****
Austin and his family arrived early the day before the party. He helped Kathryn down and called to Dallas. “Have a load of lumber for the dance floor. Where you want it?”
Dallas picked a likely spot, and the men fell to hammering. When they’d finished, Dallas strung lanterns from posts around the pavilion. “Imagine how it’ll look with people twirling in lantern light. Nothing like the party at the Marstons’, but I think you’ll see it works.”
Cenora could hardly wait. “It’ll be grand. Our first real party in our home.” She didn’t count family ceilidhs.
Kathryn and Becky had brought food to share. Kathryn watched men set up plank tables and knock together benches. “Has Dallas made his secret chili yet?”
“Aye, ‘tis simmering on the range now, though he shared his secret with me.” Cenora wondered where all the boxes and crates put out for seats had come from. “Rosa’s supervising the cooking over that campfire built in a pit. I’ve never cooked anything so large as a cow.”
Kathryn laughed. “Steer, not cow. And probably a lamb as well.”
“I have some hams ready in the kitchen.” Cenora had cooked her contributions on the kitchen range. “With all Rosa and I prepared and that you brought, we’ve enough food to feed an army.”
Kathryn nodded approval. “You’ll need it all.”
Cenora soon learned the truth of that, for she had never seen the likes of people. Ranchers from a day’s ride away rode in with their families and ranch hands the evening before the wedding and camped behind the house.
On the day of the ceremony, folks from nearby started arriving after breakfast. By the time for the wedding at six, town folks had drifted out. Cenora lost count of the new people she’d met, but it pleased her that some of the people she remembered from the teas and parties in town had come. Women showed up dressed in everything from the simplest faded cotton dresses to fine gowns.
Mrs. Marston arrived with several cakes and demanded a tour of her old home. “You’ve done a fine job here, dear. And don’t think I haven’t noticed that it’s spotless.”
Looking ill at ease among so many settled folk, the traveling folk came shortly before time for the ceremony. Williams’ dark glares struck fear in Cenora’s heart. Mrs. McDonald had warned of Williams’ anger and threat to get even with Dallas before the month was out. Both women knew Tom Williams would plot something terrible, and that he’d strike where he thought it would hurt most.
Cenora stopped Da. “Please make sure there’ll be no trouble between the travelers and the settled folks.”
“Aye, I’ll do me best, lass. Finn and Mac have already paved the way by having a word with everyone but Tom.”
Cenora hoped it would be enough. The McClintock men and their ranch hands would be watching for trouble.
Vourneen and Mac spoke their vows with their families near and others standing respectfully to one side. When they were finished, cheers rang out, and musicians picked up their instruments.
Anyone who desired could play from the two wagonbeds parked at one end of the dance floor. Two men Cenora had met but whose names she’d forgotten played fiddle and banjo. Armando brought out his guitar, and his cousin from another ranch did the same. Finn and Da joined in, so Padraic Murphy and Colin McDonald followed.
Dallas guided Cenora around the dance floor. “Austin and Kathryn make a fine looking couple don’t they?”
“I’m thinking so do we, husband.”
He twirled her around. “That we do. Are you enjoying your party?”
“’Tis our party. Aye, I’m having a grand time.” But amid the fun, Tom Williams’ threat hung heavy on her mind.
As if he read her mind, Dallas leaned near. “Don’t worry, angel. Williams is being watched all evening, and so are Mort and Augie. They won’t have a chance to spoil Mac’s and Vourneen’s wedding or your party.” He leaned back long enough to smile down at her. “Our party.”
She could hardly believe her eyes. “See, ‘tis your grandparents dancing. And Gran’s smiling.”
He turned. “Where? Oh, I see. Well, I’ll be damned.” Dallas swung her to the edge of the pavilion and stopped. “There’s Greta Vortmann dancing with Dieter Hausmann. Never thought I’d see her on this ranch.”
“Hmph. She should have had the courtesy to speak to us when she arrived.” Cenora stared at the beautiful petite woman. “Mayhap she’ll marry the big man she’s dancing with, and you’ll be free o’ her care.”
