A Rancher’s Surrender

by Michelle Beattie

  “That’s what you always say.” She pouted. “May I be excused?”

  They waited until Annabelle had thumped up to her room before continuing.

  “I mean it, Wade,” his ma said again. “I think we should all go. It’ll be stronger than if only you went.”

  Wade set his fork onto his half-full plate. “I can’t spare everybody. I’ll go. And since Annabelle’s at school, you can come with me.”

  “No, I think it has to be all of us.”

  James laughed around a forkful of asparagus spears.

  “What’s so funny?” Wade demanded.

  “It’s inevitable, son. You know she always manages to get us to do her bidding.”

  “She does not,” Wade grumbled, though he couldn’t think of an instance when she hadn’t.

  Across the table, Scott choked on his supper. He dropped his fork and thumped on his chest, coughing as though he was going to bring up a steer. When he’d regained his breath, he scooped up a biscuit and lathered it with butter.

  “You agree with him?” Wade asked.

  Scott dished up more food. “I didn’t say anything.”

  Wade muttered a curse, softly so his mother wouldn’t hear, though the look she gave him said he hadn’t fooled her. Ignoring everyone, he filled his mouth. The beef was tougher than boot leather but the taste of the onions his mother had fried it in came through. With money as sparse as it was, the only beef they ate was what was too old to be of any value.

  Swallowing it down with a tall glass of water, Wade considered his mother’s request. And, dammit, had to acknowledge she was right. There was strength in numbers and if they all went, as well as Letty and John Daniels and Silver, they’d present a stronger defense. But it would mean losing a half-day’s work. He pushed the food that was left out of his way.

  “You gonna eat that?” Scott asked, his eyes as hungry as Wade had been an hour ago.

  Wade shoved the plate to him then both he and his mother watched Scott devour the leftovers. While his mother looked pleased, happy to cook for an appreciative man, seeing that much food eaten in one sitting turned Wade’s stomach.

  His ma, not about to let her argument go, speared some asparagus then pointed the loaded utensil at her son.

  “She needs work and we all know she’s capable. Besides that, Steven needs to know he represents the whole town, not just his friends.”

  “I can work later tomorrow night to make up for the morning,” Scott volunteered.

  “Me, too,” James added, spurs jingling as he got up to pour more coffee.

  Wade ran his fingers through his hair, dropped his hands to the table.

  “Fine.” He sighed. “We’ll all go.”

  Chapter Seven

  Darn it!

  There were a dozen horses already tied to the hitching posts next to the church. She’d hoped to be one of the first to arrive. The twitching in her stomach turned to hard shudders. She hadn’t been as nervous going to the individual farms, but knowing she’d be facing everyone at once…

  Blowing out a breath, Jillian tied Hope among the other horses and marched straight up the church steps before the anxiety that had kept her up and pacing most of the night took over.

  The door creaked open. Apparently nothing about this was going to be easy. Sure enough every head turned toward the sound. Seeing who it was, a few of those heads bent toward each other and within seconds hurried whispers skipped over the pews to taunt Jillian.

  Well, they could talk and gossip all they wanted. She wasn’t going anywhere. Hoping to display bravado she didn’t feel, she met the remaining gazes dead on. She didn’t recognize everyone. That was a blessing. Maybe those folks weren’t already set against her. But when they didn’t return her smile, only turned back to the front without any sign of encouragement, Jillian feared she was wrong.

  Steven was already in the front pew and the gaze he shot over his shoulder hit her with the force of a cold winter wind blowing off the Ohio River. Not about to back down, the smile she returned held the same lack of warmth. She held it long enough to prove her point—he didn’t intimidate her—and then took one of the many pews that wasn’t yet occupied.

  It didn’t take long after that for the small church to fill. And, as more people filed in, the temperature climbed several degrees. The small rectangular windows on either side of the wooden structure offered pitiful, if any, relief.

  She’d deliberately slipped to the far edge of the pew, leaving plenty of smooth wood beside her for her friends, but so far only Mrs. Hollingsworth dared sit there. Of course she remained at the opposite end and didn’t deign to look Jillian’s way.

