Thirty-One
This is the third wedding we’ve had in a very short time,” Cheyenne said, leading the way to Hogback’s diner, just like she led everywhere.
Wyatt watched his bossy big sister and decided he wasn’t going to be heartbroken to have the RHR ranch house to himself . . . well, himself and his wife. That made him smile.
Rachel had gone to the hotel and rented a room. She’d told them congratulations but said she was going to rest until the sheriff needed her to testify at the trial tomorrow.
John stayed with the prisoners. Sheriff Gatlin was ailing and wasn’t much help, and Sheriff Corly shouldn’t be alone with those two outlaws, who’d proven to be dangerous.
Kevin had stopped at the doctor’s office and been bandaged up while the rest of them told their stories, but they waited for him, then went to find the preacher to hold a wedding ceremony.
“I’ll fix your shoulder better when we get home,” Molly whispered to Kevin.
Parson Brownley was visiting the family of a widow and taking them a meal. Mrs. Brownley said he’d be back within the hour, and she’d send him to the church. In the meantime, the Hunt family would share a meal and make some plans.
Hogback had fried chicken for dinner and nothing else, so that’s what they all had. Win told them there were restaurants that had choices, but that seemed like a lot of fuss.
The food was coming to the table by the time they all sat down.
“I came out best in all of this.” Wyatt gave Cheyenne, straight across from him, a sassy smile.
“No, you sure enough didn’t.” Falcon gave him a brotherly swat on the arm.
“Molly’s the best cook,” Wyatt said.
“We won’t starve.” Falcon looked at his wife as if he didn’t have one worry in the world, though he probably should have.
Kevin, at the foot of the table, slid one hand behind Win’s neck. “Do you want to live in your father’s house? I’d be fine with a cabin with a couple of rooms and a few acres to farm. I know your pa’s house holds no good memories for you.”
Kevin didn’t seem overly worried about Win’s cooking, only her feelings. Still, Wyatt quietly gloated. He had the best cook, and the prettiest wife, too, but he was too smart to say that out loud.
“I’m going to think of it as my mother’s house. I intend to think of her when we move there.”
“If you’re sure,” Kevin said. “I’ll live there only if you agree.”
“I am sure.”
Kevin leaned close and kissed her, softly and not for long. It wasn’t at all proper. But he did it anyway.
Wyatt thought of a few more things they needed to clear up. “So it seems our name really is Hunt.”
“Yep, for a while, I was worried Win and I were first cousins.” Kevin gave her a wide-eyed look.
She smiled back.
“Our pa, Clovis, is a brother to Randall but no blood relation to Oliver. Both men changed their names,” Kevin explained.
“They’d’ve never passed themselves off as rich men with the Tennessee accents,” Win said. “Oh, there are Southern folks who move north, but they have fancy family ties that they trot out and boast about. Those boys had nothing. No high-steppin’ kin, no wealth, and Pa needed both to weasel his way into high society and marry my ma.”
“They probably stole enough money to keep up appearances,” Molly said. “That’s how they got every penny they ever had.”
They finished their meal. As they stood, Cheyenne said, “It’s nice to get to have a real wedding.”
Falcon came to her side. “Did you want a bigger wedding? A real one?”
“We had a real wedding, and don’t you forget it.” She laughed, her eyes glowing with love. “What I should have said is, it’s nice to have the family together for one.”
“Ours was for sure a quiet business,” Win said. “Quick and quiet and followed soon after with an attack and a fight for our lives.”
“Let’s think of that ride on the river and the night in the wilderness as a honeymoon.” Kevin hugged her close, and she smiled as bright as the noonday sun.
“And ours was after we’d arrested those cow-stealing bums and rescued Amelia Bishop,” Cheyenne said.
“The wedding was for sure the bright spot in that mess.” Falcon followed along after Kevin and Win, walking on the cold, blustery boardwalk toward the church.
They saw Parson Brownley step out of the parsonage. He spotted them and waved. The man did purely love pronouncing a wedding.
