by Leona Karr
“What you doing, Scotty?” Hal demanded. “Fleecing the poor guy?”
“Just teaching him a little strategy, that’s all. You know, the same way I gave you a few lessons.” Scotty’s eyes were bright and his face flushed.
Hal mentally groaned. He liked Scotty, but there was a competitive streak in his neighbor that made winning any contest almost a religion. He knew that the Scotsman encouraged all-night poker parties when his cabins were full of vacationers. He often bragged about getting double the rent after a game or two. Once a gambler, always a gambler, thought Hal. “Watch it, Larry. You’ll leave here without your skis if you don’t watch out.”
“I can take care of myself,” Larry snapped back, but there was a hard look in his eyes that made Jill uneasy.
“No rough stuff, fellows,” Hal warned. “Let’s keep everything friendly-like.”
Jill decided it was time for her to leave. She slipped out the door and was surprised when Hal caught up and walked down the hall and up the stairs with her.
“Sorry about that little scene,” he apologized. “Tempers get short when boredom sets in. Men need ways to let off steam. I’d rather handle a bunch of mustangs. At least you have some idea what horses are going to do.”
“Have you and Scotty been friends for a long time?”
“Four or five years. He bought a run-down fishing lodge on a few acres of wooded property and has built some nice cabins for rent. A dyed-in-the-wool fisherman.”
“Does he have a family?”
Hal shook his head. “Lost a wife and kid in some kind of tragedy. Doesn’t talk much about it.”
For some reason his tone made her think about the dead man in the car. “Did you call the sheriff’s office before the phones went out?”
“I tried but couldn’t get through.”
“The sheriff should be out looking for whoever shot him.”
“Who’d be out on the highway shooting people in weather like this?”
She’d been asking herself the same question. “What do you think happened?”
“My guess is, the guy turned coward because he thought he was going to freeze to death. Some people are like that. They’ll throw in the towel without a fight.”
Jill frowned. She hadn’t seen a gun, but then she hadn’t been looking for one. One glance at the dead man had been enough to send her fleeing from the car.
As they reached the top of the stairs, Kirby came out of the Millers’ bedroom, carrying an empty breakfast tray and soiled towels. He growled something about the damn place turning into a Holiday Inn.
“Just pretend you’re back in the Navy, Kirby,” Hal chided with a grin.
Jill was more sympathetic. She knew that cooking and cleaning for three bachelors was a lot different than keeping up with five additional, unexpected guests. “I’d be glad to help, Kirby. Just make me a list and I’ll give you a hand.”
“Well, now, that’s mighty nice, Jill.” His mouth softened as he looked at her. “I’d be a fool to turn down an offer like that.”
“Forget it, Kirby,” Hal told him with a friendly slap on his shoulder. “She’s not here to play house with you. You recruit Scotty and that Larry fellow if you need some extra hands. And Zack’s going to need help shoveling paths as soon as the wind settles.”
“Don’t be thinking I’m going to do Zack’s work and mine, too!” he spat, his Adam’s apple bobbing angrily in his thin neck. “He can darn well help out with dishes and mopping floors. And if Jill wants to help me, she can!”
“Back off, Kirby,” Hal told him with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Why? So the boss has a free hand?”
Hal’s jaw tightened. “Careful, Kirby. Don’t be shooting your mouth off.”
The cook shrugged his narrow shoulders. “I only call ‘em like I see ‘em.”
“Then you’d better make sure your vision’s twenty-twenty.”
Kirby gave a short laugh that had no mirth in it. “Right, boss.” He pushed past them without another look at Jill.
“Kirby has had his problems,” Hal said quickly by way of explanation. “He’s proud of being a Navy man, but I think he’s carrying some scars, and I don’t mean physical ones. He hasn’t been successful with women, I know that, and given the accepted reputation of sailors, he must have some pretty deep ego problems. But he’s a good cook and he’s been with me longer than most of the fly-by-night guys I’ve had around here.”
