Bud and Abraham exchanged looks. Bud was the younger of the two, and his features expressed the indecision he was feeling. These were the two young men whom Gus had used for grunt work. If it was a hard job, Bud and Abraham were the ones who were assigned to do it.
Abraham looked to Clayton and said, “I’ll stay. This ranch is my home. I’ll do everything in my power to see that it succeeds.”
Clayton nodded in his direction and then said to the group as a whole, “I’ll expect complete loyalty to the Fillmore Ranch.” His gaze moved to Bud, who studied the checkerboard between himself and Abraham.
The young man spoke softly. “Gus is my friend. I don’t always agree with his actions, but I can’t say that I won’t remain his friend.”
Clayton walked over and rested his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I’m not asking you to give up your friendship. Your loyalty to Gus speaks volumes. What I’m asking is your word that you will be more loyal to the ranch, work hard, and respect Maggie and the children. I don’t think that is too much to ask.”
Bud looked up at him. “No, sir, it isn’t.”
Clayton smiled. “Does that mean you are staying on, too?”
“Yes. I’ll not do anything that will mess things up for Mrs. Fillmore, I mean, Mrs. Young or the kids.”
Clayton squeezed his shoulder gently. “See that you don’t.” Then he turned his attention back to the men. “Thank you all for staying. I’m going to be the new foreman but will need all your help. And since I’m asking for more from you, I’m willing to pay you a dollar more a month.”
The men’s eyes lit up. Their voices chorused together as they all offered thanks in their own way.
When the room had quieted once more, Clayton continued. “I’ll be hiring a couple more hands, as well.” His gaze met Bud’s and Abraham’s. “The workload around here will now be distributed evenly.”
Abraham nodded his thanks. Bud simply grinned.
Clayton decided to learn more about the men now in his care. Hal, he knew, was a little slow in his thinking but was very good with horses. But he knew nothing else about the man. It would be good to find out where he came from and how he ended up here at the Fillmore Ranch.
Bud and Abraham were young. Did they have families they were supporting? Parents they were sending money to?
And as for George, his story would be interesting. He was a great cook but not a big talker. Clayton finished off his coffee. He returned the cup to the sideboard and then nodded. “I think we are all going to do just fine. I’ll be working right along beside you.”
They all nodded their approval.
He looked about the room and spotted Gus’s bunk. It was a little farther from the other men’s and seemed to have more room for his things. Clayton walked over and flipped through a box under the cot. As he suspected, the ranch bookkeeping book was at the bottom.
Aware of the other men watching him, Clayton opened the book to find lines of accounting records. He also saw where each calf had been listed. Gus had gone so far as to draw the calf’s facial markings and done the same to the matching cow to indicate which calf belonged with each cow. It was a good practice, one Clayton hoped to continue.
He closed the book and turned back to face the men. “Hal, would you pack up Gus’s personal belongings and bring them up to the house in the morning?”
“Be glad to.”
“Good.” Clayton turned his attention back to the oldest member of the group. “George, do you have a moment to step outside?”
“Yes, sir.” George pushed himself up from the cot and limped toward him. He stopped just inside the doorway and began to pull on his warmer clothes.
“Good night, men.” Clayton led the way outside. The cold air nipped at his face and hands. He tucked his hands into his pants pockets and turned to face George.
The older man grinned at him. He wore a nice big coat, scarf and a hat. “Next time you come out for a visit, you might consider grabbing your coat,” the man teased.
“That’s good advice.” Clayton walked toward the empty corral. George limped behind him.
“On second thought, let’s head up to the house.” Clayton bypassed the corral. He slowed his speed and waited for the older man to come along beside him. “What’s wrong with your leg?” he asked.
The older man glanced sideways at him. “Yesterday I dropped a knife and cut my leg. It’s fine.”
Clayton shook his head. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
George grunted. “So now you’re a doctor, too?”
