by Kari Trumbo
“Your father asked me to help you if you came into town needing it. If you think about where else your father spends his time, you’ll figure it out. I don’t expect you to help me now, but if you could, I’d be obliged.” He paused, looking up and down the street. “Mark disappeared the night he came back after leaving your ranch. I don’t suppose he contacted you or you’ve heard anything? His mother and I are worried. He’s never just left without telling us where he was going.”
“Mr. Scott, I had no idea.” It dawned on her why no one had ever mentioned her reputation. Mark had never spread his rumors. It also occurred to her why Mr. Scott and his wife had avoided her at church. She had a lot to gain by Mark’s silence. “I promise you that I had nothing to do with his disappearance and if I find out anything I’ll tell you right away. I’m so sorry.” She picked up the reins and gave him a look of empathy though she doubted he could see it. Mr. Scott nodded once and turned his head back toward his store, leaving Meg to think about what her next course of action would be.
Through the turmoil of her thoughts and the hint she’d been given, it occurred to her. The boarding house. It was the only other business her father owned. It was where her father had rescued Jax, and where he’d first met up with Sophie. She’d never been there before, because that part of town was rough and she’d been told to stay away, but today she put her fear to the side.
She pulled her wagon in front of the boarding house and saw a thin, dirty man leaning on the doorframe by the front door. He leered at her and shifted to the other foot. Meg lost her ounce of bravery and no longer wanted to take another step.
“Howdy, Missus Connor. Right purty day ‘tis. Ain’t it?” commented the thin man.
“I beg your pardon?” Meg huffed, “How do you know my name?”
“You’s housin’ that no ’count Jackson McCartney. We got our eye on you.”
“Who is we, and why are you watching me?” Meg’s unease with the situation was growing and she put her hand on the pistol at her waist.
“Lars Larson, he gave Jackson a bit a warning a few months ago. When he gets back from Dakota, we’ll nab ‘im. Best not be anywhere nearby if you don’t want ta be got too.”
“You leave my ranch and my hired men alone!”
A young lady with raven-black hair and blue eyes that matched Meg’s darted out of the boarding house. Clean and well-dressed, but not fashionable, she looked to be in her mid-teens. She wore the shorter hems of younger girls, as if she didn’t know to drop them yet. Meg took a chance.
“Margot?”
The young woman stopped her quick walk and looked at Meg. She had a look of confusion at being addressed. It was obvious she wasn’t keen on strangers talking to her and Meg wondered if she’d had a tough life with people being cruel about her parentage or even her home.
“Yes?” Margot whispered, her look flitting everywhere, hesitant to answer at all.
Meg thought quickly, it didn’t seem right to come out and tell her she was Margot’s sister. She didn’t seem old enough to be on her own.
“Gus, the owner of the boarding house, asked me to check in on you and make sure you were all right. He’s away for a while.” Meg hated lying, but airing her family’s dirty secrets in the street would have been appalling.
“Gus is still gone? I was so worried. I got his letter but I haven’t seen him in so long.” Margot’s hand was visibly quaking in fear.
“Are you all right?” Meg climbed down and approached the young woman, “Can I take you somewhere?”
Margot looked up to Meg’s eyes and spoke in a whisper, quiet enough that the man a few feet away wouldn’t hear, in a shaking voice.
“Ma’am, if people find out Gus is gone, I’m not safe.” Her gaze dashed behind her to the man in the doorway. Almost so quickly Meg questioned whether she saw it at all. “Do you know of anywhere I can stay until he gets back?” Someone had scared this girl and again Meg thought of her directive feed my sheep. This certainly applied.
“Yes, child.” Meg put her hand on Margot’s arm. “Let me help you get a few things and you can stay with me until Gus comes back.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Meg gave the man at the door the most evil eye she could muster, but kept her hand on her gun just in case, following Margot to her room which was upstairs and at the end of the hall. Margot opened the door with her key and led Meg in to her cozy home.
