A Cowgirl's Pride

by Lorraine Nelson

  “Because of the fun you’ve missed?” asked Cal.

  “No, because of another story to be told, but that can wait for another day. I hear movement upstairs. Time to start breakfast.”

  “You’re going to cook?” Michael asked.

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “This is quite a crew.”

  “Then it’s high time the women had a break. I make a mean omelet.”

  “Want some help?” asked Michael.

  “Yep, you can chop up the onions.”

  The men had a good laugh as Cam and Michael left the room.

  “How are your hands and feet doing?” Trent asked.

  “My hands feel okay, but my feet feel like they’re burning.”

  “Let me have a look.” He kneeled in front of Cal to remove his socks. “They look a lot better than they did last night. I’ll apply more of that aloe cream. It should help ease the burning.”

  “Thanks.”

  He’d no sooner finished tending Cal’s feet when small footsteps sounded on the stairs.

  Cal smiled. “Here come the twins.” He glanced toward the staircase, surprised to see Leah directly behind them. “Good morning,” he said when he figured she was close enough to hear without him shouting. The twins had surged toward the kitchen.

  “Good morning. How are you feeling?” she asked.

  “Much improved, but Doc Trent thinks it’ll be a few days before I can walk.”

  “Are the phones still out?”

  “I don’t know, but I need to talk to you alone for a minute.”

  Trent stood. “I’ll go see about coffee.”

  “What about?” she asked after he’d left.

  “Uh, remember yesterday?”

  “What part?”

  “Our part—at Cam’s.”

  “Yeah, what about it?”

  “I, uh, dressed in a hurry to run after you and I, uh, forgot my boxers.”

  Leah cracked up, laughing so hard tears came to her eyes.

  “I’m glad you think it’s funny.”

  “Oh, it is. It surely is. How do you expect to get them?”

  “Cam’s home, Leah. He came in late last night. I was hoping you’d go with him and try to find them before he does.”

  “Uncle Cam is home?” She sobered instantly and thought for a minute. “Yeah, I could do that if Michael allows me out of the house.”

  “You should be safe enough with Cam.”

  “Does he know what’s been going on?”

  “Yeah, we filled him in. Didn’t say anything about you being pregnant though. I figured that part of it was your story to tell.”

  “Thanks, and don’t worry. I’ll find some way to tag along to his place.”

  “Good. Less embarrassing that way.” He smiled, and she smiled back. His heart lifted. She was so beautiful. “Leah, I….”

  She’d already turned away. “I’m anxious to see Uncle Cam and get some breakfast. Something smells awful good. See ya.”

  “Yeah, see you later.” He wanted to talk to her, but now probably wasn’t the best time, not with the family all around. Between his sore feet and the houseful of company, he didn’t know when he’d catch her alone. All he knew was that he would. He had to. His heart was hanging in the balance. He rested his head against the sofa back and closed his eyes.

  ****

  Leah went straight to her uncle and gave him a big, warm hug. “Welcome home.”

  “I could say the same to you, girl. My word, you’ve grown up nice and pretty. Your father must be proud.”

  She laughed. “He seems happy enough that I’m home, at least. How was your vacation?”

  “Interesting,” he said. A shuttered look crossed his face.

  “Gee, that tells me a lot.”

  “In due time, girl. In due time,” he said as he turned back to the stove.

  She crossed to the wall phone and picked up the receiver. “The phones are back on. Should we call an ambulance for Cal?”

  “No sense calling until the plowing’s done. They’d never get in the driveway. I had to leave my truck at the road.”

  As if on cue, they heard the tractor start. Cam looked out the window. “Good man, that Pete. Doesn’t have to be told when something needs doing.”

  “He’s been with us a long time,” she said. She grabbed the milk jug and three glasses, filling two for the boys and one for herself.

  “That he has.” Cam dished up two plates and set them in front of the twins. “Who’s who?” he asked.

  “I’m Casey.”

  “And I’m Cammy. Who are you?”

