In the Shadow of the Mountains

by Rosanne Bittner

  She thought about how Bea had taken over Ramon’s land. “Yes, I’m beginning to see that.”

  “That doesn’t mean she can’t love. She loves you kids very much. Don’t ever forget that. But when it comes to loving a man, Bea has never been able or even willing to let go and be a woman, or to just love me for me, without setting dollar signs on my head. A thing like that can drive a man to drink, or to other women. I chose other women, and Bea has always pretty much accepted that. You’re the only person I’ve ever talked to about this, Irene, and I’d like to keep it that way.” He puffed on the pipe again. “What I’m saying is, you’re not like her at all. Any man who had a woman like you for a wife ought to worship her, shouldn’t have any reason to stray at all. Chad’s got some kind of problem when it comes to women, and I won’t have him hurting you.”

  She blinked back tears. “He does have a problem. I can tell you that much. He’s done some terrible things, but he says it will never happen again, and that he wants one more chance. I intend to think about it while he’s down in Colorado Springs. I can’t let go of this marriage easily, Father, and I don’t want to bring scandal to the family.”

  “Don’t worry about scandal. It’s your happiness that matters.”

  She smiled through tears, thinking how strong and handsome her father still was. He sat there in buckskins, not at all resembling the wealthy man he was. “Thank you, Father. I know whatever happens, I can always turn to you.”

  “You bet you can. And I intend to have a little conversation with Chad when he gets back to Denver.”

  “No, Father. If I need you to talk to him, I’ll let you know. Right now things are calmed down. I need this time to decide what to do, to get over my grief for Hank.”

  He set aside his pipe, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “What happened between you and Hank, Irene?”

  She reddened, the tears coming. “Don’t make me say it,” she whispered. “I loved him so much, Father. Chad had…I can’t tell you what he did…but Hank was the only one there to comfort me…my only friend in a time of terrible need. That day…that day he was killed—” She broke into bitter sobbing. “I am changed, Father. I’ve learned nothing in life is the way we plan it…the way we dream about it. Nothing.”

  He touched her hair. “My God, Irene. What can I say? How can I comfort you?”

  “You can’t. Just telling you helps. I just…I asked you about you and Mother because I wanted to be sure it wasn’t my fault my marriage is so bad. I tried, Father. I tried so hard. I can only pray that when Chad comes back to Denver, there might be some way to save the marriage. I’m not sure it can be saved at all.” She straightened and wiped at her eyes. “Don’t say anything to Mother yet. She wouldn’t understand. She thinks so much of Chad. She’s lost in her own world. She can’t see much beyond K-E.”

  “How well I know.” He sighed deeply. “I’m glad you told me, Irene. You come to me from now on if you need my help.”

  She got up from her chair. “I will. For now I just want to get back into my social work and the clothing stores and keep busy again. But one day I’m going back to the ranch, once I feel I can bear to go back there and face the fact that Hank is gone and never coming back. I love that life, Father.”

  He smiled. “You always have liked roughing it, haven’t you?”

  “Physically, yes. But not emotionally. If I seem changed it’s just because I’m more determined not to let Chad hurt me again, or to let others dictate my life.”

  “Don’t let things that have happened destroy the love that is in you, Irene. You’ve always been a sweet, caring person. I told you that once, years ago. Don’t lose track of the real Irene.”

  “In some ways I already have. Right now I’m not sure who she is. I’ve been too trusting, maybe too caring. I cared so much that I did what everyone else wanted me to do. Hank told me once I had to start thinking about my own happiness, and he was right.”

  Kirk nodded, rising to stand near her. “Yes, he was, as long as it doesn’t turn you into something you aren’t.”

  “I’ll try not to let it. It’s just that I have been rudely awakened to some amazing truths, and the dreamworld I once lived in is gone.”

  His chest tightened at the words. How would she react if she learned the cruelest truth of all—that she was Yellow Eagle’s sister? Near panic filled his soul at the thought of losing his daughter’s love and trust.

  “We all get rudely awakened to the truth as we get older, Irene.” He stepped closer, grasping her shoulders from behind. “Just remember one thing, that no matter what happens, no matter what, your father loves you more than his own life, and always will.”

  She smiled, turning to embrace him. “I know. Thank you for coming home.”

  He patted her shoulder. “After hearing what happened? I couldn’t very well stay away.” He pushed her slightly away. “Your mother says Chad told her your brother is drinking heavily. Is that true?”

  She sighed. “I’m afraid it is. He means well, Father. He’s smart, and he has so much to contribute. But he’s never been happy.”

  She saw the concern in his eyes. “I know. We were never as close as I would have liked. He’s my only…son.” He glanced at a painting of soldiers chasing Indians that hung over the fireplace. “My only son.”

  Irene watched him, thinking how unfair life could be—people living with people they didn’t love, with so much love to give that had to be kept frozen inside.

  Kirk shook his head, still staring at the painting. “Thank God,” he muttered. Irene felt an odd misgiving. Was he thankful she was alive and well, or was it something more? She glanced at the painting herself, her eyes falling to the beautiful carved horse that sat on the fireplace mantel.

