The Rebel of Copper Creek (Copper Creek Cowboys)

by R. C. Ryan

  She shot Griff a blazing smile. “Because I didn’t have to cook it.”

  Griff winked. “Maybe you’d better wait until you’ve had a taste before celebrating.”

  Juliet dipped the edge of her toast in the yolk and closed her eyes on a sigh. “Perfect. Just the way I like it.”

  Her two boys followed suit, dipping their toast in egg, breaking off bites of bacon, and washing it all down with milk.

  They were still eating when they heard the approach of a vehicle. A minute later a knock on the door had Griff peering out the window before throwing the lock and holding the door for Jackie Turner.

  “’Morning, Griff. Is Juliet here?”

  “She is. Come on in.”

  The old man hung his hat on a hook by the door of the mudroom before stepping into the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Jackie.” Juliet indicated a seat at the table. “Will you join us for some breakfast? There’s plenty.”

  “No, thank you, ma’am. I had breakfast with my daughter. But I’ll have some of that coffee, son.”

  Griff filled a mug and handed it to him.

  While the boys finished their meal, Jackie made small talk, mentioning the perfect summer weather, the herds growing fat on grass in the hills, and the fact that ranchers in these parts were saying it was one of the best seasons ever for growing wheat and corn.

  Griff bit back a smile, knowing the old man was biding his time until he had Juliet alone to give her a report of her wranglers.

  Taking pity on him, Griff glanced at Juliet. “Since Casey and Ethan are finished eating, do you think they might like to go play with their trucks in the other room?”

  “Oh yes.” Juliet nodded to her sons. “Put your plates in the sink and you can be excused.”

  The two little boys jumped up eagerly, gathering their dishes and dropping them in the sink with a clatter before running from the room, eager to escape grown-up conversation.

  Griff circled the table, filling their cups with fresh coffee.

  Jackie drank before meeting Juliet’s eyes. “Randy Cooper’s a good man, but he can’t be everywhere at once. So I guess I’m not surprised at what I found up in the highlands yesterday.” He set aside his cup, taking a moment to choose his words carefully. “Most of the wranglers who work these parts do it for the freedom it offers. They go from ranch to ranch until they find a place that suits them. Sometimes they’ll stay on for a lifetime. But there are always a few who just never fit in. Maybe it’s because they’re lazy, or they have some bad habits, usually liquor or women. I suggested to Cooper that he ought to consider letting Mitch Cord go.”

  Juliet glanced at Griff. “Why?”

  “He was drinking while he was supposed to be tending a herd on the north hill. It wasn’t even noon, and I could smell the liquor on his breath. I guess he figured an old man like me wouldn’t notice.” He drained his coffee. “Cooper agreed with me. Said Mitch slipped away every chance he could, probably to drink, or maybe gamble with some of the other wranglers. So Cooper gave him his marching orders while I was there.”

  “Are you saying that Mitch Cord was fired yesterday?”

  “Yes, ma’am. It was my recommendation, but it was Cooper’s order. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Mind? Of course not. From the beginning, I’ve let Cooper know that the hiring and firing of wranglers is his job. And since the suggestion came from you, I feel even more confident of his decision. You’re the expert on running this ranch.”

  “Thanks for that vote of confidence.” Jackie got to his feet. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to check out your barns today. See the condition of your equipment. Then I’ll give you another report tomorrow, if you don’t mind.”

  “Yes. Of course. And Jackie, thank you.” Juliet rounded the table to shake his hand. “I have to go into town this morning, but I’ll be back by afternoon.”

  “You take your time, Juliet. Creepers. I certainly don’t need anyone with me. I’ll leave when I’ve finished my walk-around.”

  “I’m grateful for your help, Jackie.”

  The old man turned and shook Griff’s hand before taking his leave.

  When they were alone, Juliet seemed distracted as she filled the sink with hot water and began washing the dishes. Griff cleared the table before picking up a towel and drying. All the while he remained silent, allowing her time to mull the old man’s words.

  Finally she looked over at him. “Do you think that scene last night was retaliation for being fired?”