“We’ll all be here for this one.” Wyatt took Molly’s hand, and they walked along, hands swinging. He wondered at how much his life had changed since Pa had died and torn up all their lives.
“You know something?” It must’ve been his tone of voice, but every one of his family stopped and turned to look at Wyatt. “We talked about honoring our parents. And every one of us, except Cheyenne, had trouble doing that.”
“Even I did,” Cheyenne admitted. “Because I had Clovis for a father most of my growing-up years, and he wasn’t a man I could honor.”
“Well, look at us.” Wyatt looked around the small circle they’d formed there on that cold street in Bear Claw Pass, Wyoming. “Look at how much our lives have improved because of Pa and that stupid, thieving will. Molly and Kevin and Falcon have added so much to our lives. And we’d’ve never met them without Pa’s will. Look even at how Win found justice for her mother and maybe can discover some of the things hidden about her ma’s family. All the cheating and stealing and even murdering our fathers did led us right here.” He pointed to the boardwalk beneath their feet.
“It’s a good place.” Wyatt’s grip on Molly’s hand tightened. When he spoke of murder, it wasn’t just Hawkins who’d brought that evil into his family’s life. It was all Molly had endured with her pa’s cruelty. And they’d survived it all.
He thought he saw a lighter spirit settle on his family’s shoulders.
Molly said quietly, “We honor our fathers by being a light in the world. By believing in what’s good. By being better than we might have grown up to be.”
Wyatt smiled down at her and suddenly the family was smaller, even with them all standing right there. It was only him and his Molly.
She nodded.
He bent and kissed her and said, “Let’s go get married.”
A few minutes later, they stood before the parson, a happy family. A family that lived in such a way any decent father would be honored to call them his.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today . . .”
And they were, truly gathered together in a family.
Three beautiful brides.
Three brothers in arms.
All of them had found love on the range.
Epilogue
It was summer in Wyoming Territory, and after a year, Molly had definitely decided she liked the place, despite the hard beginning.
Being in love with a fine man made it easy to face any hardship a winter in the Rocky Mountains brought her way.
So much had changed in a year it was like a whole new world.
One big change had Cheyenne chafing. But she’d agreed, no roping, no branding, no throwing nor hog-tying cattle.
It might be hard on the baby that would be coming before winter.
She proclaimed that she didn’t believe it, but Falcon had lost his first wife when she was bringing a baby, and he tended to panic.
Today, because it was the Lord’s Day, Wyatt had been persuaded to leave off the branding and come along for a visit with Win and Kevin at their home.
They had family dinners often enough, mostly at the RHR, but they hadn’t had one since Win’s baby had been born. Now, with Win up and around, Molly had convinced Wyatt to go straight to Kevin and Win’s after church. Today Win would get the meal started, but Molly would finish things up.
She was excited to see her new niece, and she wanted to tell everyone she had her own baby on the way. Wyatt knew, but she wanted to tell
Kevin and, now that Andy worked at Kevin’s ranch, she could tell them both at the same time.
Kevin and Win were still staying close to home. But Falcon and Cheyenne had been at church. Molly had convinced them to come along for the noon meal. It hadn’t been hard.
They rode into the yard, and Molly caught herself shaking her head, as she did whenever she looked at the massive house.
Kevin met them at the door, the baby in his arms. Molly’s heart warmed until it tingled to see her brother holding his child so gently. She couldn’t wait until it was Wyatt’s turn.
As they dismounted, Andy came out of the ramrod’s house and helped Falcon and Wyatt stable the horses.
Molly beat Cheyenne by a pace and claimed a turn holding the baby.
Kevin laughed but gave little Dorothy up with good grace.
Win was moving around the kitchen. She had a roast on and potatoes stewing. She’d known Molly and Wyatt were coming because they’d finally figured out how to train the pigeons, and they now carried messages between the three families. It was a very convenient system.
Adding Cheyenne and Falcon was no problem. The roast was large, the potatoes were plentiful.
