Mumbling erupted as men discussed the invitation. Williams’ anger grew. “Am I not the leader here? I’ll decide where we go.” He looked around.
For the first time, Dallas saw signs of open opposition toward Williams. He’d predicted as much, but the O’Neills hadn’t shared his certainty. They assured Dallas none of the traveling folks had been brave enough to speak against Williams since he’d threatened to burn out any opposition.
As if sensing his leadership hung in the balance, Williams climbed to his wagon seat. “I’ve decided we’ll go to the buffer’s house and see what me niece has to say for herself. Everyone ready to move out.”
Dallas, Da, Mac, and Finn mounted their horses. Da called, “You know the way, so we’ll ride ahead and tell the family you’re coming.”
When they’d ridden a short ways, Finn said, “Cenora won’t thank us for bringing Williams into her midst.”
Da looked worried. “Aye, it was a mistake on me part to invite them all.”
As usual, Mac cared only for himself—and mayhap for Vourneen. “Don’t worry, Da. ‘Tis good the McDonalds are coming. Everything will work out, you’ll see.”
Da sent a sad glance Dallas’s way. “I hope so. We’ve brought enough problems to Dallas’s door. You do your part to insure there’s no more reason to worry him.”
Mac kicked his horse and rode ahead, as if unwilling to hear any more lectures. Dallas determined to keep his promise to help the O’Neills, but Mac put honor to a test.
Beside him, Da slowed. “I know none o’ this was your doing. You’ve been that good to us, but please help me keep that lad from ruining things for me family. It would kill both Cenora and Ma if you sent us away.”
Da’s speech shocked Dallas. “Send you away?” How could they think he’d send them away? “I promised Cenora I’d never send her away, Da. I always keep my promises.”
“Akh, ‘tis good to know, but even a saint would tire o’ Mac’s shenanigans.”
Dallas knew he was no saint. What was he to do with his wayward brother-in-law?
Chapter 17
Back at his ranch, Dallas waited impatiently for the Travelers’ impending arrival. Before he left with the O’Neills this morning, he’d asked Xavier to keep the hands nearby in case of trouble. Then, Dallas sent Fred to call Pete back to the bunkhouse. All but one of the shepherds had come, leaving dogs to guard the sheep until night. Damned embarrassing, but Dallas couldn’t take chances on what Williams might try if left unchecked.
How had his life become such a mess? He reviewed the time since he’d first come upon Cenora and the two men assaulting her. What could he have done differently? Nothing. Not and live with himself.
Honor was important. For most of his life, he had realized many viewed him as less than a man because he was half Cherokee. In fact, most people made no distinction between the civilized people of his family’s branch of eastern Cherokees and the rampaging Kiowas and Comanches who had plagued settlers in this part of the state. No matter how much he longed for respect from others, a man’s honor, his self-respect, and his word were all he really had.
How could he have abandoned Cenora after he’d taken her innocence? He couldn’t.
How could he have left her family to Williams’ wrath? He couldn’t.
How could he fail to incorporate the O’Neills into his life? He couldn’t.
Since they’d wed, Dallas had learned to treasure many things about his wife, in spite of the few things he still found annoying. Like those silly superstitions of hers. All in all, he no longer minded sharing his life with his wife. He could even tolerate her family—if only Mac would fall into line and do his share with a halfway cheerful outlook.
Dallas forced his mind from Williams’ obsession with Cenora to speak with her father. “I was surprised the McDonalds seemed so reasonable under the circumstances. I expected them both to be mad enough to shoot us on sight.”
Thank goodness no one had come after Mac with a gun. Dallas wondered what he would have done in the McDonalds’ place and hoped he never had to find out.
Da dropped into a chair. “Aye, mayhap it was wise o’ Colin, suggesting we should let the younguns wed if they were determined to run away together.”
“At least Mr. McDonald sees reason.” Mac flashed a triumphant smirk at his father.
Da rested his elbows on his knees and dropped his forehead against his hands. “Sure and I don’t know what to do, Dallas me boy. ‘Tis sorry I am, for you’ve done nothing to deserve this. You’ve given me the joy o’ seeing me daughter safe and happy, saw that me darling wife had the care she needed until she’s more like her old self, and you trusted me with a piece o’ your land for a chance at growing things. And now me own son has brought disgrace to me name and to your door.”
