Tom's Angel

by Linda George

  Tom stepped forward. “Wait a minute. Indenture doesn't work that way.”

  “It does at my house, McCabe. This is none of your business. Your debts to my bank also have to be paid, even if it means giving me the ranch.”

  Tom started toward him, fists raised, ready to smash the ugly grin from Strickland's face, but the marshal intervened.

  “None of that, now. You can settle your personal differences elsewhere. As much as it galls me to do it, I promised to see the terms of the agreement settled. Are the parties in agreement?”

  “Absolutely.” Zane hooked his thumbs in his lapels and rocked back on his heels.

  Rosalie nodded.

  “I'm sorry, Miss Kincannon, but I have to let him take your horse.”

  “I understand.”

  Zane sauntered over to where Rosalie stood and spoke softly, but still loud enough so Tom could hear. “If you'd like to come to my room at the hotel tonight, we could start getting acquainted.”

  Tom grabbed Zane by his coat and slung him to the ground. The marshal and Gabriel grabbed Tom before he could attack Strickland again.

  “If you ever put your filthy hands on her, you'll answer to me, you sorry son of a bitch.”

  Zane stood, brushed the dust from his clothes, and took a couple of steps back from Tom. “We'll finish this in Denver.”

  “Believe it.” Tom burned with fury and grief.

  Zane grinned at Rosalie. “We'll be leaving for Denver on the train Monday. That ought to give you enough time to gather your things. Deliver the horses to the train in the morning. I want them groomed and fed. You and them belong to me now.” He pulled a watch from his pocket and studied it for a moment. “Time for a drink.”

  Rosalie stared at the watch in Zane's hand. The sight of it caused her to shake with recognition and revulsion.

  “Marshal?” She touched his arm to gain his attention.

  “Yes, Miss Kincannon?”

  “That looks like my father's watch. The one he was carrying when he was killed.”

  Zane quickly replaced the watch in his pocket. “A gift from my father.”

  The marshal approached Zane with one hand extended. “Let's see it.”

  Zane hesitated. “You have no right.”

  Tom and Gabriel flanked Strickland.

  “Give me the watch,” the marshal said.

  Zane reluctantly handed it over. The marshal handed it to Rosalie and waited while she opened it carefully. Inside she found a portrait. Rose Elizabeth Montgomery.

  “This watch belonged to my father. The only way you could have gotten it was by taking it off his dead body after you shot him in the back.”

  The marshal grinned this time, until his teeth shone under the afternoon sun.

  “You're under arrest for the murder of William Kincannon. There’s no need for you to send for that fancy lawyer of yours. You aren't leaving my jail this time, except to be transferred to the nearest prison.”

  “Wait a minute. How do you know I didn't buy this watch from Kincannon? I was in jail when he was killed.”

  The marshal grinned. “As I remember it, that fancy lawyer sprung you about an hour before Kincannon was shot.”

  Rosalie glared at Strickland. “My father loved that watch because it was a gift from my mother when they were...married. He never would've sold it. Not to anyone. Especially not to you.”

  “Let's go, Strickland.”

  Rosalie had no idea what this meant concerning her indenture. Would she still be escorted to Denver to the Strickland home? She glanced at Tom, then back to the marshal. Just as she reached for the marshal’s arm again, a man stepped out of the crowd.

  “Did I hear correctly? This race determined the indenture of this woman?”

  Tom couldn't believe it. “Cade?”

  “Good to see you again, Tom.” They shook hands like old friends.

  “You know this man, Mr. McCabe?”

  “I certainly do. Cade is an excellent lawyer in West Texas, and a friend of our family for more years than I can count. When I heard the name Triumph, I knew I’d never heard anything about Richard Strickland buying such a horse. Then, I thought I remembered Cade talking about his banker buying a fancy horse by that name. I wired Cade to see if that horse was still in Lubbock. I’m glad you could come. When I didn’t get an answer to my wire, I wondered if you’d gotten it.”

