Dark Journey Home
Page 28
But Trudy called after him, “Okay, handsome. If you want to meet later, I’ll be down the road a ways. I’ve been displaced. Just don’t let my Pa see you, when you come down.” Noticing Ricardo standing with his arm around Maria, Trudy looked at him, and winked, then walked over to Cougar Olson. “Come on, cowboy, let’s get that team hitched up and light out. I don’t take to these folks.”
Claude shook his head, and turned to the house. Reaching Logan, he said, “That young lass has a lot of anger in her.”
“I believe she has some growing up to do.” Logan answered.
“Perhaps, my boy, perhaps.”
Maria hissed at Ricardo, “Who, my husband, is the child barracuda, with the flirty eyes?”
Ricardo laughed, “That, my lovely, is a spawn of the devil. A lovely child, but the daughter of Señor Woody Perkins. Pity the poor cowhand who would dare fall for that one. If her papa didn’t kill the poor hombre, she probably would. Besides, I warned her about you. I told the Señorita that I had a jealous wife.”
“Huh……obviously the Señorita Perkins, does not heed warnings well.” Maria scoffed.
Inside the vast colorful courtyard, Olivia and Amelia had been fascinated with the décor, though they had paused to watch the display Trudy Perkins had put on. “Well, I can understand why the child is bitter.” Amelia volunteered.
“Of course.” Olivia agreed. “But it seems the ‘child’ is inclined to take some of the male population of the ranch with her, as she leaves.”
“Do not believe all you see, Señorita Olivia.” Consuelo had walked over to them, then added, “Trudy covers up many hurts by being rebellious, and, at times, flirty with the hombres. I have seen her grow from an eight year old lonely child, to an eighteen year old lonely young woman. She means no harm.”
“No, I suppose not.” Maria said, “Nor does a rattler mean harm.”
“I will show you to your rooms if you wish to freshen up before lunch.” Consuelo volunteered stiffly. Obviously she favored the Señorita Perkins.
The housekeeper motioned them from the courtyard, and into the cool interior of the rambling old stucco building. Olivia glanced back at the colorful array of potted geranium plants and tiled walkways, before entering the house. Orange trees had been planted at various locations throughout the courtyard. The place was lovely, and impressive, to say the least. They followed the housekeeper to a separate wing of the house, then down a long hallway, their heels clicking on the tiled floors, as they walked. Olivia, at once, decided she would take a tour of the hacienda after lunch. It was magnificent, though not nearly as large as Beckford Manor, back in England, but different, and unique, and Olivia fell in love with the beautiful ranch house on sight.
Maria chose a large room at the far end of the corridor, for herself and Ricardo, and as rooms were plentiful, Amelia and Olivia each chose rooms of their own, each bedroom having French doors, which opened onto private, walled in, patios.
As Consuelo turned to leave, she said, “Señor Beckford and Logan Wakefield will have a suite of rooms in the south wing. That is where Sam Beckford had his rooms and he would want your Uncle there. That wing has not been used in ten years. I will have your luggage brought to your rooms, and then lunch will be ready in one hour.”
“Thank you, Consuelo.” Olivia said graciously. Consuelo did not answer. Olivia walked into her room, closed the door, then looked around. She noted the room was decorated in matching pink flowered wallpaper, bed linens and quilt. Pink curtains with white lace edging, graced the tall windows. This had definitely been a girl’s room, and Olivia wondered if the room had been Trudy Perkins’ room. Maybe that was why the sudden change in the housekeeper’s disposition.
She guessed Consuelo had become attached to the little ‘vampire’ over a ten year period. However, the property had never belonged to the Perkins in the first place, and after all, from what she had heard, Consuelo had been given a home here by Sam Beckford, with good wages so should have no complaints. If Consuelo had a problem, she could very well follow the Perkins to their own property, if she so chose. “Though she is a good hard worker. Could she be replaced here?” Olivia mused.
Olivia began taking pins from her hair, then letting the golden locks fall down her back in soft curls. Seeing a white porcelain pitcher full of cool water, with a matching wash basin on a stand next to a tall bureau, she also noted soft white towels and scented soap, as well. Though, just as she had begun to soap her hands, there was a soft rap on her door. Thinking it was Amelia or Maria, she said, “Come in.”
But it was neither. It was Logan Wakefield, who opened the door, and stepped inside the room, with both arms full of her luggage, and who almost dropped the bags, as he stood with his mouth agape, staring at Olivia, with her golden curls flowing around her shoulders, then a foolish grin spread across his handsome suntanned face. A brow arched, as he softly said, “Your servant, Ma’am, just bringing your luggage.”
CHAPTER 18
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Olivia quickly rinsed the soap from her hands, and grabbed a white towel. “I……I thought you were Amelia, or Maria.” She explained.
“Now, Olivia,” Logan shook his head, chuckling, “do I look like either one of them?”
“No.” She flustered. “Oh, you…….” If she had her hairbrush handy, she would throw it at him.
“I really should apologize.” Logan sobered, “Guess I should have let you know it was me before barging in, but Consuelo said you needed your bags brought in, and told me which room was yours. I figured you were waiting for them.”