Da took out his handkerchief and blew his nose in a great honk. “Don’t give cherries to pigs.”
As if he recognized the puzzled look on Dallas’s face, Finn leaned forward. “Means don’t give advice to fools.”
Da nodded. “Aye, there are two things that cannot be cured: death and the want o’ good sense.”
Dallas wished he could bust Mac in the mouth at least once. Instead, he tried to reassure Da. “We’ll work this out.” He hoped he spoke the truth.
Mac shot him another surly glare and went back to the kitchen.
“You’re a better son-in-law than I deserve, Dallas. ‘Tis true Cenora deserves the likes o’ you, for she’s a sweet lass. But I acted rashly when I forced you to wed her, such was my fear of Williams.”
Dallas nodded. “In your place, I reckon I’d have done the same. Especially when you came in and found us in bed together. I swear to you, though, it was all innocent.”
“Yes, yes, sure and I know the truth o’ that.” Da lowered his hands and gave Dallas a strange look. “Truly, your and Cenora’s marriage was ordained in heaven.”
Then Da shook his head. “But what’s to become o’ Mac? I can’t see him married and mayhap a babe to care for.”
Dallas shrugged. “Perhaps the responsibility of a family will be what Mac needs.” Privately, the thought of Mac and Vourneen being responsible for the upbringing of a child—or worse, of children—gave Dallas the jitters.
“It’s hard to understand why he’s so different from the rest of your family. You and Ma, Cenora, and Finn all seem to think things through before you act. Ma has to rest, but you, Cenora, and Finn have pitched in and worked hard.”
Da’s eyes remained troubled and his face sagged in defeat, but he offered a tired smile. “Ah, ‘tis kind you are to say good things about us when you’ve had such trouble from our wild boy. Aoife and I hoped he’d pick up some o’ your ways. Now we fear we’ll never undo his bad habits. Worry is all we’ve had from him these past few years. I tell you again, ‘tis a saint you are to have such patience with us.”
Cenora walked in, her skirt swishing with the sway of her hips in the way Dallas had come to admire. “They’ll be here soon. Now, you needn’t feel obligated to feed the lot, husband. But if you agree, I’d like to ask Mr. and Mrs. McDonald to stay in Finn’s room until the wedding, if there’s to be one. The rest can go by the river where they camped before.”
Relieved she’d worked out the very plan he’d considered himself, Dallas nodded. “Sounds like the right thing to do. The McDonalds can see how Mac lives and know whether that’s what they want for Vourneen.”
Cenora put her hands at her hips. “You don’t mean me brother and his bride would live here? With us?” She shook her head. “You’re a generous man, Dallas McClintock, but sure and you’ll not be making that mistake.”
Da interrupted before Dallas could answer. “No. If Mac thinks he’s a grown man and fit to be wed, let him find a place to house his wife. Let him find a job and earn his keep. He’ll not be so lazy with a wife to feed, and with those two there’ll soon be a babe on the way.”
With a weary sigh, Da sank back into the chair. “No, the most I’ll agree to is letting them li
ve in one o’ the wagons, but there’ll be no interfering with the running o’ this house, and that’s me last say on the matter.”
Dallas couldn’t very well tell Cenora and Da how happy their stand made him, so he merely nodded. Mac was the main burr under the saddle of his life.
They heard the sound of the wagons’ approach. Da rose and straightened himself. “If you wish, I’ll handle this, Dallas. I’ll not have him insulting you on your own land.”
“You’re the eldest man of the family, and as such I respect you, but this is my ranch. Besides, hate me as he does, Williams will take directions better from me. Let’s go out on the porch to greet our visitors, and have none think us too proud or too afraid.”
Da nodded. “Aye, mayhap you’re right. Let’s go then.”
Dallas and Cenora stood on the wide front porch and waved to the travelers, but Da and Mac walked into the yard to greet them. Dallas kept his arm around his wife, letting all know he claimed her as his. Ma and Vourneen came out and stood beside Cenora.
