatrice hugged the child. “You can stay with me until your aunt comes.” No one raised any objection, so she assumed they found the arrangement satisfactory.
Dolly clung to Beatrice as she served the meal, and edged her chair as close as possible when they sat to eat.
Only after Big Sam had said grace did Beatrice allow herself to look at Levi. He watched her, a thoughtful look on his face. But she could not say if he felt relief or regret at her announcement.
She might ask him if he wanted to go for a walk later and she might drum up enough courage to ask what he thought.
But Big Sam said they had more work to do and they left right after supper and had not returned when it was time to put Dolly to bed. There wasn’t a hope that the child would go on her own. Since Beatrice had revealed the contents of the note, Dolly had stuck to Beatrice like she’d been sewn to her skirts.
She wished she could offer the child more assurances, but they were still waiting to hear from the aunt.
As she lay in bed, next to Dolly and Smokey, she allowed herself to dream of a future here shared with Levi, surrounded by his loving family, with Dolly part of that plan.
It was an impossible dream and she turned on her side, brushing away the tears that seeped from her eyes. God, You are my strength. Please help me through this change. It’s going to be harder to say goodbye than I could have ever imagined possible.
Unless Your plan is for Levi to ask me to stay.
I’d be quite fine with that arrangement.
But of course that was impossible and she knew it.
But if he did?
She dare not allow herself to consider the possibility.
* * *
Levi stayed outside until the last minute the next morning before he went to the house for breakfast. All night he had fought a mental war with himself. The note from Beatrice’s aunt was exactly what Beatrice wanted from the beginning. A chance to be independent, to prove to herself, and perhaps her father, that she was more than a high-priced prize for some enterprising young man. A suitable young man. And that left him out of the picture.
But hadn’t she fit into ranch life rather well?
That didn’t change any of the facts, any more than it changed the color of his skin.
He washed up, then entered the kitchen, allowing himself one quick glance at Beatrice before he sat down. She appeared happy. Of course she was. Her plans had fallen into place.
His one concern—okay, his other concern—was how Dolly was handling this. He smiled at the child and she smiled back. Her eyes said as much as any words would. She felt secure with Beatrice. He was grateful Beatrice had assured the child she would go with her. His lungs caught at the knowledge Dolly would soon leave. He’d grown so fond of her.
After that he forced his attention on his food and on Maisie and Big Sam as they talked, though he would be hard-pressed to tell anyone what they talked about.
He fled the house as soon as he’d downed his cup of coffee.
Pa followed more slowly. “I want to keep working with that mare.”
Pa didn’t need him to help. “I think I’ll ride out and see if I can find any clues that will lead me to those troublemakers.” There was something about that cold campfire that bothered him and he’d like to have another look.
“Go see what you can find.” Pa was al
ready in the pen with the horse.
Levi’s bedroll was still tied to his saddle and he left it there rather than take the time to remove it and put it away. He saddled Scout and swung to his back. Turning toward the house, he stared at it a moment. Would Beatrice stay if he asked her?
Of course she wouldn’t. She was a fine city woman who should be in a fine home in town, perhaps with a girl to do the heavy chores for her. She was not a country girl.
She had proved otherwise, his wayward mind pointed out.
It didn’t change a thing. He was still a half-breed and associating with the likes of him would make people judge her harshly. She was prepared to care for three motherless children. They would benefit from her presence.
He reined about and galloped away. At the cold campsite, he dismounted and bent over to examine the ground. There was a fresh hoof print. Someone had been here since his last visit. He stood and looked around. He took Scout and followed the trail. It wasn’t easy and took complete concentration to find, but it was there. No rain had washed away the signs and the tracks didn’t veer toward the river.
He reached a rocky spot and lost the trail. Slowly, methodically, he circled the wide expanse of the area, determined to pick up the trail again. Two hours later he found the sign he searched for and again set out after the rider. The trail climbed higher into the trees. It crossed a deep valley. Levi pressed onward. He would find this man, and the others. He would demand an explanation and put a stop to the harassment.
Daylight faded. He could not track after dark. He was too far from the ranch to go back and wasn’t willing to give up following the trail. Like his brothers said, it felt personal on the troublemaker’s behalf and had grown personal on Levi’s part. He would find these men.
He unsaddled Scout and left him to graze while he spread his bedroll, drank from his canteen and ate beef jerky.
Stretched out in his bedroll, his thoughts returned to Beatrice. How long before she left the ranch?
He grabbed at his chest as a knife-sharp pain pierced his heart. How could he let her go?
But what did he have to offer her?
Not a fancy house, not a life of ease, not prestige or even acceptance into every home in town.
He stared up into the starry sky as a truth grew clear.
It was acceptance she sought and it was the one thing he couldn’t offer her. With him she would find intolerance from many.
He closed his eyes and breathed against the pain consuming his insides.
* * *
Beatrice woodenly went through the work of the next two days. She’d hoped Levi would give her a reason to stay, but instead he had ridden away without so much as a goodbye. This was his answer. But she hadn’t expected it to hurt so much.
Her lungs had developed a permanent pain that would not ease.
She hoped she hid it from Maisie.
“Are you not feeling well?” Maisie asked.
Beatrice kept her attention on the cake batter she mixed up. It seemed she had not succeeded in hiding her feelings. Dolly was outside with Smokey so she answered as honestly as she could. “I feel fine. I suppose I’m a bit nervous about meeting this man and his children.”