  “My name is Cameron Manning. I’m your great uncle.”

  Cammy’s mouth dropped open. “That’s my name!”

  “So it is. Glad to meet you.” He smiled, gave them each a quick hug, and went back to his cooking.

  Leah passed over their glasses of milk and leaned in close to speak. “No tricking your Uncle Cam. He wants to get to know you two.”

  The boys looked at each other and the smirks on their faces told their tale. They would definitely play a prank or two on Cam as they’d done with everyone else. She gave them a stern look, but the innocent expressions on the two identical faces had her laughing. “At least, take it easy on him. Okay?”

  Both heads nodded as they picked up their forks and started eating.

  Trent made toast. He set a plate of it on the table and went back to butter two more slices, which he placed on another plate. Cam added the omelet and, picking up a mug of coffee, Trent carried breakfast through to Cal. She supposed he’d expected her to come back with his meal, but she valiantly tried to distance herself from him and the heartache she felt whenever he was near.

  The rest of the family joined them for breakfast, and it was a noisy reunion when they spied Cam.

  “How ya doin’ old man?” Lucas asked Cam.

  “Look who’s calling who old! You’ve got three minutes on me.”

  Lucas guffawed. “True enough. I don’t feel old.”

  “Neither do I.” He gave Winnie a hug in greeting. “Is he allowed to eat a bacon and sausage omelet with toast?”

  “We’ve been going easy on eggs and red meat, but sure. It shouldn’t hurt this once.”

  “Coming right up! Zakia, welcome back. You and Luke must be doing well if you’re expecting.”

  She blushed. “Thanks, Cam. Yes, we’re doing fine.”

  “Luke, for a man who seemed happy enough living alone when I left, you sure filled the house up fast.”

  Luke laughed and hugged Zakia to his side. “Resigned more like, yet I’m happy having the family together. We’ve had quite a time lately.”

  “So I’ve heard. Michael and Cal filled me in during the night.”

  “You haven’t slept?” Luke asked.

  “Not a wink. I’ll get plenty of sleep when I go home. Pete should be finished plowing soon.”

  “I’ll come with you and remove a few layers of dust while you snooze,” said Leah.

  “Thank you, girl. Much obliged.”

  Leah breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t thought it would be that easy.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” said Michael.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll pocket my gun. And besides, Cam will be there.”

  “Sleeping. If you insist on going, I’ll accompany you, Michael said.

  “Nonsense! If Roddy tries anything, it’ll be here, not at Cam’s.”

  “She’s probably right, Michael,” said Trent. “We’re needed more here.”

  He acquiesced. “All right, but I still don’t like the idea of you off in the woods.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said.

  “We’ll have to pack a lunch to take with us until I have time to shop,” Cam said.

  “No problem. I’ll do that now.”

  Leah put together some food supplies to take with them and when Pete finished plowing, she called an ambulance for Cal. As the paramedics took him away, she was sorely te
mpted to go with him, but she stuck to the plan and stayed behind to clean for Cam. It was the least she could do after using his place for an afternoon tryst. Besides, she stifled a grin; she had to find those boxers.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After being poked, prodded, X-rayed, and soaked in a giant tub, the doctor bandaged up his feet and pronounced him well enough to go home. Of course, he’d have to keep them moisturized and stay off them for a couple more days, until the soreness went away, but at least there wouldn't be any lasting damage. The nurse arranged for him to rent a wheelchair and sent him on his way.

  He went to the payphone in the lobby and called the ranch. Michael volunteered to pick him up after making a slight detour at his office, so he wheeled himself to the canteen and grabbed a coffee while he sat at the front entrance to wait. He was fixing to get another cup when he saw Michael’s car pull in. What he wouldn’t give to own that ‘72 Camaro. It was a beaut!

  Thankfully, it was also low to the ground. Michael helped him inside, only bumping his foot once then took the wheelchair back inside.

  “Can we stop at Red Cross? They have a wheelchair for me.”

