by Anna Zogg
Ellie had just returned to the main room when footsteps stomped across the porch. From the sound, she knew it was Will. He paused to scrape mud from his boots, unlike most of the men who carried in half-dried clods with them. The night’s rains had made a mess inside the house.
Ellie met him at the door.
“There you are.” Will smiled down at her. “I wanted to let you know I need to take a quick trip to town. I shouldn’t be gone too long.”
“Would you like me to go with you?”
“Nah.” He shrugged and looked away. “I’m going by horseback. Faster that way.”
His odd secrecy struck her. Besides, they’d gone to town only a few days before. “I can keep up with you on horseback.”
“I know.” He patted her shoulder. “I won’t be gone long.”
“Are you going alone?” A vague uneasiness gripped her.
“Yeah.”
“Not taking Guy?”
“No. He’s out on the range today.”
She absorbed the news in silence, disliking the thought of Will traveling anywhere alone, especially in his state of health.
“I know Guy’s a bit rough.” Will’s hand lingered on her shoulder. “But I cannot impress upon you the strength of his leadership. Because of him, we survived the worst winter in our history. The ranch has flourished under his care.”
She managed a small smile. “I’m sure he’s a great foreman.”
“All he needs is a good woman. To help smooth his rough spots.”
Ellie drew back. Surely he wasn’t thinking she could be that woman.
“I see my hint doesn’t set well with you.” Will made a wry face. “Chalk it up to your uncle’s crazy fancies and a desire to look to the security of your future.”
Openmouthed, she could only stare at him.
He pulled on his hat’s brim in a salute, then stalked out the door.
“Be careful,” she called. Dark clouds roiled overhead, warning of the possibility of more rain.
Will waved. In no time, he’d mounted his horse and thundered out of the yard.
For a long time, she watched after him, considering their conversation.
Why would he think Guy Bartow could be her suitor? Ellie thought she had made it clear she had no interest in him. Since Will apparently had missed her indicators, she needed to flat-out tell him she would never entertain a future with the foreman.
As she watched the wind whip the strands of grass, she realized why she would never consider Guy. He couldn’t hold a candle to the one man to whom she compared all men. As the breeze brushed her cheeks, she closed her eyes, daring to give free rein to her emotions.
I love Rhett. And I always will.
Chapter Sixteen
From the safety of an outcropping, Rhett stared at the ranch below. Nearby, a small cave had turned out to be an excellent hiding place. He not only was able to stash his belongings there, but it provided shelter in inclement weather.
He squatted as he considered his circumstances. A week had passed since the ranch owner had ordered him off the land. By now, both Marshall and Bartow must believe he was gone. For the last two nights, no riders had checked the perimeter. Everything in Rhett said to relax his guard, but common sense told him to stay cautious. He needed to wait until darkness fully covered the land before he dared move closer.
But to what end? Lately he’d berated himself for hoping to speak to Ellie. He told himself tonight was the night. He hoped and prayed that he would be able to talk to her after all. If for no other reason than to tell her goodbye.
Rhett looked to the heavens. “If it is Your will, Father. So be it.”
However, his heart felt like a knife pierced it. Would the Lord command him to move on?
Regardless of what happens, I will never forget her.
Rhett would carry his love for her to his death.
As usual, he waited until the full cover of darkness before approaching Marshall’s land. The lights inside the main house proved that the men were still at supper. But they would emerge soon. He had to move fast.
Crouching, he ran from trees to shrubs, staying hidden as best he could. Out of breath, he finally reached a small knoll where he could hide. Just in time. The front door burst open and a couple men exited into the yard. As they were wont to do every evening, some lingered, their voices echoing in his direction. Rhett could hear laughter. After many minutes, most shuffled toward the bunkhouse. A little while later, Bartow emerged, then Marshall, who paused on the porch to cough hard. They spent a few minutes talking, then the ranch owner walked to his cabin.
With the door to the house still open, light streamed onto the porch. Bartow seemed undecided about something. Ellie? Rhett imagined he wanted to go back inside. Leaning against the porch’s column, the foreman stared into the night. Another two men emerged and passed Bartow, intent on the bunkhouse.
Rhett focused on Marshall, who paused on the small porch of his cabin. He too seemed reluctant to retire. Several times he coughed. After a minute, he disappeared. A light appeared in the cabin, proving he prepared to retire.
* * *
Bartow rested his boot on the railing’s lower rung and struck a match before bending forward to light a cigarette. However, Rhett recognized the stalling tactic as Bartow propped his elbow on a raised knee. Rhett sucked in a slow breath as he grew anxious about Ellie being alone with the foreman. Before thinking through the ramifications, Rhett moved toward the ranch yard, using whatever cover he could find. He flattened himself against the backside of Marshall’s cabin, taking huge, silent gulps of air. The dogs bounded out of the darkness, but they didn’t bark. They nosed Rhett’s hand but he had no food to offer. After a pat to their heads, they soon wandered off.
“It’s a fine night.” Bartow’s voice reached Rhett in his hiding spot.
Ellie’s reply was slow to come. “Yes, it is.” Her soft booted feet moved across the porch. Away from Bartow?
