Quinn held a forkful of meat mid-air, looking up at her. “I’m not leaving until Big Jim is fully recovered.”
Gertie’s face relaxed and her hands stilled. Patting him on the shoulder, she turned back to the stove. “We appreciate what you’ve done more than you know. I’m afraid we’ll never find a way to repay you.”
Swallowing his food, Quinn took a sip of milk, then set down the glass. “You’d insult me if you tried. I’m doing this because I want to, and you need the help.” His gaze locked on Emma. He knew she’d been watching him, thinking he wasn’t aware of her scrutiny. If he were a different man…
“Quinn. I thought I heard you in here.” Big Jim clasped his shoulder, then placed a kiss on Emma’s cheek. “Did you find them?”
“We did, Papa. They were right were you told Quinn they’d be.”
“The gully.” Big Jim shook his head as he sat at the table. “I don’t know how those animals find it. Jimmy and I used to run across them when we’d ride the lines.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “Thank you, Quinn.”
Quinn saw Emma’s face fall. Pushing his plate away, he met Big Jim’s gaze. “Emma’s the one you should thank. It took both of us to find and bring them home. She’s the one who’ll be taking over when I leave.” He didn’t miss the look Gertie shared with her husband. “What is it, Big Jim?”
The older man sat forward, resting his arms on the table, and clasping his hands. He sighed, casting an apologetic glance at Emma. “I suppose there isn’t a better time to say this, sweetheart. Your mother and I have made the decision to hire a foreman. Someone with years of experience. A man we can count on—” He stopped when Emma jumped up from her chair, her face red with anger.
“You’ve hired an outsider to run the ranch? What about our plans for you to be in charge and me to act as foreman?” She slammed her hands on the table, startling everyone. “You said if I worked hard, did all you said, I could take over the job.” Her voice rose with each sentence, her body shaking. “You promised me, Papa.”
Holding his hands up, Big Jim looked as if he’d been slapped. “You’re still young, Emma. There’s plenty of time—”
“No. There’s no more time. I love you, but I’m through believing what you tell me will happen. You’ll never have faith in me, will you?”
He didn’t answer, his lips thinning.
“Answer me, Papa.”
Her mother stepped forward, glancing at her husband, then Emma. “That’s enough. Your father’s made a decision, and you’ll have to learn to live with it.”
Emma shook her head. “Yes, I’ll learn to live with it. But it won’t be here.” Shifting her gaze from her mother to her father, she ran out of the room.
“Emma, wait.” Big Jim started to rise, stopping when Gertie placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Let her be. She’ll think about it. Tomorrow, she’ll be back to the Emma we all know.”
“I don’t know, Gertie. This may have been too much for her.”
She offered a regretful smile, not budging from what she believed. “Trust me. Tomorrow, Emma will be riding Moonshine with the men, tonight’s argument forgotten.”
Quinn sat frozen in his seat. When he offered to help, Big Jim had told him Emma would be taking over when he left. She’d counted on her father’s words, believed what he promised would happen. A ball of anger formed in Quinn’s stomach. He ached for Emma, understood the sense of betrayal.
“What do you think, Quinn?” Gertie sat next to him, a hopeful look on her face.
“It isn’t my business how you run your ranch. I’ll be gone as soon as Doc Vickery gives Big Jim approval to get back to work.”
“Surely you have an opinion,” Gertie persisted.
His jaw worked. They should’ve expected Emma’s reaction. Announcing it in front of someone other than family added to her humiliation.
“I believe we’ll all know more in the morning.” Standing, he picked up his plate, taking it to the sink. “I’m bushed. Thank you for supper.” Quinn couldn’t muster a smile.
Walking outside, his stomach churned. He wanted to dash upstairs, talk to Emma, help her through what he knew would be a painful night. She had done her best to hide the hurt he’d caused her, but Quinn knew. A day didn’t go by when he didn’t regret what happened in the barn, the words he’d said. No matter how much he believed them, any kind of rejection stung. Now this.