  “I didn’t get it until the next morning. I decided to take a vacation, answer in person, and witness the race. I got here just as the race began. Ty Reynolds’ horse, Triumph, left Lubbock on the train three days ago, headed for Ft. Worth. Sam can confirm what I’ve told you.”

  The jockey stepped forward. “Everything he says about Triumph is true.”

  The marshal kept an iron grip on Strickland.

  “May I see that agreement?” Cade held his hand out. “I’d like to see the terms.”

  The marshal handed it to him.

  Cade read it carefully, then glanced at Tom. “This agreement is null and void.”

  Tom nodded. “Just as I thought.”

  Rosalie's head spun at the words. “Why?”

  “It says the race was to be between your horse, Rusty, and Strickland's horse.”

  “So, what's wrong with that?”

  “Triumph is not his horse. He borrowed the horse only for this race.”

  Rosalie gripped Tom's arm to steady herself. “What are you saying?”

  “This agreement clearly implies ownership. Triumph has never belonged to Zane Strickland, and never will. I assume that Mr. Strickland did not mention that he’d borrowed the horse?”

  Tom answered for her. “He never said a word about the horse not being his.” He addressed the crowd. “Did anyone ever hear Zane Strickland say the horse wasn't his?”

  The group of men gathered nearby shook their heads.

  The marshal pushed Zane toward a group of men. “Hang onto him. Let me see that agreement again.” Cade handed it over. “Mr. Lattimer is right. The agreement was made under false pretenses. That renders it null and void.”

  “I have no doubt that Ty Reynolds would never have loaned his horse to Zane Strickland. I’m guessing Reynolds made the deal with Zane’s father, never knowing a young woman’s future was dependent on the outcome of the race. Also, he never would’ve allowed you to offer Triumph as a prize, should Miss Kincannon’s horse win the race. That part of the agreement cannot be met, Ma’am. I hope you understand.”

  “I do, indeed,” Rosalie said.

  Zane Strickland waved his arms and stomped the ground, furious. “I won! It's my word against his. How do you know he isn't lying?”

  “Hold on! Let me speak!” Phillip Mallory pushed his way through the crowd with a cowhand behind him. “My hand, here, can back up what Mr. Lattimer just said.” He nodded to the man, who dragged his hat from his head.

  “I’m Jeb Hackett. I seen Triumph race once in Lubbock. He belongs to a banker who lives there, name of Reynolds. I got friends who went with me. You can ask them, too.”

  “No need, Mr. Hackett. Zane Strickland, you misrepresented yourself in this race as the owner of the horse. You lose the race by default. All bets are off. Miss Kincannon is a free woman. Her property is restored to her in full.” Those who had bet on Triumph muttered angrily, knowing their winnings had disappeared with the pronouncement.

  Rosalie felt as though heaven had opened and snatched her from the gates of hell.

  Tom embraced her, then twirled her around, laughing. “It's over! You're free of him! Free!”

  Rosalie kissed Tom, held him, laughed and cried. Trina hugged both of them while Gabriel shook Tom's hand. Phillip and Cade joined in the congratulations.

  “I knew it would be all right. I just knew it.” Trina bounced up and down like a little girl.

  The marshal solicited the help of several men to help him escort Strickland to jail. “We wouldn't want him to escape what's coming to him for the murder of William Kincannon and for defrauding hi
s daughter, Rosalie, now, would we?”

  He had no problems finding volunteers.

  Rosalie dried her eyes on her handkerchief. “I cannot possibly thank you enough. You've saved my life and I don't even know your name.”

  “I’m Cade Lattimer. I wouldn’t have been here had Tom not wired me. You owe your thanks to him. It’s been my pleasure, ma'am.”

  Lattimer. The name caused her to shiver again.

  “You said the horse belongs to your father. What is his name?” She gripped Tom's hand tightly.

  “John. Why?”

  “Is there someone in your family named O.T. Lattimer?”

  “Yes, my uncle. Oliver Thacker Lattimer. Thacker was my grandmother's maiden name.”

  Could he possibly be the same one? “Has your uncle ever lived in East Texas?”