  Griff raised a brow. “Do you?”

  She sighed. “Maybe. I guess that could have been the trigger. But I think there was more than just getting even. Mitch has shown so much contempt for me since he started here, and I don’t know why. I haven’t given him any reason for his behavior.”

  She pulled the plug and drained the soapy water before drying her hands.

  Griff draped the damp towel over the edge of the sink before looking into her troubled eyes. “Guys like Mitch don’t need a reason to do what they do, Juliet. It isn’t just contempt for you. I think he has contempt for all women. You just happened to be a convenient target. You’re young. You’re inexperienced at being a rancher, and he saw that as a weakness. But you’re not weak. You’re not helpless. And you’re not a victim. And when he’s arrested and facing charges of home invasion and attempted rape, he’ll be stopped before he can hurt another woman.”

  She lifted her chin and gave him a weak smile. “I guess that answers my next question. Whether or not I ought to follow through on swearing out a warrant for his arrest.”

  Griff touched a hand to her cheek. “You don’t need my advice. You already know you’re going to do the right thing.”

  She sighed. “Yeah. I know. I just wish I could feel the confidence you seem to feel in me.”

  He winked. In his best imitation of the old cowboy he said, “Come on, boss lady. Let’s round up those sons of yours and head on out to town.”

  She actually managed a laugh as she followed him to the parlor, where the boys were busy moving their trucks around the furniture.

  Half an hour later they were in Griff’s truck and headed to town.

  “Chief Pettigrew.”

  The police chief looked up as Juliet and Griff stepped into his office.

  Her two sons sat in the outer office, playing with the trucks their mother had brought along to amuse them while she dealt with the unpleasant business that had brought her here.

  Ira motioned for them to sit in the chairs that faced his desk.

  “Did you catch Mitch Cord?” Juliet’s hands were clutched firmly in her lap.

  “No sign of him, Mrs. Grayson. But I’ve faxed his description and the license number of your truck to the authorities in neighboring counties. I expect he’ll turn up in the next day or so.” He reached into a drawer and handed her some documents. “Read these and sign them. That’ll make it official.”

  Juliet did as he asked and when they were signed, handed them across the desk. “You don’t think Mitch would stick around and try to…follow through on his threats to me?”

  The chief met her concerned look. “I wish I could ease your fears, ma’am. But there’s no way of knowing the mind of a guy like Mitch. I’ve fielded complaints about him from ranchers in the past. Mostly petty things. Drunk on the job. Leaving his duties to drive into town to carouse with other cowboys. And he once threatened a rancher with a rifle, when the rancher refused to pay him at the end of the season because he’d been derelict in his duties. But that was resolved without any violence, and the rancher and Mitch ended up settling their differences without prosecution.” He glanced at the documents she’d signed. “This time it’s more serious. An attack on a woman and the theft of her truck. He’ll probably do jail time, and that won’t sit well with a freedom-loving cowboy like Mitch Cord.”

  Juliet hugged her arms about herself and glanced toward the outer office, where her two little boys were seated.

&
nbsp; The chief followed her look before adding, “You ought to be aware that he may very well show up, mad as a hornet. If he does, he could be armed and dangerous.”

  “Thank you, Chief.” She stood and offered her hand.

  Ira shot a meaningful look at Griff before saying, “I wish I could spare a deputy to watch over your place, but I just can’t. You might not want to be alone until Mitch is caught, ma’am.”

  The chief’s meaning was crystal clear.

  Griff gave a barely perceptible nod of his head before following her from the office.

  Ira Pettigrew acknowledged the signal that had passed between them. If the town of Copper Creek couldn’t provide a bodyguard for the widow Grayson, it would appear that Bear MacKenzie’s other son had already delegated that particular chore to himself.

  Chapter Nine

  Juliet could feel Griff studying her face as she helped her sons pick up the trucks and tractors and store them in the little wooden carrying case. Though she was struggling to be cheerful, it was forced. She sensed that he could read her fear beneath the too-bright smile.

