Cowboy to the Rescue

by Louise M. Gouge

  Rebellion kicked up inside him. He looked at Susanna again, determined to talk to her rather than Maisie, and his rebellion turned to—jealousy? Chatting with his middle brother, Rand, on one side and his youngest brother, Tolley, on the other, she hadn’t even glanced across the table at him except to give him a smile and a nod before the Colonel said grace and they all sat down.

  Rand was yammering on about something, bragging, really. Until this moment, Nate hadn’t given a second thought to a match between the two of them. Even at twenty, his younger brother was about as grown-up as his sister and her friend. Yet here was Rand obviously trying to impress Susanna with some tale about how cattle brands were designed, of all things. As if a refined young lady wanted to hear about that. Yet she focused on him and responded with interest, even including Tolley in the conversation.

  Tolley’s beaming response earned Susanna another surge of Nate’s admiration. Hardly anybody paid attention to fifteen-year-old Tolley, and the boy had begun to show signs of rebellion. Nate was worried but had no idea how to help him.

  “But Nate wouldn’t want to do that, would you, Nate?” Maisie elbowed him in the ribs and laughed in her schoolgirl way.

  “Uh, what?” He glanced at Rosamond, silently quizzing her with a raised eyebrow. Fortunately, she sat adjacent to Mother’s place at the end of the table nearest the kitchen door, so the Colonel couldn’t see his confusion.

  “Of course he would.” Rosamond gave him a furtive wink, then leaned around him to address Maisie. “Who else would escort us up into the hills to get flowers for our flower beds?” She lifted her coffee cup and saluted her friend. “Mother agrees with our idea. Columbines will make a beautiful addition to our garden. Being native to Colorado, they sure won’t take as much work as Mother’s roses. We can fetch home enough to fill that new garden patch, and they’ll be all rooted and growing by the anniversary party.”

  Her foolish chatter gave him all the information he needed, and he offered his sister a grateful nudge. “Girls, I hate to disappoint you, but I’m afraid the Colonel needs me here at the ranch. I can’t run off for a picnic when this house has a two-story addition I need to finish.” He shot a glance at his father, expecting his agreement, but the Colonel’s expression was surprisingly agreeable.

  “I believe a day trip to acquire some columbines for your mother would be a fine idea.” He served himself another helping of mashed potatoes and ladled on a large portion of beef gravy. “You three youngsters can go tomorrow. Ride horseback instead of taking a wagon, and you’ll be back in time for milking.” He dug into his supper as if that settled the matter.

  The girls chirped like baby birds as they made plans for the upcoming day trip, but Nate could only stare across the table at Susanna in dismay. No wonder the Colonel gave his permission for such a trivial excursion, for it would force him into Maisie’s company. Nate should invite Susanna along, not only for good manners but also so he would have some intelligent conversation along the way. But if she didn’t know how to ride like his sister and Maisie, he’d be stuck with two chattering magpies for a whole day.

  * * *

  Susanna had learned in finishing school that a lady didn’t talk across the table but rather engaged in conversation with those seated beside her. In this case, it wasn’t too difficult. Rand was almost as funny as Nate, and he could spin a yarn nearly as well as her own brother back home. But the quieter Tolley touched her heart. His sad brown eyes made her think of a puppy pleading for approval, and when she turned her attention to him, he all but jumped around in happy little circles. A glance across the table from time to time gave her a new perspective on Nate. Those girls were making him dizzy with their back-and-forth chatter, but he took it in good spirits, another admirable quality.

  She was surprised that Colonel Northam said very little beyond blessing the food and telling poor Nate that he had to take the girls out to pick flowers. If she wasn’t so worried about Daddy, she would hint that she’d like to go with them, as she hadn’t ridden a horse since they left Marietta four months ago. The girls had been quick to welcome her into their friendship, and she could almost see herself feeling at home here for as long as she had to stay in Colorado.