About nine, the Traveler lasses did Irish dances with the O’Neill men playing fiddle, bhodrân, and pipe. Afterward, several young Mexican ladies danced Spanish style while Armando and his cousin accompanied them on guitar. Then it was back to everyone who wished whirling around the floor.
Ma and Da found Cenora a few minutes before eleven. Da was only a bit in his cups. “Weel, lass, it was a fine do, but Ma and me found a ride with a kind family from town. ‘Tis going home we are.”
An hour or so later, Kathryn started carting food back to the kitchen.
Cenora peered around, worried. “There are still people here. Isn’t this rude?”
Rosa helped put the food away. “No, they’re mostly people who’re camped out because they live too far to go home tonight. We’ll feed them in the morning, and they’ll be on their way.”
The musicians put their instruments away at half past midnight. Mac and Vourneen stole away to one O’Neill wagon and Finn took the other, even though his room was empty now.
Cenora was relieved when she and Dallas climbed the stairs to their bedroom. “Giving a fandango is a lot o’ work. Did you enjoy yourself?”
“It was nicer than I thought.” He unbuttoned his shirt. “No one was rude. Of course, I avoided Tom Williams.”
Cenora turned down the bedcovers. “Da had some o’ the folks making sure Williams didn’t come looking for trouble.”
He nodded. “I had men watching him as well. Did you know the McDonalds plan to stay in McClintock Falls?”
“Aye, Peggy’s hoping Augie will stay with them.” She shook her head. “I don’t know that I want him near, but it should make Vourneen happy.
“We can use a gunsmith in town. The blacksmith isn’t much good at gun repair.” He sat down and shucked off his boots. “Of course, Colin prefers repairing clocks.”
She watched the weary movements of her husband. “Did you get any sleep atall last night?” She pulled him to his feet, for he looked too tired to stand.
He offered his crooked grin. “No. A lot needed tending. I’m beat to a stub. Only one thing can save me.” He reached for her.
She snuggled to him. “And what would that be, husband?”
“Come to bed, and I’ll show you.”
Their coming together was fast, and she sensed a new tension in Dallas unrelieved by their lovemaking.
Afterward, he rolled to his side and cradled her to him. “Don’t leave me, angel.”
Before she could answer, she heard the soft breathing that told her he slept soundly. Tired as she was, the excitement of the day following the nerve-wracking events of the week had her in bits. She tossed and turned, then gave up and slipped from bed. Going to the window, she looked down on the ranch.
All was dark where the traveling folk camped, and she found that odd. Sure and they hadn’t already pulled out. Why would they leave before morning? As she peered around the yard, she saw two men lead horses to the top of the hill, mount, and race away. The moon wasn’t bright enough to show them plain, but she knew it was her brothers. This couldn’t bode well.
She dressed quickly and ran down the stairs. Vourneen sat crying in the kitchen.
Grabbing the girl’s shoulders, she gave her a shake. “What’s happened?”
“My folks have gone. Mac says Uncle Tom stole Himself’s special horse. Dom...something.”
Cenora gasped. “Not Dominion?” Dallas’s entire breeding program centered around that stallion.
Vourneen nodded. “That sounds
right. Mac and Finn have gone to fetch him back. They said I’m to wait here and tell you and Himself.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Himself’s sure to send me away after this. And me with his babe on the way.”
Vourneen stopped sniveling long enough to widen her red-rimmed eyes. “A baby? Truly?”
Remembering Dallas’s vacant stare when he came back from the rustlers, Cenora feared next time he’d stay in that frozen state. “Aye, and I’ll not have me baby’s heritage stolen nor me husband frozen inside himself because of that lout Williams. Oh, begging your pardon, Vourneen. I know he’s your uncle, but honestly, I can’t abide the man.”
Vourneen sniffed. “No one can except for Augie and Uncle Mort. Secretly, I don’t think they like him, but Augie’s afraid of him. I don’t know why Uncle Mort sides with him.”
Cenora gathered a gun, belt, and ammunition. “Wait here. As soon as anyone’s up, tell the ranch hands to follow. I’m going after me brothers and Himself’s horse.”
“Shouldn’t you wake your man and tell him? Especially if you’re carrying his babe.”
