Buster hadn’t been able to put him out of her mind but she wasn’t about to admit that to marriage-minded Marnie. The slightest hint and the woman would be planning a wedding and reception. She knew Marnie had her best interests at heart, but she preferred directing her own life. Just the same, hearing he’d watched her increased her heart rate.
“I agree—if I wanted a husband, which I don’t. Maybe someday, but not now.” But, if she did, Thad King sure fit the bill. He was several inches over six feet and had wide shoulders and a trim waist. His dark hair waved on top and his blue eyes shone with intelligence and humor.
“And why not now? You’re not getting younger, you know. You need to marry while you’re young enough to handle having babies and raising them.”
Buster set the sheaf of papers she’d sorted aside and reached for another. “Now what makes you think I know anything about raising children? I’ve never even been around them.”
Marnie crossed her arms. “You were a child, weren’t you? You at least know how you felt and what you liked and didn’t like. Not that your children will be just like you but an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Buster glanced up. “This apple did. I can barely remember Mama but I recall she was soft and lady-like and had a sweet voice. I’m nothing like her.”
Marnie sent her a pitying gaze. “Oh, my girl, don’t you take advantage of your mirror? You look just like her. Even though you try to hide in those overalls, you’re graceful and have a natural elegance about you.”
Buster sensed the heat of a blush on her face. “Nice of you to say so, but I need to be tough to run this ranch now that poor Papa is gone. The Rafter O has to be my focus now.”
“You have Dub and the hands. If you married, you’d have a husband to help, a real helpmate. Think how much you’d enjoy riding the range with the man you love. How nice it would be to sit with the man you love in the evening and talk.”
“Ah, Miss Matchmaker, right there you hit the nail on the head when you said ‘the man I love.’ I don’t love one.”
Marnie pushed to her feet. “You will if you let yourself. Stop being so stubborn and open your heart and mind.”
Buster didn’t want to marry anyone—not now. She was still grieving for her father and the many friends she’d lost. Afraid to look up, she blinked back the tears until Marnie had left the room.
When she was alone, she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. Her sweet, strong papa had died trying to save others. If only he’d been on the range like she was the day of the explosion instead of in town. He’d only said he had business to take care of in town and didn’t even tell her why he left the ranch that day.
Today while she was in Wildcat Ridge she’d drawn cash from the bank to pay the hands on Saturday morning. She’d locked it in the safe but the break-in had planted insecurity in her mind. What good was using the thing? Obviously, the intruder knew how to crack the safe.
She pushed that from her mind and decided she might as well go ahead and do the record keeping for the week since she was already in here. She pulled out the expense ledger and entered numbers. Then there were the horse and cattle breeding plans to track and maintain. She worked steadily until meal time.
As much as she loved ranching, she stayed away from the breeding sessions. Although she and Dub discussed them, he handled those while she only maintained the records. Such things were natural she knew, but she didn’t want to witness them. Her papa hadn’t allowed her to when he was alive and that was something she didn’t intend to change.
She wondered if that’s how it worked with humans. Marnie hadn’t been very forthcoming on the subject and she figured Lucy didn’t know any more than she did. Buster had heard the cows bawling and the screams of the horses when they were bred. If coming together hurt that much then why did people take part?
Shaking her head, she resumed her work. Leave solving that mystery to others.
Chapter Six
The next morning as they were finishing breakfast, Buster set down her coffee cup and looked at Marnie. “Monday they’ll be starting the road to the hot springs. Thought I’d ride up there today and see what they’re like before there’re any changes. I’ll make a picnic lunch to take with me.”
Dub grabbed the edge of the table. “Not alone, you’re not.”
She bristled at his statement. “Look here, Dub Reilly, this is my ranch now. You’re not my papa and I can do as I wish.”
He pointed his forefinger at her. “You may be my boss, but I promised William that if anything happened to him I’d look after you like you were my own. I aim to do just that and you aren’t going on that mountain alone.”
He turned to Thad. “You ride up there with her and keep her from getting herself hurt or killed.”
The newcomer’s face was a neutral mask. “After hearing about the springs I’m mighty curious to see them.”
“The springs are a secret so don’t let on you know about the place except to our hands.” Buster shot him a glare. “Don’t expect me to mollycoddle you, either. You’ll have to keep up.”
His eyes held humor when he met her gaze. “I’ll try.”
Oh, he was laughing at her, durn his hide. “You saddle the horses while I gather our food.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He pushed back from the table and stood.
She got a canvas sack and started gathering food for a noon meal. Drat that Dub, he knew just how to get around her. No doubt he remembered she’d been in the room when he’d made that promise to Papa. At the time, the idea had seemed like a waste of time since her father was a healthy forty-seven-year old—four years younger than Dub.
Marnie brought her the biscuits and ham left from breakfast. “I heard there’s a wildcat up on that mountain.”
“That quake will have sent it running. Animals don’t stay around after events like that.”
“Hmph, been long enough now the thing may have wandered back.” The housekeeper laid a hand on Buster’s shoulder. “You keep a sharp eye peeled for varmints. And, I mean those with two legs as well as four. This new man acts nice but don’t take any chances.”
