Amanda gasped. “What did my brother do?”
“He… he lied to… to me,” she stammered.
“Simon doesn’t lie. You must be mistaken,” Amanda argued, defending her brother.
“He let me think I’d saved Father’s ranch by myself, but your brother did it. Not me. He did it.” The explanation exploded from Violet’s mouth. “He co-signed my loan at the bank. He’s made a fool of me.”
Nancy rubbed her back and reached for Violet’s hand. “Dear, no one knows the details of your loan except you and Simon. Harold keeps banking business in the strictest confidence. Even I had no idea until you told us. No one knows the details. And nobody made a fool of you.”
“If Simon did this, then his sole intention was to help you. My brother has been in love with you for years.” Amanda smiled at Violet. “Everyone in the family knows it’s true.”
“He… he told me… he wants us to spend our lives together,” Violet admitted. “He told me he was going… to marry me one day. But that’s never happening now. Simon tricked me. He went behind my back and—”
“Simon helped you save your ranch!” Amanda blurted. “How can you be angry with him?”
“Of course, I’m angry with Simon. And I certainly can never trust him again.” Violet vaulted off the chair and bolted from the dress shop. She stood on the sidewalk for a moment before she burst into tears again.
“Where do I go from here?” she muttered. “What do I do now?”
Chapter 30
With her vision blurred by tears, Violet stumbled toward a bench situated outside the bank. She sobbed uncontrollably, attempting to catch her breath and praying no one would notice her making a spectacle of herself on Main Street.
“Here, dear. Take this.” Nancy Watson handed her a handkerchief, having followed her outside. “I couldn’t leave you be, not in this state.”
Violet reached for the hankie and dabbed at her tears. “Thank you,” she whispered, realizing the one Amanda had handed her was sodden and crumpled in her hand. She appreciated Mrs. Watson’s kindhearted gesture, and maybe the older woman could shed some light on what she should do next. Goodness knows, Violet hadn’t a clue.
“Are you all right?”
Violet met her eyes. “Do I look all right? I… I don’t know what to do. Or where to turn. I feel like such a fool.” She turned on the bench and stared at the bank building to her left. “Your husband tricked me. He led me to believe I’d gotten the loan myself.”
Nancy shook her head. “You still believe Harold and Simon worked against you in giving you the loan?”
Violet nodded, returning her attention to Nancy. “They never told me the truth. I had no idea Simon co-signed the loan or I never would have been given the money.”
“That’s true. But would you have preferred losing your ranch? Or standing by and watching your cattle starve to death?” Nancy settled on the bench beside her. “Those men did what needed doing by navigating the corporate rules in a way that worked out perfectly for you, and all well and legal to boot. And no doubt, Simon was doing it without your knowledge for fear you’d react exactly as you did today.”
Violet closed her eyes.
“You’re a tad too stubborn for your own good, Violet. Too independent also. You need to let people help you when necessary.” Mrs. Watson patted her hand. “It’s not a sin to accept a helping hand once in a while.”
She’d started feeling like that wilted violet again, the one Faith had rescued from near death last spring. She needed some watering and a bit of sunshine in her life. Not having the wool pulled over her eyes as Simon had done. “But I feel so foolish. I should have known I didn’t get the loan on my own merit.”
“Oh, I’d say you did. Simon believed in you. Harold did also, or he wouldn’t have agreed to giving you the money on Simon’s signature. Those two men were confident you’d move heaven and earth to achieve your goal of saving the Triple C.”
“But I… I…”
“Not buts about it. All those men did was ensure you received some money. Everything else was because of what you did. All of it. The days spent feeding your stock. Caring for their every need. Keeping them safe from the coyotes we’ve all heard about. That was because you cared, because you spent every waking moment working toward your goal. Even going after the cattle rustlers who’d stolen your stock and jeopardized your revenue to cover the final payments on the ranch.”
Violet considered what Nancy had said. “I worked hard and I’ve sent the majority of my herd to market.”
“Exactly. That didn’t happen by itself. Harold and Simon provided the money. You provided the heart and hard work, putting your everything into making the dream come true.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Nancy reached for Violet’s hand. “When my husband was killed in the bank robbery back in 1885, I ran out of money. We’d had a few dollars hidden in the house, but most of my money was in the bank. And the bank hadn’t reopened. I locked myself away in the house, keeping my daughter home from school. If Daniel McLennon hadn’t accidently discovered the hopeless condition we’d found ourselves in and extended a helping hand, I have no idea what would have happened to us.”
Violet listened intently.
“With help from the church and community, I picked myself up and carried on. Amanda offered me a job which I love. My daughter is happy again, especially after I met Harold and we eventually married.” Nancy smiled at her. “I believe that Fate works in our favor and provides opportunities if we open ourselves up to them.”
“So you believe Fate sent Simon to the bank to lend me a hand.”
“Makes sense to me.” Nancy leaned back on the bench. “Simon couldn’t love you more. I can tell. There’s no way he would have sat back and watched you lose that ranch you love so much. He did what any man who loved you would have done.”
“My brother deserted me. Left me penniless,” she argued.