“What? You don’t think I wear enough hats already?” Clayton led him around to the side of the house where they entered the kitchen. “Step into my office.”
“Funny.” George walked into the warm kitchen. “Think I could have a cup of coffee?”
“Sure. While I’m getting it, roll up that pant leg. I want to see that cut.” Clayton closed the door and then walked to the stove, where he retrieved the pot and a cup.
George rolled up his pant leg. “It’s not pretty,” he said, revealing a red, angry-looking cut.
Clayton set the cup on the table and poured coffee into it. “Nope, it isn’t. We’ll need to clean it up.” He returned to the stove, placed a pot on the front burner and then picked up the water bucket. “Be right back. Going for fresh water.”
“Take your time. It’s nicer in here than out in the bunkhouse with those rowdy boys.” He pulled his coat off and took a drink of coffee.
Clayton returned. “We’ll heat this up and then clean out that wound.”
George nodded. “Mrs.—” he paused “—Young sure makes a good cup of coffee.”
Clayton laughed. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to Maggie being called Mrs. Young, but he had to admit, George was right about her coffee. “That she does.”
After Clayton cleaned up George’s wound, the two men sat in silence as they enjoyed the coffee. Clayton’s thoughts turned back to George’s earlier words about getting away from the other men for a while. He remembered the days of sharing the bunkhouse with his brothers. They were all pretty rowdy, and he could only imagine how much they got on his older brother’s nerves.
“I thought you brought me up here to talk,” George reminded him.
Clayton set his cup down. “I did.” He studied George’s face. “How old are you?” he asked.
George chuckled. “Not real sure. I think I’m about seventy. Why do you ask? Planning on firing me because I’m old?”
Clayton chuckled. “Nope. That never crossed my mind. I was thinking about moving you out of that bunkhouse and into the barn. But if you think that might make you look old or give you too much privacy, maybe I should leave you where you are.”
“The barn? Why?”
Clayton knew he had to give the man the respect he deserved. “Well, today I may have bit off more than I could chew. I’m now a husband, a ranch foreman and a Pony Express station manager. I’m not sure there is enough of me to go around. I need help.”
George chuckled. “Well, at least you have the smarts to know you need help.” His faded gray eyes searched Clayton’s. “What did you have in mind for me?”
“Would you be willing to move into the room in the barn? Still be the ranch hands’ cook and if I’m not here when the Pony Express riders come, make sure the exchange of horses goes smoothly? I moved out today so it’s all yours, if you want it.” Clayton looked in the cookie jar and pulled out a fistful of gingersnaps. Then he walked back to the table.
George took the cookies Clayton offered him. “What other duties would I have?” he asked.
“Only one.” Clayton silently thanked the Lord for this thought. “I’ll be helping the men, and I need someone to watch out for my new family.” He looked toward the sitting room. “I don’t trust Gus Fillmore not to
cause problems here on the ranch or with Maggie.”
“Protect your family?” George stuffed half a cookie in his mouth and waited.
Clayton nodded. “I can’t leave them unprotected.”
George grinned. “And I’m guessing this is between you and me. The missus isn’t to know?”
“I’d prefer she didn’t, but if she should ask, we’ll be honest and tell her. For now, I don’t want her worrying about Gus or anyone else.” Clayton savored the sweetness of the gingersnap. Maggie would understand, but he had the feeling she wouldn’t appreciate knowing that he’d used one of the men to babysit her and the kids when he was gone.
George extended his hand. “I’d be honored to protect the family in your absence. Mr. Fillmore always treated me well. I’ll watch out for his kin in return.”
Clayton shook the older man’s hand. He hadn’t earned George’s respect yet and understood the man was telling him so. Instead of commenting on that, Clayton said, “Thank you. Let me know if that leg gets worse. Especially if you see red streaks running.”
Half an hour later, Clayton lowered the beam across the door, locking his new family inside. For the first time in his life, Clayton felt proud. He’d saved the ranch, married a pretty lady, and talked the men into staying and working the property. He’d lightened the workload of an older, respected man and was able to clean up the knife wound. All in all, it had turned out to be a good day.