Never could Cenora forget the horrible sight of Dallas in a trance from facing the rustlers’ guns. She didn’t understand it, for she knew he was no coward, but she had to protect him. And her and the babe. What would they do if her wonderful husband fell back into that trance for all time like the poor man Kathryn had talked about?
“No, he mustn’t know until we’re back.”
Cenora hurried to the barn and saddled Queenie. Val and Sol were sleeping so deeply she couldn’t rouse them. She wondered what they’d eaten and hoped it wasn’t permanent. She didn’t know how to wear the gun belt with a dress, and it was too large for her anyway. She pulled the belt over her head and stuck one arm through the loop. She adjusted it so the pistol was in front.
She led the horse to the top of the hill as she’d seen her brothers do, then mounted and rode off in the direction they’d gone. What if she couldn’t find them? She knew nothing of tracking. When she came to the road, she saw the wagon ruts from the travelers’ wagons and followed them west. The fools, didn’t they know that wasn’t a good road for a caravan?
The first rays of the sun warmed her back when she saw two mounted figures leading a horse her way at a hurried gait. At last, she had found her brothers.
They came up to her and stopped.
Finn asked, “Cenora Rose, what are you doing here? And dressed like a bandit?”
Chapter 19
Dallas awoke with a chill. He reached for the sheet with one hand and for his wife with the other. When he found the space beside him empty, he sat up. He lit the lamp and noticed her shoes were gone from the spot she always left them. A terrible fear swept through him.
He dressed and pulled on his boots and ran down the stairs. When he reached the kitchen, Vourneen sat keening in a chair, her face red and blotched from crying.
It must be bad, but Cenora wouldn’t have left him and left Vourneen here. And where was Mac on his wedding night?
“Vourneen? Where’s Cenora?”
Vourneen launched into sobs and unintelligible gibberish.
He touched her shoulder. “Not Gaelic or Sheldroo. Speak English, woman.” He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but something terrible must have happened.
He knelt in front of her and softened his tone. “Please, stop crying and tell me where Cenora’s gone.”
Vourneen sobbed out the story in hiccuping gulps. Before she got to the end, he reached for his gun belt from the peg by the back door. Dear Lord, the gun was gone. He raced into the study to grab a spare pistol he shoved into his waistband as he ran out of the house.
He banged on Xavier’s door. “Williams stole Dominion. Cenora and her brothers have gone to get him back. There’s sure to be trouble.”
Xavier shoved his nightshirt into his pants. “Where the hell’s Armando? He was sentry last night. Williams wouldn’t get past him without trouble.”
“Don’t know. Find him, and then follow me with the others.” Dallas raced for the barn.
He had no trouble finding the trail even in the semi-darkness of early dawn. For the first time in his life he’d had a chance at fulfilling his dream of family and successful ranch. He’d looked forward to having the house quiet with only him and Cenora—and maybe Finn—of an evening. But if anything happened to Cenora, he didn’t know how he’d go on.
His heart thundered in time with Red’s pounding hooves while he followed the trail. As he crested a hill, he saw three riders racing toward him and recognized his wife, brothers-in-law, and Dominion. The three kept glancing behind them, but Dallas saw no one in pursuit.
When they were abreast, he flung himself off his horse and rushed to his wife. “Cenora, I feared you’d be hurt by Williams. Why didn’t you wake me before you left?” He pulled her off her horse and hugged her tight. “How could you take such a risk?”
She pulled away. “Hurry husband, for Williams is following us, and he’s gone mad.”
Dallas was torn by indecision. He wanted this enmity with Williams ended, but he wanted Cenora no where near when that happened.
He helped Cenora mount. “Finn, you and Mac take your sister home. I’ll settle with Williams.”
Cenora held his shoulders. “I’ll not leave you.”
“Nor I, for he’ll not fight fair.” Mac glanced over his shoulder then faced Dallas. “I know this is my fault, and I tried to right it by fetching your stallion home. ‘Tis quiet we were when we claimed him.”
“Williams must have checked on the horses, for we saw two riders following us.” Finn watched the horizon. “Come on, man. You’ll be better off taking care of this at home with your ranch hands near.”