“We need to avoid that room across the hall. If the door is open or anyone is in the hall, we should wait until they leave.” Margot got a small carpet bag out of an armoire.
Meg couldn’t hide the shock that crossed her face. “Let’s get you out of here.”
The room was big enough for one person with a bed in the corner, a bureau, and a cabinet to hang her dresses in. A small table stood by the door with a bowl and pitcher for washing. Meg had assumed Margot would’ve had some way to cook for herself to remain separate from the other questionable people here, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Margot, do you work here?” Meg made herself useful helping put dresses in a small bag trying to look nonchalant but a little scared of the answer.
“No, not really. I think Gus pays my way, but I don’t know why. I help the house lady if she seems to need it, but mostly I like to stay out of the way. This house only has six rooms and she uses the one, I’m always in another, so that leaves four rooms open. Lately, scary people have been staying. I don’t remember being afraid here growing up, but it’s been different the older I get.” She didn’t seem to want to put her real fears in words with someone she didn’t know.
Meg stopped helping and stood by waiting for Margot to pack the remainder of her dresses and necessities. When she was done, she’d only filled a small carpet bag and a tiny trunk, small enough for Meg to carry. Margot closed the door behind them and locked it then led the way back downstairs. The house lady lumbered up to Margot. She was dirty from head to toe. Though it was turning cold she was bare foot and her feet were black with filth and grime.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Her hands planted on her ample hips gave her an imposing look.
“Gus is away for a while. I’m only going away until he gets back.”
“Your room cleaned out so’s I can rent it?”
“Yes ma’am.” Margot’s voice was tiny and hollow as she handed the woman the key.
“No refunds.” She grabbed the key, shoved it down the front of her dress, and turned away.
Meg tried to be as unwavering as she was capable of and help her out to the carriage. She placed the small bag and trunk in the back with her grocery parcels. They climbed into the carriage without speaking, and Meg directed the horses toward Whitte Ranch, though they probably would’ve driven there of their own accord. Meg felt sure she was supposed to find her sister. Keeping Margot safe had to be something the Lord would want her to do.
“My name is Meg, by the way.” Meg smiled at her.
Margot wrinkled her face a little bit. “I know this sounds silly, but, my mother told me about my half-sister Meg once. It’s because of a Meg, a Charlotte, and a baby Lizzy that I couldn’t have a daddy.” She spoke like she was making an observation about the weather. “I don’t know exactly how they kept my father from me, but I sure wish he’d been around, especially after I lost mama.”
Meg’s heart dropped to her stomach. It must have been unbearable for Sophie to raise Margot alone. It was quite likely Sophie hadn’t known Gus was married before they had their relationship. It didn’t make it right, but she could understand the pain the situation had precipitated.
“I’m sorry. I’m sure it was really hard for you.” Her voice stuck at the lump in her throat.
“It was, Gus has been the closest thing to a father I’ve ever had. I am sure it was him that made sure I was protected, housed, clothed, and fed after mama died. The lady at the boarding house never told me where the money came from. She just always came up to my room and left
me whatever I needed. She doesn’t make enough to do it herself…and she doesn’t like me enough either.” Margot sniffled and wiped her nose with a dainty hanky.
“I hadn’t seen Gus in so long, I was worried. I thought he was never coming back and I didn’t know what I was going to do. Those men that stay across from my room, they looked at me in ways that made me uncomfortable to even come out of my room. I don’t like them.” She paused for a moment to catch her breath. Meg assumed that Margot hadn’t talked to anyone in a long time and she was just catching up. “You know, this will be the first time anyone else will stay in that room since before I was born. It has been my refuge. I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t rent it back.”
“Let’s worry about that when we must. For now, let me tell you about where you’re going.” She paused and looked at Margot with a smile. “You’re headed to a horse ranch where you can rest and be away from men for a while. We’re expecting Gus back about Christmas time, though I hope we’ll see him and all the men with him sooner.”