Nancy gasped. “Without any options?”
“Well, he told me to sell the ranch and stock to the McLennons.”
Nancy nodded. “So he left you with a solution. One you didn’t approve of, mind you. But you stepped up and found an alternate answer yourself. With a bit of help from a McLennon. The people Roland knew would help you out.”
“So you believe Simon didn’t do anything wrong?”
“Not for a second. Mind you, Simon should have told you what he’d done. He shouldn’t have kept secrets from you. That’s no way to treat the woman he loves.” Nancy slid forward on the bench. “But his solution came from his heart. And I don’t doubt he’d do it again.”
“I never would have saved the ranch, otherwise,” Violet admitted. “But Simon shouldn’t have kept what he did from me.”
“No, he shouldn’t have.” Nancy patted her hand. “But no one knows that but you, me, Amanda, Simon and Harold, of course. The few people involved in this do not consider you a fool. Every one of us knows Simon’s intentions were pure. I believe you should listen to his apology, and if I know anything about him, he will explain himself. You should give him the chance to make this right.”
Violet stood, wiped the last of her tears off her cheeks, and offered Nancy a smile. “Thank you for seeking me out. I have a lot to consider. You’ve been very helpful and so kind.”
“Give that young man the chance to explain himself and to apologize. To make things right between you two again.” Nancy stood and met her eyes. “A good man like Simon McLennon doesn’t come along every day. I should know better than most. Don’t let your pride keep you from possible happiness. Opportunity is of no use if we don’t recognize the potential that accompanies it. Open yourself up to the lifetime of happiness forgiving Simon could provide you.”
“I will. Thank you again.” Violet hugged Nancy tightly. “You’re a very wise woman. And you haven’t said anything that my own mother wouldn’t have told me.”
“Good luck to you, dear.”
“Thank
you.” Violet waved the hankies in her hand. “I’ll wash these and return them in a few days.”
Nancy nodded and returned to the store.
Violet stuffed the hankies into her pocket and strode toward Doc’s clinic where she’d left her mare tied to the hitching rail. She needed to talk to Simon, but first she must fulfill her obligation to the other ranchers involved in the roundup. If there was even the faintest prospect of finding the rest of her herd, she needed to do it.
Clearly, she’d been wrong to accuse Simon of interfering, but there’d be plenty of time afterward to make things right with him. If he would listen to her apology. She couldn’t dwell on that now. She untied her mare and mounted up.
First things first.
Chapter 31
Simon settled the saddle on Hero’s back and gazed across the valley. He’d returned to the roundup late last night. He stopped by the Triple C on the way here but only Faith had been home. She couldn’t tell him where Violet was, or perhaps she wouldn’t. Violet had been furious with him when she overheard him talking with her brother, admitting he’d co-signed her loan. He needed to explain himself and he hoped Violet would come to understand that he’d acted in her best interests.
When he finished saddling Hero, he wandered over to the campfire and poured himself a cup of wake-up.
“Ready for another day’s work?” Jackson inquired.
Simon nodded. “Probably another week before we’ll finish.”
“How’s Roland?”
“Surgery went well, but he’s grousing about being laid up for a couple months.”
Jackson shook his head. “That’s unfortunate. Too bad we couldn’t find a way for him to work despite being confined to a wheeled chair.”
“Something to think about.” Simon gazed into the distance. “But I’ve got bigger problems right now. Violet learned that I co-signed her loan. She’s not too happy with me.”
Jackson gaped, understanding the implications of what Simon had done. “Oh… she reckons you interfered in her business.”
“She accused me of making a fool of her.” Simon dragged a hand down his face. “I simply lent her a hand in saving the Triple C.”
“Doesn’t see it your way.”
“No, she doesn’t. And I need to talk to her, explain myself the next time I see her.” He drank from his cup.
Jackson gazed about. “She’s here somewhere.”
Simon choked on his coffee. “She’s here?”
“Yes, I saw her earlier.”
“What is she doing here? It’s too dangerous. Look what happened to Roland,” he added.
“I reckon she’s helping find the rest of her herd. Lending a hand to the other ranchers. Same as you are.” Jackson tossed his coffee dregs toward a bush and set the cup down. “Finish that coffee. It’s time to mount up. Sooner we find the rest of the cattle the better.”
Simon spent the day working alongside Jackson and a couple other ranchers and their cowhands. But he never encountered Violet who must be working in another area. Unless she’d returned home or headed into Milestone to check on her brother.
By the time darkness set in, he’d given up on talking to her until after the roundup. And then he spotted her standing near the campfire, warming her hands and talking to Sourdough Sammy who helped cook for the ranchers. Simon took a deep breath and wandered over to join in the conversation.
“Good grub, Sammy,” he said, setting his plate down.
“Thank you, Simon.” Sammy smiled. “You fellows are keeping us busy. But you’re finding lots of strays.”
“I’m turning in for the night,” Violet muttered and attempted to leave.
Simon reached out and touched her arm. “We need to talk.”
She shook her head. “Not now.”
“Yes. This can’t wait.” He took her hand in his and guided her away from the fire, relying on moonlight to show them the way to the creek bank.
