Michael stopped in his tracks and met her eyes, concern evident in his gaze. “Was she ranting? Did she hurt you?”
“No, no, nothing like that. The exact opposite. Close to… what’s the word I learned awhile back… catatonic. Not herself at all. She hadn’t even dressed or brushed her hair. Mrs. Sheridan told me Mother’s been like that for days and barely touches any food on the tray when she brings her a meal. Mother and I talked. I hope sharing her thoughts with me will help Mother through these sad times she’s mired in.”
“We’ll summon Doc Bennett if necessary. She’s not my favorite person right now, but if she’s ailing…”
Rosie patted his arm. “Thank you for your concern. I appreciate it, and I’ll keep an eye on Mother. She might be fine now. She mentioned hearing from Mr. Barnes soon.”
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall that day.”
“Wouldn’t we all?”
They continued to walk, each lost in their own thoughts. Rosie couldn’t imagine what the lawyer would suggest for her mother’s next move. Hopefully, this Mr. Barnes fellow possessed the common sense to realize that the folly of pursuing the matter of her mother gaining ownership of the Double M bordered on lunacy.
“I’ve got my plan ready. I’ll be coming up to the house and asking for your help tomorrow.”
“What plan?”
“A little something to help with your mother’s misguided intentions.”
Rosie gasped.
“Not saying anything yet. But I’m really hoping it helps.” Michael took her hands in his and then kissed her tenderly. “None of this is your fault. And if my plan doesn’t work, then we’ll think of something else worth trying.”
Rosie’s pained expression wounded his heart. “I’d die if she succeeded in taking the ranch from your father. From your family.”
Michael embraced her tightly. Loving her more every day, especially seeing how loyal she’d become to him and his kin. “Don’t worry. We won’t allow that to happen. We’ll learn the truth, one way or another.”
“I pray you’re right.” Rosie glanced at him sideways. “Meantime, what do you have up your sleeve?”
Michael laughed. “Just my arm, darling. Just my arm.”
Rosie chuckled. “I know there’s more. And I wish you the best of luck with whatever you’ve planned.”
Michael silenced her with a kiss, wrapping her tightly in his arms, feeling her warm body against his. She fit perfectly in his embrace, and she returned his kiss with equal fervor. He leaned back and smiled at her, needing to catch his breath. Someday he’d make this wonderful young lady his wife. She didn’t know it, but as a future McLennon, Rosie had an equal stake in saving the ranch from her mother.
“Keep your fingers crossed.” Michael linked arms with her and started back toward the house. “And perhaps a bit of praying wouldn’t hurt either.”
* * *
Next afternoon, Michael grasped the reins, praying for patience during his outing with Anna in the buggy. If his plan worked, perhaps the uppity easterner would head back to where she belonged. Because she sure as heck wasn’t suited to ranch life.
Anna Dalton never appeared downstairs for breakfast before ten o’clock according to Mrs. Sheridan. The kindly housekeeper always kept a plate of food warmed and waiting for the woman, no matter how long it had been since everyone else finished breakfast. Even Rosie enjoyed spending time in the gardens or down at the horse barn with Willow by nine o’clock. She frequently helped Mrs. Sheridan prepare breakfast for everyone before that. Michael couldn’t believe how badly he’d misjudged Rosie Dalton that first day they’d encountered each other in town at the hotel. It shamed him still, thinking he’d actually considered the kind-hearted girl a fraud. Well, he wouldn’t make that mistake again. Not since he’d gotten to know her.
“Are you warm enough, ma’am?” he glanced at his passenger.
Anna sat bundled up to her neck in quilts. With only a slight breeze in the air, Michael couldn’t imagine how the woman was cold, but he considered it kindly to inquire.
“I’m fine, thank you,” she muttered. “Where are you taking me?”
“For a tour of the ranch. Same as the McLennons do for all our guests.” Michael almost choked on the last word. He considered the trouble-making easterner anything but a guest. And he’d attempt any means possible to rid his family of her.
