by Nan O'Berry
Max could have sworn his brother struck him. Chest tight, he grappled with the onslaught of anger that rushed through his veins. Even his horse felt it and shifted nervously beneath him. “Go home,” he hissed. “That will take some money. You got six hundred dollars lying around the ranch I don’t know about?”
“Me?” The surprised expression on Augustus face didn’t quite meet his eyes.
For a moment, Max thought he even struggled to keep a smirk from widening his lips. “Just as I thought,” Max snapped.
“Well it is true. She could easily find someone else to marry. I mean the ratio of men to women here in Rattlesnake Ridge gives her an advantage.”
Max snorted. “Yep, just about any man in town.” This kind of talk made him uneasy. Augustus was right. Once word got around, there wouldn’t be long before men would be lined up at the door, wanting to court her. It made him itch as if he’d rolled in a mass of chiggers and couldn’t shake them loose.
“What about Amos Whitehead?”
“The undertaker!” Max gasped. The shrill tone of his voice seemed to echo across the open valley. “Have you lost your mind?” he demanded. “For one thing, he’s in his sixties.”
“Lots of folks have May to December romances.”
Max clamped his teeth against down so hard they hurt. “No.”
“No? What other reason makes Amos no good for her?” his brother demanded.
“For one, she’s not suited to be surrounded by death,” Max grumbled. In his mind, the image of Callie in mourning clothes made his stomach take a violent roll. The thought of her pale skin continuing in black was like a mark on his soul.
“That’s all you got?” Augustus demanded.
Max grew angrier. “Black isn’t her color.”
For a moment, his brother said nothing. He took a breath and shot a glance his way. Augustus dampened his lips as if he were afraid of his next words. “What is her color, Max?”
Max turned away and gazed across the horizon until he spotted a slump of lupine nestled against an outcropping of rock. “Blue,” he whispered. “Blue, the color of lupine in the morning just as the sun comes over the hillside. Or even, lavender like that over there.” He pointed to the clump shielded by the shadow of the ponderosa pine.
“I see.”
Max caught the laughter in his brother’s voice. “You think it’s funny.”
Augustus drew his hands up, palms facing him and looked back with a wide-eyed innocence that only he could muster. “Funny? Nope, not me.” He swung his horse around. “Not me at all, big brother.”
Augustus’ mount sprang away before Max could challenge him again.
Breathing deep, he watched him ride away but, no peace came to his soul. The thought – the idea of Callie going back to Virginia or finding comfort in the arms of another man made him want to put his fist through a wall. “I need to go see Lou,” he grumbled.
Giving the cattle a disgusted glare, Max urged them forward with a shrill whistle. “Get your mangy hides down the trail.”
A yearling uttered a mournful bawl as if Max had insulted him grievously. But, their hoof beats grew in intensity as they hurried down the trail coughing up a cloud of dust. Max worked as if someone had a gun to his back. Augustus didn’t have to wait long before the last of the cattle streamed through the open gate to the western pasture. And Max didn’t wait for the other riders to come to the fence. His lips pressed into a thin line, he threw a dark glaze at his brother.
“I’ll be back,” he paused. “Later.”
“Sure, Max.” Augustus kept his head bent over his tally book. “You go and have a good time. Ride safe.”
Max would have loved to give him a parting word to chew on, but there was a part of him afraid his language would have been frowned upon. He pivoted his horse on his back legs and sank his spurs against his sides. The gray leapt forward with such force that clumps of dirt showered those pulling up the corral.
* * *
“Hey, where’s Max going?” Melinda cried.
Augustus looked toward his brother’s departing figure. His lips twitched. “Going to see a man about a filly.”
“Huh?” Melinda’s face looked complex. “I don’t understand.”
Augustus slid his tally book into his breast pocket. “Good.”
“Have you gone loco?” she asked.
He leaned over and gave her braid a tug.
“Hey, stop that.” Melinda swatted his hand away.