  Ramon. The old, sweet comfort of knowing he was near came back to soothe her aching heart. She had not seen him since the night he sat with her at the hospital, over a year ago.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Irene climbed out of her carriage and looked at the sign over the brick and frame building that read simply Vallejo Construction. Her heart beat a little faster at the thought of seeing Ramon again, and she already felt the calming comfort his presence always gave her. She entered the double doors of the three-story structure, stepping into a marble-floored hallway. It was a beautiful building, the inner doors and their frames constructed of polished oak, lovely paintings hanging on the walls.

  She breathed deeply with pride and satisfaction at Ramon’s continued success. The building was owned by Ramon, had been constructed by his men, and contained the offices of several other businesses, rented from Ramon. She walked through the hall, seeing a sign on one door: James McKinley & Associates, Lumber Milling, Railroad Construction, Entrepreneurial Services.

  Yes, she thought, Red McKinley was certainly an entrepreneur. She smiled at the thought of how her mother’s attempt at destroying the poor man had only made him more determined to be successful. She had gotten at least some truth out of her mother a few days ago at the offices of K-E, but she was not certain she had gotten all of it.

  When she had confronted the woman about Hacienda del Sur, Bea simply told her that the land had come up for government sale and was needed for grazing land for the B&K. “A lot of Mexicans were displaced back then, Irene,” the woman told her, “not just the Vallejos. It’s something that can’t be helped, like displacing the Indians. It’s called progress. You have to understand that in this business, sometimes people get hurt.”

  “And it had nothing to do with my friendship with Ramon?” Irene had asked. She still remembered the flushed look that came to her mother’s face then.

  “Of course not,” Bea had answered. “I am perfectly aware you and John and Ramon were friends. I never liked the idea, but taking over the Vallejo land had nothing to do with that.”

  “You’ve always hated Ramon. Why, Mother?”

  “I don’t hate him at all,” Bea had replied. “I just don’t have a lot of use for Mexican
s, and when you were younger and more easily influenced, I didn’t think it was wise of you to be around a Mexican man.”

  Irene did not fully believe the woman, but she decided after all these years there was no sense beating the issue to death. She asked about Red McKinley, asked Bea if she had forced the man out of business after Kirk’s first loan to him. Bea had looked surprised. “What has happened to you, Irene?” the woman asked her.

  “I’ve learned a lot over the past year,” Irene replied. “I don’t like being left in the dark, Mother. You and Chad have made decisions about certain things that I know nothing about, and I have a feeling Father doesn’t know either. I don’t want to be left out of decisions any more, as if I were some helpless, frail child. I don’t like learning in round-about ways how Kirkland Enterprises wields its power, and I don’t like being a part of a company that hurts other people to get what it wants.”

  She felt sorry for hurting her mother with the remark, but not really sorry she had made it. Bea had looked hurt and shaken. “Everything I do is for you children,” she told Irene. “You don’t know—” The woman had hesitated, and again Irene saw the strange, fearful look in her mother’s eyes.

  “What don’t I know, Mother?”

  Bea had looked away. “You just…you don’t know what I went through to get where we are today.”

  Always Irene felt a little sorry for the woman. Her intentions were good, but her tactics were in some instances deplorable. Still, Irene believed the woman actually thought she was doing the right thing.

  “Are you and Chad having problems?” Bea had asked her.

  Irene almost laughed at the question. Problems? She knew Bea thought Chad could do no wrong. “Yes,” she had answered. “I’m not going into details, Mother. When Chad comes back to Denver, we’ll just have to try to work them out ourselves.”

  “Oh, Irene, you make such a beautiful couple. Chad is such a wonderful man. I know losing the baby somehow changed you, but—”

  “Mother, you don’t know all of it. There are things you don’t tell me, and things I don’t tell you. When and if I think it’s necessary, I’ll tell you more. Right now I just want to keep busy. I have to, or I’ll go crazy. You said a few days ago that the governor and his scholastic committee are planning to build a university at Fort Collins. I’d like to be on the planning committee, and I think the project should go to Ramon.”

  The woman stiffened. “All contractors are free to bid on it.”

  “With Ramon’s skill and reputation, I’m sure he’ll get the job.”

  “Ramon Vallejo and Red McKinley have just about put Kirkland Lumber out of business. You shouldn’t be defending them, Irene.”

  “Whatever they’re doing, you probably drove them to it. I love you, Mother, but I can’t accept some of the things that have gone on. Be that as it may, I want to be on that planning committee, if you can swing it, no matter who builds it. I need the diversion. I—” Hank! Sometimes the thought of him and that day they had made love would slam into her brain and her heart almost like a physical blow. “I just need to keep busy. I also want to be kept informed on what happens now with the B&K.”

  “Hank had no immediate relatives,” Bea told her. “We had an understanding that if something happened to him, the Lazy L would become part of the B&K.”

  “Good, Just don’t…please don’t sell anything without telling me. If you want my opinion, a ranch hand by the name of Tim Barnes would be a good candidate to take over as manager. And I want it understood that after a year or two, when I feel I can bear to go back there and face Hank’s death, I might want the job myself.”