Outlined on the horizon, two horsemen headed Dallas’s way fast. He swung into the saddle and searched for a likely place. They’d ridden almost to the creek when they came to a broad meadow edged by trees and boulders from a ledge. He turned off the trail and decided to make his stand here.
“Get behind those rocks, Cenora. Use your gun if you have to, but don’t let Tom Williams or Mort near you.” Dallas dismounted and dropped Red’s reins. “You men both know this isn’t about anything the O’Neills have done. It’s about me marrying Cenora, and it’s only between Williams and me, so both of you get back there with your sister.”
Finn shook his head. “No, I’m working for you now, remember? Xavier explained about riding for the brand. Besides, you’re me brother-in-law and a good one at that. Family sticks together.”
“Aye, I feel the same.” Red colored Mac’s face. “I done you wrong, but from here on out I’m a new man. I told Vourneen as much. We aim to make good settled folks like you and me sister. ‘Tis likely her folks will settle in town as well.”
Dallas wasn’t surprised by Finn’s speech because he’d proven himself in the past, but he never expected to hear a declaration like that from his wild brother-in-law. “Thanks. Appreciate the two of you getting Dominion back. I hope neither of you have cause to regret it.”
Finn planted himself on Dallas’s right, and Mac took the left. Their action made Dallas proud.
Tom and Mort Williams rode toward them.
Dallas figured they’d try to run him down. “They’ll head for me, so be ready to move aside fast.”
Neither Finn nor Mac moved. Tom and Mort raced past and turned around.
Tom jumped down from his horse. “Shooting’s too good for you, you buffer sonofabitch. I’ll kill you with me bare hands.”
Dallas handed his gun to Mac and faced Williams. “You were mad to think your theft would work. Didn’t you know I’d come after you?” Dallas watched Tom closely, for he expected him to attack.
Tom wore the crazed look of a man who’d lost touch with reality, one who’d gone over the edge into madness. “You know why I hate you. You stole me woman. When I kill you, I’ll have Cenora. She’ll be lying under me tonight while I plow into her. Think about that while you die, you scurvy bas
tard.”
“She was never your woman, Tom, and never will be. If she’d never met me, she still wouldn’t have wed you; if I die today, she’ll never be yours. Do you think no one has noticed how badly you treat your women?”
Tom let out a great roar and rushed at Dallas. He braced himself for Tom’s fury, and the first swing sent a fist to Dallas’s jaw. The impact almost stunned him, but he countered with a couple of swings to Tom’s midsection. What looked like flab was rock hard muscle, and the blows failed to do more than slow the man.
The two grappled on the meadow grass. Apparently the Traveler intended to use every dirty fighting trick he knew. He and Dallas rolled on the ground, and as soon as Dallas thought he had the man whipped, Tom roused and landed another punch. Dallas sensed other arrivals, but no one interfered.
Both men were tiring, but Tom Williams had the strength of a madman. Blow after blow rained on Dallas, no matter how he defended and thrust his own punches. He staggered and put his strength into an uppercut to Williams’ jaw. Slowly, Williams sank to the ground. At last, the brutish leader was defeated and lay gasping in the grass. Dallas wasn’t in much better shape, but he was standing. He pushed the hair out of his eyes and looked around him.
Xavier and the drovers stood with Finn and Mac. But what surprised Dallas was that the Irish Traveler men also stood there. Those who didn’t own guns carried shovels or sturdy tree branches as weapons. And Augie McDonald stood with them instead of with Mort. Dallas figured he’d sort that out later, right now he wanted his wife.
She came running to him, crying softly. “I was so scared. He’s a brute and like as not to stab you in the back.”
Dallas held her close. “Dear Lord, I thought I’d lost you, angel. Promise me you’ll never do anything that dangerous again.”
Tom Williams lumbered to his feet and looked at the traveling folk who were there. “Get him. He’s challenged your leader and deserves to die.”
Dallas slipped his gun belt from Cenora and buckled it around his waist with fingers made clumsy from his fight.
Will O’Leary stepped forward. “You lost, Tom, and ’tis over. Take it like a man.”
9 Ways to Fall in Love Page 28