“It’s alright really. It was kind of you to bring them.” She looked up at him, and smiled. That smile was almost Logan’s undoing, and he quickly looked away, then set down the bags, and began backing to the door.
“I’d better leave before your friend Amelia catches me in your room, and arms herself with her umbrella.” He laughed then, “You sure do look pretty, with your hair down like that.” He backed out of the door.
“Thank you for bringing my bags. I’ll see you at lunch then.” She called after him, as he was disappearing down the hallway.
Olivia slowly closed her door, opened one of the satchels, and reached inside, taking out her favorite book of poetry. She opened the book to the page where she had pressed the lovely rose petals, then touched each soft petal, with her finger tips. She laid the open book on the bed, as she began to carefully dress for lunch, choosing a simple blue gingham day gown, then taking more time than usual on her hair. She brushed it until it shone, then pinned it up on her head in a loose upsweep.
Before leaving to go to Amelia’s room to see if she was ready for lunch, Olivia closed the book with the rose petals in it, then tucked the book carefully under one of the soft feather pillows on her bed. She felt like a silly schoolgirl. There definitely was life outside of Beckford Manor, and Olivia was determined to see as much of it as she possibly could. Humming to herself, she then hurried to Amelia’s room.
“Now just what brought that flush to your cheeks, young lady?” Amelia asked, sternly, as she opened her door to Olivia’s rap. “Maybe we should share a room after all. Has that cowboy been hanging around here?”
“Do you mean Logan? Oh, Amelia, really. He only brought my luggage and he was a perfect gentleman. I wanted to see if you were ready for lunch and it appears that you are, so being as I am starved, let’s go. Oh and please leave that umbrella in your room.”
“Ricardo brought my luggage along with his and Maria’s. I didn’t have a special delivery from that ‘cowboy’ Logan, like you did.” Amelia stated firmly. “And furthermore, just when are we going back home, so you can stop this nonsense, blushing every time that Logan chap comes near you? A person would think you were taken with him. We need to get you out of this uncivilized country away from these crude westerners so you can come to your senses. It’s a wonder we haven’t been attacked by savage Indians.” Amelia stomped off down the hallway, ahead of Olivia.
“Ame
lia, wait, it’s not like that, really, and besides, Uncle Claude likes Logan, and trusts him, and you should too.” Olivia protested.
They were joined by Olivia’s Uncle Claude, just as they were entering the Dining Room with the long carved oak table, set with delicate china and complete with bowls of hot beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, and many side dishes.
“Well, Ollie and Amelia,” Claude began, “does this ranch meet with your approval?” He pulled out two chairs, and waited until the ladies had seated themselves, then he went around to the head of the table, to seat himself, just as Logan, Ricardo and Maria walked into the room.
“Of course, Uncle Claude.” Olivia answered her uncle, “I believe I could stay at this ranch forever. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I can’t wait ‘til after lunch, when I will search the whole place until I’ve seen everything there is to see.”
Logan sat down across from Olivia. “If you want a tour of the ranch, just say the word. Ricardo and I are fairly familiar with the place, and at least one of us can show you around.”
“Oh…….that would be nice. Thank you.” She answered.
“H’mph!” Was all Amelia could offer, then she said, as she stiffened her shoulders, looking Logan right in the eye, “I believe we could all benefit by a tour of the place, right after lunch, ‘we’ could all take a walk then. Thank you for offering, Mr. Wakefield.”
Logan wondered about Amelia’s sudden formality, but then he was hungry, and the food looked good. Consuelo was definitely a good cook, and a good hostess as well, however, he noted that she catered mostly to Claude Beckford, seeming to favor him over the others. Well, Claude was a cousin of the original owner and Consuelo was probably partial to Claude because she was glad to have old Sam Beckford’s kin here now.
She made sure his glass was kept full of cold tea and his plate never empty until Claude had to wave her away. She was hovering around him a little too much; however he was enjoying the glares the housekeeper was receiving from Amelia. His love was definitely jealous. He smiled at Amelia. Ignoring him, she picked at her food.
Later, as Olivia began her tour of the hacienda, Uncle Claude begged off saying he was going to have a meeting with the men over at the cook house. The hands that weren’t out on the range would assemble there after lunch. Maria said she was going to take a nap. Amelia stomped off towards the corridor leading to her room, not speaking to anyone; however, with her back turned, she had a faint smile on her lips. Drastic situations called for drastic measures. Ricardo said he would attend the meeting with Claude.
In the corridor, Maria slowed down to wait for Amelia. “Don’t you think you are putting on the show a little too thick, Amelia?” Maria asked the older woman. They both looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
Olivia was alone with Logan as her guide.
“We can start with the south wing, where your Uncle Claude has his suite of rooms, with a study and library across the hall from his room. I have a room adjoining his.” Logan stated as he took Olivia’s arm and escorted her to the south wing of the house.
“By the way, Olivia,” He looked at her quizzically, “why is your friend, Amelia, upset? Has someone ruffled her feathers?”
“Oh, I guess she wasn’t amused by the housekeeper’s hovering over my uncle.” Laughed Olivia. “Probably a little put out is all. She’ll get over it.”