  “Sure, no problem. It’ll make it easier for you to get around until your feet heal.”

  “Yeah, no more crawling. My knees and elbows are getting sore.”

  They shared a laugh, and Michael pulled in to the Red Cross building. Cal gave him the money for the rental, and Michael went inside, returning to store it in the trunk for the drive to the ranch.

  “Anything else happen since I’ve been gone?”

  “No, it’s been quiet today.”

  “Maybe Kendall is running out of tricks.”

  Michael glanced sideways at him. “I doubt it. I’m just hoping Vancouver can arrest him before he tries again.”

  “That would be a blessing. Leah’s terrified someone else will get hurt or end up dead. All that anxiety can’t be good for her or the baby,” Cal said.

  “No, I don’t imagine it is.”

  “I find it hard to believe she continued to stay with him after witnessing a murder.” Cal needed information, and he figured this was the best time to get it.

  “Fear played a big role in that. He’d threatened to feed her to the dogs if she talked or tried to leave.”

  “Do you really think he would’ve?” His voice laced with skepticism; he waited for Michael’s answer.

  “Not a doubt in my mind,” said Michael. “Remember, I lived there. We had a file on Kendall three inches thick but could never tie any evidence to him.”

  “He must be a slippery bastard. Or smart.” Who the hell was this guy?

  “He’s both and rich; has a lot of influence around town.”

  “Enough to get him out of jail?”

  “Enough that he’s never even been charged. That’s one scumbag I’d take great pleasure in putting away.”

  Interesting. “Maybe you’ll get that chance soon.”

  “Hopefully, before he kills again.”

  Cal allowed the conversation to lapse as he pondered the strength Leah showed in staying. As scared as she had to have been, to remain, facing her own personal demon every day, took a great deal of fortitude. If it were him, he didn’t think he would’ve fared half as well. It’s a wonder she survived without ending up in the Looney bin. How did she dare sleep or turn her back on him for a second?

  His admiration for her stepped up a giant notch. Michael’s clarification of the man’s character answered many questions. Instead of condemning her for the way she’d lived, he should have praised her for having endured…for finding the courage to come home when she’d found out she had a child on the way.

  Damn! What a mess he’d made of things. She’d probably never forgive him for the remarks he’d made—words hurled in a moment of hurt and disillusionment that he should never have spoken. He knew that now, but how could he make amends?

  His being laid up for the next few days would make it difficult to see her. Even if she came to visit him at the bunkhouse, which he doubted, they’d have next to no privacy to talk. It would have to wait until he could go visit her…if she’d even give him the time of day after being such a horse’s ass.

  Michael pulled up as close as he could to the bunkhouse door and helped Cal navigate to his wheelchair. Even with the walk shoveled and salted, it was tough going to get him inside. Cookie met them at the door, but by the time Michael parked him in front of the fire, he had a new respect for all the handicapped people forced to use a wheelchair on a daily basis.

  “Thanks, Michael. I owe you one.”

  “No problem. Glad to help out. I need to mosey on up to the house and do my job. Anything you need before I go?”

  “Not with Cookie fussing over me.” He smiled as the man brought him a huge mug of coffee and a plate of cookies. “I’ll be fine.”

  Cookie covered Cal’s legs with a quilt then passed him a book to read, and Cal settled in for a relaxing evening. He hadn’t asked for this mini-vacation, but he’d enjoy it just the same.

  When the wranglers came in for their dinner, he took a lot of good-natured ribbing. Pete even brought him a couple of books from his private stash.

  “Thanks, Pete! It’s great to have something new to read. Which reminds me, I haven’t thanked you for sounding the alarm when I went missing, so thanks for that as well.”

  “No problem. It’s not like you to miss a meal. With the storm and all, I knew something was wrong. Glad you’ll be okay.”

  “Yeah, me, too.”

  He joined the men for their evening meal then decided to turn in early. It had been one hell of a day.

