Nissa (The Widows of Wildcat Ridge Book 3)

by Zina Abbott

  Hal raised an eyebrow. “Driver?”

  “Yes. I already found Jasper and told him to hitch my horse to the buggy. I need to find Tommy. He’s the teenage son of our telegraph operator and very responsible. If his father can spare him long enough to go to Curdy’s Crossing and back, Tommy can drive Birdie then return the buggy. I hope you don’t mind me arranging that.”

  Hal shook his head. “No, I appreciate it. I need to see Jasper myself about renting a horse to ride. Mine’s spent. At Curdy’s Crossing, we can tie the livery horse to the back of the buggy, and Tommy can return it at the same time.”

  Hal took his gelding over to the livery for some water and a helping of oats in his feedbag. He returned with both horses, the rental horse now wearing the saddle.

  Birdie, dressed in the clothes Maggie left for her, joined Hal by the back door. “Thank you, Hal, for coming back for me. When Mr. Crane forced me to stay in the bank and miss the stagecoach, I thought for sure I would never see you again.”

  Hal reached over and grazed Birdie’s cheek with his fingertips. “I promised you I’d take you with me, Birdie.”

  “I was afraid you’d think I didn’t come because I changed my mind.”

  Hal shook his head. “I figured you ran into trouble. I’ll get you to where you want to live and can find a good job, Birdie. What I don’t know is how I’m going to be able to leave you behind when it’s time for me to return to the ranch.”

  “I’ll miss you, too, Hal. We’ll write, and when you come to Denver, we’ll see each other.”

  Hal huffed in frustration. “I’ve never been so tied in knots inside. For the first time in my life, I regret my job and where I live. Then again, I’ve never met a woman before I want to marry. I wish I could take you with me, but I can’t offer you a home.”

  “Marry me? You want to marry me?”

  Hal gazed deeply into Birdie’s eyes, hoping she could see his sincerity. “Yes. If there was any way, I’d marry you today. Unfortunately, it’s impossible, at least right now. I don’t have my own place. I live in the bunkhouse on a ranch in the middle of nowhere—remote from a rail line or stagecoach service. The closest small town is a long day’s wagon ride away.” Hal paused then looked away. “That’s no place to bring a wife.”

  Birdie reached up and placed the palm of her hand on Hal’s cheek.

  Hal leaned into Birdie’s caress as she gently guided his head until he gazed into her beautiful dark eyes full of pleading.

  “Hal, ask me to marry you. I’ll say yes. I don’t care if we live in a tent. I’ll…I’ll sleep out under the stars. I don’t want to go to Denver and work as a teller. I want to be with you.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Curdy’s Crossing, Utah

  June 28, 1884

  N

  issa’s mind whirled as she, Dallin and the children exited the little church in Curdy’s Crossing. The minister, Elijah Stone, had just declared her and Dallin to be husband and wife. She tried to absorb all that had taken place in such a short time.

  That morning, Nissa had left Wildcat Ridge with the intention of working as a housekeeper. She would still be a housekeeper but of her own house. As the stagecoach rumbled and bumped up the road to Curdy’s Crossing, it felt like, by leaving Wildcat Ridge and that miscreant Mortimer Crane behind, she shed her fears and regrets regarding her marriage to James Stillwell. A sense of a brighter future awaiting her grew within with every turn of the wheels and bounce of the spring-mounted vehicle. Perhaps that realization, more than Dallin rescuing her from that obsessed horse rustler, prepared her to finally accept Dallin’s proposal of marriage.

  Nissa looked down at her blue dress, the one Dallin had seen her in almost every evening the week he spent in Wildcat Ridge. They married so quickly she had no time to search for a wedding gown. He barely allowed her enough time to brush out the dust from being tossed on the ground and re-style her hair. Then again, she had not minded that Dallin married her while dressed in clothes he had worn at the horse auction. The vows they each spoke as they pledged the rest of their lives together meant the most.

  I’m Nissa Walsh. Varnissa Anne MacGregor Walsh.