  “As long as we’re in town, we may as well take care of any business.” He held the door as she and the boys stepped out into brilliant sunshine. “Need anything at Green’s Grocery?”

  Juliet shook her head. “I can’t think of a thing.”

  “I can.” Griff pointed to the Boxcar Inn. “Lunch. And once again, you won’t have to cook it.”

  She sighed. “I guess I could have some soup.”

  “Oh boy.” Casey clapped his hands. “Are we really going to eat on the real train?”

  “Yes, we are.” She managed a smile before explaining to Griff, “Every time we come to town, Casey begs me to take him and Ethan on the train. But there’s never been the time or the money.”

  As they started toward the little restaurant, the boys danced along beside them, clearly eager to see the inside of a train.

  They weren’t disappointed.

  The owner, Will Campbell, had worked on trains as a conductor for more than thirty years. When he retired he bought the old dining car and boxcar and converted them into a restaurant. He and his wife, Nell, proudly offered the same simple fare that had been on the train’s menu for all those years.

  As they were being led to their table they heard a feminine voice call, “Griff? Is that you?”

  They paused to see Willow and Brady seated in a booth.

  Griff handled the introductions. “Juliet Grayson, this is Willow MacKenzie and our ranch foreman, Brady Storm. These are Juliet’s sons, Casey and Ethan.”

  “How lovely to meet you.” Willow moved over to make room. “Please join us. We haven’t even ordered yet.”

  At Griff’s nod of approval, Juliet sat beside Willow, with her two sons wedged between Brady and Griff.

  “What brings you two to town?” Griff asked.

  “Picking up supplies,” Brady explained. “And Willow said she’d come along for some things Mad wanted from Green’s.”

  “Mad?” Juliet looked intrigued.

  “My father-in-law, Maddock MacKenzie. Everyone calls him Mad.”

  “Is he mad at people?” little Casey asked.

  “Not very often. But he is blustery.”

  While the adults laughed, Griff explained, “That means he can make a lot of noise. But it’s good noise. Like when you and Ethan are running around shouting, but they’re happy shouts.”

  “Oh.” The little boy looked up when Nell Campbell arrived to take their orders.

  After she left, Willow turned to Griff. “Whit said you were expecting some trouble when you left Wylie’s.”

  “I was. And there was.” He turned to Casey and Ethan. “How would you two like a tour of the train before our lunch comes?”

  “Oh, boy.” Casey’s eyes lit with excitement.

  The two caught Griff’s hands and followed along eagerly as he led them toward the front of the dining car. As they walked away Juliet stared after them.

  “Griff is really good with your sons, isn’t he?”

  Juliet turned to find Willow watching her and lowered her gaze. “Yes.”

  “I assume he didn’t want them to hear what happened last night.”

  Juliet waited as Nell Campbell began passing around glasses of ice water. When they were alone she told Willow and Brady about the incident with Mitch.

  “How horrible.” Willow touched a hand to Juliet’s arm. “I’m so glad Griff got there in time.”

  “Not half as glad as I am.”

  “What did Chief Pettigrew say?”

  “Mitch hasn’t been seen yet. The chief thinks he could come back for revenge. He doesn’t want me to be alone until Mitch is caught.”

  “What will you do?” Willow saw Griff returning with the two boys.

  “I haven’t really had time to think about it yet. But I could always ask Cooper to send a couple of wranglers down from the hills to stay close.”

  Willow glanced across the table at Brady, whose brooding look told her he had reservations about a few wranglers keeping this young woman safe from an angry drunk seeking revenge. “We have more than enough room at our ranch for you and your boys. Why don’t you stay with us?”

  “But what if Mitch isn’t caught? How long can I stay away from my ranch?”

  Griff helped the two boys up to their seats before taking his place across from her.

  Juliet looked over at him. “Willow has invited us to stay with her.”

  His smile was quick. “You’d love it at the MacKenzie Ranch. All the comforts of home. And, according to Mad, the best cook in Montana.”

  “Even if I don’t have to cook, I couldn’t possibly—”

  “It’s the perfect solution,” Willow said firmly.