  Had Letty, Eileen, and Silver changed their minds about coming? Eileen had promised she’d get Wade to come, and Jillian knew his presence would make such a difference. She could, and would, face everyone alone, but it would be so much easier with someone on her side when she did.

  It didn’t help her discomfort any that she felt the stickiness of everyone’s stares. From the women who looked at her over the top of their fans, which worked hard to stir up the stuffy air, to the men who glowered at her as though she’d single-handedly ruined their lives. A few of those men she recognized. The blacksmith, the thick-necked man who owned the stable. Feeling the pull of an especially potent glare, Jillian shifted her gaze to the left.

  It was the trapper. Did she know his name? She didn’t think so. But his ice-blue eyes raked over her from underneath his thick ruddy brows. He wasn’t covered in blood today, but it was hard not to remember him that way. Something he must have sensed by the way his mustache twitched.

  Jillian decided it was time she stopped looking around. All she was accomplishing was stretching her already taught nerves. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap to try to control their trembling.

  The door creaked open; a slight breeze snuck inside. The air brushed her shoulders, a light caress that was gone as quickly as it came.

  “Excuse me,” Silver said, wading through the crowd.

  Jillian let out a deep breath. Thank God, a friendly face!

  Mrs. Hollingsworth’s lips puckered as she inched her knees to the side, allowing Silver to step into the pew.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Though she sounded out of breath there was a look of determination in her eyes. “I haven’t missed the lynching yet, have I?”

  “No. But I’m happy to see nobody is armed.”

  The door opened again and soon Mrs. Hollingsworth’s pucker came back full force. Eileen and Letty took their places next to Silver. Though Jillian didn’t see Wade, and she couldn’t help feeling disappointed about that, she felt better than she had since sitting down. She had friends at her side; she’d be fine.

  “I shut down the mercantile when Eileen arrived. I see we’re just in time,” Letty added when Steven took his place behind the lectern.

  The crowd shifted with anticipation. The energy in the room vibrated in Jillian’s ears and flowed through her body from there. Whispers and murmurs escalated until Steven cracked his gavel against the wood.

  “I know you’re upset, and you’ve reason to be.” His gaze skimmed over heads until it latched onto Jillian. “But we’ll all have the chance to be heard.”

  Silver grabbed Jillian’s hand and squeezed. “That goes for you, too,” she whispered.

  Eileen looked to the door. “He said he’d be right in,” she muttered.

  “As Doc is no longer here and Wade didn’t deem your feelings important enough to show up this morning, I guess that leaves me to settle this matter.”

  His greedy eyes scanned the church. Steven was already a tall man, but he seemed to grow taller as he addressed the people of Marietta.

  “Now, then. I’ve been thinking on the matter and I am prepared, as you’ll recall I was prepared to do the first time,” he added with a self-serving smile, “to be the one in charge of hiring a new veterinarian.

  “I have the advertisement ready. Robert will send the telegrams out l
ater today. Harvey”—he gestured to the trapper—“will, out of the goodness of his heart, ride to Bozeman and see to it that advertisements are put up around the city.” Steven puffed up like a bullfrog. “This time we’ll get what we need.”

  Comments erupted about the room.

  “Damn right!”

  “About time!”

  “Shoulda been Steven who hired one to begin with.”

  “Let’s find us a real vet!”

  Steven’s smile was wide and overflowed with satisfaction.

  “Pompous weasel,” Silver muttered.

  Jillian couldn’t agree more. But he’d said folks would have a say so she came to her feet. It was past time she was heard. The gathering erupted again, throwing accusations and insults her way faster than she could absorb them all. However several words shoved through the melee to be heard. No-good, useless, and the worst, animal killer.

  Every time she opened her mouth to defend herself, she was bombarded with insults. Seeing nothing for it, Jillian grabbed her skirts and, with a hand on Silver’s shoulder, stepped onto the pew. She had a good view from there and the astonished looks on everyone’s faces would have been funny if she wasn’t so angry. She did, however, use their temporary shock and silence to her advantage.