Checking the barn one last time before bunking down, he walked back outside, glancing up at Emma’s window. The curtains were open enough for him to see her moving back and forth in her room, dropping what appeared to be clothes on the bed. Crossing his arms, he planted his feet shoulder width apart, his face set. What he saw didn’t bode well. The good girl, the one everyone could count on to do what was right and expected, might shock them all.
Chapter Seven
Quinn woke with a start. He’d slept near Moonshine’s stall in the barn, not trusting what Emma might do. Gertie’s declaration all would turn out fine didn’t assure him in the least. He’d never seen Emma so hurt or broken.
Blinking, he pushed himself up and looked around. Moonshine was still in her stall, paying him no attention. As his gaze moved around the barn, he began to relax, finding nothing amiss. Then his eyes landed on the rail where he kept his saddle. It and his bridle were gone.
Racing to the pasture behind the barn, he scanned the area, then let out a string of curses. She’d taken Warrior.
“Eejit,” he growled as he ran back inside the barn. Grabbing Big Jim’s saddle and tack, it took him no more than a few minutes to saddle a spirited gelding. Swinging into the saddle, he debated a moment about telling her parents, deciding it would be better to find Emma and bring her back. Kicking the horse into a gallop, he headed toward Conviction, hoping his instincts of where she’d go were right.
He’d been wrong. Emma didn’t go to see Brodie’s wife, Maggie. They’d become good friends since the wedding. His cousin promised he’d keep watch, sending word if he found her, asking if he wanted to press charges for stealing his horse.
“I should press charges to teach her a lesson.” He ran fingers through his hair, then muttered a curse. “What’s she thinking, Brodie?”
The sun touched the eastern hills, the two watching as they sipped coffee on the top step of Brodie’s porch. The one bedroom house he and Maggie lived in was provided by the town. It met their needs for now.
“She isn’t.”
Quinn smacked his cousin’s skull. “Aye, I understand that much.”
Brodie touched the back of his head, grimacing. “Ach, no need for violence.”
“Where else would Emma go? I doubt she has much money, and she has no other relatives in town.”
“Friends?” Brodie asked, resting his arms on his knees, cradling the cup in his hands.
“Nae. Lillie Gleason moved to San Francisco with her family.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Quinn thought a moment, then abruptly stood. “Jinny.”
“My sister?”
Quinn nodded. “Aye. You know your da and ma would let her stay the night.”
Brodie chuckled, then stood. “And Jinny will do her best to make sure Emma stays as long as she wants.”
“Uncle Ewan and Aunt Lorna will get word to the Pearces.” Quinn let out a breath, then finished his coffee, handing the empty cup to Brodie. “I’d best get home and make certain we’re right.”
“You may be the last person Emma wants to see right now. I’ll ride out, then come by the Pearce ranch on my way back to town. Maggie wants to spend some time with Sarah anyway, see how she’s doing.”
“That’s right. The wee bairn is due soon.”
“Aye, and from what Blaine says, you don’t want to be around Colin right now. The lad isn’t handling it too well.”
Quinn grinned. “Ach, you know our mothers won’t let anything happen. With all the wee bairns born into the family, only two were lost.” His face sobered, recalling the pai
n everyone felt at the loss. “They’ll not let it happen again.” Walking down the steps, he picked up the gelding’s reins. “When you ride to the Pearce’s, bring Warrior.”
“It’s a wonder the lass could handle the beast.”
Quinn’s mouth formed into a thin line. “Emma is an excellent rider and good with horses. Mention it to your da. Maybe he’ll let her work with Bram and Fletcher a bit…until things cool off with Big Jim and Gertie.”
“I’ll speak with Da, and bring Warrior back to you.” Brodie crossed his arms, his face taking on a grim expression.
Quinn cocked his head. The two were as close as brothers, could sense each other’s moods. “What is it?”
“We need to talk. Not now, but soon.”
Quinn nodded, smiling. “Saturday night. You buy drinks, and Maggie makes supper.”
Reining the horse around, he took the trail back to the Pearce ranch, wondering what he’d say to Big Jim and Gertie, more than a little concerned about their reaction.
Big Jim rose on shaky legs. “I’ll ride over there now and get her.”