“You said ‘we expect him back’. Who’s we?” Margot looked at Meg and waited. “And I don’t celebrate Christmas, I haven’t since I was six.”
“Well, perhaps we can create some memories for you this year. I happen to love Christmas.” It was less a question and more of an attempt to steer Margot off of the other subject.
Margot seemed to accept the non-committal answer. The remainder of the drive home they shared a companionable silence and Meg was determined this was exactly as she should have done. She brought Margot into the house and took her to her sister’s old room, since it had been cleaned so recently. It was perfect for a girl of Margot’s apparent age.
Meg watched Margot wonder at the beautiful furnishings, the drapes, and the bed, the view out of her window. Margot ran her fingers over the coverlet and looked at herself in the mirror. She touched her cheek to make sure it was her own reflection. Meg had noticed there was no mirror at the boarding house. She caught Meg’s reflection behind her own.
“Meg, look. We have the same color eyes. I feel like one of those princesses in the stories Gus used to read to me.” she spun around in front of the mirror and laughed deeply.
Meg remembered those same stories and giggled along with Margot, “I’ll leave you for a bit so you can unpack and get comfortable. Come on out when you’re done and we can talk some more.”
Margot nodded and smiled. “Thank you, Meg. I think I’ll like it here and be miserable when I have to leave.” She flopped backward onto the bed and sighed up at the canopy.
“I hope you like it here too, and let’s not think about leaving when you just got here.” Meg closed the door to give her new sister some privacy.
Margot didn’t come out of her room for quite a while so Meg began preparations for dinner. It would be nice cooking for more than herself again, and nicer still having someone to talk to. Meg thought of Rose, all alone, not far down the road. She wished she could do something. A little voice slithered in the back of her mind, it was cool and smooth, she is alone by her own choice, you asked her to forgive you and she didn’t. It isn’t your fault. She doesn’t understand the stress of running a ranch.
Meg straightened her neck a bit as if she was stiff, and she thought about that for a minute. There was truth in those words. She’d asked for forgiveness and Rose had gotten even angrier. Though something was also missing from what the voice said, it hadn’t sounded loving or forgiving. Meg decided she’d let Rose come back when she was ready, she wasn’t going to beg for it again. Why should she go out of her way when she’d already asked to be forgiven and wasn’t?
Margot came out after Meg had prepared dinner and they shared the simple meal. Margot had many questions and Meg realized it’d been a long time since Margot had a female to talk with. In fact, it seemed from what she was saying that the only person she spoke with was the lady who managed the boarding house. The only other person she talked about was Gus and Meg got the impression her father had tried his best to, in his own secret fashion, be a father to Margot.
The more Margot spoke about her life, the more concerned Meg became about telling her who she was. Her mother had done her no favors and had made Margot’s life tremendously difficult. Even making an angry, accusatory visit to Sophie and taking things from their home. It was almost impossible to think of the problem as being two-sided anymore.
“Well, now that I’ve talked you silly with my life. Tell me about you.” Margot’s eyes were bright with excitement and she poured herself another cup of coffee.
That would to be tough. Meg wasn’t sure how much her father had told Margot about his Meg, if anything. She wanted to be friendly and honest, but maybe not completely honest. “I lost my husband last spring.” She count the months on her fingers. It seemed like so much longer now she’d had some time to heal alone. “This used to be a cattle ranch, but I plan on making it into a horse operation when my men get back.” It felt so good to be able to share her plans with someone.
“Gus’s Meg had a husband that ran a cattle ranch for him, but they didn’t own it. Gus didn’t like him.” Margot laughed and hid behind her coffee at the bit of gossip.
Meg sucked in her breath quickly and fluttered her eyes, the old jab hurt, but not as much as it always had before. “So, living in town. I take it you probably don’t know how to shoot?” The subject needed to stay off of family, at least for now.
Margot looked confused at the complete change in topic. She set down her coffee, trying to remember where the subject got derailed. “No. This is the first time I’ve even been out of town.”
