Nate's Destiny

by Shirleen Davies

  “Nate’s in the back. Do you want me to get him?”

  Geneen shook her head. “No, Mr. Kamm. I just wanted to know if he’d made it to town. He didn’t seem himself the other night and hasn’t returned to the ranch. Now that I know he’s all right, I’ll let him be.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I am. Thank you.” Gripping Gypsy’s reins, she walked down the street, needing the time to compose the telegram to Ewan. Archie had told them about a different trail to Conviction and Circle M, one cutting the journey to less than five hours. She needed to remember to let the MacLarens know once she heard back from Ewan.

  Decision made, she felt a spark of excitement at seeing her sister, Sarah, and the rest of the MacLarens. No matter what happened between her and Nate, she didn’t plan to be gone too long. Caleb and Heather would need help getting the cattle ready to drive south, and she planned to be there.

  Stepping into the telegraph office, she smiled at the man behind the counter.

  “Yes, ma’am. What can I do for you?”

  “I’d like to send a telegram to Conviction.”

  Grabbing a pencil and paper, he looked up. “What would you like to say?”

  “Coming home. Need escort. Please advise. Geneen.”

  “And who is this going to?”

  “Mr. Ewan MacLaren at Circle M Ranch.”

  The clerk looked up, his brows lifting. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get this right off.”

  After returning to the ranch, Geneen finished her chores, then began packing her few belongings. Ewan would respond soon. He didn’t waste time when a family member requested help. The tug to return to Circle M had eased a little since sending the telegram, but not enough for her to change her mind.

  Heather stepped into the bedroom, wiping her hands down her apron. “There’s a lad downstairs with a telegram for you.” She looked at the clothes laid out. “It appears you’ll be leaving us soon.”

  “It all depends on what Ewan says.” Walking past Heather into the hall, a strong pull of regret washed over her. Telling herself the absence would be temporary, she made her way down the stairs to the front door. “You have a telegram for me?”

  A boy of about fourteen nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I was told it was important and to give it to you directly. I can wait for a reply.” He handed her the message.

  Reading through it, she bit her lip, holding back the emotion Ewan’s quick response caused. “Please return a message that I’ll be waiting at Highlander Ranch.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Closing the door, she turned to Heather, her eyes brimming with tears. “He’s sending Blaine and Fletcher for me. They’ll be free to come within a few days.”

  Heather took the message from Geneen’s outstretched hand and read it. “Uncle Ewan didn’t waste time. So why are you crying?”

  Swiping at the moisture on her cheeks, she shook her head. “It’s silly.”

  Heather turned toward the kitchen. “Well, you can tell me why it would be silly while we fix supper. We’ve enough fresh venison for steaks, and I’ll be fixing cabbage.”

  “I’ll prepare the potatoes and biscuits.” Slipping on an apron, Geneen grabbed several potatoes and set a pot of water on the stove.

  “And we’ve vinegar pie from last night.” Heather glanced at her friend, letting out a slow breath. “You don’t need to be going, you know.”

  Geneen stopped what she was doing to look at Heather. “It’s best I do, at least for a while. Whatever Nate and I had is gone. Wishing it was still the same only makes it worse.” Cleaning the potatoes, she cut them into cubes, adding them to the pot. “I do mean to return.”

  “Seeing Sarah and the rest of the family will be good for you, lass.”

  Geneen nodded. “Don’t you miss them, Heather?”

  “Aye, but my life is here with Caleb now. We’ve our own ranch and dreams.” Wiping her hands down the apron, she looked out the window at the hills in the distance. “We’ve so many plans, including having bairns.”

  Swallowing the pain at her own desire for the same, Geneen mixed the biscuits, then checked the amount of wood in the stove. She loved working the ranch, helping with all the chores needed to raise cattle.

  Riding was a passion, something she could do for hours and never tire. Her skills with a gun were exemplary, and she seldom flinched under pressure. And although she loved to cook and help the women, she’d seldom thought of falling in love and marriage. When she’d met Nate, her outlook on life changed.