The foreman’s heavy steps followed.
Rhett peered around the building. Ellie stood at the corner of the porch, with the foreman nearby. Too close.
An odd sound reached his ears, like creaking metal. After listening, Rhett realized that Marshall was slowly opening his window. So he could eavesdrop on Ellie and Bartow’s conversation? Rhett’s cautious glance around the cabin proved his suspicions to be true. The tip of a curtain fluttered out of the window’s gap.
The proof that Marshall kept an eye on his niece eased some of Rhett’s worry. However, he reminded himself that the owner was only one man against at least five—Bartow and his four friends, who were never far from his side. No telling how many of the other ranch hands would become traitorous should the situation turn into a showdown.
“Tomorrow, we got us an early morning. We start branding cattle.” Bartow took a long draw on his cigarette. “Ever seen that before?”
“No.” Ellie coughed, then pressed her fingers to her nose. “Can’t say I have.”
“Quite a sight. You should come watch.” He gestured toward one corral. “We’ll be working over there.”
“I’ll think about it.” She cleared her throat when his cigarette smoke wafted her way.
He scratched his head, looked away, then studied her again. “Next week, sometime, I plan on taking a trip to Cheyenne. For your uncle. Y’might consider coming along. I’d love to show you the Cheyenne Club. They got some of the finest food in the country.”
“I’m sure.”
“So, what’d’ya say?” Bartow’s voice rang with eagerness.
Again, Ellie took her time answering. “Next week’s a long ways away.”
“Ain’t too early to plan.”
She fell silent, then sighed. “It’s getting late. Didn’t you say you had an early morning?” Skirts swished as Ellie retreated. “Good night, Mr. Bartow.”
The sound of the door closing seemed to end the conversation.
In the darkness, Rhett heard the foreman mutter under this breath. Footsteps finally moved down the steps and tromped across the yard.
With Ellie safely inside the house, Rhett could breathe more easily.
Still flattened against the building, he waited until the window in Marshall’s cabin closed. Only when the coast was clear would he move to a better hiding spot.
His stomach grumbled in protest. Sometime soon, he would have to go hunting again to scare up small game. The food Mrs. Johnson had given him the day he’d left had grown scarce.
Scratching at the unfamiliar scruff on his cheeks, he considered visiting the root cellar. He shunned the idea of stealing, but worried about the alternative—asking for a handout. The Johnsons might have to shoot him on sight as Marshall ordered.
No, best to scrounge up food on his own. He’d done it before. But not tonight. Since he’d gotten this close to the ranch house, instinct told him to hunker down and wait. This might be the only chance he would have of seeing Ellie again or saying goodbye. It was tonight or never.
Taking the usual precautions, he slunk more deeply into the shadows.
* * *
Ellie rolled over and sighed. A bright beam of moonlight, skirting around the parted curtains, danced across her blankets. Every time she moved, the glow disturbed her. She flopped one hand on the bed, admitting to herself that she had only been dozing. For hours.
No use. She couldn’t sleep.
The wanted poster she saw of the man that looked like Rhett continued to trouble her. Was Rhett the son of an outlaw? Or a brother? He was related somehow, the similar features making that obvious.
She sighed. It didn’t matter. His bloodline did not define his character. Or guilt. He was his own man, definitely not a cattle rustler. Or murderer.
Arising, she slipped a shawl about her shoulders. She parted the curtains and peered out.
What a glorious night. Earlier, she had wanted to linger on the porch, but Guy wouldn’t leave her alone. Ever since Rhett had left, he had grown more persistent in his attentions. Short of being rude, Ellie had no idea how to discourage the foreman. He seemed incapable of taking a hint.
With care, she unlocked her bedroom door, then cautiously opened the front. Because the Johnsons took such good care of the property, the well-oiled hinges didn’t squawk. Ellie sought to keep from disturbing her uncle or the ranch hands. Especially Guy.
Aware that her cream-colored nightgown would glow in the moonlight, she spread her dark shawl over her clothing. Then she moved to the side of the house that was swathed in shadows. Staring into the night, she wrapped a hand around a porch column and breathed deeply.
Eight days. Eight torturous days without seeing Rhett. Her soul longed for him.
Where was he? Ellie imagined he could be anywhere by now. Had the gold in the Black Hills called him to try to strike it rich? Or was he drawn to the bustling city of San Francisco, despite it being prone to earthquakes? Perhaps he had traveled east.
“God...?” Breathing a one-word prayer, she lifted her face skyward. Though she had begun to call out to the Lord on a regular basis, she wished she could pray with confidence the way Rhett did. Most of the time, she didn’t know what to ask beyond acknowledging the Creator of the universe. For now, that seemed enough. She basked in the peace that cocooned her.
Please care for him, Lord. The bold request came unbidden to her mind. Watch over him.
But anxiety crept into her small sliver of peace. If only she could be certain he was safe. If only she knew where he was. The idea of writing to him struck her. They could correspond. Then she could hear about his life. If he was happy.
But where would she send letters?
Lord, please let me know how I can reach him.