“I hope you’ll keep it like that for a long, long while, Mel.” He chuckled and climbed down from the top rail.“Come on,” he said as he swung into the saddle. “Let’s go get some lunch.”
* * *
Riding beneath the sign posts of the Nolan Ranch, the only sign of life were a few red hens chasing after bugs and the lazy curl of smoke as it drifted up from the chimney at the rear of the house. Max pulled his mount to a halt in front of the hitching post.
Dismounting, he surveyed the bunkhouse and the barn area.“Like looking a tomb,” he murmured.
A sigh escaped his lips as he looped the leather reins around the post and headed up the steps to the porch. His boots echoed at they touched each step. Still, no one came out to confront him. Reaching out, he gave a knock on the door. For a brief moment, there was silence, then the faint sound of footsteps grew closer. Unlike the heavy clump of boots, this sound was more like a whisper as if made by daintier feet.
The knob turned.
Max blinked as a pair of hazel eyes stared back at him.
“Hello.”
Her tone seemed to welcome him.
Once the surprise faded, Max reached up and swept his hat from his head. “Morning, ma’am. Is Mr. Nolan home?”
She pushed the door wide and looked back into the house. “Seth, I think someone is looking for you?”
“Coming.”
Max twisted his hat in his hands. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
She smiled back. “There’s no interruption. Mr. Nolan - I mean my husband, and I were just having a cup of coffee. Please…” She stepped back. “Won’t you come in?”
He met her question with a bit of hesitation. “I really just need to ask Seth a question.”
“Max, is that you?” Seth’s voice called out as he came into view and stepped to his wife’s side.
Seeing them together, Max could understand his infatuation. Mrs. Nolan was a few inches taller than Callie. Her brown hair was pulled into a bun at the base of her neck.
Seth placed his arm about her waist and looked as if he were prouder than a peacock. The buttons on his shirt were sure to bust if he didn’t get hold of his pride. “Max, it’s good to see you.” He grinned. “I’d like you to meet my wife. Ida Nolan, this is our next door neighbor, Maxwell Barringer.
“Ma’am,” Max murmured.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ida held out her hand.
Timidly, Max took a gentle hold and gave a little shake.
“Please come in, join us.”
“I-I don’t want to bother you.” Max shifted his gaze from Ida to his friend Seth.
The cowboy seemed unable to tear his gaze away from the woman at his side. “It’s no bother,” Seth replied. “Come on in. You’ll be our first guest.”
“If you think it’s all right,” Max said.
Seth pushed the door wider and Max took a step across the threshold.
“Ida, lead the way.”
“Of course.”
Seth allowed her to take a few steps ahead of them before he gave Max a punch on the arm. “Come on, Max, she won’t bite.”
Swallowing, Max gave a nod and they moved toward the rear of the house. Passing through the living room, he noted that there were no longer saddles or bits of bridles laying over the tables or the furniture. One thing Ida had done was to tidy up these male quarters. It even had the smell of lemon as opposed to horse liniment.
“Your home looks real nice,” Max said as they entered the kitchen.
Seth beamed.“My Ida had this place spic and span in two shakes of a cow’s tail. Why she’s even got Lou and the Allen boys washing up before they come in for a meal. Come on, set a spell. Try Ida’s coffee cake.”
Max pulled out a chair and hung his hat on the back. “It smells good.”
“My mother’s recipe,” Ida said, as she poured coffee into his cup.
Seth cut a slice of the sweet bread and placed it on a small plate. He picked up a fork and laid it beside the offering before handing it over.
“Thank you.” Max could feel all eyes upon him as he picked up the fork and cut a piece of the bread. Placing it into his mouth, he chewed thoughtfully. It was good. Not as good as his mother’s, but one thing was for sure, Seth would never go hungry. “Very good, ma’am.”
Ida blushed and took the chair next to her new husband.
“So, what brings you all the way out here?” Seth asked.