She remembered how Kirby had massaged her icy feet and the uncomfortable feeling that his expression had triggered. “He seems kind of lonely.”
“Don’t be thinking Kirby’s some kind of wounded bird you can fix with a pretty smile and a soft hand,” he warned Jill. “Keep your distance or all hell might break loose.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of creating an incident of any kind.” Men! Was there something about a blizzard that raised their testosterone level? Jill wondered, remembering the scene at breakfast.
Sue Miller was sitting on the edge of her bed in a bathrobe, her fair hair brushed and her eyes clear and bright. With the resilience of youth, she had bounced back from the tired, frightened young woman of yesterday. Her young husband stood by her, looking rejuvenated himself.
“No need to ask you how you’re feeling, Sue,” Jill said with a laugh. “You look super.”
“I feel super.” She gave Hal a broad smile. “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Haverly, for all you’ve done for us. Gary and I won’t forget your kindness.” She patted her fat tummy. “And neither will Junior or Susie. I guess we’ll be on our way later today.”
“Have you looked outside?” Hal waved toward the windows, which were framed by heavy green drapes. “The wind has lessened, but there’s still enough snow flying around out there to make for zero visibility.”
“But Gary said the weatherman reported that the storm was moving slowly out of the region.”
“That doesn’t mean a darn thing. There’s enough punch left in the storm to keep us socked in for another twenty-four hours, at least. And after that, it’ll take time to dig out. If you’re thinking of leaving before tomorrow or the day after, forget it.”
At Sue’s crestfallen face, Jill said quickly, “Now that you’re feeling well enough to move around, the time will pass more quickly.”
“You don’t have to eat here in your room,” Hal told them. “We just thought trays would work better when you were tired.”
“Frankly, I’d appreciate another woman’s company downstairs,” Jill said. Would I ever! “And I know you’d enjoy seeing more of this lovely old house. I bet Hal can tell you some wonderful stories about this place.”
Sue was all in favor. “Oh, we’d love to hear them, wouldn’t we, Gary?”
“Sure thing.”
Hal’s eyes twinkled. “You might find a few interesting characters in the Haverly genealogy.”
“Like Bat Masterson or Buffalo Bill?” Gary asked eagerly. His boyish face was flushed and animated.
“Sorry.” Hal laughed. “None as colorful as that. At least none that we brag about. It was my grandfather that came West when he was a young man looking for adventure. He never intended to settle down in Colorado, but the Rocky Mountains got in his blood. I guess he passed the addiction down to my father and me. Anyway, if you like looking at fine horse pictures, I’ve got plenty of them,” he said, rather sheepishly.
He’d never admitted it, but Jill suspected he was delighted to have a chance to show off his love of horses. No wonder Randy had been caught up in his spell, Jill thought. The way enthusiasm radiated from him, Hal Haverly could make a horse-lover out of anyone.
After he’d gone, Jill suggested that Sue move to one of the easy chairs while she changed the bedding. “Be back in a minute,” Jill told her and went down the hall looking for a linen closet She was about to give up when she checked the hall bathroom and found a cupboard that held an odd assortment of towels, pillowcases and sheets. None of the linens were n
ew, and Jill suspected that Hal hadn’t replenished the supply for a long time. When she peeked in a box at the back of a shelf, she was surprised to find several pairs of lovely embroidered pillowcases that appeared never to have been used.
She was debating whether she should make use of them when Scotty walked by the open door, then stopped and poked his head in. “Looking for something?” he asked.
“Clean bedding,” she said quickly.
“Did you find some?”
“Yes.” Impulsively, she held out the fancy pillowcases so he could see them. “I was trying to decide whether I should take these or not. They don’t look used. Someone put a lot of work into them.”
“Probably Hal’s mom or Carrie.”
“Carrie?”
“Hal’s first and only love.”
