Setting Things Straight
Belles of Wyoming Book 31
New Beginnings
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Setting Things Straight Belles of Wyoming Book 31
Copyright © February 2019
Published by Patricia PacJac Carroll
ALL rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, (except for inclusion in reviews), disseminated or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or audio. Including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, or the Internet/World Wide Web without written permission from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Cover by Virginia McKevitt
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Other books by Patricia PacJac Carroll
You will also enjoy Summer’s Love, where you can meet Summer and Spencer.
Summer’s Love
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Christmas 2018 (Theme: Holiday)
Book 1, Christine Sterling, Wynter’s Bride
Book 2, Marianne Spitzer, Holly's Christmas Wish
Book 3, Cyndi Raye, A Tin Star for Christmas
Book 4, P. Creeden, A Pony for Christmas
Book 5, Julia Ridgmont, Natalie's Surprise Engagement
Spring 2019 (Theme: Renewal/Redemption)
Book 6, Christine Sterling, The Homecoming
Book 7, Ginny Sterling, Blessings of Love
Book 8, Cyndi Raye, Mercy’s Gift
Book 9, P. Creeden, Moments of Grace
Book 10, Julia Ridgmont, Emeline's Redemption
Summer 2019 (Theme: Summer Love
/ Barn Raising)
Book 11, Ginny Sterling, Lightning Strikes Twice
Book 12, Julia Ridgmont, In the Nick of Time
Book 13, Jenna Brandt, June’s Remedy
Book 14, Lynn Donovan, The Wrong Bride
Book 15, Marisa Masterson, Grace for a Drifter
Book 16, Rose Castro, Lucy’s Luck
Book 17, P. Creeden, Steel Blue Bride
Book 18, Cyndi Raye, Stealing Her Heart
Book 19, Cheryl Wright, Eleanor’s Dilemma
Book 20, Jo Grafford, Wild Rose Summer
Book 21, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Summer’s Love
Book 22, Lisa M. Prysock, The Prairie Princess
Book 23, Marie Higgins, Whispers of Yesterday
Book 24, Amelia Adams, Butterfly Kisses
Book 25, Margaret Tanner, Flynn's Debt
Book 26, Mimi Milan, September’s Switch
Book 27, Julia Ridgmont, Daring to Love Again
Book 28, Christine Sterling, A Matter of Marriage
Book 29, Ginny Sterling, Change of Heart
Book 30, Christine Sterling, The Barn Raising
Winter 2020 (Theme: New Beginnings)
2/5 - Book 31, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Setting Things Straight
2/12 - Book 32, Marianne Spitzer, Charity’s Promise
2/19 - Book 33, Marie Higgins, Too Many Secrets
2/26 - Book 34, Marlene Bierworth, From Mourning to Joy
3/4 - Book 35, Marisa Masterson, Title
3/11 - Book 36, Cyndi Raye, Title
3/18 - Book 37, Lynn Donovan, Nellie’s New Attitude
3/25 - Book 38, Julia Ridgmont, The Trouble with Lucy
4/1 - Book 40, Lisa Prysock, Title
Setting Things Straight
Belles of Wyoming Book 31
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Chapter 1
Theodore Theopolis ran his rangy mustang over the gully and continued after the wandering maverick. Bad enough rustlers were stealing cattle, without leaving him the job of having to chase runaway steers. The boss wasn’t going to be happy. By Theo’s count, they were short another twenty head.
Since coming to work for the Box R Ranch, Theo had seen a steady drop in the number of cattle. He’d yet to find anyone stealing the beasts, but he had his pistol ready if he ever did.
This would be a good case for Summer and Spencer to investigate. Not that they were Pinkerton agents, but Spencer was becoming quite the writer. And Summer was right along with him. Together, they had written several books using detective skills for their research.
They had been planning on getting married in the new year and were his best friends. If it hadn’t been for them, Theo would have been in jail or strung up on some tree. They’d saved him from a life of crime. One that he wasn’t at all set up for.
Now, Theo had a job, three meals a day, and a place to sleep nights. Mostly, as there were the nights that he spent watching the herd, but generally, he was living the good life. Far better than starving and freezing.
He swirled his rope to encourage Mr. Maverick back to the herd. The ornery black steer tossed his head and thought about charging until he saw the rope. That changed his mind, and he ran back to the herd jostling his way into the middle.
“Troublemaker.” Theo turned his horse and went after another wayward steer. He scanned the horizon and didn’t see anyone but did see dark blue clouds to the north. That spelled only one thing, and that was colder weather coming their way.
He hurried the cattle to the lower pasture where they’d thrown some hay for the animals, and where they’d be sheltered from the high winds and freezing temperatures. On the other side of the herd, he saw Jake pushing three more steers.
Theo called to him. “We better get these all settled and get back to the ranch.”
The old-timer rubbed his leg. “I agree. My knee is telling me this is going to be a blizzard.”