Molly was a while working because she wanted to make a fine dessert and her special garlic biscuits, but at last they were settled in to eat. Baby Dorothy was down for a nap, and they could all eat together, like they had a year ago.
“We’re done with the new room on my pa’s old place.” Cheyenne smiled. “It’s been nice being there. It’s brought back fond memories of my parents that I’d lost track of.”
Cheyenne looked sideways at Falcon. “It’s not big, even with the new room. Do you want a nicer house? We could build one. I’d make Wyatt help.”
Wyatt snorted. “You wouldn’t make me. I’d be glad to help.” He slid his arm across the back of Molly’s chair. Wyatt was next to Falcon on his other side and straight across from his big sister.
Falcon took a break from his slice of tender roast beef and mashed potatoes to take Cheyenne’s hand. “It’s the biggest house I’ve ever lived in, not counting the few nights I’ve slept in the main house at the RHR. Nope, it’s plenty for me. If we want more room, I can add another room on.”
Cheyenne nodded, and their hands tightened, their eyes held. “I’m happy wherever and however I live as long as you’re with me.”
“And we get the RHR.” Wyatt settled back. He heard the wooden rungs creak and remembered his ma fussing at him not to lean back on his chair. It was a fond memory, too.
When the meal was finished, Win said, “I found something in the attic that I’d like you to see. And Wyatt and Falcon, I’m hoping you’ll help Kevin bring a few things down.”
“I could’ve gotten it, Win.” Kevin rolled his eyes at her, but he had a grin on his face.
“I’ve got a few chores to see to,” Andy said, rising. “Do you need another strong back or can these old men handle it?”
With good-natured teasing the men told him to get on back to work.
“Before you go, Andy . . .” Molly glanced shyly at Wyatt. She felt a blush pink her cheeks.
Wyatt took her hand and gave her an encouraging nod. They’d discussed it, and she’d asked if she could make the announcement, but now it was a bit hard to speak the words.
“I’ve got a little one on the way.”
Everyone around the table whooped. Kevin rose and pulled her into his arms. Win was next, then Andy. The men shook Wyatt’s hand, and everyone gave Molly a hug.
Win whispered to her, “I know you already love your baby, but you won’t believe what it feels like to be a ma. It’s like a mama grizzly wakes up inside you, ready to fight and die to protect your child. The love is so big, so beautiful.” Tears came to her eyes, and Kevin dragged her close with one arm and kissed her dark curls.
Andy gave Molly one last hug, his grin huge, then he headed for the barn.
The rest of them trooped upstairs.
“Leave all the doors open,” Kevin said. “Dorothy usually takes a good afternoon nap, but we need to be able to hear her if she wakes up early.”
When they reached the attic, Molly saw that everything had been moved around. Dust covers pulled off various crates and chests, including a row of paintings.
“Win, these are beautiful.” Molly walked over to the line of portraits, all of them over three feet high including their ornate gilt frames.
Four pictures in a perfect row.
“The first two are my grandmother and grandfather, next is my mother, and the last is my mother holding me.”
“Why isn’t there a portrait of your pa?” Wyatt asked quietly. Molly suspected if there had been a picture, Wyatt might’ve offered to haul it away to burn.
They didn’t talk about Win’s pa much. She’d wanted no part in attending the hanging of Oliver Hawkins and Randall Kingston. They’d both richly earned their punishment, especially as more and more came out about their criminal dealings.
But that didn’t make it easy for Win to talk about.
“I’m not sure why there’s no painting of him. My guess is, my grandparents . . . my ma, too, come to that, realized Ma had made a terrible mistake. No one wanted to add him to the family gallery. I’m surprised he didn’t burn these. He probably would have if he wasn’t such a lazy old beast.”
Molly studied the pictures. “You look more like your ma than your grandmother, though you have her eyes.”
Win’s bright blue eyes were a match for the grandmother and the child little older than a toddler.
