by Rosie Harper
“Annie? Mariette? ”
“Annie is the School Mistress, has just married and so her home is no longer occupied. Mariette is the beating heart of our town. Nothing happens that she doesn’t know about it. She’ll help you,” he said earnestly. “Owns a ranch herself with her husband, and she is the outright owner and editor of our local newspaper. She is quite the law unto herself. Made all her money dressed as a man,” he said as he looked her up and down appraisingly. Caitlin had the strangest feeling that despite the practicality of her buckskins, he liked what he saw. He seemed to linger on her curves, and blushed a little as he looked back at her face. “She’ll be glad to have another young woman just like her,” he finished a little lamely.
“Thank you Mr Dalligan. If you are truly sure that you wouldn’t mind waiting here with Monty until he is well enough, I shall be glad to take Gamling home for you. If Stephenville truly is the place you believe it to be, this could turn out to be the most serendipitous moment of my life so far. All I have dreamed of, for my entire life, is a place where I can be myself. Where I do not have to take a husband, to become some downtrodden wife, and to run my own land the way I want to.” She could feel her heart lifting, filling with the hope that had buoyed her to take such a gamble in the first place. And, if it meant being neighbours with this delightful young man, with the gentle smile and ink-stained fingers it may well be a home she could enjoy very much indeed.
Chapter Two
Albert had found it hard to banish thoughts of the delightful Miss Macgregor from his mind as he had finished his meetings with the churchmen, and senior men of Dublin. He had never met anyone who had so vehemently and so clearly stated their dreams to him before, and he couldn’t deny that her certainty that she needed or wanted no husband was right up there plaguing his thoughts. He had been beguiled, besotted and bewildered by her from the very first moment she had entered the Saloon.
His distraction had not gone unnoticed. His colleagues had chided him about his being on another planet, but he hoped he had managed to convince them it was because his head was full of plans for their town, and those all around the entire area. These people had seen the progress that his little school in Stephenville had made, and wanted to set up their own – why not set up schools everywhere? They had been happy to take his advice on what they would need, and had even asked him to help them to find a new school master and mistress for them and had encouraged him with his plans for expansion and pledged their support. Happy he had helped them to employ suitable candidates for the positions, and knowing he could call on them if he needed to he was glad to be on his way back home.
The ride allowed Caitlin to permeate his mind completely. He would never forget the defiant jut of her strong jaw as she stood in the Saloon requesting someone’s assistance. Even here he knew of only three women who would have the courage to walk into a bar full of tough ranchers, cowboys and even the odd outlaw and bandit and be so forthright. The travel-stained buckskins had done little to disguise the pert and full figure underneath. She was tall, and athletic and he had found her intoxicating. When she spoke she was forthright, direct. Had no trouble in expressing her needs and wants, and though her words had almost broken his heart, he admired her for being so very bold.
She would probably never give such a soul as him a second look even if she were ever to change her mind and look for a partner, though he thought she was possibly the most perfect creature he had ever seen. But he would be no use on the land, and she seemed to have her heart set upon it. Oh, he could find you a book and tell you the theoretical basis of any activity known to man – but actually do them? Albert knew he was the indoors type. He could barely fix a shelf. But, he hoped that she would come to know that the skills he did possess could be of use to her even still. As a man who enjoyed reading, and learning he had spent a lot of time in many different endeavours before he had settled in Stephenville as their School Master. His favourite position had been with a kindly doctor in Fort Worth. He had been treated as an apprentice of sorts, and assisted the learned man in treating both humans and animals. He hoped that Caitlin would be impressed with how well Monty had healed from his sprain under Albert’s ministrations.
He rode the magnificent bay down the High Street of Stephenville, enjoying the admiring glances of his neighbours. “New horse Mr Dalligan?” Caleb Green called as he passed the hardware store.
“Sadly he is not mine, he is a fine beast isn’t he? How are you and Melissa getting along?” he asked
“Very well, just been sent here by my lovely wife to get some new blankets, it would appear that ours are not warm enough for her with the weather on the turn as it has been,” he said with a chuckle. Albert thought it likely that she needed them to keep her warm as she raced around the county in search of stories for the newspaper. She was getting quite a reputation for the quality of her reporting, and especially the risks she took in order to get her stories. She knew that there were many evenings when the Green household was empty, as she camped out wherever she needed to and he cared for his herds.
“Glad things are working so well for you both,” he admitted. They made a good couple. Both were strong minded, and seemed to fit perfectly. “Have you met Miss Macgregor?” he asked, wondering if Caitlin had chosen to stay.
“Indeed. Mariette took her under her wing, as I am sure you intended my friend, and insisted we all come and meet her at a supper party two days ago. She had hoped you would be back in time, but felt Caitlin needed to meet us all to ensure she stays. You know Mariette, once she decides she likes you, she’ll do anything to ensure she keeps you nearby!” The two men chuckled, but it was true. “She’s still at Annie’s old place, but will be moving very soon. From what Melissa told me she will be buying the Smith place, or she will if Mariette gets her way.”
“Good I’m glad she has been made welcome.”