“Your father took me on a tour awhile back,” Anna offered.
“I know, ma’am. Thought I’d show you a few more areas,” Michael replied.
They rode along in silence for a half hour before the rig topped a valley. Looking down on the verdant grassland below, Michael spotted what he’d been searching for: several white-faced, red-coated cattle.
Anna covered her nose with the quilt and Michael almost laughed aloud. Even the wind was cooperating in his plan, coming from the right direction for the full effect. If Anna couldn’t abide the scent of manure, why did she desire ownership of a ranch?
“These are Herefords, ma’am,” he explained and continued to relate the history of the breed and their origins in Europe. He expounded on their care and breeding, their favorable traits as beef cattle.
Anna appeared bored to death, exactly as he’d hoped.
“Of course, in spring we’re out here all hours of the night ensuring the calves are birthed without any problems. Every animal is of value on a ranch.”
Anna’s mouth dropped open. “In the middle of the night?”
Michael nodded. “If you’re successful in your bid for ownership of the ranch, I’d wager you’ll be eager to witness all this for yourself, even at two o’clock in the morning. In a freezing rain. Or with snowflakes falling as happens on occasion. Owners need to ensure their ranch is being operated properly and all.”
“Are you serious?” she exclaimed.
Michael nodded again. “Of course, I am. Known some ranch hands to rustle stock from the owners. Sell the cattle and make a tidy sum for themselves. Unless a ranch owner keeps their hand in the day-to-day operations, he or she opens themselves up to substantial losses.”
Anna sat in silence.
Michael continued the tour, covering only a portion of the expansive land that made up the Double M Ranch.
“Our ranch hands are up at the crack of dawn, sometimes earlier. Rule is… chores are completed before the men eat, usually around eight o’clock. Your daughter is wonderful about working in the barns, especially with our female horse wrangler. Rosie and Willow have become very good friends, and Willow loves teaching Rosie about delivering foals and what to watch for if a horse is ailing.”
Michael glanced at Anna.
Her face had paled, almost to the point of worry. Almost.
Only a slight twinge of guilt gave him pause. He enjoyed Anna’s obvious discomfort at hearing everything her society daughter had been exposed to while staying at the ranch. And the fact Rosie was loving every minute of it must irritate the woman no end.
“Of course, if you successfully win ownership of the ranch, you’ll be expected to learn every job and duty of the men working for you,” he continued his litany.
“I very much doubt that,” Anna scoffed. “I’ll be selling the ranch, and I don’t care what duties are involved in the operation of the Double M.”
Michael wasn’t one bit surprised to learn Anna’s intentions. All the woman saw was dollar signs when she gazed upon the land that meant so much to his family.
“I suppose you could sell. Providing you find someone willing and able to buy. This ranch is worth a pretty penny. Don’t rightly know if there are many folks with that much money available to invest in a huge ranch like this one,” Michael warned her.
Anna’s mouth dropped open.
Michael relished the brief moment of satisfaction knowing she hadn’t considered the possibility a buyer wouldn’t come forward. He prayed fervently she wasn’t successful in her lawsuit, which would make selling the Double M a moot point. If she won the ranch
and sold it out from under his pa, Michael feared what the shock might do to his father’s heart. A lifetime of work for nothing. Handed over by some judge to a greedy woman who, to his reckoning, wasn’t entitled to one acre.
Michael slumped in his seat. Anna sat beside him, back as rigid as her demeanor. He’d failed miserably. It appeared he hadn’t convinced Anna that ranch life wasn’t for her by introducing her to the hard work and responsibilities that ownership of the Double M would entail.
Indeed, all he’d likely accomplished was solidifying her intention to sell.
Chapter 21
Rosie’s hands fisted at her sides as Michael related the tale about his tour with Anna earlier this afternoon. Rosie couldn’t believe her mother’s disregard for the land that meant so much to this wonderful family. It irked her that Anna couldn’t appreciate the decades of hard work that had gone into making the ranch the unequivocal success it represented today.