“You know I won’t. Reckon there’s more danger from varmints with two legs. Guess having another person along won’t waste too much time from chores.”
Lucy handed her a couple of parcels wrapped in paper. “Cake and cheese.”
“Would either of you like to come? Supposed to be real pretty. We could even soak in the warm water.”
Lucy shook her head and scurried the other direction.
Marnie shook her finger at Buster. “Young lady, there’ll be no soaking in the water on this trip. You look around all you want but be on your guard the whole time. Like I said, we don’t really know anything about Thad for all that he appears to be a good man.”
Buster let a laugh ripple from her. “Finally, you admit that after pushing me at him since he arrived.”
“I never pushed you at anyone. Reminding you that it’s time you chose a husband and settled down is not saying who you have to choose.” She swatted Buster on the rear. “Not that it would do any good if I did with you as stubborn as one of the mules. Now, get on with you so you have daylight both ways.”
“Yes, ma’am, your majesty. Wish I was as talented as Priscilla and could paint you a picture of what the springs look like.” She tied a leather thong around the sack to keep it closed. “Now I’ll be off on my quest. Perhaps I’ll even meet a dragon.”
“If you do then you let Thad play St. George and slay it. I want you back here in one piece, do you hear?” When Buster was a child, Marnie had read her fanciful stories of knights and damsels.
Buster kissed Marnie on the cheek before heading out the door. “Goodbye. See you this evening.”
Thad had the horses saddled and tethered at the rail by the porch. She tied the food on her saddle. After pulling on her gloves and hat then wrapping her scarf snugly around her, she climbed into the saddle.
The two dogs danced arou
nd the horses as if eager to be on their way.
“Sport, Diablo, stay home.”
The disappointed dogs whined but did as she commanded.
Thad had waited, probably didn’t believe she could manage without help. He’d learn she could ride standing up on a bareback horse if needed and never needed a mounting block or help like she would with one of those fussy skirts most women wore. She and Etta and Cordelia were the only women here about with any common sense of how to dress.
“You know the way?” she asked.
“Have a general idea but don’t want to wander hither and yon looking when you know the quickest route.”
“Try to keep up.” She kneed her horse into a lope.
They traveled too fast for easy conversation until they stopped to rest the animals at a stream.
She tossed a pebble into the water. “This is Moose Creek and it meanders into Wildcat Ridge.” She gestured to a low mountain. “That’s Moose Mountain.”
“How far is this spring?” He passed her the canteen of water.
“From town it’s about four miles, but we’re closer. Having a road will cut some of the time for townsfolk. I expect they’ll have wagons or buggies carting folks eventually.” She drank her fill and handed the container to him.
“They’ll need something. I can’t see people suffering from illnesses who need the warm water being able to ride a horse for four miles.” He drank then bent to refill the canteen.
“You’re right. I wonder if they’ve considered a hotel or rental cottages for those people.”
He raised his eyebrows and stood. “Sounds like a good idea. Who’s in charge of the project?”
“Mayor Hester Fugit, at least as far as I know. Priscilla is the one who told her about the hot springs and waterfall they named Angel Hot Springs. I believe Hester is purchasing the land on behalf of the women in town. Keep in mind all of this is a big secret.” She mounted Sundown.
He did the same for his horse. “What about the men still in town? Are they shut out?”
She led out but at a slower pace. “No, except for Mortimer Crane. See, he owns most of the town and he’s the one who ordered the women to marry and get their husbands to run the business. Says he won’t renew the lease for any unmarried woman. My friend Priscilla’s father was the minister and she’s been using his notes to deliver the sermon each Sunday. Now she has to move from the parsonage.”
“Crane sounds like an evil ba… man.”
“That he is. Hester is hoping to have the land secure before he learns about the springs. I hope she manages. He’ll try to claim it, I’m sure, but she will have her name on paper.”
The narrow, winding trail they traveled was steep. The way was fraught with obstacles that must be a result of the explosions that had shaken the mountain. At the same time, they traveled beautiful county. Birds sang in the trees and squirrels chattered at them as they passed.
He negotiated around a fallen tree. “Any chance of the mine reopening?”
She followed, waiting until they were side by side again to answer. “Don’t think so. Some say ore was about played out when the explosion happened. I’ve heard there’s not enough gold left to pay for the expense required. Crane has already sent the remaining miners on to his other mines.”
“What’s his beef with the women and their businesses?”
“He’d like to level the town and use the wood to build at his other sites. He doesn’t care that he’s juggling people’s lives.”
“Is there enough activity here to keep the town going without the mine?”
“Probably not. That’s why the spring is so important. If it draws people, we can help save the town.”
She always loved this ride. The woods they rode in were so beautiful they almost took away her breath. Patches of snow lingered in shaded places. In spite of that, wildflowers had popped out to create a lovely panorama
“Is this Crane married with a family?”