  Since that first day, Geneen believed they were meant to be together. Falling in love had been effortless. When the pain Nate thought he had under control worsened, he began to shut her out, spending little time at the ranch when he wasn’t on duty as a deputy.

  The MacLaren family stepped in, doing their best to help. It wasn’t enough. When Nate left, her heart broke. She clung to the hope he’d return. After a few months passed without any word, Geneen began to give up.

  Caleb’s marriage to Heather, and his decision to buy the ranch from Archie, had been her chance to move past the pain and start fresh. Their enthusiasm made her decision to stay in Settlers Valley easy. Then Nate showed himself.

  His appearance had been a blessing and a curse. Geneen felt relief, knowing he was safe. The fact he’d been living less than a day’s ride away broke her heart a second time. He’d been close, wanting nothing to do with her, except perhaps to explain his reasons for leaving.

  Giving up her first love, allowing herself a chance with someone else, hadn’t been her plan. Geneen now saw it as a way to get past the hurt and allow Nate to do the same.

  Nate forced himself to stay in town, living in the cramped shack behind the livery. He’d made a mess of mending his past mistakes with Geneen, and returning to the ranch in his current state wouldn’t help. Staying away seemed best until he could find a way to fix the hurt he’d caused.

  After a week living at the ranch, isolating himself hadn’t been easy. Marcus instinctively knew work would be Nate’s salvation, piling as much on him as possible. He’d made a third and final dredge for Nettles, surprised the man never mentioned Nate’s part in letting the Indian boy get away. The orders for more work kept coming, forcing him to start before sunup and work until his body was too tired to do any more.

  For the first time in weeks, his head began to clear. The desire for opium lessened each day until he woke one morning and didn’t think of it until almost noon. Still, he decided to stay in town a few more days, make certain the vile substance had no hold on him before approaching Geneen. He couldn’t afford to make one more mistake.

  “There are a couple men asking for you.”

  Nate set down the hammer, straightening on a groan as he turned toward Marcus.

  “Did they say their names?”

  “MacLaren is all I heard.”

  Wiping his arm across his brow, Nate picked up the shirt he’d removed and slipped into it. “Thanks.”

  Moving past Marcus, he walked into the front of the livery, a slow smile crossing his face when he saw Blaine and Fletcher.

  “Nate. It’s good to see you.” Blaine extended his hand, followed by Fletcher.

  Grasping one, then the other, Nate looked them over, his grin still in place. “Appears you’ve been on the trail a while.”

  Blaine nodded. “Aye, we have. We’ve come to fetch Geneen.”

  Nate stared at him, not sure he’d heard him right. “Geneen?”

  “Aye. She sent a telegram to Da, asking if he could send someone to escort her home.” Fletcher glanced at his cousin. “I volunteered, as did Blaine.”

  He blinked, their meaning still not registering. “Geneen sent a telegram to your father?”

  Fletcher nodded, then glanced at Blaine again, their expressions confused. “Aye, lad. Da received the message a few days ago. The lass didn’t tell you?”

  Shoulders sagging, Nate shook his head. “I haven’t stayed at Caleb’s in several nights. We, um,
well…Geneen and I didn’t part well before I rode back to town.”

  Blaine’s gaze narrowed on him. “You’ve a habit of not parting well with the lass, Nate.”

  Gut clenching, a muscle in his jaw ticked as he thought of the mess he’d created with Geneen. Pacing several steps away, he shredded his hand through his hair, wondering how he could change her mind.

  Then it occurred to him—this might be what she truly wanted, what might be best for both of them. She’d finally given up, deciding he wasn’t worth her love. As much as he wanted to, Nate couldn’t argue with the logic. Taking several deep breaths, he turned around.

  “It’s a good decision.” Nodding at them, he walked toward the back door.

  “That’s all you’ve to say, lad?” Blaine’s eyes held a fiery glare.

  Stopping, Nate lowered his head. Closing his eyes, he tried to calm the piercing pain in his chest before glancing over his shoulder.

  “What more is there to say? Geneen’s a grown woman and makes her own decisions. If going back to Circle M is what she wants, so be it.”