Theo grinned at the older cowboy. Jake’s joints had become quite the weather forecaster, but he was usually right. As if to accentuate Jake’s words, the wind kicked up, sending a blast of air from the arctic.
After the last of the cattle were safely in the lower pasture, Theo grinned at Jake and took off for the ranch house.
The older man whooped and was hot on his tail.
Theo loved racing the ponies home. He knew to be careful of the prairie dog holes, but he also loved the wind in his face and the thrill of flying over the prairie. And the way the wind was kicking up, it was a good thing.
Storming into the yard, Theo jumped off Tumbleweed and threw the reins over the corral. In minutes, he had the horse’s saddle off and led him into the corral and fed him. “You earned your hay today, big boy.”
Jake followed him, and they rushed into the bunkhouse. “Storm’s coming. Hope Cooky has some good hot fixings for tonight.”
Theo laughed. “Double for me.” Then he looked down the line of men at the table and did a double-take. “Spencer?”
With a nod, his friend smiled. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“Doing more research?”
“Sort of.”
Cooky brushed by Theo and whispered. “Be gentle,
he’s had a fight with Summer.”
“Oh.” Theo pushed Squinty down the bench and sat beside Spencer. “So, you and Summer at odds?”
With a noticeable frown, his friend nodded. “I would say so. She told me not to talk to her again.”
“That doesn’t sound like her. What happened?”
With a shrug, Spencer tore apart his roll. “Women. All I can tell you is they are fickle as the weather. Warm one minute and icy cold the next.”
Theo nodded. That he knew from listening to other men talk. But he thought Summer and Spencer would be different.
Spencer shook his head. “Anyway, I guess it was a little my fault. I got mad because she sold another story under her pen name, Dale Vance, that name she uses so they don’t know she’s a woman, and well, I got another rejection.”
Theo buttered a roll. “Ouch. You two are pretty competitive. So, what made her mad?”
Spencer put his head in his hands. “I yelled at her and said that once we were married, she couldn’t write anymore.”
Theo stared at him. “Ouch double. How on earth did you think that was going to go over?”
“I don’t know. I was stupid. Summer is a good writer, and we help each other out. I guess I got jealous and couldn’t bear the thought that she was better than me. She hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you.” Theo stared at the wall and then looked at Spencer. “Well, she is better with horses, and she does write a good story. Not that yours aren’t good, too. But is it so bad that she gets to shine some?”
Spencer looked down and clinked his knife against the plate. “No, I guess it isn’t, but this is supposed to be a man’s world. I don’t feel right being second place all the time.”
“I see what you mean, but I can tell you this, I bet she is sitting in her house wishing you were coming by. I know she misses you as much as you miss her.”
“Thanks, Theo.” Spencer sighed and then dug into the chili, chewed, and then gulped down some water. “Cooky, do you have to make it so dog-gone hot?”
With a toothless grin, Cooky nodded. “It takes the chill off the air, and I think by morning, we’re going to need it.”
“You might be right, but I’m going to need a new mouth.” Spencer gulped down more water. “It’s not how we made it in Connecticut.” He grabbed a biscuit and ate half of it.
Theo loved the hot chili. The spicier, the better for him. Then again, he’d grown up eating anything set before him. Hunger made one not so particular. “Spence, I hope you and Summer can patch things up. Have you set another wedding date yet?”
“Ha, I’m not even sure there will be one. By the look that was in Summer’s eyes, she’s done with me.”
Theo shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. I’d say her heart belongs to you regardless of what her anger said.”
“Maybe, but for now, I’m staying here with you guys. I asked the boss, and he said it was all right. I know you’ve had trouble with rustlers, and I want to stick around to write my next book.”
“Good idea. I’ve got bad news for the boss. Twenty more head are missing, and that’s before this storm.”
Spencer grinned. “Great! I mean, sorry they stole from the ranch, but I’m glad that I might get a chance to see them in action or see the sheriff catch them.”
“Forget about the sheriff. He’s out chasing bank robbers. The rustlers go down in the badlands where it’s a maze of box canyons. So far, none of us have been able to find them.” Theo shoved an elbow at Spence. “Maybe we can catch them and take that reward.”
Spencer brushed a hand through his hair, leaving parts sticking up. “That would be a dream. That’s one of the other things that we fight over. Money. So far, she’s made more than me. It’s bad enough that her father is offering to let us stay in the small house behind the barn. When I asked Summer to marry me, I thought I’d be able to take care of her.”
Theo sat back in his chair. “That’s rough. A man ought to be the one to take care of his wife. Women look down on them when they don’t.”
“Now, you see what I’m up against.”
“What about doing some accounting?”
“I’m never going back to Connecticut. I love it out here.”
“Aren’t there people that need your services here? I mean you could write too. Ask the boss. I know neither Abe or his son, Ed, like fiddling with numbers.”
“Maybe you’re right. That might settle things with Summer.” He threw down his half-eaten biscuit. “I can’t live without her.”