“Nae. Wait until Brodie lets us know what he finds. Emma may not even be there.”
“Is that what you believe, Quinn?” Gertie walked over to her husband and slipped an arm around his waist.
“Nae. I think Emma is at Circle M.” He looked at both of them, knowing they wouldn’t like what he said next. “If she is, it may be best to let her stay for a bit.”
“That’s ridiculous. Emma belongs here, not with your family.”
“Gertie, you asked Quinn’s opinion and he gave it to you.” Big Jim leaned against the edge of a chair to keep his balance. “You and Emma have always been friends, Quinn. Why should we allow her to stay at your ranch?”
Quinn walked to the window, knowing the men had already taken off to start their day. He felt a stabbing pain, knowing Emma should’ve been out there with them, a bright smile on her face. Turning, he forced himself to show no emotion.
“You won’t like my answers.”
“Probably not, but I want to hear them just the same.” Big Jim’s grim features indicated the grief he felt at the decision he and Gertie had made.
“Emma is nineteen, a woman, able to decide what she wants. More than that, she’s an excellent rancher with good instincts and better skills. I know you both believe she’s still a girl, but let me assure you, she isn’t, and hasn’t been since Jimmy died.”
Gertie sucked in a breath, gripping her husband’s hand.
“Go on,” Big Jim said.
“She’s a hard worker, loves the land, and is willing to do whatever it takes to make this ranch a success. That doesn’t mean she’s ready to lead the men. Right now, I do believe the ranch needs a more experienced foreman. I haven’t met the person you hired, so I have no opinion of him, but I do know Emma. She wants to breed horses, the same as we do at Circle M.” Quinn stepped closer, his voice softening. “If she’s at the ranch, I’ll see she gets to work with Bram and Fletcher. She’ll be surrounded by experienced ranch hands who’ll respect her and treat her as one of their own. Emma may need this time away. When she’s ready, she’ll come home.”
Silence blanketed the room. Big Jim eased himself into a chair, his tan face turning pale.
“It’s my fault she’s gone,” Gertie whispered.
“No, Gertie. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me.” Big Jim scrubbed a hand down his face, taking a moment to compose himself. “I promised her the job, then didn’t explain to her why I changed my mind.”
Quinn lowered himself into a chair across from him, leaning forward. “Why did you decide to hire an outsider?”
Big Jim’s red-rimmed eyes met Quinn’s gaze. “The longer it took me to heal, the more I realized how much more Emma had to learn. Part of it was watching you with the men. You know what you’re doing, Quinn. Any ranch would be lucky to have you. Emma…her heart is in the right place, but I’ve done the girl a disservice by protecting her from the tough realities of ranch life. I’ve also done nothing to make the men see her as anything other than my daughter. They like her well enough, but respect? She’s got to earn it. I’m afraid she doesn’t quite know how.”
Quinn rested his arms on his legs, clasping his hands. “If she’s at Circle M, I’ll help her learn.”
He didn’t know why he’d said it. Any of the MacLaren men would be a better teacher than him. Being around Emma messed up his mind, fogged his thinking. He’d talk to Colin. Together, they’d decide who’d be best to guide her.
A knock on the door had Gertie walking to the front. “Brodie. Come in. We’ve been expecting you.”
He removed his hat, following her into the living room, nodding to Big Jim and Quinn.
“Well?” Quinn asked.
“Emma’s at the ranch with my parents. She wants to stay.”
Gertie’s hand flew to her mouth as her eyes moistened.
“What does Ewan say about it?” Big Jim reached over, clasping his wife’s other hand.
“Da and Ma are fine with her being there as long as she wants. She’ll be staying in Jinny’s room.” Brodie looked at Quinn. “Emma wants to work while she’s there. Da wants to talk to you about what’s best for the lass.”
Quinn nodded. He’d expected his uncle to say as much.
Brodie looked at Big Jim, then Gertie. “Tell me now if there is a problem with Emma staying at Circle M. Da and Uncle Ian made it clear they want no issues between the families.”
“If we don’t agree?” Gertie asked.