  “A ranch manager? Irene, you—”

  “I can do it, Mother. I’ve spent too many years doing what everyone else wants me to do. If I want to manage the ranch, that’s what I’ll do. I loved it there. I was happy there. In the meantime, I’d like to be the one in charge of the books for the ranch on this end. In fact, I could relieve you of the entire project. Then you’d be free to devote your time and attention to other matters. You’re always talking about how you want your children to take over K-E someday, so I’m offering to take over the cattle business, as well as building projects and of course my clothing stores.”

  Bea had looked at her so strangely. “You have changed, Irene.” She had stepped closer. “You’re stronger, and that’s good. I’ll gladly let you handle those things. There was a time when I never thought you’d want to get so heavily involved in the company.”

  “Things change, Mother. People change.”

  Bea had turned away. “Yes. How well I know that.” She had sighed, facing Irene again. “Well, for you the change is good. I’ve always thought you were a little too sweet and trusting for this business. You need to be more assertive when you’re handling something this big, Irene.”

  “It’s one thing to be strong, Mother, even assertive. But I intend to be fair in my dealings.”

  “Of course. You’re so much like Kirk, aren’t you? You take after him in looks, you think like him; but I think you’ll be wiser when it comes to business matters.”

  “Do you love him, Mother?” Irene had asked.

  “Of course I love him. He makes me awfully angry at times, but I love him.”

  Irene tried to imagine her mother making love, but she could not. She could understand Kirk’s reasons for turning to other women. She had never wanted to turn hard and determined as her mother had, yet she felt that very thing happening to her. The only difference was that Bea was driven from within, while she was driven by outside forces. Instead of her inner goals destroying her marriage, the marriage was forcing her to set new goals for herself. She had once imagined being the passive mother and housewife, had thought she would never get deeply involved in the business. That had all changed now. Chad had forced the change, and Hank’s death had sealed up that part of her heart that longed to love and give and live a simple, happy life.

  She opened the door to Red’s office and was greeted by a middle-aged woman at a desk. When she announced who she was the woman quickly went into another office, and a moment later Red McKinley came out, his hair and mustache and freckles as red as ever, his sun-wrinkled face slightly flushed with joy at seeing her. He was still a strong-looking man, handsome in a rugged, weathered way, much like Hank. He put out his arms.

  “Well, the famous Indian fighter is up and about,” he said with a smile.

  Irene smiled and allowed him to embrace her. “Is that what people are calling me?”

  “Oh, yes!” The man stepped back, keeping hold of her hands. He thought how beautiful this half-breed woman was, standing there in a deep pink dress with a jacket bodice and a paler pink apron overskirt. She was the epitome of fashion, but a woman who would be stunning in a simple tunic. If she had remained with the Indians, she would have been considered a very valuable commodity. Young braves would have murdered each other over the chance to win her hand. He thought how strange fate was. If not for Gray Bird Woman’s husband not wanting the girl child, Irene Kirkland Jacobs would be living in a tipi right now, maybe on a reservation, or dodging soldiers.

  He studied the thin red scar still visible on her neck. “Well, not many people can say they have looked death in the face and spit right back at it.”

  Her smile faded. “I only wish I could say the same for Hank Loring.”

  Red squeezed her hands. “Yes. I read he was killed right before your eyes.”

  “He was one of the finest men I’ve ever known, Red. I’ll never know why Yellow Eagle spared me. I told him who I was, and he acted as though he were looking at a ghost. Father said it was probably because some of his people knew and remembered him.”

  Red quickly looked away. “Yes, I suppose it could have been that.” He cleared his throat. “What on earth brings you here to the enemy camp?” he said then, leading her into his office.

  “I don’t consider this enemy territory at all.”

  Red closed the door and offered her a c
hair. “You should. Your mother certainly does.”

  “I am not my mother.”

  He sobered as he sat down behind a huge oak desk. “No. You certainly aren’t, thank God. I hope you never do become a Bea Kirkland, Irene. I’m sure you love your mother, but when it comes to business…” He sighed. “Well, I’m not going to sit here and say bad things about your own mother.”

  She smiled sadly. “It’s all right, Red. Actually, I came here to apologize for anything she might have done in the past. I didn’t know at the time what was going on.”

  He gave her a wink. “Well, I didn’t think that you did. I highly doubt Kirk even knew.”

  “I wish you and Father could renew your friendship, Red. I think Father would be willing, if you would.”

  He frowned. “I don’t think so, honey. He’s not about to forgive me for that fiasco over the railroad, and I don’t blame him. I was very deliberate in my intentions that night. There’s too much water over the dam now, and with the way I feel about your mother, I don’t think the friendship could ever be the same. Things are probably best left the way they are.”

  “Well, I don’t agree, but it’s for you to decide.”

  “So, you came here just to apologize?”

  She smiled. “Mainly. And I wanted to see Ramon’s new office building, and to congratulate you and Ramon both on your success.”