Chapter 2
Despite all the storm’s bluster, the snow only lasted until midmorning, and then the sun came out and warmed up the air. Theo finished washing up and then slapped his towel at a still sleeping Spencer.
“Time to get up. We have things to do. Boss thought some of us ought to go out and see if we can spot any tracks rustlers might have made and follow them.”
Spencer practically flew out of bed. “I’m ready. Let’s catch them and get that reward. That would solve some of my money problems. I’m also going to talk to the boss and see if he needs accounting help. You’re right, Theo. I could do both write and accounting.”
“That’s the spirit. I really don’t want to see you and Summer miss out. So, let’s get some breakfast, saddle up, and go look for rustlers.” Theo raced for a seat at the table and soon wolfed down his pancakes, barely keeping up with Spence. It seems in Connecticut, they did have pancakes.
They rushed to the barn and saddled up the horses. Tumbleweed made sure to buck around the corral a few times and then settled down, ready to run. “You ready, Spence?”
His friend nodded. Spencer had chosen Blacky. A smaller but very sturdy no-nonsense horse. He’d be useful on a chase and safe for Spencer, who still had a bit of tenderfoot in him.
They rode to the pasture where Theo had run the cows into. He pointed to Spencer. “If there were any rustlers, I bet they would have come from that direction.”
Spence nodded. “Let’s go. I’m ready to catch them.”
Theo rode around the cattle and watched the snow for tracks. He saw a few big cat prints. A few wolf and coyote. And then he saw the hoofprints. Maybe four horses. And the tracks looked fresh.
Grabbing Spence’s reins, he stopped his friend. “They’ve been here. We might have even stopped them.”
Spence nodded and looked around. “Which way do you think they went?”
Theo nodded toward a gap in the wall-like mesa. “Follow me. But be careful.” He took out his pistol.
Spence shook his head and pulled out his pen and paper. “Sorry.”
Laughing, Theo shook his head. “Just stay behind me and keep your eyes open.”
They trotted around the bowl-like pasture and came to the gap in the wall. Tracks showed horses and cattle going through the opening.
Theo kept watch. He knew the rustlers had just been here. Riding through the gap, Theo heard someone herding cattle up ahead and motioned for Spence to stop.
Once on the other side of the gap, Theo saw one of the rustlers pushing a couple cattle up the trail. He pulled out his gun, aimed, shouted, and hung on as Tumbleweed decided to spook at a jackrabbit.
Forced to drop the gun, Theo hung on and straightened Tumbleweed out to chase after the rustler. Only one as far as he could see. With no weapon, he pulled out his rope and swung the lariat.
Tumbleweed gained on the rustler, and Theo let the rope snake out and wrap around the outlaw. With a jerk, Theo pulled him from his horse and onto the melting snow. With rope taut, Theo jumped down and ran to the rustler.
Spencer came up behind him. “I got your pistol.” He handed it to Theo.
Aiming the gun at the downed outlaw, Theo lowered his voice to sound tough. “All right. Your rustling days are over.”
The offender groaned.
Theo jerked him to his feet. The outlaw’s hat fell off, and rich-brown tresses tumbled to her shoulders. Her!
&n
bsp; “A girl?” Theo took the gun from her holster.
She glared at him. “I would have gotten away, but my horse tripped.”
Theo held his gun on her, but his heart had already been stolen. “Why are you rustlin’ cattle? Don’t you know they hang cattle thieves around here?”
The outlaw girl kept a steady glare at him, but her eyes became moist. “What do you know about why people do things? We used to be a normal family. That is until they robbed us and stole our ranch.”
“Who robbed you?” Spence was off his horse and taking notes.
She tugged on the rope around her angrily, trying to loosen it. “The Kyers. They stole our ranch and everything we had. My brothers are only trying to take back what is ours.”
“The Box R didn’t steal your cattle or ranch.” Theo loosened the rope. “Why are you stealing his?”
Jutting out a defiant chin, she stepped back. “All the ranchers allowed it. Everyone in this valley owes us.”
Spence neared her. “What’s your name?”
She paused, and her gaze quieted from a glare to hope as she stared at Theo. “Jillian. Jillian Duff.”
Theo pulled her to him and took the rope from around her. “Sorry to have dropped you on the ground. You’re not hurt?”
“No. I’ve had to grow up tough.”
Theo nodded. “I understand how that is. Both of us are new to the area, so I’m not familiar with either your name.” Her eyes were blue. Her lips pink. And he had no desire to take her in for a reward. He brushed a piece of grass from her cheek. “Where’s your house?”
“House? I just told you we have nothing. We’ve been staying in a line shack up the slopes behind the mesa. It’s cold, and there are not many trees around here for firewood.” She coughed and wavered.
Theo grabbed her before she could hit the ground. “You’re sick.”
Spence took the rope from him. “Summer’s father could help her, and he’s closer. I really don’t think we should risk taking her to town.”
Setting Things Straight Page 1