Patty's Gamble

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Resigned, she headed back to the house. When she entered the kitchen, she got the skillet and set it on the cook stove. But before she even got out the spoon and bowl, Greg rushed down the steps. She opened her mouth to greet him, but he was out the door before she could utter the first syllable. Eyes wide, she closed her mouth.

  Well, she supposed that meant she’d only be making breakfast for herself this morning. Just like she did yesterday. She slammed the spoon and bowl on the worktable then set her hands on her hips. She’d like to believe he had hurried out of here because the cattle got loose or one was ready to have a calf, but she knew better. Greg was sending her a message, and she knew exactly what that message was. He wanted her to run back to her pa.

  Patience, she reminded herself. She needed to be patient. She didn’t imagine his attraction to her years ago. He’d been ready to ask to court her. She just knew it.

  They’d both been sixteen at the time, and they were still going to the one-room schoolhouse. In fact, the incident she remembered best happened right before he decided to leave the school and help his pa at the ranch full-time.

  School had just ended for the day, and as she was collecting her books, he approached her.

  “Do you mind if I walk you home?” he asked.

  Though she had been expecting him to mention it because he’d been paying more attention to her lately, it still came as a surprise. A very pleasant one. Her cheeks warmed as she said, “I’d like that.”

  He smiled and gestured to her books. “I’ll carry those for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  As she handed them to him, their hands brushed and a spark of excitement shot straight through her. She’d entertained a fondness for him before, but at this particular moment, it occurred to her that there was a very real possibility they might have a future together. How odd it was that she could know him ever since they were children and not realize he was meant for her.

  Returning his smile, she led him to the back of the room and retrieved her bonnet. She slipped it on and waited for him to put on his hat, but he only tucked it under his arm.

  “It’s hot out,” he explained.

  “I didn’t say anything,” she replied.

  “I could see the question in your eyes.”

  “Alright, I did wonder why you decided not to wear your hat,” she admitted as they left the schoolhouse, “but I didn’t want to seem nosy.”

  He laughed, keeping his pace even with hers as they headed down the dirt road that led to her ranch. “You can ask me anything you want. I’m not going to think you’re nosy.”

  “You would if I asked a personal question.”

  “Maybe. Try one and find out.”

  Surprised he’d even suggest she do that, she shrugged. “I don’t know what to ask.”

  “Ask anything you want.”

  “That’s a pretty broad range.”

  “Which should make it easy.”

  She knew he was right, but her mind was blank. “Maybe you should ask me one,” she finally said.

  “Alright, I will.” After a moment, he ventured, “Did you hear that there’s going to be a square dance at the Grady Ranch?”

  “I think Hannah mentioned it.”

  “Are you going?”

  Noting the way he glanced at her, she hid her smile and opted to say, “I might go if there’s a good reason. Usually, I help my pa with the animals in the evenings.”

  “Taking off one evening to dance won’t hurt anything.”

  “No, it wouldn’t. It’s not like there aren’t a couple ranch hands to help him.”

  “So, does that mean you’ll go?”

  “It depends.”

  “On what?” he pressed.

  “On who else will be there.” Up to now, he’d only hinted that he wanted her to go. She knew she was putting him through a bit of discomfort, but she wanted to hear him say he wanted her there. “I’m not going to go just because Hannah is. Mitch and Boaz are both in love with her. While it’s amusing to watch them stumble over each other to get her attention, I’d rather ride my horse.” And that was the truth.

  “I think we’re all tired of watching Mitch and Boaz vie for her hand,” Greg said.

  Her eyebrows rose and she looked back at him. “Are you reading my mind?”

  “Maybe.” He shot her a teasing grin that made her heart leap.

  “If that’s the case,” she clasped her hands behind her back, “you should know whether or not I want to go to the square dance.”

  He rolled his eyes but laughed. “Alright, I get your point. If I go, will you be there?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?”

  Deciding she’d put him through enough, she giggled. “Yes. After all, we all know Hannah won’t want to dance with anyone but Mitch and Boaz. The least I can do is give you someone to dance with.”

  “She might dance with me.”

  “Only to make them jealous.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  During the rest of the walk to her ranch, their talk ranged from horses to the upcoming winter.

  “This is going to be my last year at school,” Greg told her when they reached her house.

  She noticed he had slowed his steps, so she slowed hers as well. She took that as a sign he was reluctant to end their afternoon together, and she felt the same way. It was a shame she didn’t live further from the school. On any other day, she wouldn’t have thought that. The walk usually annoyed her because it meant it was that much longer until she could ride her horse. But today, she wasn’t in such a hurry to get to the barn.

  Greg cleared his throat. “I’ll start working on my pa’s ranch all the time once spring comes.”

  She nodded. Given his age, it was to be expected. “I don’t think I’ll go to school past this year either, though I’ll probably see it through to summer.”

  He didn’t say anything right away, but when they reached the porch, he stopped and turned to face her. “Just because I won’t be in school, it doesn’t mean we won’t still get to see each other. I mean, my pa’s ranch is right next to yours. I might come by to say hi sometime.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Of course, you’re always welcome to come over to my house, too. I mean, if you happen to be riding your horse over in that direction.”

