None of Delores’s attempts brought Elizabeth to consciousness. She gave up and stared at the elaborately decorated master bedroom. Did Mr. Donahue make his wife drink something? Was that why she was having such a hard time waking up? Was he trying to make her sick or was he trying to kill her?
Afraid of what the answers might be, she moved to the brocaded fainting couch on the other side of the room and sat. She wasn’t leaving this room until her mistress awoke enough to tell her what was going on and if the woman didn’t wake up soon, Delores knew she was going to send for the doctor.
* * * *
“Well, Miz Amelia, when your husband hired me, I didn’t expect my first job to be going into Settlers Ridge to pick up chicken feed at the feed store and supplies at the mercantile.”
From her seat on the wagon bench, Amelia couldn’t help smiling. “There are many jobs on a ranch besides working with cattle, Andy. Everyone has to do a lot of different things.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Jed will have you out on the range soon.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. We don’t go into town every day.”
“I hope you’re right. Going into town for supplies seems like I’m still working for the store. Only I’m doing it backward.”
“Backward?”
“Yeah. I’m just going to get things instead of delivering them.”
“I see.” She chuckled. “You know, this could be a test that Jed is giving you.”
He frowned. “What kind of test?”
“Jed could want to see how well you follow orders. Remember how clear he was when he said you were to go to the feed store while I got the supplies at your father’s store.”
“He did tell me not to go to the feed store until you were safe inside the mercantile. It was like he was trusting me to look after you.”
“Jed is sometimes over protective of me. He doesn’t think I can take care of myself.”
Andy grinned. “I’m sure it’s because he loves you so much.”
Surprised at his words, Amelia muttered, “Think so?”
“Sure. Any fool can see he’s crazy about you.”
Amelia didn’t say anything further, but she couldn’t help hoping Andy was right. It would make it so much easier to face the fact she was falling in love with her husband if he had feelings for her. On the other hand, she was sure at times that he did care, but at this point in their marriage she thought the word “love” was still too strong to use about their relationship. At least it was on his part.
It was a busy day in Settlers Ridge. Wagons and horses filled the dusty dirt street. The young boys and girls were playing games of tag with each other while their older brothers were eyeing the girls who were on the brink of their teen years. Women were walking up and down the plank sidewalk, some with babies in their arms or leading toddlers. Several of them waved at Amelia and she waved back.
She couldn’t help wondering if she would ever have a child. If she did, would Jed be happy to be a father? Oh, my Lord, where did that idea come from? The last thing Jed would want is a baby. We’d be tied to each other for more than six months. Or would we? Would he send me away instantly if there was a child? Children are something we’ve never discussed and now I feel it’s too late to bring them up.
Before she could think any more, Andy pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Brown’s Mercantile and said, “I’ll be back as soon as I get the feed, Miz Amelia. You wait for me right in front here. Don’t you go nowhere else.”
“I’ll wait for you right here, Andy. Don’t worry.” She climbed down from the wagon and started inside the store. A voice stopped her.
“Hello there, Mrs. Wainwright. I haven’t seen you since the wedding. How are you?”
Amelia turned and smiled. “Mrs. Ellsworth. How good to see you. Has your daughter-in-law had her baby yet?”
“No, but it’s due any day now.”
“I’m sure she’s anxious for it to arrive.”
“Yes. We all are getting a little excited.” The tiny older lady poked a finger toward Amelia’s midsection. “Do you have any good news for me yet?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know I’m waiting to hear there’s going to be a little Wainwright coming along.”
Amelia blushed. “No, Mrs. Ellsworth. Not yet.”
Gertrude Ellsworth raised an eyebrow. “I’m not so sure. Maybe you haven’t had the signs yet.”
Before Amelia could answer, Margo came out of the mercantile. “There you are, Mother Ellsworth. I declare you can get away from me in a matter of seconds.”