“I’ll make sure she returns. But it doesn’t mean she’ll stay.” Brodie fingered the brim of his hat, glancing at Quinn.
“I think our girl should come home, Jim.”
He squeezed her hand. “I want Emma back here as much as you, Gertie. If it were up to us, we’d bring her home. As hard as it is to accept, she’s a woman who needs to make her own decisions.” Looking at Brodie, he nodded. “She’ll stay at Circle M.”
Letting go of her husband’s hand, Gertie walked up to Brodie, her eyes full of sorrow. “You tell her to come home when she’s ready.”
“Aye, Mrs. Pearce. I’ll let her know. If you don’t mind, I need to speak with Quinn before I leave.”
Quinn followed Brodie outside, walking down the steps to stand next to Hunter.
“Warrior’s in the barn, still saddled. Thought you’d want to take care of him yourself.”
“Thanks, Brodie. I’ll try to get over to the ranch before supper tonight to speak with your da.”
“And Uncle Ian.” Brodie swung up on Hunter.
Quinn sighed. “Aye. Doc Vickery is coming out today to check on Big Jim.”
“Drinks at Buckie’s Saturday night. Maggie will have supper for us afterward, so you might as well plan to stay the night. We can ride to the ranch together after church Sunday.”
Slapping Hunter on the rump, Quinn stepped away. “I’ll be there.”
Hooking thumbs in his pockets, he watched Brodie ride off. It had been a long night, a tough morning, and the day wasn’t half over. He needed to take care of Warrior, then meet the men who were out with the herd. He’d sent Holler and another hand to check the north border again, not wanting to assume the rustlers had moved on.
Brodie had heard, through August Fielder, the Union troops were making progress against the South. Their partner in the land acquired from Estrada speculated the war would be over within months, perhaps even weeks, warning Brodie to expect a significant increase in people migrating west. Quinn knew many would be looking for work and a fresh start. If they didn’t find it, he knew they’d do whatever necessary to survive, including stealing cattle and robbing banks. The outlaws who died trying to rob the people at Christmas might just be the start.
“Whiskey?” Ewan MacLaren set four glasses on the table, then filled each.
Quinn and Colin sat on their uncle’s sofa, Uncle Ian across from them. Supper with Quinn’s ma and siblings had been what he needed to relax, forgett
ing the turmoil at the Pearce ranch, if only for a few hours. He’d hoped to see Emma when he rode over to Ewan’s house after supper. So far, there’d been no sign of her.
Nodding to Ian to close the study door, Ewan handed each man a drink.
“Thank you for riding over tonight, Quinn. I know you’ve been doing a lot for Big Jim and Gertie.”
“No more than I’d be doing here, Uncle Ewan.” Quinn sipped the liquor, readying himself for wherever the discussion led.
“I’ll get right to it, lad. With Brodie in town, we need you back here. Any word on Jim’s health?”
“Doc Vickery came out today, along with Hugh Tilden, the new doctor who moved here. He and Vickery worked together in Union Army field hospitals.”
“I haven’t met him yet,” Ian said, leaning forward in his chair. “What did they say?”
Quinn rolled the glass between his fingers and thumb, studying the liquid as it coated the sides. “Big Jim’s as healed as he’ll ever be.”
“What does that mean?” Colin set his glass down and stood, stretched his arms above his head, then paced around the room. Bram had mentioned their cousin doing this more often as the time for his baby’s birth got closer.
“He’ll need to use a cane to get around. Riding won’t be an issue, but he’s done doing anything more physical than dealing with the men. They told him to take it easy.”
Ewan chuckled. “You know he won’t.”
“Nae. He’s too anxious to get out of the house and back on a horse. It’s good he has a foreman starting the day I leave.”
Ewan leaned against his desk. “Have you met him?”
“Nae, and Big Jim didn’t give me his name. I don’t like it, but it’s not my ranch. Something just seems…off.”
“Ian and I will ride over as soon as we can. It might be easier for us to find out how Big Jim is doing, learning more about the new foreman. It’s important to know who’s working the land next to you.”
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