  “Wait,” Fletcher called out before Nate left. “Come to supper tonight. Talk to the lass. It may be the last time you’ll see her for quite a while.”

  Nate pushed aside the ball of fire lodged in his stomach. “When do you head home?”

  Blaine took a step toward him. “Tomorrow. We’ve no time to stay longer.”

  His face a mask once more, Nate turned and shook their hands. “Have a safe trip.”

  Highlander Ranch

  “Nate said nothing else. Only that he thought Geneen had made a good decision.” Blaine cast an apologetic glance at her, seeing pain flash in her eyes. “I’m sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear, lass.”

  Throat clogged with emotion, she shook her head, willing away the tears. “It’s not your fault, Blaine. Nate made the decision to leave me behind a long time ago.” Sucking in a shaky breath, she forced a smile. “It’s truly time I return to Circle M.” She looked at Heather and Caleb. “But I’ll be back before spring roundup.”

  Sitting next to her, Blaine placed a hand on her arm. “Are you certain this is what you want, lass?”

  The way everyone looked at her, Geneen knew they doubted she’d made the right decision. And although her heart ached, she still believed returning to Circle M would help her deal with Nate’s rejection easier than if she stayed in Settlers Valley.

  She straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin. “Yes, I am. Now, tell us what’s happening at Circle M.”

  Chapter Ten

  Caleb waited until Saturday night. When Nate still failed to return to the ranch a couple days after Geneen left, he’d ridden into town. He found his friend in the Lucky Lady, a full glass of whiskey in front of him.

  “You want company?” Caleb nodded to the chair across from Nate.

  “Suit yourself.” He held up his hand, signaling for another whiskey.

  “You been staring at your drink for a while?”

  Nate looked at Caleb, seeing the glint in his friend’s eyes. He couldn’t help a wry grin from spreading across his face. “Close to an hour.”

  They sat in silence for a while, listening to the tinny sound of the new piano delivered by steamship that week. A group of miners walked in, taking a table not far away. Ordering drinks, they talked in low voices, paying no attention to those around them.

  The miners had been in the saloon about twenty minutes when Sheriff Polk walked in, heading straight for their table. Refusing the chair they offered, he leaned down, talking to them in a voice too quiet to hear what was said.

  At one point, Polk’s face reddened, his voice rising before he caught himself. Several more minutes passed before he straightened and looked around the saloon. His gaze stilled on Nate and Caleb for an instant before he turned, walking out.

  “What do you think that was about?”

  Nate shook his head. “No idea. If Polk’s involved, it can’t be good.”

  Picking up his whiskey, Caleb took a slow sip. “What do you know about the man?”

  “Polk?”

  Caleb nodded.

  “Not much more than what Marcus has told me. It’s clear to most townsfolk the sheriff is paid by Nettles to look the other way when needed. He does help guard the gold once it reaches town.”

  “Have they ever had any trouble with shipments?”

  “Not that I’ve heard.” Nate watched a man he’d never seen before walk into the saloon, taking a spot at the bar. Picking up the drink the bartender handed him, he turned, resting against the bar as he scanned the room. When his gaze landed on Nate, he nodded, then shifted around to face the bartender. “Marcus says he brings the gold to town in small amounts, delivering it to the bank. The sheriff assembles guards, paid by Nettles, to watch it until the steamship arrives, or until transport by wagon to Conviction can be arranged. Eventually, the gold ends up in San Francisco.”

  Nate kept his attention on the man at the bar. Something about him seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place him. “Do you know the man at the bar in the long overcoat and brown hat?”

  Caleb glanced over and shook his head. “Never seen him. Why?”

  Nate continued to study the man. “He came by the livery this week to have his horse checked. Marcus fixed a couple horseshoes, got paid, and the man left. Something about him seems familiar.” Shaking his head, Nate took another sip of whiskey.

  “So Polk hires the guards, but they’re not deputies.” Caleb stole another quick look around the saloon.

  “Nope. Men he hires.”

  Caleb rolled his glass between his fingers. “Nettles’s private army.”