“I believe I was four or so when this was painted, it was just before we came west. Once I found this, I remembered a few things about it being painted. Vague memories of being told by my ma to sit still.” Win smiled, the memories good ones. Molly was glad she had them.
“We’re closing up the attic and may close the second floor before winter. We are living in the rooms you used, Molly. There are two of them, and little Dorothy is in the second room. We’re right by the kitchen”—Kevin shrugged—“the rest of the house is just wasted space that takes a lot of hard work to heat.”
Molly knew that, though they lived in a mansion and had enough to eat, times were hard for Kevin and Win. Their cattle had mostly been stolen or neglected. Hawkins had spent Win’s ma’s money. They had vast land holdings but to build up a herd to make use of that land would take years.
“What is all this up here, Win? Old trunks, chests, furniture.” Wyatt flipped the lid up on one. “Have you searched for treasure yet?”
“No, I had no interest in it while I was expecting. I just didn’t want to have to spend time thinking about Pa, and I was a little too round to spend much time on the stairs. But now it was finally time, and I came up here and found things I wish I’d had all along.”
Wyatt bent and pulled up a handful of papers. “You probably should go through all of this. How can you know if it’s valuable? We could help you.”
He flipped through a stack of loose paper, yellow with age. A thick oversized packet slipped out and dropped to the floor. It hit with a slap that drew Molly’s eyes as it skidded to Falcon’s feet.
It was a folder of some kind made of sturdy leather with a button and string tying it shut. Falcon bent to pick it up and read aloud, “‘Winona Hawkins Trust.’”
Cheyenne had worked with him for a while, but Falcon took to reading and arithmetic like fire to straw. He now spent part of the family money on books and had a nice shelf full of them.
Molly gasped at the words. And she heard other such noises as Falcon handed the packet to Win.
Win quickly unwound the string and flipped the folder open, then drew out some very official-looking documents. Fine paper, large formal script at the top that read Last Will and Testament. Then her grandmother’s name.
Below it, in a smaller size, was a page full of the script.
Win read quickly. “My grandparents left me a trust fund. It was very explicitly left to me and was to be turned over
after my marriage. It can’t be accessed before.”
“How big a trust fund?” Cheyenne, always plainspoken, asked.
Win told them, and it earned another gasp all around.
“Remember, Wyatt, when you offered to sell some of your cows to me this fall instead of doing a roundup, and I’d pay for them over time?”
“Yep, the offer is still good.”
Kevin grinned and said, “We’ll take them all.”
The whole group laughed at the load that had just been lifted off Kevin and Win’s shoulders.
Kevin slid an arm across Win’s back. “Your grandparents, probably with your ma in full agreement, did this to protect you from your pa. They knew you’d need protection, even before all his evil toward your family.”
After some deep investigation, it was now believed that Hawkins had killed his in-laws. He’d been sly about it, but there were lawmen back in Chicago who well remembered the unusual circumstances of their deaths. It was assumed that one of the reasons he’d taken his family west was to avoid answering questions. He’d never admitted it, and he was beyond questions now.
Win swung around and looked again at the pictures of her grandparents.
Wyatt said, “When we talk about honoring our parents, Win, you’ve got grandparents to honor and a ma who was a good woman. And Cheyenne has her first pa, and we’ve both got our ma, Katherine. Molly, your ma was a decent woman, and, Falcon, so was yours. We need to stop worrying about how to honor men who weren’t honorable and remember there were a lot of worthy parents in our lives.”
Molly went to his side. “And we’ll all do our best to be honorable ourselves, so our children don’t have to worry about answering such hard questions.”
She slid her hand to her still-flat belly and vowed to God that, with His help, she’d be the best, most faithful mother who ever bore a child.
“Three brothers,” Kevin said. “Our pa, Hawkins, and Kingston. Three brothers who never spent a moment trying to be good men. And their parents didn’t, either.”
He looked to Wyatt and Falcon. “We’re going to do better than that for our children.”
Love on the Range Page 23