Maggie had left a lantern lit for him downstairs. Clayton picked it up and made his way up the flight of steps. Since the house was sleeping, he went to his room through the hallway entry and flopped across the bed.
“Clayton?”
He glanced toward the door that adjoined the two rooms. “You can come in, Maggie.” Clayton sat back up.
She opened the door and he could see that she’d brought the makeshift crib from Dinah’s chest to the bedroom. “I just wanted you to know that I’ve moved back in here.”
Clayton nodded. “Can I ask you a question?”
Maggie smiled. “Of course.”
“Why did you move out of your bedroom in the first place?” He pulled off one boot, placed it at the foot of the bed and reached for the other.
“The baby was due and I didn’t want to be in here alone when he came. I’d thought about moving Dinah into this room but she wanted to stay in her room, so I started sleeping in there.” She grinned. “We were going to take a nap the day he was born, so I lay down with Dinah on her bed and the next thing I knew I was in labor and no one was here to help me but my little sister.” She paused and offered him a bigger smile. “I’m so glad you came along when you did.”
He took the other boot off. “I am, too.”
Did Maggie have any idea how pretty she was? She wore a dressing gown and her hair had been released from the many combs she’d worn earlier in the day. Her hazel eyes looked tired but happy. Maggie Young was a beautiful woman, and you didn’t have to be in love to appreciate that.
“Well, I just wanted to let you know we are in here and to say thank you again. For everything.”
“You are welcome. Oh, and you’ll be happy to know we did not lose a man after firing Gus. Bud is young and still wants to be Gus’s friend but has sworn his loyalty to the Fillmore Ranch. I hope you don’t mind, but I offered George the room off the side of the barn. He’s a little older and could use the quiet space. Plus, he’ll be able to help me and Hal with the horses.”
“Of course George is welcome to the room.” Maggie’s smile lit up her eyes. “I’m glad the rest of the men decided to stay, too. I was a little worried. We used to have seven men working for us, but right after Jack died, three of them quit.” She yawned. “Well, if you will excuse me, I need to get some sleep.”
“Good night, Maggie.” Clayton waited until she shut the door and then prepared for bed. He heard her moving about her room for a moment or two, and then the house was silent. His brain went into overdrive in the quiet.
What had he been thinking? Marriage? Responsibility of the ranch? Firing the foreman and taking over his duties, along with his own responsibilities as a Pony Express manager? He’d been sent here to do the job of Pony Express manager. Clayton silently vowed to do the best job as husband, foreman and Pony Express manager that he could. Seth had taught him that family always comes first. His family was new but they were now his responsibility.
He’d not shirk his duties as a Pony Express employee, he’d not allow harm to come to his new family and, most important, Clayton Young would not fall in love with his pretty new bride. Distance. That’s what he needed to keep between them. If he didn’t get close to Maggie, his heart wouldn’t betray him.
Chapter Eight
Two weeks later, Maggie buttoned up Dinah’s lightweight coat and smiled. “I’m glad we are going to town today, aren’t you?”
Dinah’s pigtails swung back and forth. “Uh-huh.” She clung to her rag doll. “Do you think Billy Fisher will be at the store today?”
Billy Fisher was a cute little boy with shiny black hair and twin dimples in his cheeks. The same age as Dinah, Billy enjoyed playing with the little girl. He had a two-year-old brother and a ten-year-old sister. Being the middle child seemed to make him appreciative of having Dinah as a friend. He was also the store owner’s son. Since Billy and his family lived above the store, there was a good chance Dinah would see her friend.
“Maybe. Why?” Maggie stood and looked at baby James. In the last week, it seemed as if he’d grown several inches. His little body had filled out some, and his cheeks held a rosy color. Deep blue eyes looked up at her.