Max put down the fork. “I was looking for Lou. I had a question for him.”
“Lou and the boys are out rounding up some mavericks.” Seth gave a chuckle. “Those three are up to something. Said they needed to make some extra money.” He leaned forward. “You know, Max, I think the matrimonial bug might have bit them too.”
Max tried to dampen his lips but his tongue was too dry.“You don’t say,” he managed to squeak out. Picking up the mug, he took a sip of the warm coffee. “You make a good cup of coffee too Mrs. Nolan.”
She grinned and leaned closer to her husband. “I don’t think I shall ever get tired of hearing my new name.”
Seth reached out and patted her hands. “I’m thrilled to hear it myself.” Seth turned his attention back to Max. “So, what brings you here, is there a problem over at the ranch?”
“No, no.” Max shook his head. “I saw the boys in Carson City the other day and they wanted me to hold something for them. I just wanted to know if they were ready for it or not.”
“They’ve not said a thing to me,” Seth replied. He glanced back at his wife. “But I’ve been a bit busy.”
Now, it was Max’s time to feel the rise of heat into his cheeks. “I really should go,” he said pushing the chair back and rising to his feet.
“Before you go, how about coming out to the barn. I want to show you a new filly, born just yesterday.”
“Sure. Sure.” Max nodded.
“You won’t mind, dear?”
Ida shook her head. “You go. I’ve had the pleasure of your company for nearly two weeks, I think you need to talk to your friend.”
Standing, Seth paused then leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek.
A pang of want punched Max in his stomach. Lord knows how much he’d give to do the same to Callie’s cheek.
“I won’t be long,” Seth whispered, then turned to Max. “Come on.”
They moved through the house and out the front door.
Seth walked beside Max as the crossed the lot to the barn. “It’s a grand thing to be married, Max.”
Max nodded. “I plan to do that one day.”
“You just don’t know what you’re missing.” Pushing back the barn door, Seth led him over to the back stall where a bay mare stood dozing the sunlight. A tiny filly with the same black stockings lay at her feet. “Isn’t she pretty?”
“Yep, she sure is.”
“Gonna call her, Ida’s prize.”
“Nice name,” Max agreed.
They grew silent as they watched the foal sleep.
“Tell me something, Seth.”
“Sure.”
“When did you know Ida was the one?”
Seth grew silent. “First moment I laid eyes on her. Her daddy met me at the station. Ida was sitting in the buggy with the prettiest bonnet on. She turned those green eyes on me and my heart fell to my boots.” He leaned on the stall boards. “You know I dated a few of the ladies in town. They were nice, but Ida…” his voice grew soft. “Ida has the voice of an angel. When she speaks, the skies open up and the sun even shines brighter.”
Max stood there and listened.
“If she had said no when I asked her, I might have withered up right there on the spot and died. Lord knows, I was nervous. We’d only know each other less than a week. I guess, true love happens like fireworks. It takes just a spark and suddenly everything just burst into view.” Seth turned. “Why you asking? Some little filly caught your eye?”
Max almost said yes, instead, he shook his head. “No, I just wondered how it could happen.”
Seth’s hand came down on his shoulder much as a father’s would do. “When it is right, my friend, you will know. You will want to move heaven and earth to make her happy. You can’t get enough of looking at her, holding her hand or even pulling her into your arms. It’s the best thing that can happen to a man.”
Max took a step back and gave a nod. “Thanks, Seth. I’m glad you found your mate.”
“You’ll find yours. Why I bet she’s right in front of your face and you don’t even know it.”
Max gave a nod.
“You want me to let Lou know you’re looking for him?”
“No, just tell him I stopped by.” A hand shake later and Max was moving back to his horse.
“Take care, Max,” Seth called. “If I can be of any help, just let me know.”
Chapter 11
Callie led Princess to the pasture and opened the gate. “Now, you enjoy your afternoon,” she said to the horse, slipping the halter from her head. She stepped back and closed the gate.