She followed him in silence, but at least, she hadn’t bolted for her bedroll.
Simon stood, holding her hands. “You’re furious with me, and you have every right to be angry. I should have told you what I’d done. But I couldn’t risk you refusing my help. You needed to save the Triple C, and co-signing your loan assured that would happen.”
“I know,” she whispered, looking up. “I forgive you for lying to me. Well, maybe not lying. For keeping the truth from me.”
Simon gazed into her eyes. “Thank you. I wanted to help. Period.”
“I realize that now. But I reacted badly due to wounded pride.” She smiled. “If you hadn’t done what you did, I would have lost the ranch. Or been forced to sell to you. In fact, I don’t know why you helped save the Triple C. You could have bought the ranch like you wanted.”
“I could have. But you would have hated me for it.”
She shrugged, gazing across the water. Night sounds surrounded them: frogs and crickets, and an owl hooted from a nearby treetop. Simon wondered what she was thinking.
“This way you kept the ranch. But I’m not finished helping you, Violet.” He turned her around to face him. “I love you. And I know you love me, too.”
She met his eyes.
“I’ve known since I was sixteen that I couldn’t love you more. I want you in my life forever. To share the good times and work by your side to overcome the adversities. To wake up with you beside me and fall asleep with you snuggled in my arms. To have children with you, and to grow old together. Will you marry me, Violet?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she whispered, smiling.
He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “You’ve made me a very happy man.”
“I’m happy, too. But I can’t believe you asked me here. I’m wearing dirty denims and a day’s worth of dust. With hair falling out of my bun, I must look a fright.” She patted her hair.
“You’re beautiful. You can tell our grandchildren about this moment one day,” he suggested, grinning.
She burst into laughter. “They won’t believe their grandmother was dressed in denims in the middle of roundup, standing by a creek in the dark. And their grandfather proposed.”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t wait. I needed to know you understood the reason why I signed the loan papers behind your back. I needed to know we’d be spending our lives together.”
She hugged him tightly. “This is all I’ve ever wanted. My father’s ranch. And a man who would love me forever.”
“We’ll have that on your father’s ranch.” Simon smiled at her. “I’ll listen to your ideas and respect your opinion.”
Violet shook her head. “I don’t know if that will work.”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
“Will you allow me to work in the barns? Continue working with the cattle and horses every day?” Violet stood her ground.
Simon nodded. He wasn’t going to inhibit her desire to work hard on her ranch. She loved the land and the animals and creating something for the future.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he whispered. He only hoped she would agree with his other plans.
Chapter 32
October
Violet paced the kitchen floor, sipping a cup of coffee. “I’ll be on pins and needles until I hear the funds from the sale of my cattle have been transferred to the bank as I requested.”
Faith finished the breakfast dishes and hung the tea towel to dry. “It will happen, Violet Campbell, so be patient.”
“I’m sorry. You cannot use Violet Campbell and patient in the same sentence. Even as a child I drove my parents to distraction, especially days before Christmas. And before my birthday.”
“You must have been a joy to live with,” Faith suggested, sarcasm evident.
“More likely a pain. Father and Mama would assign extra chores to keep me occupied.” Violet shook her head. “I hope my children aren’t like me.”
Faith chuckled. “You’d deserve it.”
“You’re right.”
“When do you
expect the payment to arrive?”
“I have no idea. Whenever Father sold cattle, he handled all the paperwork and the finances. I don’t recall how long it took for the funds to be issued.” Violet continued pacing.
“Could you check over your father’s old ledger records or find old bank account books? See if there are records that might indicate how long?”
Violet wagged a finger. “Excellent idea. At least then I’d know if I’ll be able to clear up the loan at the bank and pay off the ranch before the wedding.”
“Why before the wedding?”
“I prefer to own the ranch before I marry. If I have outstanding debts when I wed Simon, my husband would incur the indebtedness. And I want to avoid that happening.”
Faith tipped her head. “But if Simon co-signed the bank loan, then it’s his debt already. Correct?”
“I suppose so. But there’s no need for him to incur my debt. I’m paying off the bank before I say ‘I do’.”
“Sounds like your mind is made up.”
“It is.” Violet smiled. “I need to prove to myself that I can do this. That I’m able to see my commitment through to the end. If I fulfill this obligation, I’m confident I’ll be capable of accomplishing anything.”
“I’ve come along on this journey with you… I almost feel a part of it.”
“You are a part of it. I couldn’t have done this without your help.” Violet set her coffee cup down and hugged Faith tightly. “What better way to ensure you’re going to finish something than hiring someone named Faith to help you?”
Her friend laughed. “I had faith in you from the start.”
Violet chuckled at her friend’s joke. “And don’t forget that bonus I promised you when we completed this. As soon as I receive those funds, you’re going to receive a healthy pay envelope.”
Faith smiled. “And I’m saving most of the money… for a wedding dress and a wedding someday.”
“You’ve set your heart on marrying my brother.” Violet shook her head. There was no room for argument, Faith loved Roland as much as she loved Simon.
Inherit A Dream (Sons Of A Gun Book 4) Page 18