“You’ll do just fine if it’s what you want to do.” Maisie kneaded dough for dinner rolls. She was doing more and more each day. Soon Beatrice wouldn’t be needed and she’d go back to Granite Creek and her future.
“It is, isn’t it?” Maisie asked.
At Maisie’s gentle inquiry, Beatrice looked at the woman. Her kind eyes were almost more than Beatrice could handle. She sniffed to keep her tears at bay.
It took a moment before she could trust herself to answer. “I want to do something that will allow me independence.” Only independence wasn’t the word that came to mind. Value was. She wanted to be valued by someone.
But not just anyone.
She wanted someone to care enough for her to take risks, to defend her, to protect her.
Maisie spoke again, interrupting Beatrice’s thoughts. “Independence can be very lonely.”
Beatrice nodded. She already felt the loneliness of her choice but Levi had offered no alternative. She glanced out the window. Would he stay away until she’d left? Big Sam had said he’d gone in search of the men who had been causing trouble around the place. But why now? Was it simply to avoid her? Maybe he thought she would expect something from him.
Did he fear she would kiss him and beg for him to care?
“I can’t imagine why Levi is away so long.” Maisie sounded worried. “I hope he hasn’t encountered problems.” She gave a mirthless chuckle. “Here I am fretting even though I know he can take care of himself.”
Take care of himself. The words hammered inside Beatrice’s head. Obviously Levi wanted nothing more.
The next day was Sunday. Maisie said she expected the rest of the family to join them as they had previously. Beatrice half-heartedly prepared food.
That night she told Dolly the story of Noah and the ark. God had protected him through a flood. Beatrice knew He was strong enough to carry her through the challenges ahead of her.
* * *
Levi had followed the trail for two days, always climbing, always going deeper into the mountains. He came upon another campsite where the three men had joined up. Several times he wondered that after all these weeks, they had left a trail he could follow. Had they grown overconfident and careless?
Or was he riding into a trap?
Either way he had no intention of stopping until he got to the bottom of this.
Two hours later, he pulled Scout to a halt. The back of his neck prickled like someone watched him.
He waited, every nerve humming with tension, every sense in high alert to his surroundings. He didn’t have to wait long before he heard a rustle to his right and shifted his gaze in that direction. Another rustle to his left and he knew they had him surrounded.
“I hear ya,” he called, hoping to eliminate their hope of surprising him.
A man stepped out in front of him, a pistol leveled at Levi. Another man stepped out from either side. He knew these men. Brothers of Fern Dafoe. But what did they want with him? He and Fern had parted ways months ago.
He didn’t bother to raise his arms and kept silent, waiting for them to make the first move.
George, the oldest, signaled him down.
Levi took his time about dismounting.
The two other brothers, Manny and Crow, went to stand by George.
Levi crossed his arms over his chest.
“Come along.” George waved his pistol in an arc, indicating Levi should follow.
Levi didn’t move. He knew this trio well enough to know they were troublemakers. They and their father lived on the thin edge of the law. They moved around a lot, mostly because they got run out of towns such as Granite Creek. Fern had wanted Levi to join them when they left, but he had no desire to be part of their way of life.
When he didn’t move, Crow grabbed his arm and jerked him forward. Crow—whether that was a name his Indian mother had chosen or a nickname because of his black hair and sharp nose, Levi didn’t know and wasn’t about to ask. He knew the man had a mean streak as wide as the ocean.
Levi followed, slowly, deliberately taking his time. Scout followed of his own accord. The horse wouldn’t go far without Levi. Nor was he likely going to let one of these men catch him.
They reached a campsite that could do with some cleaning up and Crow released Levi’s arm.
“I suppose you’re wondering why we brung you here.” George seemed to be the spokesman.
It was on the tip of Levi’s tongue to say Scout had brought him, but he didn’t care to instigate anger in any of them.
Manny chuckled. “Guess you aren’t so high and mighty now, are
ya, Harding?”
The way Manny drawled out the Harding name, Levi suspected this had something to do with his heritage. But he couldn’t imagine what. These men were half-breeds like him.
Not like him, though, he corrected. He never wanted to be like them.
“You think you’re too good for our sister, huh?” Manny spoke but the other two had matching scowls.
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“Sure you don’t.” The three of them proceeded to spout off their opinions in a mishmash of words, making it difficult for Levi to make sense of what they said.
“You told Fern you didn’t want to go with her.”
“You said you belonged on the ranch.”
“You was a Harding and proud of it.”
“You think youse too good for us.”
He broke in to the tirade. “I am a Harding and proud of it. I do belong on the ranch.”
“You’re a half-breed just like us. You ain’t no better.” Manny lurched toward him, but the other two held him back.
He could have honestly said he was not like them, whether or not they shared a similar heritage.
“That ain’t what we planned, ’member?” George said.
Levi figured he’d know all too soon what they had planned.
He guessed he wasn’t going to like it. And it might keep him away from home for some time. He figured he could handle the Dafoes, but would they delay his return to the ranch. Perhaps so long that Beatrice would be gone.
If only he’d told her that he had feelings for her. Maybe he’d never get the chance now.
Chapter Sixteen
Sunday morning arrived. Beatrice smiled as she helped Dolly dress and brushed and braided her hair. She kept the smile there as she made breakfast, even though Levi had still not returned. The smile grew stiff as she greeted Johnny and Willow and their children, then Tanner and Susanne and their family. Inside, her heart was hollow and empty.
Levi couldn’t have made his opinion any plainer if he’d written it in black, bold letters on the side of the barn.