  A glance at the Colonel canceled those thoughts. He was glowering at her as if she were some sort of bug that needed to be squashed. Her own uncharitable thoughts back toward him crowded out all of her good feelings. She and Daddy would never be welcomed even as temporary guests in this community. This Yankee colonel had not ceased to make that very clear to her.

  Oh, she couldn’t wait for Daddy to get back on his feet so she could take him home where they belonged.

  Chapter Six

  “You go on, daughter.” Daddy’s short, shallow breaths seemed an attempt to mask his pain. As always, he was putting on a brave face for her. “After our long journey, you need to have a little fun with other young people.”

  Seated on the edge of his bed, Susanna raked her fingers through his brown hair to comb it back from his face. In the shadow of the lamplight, she could see he was long overdue for both a haircut and beard trimming. If she left him looking this scruffy and the Colonel saw him, their unwilling host would have all the more reason to despise him, as if his condition was his own fault. Even on the trail, he’d always kept himself well-groomed, quite a feat for a man who all his life had a body servant to tend him.

  “Tell you what. I’ll clean you up a bit, and if they haven’t left, I’ll see if they still want me to go with them.” Last night after supper as they were preparing for bed, Rosamond and Maisie had insisted that she accompany them to the foothills. They planned to leave at dawn, and soon the sun would rise over the distant Sangre de Cristos. The Colonel’s hostility notwithstanding, she longed to accompany them. Yet she was worried sick that something would happen to Daddy in her absence.

  A soft knock on the door interrupted his response. “Señor Anders?” A feminine voice with a Mexican accent identified the speaker as Angela, the Northams’ cook and housekeeper, whom Susanna had met the night before.

  Susanna stared at Daddy. “Isn’t it a bit early for breakfast?”

  An odd little grin flitted across his lips, and he shrugged. “Get the door, daughter.”

  Susanna hurried to obey, admitting the servant to the room. Angela brought in a tray holding a pitcher of steaming water and some masculine grooming supplies. Over her arms, she carried several towels and what appeared to be brown trousers and a white shirt. The sturdy, dark-eyed woman, perhaps forty years old, glanced briefly at Susanna, doubt filling her expression.

  “Is this time good?” Her question was directed at both of them.

  “Well, I—”

  “Of course.” Daddy coughed and grabbed his ribs. When he recovered, he spoke with effort. “You go on, Susanna. Angela came up last night and offered to help me. She said Mrs. Northam sent her.”

  “But—” An odd sensation swept over her. Not quite censure, but not quite approval, either.

  “Miss Susanna, I am a Christian and a servant.” Angela’s warm gaze exuded understanding of her confusion. “Nothing improper will happen. On this, you have my word.”

  “Mine, too.” Daddy chuckled and paid for it with another spasm of pain. Again he clutched his ribs, then gave her an artificial glower. “Are you going to obey me, daughter?”

  “Oh, very well.” She returned to his bedside and kissed his forehead. “Thank you, Angela.” She wagged a finger in Daddy’s face. “Now, you behave and get your rest.”

  Her heart light, she hurried back to her room to don her brown woolen skirt. Rosamond had promised a sidesaddle was available for her, as though that was unusual. Then Susanna noticed the other two girls wore skirts that were split to accommodate riding astride. With some difficulty, she hid her shock. On the other hand, their boots appeared to be much more appropriate for riding than her w
alking shoes. If she rode often, she’d have to get a pair of those boots.

  The three of them had talked late into the night until travel weariness had overcome Susanna. Strangely, she woke feeling refreshed, and the younger girls seemed just as energetic. While she’d checked on Daddy, they’d gone downstairs to fix an early breakfast, so she mustn’t keep them waiting. Happiness kicked up inside her. Nate would be waiting, too. It took a few moments for her to remind herself that this was a Yankee household. As kind as the children might be, their father’s behavior more than negated their generous actions.

  * * *

  Nate drank his second cup of coffee while the girls cleaned up after their breakfast and packed a picnic. Mother had a rule that they had to leave Angela’s kitchen the way they found it, so they were taking special care. Still full from last night’s steak and potatoes, he’d managed to eat a plate of griddle cakes and eggs so he wouldn’t get hungry on the trail. After waking up early to prepare the horses, he couldn’t wait to head out.