“I needed some air. I was tired of hearing all you gossipy women in there. You’d think there was nothing to talk about in this town except each other.”
Margo shook her head. “Hello, Amelia. It’s good to see you.”
“Nice to see you, too. Mrs. Ellsworth tells me everyone in your household is getting excited about the baby.”
“We sure are. I know it’ll come when it’s ready, but I do wish it would hurry.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“I’d like to chat, Amelia, but I’ve got to get my mother-in-law home before I have to send out a posse.” Margo chuckled.
“I understand. Maybe we’ll see each other again soon.” Amelia reached for the door to the store then realized Andy was still sitting in the wagon. He was serious about taking his order to make sure she was safely inside the mercantile before he left. She turned, waved at him and stepped inside.
Several customers were in the store and Amelia spoke to those she recognized. Then she spied the woman behind the counter and could hardly believe her eyes. Wearing a modest blue print dress, with her hair braided and twisted on top of her head, stood Wilma Lawson adding up a rancher’s order.
Chapter 17
Rafe Donahue stared across the desk at Charles Fielding. “The Garcia woman was abandoning the place when we were there. I know they were having trouble paying their mortgage, so I guess the place can be bought cheaply and I want to—”
“Before you go on, Rafe, I have to tell you the Garcia Ranch has been sold.”
“Have you lost your mind? How could the ranch be sold? The man died a couple of days ago.”
“I know, but I’m telling you the truth. Everything is paid off and the property has been transferred to the new owner.”
“Damn it!” Rafe hit Fielding’s walnut desk with his fist so hard a couple of papers flew to the floor. “I want the Garcia place. I’ll not be deprived of it. How do I get in touch with the new owner?”
“Calm down, Rafe. I knew you’d be upset, but Mrs. Garcia was determined you not buy the ranch. She approached another rancher and offered it to him.”
“Why the hell didn’t she want to sell it to me?”
Charles looked at him for a long minute. Finally he said, “She said she’d never sell the ranch to the man who had her husband killed.”
Rafe was stunned. “What the hell did she mean? I never had anybody killed.”
“Her husband told her before he died your foreman and two of your men were the ones who attacked him.”
“That’s a damn lie. Vince wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“I’m only telling you what Mrs. Garcia told me.”
“Who bought the place?”
Charles had already decided the answer because he knew Rafe would ask this question. “Curt Allison and his partner.”
“I’ve never heard of him so he can’t be from around here.”
“I think he’s kind of new.”
“I still don’t know him and I know all the ranchers between here and Swanson.” He eyed Charles.
Charles swallowed and prepared himself for the explosion. “His partner is Jed Wainwright.”
Rafe stood and flung his chair backward. “That bastard! I’ll see him in hell for this. Nobody makes a fool of Rafe Donahue twice and gets away with it.”
“Calm
down, Rafe. Wainwright nor his partner had any idea Mrs. Garcia wanted to sell her ranch to them until she asked them to buy it.”
“I don’t believe you. They’re probably the ones who killed Garcia and tried to blame it on my men.” Rafe was still furious.
“No. They were unaware of the whole thing until after his death.”
Rafe frowned. “How do you know all of this, Charles Fielding?”
“I was there.”
“You what?”
“Mrs. Garcia sent for me. She offered the ranch to them in my presence.”
“So, you’re a turncoat, too, you bastard?”
“Of course not. I’ve always been your friend, Rafe. You know that.”
Rafe shook his fist at him. “You’ve pretended to be my friend, though Elizabeth married me instead of you.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you’re only friends with me so you can be near my wife. You’ve always wanted her, but let me tell you, you’ll never get her. I’ll kill you and her both before I’ll see the two of you get together.” Rafe became red in the face. “I see how you act when you come to the ranch. You fawn over her like a school boy. No wonder she’s always so glad to see you. She likes the way you flatter her.”
Charles stood and pushed back his chair. “I think it’s time you left, Rafe. You’re talking foolishness.”