Of course, why would her mother recognize the results of the toil, tears, blood, and sweat that had built the Double M? Her mother hadn’t undertaken or completed a single day’s work in her entire privileged life.
Rosie strode up to the main house, her mind a jumble of disconnected thoughts. She couldn’t decide if she hated her mother’s callous treatment of the McLennons the most. Or if she felt sorry for her mother’s learned, shameful behavior having been brought up in a loveless home with cold, unfeeling people as her only examples of humanity. Or did she find her mother’s greedy, opportunistic tendencies the least forgivable sin?
“Why isn’t what you’ve been given ever enough, Mother?” she muttered as she climbed the stairs to the second floor and pounded her fist in a very unladylike manner on her mother’s bedroom door.
After a few moments, the door swung open. “How dare you… Oh, Rosemary, it’s you.” Anna stepped aside and Rosie stepped across the threshold before turning on her mother.
“Why do you insist on pursuing this ridiculous idea that you deserve the Double M?” Rosie stood hands on hips.
Anna closed the door and settled herself on the vanity chair. She picked up a brush and proceeded to fix her bun. “It’s quite simple… because I do deserve it. Michael Miller would have wanted his own child to inherit his ranch. Really, I don’t understand why people cannot comprehend something so obvious.”
“You aren’t his daughter. AJ told you that. The entries in the diary hinted as much. Why do you refuse to see it?” Rosie threw up her hands. “And even if you are his daughter, what about the thirty years of hard work the McLennons have put into this ranch? The blood, sweat and tears. They deserve this ranch. AJ was like a son to him. What you don’t understand, Mother, is hard physical work. You’ve never worked a day in your life.”
Anna huffed.
“The truth in those diaries couldn’t be more obvious.”
“Not to anyone who can read. Mother mentions Michael Miller several times in her written musings. Mr. Miller was my father.” Anna finished fixing her hair and swung her legs around on the chair. “Now, enough of that. Let’s talk of something else we’ll certainly also disagree on. I heard from young Michael that you’ve been helping in the barns.”
“Yes, the horse barn with Willow.”
“Really, that isn’t necessary. And frankly, I find it quite beneath you.” Anna waved her hand. “You will stop this silliness immediately. If you wish to ride one of the horses, have a groom saddle the beast for you. Although, I cannot for the life of me understand why you enjoy such a thing.”
“Whenever I wish to ride, I’ll saddle my own horse. And care for him again when I return. AJ introduced me to a lovely aging fellow named Mick, and I’m permitted to ride him whenever I choose. He’s the most adorable old gelding. Very well-mannered and he enjoys our outings as much as I do.” Rosie caught herself smiling. She truly enjoyed living on the ranch and working alongside Willow and the others. And her mother would never convince her to stop doing what she found extremely enjoyable and relaxing. “Time spent with Willow couldn’t be more companionable, Mother.” Rosie clasped her hands. “I’ve found a true friend for the first time in my life.”
“A female horse… whatever they’re called. You actually consider her a friend?” her mother blurted, appearing horrified at the thought.
“Wrangler. A female horse wrangler.” Rosie smiled. “She’s extremely talented. Grew up on a Thoroughbred ranch in Texas. Oh, I so envy her upbringing. Working alongside her father and brother with the most magnificent racing horses imaginable.”
Anna’s face paled. “You envy her?”
“Oh, Mother, I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” Rosie paced the floor. “Talking with Amanda about her years growing up on the Double M with her father and mother and her brothers. Her parents loved all their children, and they loved each other so much. I can’t fathom such a thing. Everyone in our family tolerated each other at best.”
Anna remained silent, and Rosie knew she hadn’t a leg to argue on. Not one couple in the Woodley, Wentworth, or Dalton connection could boast a happy relationship or fulfilling marriage. Not a one. Rosie hoped she and Michael would break the curse from her side of their relationship. She couldn’t love Michael more, and she suspected he felt the same way about her.