Albert rode on, finally dismounting outside the small cottage that had been built for the purposes of the School Mistress, whoever she may be. He knocked on the door smartly and waited patiently. “Coming,” a voice called. It sounded like it was coming from the tiny garden at the rear of the house. He walked around the back, Caitlin was trying to brush off mud from her trousers frantically.
“You don’t need to clean up for me,” he grinned. Her face lit up when she saw him.
“Oh, Mr Dalligan you are here at last! Please forgive me, I got quite carried away with the weeding.”
“I can see,” he smiled. “You missed a bit.” She looked a little confused at his words, staring at her clothes first, and then at the immaculately tended flower beds. Other than the damp stains at her knees which she could do nothing about she had managed to brush the worst of the dirt from herself. He moved towards her, unable to stop himself, pulled out his handkerchief and gently wiped the smudge that crossed her cheeks and rode up over the bridge of her tip-tilted nose. He noticed a smattering of freckles as he wiped it away. Her eyes held his, and he noticed that she was holding her breath. He was too. It would be too easy to kiss her, to take her in his arms. He forced himself to step away. He shouldn’t have been so forward. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
“Nothing to apologize for Mr Dalligan. Now how is my Monty?” she said brightly, was it a little too much so? Albert prayed he hadn’t upset her, or made her feel uncomfortable.
“He is quite well. I applied poultices morning and night, and let him rest and he is right as rain.” The smile on her face was worth all the work he had done, and she ran around him and out to the front yard where her beloved horse was standing patiently.
“Hey boy,” she said as she scratched behind his ears and snuggled up into his strong neck. Albert couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. “Mariette told me you stable Gamling with her, so he is in his stall waiting for you. He has a lovely temperament,” she said politely, seeming unusually reticent.
“But is old and tired,” Albert said knowing she would be too polite to tell him the truth.
/> “I didn’t say that,” she said with a grin.
“You didn’t need to. Like Monty here, he has seen me through some tough journeys. I don’t want to part with him, but cannot afford the expense of two horses.” Albert admitted sadly.
“I would take him off your hands,” she said thoughtfully. “I am hoping to find a farm, raise horses. I need good stud horses. Gamling is old, and past his prime but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t still sire some very good animals.”
“You do not have to be so kind.”
“I’m not, an old horse is a cheap horse – and one who is as well as he is at his age is worth taking a chance on.”
“I shall keep you in mind should I decide to replace him Miss Macgregor,” Albert said with a smile. “I should go now, but thank you for the pleasure of such a good horse for my ride home. I should be happy to take him and rub him down for you. I am sure Mariette would be happy for him to have a stall in her stable.”
“Thank you for your help, I will never be able to repay you for everything. But I should like to do that myself later,” she said as she finally stopped cradling his big head. “I have missed him terribly, and will take him out for a ride immediately. But, please do call on me if you ever need anything at all,” she said fervently, stepping towards him and putting her hand on his arm. He jumped backwards. Her touch had sent a jolt of energy through him, setting his nerves alight. He could hardly believe the effect that such a tiny touch could have. His entire body seemed to be reacting to her closeness and he didn’t trust himself one bit to not act on it. He would need to keep his distance from this delightful woman, she had made it clear enough that she wasn’t here looking for a husband. This time he couldn’t miss the look of hurt in her eyes. “Good day to you Mr Dalligan,” she said crisply.
“Miss Macgregor,” he started, but she was already walking away from him. “I… Good day to you too. It was my pleasure,” he finished sadly. “Goodbye Monty, take care of her,” he said to the giant horse, who was placidly munching on the tiny patch of grass outside the tiny cottage.
Chapter Three
Caitlin danced through the rooms of the tiny farm house that was now all her own. True, she only had a large kitchen and a warm and cosy parlour and two bedrooms upstairs – but every inch of it was hers to do with as she wished. She had been disappointed to find that she couldn’t afford the amount of land that she would need to have a full cattle ranch, but as she had no experience with cattle either it probably wasn’t such a bad thing. What she did have was a large stable block, with eight comfortable stalls, eight roomy paddocks and a tidy farm yard with three barns. Her practical mind had always told her that she should raise horses, and so that was exactly what she would do.
She walked back outside. Monty nickered softly at her as if saying thank you for his new home. He had been more than happy to be turned out into the paddock nearest the house. It was full of lush grass, and she would have to be careful he didn’t get fat and lazy. But after their adventures she figured he deserved a good rest and as much food as his belly could cope with. He came to the fence and she stepped up on the lowest slat to reach his handsome head and scratched his nose affectionately. He nuzzled at her face and neck. “Happy boy?” she asked him. “I am too. Now, we need to find you a herd of lovely young ladies if we are going to make this stud work. I figure that the cowboys around here probably don’t enjoy having to travel miles to find suitable ranching ponies and horses. So, you are going to become the sire of a whole line. Sturdy and with your endurance what cowboy could ask for more?”
A smart carriage pulled up behind her and Caitlin turned to see the smiling face of Mariette Williams jumping down from the dash board. “So, isn’t it a wonderful place?” she said clearly proud that she had had a hand in finding such a perfect home for her newest friend.