“Pffft. He keeps his wife in what I’ve heard is a fancy house in Salt Lake City where she isn’t privy to his escapades here. I don’t know her but have heard she was once one of the workers in… um, in a house of ill repute he owns. I’ve also heard she’s a beautiful woman who’s in love with her polecat of a husband.”
“I guess I should avoid the man but I can’t help being intrigued about him. His story begs for a face to go with the lurid details.”
“It’s not a face I ever want to see again.” She sniffed the air. “Smell that? Priscilla said we’d smell the sulphur from the water before we saw the spring.”
They urged their horses faster up the slope until they broke out of the trees to witness the bubbling spring, waterfalls, and pools surrounded by large boulders.
She reined in Sundown with awe. “My goodness, isn’t this beautiful? Have you ever seen anything like this? I saw a painting of Priscilla’s but I thought she had embellished the appearance. This is even lovelier because it’s real.”
He dismounted. “I never even imagined anything like this.” He pivoted to look at the area. “Look, there in that little clearing, I see where there could be a cottage.” He pointed to areas in the trees. “Changing stalls could go along there. Maybe rental rooms or a small hotel along the other side.”
She climbed down from her horse and walked along the edge of the top pool. The change since she had seen this place last summer amazed her. Already new growth of ferns and other heat-loving plants had sprung up around the water.
“I don’t know if the road will follow the trail we used. See the surveyor’s stakes? Oh, I hope Hester has bought and filed on this land successfully. She was looking to buy six acres.”
Thad walked with her. “Not enough in my opinion but it’s a start.”
She stopped and faced him. “No, don’t you see, it’s now or never? Crane owns a lot of land here on the mountain. The six acres is surrounded by his property. Any he doesn’t own already he’ll purchase as soon as he hears about the spring. Especially when he learns the women want the land.”
“Dub said you’re financing this venture.”
She was both embarrassed and defensive. “Why shouldn’t I? I’m the only one besides Crane who can. Having the town is important for the ranch even if my friends didn’t need my help.”
His smile made him even more handsome. “That wasn’t a criticism.”
Soft words from him jumbled her thoughts but she ambled ahead. “Oh, well, I simply can’t turn my back on my friends. Not even on those in town that I don’t especially like.”
“Such as?”
She didn’t intend to name names. “Several of the women are critical because I don’t wear dresses or act the way they think I should.” She waited for him to ask her why she didn’t change.
Instead, he surprised her. “Your business what you wear, not theirs.”
Aghast, she stared at him. “Th-Thank you.”
He chuckled. “You don’t have to look at me as if I just said the earth is flat.”
“Guess I expected you to agree with them.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “What if I had? What if I thought you should go by Blessing and wear frilly dresses and fancy hairdos and carry a ruffled parasol? Would it make a difference in the way you dress?”
She sent him a questioning glance. “Not really. Is… is that what you think?”
He shook his head. “What I think is my business. What you wear is yours. Shall we have our picnic? I’ll see why the horses are acting skittish.”
She retrieved the sack from her saddle and spoke soothing words to Sundown. The stiff breeze carried a chill so she chose a flat rock in the sun for a table and bench. Suddenly, there was a screech that sounded like a woman’s scream.
Buster recognized a wildcat’s cry and froze. Their two horses whinnied, reared, and their eyes rolled wildly. Half a dozen deer broke through the trees at a frantic run.
Her pulse pounded and her heart was in her throat as she grabbed Sundown’s reins.
Thad did the same for Goldie then helped quiet both horses before he knotted their reins around a tree branch. When they were secure, he pulled the rifle from his saddle scabbard and faced the direction from which the deer had come.
He said, “Get down behind that boulder. Sounded like that wildcat is close and something is definitely wrong. Shouldn’t be hunting prey at this time of day.”
Chapter Seven
Buster crouched behind the rock but protested, “Hey, I’m a crack shot.”
Thad edged to her horse and grabbed her rifle. Never turning from his focus, he edged backward to give her the firearm.
He spoke low, “We’re downwind of the sound. Careful you don’t shoot me. Don’t shoot at all unless you see that cat’s about to leap toward you.”
They both watched the trail used by the deer.
She whispered, “You think maybe the cat’s rabid?”
“Can’t say without seeing it. If so, that would explain it being active this time of day.”
Her hands trembled and were clammy but she could aim and fire the rifle if she had to. “Thad, stay where I can see you.”
He sat on one of the boulders. “I have no intention of leaving you alone. Dub gave me strict instructions to stay with you no matter what happened.”
That made her so mad she could spit nails. “I’m not some wilting female who faints at the least thing. I can take care of myself same as you can.”
“I’m sure that’s true. You take care of me while I take care of you. I can’t watch in every direction. Take half the circle and watch behind us. We have a deal?”
Somewhat placated by his admission, her anger cooled and she faced away from him. “You have a deal. How long do we wait for this cat to appear?”
“Until Goldie lets me know there’s no danger. Horses can smell a big cat and they won’t relax if one’s around.”
“I know that. Sundown is still mighty upset. Plus, the hair on the nape of my neck is lifted.”
Blessing (Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Book 2) Page 4