“Foolish, am I? I’ll…I’ll…”
There was a knock on the office door. “Is something wrong, Mr. Fielding?”
“Everything’s fine,” he called back. “Mr. Donahue is leaving.”
“You’re damn right, I’m leaving, but I’ll be back. As soon as I make Elizabeth sign some papers, you’ll be ruined. I’ll be putting all my money in another bank. I won’t do business with a man who stabs me in the back.” With that, he turned and stormed out the door.
“Are you sure everything’s all right, Mr. Fielding?” His teller came to the door Rafe left open.
“It’s fine, Mr. Drake. Mr. Donahue was just upset because he didn’t get to buy the Garcia place.”
The teller chuckled. “I guess you expected that.”
“I sure did. Of course, I didn’t expect him to threaten to take his money out of my bank though.”
“Will he do it?”
Charles shook his head. “He can’t. His wife has to sign before he can, and I don’t think she’ll ever do that.”
* * * *
On the sidewalk, Rafe took a deep breath. Damn Charles Fielding. Damn Juanita Garcia. Most of all, damn the low-down bounty hunter. Not only had the man stolen two ranches from him, he’d also taken his daughter. It was too much for any man to bear. There was no way Rafe Donahue would be shamed like this. He’d get the damn half-breed if he had to kill him himself.
Starting for his horse, Rafe came to a quick stop. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Was it really Amelia coming out of Brown’s Mercantile?
He watched as Stanley Brown followed Amelia with a box of supplies and put them in the back of the wagon driven by the younger Brown boy. Where was her husband? Was he actually making Amelia come into town for supplies? Didn’t the fool know that was a job for ranch hands? What the hell was happening? Amelia wasn’t used to this kind of thing. She needed to be back at home where she could be loved and pampered like her mother. There was no way she would last with this kind of treatment. He had to save her.
He watched Amelia as she hugged the woman beside Stanley, then climbed upon the wagon seat beside the younger Brown boy. They drove off toward the end of town.
Rafe decided to go to the store and see what he could find out before heading out to catch up with Amelia. Now was the perfect time to get his daughter and take her home where she belonged.
* * * *
“But, Delores, Mr. Donahue said not to let Mrs. Donahue leave the ranch.” Richard looked exasperated.
“I don’t care what Mr. Donahue said. Get the buggy ready.”
“But he’ll fire me and I need this job. Mama doesn’t make enough money to feed all of us taking in washings.”
“Don’t worry, Richard. I’ll see you keep your job. Now do like I say. Hitch up Mrs. Donahue’s buggy and bring it to the front door.”
“But—”
“Do it, Richard. If you don’t, I’ll personally see that you do get fired.”
“You wouldn’t—”
“Oh, yes I would. Now are you going to do what I tell you to do?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll hitch up the buggy.”
“Thank you.” Delores turned and headed back to the house.
* * * *
Smithy knelt on the knoll at the bend of the road on the way to the Circle 2 Ranch. He saw the wagon approaching and his heart beat a little faster. It was going to work this time. He’d watched as the boy and Wainwright’s woman went into town, but thought it best to make his move when they came back. Then people who saw them in town wouldn’t be able to say she never reached Settlers Ridge.
Checking his rifle, he started to mount his horse, but paused. There was a cloud of dust some distance behind the wagon. Damn, he didn’t need a witness. Was he going to have to adjust his plan? Vince would kill him if he screwed up the way he had when he only nicked Wainwright’s shoulder. Now he had a chance to redeem himself. He’d promised Vince he’d grab the woman if he got a chance. It seemed to be the right chance, but now somebody was going to mess him up again.
He watched as the wagon passed below, then glanced back down the road. The dust cloud was still a distance away. Yet, the rider could get to her before he was able to get the woman away from the kid and get to the prearranged hiding place.