  “I believe you said everyone would have a chance to be heard.” She reminded Steven. “And I have something I’d like to say.”

  “We don’t want to hear what you have to say, missy. You’ve done enough damage already.”

  Feet stomped in approval. Hands clapped, the sound sharp as a bullwhip. Though Steven held the gavel, he did nothing but tap it against his palm. Jillian glared at him but all he did was sneer. Darn it, he could have kept the crowd under control if he’d a mind to.

  Jillian clamped her hands on her hips, sucked in a breath, and tried again. “I—”

  “Miss Matthews has a right to defend herself.”

  Mouths went silent and bodies shifted as a wave when Wade, flanked by James and Scott, with Shane taking up the rear, stepped through the door. Jillian’s breath came out in a gush of gratitude. He came!

  With her standing on the pew, she was easily spotted. He pressed his lips together briefly, but not before she saw them tremble into a smile. Her face flamed; she couldn’t imagine what she must look like, perched the way she was. She was thrilled he’d come, but her pride wished he’d have done so when she’d been a bit less…conspicuous. Yet, now that the damage was done, she kept her position. She really did have a good view and the height advantage made her feel more in control. They’d have to look at her now, wouldn’t they?

  Steven used his gavel now and he rapped it soundly on the lectern. “You’ve done enough damage here, Parker.”

  The gathering, slightly calmer now that the sheriff was there, nodded their agreement.

  “So’s she!” someone called out. “She’s already killed one animal.”

  “No, she didn’t,” Wade began. “She—”

  “That’s not what you said. We heard you admit that she killed your animal.” This from the man who ran the post office.

  This wasn’t news to Jillian, though Wade had no way of knowing that. The look he sent her was humble and apologetic. Her chest filled with warmth.

  “How many more do you want her to kill before you admit you were wrong in bringing her here?” asked the man from the stable.

  “I didn’t—”

  “Jillian,” Wade interrupted, “let me say this first.”

  Since it seemed the least she could do seeing as how he’d come to her defense, she remained quiet. Wade threaded his way up the aisle. James and Scott held back, though they stepped aside to allow Shane to pass and take his place next to Wade at the front. Steven’s face went crimson when Shane gestured for him to move back from the lectern in order for Wade to take his place.

  Jillian pressed a hand over her thumping heart. His words, she knew, could make every difference for her.

  “First of all, I’d like to apologize for being late this morning. It seems I was one of a handful who, mysteriously,” he added with a pointed look at Steven, “hadn’t been told about the meeting. However, I’m glad I could attend as I know there’s been a whole mess of scuttlebutt about Miss Matthews and what took place at my ranch. Yes, I lost a cow. But no, it wasn’t her fault.”

  “How do you know?” someone yelled.

  “Because I saw her, covered in blood and soaking wet from the ride out, do everything she could to save that animal. Ask James and Scott if you don’t want to take my word for it alone; they were there.”

  Both men’s gazes went around the room as they nodded their agreement.

  “She did a bang up job,” James said.

  “As good as I’ve seen Doc do,” Scott added.

  “Well, obviously not, as the cow died!” Steven took a step forward, clearly trying to reestablish his position as leader.

  Wade turned to Steven. “And no animal ever died after Doc tended it?” Wade’s gaze moved across the church. “Bill? Where’s Bill at?”

  A few hands raised and pointed and finally Wade seemed to see who he was looking for. Jillian followed the direction and saw the thick-necked man. He looked about as happy as Steven.

  “Bill, as owner of the stable, I know you’ve called on Doc before. Wasn’t there a time when you had a sick horse and the night after Doc saw to the animal it died?”

  “That horse was old. Doc said he might not make it.”

  “And you trusted him?”

  “Hell, yeah. He knew what he was doing.”

  “So does Miss Matthews.”

  Wade’s words gave her courage. As did the fact that folks seemed to be listening.

  “Jillian? If you’re ready.”