Princess looked back, then trotted out to the middle of the field and with Callie looking on, she bent her knees, laid down and rolled in the sweet smelling grass.
“You deserve that.” She smiled and made sure the latch was secure in place before walking back to the barn.
Hanging the halter on the hook by Princess’s stall, Callie walked to the tack room and slid the buckle away from the saddlebags on her saddle. She reached inside and rescued the armful of colorful wild flowers she’d picked on her journey. Holding the blossoms to her face, she closed her eyes and breathed in the scents. “If I only I could bottle this.” She sighed. “And keep it as a memory of my time here on this wonderful ranch.”
The flowers cradled in her arms, she moved toward the house.
“Oh, Callie, you’re home,” Bethany remarked as she closed the front door.
“I brought some flowers.” Turning, she was surprised to see Augustus and Melinda sitting at the table. “Oh, I thought you were out working.”
Augustus nodded. “We were. Finished early and came home.” He leaned back in the chair. “Looks like you had a productive day.”
Callie glanced down at the flowers. “Yes, I enjoyed the ride in the broad meadow.”
“Those flowers are lovely.” Bethany rose. “I’ll get you a vase. Just lay them on the table for now.”
Callie placed the blooms on the table by the door and walked toward the table. “I need to freshen up a bit before I sit down,” she said.
“Use the kitchen sink.” Augustus nodded toward the room just off the dining area. “It’s a bit closer than running upstairs.”
Callie hurried to the kitchen and pulled the wash pan into the sink. Grasping the pump handle, she pushed down three times and the water spit out into the tin pan. Reaching for the bar of homemade soap, she lathered her hands and rinsed.
“Here’s one that will do.”
Callie turned to Bethany’s voice as she moved from the pantry. The clear glass vase had delicate etched designs along the sides. “Oh, how beautiful,” she murmured.
Max’s mother beamed. “My husband bought that for me. Let’s put some water in it.” She moved to were Callie stood.
Once again, she grasped the handle and pumped allowing the water to be captured in the glass container.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had some fresh flowers in the house. Sometimes we forget that spring ends so quickly. Thank you for bringing them back with yo
u.”
Together, they walked into the dining room. Bethany placed the vase on the table and with her younger son holding the chair, she took her seat.
Callie moved to her chair and pulled it out.
“I’ve got that,” Augustus spoke softly as he quickly held the back of the chair for her to sit.
“Thank you.”
“It’s just a small meal today,” Bethany remarked, handing the bowl of potato salad to Melinda who, in turn, passed it to Callie.
“Thank you,” she remarked taking the bowl and placing a helping on her plate. “I thought Max was with you.” Callie placed the bowl on the table.
“Oh, he was,” Augustus replied. “He had to go to another ranch to see someone.”
“I see.” Callie could feel her spirits fall.
“Some sliced chicken?”
“Thanks,” she murmured. Sliding one slice onto her plate, Callie felt her appetite ebb away. So, Max had gone to another ranch to see someone. Her heart constricted almost to the point she couldn’t breathe. It’s not like I have a hold on him. Max probably has a steady young lady he calls on. Still, the pain settled deep in her chest making her throat feel quite raw.
“Coffee?”
Callie glanced up to find all eyes on her.
“Would you like some coffee,” Bethany asked again.
“No, water is fine,” she managed to utter.
For a few moments, the only sound was the movement of the utensils across the china plates.
“So,” Augustus began, “Which are your favorite flowers?”
“My favorite flowers?”Callie thought for a moment. “I think I like the lupine best. Blue is one of my favorite colors.”
“They’re so vibrant this year,” Bethany agreed.
A bemused smile swept across Augustus face.
Callie felt as if she’d missed the point of the conversation. “Is that important?”
Augustus blinked. “Oh, no, I was just wondering. I think every woman has a favorite flower. Isn’t that right, Mother?”