  Nissa turned her thoughts to Birdie Templeton. No one had been more surprised than she when Hal, with an intensity Dallin had assured her was uncharacteristic of his otherwise calm and self-assured ranch hand, had declared Birdie should have been on the Wells Fargo coach with her and the children. From what little she knew of Birdie, the woman excelled at being dependable, punctual and attentive to detail. Nissa hoped Birdie had not suffered a mishap.

  “Mama, what are we going to do now?”

  Smiling, Nissa looked down at Jamie. She wondered if he and Molly understood even a small portion of what had taken place back in the church and what it meant for their lives. “I guess we’ll go back to our hotel room.”

  Jamie’s tone filled with reproach. “But when are we going to sail my boat Mr. Walsh made me? We didn’t get to do it before we left our house, and now I don’t see any creeks.”

  Dallin reached over and ruffled Jamie’s hair. “We may need to wait until we get back to the Grassy Fork, Jamie. We have a real nice creek that runs past the back of your new home that is just right for boats.”

  “Aww…”

  “None of that, Jamie. You show respect you your new step-father.”

  Dallin cleared his throat. “Speaking of step-father…Jamie, you remember when your mother told you to call me Mr. Walsh until I said to call me something different? I’ll be raising you like I’m your father and you’re my son.”

  “But…you’re not my papa. He died.”

  “True, and I don’t want to take away from your papa. But we’re family now. I’d like you and Molly to call me something special, like Papa Dallin. Only you two will be able to call me that. Do you think you’d like that?”

  Jamie squinted one eye shut as he thought about it then nodded. “I like calling you Papa Dallin better than Mr. Walsh.”

  Dallin smiled as he patted Jamie on the back. “Me, too, Jamie.” Dallin turned to Molly. “How about you, Miss Molly? Would you like to call me Papa Dallin?”

  Molly bunny-hopped a few feet to stand in front of him. “I’m Molly.”

  Dallin reached his hands down as an invitation to pick her up.

  Molly raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck as he straightened and held her.

  “I know your name is Molly. I call you Miss Molly because that’s my special name for you. Would you like to call me Papa Dallin like Jamie does?”

  Molly nodded yes as she snuggled her forehead into the side of his neck.

  Nissa fought back tears of joy. Her heart swelled with love and gratitude. Dallin not only wanted her for his family, he readily accepted her children.

  The sound of loping horses and spinning wheels captured the attention of the new little family. They all turned to witness the approach of a man on horseback holding the reins of a second horse riding on the right side of a buggy with a couple inside.

  The rider pulled back to circle around the back of the buggy until he was on the left. He guided his horse towards the Walsh family. The buggy, taking its cue from him, turned to follow.

  Hal Summers slowed his mount as he approached and pulled the horse to a stop. He dismounted then jogged over to the side of the buggy that held the woman.

  As the dust settled, Nissa recognized Birdie Templeton. Hal took a valise and his saddlebags from her and helped her down. Nissa turned her attention to the driver and recognized Tommy Bridges. She watched as Hal removed his saddle and blanket, tied the horse he rode to the back of the buggy and spoke to Tommy. She guessed he gave the teenager final instructions before he handed Tommy some money.

  Hal and Birdie stepped back as the buggy carefully pulled forward to avoid kicking up too much dust, circled around and started back down the road in the direction of Wildcat Ridge.

  Nissa held tight to Jamie’s hand and placed her other on Dallin�
��s arm.

  Hal, the reins of his horse in one hand and his other arm around Birdie’s waist, slowly approached.

  Hal’s face appeared calm, almost expressionless, but Nissa recognized the tightness of apprehension around his eyes.

  Hal nodded a greeting to Nissa, then he turned to Dallin. “Boss, you remember Birdie Templeton?”

  “I do. Pleased to see you again, Miss Templeton.” Dallin turned to Hal with a baleful expression. “What’s this about exactly, Hal? I knew something was up, especially after you insisted on going back to Wildcat Ridge and leaving Buck and me to see to the horses. Buck said something later about you helping Miss Templeton relocate in Denver.”

  Buck glanced at Birdie then focused back on Dallin. “Things have changed, Boss. Miss Templeton and I are getting married. I’m bringing her with me.”

  Dallin set Molly on the ground and, with a wordless smile, signaled to Nissa to take charge of the children.

  Nissa grasped the hands of her children.