  As restless as he felt, he kept an eye on the kitchen door hoping, even praying, that Susanna would join them. The Colonel had sent him out on chores after supper last night, so he hadn’t had a chance to invite her on today’s outing. He knew he could count on his little sister to think of their guest, even if it turned out she had to refuse the invitation because of her father’s condition.

  The door opened, and Susanna peered in almost as if she doubted her welcome. Nate jumped to his feet as relief flooded him. This lady’s presence would make today a lot more tolerable. No, make it downright enjoyable.

  Before he could speak, both Rosamond and Maisie rushed over and hugged Susanna.

  “I’m so glad you decided to come.” Rosamond spoke in a hushed tone as befit the early hour.

  Maisie retrieved a plate of griddle cakes they’d set back. “You hurry and eat while we finish the cleanup.”

  She then ushered Susanna to the kitchen table, and Nate held out a chair for her.

  “Oh, thank you.” Susanna, always the lady, laid her napkin across her lap, bowed her head briefly, poured a dainty amount of chokecherry syrup on her griddle cakes and began to eat.

  Nate sat across the table from her and propped his chin on his fists. “How’s your father?”

  “He had a hard time sleeping last night.” Worry skittered across her face, but then she smiled. “Your mother very kindly asked Angela to see to him, and he insisted that I come with you.”

  “Well, you can see we’re all pleased you can go.” Nate glanced at the other two girls, who were watching them with identical smiles. He shot them a frown. The last thing he needed was to have them tease about Susanna and him. “I haven’t had a chance to ask if you ride, but I put Mother’s sidesaddle on a sweet little mare for you, so you’ll be all right even if you don’t.”

  “Humph.” That playful glint, which he hadn’t seen since yesterday at the river, returned to her eyes, sending an odd little thrill through his chest. “La-di-da, Mr. Northam, what must you think of me? We Southern ladies know very well how to ride. But mercy me, where are my manners? I do so appreciate your accommodating me with that sidesaddle.”

  Her mention of being a Southerner reminded Nate of the Colonel’s assumption that she and her father were lazy, which Nate found nothing short of unfounded prejudice. On the other hand, he noticed she didn’t seem to hold the bitterness he’d seen in some Southerners. That alone showed real character. He couldn’t ask her, of course, for he’d learned long ago not to open discussions about the war with those on the losing side. He could only hope she would overlook the few times he’d slipped.

  While he ruminated on that, the other two girls giggled softly, as if they were enjoying this exchange. He needed to take Rosamond aside and tell her to quit it or else. For now he’d stick with teasing Susanna.

  “Well, then, if you’re an expert rider, maybe I should go put that sidesaddle on our stallion, Malicia.” He puckered away a grin. “In case you’re wondering, Malicia is Spanish for maliciousness.”

  “Don’t you dare, Nate Northam.” Maisie came over and punched Nate’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t even ride Malicia, and I’ve been breaking horses since before I could walk.”

  “Shh.” Rosamond held a finger to her lips. “Don’t wake the whole house. Let’s get going.” She nodded toward the broad window, where sunlight had begun to brighten the eastern hay field. “The sun’s crested Mount Blanca, and we have a long way to go.”

  The group left the kitchen and made their way through the narrow hallway to exit the house through the enclosed back porch. Bringing up the rear, Nate noticed Susanna eyeing the boots lined up by the back door.

  “Rosamond, hold on.” He touched Susanna’s shoulder to stop her, too. “Let’s see if a pair of Mother’s riding boots will fit.”

  A quick try-on proved successful, and the group was soon out the door and on their way to the stable.

  * * *

  With no mounting block available, Susanna relied on Nate to help her onto the horse. He gripped her waist to lift her, and a thrill streaked up her spine. One would think she’d never had a gentleman’s help to get on a horse before. As he adjusted her left foot in the stirrup and made sure her right knee was comfortably positioned over the pommel, she shushed her irrational feelings and settled into the saddle. As if equally pleased with their arrangement, the pretty little brown mare nodded her head agreeably.