“Well, if you’re going to live out here for a while, you should know how. If you don’t want to carry one, I understand. But, we are two women alone in the middle of nowhere. You should know how to protect yourself.” Meg looked her right in the eye to gauge her interest.
Margot smiled though it held no depth. “I don’t like the idea of being alone. I’d like to learn. I’ve never had anyone to teach me.”
Meg went to the barn, followed by Margot, and got an old metal pail that had been used to wean calves. It had a hole rusted in the bottom. Meg hung the bucket from a tree by a rope as their target. She walked back about twenty paces then motioned for Margot to join her.
“It’s really important, before you even hold the gun to learn a few things. First, always think about what is behind your target. In this case, it’s my pasture which is currently empty. Second, when I hand you the gun, keep your finger off the trigger.” Meg pointed to it so Margot would know what she was talking about. “Don’t put your finger anywhere near the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Understand?”
Margot nodded and accepted the pistol, pointed at the ground.
“Put your feet apart a bit. Aim by lining the back sight with the front. Pull back the hammer on the back with your thumb. Now push on the grip with your right hand and pull with your left, it’ll help stabilize it when you shoot. Now put your finger on the trigger and squeeze.”
Margot followed each of the directions as Meg rattled them off, closed one eye to look down the barrel, put her finger on the trigger and pulled. The gun jumped in her hands and the noise thundered louder than she expected. She jumped and pulled up.
“Good! See, the bucket is swaying, you hit it.”
“I’m not so sure about this Meg.”
“All right, we can take it slow. That bucket isn’t going anywhere.” Meg smiled, it would be delightful sharing the things her father had taught her to do and she was certain he would be pleased. There had never been anyone else who wanted to learn.
Chapter Thirteen
Margot came out of her room yawning, still tired from sleep. Meg took ingredients out of the larder to make some flapjacks for breakfast.
“Did anyone teach you how to cook at the boarding house?” Meg raised half of her mouth and placed milk and eggs on the table.
“No. Mama didn’t cook so I haven’t really even watched a meal bein
g prepared.” One beautiful black eyebrow shot up. “This isn’t going to be like shooting is it?”
“No. Want to start?” Meg smiled.
“Sure.” she smiled and wiped her hands on her apron.
Meg put the flour and other ingredients in a bowl and showed her how to mix it and pour a small amount of batter in the pan. She showed Margot how to tell they were ready to flip and how to flip them. By the end of the tutorial, Margot flipped the thin cakes like she’d been doing it for years. Meg hoped someday she’d get to teach a daughter the same way.
They finished cleaning up the meal and Meg offered to take a look at Margot’s dresses.
“Margot, how old are you?” Meg didn’t want to assume anything about her age.
“I’m sixteen, seventeen in a few months.” She sat up straighter in her seat and attempted to look mature.
“Well, by your age, you should lower the hem of your skirts and dresses all the way to your shoes, like mine.” She held out her dress to show the length. “We’ll need to look at your skirts and see if we can let the hems out or get you new ones. In the meantime, you may borrow the skirts I can’t wear right now.”
Margot brought her wardrobe into Meg’s room. None of the skirts could be altered long enough, so Meg got out some fabric and gave Margot a sewing lesson. All Margot’s dresses, few as they’d always been, were store bought or purchased from someone who could sew. Her mother didn’t do it so she hadn’t learned.
“Thanksgiving is in a few weeks and Gus and the other men should be home in a little over a month, only six more weeks to wait.” Meg attempted to not smile too much or turn red, she failed miserably.
“You seem very excited for them to be home.” Margot’s chin hitched to the side. “Is there someone on the drive you’re particularly close to?”
“Well, yes, my father is one of the men coming home.” She started.
“Your father, your foreman, and Gus…tell me about the foreman you keep talking about.” Margot giggled. “You talk about him like you’re courting, but you aren’t available. Is he?” She teased.