She’d truly come to Montana for a reason. And it appeared Michael was it. She couldn’t imagine living the rest of her life without him by her side.
“Mother, I refuse to sit by while you destroy the life’s work of a wonderful man like AJ, and the future legacy of his beautiful family.” Rosie stood her ground. “Please leave the Double M and return home to Boston. You’ve caused enough of a rift here as it is.”
“If AJ orders me off the ranch, I will leave and find accommodations in town. Until then, I feel obligated to remain here and keep an eye on you. You’re my only child and you’ve travelled halfway across the country to live with strangers.”
Rosie burst into laughter. “Mother, you expect me to believe you’re suddenly overpowered with maternal feelings of responsibility toward your grown daughter? Where were you when I was a child and actually would have welcomed your concern?”
Anna’s pursed lips told Rosie she’d hit a sore spot. Rosie’s grandmother had scolded her daughter innumerable times for ignoring her child and her needs. Her mother hadn’t taken heed of the warnings, and Rosie considered her grandmother her main source of affection and guidance into adulthood. She missed her grandmother’s presence in her life every single day. When Anna returned to Boston, Rosie doubted she’d miss her at all.
“Consider what I’ve said, Mother. Clearly, you’re not welcome here.” Rosie turned to leave and then paused. She met her mother’s eyes. “And for the record, I’m completely on the McLennons’ side in this ridiculous lawsuit you’re attempting to initiate. After thirty years you don’t deserve anything, and besides, no one will ever convince me you’re Michael Miller’s daughter.”
Rosie stormed out of her mother’s bedroom; she couldn’t more clearly state her position on the matter. Her mother stood firmly by herself concerning her parentage and wanting the ranch for herself. And so be it.
With any luck at all, the truth would win out in the end.
Chapter 22
For hours, Rosie paced the parlor floor while she reviewed for the hundredth time the contents of her grandmother’s diaries. She feared a hole might appear in the beautiful Axminster rug, a visible accusation and viable proof of the time she’d wasted dwelling on an impossible situation.
They were missing something within those words, but she couldn’t imagine for the life of her what it might be. Some hidden meaning that they’d overlooked. Surely, her grandmother would have written about the true father of her baby somewhere within those pages if the man hadn’t been Michael Miller as AJ believed. Rosie had read every word within all of the journals, some of them several times, but Lucille Woodley Wentworth’s secret had gone to the grave with her. Grandfather, who were you?
Obviously, Grandmother Lucille had been attracted to Mr. Miller and fallen in love with him. And the feeling had been mutual according to AJ. And Mr. Miller never married, heartbroken over losing the only woman he would ever love or consider marrying.
I’m so heartbroken; I’ve fallen completely in love with this young man. But Father insists his only child deserves someone more suitable. His opinion is certainly not mine.
Rosie laughed. If only her great-grandfather could see Mr. Miller’s legacy. The majestic ranch with the stunning family home, the magnificent horses, and thousands of cattle in the Double M herd. And all the talented people who worked and lived together on these acres of land which produced an exceptional livelihood for all of them. Family and workers alike. Would her great-grandfather still believe he’d saved his daughter from a less deserving man?
Mother keeps insisting someday another young man will turn my head and I’ll recover from this heartache. But I know she’s wrong. They’re both so wrong. I’ll never forget Michael or stop loving him for as long as I live.
But her great-grandfather ruined any possible chance of happiness for her grandmother. He hadn’t realized the intensity of Michael’s and Lucille’s feelings for each other. Their shared forever love. He’d ignored his daughter’s pleadings, insisting he knew best. How wrong he’d been. Especially considering the consequence of his daughter’s time in Montana.
Mother realized the truth of the matter and scolded me for my inexcusable behavior in Montana. I didn’t elaborate on the details, allowing her to stew about her foolish daughter misbehaving with ‘that Michael chap’.
A Lost Love's Legacy (Sons Of A Gun Book 5) Page 14