Near the bunkhouse, the ranch hands lined up, and all wore their pistols, the threat of their presence made clear. Finn stood with the cowhands. It made Dallas proud to see his brother-in-law show loyalty and declare himself ready to fight to protect the ranch.
Dallas called to Williams. “You’re invited to camp by the river again.”
Da added, “In that grand place you used before, Tom.”
Williams took in the line of cowboys, then shot a sneer at Dallas. “You playing the high and mighty buffer, then, with all your men to protect you?”
Dallas started forward, but Cenora held him back by sliding her arm around his waist and leaning her head on his shoulder. Her simple action appeared to enrage Williams, but it reminded Dallas of his duty here.
Da shaded his eyes with his hand and spoke loud enough for all to hear. “All you see belongs to Dallas, and he’s mighty enough to do as he likes. But ‘tis generous he’s acting, Tom. Now, will all but Colin and Peggy McDonald be making their way to the campsite?”
Will O’Leary and Padraic Murphy turned their wagons, and others followed their lead. This left Williams bringing up the rear of the line with the livestock and carts, except for the McDonalds. Colin and Peggy climbed down from their home on wheels, and Augie drove it away behind the other travelers.
The elf-like Colin and his wife were so near in size and coloring, they looked more like brother and sister than Peggy and her brutish brother, Tom Williams. Looking lost, Colin and Peggy cast a glance over their shoulders to watch the wagons depart.
Dallas noted that his ranch hands also watched the traveling folks’ progress. When the caravan crested the hill, the men turned and went back to their chores.
At the same time, Brendan O’Neill clapped Colin on the back, and they walked toward the house. Mac hurried to Vourneen’s side, and Finn trailed his father.
“Won’t you come in?” Cenora gestured to the door as if she hosted guests every day.
Her gracious manner made Dallas proud.
Peggy came up the steps. “Aye, and then I’ve sharp words to say to me daughter.”
Vourneen tugged Mac with her. “Ma, I never meant you to worry. I never thought—”
Only inches separated Peggy and her wayward daughter. “I know, lass, you never think of anything but the moment. ‘Tis a source of great worry to your da and me.”
Colin climbed the steps behind Peggy. “Aye, and now you may have gone too far to turn back, lass.”
“But I don’t want to turn back, Da.” Vourneen pointed to Mac. “I love Mac. We belong together, you know we do, only Uncle Tom convinced you to keep us apart.”
Colin looked puzzled. “What do you mean, lass? When Mac quit coming around, Tom said he’d found a town girl.”
“No!” Mac stopped in his tracks. “Tom ordered Augie and Mort to keep me from speaking to any o’ the traveling folk. He said you and Mrs. McDonald had forbidden me from seeing Vourneen.”
Dallas figured he’d better herd these folks inside and get them seated before this went further. “Seems there’s been misunderstanding all around. Come in and sit down, and we can talk this through.” Like as not his wife and Rosa had food ready. A good meal always helped any discussion.
An hour later, the agreement had been reached. The O’Neills promised the couple use of one of their wagons. They set the wedding to take place in a week. Dallas agreed to host a party after the wedding and give Colin a brood mare to seal the bargain. Cenora had smiled at Dallas when he suggested the bride price, humor sparkling in her beautiful eyes. He knew she remembered their discussion their first night in this house.
With the traveling folk camped by the river, guards were posted around the clock for fear of Williams’ retaliation for what he viewed as past slights. Austin sent over two of his drovers to help with the sentry duty. Nothing was said in the house about these measures, but Dallas knew the O’Neills took note.
Rain arrived a day after the caravans. Pete and Armando left to drive cattle from the river bottom to higher ground. By noon water fell in torrents. Wagons moved higher up the hill to escape the rising river. One of the shepherds almost drowned saving a lamb in a swollen creek.
Worrying about every two- and four-legged creature in his care and looking for any break in the weather, Dallas went to a window. He spotted an acorn on the windowsill. Thinking it odd, he wondered if a squirrel could have run in when the door was opened. He pocketed the nut and went to the next window. He found an acorn on that ledge.