  Dallin, his arms folded and his face set in stone, turned back to Hal. “This mean you’re leaving me, Hal?”

  “Not if I don’t have to, Boss. I’m hoping we can work something out. I figured with you bringing a new housekeeper to the ranch, you might not be averse to having another woman close by to keep her company.”

  Dallin’s expression morphed into one of a man who had won the grand prize. “Nissa is not coming as my housekeeper, Hal. She and I just married a few minutes ago.” His face grew stern once again. “Too bad you missed it.”

  Birdie gasped and raised a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Mr. Walsh, it’s my fault. He came for me. I’m so sorry.”

  Hal released the reins and reached over to pat Birdie’s hand. “It’s not your fault, Birdie. If anyone’s to blame, it’s that no-account Mortimer Crane.” Hal turned to Nissa. “Congratulations, Mrs. Walsh. You got yourself a good man.” Hal once again faced Dallin. “Congratulations, Boss. Whatever you decide, I wish you and Mrs. Walsh the best.”

  Dallin continued to study Hal. “You still want to stay at the Grassy Fork rather than get your own place?”

  Hal nodded. “If you’ll have me—us. I’m not interested in going out on my own right now.”

  “I told Hal I’m willing to live in a tent.” Birdie offered Dallin what she hoped was a smile of assurance. “I will, Mr. Walsh. I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

  Breaking into an indulgent smile, Dallin turned to Birdie. “That would work for about two more months, Miss Templeton. After that, it will be too cold for tent living. Unfortunately, the bunkhouse won’t do for you, either.”

  “If you’ll allow it, Boss, I’ll build a cabin for Birdie and I on the other side of the creek from you. But if you want me gone, I’ll understand.”

  Dallin shook his head. “I’m not ready to lose you, Hal. Here’s what I’ll do. You know that wide spot on the far end of the north fork about a half of a mile from the main house—the one that cuts into that hill with the scrub brush and pine trees on top?”

  Hal nodded. “Yes, the one we call Grassy Burl because it looks like a burl on the side of a tree.”

  “The burl, as you call it, that’s on the other side of the creek that runs down through there is about five acres. I’ll give that parcel to you for a wedding gift. We’ll use the creek for a boundary line so there will be no question about water rights. Neither of us will have the right to divert all the water from the other.”

  Hal shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Boss.”

  “I know that. It will keep people honest down through the generations, though. My property line is about a quarter mile up that hill and continues across the end of the right fork. The land on top and the other side of that knoll that opens into another meadow is open range. If you want to buy more land for your own spread, you might look into that area.” Dallin grinned. “Having good neighbors is just as important as having good ranch hands.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Boss, except thank you.”

  “When do you and Miss Templeton plan to marry?”

  Hal looked over at Birdie. “Today, Boss, if there’s time.”

  “Train doesn’t leave until Monday, so there’s time. I can tell you where the church is since Nissa and I just came from there.” Dallin shook his head as he considered the situation. “Where are you two going to live until you can get a cabin built on your land?”

  “Don’t know. Since you’re giving me that land, Boss, I figure first I need to stop in Warm Springs on our way back and line up some lumber for a barn. If it’s all right, I’ll take the wagon back for it.” Hal inhaled and looked off to the side as he considered his options. “If you can spare the men one day for a barn-raising, once it’s built, Birdie and I can stay there until I can bring in enough square-cut logs for the house. I’d like to get it all done before fall round-up, if I can. It might mean some time away in Denver to get what else we need.”

  Dallin grinned. “And for a real honeymoon. Sounds like a good plan.”

  Hal nodded. “Birdie has money squirreled away in a bank account in Denver. Maybe she can use some of it to get what she wants for the inside.” He smiled as he gazed at Birdie’s upturned face.

  “You’re right about one thing. I feel better about having another woman close by so Nissa doesn’t feel too isolated. They’ll be a big help to each other.” Dallin pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. “I need to find out how Buck and the horses are doing. Why don’t you go see if the preacher can do the honors in about an hour? I think those rustlers are long gone, but I’ll make sure the livery owner and other horse buyers can watch our stock while Buck joins us for supper.”