  Pleased by the invitation, she said, “I will.” After a moment, she added, “I’m looking forward to the square dance.”

  “Will you be my partner?”

  Emboldened, she nodded. “I will.”

  His smile grew wider, and he leaned toward her. She thought for sure he was going to kiss her, but then the front door opened and he jerked back.

  She looked up at her pa as he stepped onto the porch. What a shame. She’d almost had her very first kiss. And even better, it was going to be with Greg. Well, all wasn’t lost. Maybe he’d kiss her at the square dance.

  But that was the last time Greg willingly talked to her. He didn’t show up to the square dance. She waited for him until the last dance was done, but he never came.

  And when she went to school, he wasn’t there. She went to his ranch, but his father said Greg’s mother was ill and had to go to Boston. “He needs to stay here and help me,” his father had finished.

  She made other attempts to see Greg, but it seemed that whenever she was around, he was too busy to talk to her. The whole thing confounded her. Had she not been sure he wanted to be with her, she would have given up. But she was sure. She’d never been surer of anything in her life. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, there were times when he’d look her way in church or in town, and she knew his feelings hadn’t changed. He’d just decided to fight them.

  Now Patty debated the best way to proceed. She doubted Greg would go to this evening’s square dance. It was too soon, and he was too busy trying to prove a point. No, tonight was going to be about his ranch hands and letting them have a night where they could enjoy themselves. They cou
ldn’t work all the time. They had to have some fun.

  And who knew? Maybe when they had fun, they’d let their guard down. Maybe they’d say something that could help her break through Greg’s wall. She didn’t know what it was that caused Greg to take such a strong stance against getting married, but something happened and she was going to break through his wall if it was the last thing she did.

  Chapter Nine

  “I don’t think he’s coming out here,” Heather told Patty after they completed another dance.

  Patty glanced at the bedroom window. The room was dark. She assumed that meant he wasn’t awake, but the party was a loud one. The men and women were laughing and talking, Herb was playing his fiddle, and the children were running around, just as noisy as the adults. Who knew if Greg could sleep through it or not? Her pa, after all, could sleep through anything.

  “I know he’s doing it to prove a point,” Patty replied before she poured punch into her cup. She took a sip of the sweet, refreshing liquid and shook her head. “I knew Greg would be stubborn, but I didn’t realize how resistant he was to me.”

  “Mitch said it’s marriage he doesn’t want,” Heather said. “It’s not just you.”

  “I know this is hard to believe, but at one time, he made it clear that he wanted to be with me. We were sixteen at the time.” She finished the rest of her punch and set the cup down. “I don’t know what changed. One day he was ready to kiss me and the next, he wouldn’t even look at me.”

  “Something bad must have happened.”

  “Whatever it was, it wasn’t me. I’m the same lovable person I was back then.”

  Heather laughed. “I’m sure you are.”

  After a moment, Patty decided to change topics. “So Boaz took Leroy and Hannah home earlier today?”

  “Yes. That’s why Mitch and I came late. I think they’ll be happy with Boaz, but I do miss them. I’m glad Mitch and I will be having our own child in February. The house is too quiet without one.”

  “Your life is just like a fairytale, Heather. You got rescued at a poker game and are now with a man who adores you.” Patty tried not to envy Heather’s good fortune, but it was hard. While Heather pretty much fell into her happy ending, Patty had to drag Greg kicking and screaming into theirs. She sighed. “Well, at least Boaz finally got married. Now everyone can leave me alone about marrying him so he can have his children back.”

  “He waited a long time for a wife. The poor man did everything but steal one, though you could say one was stolen for him.”

  “Oh?”

  Heather gestured to Herb’s wife. “Rachel was going through Montana with her. They weren’t on their way to Lewistown. They just ended up here when a couple of outlaws were looking for money and stopped their stagecoach.”

  Patty recalled Herb talking about buying his wife. “Did the outlaws hurt them?”

  “No, thankfully they didn’t. It seems they were interested in Madeline Thompson and her money.”

  “Who’s Madeline Thompson?”

  She shrugged. “No one knows. Whoever she is, she’s not from around here.”

  Patty’s gaze went to Rachel. Herb whispered something in her ear and she giggled. “In spite of the circumstances that brought her here, she looks happy. You think Boaz’s wife is happy, too?”

  “I think so. The children seemed to like her right away. She was a school teacher. Maybe they picked up on that.”

  “Maybe. I hope it works out for him.”

  “I’m sure it will.”

  “Who’s ready for another dance?” Herb called out over the noise.

  The group cheered, and Archie ran over to Patty. “Will you be my partner this time?”

  “Sure,” she replied, shooting Heather a smile. “I’ll talk to you later.” Patty followed Archie to their square.

  “You sure did a good job of getting people out here,” he told her. “Especially the women.”

  “I’m pleased with the way things turned out,” Patty replied.

  “Too bad that fickle husband of yours isn’t out here.”

  “I knew it wasn’t likely he’d be joining us.”

  “Between you and me, the ranch hands are all rooting for you.”

  “Just remind him that he’s lucky to have me the next time you see him,” she joked.