  She nodded, dried her hands on her skirt. She’d done it so often she was surprised it wasn’t wringing wet by now.

  “Thank you. And like Mr. Parker, I’d like to take this moment to apologize. I deliberately misled him and all of you when I responded to the advertisement.”

  “I knew it! She’s nothing but a fraud!” Steven yelled. Of course this got the crowd all wound up again and within two breaths the sound was enough to wake the dead.

  Wade grabbed the gavel from Steven and smacked it down. He waited until the noise had subsided before he spoke.

  “Let her finish,” he said.

  She swallowed the knot of nerves that had formed in her throat. “I am a vet. My father was one of the best in Pennsylvania and I learned everything at his side. I’ve had years of training and practice.”

  “Then why didn’t you stay there?” Someone demanded.

  The crowd murmured and chuckled. Jillian pushed her shoulders back.

  “Because my father died. And most people back east aren’t interested in a woman doctor.”

  “Neither are we.” The voice was familiar. The trapper’s.

  She glanced down at her friends, was reassured by their encouraging nods.

  “Well, I’d hoped you folks would be more open-minded. But in case you weren’t, I replied to the advertisement using only my first initial, which is the same as my father’s. Mr. Parker assumed he’d hired my father and I didn’t do anything to dispel his belief. So he’s as innocent in this as the rest of you. However”—she raised her hand to let them know she wasn’t done—“it doesn’t, or shouldn’t, change the fact that I was hired for my skills. And those haven’t changed.”

  “She’s right,” Wade concurred from the front. “We hired her based on her skills, not on her name.”

  “Be that as it may, she is a woman, and that isn’t what we hired. At least I know it’s not what I agreed to,” Steven added, his words intended to once again rile the crowd.

  “Even if we let Robert send out the advertisements, it could be weeks, even months until we find another vet. Dr. Matthews is already here, I say we give her a chance to prove herself.”

  Mrs. Hollingsworth, red as the ripest tomato, stood up. “I think this is prepost
erous. What kind of example are we setting for these children? Especially the girls.”

  “Amen to that,” chimed in the trapper.

  While Jillian knew it wouldn’t help her cause to be argumentative, she wouldn’t let them attack her character either.

  “I’ve never stolen or cheated anybody. I’ve accepted eggs, bread and chickens when that was all the families could afford. I work hard and have never disrespected my family. Is that the kind of example you mean?”

  “Well, I never!” Mrs. Hollingsworth sputtered, clearly not used to being spoken back to.

  “Well, maybe it’s time you do!” Jillian answered, gaining a few snickers from those assembled.

  With the heat now unbearable, Jillian wiped the moisture from her lip, tugged at the collar that suddenly wanted to choke her. She didn’t know what more she could do to plead her case but ask the same question she’d posed to the trapper.

  “Is your pride really worth the life of one of your animals?” Her eyes touched on as many faces as she could. “Would you truly let them suffer, die unnecessarily, because you’re not happy I’m a woman?”

  She shook her head. “That’s not only mean, it’s shortsighted and, quite frankly, I expected more from people who’ve carved a life out here, where the winters are cold and long, where the land can be unforgiving. I imagined those folks to be the kind who band together, who do what’s necessary to survive. Was I wrong?”

  “No,” Eileen said as she came to her feet. “You weren’t. That’s exactly the kind of folks we are. We raise good children, we work hard. We go to church.”

  Letty stood up. “We stand behind our friends.”

  “We don’t give up, no matter the odds against us.” Silver stood as well.

  “I say we not only give Miss Matthews a chance to prove herself, but we give her a chance to see who we really are.”

  Tears burned her eyes at Wade’s words. He’d said more than she’d hoped and as many sets of eyes fell to the floor, as heads nodded and a few folks verbally agreed to give her a chance, she knew his words had made a difference.

  He hadn’t swayed everyone, far from it, but he’d given her a start. With gratefulness pressing hard against her chest, Jillian’s eyes met Wade’s. Held. Her legs wobbled.