Putting his rifle back in the scabbard, he climbed on his horse and eased it down the knoll on the other side. He’d get rid of this lone rider and then he’d still have time to catch the wagon and grab Wainwright’s woman. It didn’t matter that he’d have to kill the kid to do it. Nobody would probably even miss a young ranch hand like him.
When he was sure the sounds of his horse wouldn’t be heard by the people in the wagon, he gigged his mount into a gallop. In minutes he was close enough to the rider for a good shot. He drew his pistol, but hesitated. There was something familiar about the man on the black stallion. Frowning, he slowed his horse and waited.
As soon as the rider was close enough, he bellowed, “Mr. Donahue. What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m going after my daughter, Smithy. Why are you out here?”
“Well, all you’ve done is mess up my plans, boss. I would’ve had your daughter home tonight if you hadn’t come along.”
Rafe stared at him. “What do you have to do with my daughter coming home?”
“I had it all fixed with Callahan.”
Rafe frowned. “How could you fix anything with Vince? He’s gone on the cattle drive.”
“Damn it, boss. I wish you hadn’t followed your daughter. Before he went on the drive, Vince and I set things up. He told me to watch their ranch and to grab her the first chance I got. I was to bring her home so she’d be there when he got back.”
Rafe slumped. “Why didn’t somebody tell me?”
“I guess Vince wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, I don’t need you now. I’m going—”
“I don’t mean to be rude, Sir, but how long do you think you’d been able to keep her? I was ready to make sure the widow Wainwright stayed at home with her rightful family. How were you going to keep the kid from telling everyone you’d abducted your daughter? Did you have guts enough to kill him?”
“I don’t think it would come to that.”
“Vince said you were too nice to kill anybody, but it wouldn’t have bothered me at all. In fact, I had my gun trained on the kid’s head and was ready to pull the trigger when you showed up. I would’ve gone ahead and shot, but I didn’t need a witness riding up.”
“I didn’t know—”
“Go home, Mr. Donahue, and let me handle things.” He shook his
head. “I might be able to catch them yet, but you can’t be anywhere around when I do.”
Rafe nodded, but it was lost on Smithy. He’d already turned his horse and was riding toward the wagon.
* * * *
Lance Gentry was walking out of the hotel when Delores pulled the buggy up to the front. “Sheriff,” she yelled. “I need help.”
Lance hurried to the carriage and noticed Elizabeth Donahue slumped in the seat. “What’s going on?”
“Mrs. Donahue’s sick and she needs a doctor.” Delores was climbing out of the carriage.
“Let’s get her inside.” Lance swept the woman into his arms as Delores ran to open the hotel’s front door for him.
“Mr. Olsen, Mrs. Donahue is sick. Please get a room for her and send for the doctor.” Delores didn’t care if she did sound demanding. All that was important now was to get help for Mrs. Elizabeth.
“Yes, Ma’am. Follow me.” He turned to his son, who was sitting on a stool behind the counter. “Teddy, go get Doc Wagner.”
The boy shot out the door. Mr. Olsen grabbed a key and led the way up the stairs. Delores and the sheriff followed. He unlocked the first door they came to. “Bring her in here.”
Delores darted around him. “I’ll turn down the bed.”
Lance gently placed Elizabeth on the bed. “What happened to her?”
“I’m not sure.” Delores began unbuttoning the jacket and taking it off her mistress. When she finished she took off Elizabeth’s shoes. “I only knew she needed a doctor when I couldn’t get her to stay awake.”
“Where’s Rafe? Shouldn’t someone should go for him?” Lance asked.
“No!”
Lance frowned. “Why not, Delores? He has a right to know.”
“No he don’t, and I’ll explain everything to you both as soon as the doctor gets here.”
There was a noise in the hall and Doctor Wagner entered the room. He moved directly to the bed and sat his black bag on the floor. “What happened?”
“I’m not sure, Doctor,” Delores said. “Mrs. Donahue couldn’t seem to wake up this morning. She said she drank something last night…”
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