With a weary sigh, he checked the other windows. Damned if there wasn’t an acorn on each sill. Some fool superstition was the cause of this. He saw his wife hurry toward the stairs and called to her.
“Cenora?” He held one of the acorns in his hand. “Can you tell me why these are on each windowsill?”
With hardly a glance, she walked briskly by him. “Weel, o’ course, to keep the lightning from this house. Have you not seen the flashes and heard the thunder?”
He followed her. “You think these tiny things at a window will prevent a lightning strike?”
“Aye, for this is knowledge passed down the ages from the ancient tree people. ‘Tis lucky I found the acorns afore the storm arrived.” She stopped and gazed at him, a frown crinkling her lovely face. “Now don’t you be moving them, for I’ve no wish for our grand home to be struck by lightning and burn.”
He watched her climb the stairs with a wide smile on his face. Annoying as he found her silly superstitions, for the first time she’d said our instead of your when referring to their home.
****
Cenora watched as Rosa took a cake from the oven. “Sure and we’ve cooked a mountain of food already. You believe so many will come to the wedding?”
Rosa set the cake on the range’s top ledge to cool. “Si, already riders have taken the word to all the ranchers and to others in town. We will have many hungry people for the fandango.”
Cenora had never been busier, but she thought a queen couldn’t be happier—except with her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Vourneen spends a lot of time going to the privy. She’s been out there half an hour.”
Rosa shrugged. “Maybe this is not so bad. She is very slow and always in our way.”
Cenora looked up from slicing onions. “She’s getting married and must know how to provide meals for her husband, though he deserves to starve after the way he’s acted. Besides, Vourneen should do her share to help us. This is all for her and Mac, and she should show her appreciation.”
Ma and Peggy could sit and talk all they wanted. Cenora paused and wiped her hands on her apron. She intended to see that lax Vourneen pitched in to help feed the extra people. Stepping to the back door, she leaned out. “Vourneen McDonald, you get your lazy bones back into the kitchen this minute.”
The rain continued for two days. Da and Finn couldn’t work in the garden, but Finn pitched in to help with the horses.
Da took Colin McDonald with him for milk
ing and gathering eggs and gave several tours of the barns, blathering all the while. Augie had drifted over from the camp, and he and Mac disappeared to shirk duties together. It shamed Cenora her younger brother acted so badly after he’d had such a fine chance here. She picked up her dust cloth and started on Dallas’s study.
Dallas came in, and her heart pounded just seeing him. Dear Lord, what was she to do? She’d fallen in love with this man. Though he was kindness itself, she wondered how he really viewed their marriage and the mess Mac created. Would he finally say enough and send them all packing?
With the wedding preparations, extra mouths to feed, and people always around, it seemed she hardly saw her husband. She hurried to meet him, glad to have him alone for a bit.
Dallas kissed her cheek. “Have to look at some figures. Sheriff released the reward when Fred picked up the supplies in town this morning.”
The money for saving her from those two devils who’d stolen her had finally come. Now her man wouldn’t worry so much about making ends meet until he sold cattle in the late summer. She’d seen it for herself, else she’d never have dreamed how much cash was required to keep a ranch this size going. It seemed to her Dallas was always paying someone or buying more supplies.
Cenora pulled him near for a proper kiss, reveling in his embrace. Didn’t his touch make her toes curl?
When they broke the kiss, Dallas smiled down at her but kept her in his arms. “Your da is in fine fettle with an audience.”
She rested her head on his broad chest and slid her arms around his waist. “Aye, I’ve never seen him happier than showing off this fine place and his gardening. In spite o’ the mess Mac created, Da feels king o’ the world.”
“Right now, so do I.” He reached behind him and locked the door, and then slid his hand down her thigh to gather up the folds of her skirt.
Heat pooled in her private place, and she felt the moisture there that appeared whenever Dallas touched her. And sometimes even when she only thought about his touch.
Cupping her rear, Dallas lifted her, and she raised her legs around his waist. “I’ve wondered how you’d look sprawled across my desk.” He carried her and lowered her hips to the wood surface then unfastened her dress bodice. Next he freed her breasts from her chemise. “My favorite twins.” He nipped at one orb while he cupped the other.
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