  Nissa smiled at Birdie who had followed the exchange, first with apprehension then with relief. Although she did not know the former bank teller well, she had always liked the woman. Nissa released Jamie’s hand and reached out to Birdie. “Come with me, Birdie.” She turned and smiled at her new husband. “I’ll take Birdie to our room to freshen up since her trunk is in there for now. Hal can retrieve it later once he lines up their own room.”

  g

  Sitting at the table in the hotel restaurant where the Grassy Fork bunch just finished a big wedding supper, Buck didn’t know what to think of the events of the past several hours. Herding the new horses up to Curdy’s Crossing by itself proved to be exciting. Add to that, he found himself left with only Hal for help while Dallin chased down that demented horse thief who, after failing to get their horses, decided to settle for Nissa. Thankfully, Dallin rode to the rescue and the lowlife brother, Snake, had the presence of mind to drag him away. Now the three horse thieves were Sheriff Bowles’ problem.

  Was there any rest for Buck after that? No. First, Hal took off, leaving Buck alone to watch the horses. Then Boss and Nissa left him behind with the herd to get married. Next, Hal raced Birdie Templeton into town as if the devil was after her. In a way, he was, only they all knew the devil by the name of Mortimer Crane. Now, Birdie was out of Wildcat Ridge and safely married to a man who had proven he would go to hell and back for her.

  Buck had missed both weddings by tending horses. He’d never admit it, but that was fine with him. Just the thought of a wedding started him thinking about that cute, sassy Hilaina Dodd with her reddish hair and freckles. He’d never have a reason to return to Wildcat Ridge, and she clearly explained her reasons for not leaving. He needed to put thoughts of her aside, and weddings were not good places to do that.

  At least Boss got the horses settled and helpers paid to watch them so Buck could attend the wedding supper. He preferred the eating part better than the church and speaking vows part any day. He leaned back in his chair and covered his mouth to prevent his belch from exploding across the table. That behavior might be acceptable back at the bunkhouse. Here with two women and the boss’s new youngsters sitting across from him, if Boss didn’t say something, Hal surely would.

  “So, what are we going to do now?” Buck glanced
to one side of him, and then to the other. He quickly realized four pairs of eyes belonging to two pairs of newlyweds stared back at him. He shrugged in resignation. “I suppose you would like me to keep an eye on Jamie and Molly for a couple of hours while the rest of you go off and…behave married.”

  Dallin rose from his chair and clapped Buck on the shoulder. “Good of you to volunteer, Buck. We’re in room 205. Bring them up about eight o’clock and not before.”

  Epilogue

  Grassy Fork Ranch, Colorado

  August 9, 1884

  T

  he day dawned with excitement so thick in the air Nissa could feel it. The long-anticipated cabin-raising party she and Dallin had organized to give Hal and Birdie a head start in creating their new home had arrived. Ranch families began rolling in the afternoon before and set up camp to be ready to begin work this morning. The Grassy Fork ranch hands planned to help, too. She looked out the window at the lane leading into the Grassy Fork. Three more buckboards and several men on horseback traveled in to join those already at the building site.

  Nissa turned towards what Hal and Dallin had dubbed Grassy Burl at the wagons, tents and makeshift horse lines tied between the trees. Bordered by a small stream that provided water for their ranch, the property Dallin gave Hal was perfectly located. Far enough from the Grassy Fork main house to provide privacy for each family, it remained close enough the two families could reach each other in case of an emergency. Especially now that Curly had died after being trampled by a wild mustang he had tried to ride too soon and Hal had been named Dallin’s new foreman, the place allowed Hal to maintain his position with ease.

  As Nissa ignored the churning in her stomach and started frying ham steaks, she pondered about how close she now felt to Birdie Summers. While she worked as a laundress next to the Ridge Hotel, Nissa had often thought on the kindness offered—and the risk taken—when Birdie suggested she withdraw what little money James had remaining in his bank account after his death. However, she had not really taken the opportunity to truly know and appreciate the real Birdie until this past month and a half while Birdie spent time at the ranch house with her. They cleaned and organized the main house at Grassy Fork, mended and sewed new clothes for themselves, as well as their men and Nissa’s children, and preserved for the coming winter what they could of the garden Buck had grown.