“I like him. He’s fun to play with.” Dinah skipped to the door. “I’m going to go see if Clayton has the wagon up to the house yet.” She put her little hands on her hips and shook her pigtails. “And if he don’t, I’m gonna help him.” Then she turned and sped out the door.
Maggie called after her. “Don’t get underfoot, Dinah.” She grinned at the change in Dinah since Clayton had come into their lives. The little girl had grown sassier, but Maggie didn’t mind. It was so much better than the timid child she’d been.
She scooped James up and grabbed her purse from the bedpost. She loved being with the kids, but a day in town with adults would be a real treat. Clayton had taken to working late, eating, spending a little time with the kids and then retiring to his room. It felt like he was deliberately avoiding her.
Maggie knew they were practically strangers but had hoped to spend more time with him in the evenings, talking about the ranch or just sitting in the same room while he read and she sewed. She realized that she was comparing their pretend marriage with the life she’d spent with Jack. It hadn’t been a perfect marriage, but at least they’d talked. Maggie missed that.
She decided not to think on the past but focus on what she intended to buy at the general store. Flour, sugar, coffee, needles, thread and, if possible, a couple of skeins of yarn. At the rate James was growing he’d need new clothes, so maybe she should add a couple of yards of material to the list. She’d had little time to sew during her pregnancy while she’d been so ill. Baby James had few things to wear.
Since the ground was still frozen it was too soon to think about her summer garden. Instead she decided to focus instead on the house and the kids. Sewing would keep her mind occupied, and the housekeeping, cooking and laundry would keep her hands busy during her times of loneliness.
Maggie walked slowly down the stairs. Her motherly instinct was to be very careful not to trip or drop the baby. She breathed a sigh of relief as her boots touched the sitting room floor. Her gaze moved to the couch. Should she grab one of the blankets off of it for the ride home?
Dinah came running back into the house. “Clayton says he’s ready when you are.”
“Slow down, Dinah. Ladies do not run in the house.” She wrapped t
he baby’s blanket tighter around him. “Grab the brown blanket off the couch, please.”
Dinah blushed at the gentle scolding. “All right, Sissy. I’m sorry I runded in the house.” She walked across the room and pulled the blanket from the couch. Dinah wadded it up and then returned to Maggie.
Maggie led the way outside. She waited for Dinah to follow and then shut the door.
Clayton met her at the foot of the porch steps. He held his arms out for James. His gaze met hers and he grinned. “Ready?”
She handed the baby over and nodded. “I have several things I want to get at the general store.” Maggie turned to take the cover from Dinah. She gave the little girl a hug and thanked her for getting the blanket. “You are such a good girl, I think we’ll get you a stick of candy. Any kind you want.”
“Thanks, Sissy.” Dinah hugged her back and then pulled away. “Did you hear that, Clayton? Sissy is going to let me have any candy I want.”
He smiled. “I did hear that. Your sister is very generous.” Clayton followed Dinah to the wagon and stood behind her as she scrambled up.
Maggie joined them. She waited until Dinah was in the bed of the wagon and then began her own ascent. Once seated, she tucked her skirts around her legs. She turned to face Clayton. He handed baby James up to her. “Thank you.”
Clayton pulled himself up on the seat beside her and bobbed his head in her direction. “My pleasure.” Then he slapped the reins over the horse’s back.
“I’ve asked George to round up the calves while we’re gone. Tomorrow I’ll ride over to the Morris ranch and see when they will be taking their calves to market,” Clayton said. He glanced over at her.
Maggie nodded. “I’m sure he won’t mind if we add ours to the trip.”
Clayton looked over his shoulder at Dinah. “I’ve decided that Bud and Abraham can go on the drive with the Morris men, if that’s all right with you. I’d like to stick close to the ranch.”
He was worried that Gus would return and make trouble for her and the children if he went, too. “That sounds good to me. Jack didn’t always go on the drives and both Bud and Abraham have gone in the past.”
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