“No.” Logan pointed out, “It couldn’t have been only that. Amelia was fairly frothing at the mouth, even before that overdone display of Consuelo’s.”
“Oh well,” Olivia hesitated, then, “Um….she did ask me when I would return to England, and come to my senses. Not sure what she meant by that though. Whatever it was, it’s not important. I’m enjoying myself too much to worry about someone’s grumpy moods.”
The first room they entered was the study, which had also been used as a library, with countless books lining the shelves. “Uncle will love this room, and I may just spend days, or even months in here reading. What a collection!” Olivia ran her hand over the leather bindings on several books.
“Will you have months to spend here reading, at the ranch, Olivia?” Logan asked.
“Oh……well, maybe just days then. Although if I had my way, I could spend a lifetime on this ranch.”
“Olivia, it’s your life to live, and from what I can figure out, it’s about time you decided just what it is you do want to do with your life.” Logan insisted.
“Excuse me?” She flustered. “You mean you think I’m getting to an age where I’d better do something with my life, before it’s too late?” She huffed.
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean that. Now please don’t get your feathers ruffled. You are a beautiful young woman. I’m just amazed you have avoided marriage. You must have had many offers.” He explained.
“You mean many offers all those years? Just what did you mean, Logan?” She put her hands on her hips, and looked up at him, sky-blue eyes sparkling wistfully. It was all Logan could do not to take her in his arms, and kiss away the bewildered expression from her eyes.
He swallowed, hesitated, then tried again to explain. “Well, first of all, I have been known to put a booted foot into my mouth when I’m around lovely lass. Second, I’ve been at sea for eight long years of my life. Those years were lost, never will be regained, so if I don’t say exactly what I mean at times, I guess.……..well, can we just begin this conversation over?”
Logan looked so pathetic, that Olivia burst out laughing, then said, “I’m sorry for laughing, but you have the same expression as you had when it was pouring outside in Coyote Springs, and you came in out of the rain, soaked to the……well, soaking wet. And, yes please, let’s start the conversation over, and I do apologize for my burst of temper, maybe it’s rubbing off from Amelia.” She finished.
“Alright,” pointing to the book shelves, Logan said, “the library wasn’t used during the years that Woody Perkins lived here. He never learned to read, that’s why he was such easy prey for Phillips and Holderman. Being ignorant isn’t a crime. His greed is what got him this place, though we can never prove him guilty of intent to steal the Triple-B.
“He did receive funds from the sale of cattle though, but your uncle didn’t want to prosecute for that, and I’m sure most of the money was spent long ago. He was more of an illegal squatter here than anything. I’m sure his daughter, Trudy, reads, but never really liked books that well. She was too busy tormenting the hired hands and trying to escape the controlling hand of her father.”
“Oh, do you mean it was torment for the cowboys to have to keep away from the little ‘python’?” Olivia asked.
At Logan’s questioning look, and raised eyebrow, she relented, “I’m sorry. There I go again. I’m sure the Perkins girl has had some hard times…….that is when she wasn’t busy spending my Uncle Claude’s money.” She finished with a shrug, then she and Logan both laughed.
He suggested, “I guess we might as well look over the rest of the house, not the kitchen though. From what I’ve heard, you’d probably take over the cooking from Consuelo, and then I’d never get you out of there.” He chuckled.
Olivia joined in, “You’re probably right. Uncle Claude and Amelia both gave up years ago, trying to keep me out of the kitchen at Beckford Manor. I pestered the cooks for years, until they finally taught me everything they knew, just to shut me up. I cooked many a meal there, and Uncle didn’t know. He always praised the chefs, but they never told him that I had cooked the meal.”
After a quick exploration of the rest of the hacienda, Logan suggested a stroll around the ranch yard, to which Olivia readily agreed.
As they approached the corral, the young blonde cowhand, known as Smokey, was leading out a rebellious chestnut mustang, from the stables. The older red-haired hand, Rusty, was attempting to saddle the horse, and after the third attempt, he managed to keep the saddle in place, then tightened the cinch.
Seeing Logan approaching, Rusty called, “There’s the pro. Hey L
ogan, you wanna try breakin’ this bronc?”
“Sorry boys, but I’m showing the owner’s niece around the ranch. Maybe later, when I have time. You boys have at it.” Logan answered.
Smokey called, “Ah’ll be glad to show the lady around for you.”
“No thanks.” Logan said, then he introduced Olivia to the men. He figured the meeting with Claude had gone well as all the hands seemed to be back working.
As they walked away, he noticed Chester Burns entering the building behind the stable, where he had a small office. “That’s the foreman.” He explained to Olivia. “Been here a long time, and now has his old job back.”
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Logan and Olivia spent the next three hours walking about several acres of ranch property, amidst a grove of oak and sycamore trees; they came upon a small creek bed with clear water running over countless rocks. Someone had built a small foot-bridge, out of wooden planks, running from one side of the creek to the other, and Olivia ran across the small bridge to the other side, with Logan following. The grass was tall and green, with wildflowers scattered throughout the wooded area.