  “Her name is Sadie.” Nate handed the reins to Susanna. “Her mouth is soft, so a little direction is all you need to give her. Just use the reins, and she’ll know what you want her to do.”

  His frown revealed more than a little apprehension for Susanna, a notion she found altogether appealing. After her long, arduous trek across the country, during which she’d stifled every complaint and worked as hard as any of the other ladies, it felt good to have a gentleman worry about her. If only the gentleman in question weren’t a Yankee. Summoning the willpower to dismiss her foolish inclinations, she leaned down to pat Sadie’s neck.

  “Never you mind, Mr. Nate Northam. Miss Sadie and I will get along just fine.”

  If his sudden grin was any indication, he rather enjoyed her flippancy. “All right, then.” He ambled over to his own horse and swung into the saddle. “I’ll put my worries to rest.”

  “If you two are finished jawing, I’d say it’s about time we hit the trail.” Maisie reined her horse away from the stable, dug in her spurs and led out with a whoop.

  Rosamond followed, urging her gelding into a slow gallop. Mindful of her own need to reclaim her riding skills, Susanna stayed back with Nate. He set a slower pace as he led the packhorse carrying their picnic baskets and gardening supplies as they rode across verdant fields toward the low-lying hills ahead.

  The early-morning air smelled of fresh grass, with the pungent odor of cattle occasionally wafting by on the breeze. Quiet lay over the scene like a cozy blanket as the sun inched above the horizon to wake up the land. Sudden birdsong erupted from somewhere nearby in a marshy ditch, their chit-chit-chit-terree stirring Susanna’s soul like a welcoming wake-up call. She glanced at Nate to see if he noticed the sound.

  “Redwing blackbirds.” He gave her that charming grin of his, with one side of his upper lip a little higher than the other, as if he knew something she didn’t.

  Indeed, how had he known what she was thinking? She answered his intense gaze with a tilt of her head and a slight smile. As much as she tried to resist it, a warm peace settled over and within her. Maybe just for today she could give herself permission to enjoy the companionship of the handsome young cowboy beside her. The handsome young Yankee cowboy beside her. Somehow she must rein in this foolishness, but she found her emotions far more difficult to control than the horse she rode.

  She glanced westward toward the distant San Juan Mountains, Daddy’s ultimate d
estination. What dreams had drawn him to those silver fields? He possessed all the money he’d ever need. Unlike some former plantation owners, he’d made a successful new life for himself after the war, and the family had never wanted for anything. Maybe prospecting had been a boyhood dream, and only after Mama died was he free to pursue it. The thought stung so much that Susanna quickly dismissed it. Mama’s death had made a gaping hole in Daddy’s heart, so he’d had to fill it with something. If prospecting made him happy, Susanna wouldn’t fault him for it.

  Unlike the Colonel.

  The thought brought her up short, and she unconsciously pulled on Sadie’s reins, bringing the little mare to a halt.

  “What is it?” Nate stopped and turned back to face her. “You all right?”

  There he went again, showing that gracious concern. This time his worried frown didn’t sway her emotions in the slightest. Yesterday when the Colonel had spoken of prospectors as if they were just the same as horse thieves, Nate hadn’t disagreed, hadn’t defended Daddy or her. But what had she expected? After all, an apple didn’t fall too far from its tree. In fact, if she’d told him right away that she and Daddy were headed to the silver fields, he probably wouldn’t have helped them.

  That wasn’t fair, and she knew it. He’d never asked any nosy questions about them, just helped. But she couldn’t let that sway her feelings.

  “I’m fine.” She nudged Sadie with her left heel and loosened the reins.

  The mare resumed her pace, even prancing a little bit as if eager to catch up with the other horses. Susanna held her back, and after a while, Sadie settled back into a steady pace beside Nate’s mount.