“Mariette, I cannot thank you enough. However did you find this place?”
“Hardy told me that the Smith’s wanted to sell up and go back to Massachusetts. Both their babies died of diphtheria, I think the house and the area just made them too sad,” she paused a moment, then looked up at Caitlin. “But, the house has been cleaned I’m sure there is no risk of your going down with it!”
“I’m not afraid of sickness Mariette, not after everything else I went through to get here. I don’t think you are either. Mr Dalligan told me you went prospecting dressed as a man?”
“That I did. But thankfully those days are gone. Now, I figured that whatever you have decided to do with this place that you are going to need to go to market to get some stock. Wondered if you’d like some company?”
“I would indeed. I’m told you have a good eye for horseflesh, and I know you drive a carriage and pair better than most men, so I would be more than glad to have you along. I’m going to set up a stud, become a wrangler of sorts! Men like your husband will need good horses, and Monty has a good pedigree and great stamina. What I want is four of five stocky, sturdy Mustang mares or something with the same kind of resilience.”
“Sounds a wonderful idea. Hardy is always saying he doesn’t have enough, and that finding good ranching horses is hard. The more people he hires, the more he needs so if you can provide them with what they need at the right price I am sure that many of the local ranchers would be more than happy to buy from you. If they only have to come here rather than take the days needed for a trip into Dallas to the sales they will kiss your feet!”
“You don’t think they will have an issue buying from a woman?”
“Not at all, and if they do they will be the ones that miss out. I have a feeling you are going to be an incredible horse breeder.”
“I wanted to be a cowgirl, like Annie Oakley, but the more I think about it the horses mean so much more to me than any cow ever could.”
“You could still enter the rodeos,” Mariette said thoughtfully. “I saw a couple of women competing right up against the men, one actually won one of the classes at the local County Show.”
“I may just do that, it would be a great showcase for the skills of my horses,” Caitlin mused. Mariette chuckled.
“It is so good that Stephenville is attracting such a strong collection of women. I love that we have one another to keep us motivated to achieve our dreams. Which reminds me, Melissa and Annie sent you these.” She leant into the back of the carriage and pulled out a large basket filled with clean, perfectly hemmed linens, and a hamper filled with casseroles, pickles, jams and other non-perishable foods.
“They are most kind. I shall ride over and thank them as soon as we return from the horse sales.”
“We will have a guest along, if you don’t mind?”
“Not at all, who?”
“Albert wishes to join us. He has decided that poor Gamling deserves a leisurely retirement from his duties, would like a new mount.”
“I should be delighted to have him join us. I have barely seen him since he returned Monty and I still don’t think I have thanked him enough for sending me here. Gamling is a dear old thing, but I agree with him – he is definitely past his best. I wonder if he will take me up on my offer for him – he may be no use to Albert any more, but he would be to me.”
“I think Albert would rather his old friend went where he would be loved, and I am sure he knows that would be with you. He will be glad to know you are settling in well too. He always asks after you whenever I see him,” Mariette said with a sly wink. “I think he was rather taken with you.”
“Don’t be foolish. He would have done the same for anyone – and he is a kind man and a good neighbour. There was nothing like that I can assure you,” she said, but she could feel a deep flush rising up from her chest, and was sure her cheeks must now be beet red. She still found it found it hard to stop thinking about Albert Dalligan and his lovely hands and bright smile.
She had been surprised at how peculiar their conversation had been when he had returned a fully fit Monty to her. She had been so overcome with a strange nervousness she had
never felt before. Her belly had filled with butterflies, and she was sure a few had flown up her throat and taken a firm hold of her tongue she had been so tongue-tied. All the manners that had been drilled into her had seemed to desert her as he had stood so close that she could breathe in the very essence of him, a mixture of soap and horses that she had found overwhelming. The tender way he had rubbed the smut of dirt from her nose had made her body sing, craving his touch. But he had pulled away from her, twice, and she didn’t know what to make of it.
Albert Dalligan had pre-occupied her thoughts over much of the past weeks, images of his soft pink lips, his bright eyes, and his lithe and wiry body. It had made it hard for her to focus at times, to think clearly about anything. She was so sure he had felt something too, so was it just that he found her too mannish like so many men before him? Had she been too forward in reaching out and touching him? Had she upset him somehow? But she had been unable to come up with any premise that would mean she could visit him at the school – not even to apologize for her bad behaviour – not that she felt she could trust herself to not be just as foolish again!
She was sure that he would not welcome her being so forward anyway, men never were. They wanted to do the chasing. But even more, Albert Dalligan held a position of responsibility in the community. He would need a good wife, who would support him and be respectable. She could never fulfil such a role as the wife of a School Master and so to save herself the pain of his rejection she had chosen to keep away from him until she was sure that her passing fancy for him was quite done. She sent a quick prayer up to the heavens, hoping that she would be recovered enough from this foolishness to spend the next few days with him, especially around the eagle-eyed Mariette who would be sure to spot even the slightest hint of her infatuation.