  Griff nodded. “Why not give it a try?”

  “Because…” Juliet glanced at her two boys. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

  “We have washers and dryers,” Willow said gently.

  “But I…” Juliet shook her head. “I’d feel like an intruder.”

  “I thought I’d feel that way, too.” Griff chuckled. “And believe me, I had a lot more reason to think that than you do. But I’ve never been made to feel more welcome any place than at the MacKenzie Ranch.”

  “Please, Juliet.” Willow lay a hand over hers. “Give us a try. If not for yourself, then for your boys.”

  Juliet gave her an admiring look. “You’ve found my weakness. I guess, for the sake of my boys…” She swallowed. “All right. Dinner. And maybe we’ll stay the night.”

  When their lunch came they all dug in, enjoying the simple but filling fare.

  And when they parted an hour later, Juliet found herself waving good-bye to Willow and Brady as their truck roared away, as though waving at old friends.

  She turned to Griff. “Does Willow have that effect on everyone?”

  He nodded. “She’s amazing. I arrived expecting to be about as welcome as a nest of rattlers. And here I am, still living there, and feeling more and more every day as though I actually belong.”

  Seeing the thoughtful look in her eyes, he decided that she needed another distraction.

  Spying the cute little shop down the street with the brightly-colored sign that read I’s Cream, he said casually, “Who’s ready for dessert?”

  “I am,” Casey shouted.

  Ethan’s eyes widened before his hand went up.

  Juliet started to shake her head.

  “Three against one,” Griff said. “Come on.” Her two sons caught her hands and danced eagerly along the sidewalk until they stepped inside the little shop that held a glass case displaying a variety of ice creams with names like Monster Maple Sugar, Chunk Chocolate, and Divine Diva Double Strawberry.

  A short time later, in a courtyard beside the shop, they sat on little wooden stools set around a picnic table made from a tree stump, licking their ice cream cones.

  “Mine’s the best,” Casey announced as he held up
his cone. It had two scoops of purple ice cream topped with sprinkles

  “What is it called?” Juliet asked.

  “Purple People Eater. And Efan’s got Blue Heaven.”

  The six-year-old was too busy licking his blue confection to look up.

  “I think mine’s better.” Griff had already devoured the top layer of his chocolate ice cream, filled with nuts, cookie bits, cherries, and a dollop of whipped cream, all stuffed into an enormous waffle cone.

  Juliet tentatively tasted her single scoop of Divine Diva Double Strawberry. After the first taste, she dove into it. When she saw Griff grinning at her she said, “What’s so funny?”

  “You. Admit it. You’re loving that.”

  “All right. I am.”

  “You can’t deny it’s better than what you originally ordered.”

  She lifted her chin a fraction. “There’s nothing wrong with vanilla.”

  “Nothing at all. But when you’ve got so many exotic choices, why settle for something you can have every day?”

  She licked her ice cream and considered his words. “I only changed my order because you shamed me into it.”

  “And now you’re glad I did.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips. “Yes. I’m glad you shamed me into trying something new. And exotic.” She looked over at her sons. “Maybe next time I’ll even be brave enough to try Purple People Eater or Blue Heaven.”

  The two boys were grinning from ear to ear.

  “Griff?”

  At the sound of a deep voice Griff and Juliet looked up to see Ash and Brenna walking toward them, hand in hand.

  Ash was holding the leash of a big, brown, shaggy dog.

  “Hey, Ash.”

  “Bro.”

  The two slapped shoulders before Griff bent to brush a kiss over Brenna’s cheek. “What brings you two lovebirds to town?”

  “Oh, we were just checking out the new arrivals at Orin Tamer’s dealership.”

  Griff chuckled before turning to say, “Juliet Grayson, this is Ash MacKenzie and his wife, Brenna.”

  “And our dog, Sammy,” Ash added.

  “Hi, Ash and Brenna and Sammy.” Juliet started to offer a handshake before saying, “Sorry. I think my hand is sticky from all this ice cream.”