First and only love. The casual words hit Jill with a charge she hadn’t expected. Well, there was the answer to one of her questions. There had been a woman in his life. “Oh?” Jill responded in a questioning way, hoping Scotty would be forthcoming with more information to satisfy her blatant curiosity.
“A childhood sweetheart. Guess everybody knew from the time they were in grade school that they were going to get married.”
“And did they?”
“Nope.” Scotty smiled as if enjoying her obvious curiosity.
“What happened?”
“It didn’t work out. From what I gather, Carrie went off to the big city and never came back. Made a true woman-scorner out of Hal, she did. A few nice gals have tried to change his mind, but without any luck. Once burned, forever wary, as the saying goes.”
“Well, that partly explains his guarded attitude,” Jill said thoughtfully.
Scotty eyed Jill for a long moment. “You haven’t got a chance in hell of hooking up with him, you know.”
Jill’s indignation instantly flared. “What makes you think I’m the least bit interested in ‘hooking up with him,’ as you put it?”
“Whoa! Don’t get your dander up. I just thought a widow with a boy to raise would be more than interested in an eligible, good-looking man like Hal.”
“For your information, I’ve done very well looking out for myself and my son for eight years, and I intend to continue to do so. On my own,” she added with emphasis.
“I admire you for that,” Scotty said in a patronizing tone that made her even more furious. She couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Hal Haverly had the same misconception—that she was on the prowl for a male provider.
She hastily put the fancy pillowcases back in the box, took out some sheets and worn pillowcases, shut the linen-closet door and brushed by Scotty with a curt, “Excuse me.”
With energy fueled by inward seething, she made up the Millers’ bed and straightened up the room. Scotty’s warning about trying to “hook up” with the rancher made her sizzle. Why was it that a widow was fair game for every snide remark about being on the hunt for another man? That kind of pioneer necessity had gone out with the covered wagon. Women weren’t helpless chattels anymore. They could fend for themselves and their children. Scotty’s crude warning not to consider Hal a prospective husband was like a lighted flare against a bundle of firecrackers. Men! Who needed them? As far as she was concerned, the sexist attitude of all the men in the house left plenty to be desired.
Sue said she’d like to go downstairs after she took a nap, and Jill agreed. “Good idea. I think I’ll do the same. I’ll be across the hall when you’re ready.”
Jill stretched out on the bed, but her thoughts were too busy for napping. His one and only love. The phrase kept repeating itself despite her efforts to put it aside as unimportant. Hal Haverly’s past was no concern of hers. None at all. Interesting, though. He’d been in love and planned to marry his long-standing sweetheart. He must have been deeply wounded when this Carrie decided to desert the ranch and him.
Jill felt a pang of compassion for him. She knew how hard it was to turn away from dreams of a future that was never going to happen. From what Scotty had said, more than one woman had tried to change his mind about remaining single. He obviously had chosen a solitary life. Maybe he was afraid to let any female get that close to him again. She wondered what the woman who had stolen his heart forever had been like.
About three o’clock, Gary tapped at her door. “Sue’s up and dressed, ready to go.”
“Good.”
“Are you sure it’s all right for us to look around?” Sue asked anxiously as they prepared to go downstairs. “I don’t think Mr Haverly likes the idea of all us being here. He seems rather—”
“Distant?” Jill finished with a faint smile.
“Well, kinda,” she admitted.
“How can you say that?” Gary said indignantly. “Look at what the man’s done for us. Brought us in from the storm. Given us a guest room and everything we need.”
“I think it’s so sad.” Sue sighed. “Him living here all alone. A good-looking man like that.”
Gary laughed. “My wife is an incurable romantic.”
“I just want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
Gary leaned down and kissed her. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get some exercise.” He put his arm around his wife as she got clumsily to her feet.
The three of them walked slowly down the stairs. When they reached the front hall, Jill heard Hal’s voice above the thud of pool balls in the den. She wondered if he was trying to keep Larry from losing to Scotty by taking him on himself.