  “As a matter of fact, he did. He owned a saloon just north of Houston.”

  Rosalie’s breathing accelerated until she closed her eyes, doing her best to remain calm.

  “Did I say something to upset you, ma’am?”

  “It's all right. I'm fine.” Rosalie reached for his hand. “I think you and I ought to have a talk, Mr. Lattimer. You've brought us happy news today. I may have some for you, too.”

  Tom's brow wrinkled with confusion. “Rosalie, what's going on here? Do you know Cade’s uncle from somewhere?”

  “Let's go back to the hotel. I'll show you.”

  <><><><>

  After everyone had gotten back to the El Paso and congregated in the parlor, Rosalie brought her mother's Bible downstairs. She sat down then took the letter from the pages, unfolded it, and read aloud the part about her father’s identity.

  “'His name was O.T. Lattimer.'“ She looked into her cousin's eyes.

  “My God.” Cade stood and paced to the far end of the room, then back. “You’re my cousin.” He offered his hand and helped her to stand, then gently embraced her. Happily, Rosalie hugged him back.

  Trina blubbered into her hanky. Josh's mother dried her eyes on her apron. Josh grinned like a possum.

  Rosalie's feelings, foreign, yet so wonderfully right, filled her with incredible happiness.

  “Father will be astounded, as will Uncle Oliver. I have no doubt he knew about Elizabeth, and I know he must have worried for years about her and your mother. He'll be grieved to hear about their deaths, but ecstatic to know he has another daughter. I can't wait for you to meet him, and the rest of our family.” He smiled. “The rest of your family.”

  Rosalie, full of happy emotions, hugged him again.

  “I also cannot tell you how happy I am to hear that you're engaged to marry Tom. You couldn't have chosen a better husband. Our families will be joined at last.”

  Tom nodded. “Cade and I were like brothers, growing up in Denver.”

  “If you need a new banker, Tom, I'm sure we can help you with whatever you need. Ty will want to make amends for his error in dealing with the Strickland family.”

  “Thanks, Cade. I don't suppose we could talk you and your family into coming to Denver for a visit? For the wedding, perhaps?”

  “We wouldn't miss it. Rosalie doesn't know yet that she has three more cousins besides me.”

  “Three?”

  “My two brothers, and my sister. Then, there are Uncle Oliver’s three sons. Your half-brothers.”

  This news broke all the barriers Rosalie had raised against her tears. A family! A father, three brothers, an uncle, and four cousins. A proper, respectable family.

  Tom held Rosalie and rubbed circles on her back until she'd composed herself again. “Happy tears this time?”

  “Absolutely happy. I can't believe how incredibly wonderful this day has turned out to be.”

  Tom tipped her chin upward. “At the wedding we may have to put out flood warnings.”

  Cade laughed at that. “I need to wire my father the happy news, so he can inform Uncle Oliver and the rest of the family. You'll be going back through Lubbock, won't you, Tom?”

  “Yes. I was supposed to arrange for that bull to be sent to Denver, but I'll have to check on the status of that purchase.”

  “Then you'll be in Lubbock for a day or two, time enough for Rosalie to meet everyone.” He donned his hat and kissed Rosalie on the cheek. “I'll see you before you leave, and again at home. It’s your home, now, too, cousin.”

  Josh tugged at Tom's elbow. “This wire just came for you. Roy heard Doyle yelling from the telegraph office, took it from him, then brought it to me. We got it here as quick as we could.”

  “Thanks, Josh.” He dug in his pocket, but came up empty. “I owe you two bits.”

  “You don't owe me nothin’.” His grin stretched on his dusty face from ear to ear.

  Tom read the wire.

  RICHARD HAD A STROKE STOP TREY RUNNING THE BANK NOW STOP LOAN APPROVED STOP ARRANGE FOR BULL TO BE SENT STOP CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AND ROSALIE STOP AMOS MC CABE

  “It's time to go home.”