  “Oh, don’t you worry. We’re all going to make it clear you’re the best thing that ever happened to him. He hasn’t been any fun in a long time. He needs someone like you to break him out of his shell.”

  She wondered about his comment, but Herb began the music and she had to turn her attention to the dance.

  ***

  Greg didn’t think he’d ever get to sleep. The people who came out to the square dance were reluctant to leave. He didn’t begrudge them a good time, but he knew Patty had gathered everyone out there in hopes he would join them. And by not going out there, he undoubtedly looked like a grump, much like his pa had become after his ma left.

  Greg didn’t want to think about it. He hated to think about the past. He couldn’t change it. But that morning as he washed up and shaved, he glanced at his reflection and saw the image of his father staring back at him.

  Shivering, he quickly turned away from the mirror and dressed for the day. Thankfully, the only sounds this early were the cows and horses. There was nothing quite as wonderful as the dawn in summer. From the colors in the sky to the smell of dew lingering in the air, he loved all of it. In the end, land was the one thing that was dependable. As long as a rancher could hold onto it, he had everything he needed.

  And on this particular morning, he decided to start his chores early. The ranch hands would be up soon. That incredibly stubborn wife of his would be up soon as well. But for the moment, it was just him, the land, and the animals. And the best thing about the land and animals? They never gave him grief.

  He managed a good half hour of work before Archie sauntered into the barn. “I notice you weren’t at the square dance.”

  Greg turned his attention back to the cow he was milking. “So?”

  “So your wife went through a lot of trouble to get everything set up.”

  Greg decided not to answer, figuring no matter what he said, he would only get in trouble.

  “You know,” Archie began as he leaned against the stall door, “a good woman is hard to come by around here. I know quite a few men, myself included, who would love to be in your shoes.”

  “Great.” Greg took off his boots and kicked them in his direction. “Go for it.”

  “I didn’t mean I really wanted to wear your boots.”

  “If you want Patty, you can have her. I haven’t touched her, so you needn’t worry her virtue’s been compromised.”

  “But she loves you.”

  “So I keep hearing,” Greg grumbled.

  “Why don’t you give her a chance? You might find out she’s perfect.”

  “Perfect for making me miserable.”

  Archie shook his head and stepped away from the stall door. “Patty doesn’t need to do that. You’re doing a fine job of it already.”

  Greg got ready to snap at him, but Archie was on his way out of the barn. Greg gritted his teeth and finished milking the cow.

  When he got to the house, Patty wasn’t in the kitchen or parlor, but food was on the table. That meant she had to be upstairs. He put the pail on the worktable. He debated whether or not he could get out of there before she returned, but he heard the footsteps of doom as they descended down the stairs and knew he’d never make it out in time.

  With a sigh, he picked up the coffee pot and poured himself a cup.

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” Patty called out as she entered the kitchen.

  Ignoring her, he added a spoonful of sugar to the cup.

  “I got breakfast done,” she added in a cheerful tone that made him grimace. “Marv said you’re partial to waffles and bacon. You go on and sit down, and I’ll get it right to you.”

  He didn’t bothe
r looking in her direction as she retrieved the utensils. If he didn’t look at her, he wouldn’t have to think—for the millionth time—that she was a very attractive woman. She’d always been pretty. He’d known that since they were children. But it seemed the older she got, the more beautiful she became. That didn’t happen to all women. Some even turned on the unattractive side. But not Patty. She got much better with age.

  She came up to him and touched his shoulder. He jerked away from her and spilled coffee on himself. Glaring at her, he grabbed a towel and wiped the coffee off his hand.

  “Are you alright?” Patty asked.

  “Stay away from me,” he snapped.

  “I didn’t mean to make you spill the coffee all over yourself.” Before he could stop her, she took his hand and studied it. “You’re a little burned, but it’s not that bad. I can get an aloe plant. There’s some liquid in it that will heal you right up.”

  “I don’t need anything. I’m not a little boy. I’m a grown man.” The last thing he wanted was for someone to mother him.

  “I know you’re a man,” she assured him, shooting him a smile that threatened to melt his resolve. “All I wanted to do was suggest a way you can heal the burn.”

  “Time will do it just as well as anything else.”

  He shouldn’t be talking to her. Talking would only encourage her to stick around. He took his cup and headed for the kitchen door.

  “Don’t you want your breakfast?” she asked.

  He left the house. He never should have married her. Or, when he did, he should have stipulated that she had to return home to her father as soon as the ceremony—the disaster that it was—ended.

  He went over to a chair on the porch and plopped down. He really should have thought the whole thing through better. And he would have…if everything hadn’t happened so fast.

  He swallowed half his cup and let out a heavy sigh. The way John Meyer came charging on his land and Patty’s father shooting at him, he hadn’t had much time to think about anything, except to get John Meyer off his property.

  His gaze went to the bunkhouse where the men were gathering around the tables outside so they could have their breakfast. His stomach growled. He’d had very little to eat ever since Marv refused to give him anything. Greg had managed to eat during the square dance before he went to bed. But it was morning now, and he had to find a way to sneak in some food. The last thing he wanted to do was eat anything Patty made for him. That would only encourage her.