“Ellie.” The faintest whisper pierced the dark.
Startled, she gasped. When nothing more sounded, she squinted into the blackness. “Who’s there?”
The faintest rustle met her ears. “It is I.”
Were her ears deceiving her? It sounded like...
Rhett emerged from the side of the building.
Joy flooded over her. But as quickly, fear trampled it.
“You shouldn’t be here.” Ellie tempered her whisper. “They’ll kill you.”
He stopped below her, face lifted. “I had to speak with you.”
Gripping the railing, Ellie leaned over to lower her voice even more. “You aren’t safe.”
He appeared not to listen. “I’m not a thief. You must believe me.”
“I do. I never thought it for a moment.” In the faint light, she could make out his grim smile and nod.
“Good.”
Her rising worry for him warred with her desire to keep him near as long as possible.
He moved closer. The drop from the porch put him several feet lower than her. “And I had to tell you. I didn’t shoot Tripper.”
“Wh-what?”
“He was sick. But not dead. I fired the shots in the air so your uncle would assume I obeyed his orders.”
The news confounded her. “Where is Tripper?”
“In town. Safe. Someone poisoned him, but we think he’ll recover.”
We? Before she could ask who Rhett was talking about, he went on.
“You and your uncle are in danger.” Iron edged his voice.
“Danger? From whom?”
“Bartow. And his men.” Rhett’s mouth tightened.
“Guy?” Though a dozen questions crowded her mind, what he said made sense. She had never trusted the foreman. Or his shady friends. Her mind raced ahead. Had Guy stolen cattle and pinned the crime on Rhett just to get rid of him?
“I saw a wanted poster. The face looked like yours.” The words were out of her mouth before forethought. “Who was it?”
For the longest time, he appeared to wrestle with himself. “My father.”
“But not you. I mean, you never...?” She couldn’t help her question. Though she didn’t believe Rhett capable of robbing or killing anyone, she needed to hear it from his own mouth.
“You have my word.” He backed up as though readying to leave.
She panicked. “Wait.”
He paused.
“Wh-where are you going?”
“For now, back into the hills.” A wry smile twisted his mouth. “All I have to worry about there are cougars and bears.”
“But...” She sucked in a quick breath. For now, the hills, but then where? She didn’t want him to leave, but how could she ask him to stay? Every second he remained on Will’s property, he risked his life. The desperate question burst from her. “When will I see you again?”
For endless moments, he stared up at her. A slow smile creased his lips. “I’ll be close.”
Her heart thumped so hard that she thought it would burst through her chest. An idea—one that originated from her own mother—entered her mind. “If I put a candle in my window, would you come here? To me?”
She heard his sharp intake of breath, as though he couldn’t believe she asked.
“I’ll watch for it.” The intensity of his whisper sent a jolt through her. “I promise.”
The spinning of the earth and heavens seemed to slow. Any second, he would turn and leave.
Ellie couldn’t let him go.
Her body began to shake. Gripping her railing, she steadied herself. She gulped, terrified of her daring. “What—what if I put a candle in my window. Every night?”
The sky had grown so black, clouds rolling across the moon, that she couldn’t read his expression. She waited for his answer, her fingernails digging into the wooden railing. Did he understand what she was asking? Did he know she loved him with every ounce of her being—that she wanted him with her always?<
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One moment he stood below her on the ground. The next he vaulted noiselessly over the railing. But he didn’t step closer.
“Rhett.” Her whisper danced on the breeze.
Despite the dark, she could see the glitter of his eyes. His hand inched toward hers as it rested on the railing. With a gentleness that sent delightful shivers through her, he took her fingers in his, then bent to kiss them.
Her head swam. She couldn’t breathe. Every ounce of her being longed to be with this man. Every hour apart tortured her.
Still holding her fingers, he moved closer until he was mere inches from her.
“I’m here now.” His soft breath brushed her cheek.
She couldn’t help but lean into him. His other hand smoothed over her shoulder, then edged around her back, finally resting on her waist. The touch remained gentle and respectful. Ever a man of honor, he would not take advantage.
Stepping closer, she raised her lips to his. His head tilted, meeting her halfway.
Warmth, sunshine, grassy plains—all flooded her in his kiss. But one was not enough. Would never be enough. They kissed again, each one satisfying, yet proving that she would never be content as long as they remained apart.
With a slow exhale, she rested her forehead against his chest as his arms encircled her. Rhett’s pounding heart reassured Ellie that he felt as she did. For many minutes, they stood in silence. As his lips nuzzled her forehead, she sighed.
“Thank you,” she breathed, not entirely certain if she were thanking God or Rhett. It mattered not because she was grateful to both.
He gently squeezed her.
How long they stood together in silence, she didn’t know. Didn’t care. He was with her now. That was enough. But all too soon she realized that the sky to the east brightened, the black fading to purple.
Rhett raised his head.
“I don’t want you to go.” Her simple plaint escaped as she snuggled more deeply into his arms.
“I don’t either.” He smoothed back a strand of hair as she looked into his face. In the growing light, she realized several days of growth covered his cheeks and chin. But she also noticed how thin he appeared.