  Chapter 20

  Trina and Gabriel told them good-bye after a sumptuous Sunday dinner prepared by Mrs. Winslow. Tom talked to her about bringing Josh to Denver in January, when he turned eleven, and coming with him. His grandfather was also invited to live at the McCabe Ranch. She'd tearfully agreed, knowing her son would be in good hands and better off at the McCabe Ranch than he'd ever be on a cattle trail.

  “We can't thank you enough, Mr. McCabe,” she told him. “I haven’t been sure about how I was going to take care of my father in the years to come. There are still things he could do on a ranch, and I can help with the cooking and cleaning.”

  “You’re right about that! I might even be able to teach Tom a thing or two about horses.” He shook Tom’s hand. “Thank you.”

  Tom felt he should be thanking him and his daughter for raising such a fine boy. “You’ll all be welcome. And, you’ll be doing us a favor by pitching in on the chores.”

  “I’ll learn everything I can about horses and cattle, Mr. McCabe. And anything else you want me to do, consider it done!”

  <><><><>

  They arranged for all the horses to travel to Denver with them on the train. Amos had been tickled to find out they were coming. Good horses were always needed on a cattle ranch.

  Rosalie vowed that Rusty would live the rest of his life in peace and plenty and never have to work or race again, except for fun.

  She packed her things carefully, then Tom took her in the buggy to see the girls at the Yellow Rose. It surprised and pleased her to find Natalie there, too, tending to one of the girls who’d suffered a minor injury.

  She hugged Sadie. “This place is yours now.” She handed her the deed she'd prepared with all their names. “The house, too. So you'll have a decent place to live.”

  “But Rosie, you can't just give everything away.”

  “I've already done it. All I ask is that you make The Yellow Rose as nice as you can and turn it into a saloon instead of a dance hall. You'll make more money that way, and the girls will last longer.”

  “Rosie, you've always been so good to all of us. How can we thank you?”

  “By surviving. Remember what happened to Lizzy. Don't let it happen to you, too, all right? I have a feeling the marshal will pay closer attention when you call him from now on.”

  She and the other girls nodded, crying, eye blacking streaming down their faces.

  “Natalie, I can see you're already taking care of these ladies. I'll add your name to the deed if you'll stay.”

  “I'd love to. I'll never be able to replace the Angel of Mercy to the Soiled Doves, though.”

  Rosalie hugged each one in turn, then went to visit the graveyard one last time.

  Rose Elizabeth Montgomery. Elizabeth Kincannon. William Kincannon. He tried to be a father to another man's daughters, but didn't know how.

  Rosalie walked away. There were no tears this time.

  In the house, Rosalie wandered from room to room, trying to blot out all but the best memories.


  Tom followed her inside. “Did you forget something?”

  “No. I just need a little time, that's all.”

  Tom kissed her. “I've been thinking about that hole in the floor. What if the can is there, too, but we stopped looking because we'd found the saddle bags?”

  “I guess it's worth a second look.”

  Tom removed the boards in the bedroom and hung his head completely underneath the floor this time, sweeping his hand back and forth.

  “Anything?”

  He sat up, cobwebs sticking to his hair. “Just this old can.” He handed it to her with a big smile.

  “You found it!” She pulled out a roll of bills as big as her fist. “You may not have to borrow the money for that bull after all!”

  <><><><>

  They boarded the train for Lubbock. In the Pullman, Tom helped Rosalie unpack her things.

  “Are you nervous about meeting a big family you never knew you had?”

  “A little. Do you think they'll like me?”

  “They'll love you.”

  “Do you think I'll like them?”

  “I know you will.”

  “It's amazing to suddenly discover that I have a real family.”

  “That wire from O.T., saying he wants to give away the bride at our wedding makes me think we're going to see all the Lattimers more often in the future. I’ve missed Cade.”

  The whistle sounded, followed by the lurch of the wheels grabbing the tracks, propelling them forward.

  “Who would've figured?” Tom shook his head.

  “Figured what?”

  “That I'd have to come to hell to find an angel. A proper angel, at that.”

  Their laughter mingled with the music of the rails, all the way home.

  <><><><>