  Nate considered Caleb’s words, his brows furrowing. “I suppose you could say that. Personally, I think Polk does whatever Nettles orders him to do. Hiring guards to watch the gold while it’s being held at the bank is one of his jobs, and from what Marcus says, he gets paid well to do it. Is it illegal? Probably not. A conflict of interest? It could be if he puts his work for Nettles before what he’s paid to do for the town.”

  Tossing back the last of the whiskey, Caleb set his glass down. “Settlers Valley needs someone like Brodie…or you.” Standing, he ignored Nate’s look of surprise. “Tomorrow’s Sunday. Heather expects you home for supper. With Geneen gone, there’s no reason for you to stay away.” Shoving his chair back in place, Caleb sent him a stern glare. “Be there.”

  Circle M Ranch

  “Kyla invited a couple extra people for Sunday supper.” Sarah continued to set out plates for the weekly family supper. This Sunday, it would be at Kyla’s, where Colin and Sarah lived with their young son, Grant. Geneen and Kyla had a close bond, and she couldn’t love Colin’s mother more if she were her own.

  “Did Kyla say who she invited?” Geneen set coffee cups around the table, counting to make certain she’d brought out enough.

  “Brodie gave two of his deputies the day off, telling them it had been too long since they’d been to the ranch. You remember Seth and Alex, don’t you?”

  Geneen did. One stood tall and lean with dark hair and eyes, and a brooding nature. The other had fair skin, blue eyes, and a steady gaze that had bored into her the first time they met. She’d remembered thinking either would be intimidating to anyone on the wrong side of the law.

  “Of course. I believe Brodie hired them after Nate left town.”

  Sarah nodded. “He did. Says they’re both real good.” She looked up when Colin walked in with Grant on his shoulders.

  “Mama.” Grant reached his arms out, giggling when she took him from Colin.

  “The table looks grand, lasses. What are Ma and the aunts fixing?” He glanced toward the kitchen.

  Sarah rested Grant on her hip. “Beef and venison.”

  Geneen’s heart caught, remembering their hunt less than two weeks before. She’d been back at Circle M for a couple days, setting into a routine as if she’d never left. Enough time had passed she’d almost forgotten the siz
e of the ranch, the way everyone hustled about, doing their chores without being told.

  She’d yet to saddle Gypsy to ride out with them. They didn’t need her the same as Caleb and Heather. The thought had plagued her since returning, the guilt building a little every day until she found it hard to reconcile the reason she’d felt compelled to leave.

  Nate. She’d left because of him.

  It seemed such a weak excuse for leaving her friends without help. Geneen hadn’t told anyone, including Sarah, but she already planned to go back well before Caleb and Heather rounded up the herd for the drive south. Maybe as soon as a couple weeks after Christmas.

  If the weather held, she’d go by herself. The trail Archie knew about cut the ride down to about five hours, an easy trip if she left at sunrise. They hadn’t come across anyone on the trail. It had been quick and uneventful.

  “Did you hear me, Geneen?”

  She blinked at Sarah’s voice. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  “Would you mind watching Grant for a bit? Colin wants to show me something in the barn.”

  “Not at all.” Taking Grant from her arms, Geneen followed Sarah out onto the front porch. Watching her sister and Colin walk away, her chest squeezed when he took his wife’s hand, smiling over at her.

  Geneen had never felt a twinge of jealousy at her sister’s strong relationship with Colin. They’d been lucky to find each other after years of separation, and deserved to be happy. Nevertheless, she couldn’t stop the tightening of her throat or ache in her heart.

  Grant squirmed in her arms, twisting to look at two men riding up. Geneen hadn’t even noticed Seth and Alex approaching. Waving, she took the steps down to the yard, forcing a smile as the men reined to a stop and dismounted.

  Both removed their hats, but it was Alex who walked closer, his gaze wandering over her. “Good afternoon, Miss MacGregor. Brodie told us you returned to the ranch.”

  She felt her face heat at what appeared to be interest in his gaze. Alex had never met Nate, probably knew nothing of her history with Brodie’s former deputy, and wouldn’t know her reason for returning to Circle M.