“Shall we take a peek at the living room?” she asked, not above using the opportunity to satisfy her own curiosity. A glimpse through the doorway invited a closer look at Indian rugs and western paintings, and she wondered if the room’s furnishings would reveal any hidden facets of their host’s character.
Even though there was a chill in the large room and all the windows were coated with snow, there was the promise of warmth from huge logs laid in a stone fireplace dominating one wall. Jill could imagine a roaring fire sending dancing light on golden knotty pine walls and reaching upward to the high, peaked ceiling. Furniture that was clearly old and very valuable included deep cushioned chairs, game tables, high-backed sofas and several breakfronts filled with exquisite earthenware pottery. Some pieces looked old and others quite contemporary.
Jill was intrigued by a collection of arrowheads mounted in a shadow frame and, next to them, a pair of silver spurs hanging on the wall. She wondered if the spurs had belonged to his father or grandfather. An old long-necked bottle holding a bouquet of golden wheat had been placed on a small table next to a delicate porcelain candy dish. A variety of large and small pictures, mostly watercolor mountain scenes, were signed M. Haverly. Jill would have bet “M” was Hal’s mother. The past and the present mingled in a harmonious way she’d never seen before.
Sue’s interest was fleeting and when Gary suggested they move on to the kitchen, his wife readily agreed. Jill told them to go ahead. “I’ll catch up with you.”
She wanted to stay a moment, walk quietly around the room, and enjoy the ambience of this house that had been built to last, to survive man and nature, and to enrich the lives of those who lived under its roof. This sense of belonging to a place and other people was foreign to her. The loving couple who had adopted her as an infant had been city people, and even as a child her life had been spent in modern, efficient dwellings, crisp and economical. After she married, home became a series of apartments, some nicely furnished, offering the amenities of a swimming pool and exercise room, but everything about them had been transitory, like the tenants who lived there.
As Jill stood in the center of the room, she felt the solid permanence of the house, and she was jealous of a sense of belonging that she’d never felt. Her adoptive parents couldn’t have been more loving, but she’d missed having the kind of family roots that were so apparent in this house. She wondered if Hal knew how lucky he was and how rich he was in all the things that mattered.
She carefully made her way around th
e room and was admiring a colorful kachina doll when she heard approaching footsteps. She turned around as Zack came into the room.
“Oh, hello,” she said, trying not to sound disappointed. On some vague level, she’d wanted it to be Hal. There was some nebulous desire to share this moment with him.
The ranch hand wore a studded denim vest over a western shirt and jeans, and a huge silver buckle accented his waist. He was bare-headed, and his rather long dark hair hung on his neck and drifted forward on his cheeks. The sun had put creases around his eyes, and his complexion was ruddy from wind and weather.
“Whatcha doing?” There was a slight swagger to his walk as he came over to her.
“Just looking around.”
“Not much to see. But I reckon you’re pretty bored, shut up like this.” He hooked a thumb over his belt. “You must be plenty busy at that place where you work. People coming and going all the time. Is. that fellow, Slade, an easy man to work for? Better than your job at that airport in California?”
Jill wasn’t about to discuss her boss or her job. “How’d you know I worked at an airport?”
“Rampart’s a small town. Especially where a pretty gal is concerned. Word gets around with the buzz of a bumblebee. I didn’t know you were one of them mountain rescue people.”
“When there’s an emergency, I act as a kind of dispatcher.”
“Some of the guys in the local bar were talking about it. Sounds a heap more exciting than hanging around this place all the time. I just might sign up as a volunteer. Whatcha think?” His dark eyebrows rose questioningly. He stood so close to her that she fought a sensation of being trapped by his sturdy hips and broad chest.
“We can always use another dedicated volunteer,” she said, moving slightly away. “But there’s a lot of training and time involved. It’s like another job.”
“Reckon, I could handle that. Been punching cows all my life. Same old thing, day in and day out. Gets durn old after a while. A man needs excitement in his life. I’m thinkin’ a woman does, too. You know what I mean?”