  ****

  Leah and her Uncle Cam drove to his place in his truck after the ambulance left with Cal. She helped shovel the path and the front deck, trepidation filling her insides with dread as they stepped inside. What if he spied Cal’s boxers? She stifled a giggle.

  She ushered him past the living room. “You have a beautiful home, Uncle Cam. I’m impressed,” she said as she walked with him to the foot of the stairs. “You go straight up to bed. I’ll put the food away and get fires going before I start cleaning.” She ran a hand over the newel post. “The place has gotten a little dusty since you’ve been gone.”

  “It feels good to be home, girl. I’ll be happy to sleep in my own bed for a change. If I’m not up by lunchtime, don’t worry about it. I need sleep.”

  She smiled, gave him a big hug and then a gentle shove. “Go. Sleep.”

  “Here are my keys in case you need to go back to the ranch house for anything.”

  “Thanks, but I doubt it. Michael would have my head if I ventured out alone.”

  “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through, girl. We’ll talk later. Right at this moment, my brain isn’t functioning on all cylinders. Lock up and make yourself at home.”

  “I will, thanks. Sleep well.”

  He nodded and yawned as he climbed the stairs. Leah let out a relieved breath and went to the living room. She opened the drapes and did a quick once over, but the boxers were nowhere in sight. Where on earth were they? She shrugged her shoulders in temporary defeat, then picked up the bags of groceries and carried them through to the kitchen. After that was done, she lit a fire in the kitchen cook stove, rummaged around to find cleaning supplies and back to the living room she went.

  She’d dusted the entire room, but it wasn’t until she moved furniture to damp mop the floor that she found them—hanging on the lever to Cam’s recliner. She stuffed them in her bag and finished cleaning the downstairs. The second level could wait until he woke up.

  She started a fire in the fireplace and her stomach rumbled, telling her it had been a long time since breakfast. She went to the kitchen, made a sandwich and brewed a cup of tea. Cam had a breakfast nook in front of the kitchen window, and she crossed the room to sit at the pine table. It had a perfect view overlooking the snow-covered meadow and creek. The scenery would be breathtaking during the summer. He’d picked
a great spot for his house. Leah found it so peaceful and quiet after the cacophony at Luke’s.

  She tensed when she heard the front door open. She’d forgotten to lock it in her hurry to find Cal’s underwear. Oh, no!

  Quiet as could be, she stood, grabbed a butcher knife from the knife rack beside the stove…and waited, barely breathing. She heard soft footfalls heading her way and moved behind the dubious protection of the island counter.

  “Leah, are you in there?” called Michael before he came through the archway, gun in hand.

  “Michael, you terrified me half to death!”

  “Not half as scared as I was when I found the door unlocked.” He returned the gun to its holster. “Geesh, girl! You need to be more careful.”

  “I meant to lock it, but I got busy cleaning and forgot. Besides, anyone coming here has to pass the main house, so it’s safe enough.”

  “If anyone lurked about and saw you head this way with Cam, they could’ve followed the trail from the creek. Always, always lock doors behind you.”

  “Okay, Michael. What brings you here?”

  He shrugged his shoulders and grinned. “I took Cal home and had a feeling I should check on you. Guess my instincts are still intact.”

  Cal. The mere mention of the man’s name was enough to send her insides all a flutter. She’d worried about him all afternoon. “How is he?”

  “No permanent damage, but he has to stay off his feet for a few more days.”

  “He’ll hate that. How did you get him in the house?”

  “He rented a wheelchair. He’s in the bunkhouse. It was a struggle to get him in the door, but at least it’s at ground level, no stairs.”

  “That's good. Cookie will make sure he doesn’t overdo.”

  He smiled and leaned his hip against the cupboard. “Yep, fixed him a snack as soon as we got there.”

  “Speaking of which, you want a coffee?”

  “If you’re having one.”

  “I had tea, but the kettle’s still hot. I can make you an instant.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  She made coffee and set out a plate of sweets from the stash Zakia had given her.

  “A man could get used to the quiet back here.”

  “Yes, it’s a lovely spot.”