by Bobbi Smith
“You haven’t been here very long yet, but what do you think of the Lazy Ace so far?”
“I love it. You’ve done a wonderful job here. You must be proud of the way things have turned out.”
“I am, and I hope Penny feels the same way. I want her to take over the ranch and run it, once I’m gone.”
Dwylah had had a feeling that might be his plan. “Do you think that’s a wise decision?”
Jack was surprised by her reaction. “Of course.”
“I know Penny’s an intelligent young woman, but for her to take over running a big ranch like this one . . . Well, I don’t know if she’s ready for that much responsibility. She’s never done anything like this before.”
“If things go the way I hope they will, everything will turn out just fine.”
Dwylah thought he sounded very confident and when she saw the look in his eyes, she couldn’t help wondering at it. “What do you mean? Is there something you aren’t telling us?”
“No,” he answered honestly. “But I think it’s real good that Penny and Dan are making this ride up to the canyon together. That’s all.”
She suddenly realized what his motive had been for sending them up to the canyon the way he had, and she nodded in understanding. The way she felt about Danny, she found herself smiling at his plan. “It’s no wonder you’re so successful, Jack. You do know how to make things happen.”
“I try.” He grinned at her.
“Danny is a fine man. Penny could do far worse.”
“I take it they got along on the trip here?”
“Yes, they did. I’ve been impressed with him ever since he came for her at the Chase ball. If Danny wants something, nothing stops him from doing what he has to do to get it. He’s one very intelligent, resourceful young man.”
“That’s right. Dan has proven himself to be smart and loyal, and I’ve found those to be the two finest qualities in a man—especially in a man I’d like to see as my son-in-law.”
“You’re a conniver, Jack Anderson!” Dwylah was giggling.
“Yes, I am,” he answered, not even bothering to try to argue with her.
“Well, I hope your plan works out,” she said. She smiled to herself then, thinking how wonderful it would be if they did fall in love and get married. Of course, she wanted to be the one who got Danny to the justice of the peace, but if she couldn’t have him, she wanted Penny to be the one.
“Do you play chess?” Jack asked, finding her company quite entertaining.
“I’ve managed to win a game or two in my time,” she answered, not revealing how good she really was.
“Let’s play a game. I have the board in my office.”
“I’d love to.”
She followed him from the parlor and took one last look out the window at the endless miles of the ranch land, and wondered just where Penny and Danny were right then.
It was getting close to dark when Dan and Penny finally reined in at the line shack.
“We’re halfway to the canyon,” he announced as he dismounted and tied up his horse to the hitching rail.
Penny managed to keep herself from moaning as she got down off Ol’ Midnight. The horse had been a good choice for her. He had kept up with Dan and his pace had been steady, but even so, she was definitely realizing her muscles weren’t quite used to the ranching life yet.
Dan glanced her way and saw the slightly pained look on her face, and he couldn’t help grinning. “Little bit of a hard ride for you today?”
“I thought the buckboard was rough, but that was nothing compared to hours in the saddle. I’ve got to toughen up if I’m going to last out here.”
“You will. I have confidence in you.”
“I know, I know—I’m my father’s daughter,” she came back at him, managing a pained laugh.
Penny went into the shack and took a look around. Starkly furnished, it was equipped with just the basics that the ranch hands would need when they were out working stock. There were two sets of bunk beds, a small table with four chairs crammed in between the beds leaving just enough room to walk around, and a small stove for cooking and heating.
Dan followed her in carrying some wood for the stove. “Let me get a fire started and then I’ll take care of the horses.”
“Do you need any help with them?”
“No, but you can make the beds when I bring our gear.”
“I think I can handle that job.”
“Good. Maybe the boss will hire you on,” he joked. “We can always use another good hand on the ranch.”
“I’ll have to have a talk with him when we get back.”
“You do that,” he agreed as he put the wood in the stove and started the fire. Once he was sure it was safely lit, he went outside and brought in his rifle, their bedrolls and saddlebags, and her extra bag. He put all their gear on the table.
Penny was ready to make his bed first. Dan was just starting back outside to take care of the horses when she called out to him, “Dan, do you like being on top or the bottom?”
Dan was concentrating on trying to get everything done before dark, and her question took him by surprise. He stopped and looked back at her, his gaze raking over her as she stood there in all her innocence holding his bedroll. He knew she had no idea of the images her question had aroused in him, and he also knew he had to put those thoughts right out of his mind.
“On top,” he answered, and he hurried on to take care of the horses. Being back out in the cold would help right then.
Penny made their bunks and then took out enough food for their meal. When she saw the food they had for their dinner, she was glad she’d eaten lunch earlier that day. Ranch hands were hardworking men, and now she understood why they were always glad to get back to the main house and eat the hot meals the cook was serving up. She was going to feel the same way when they got back from the canyon. She lit the lamp that was on the table and waited for Dan to return.
Dan tended to the horses and came back up to the shack with a bucket of water for washing up and for making coffee.
“It’s getting colder out there. The wind is picking up,” he said as he shut the door tightly behind him. He stopped to take off his coat. The welcoming warmth of the room and the sight of her standing there in the soft glow of the lamp light left him with a feeling like he had come home, and the reaction surprised him. He’d been on his own for so long that he hadn’t thought much about having a home and a family—until now.
Penny found herself mesmerized as she watched him shrug out of his coat. The broad width of his shoulders left no doubt about how strong he was, and there was an aura of masculinity about him that left her acutely conscious of his nearness there in the close confines of the line shack.
“How far do we have to ride tomorrow?” Penny asked as they sat down to eat their dinner.
Dan took the map out of his shirt pocket and spread it on the table for her to see. The drawing Jack had made was simple enough, but Dan knew someone not familiar with the canyon wouldn’t have any idea where to start looking.
Penny studied it for a long moment and then looked up at Dan across the table. “I’m glad you’re riding with me. I recognize a few things Papa’s drawn there, but I wouldn’t have any chance at all of finding the money on my own.”
“I’m sure he planned it that way. We should be able to make it to the first site sometime tomorrow afternoon. Then it will be about another half day’s ride to the second place.”
“It feels like we’re hunting for a buried treasure.”
Dan looked up at her. “We are. Knowing Jack, I’m sure this is no small amount of money, and you’re going to need all of it to keep the Lazy Ace going.” He noticed how her expression got more serious at his words. “What’s troubling you?”
Penny wasn’t sure she should say anything yet, but knowing her father trusted him she told him, “I don’t know if I can keep the Lazy Ace going after Papa . . .” She paused for a moment, emotion choking her. �
�After Papa is gone. I’ve been away for so long, and I know so little about actually running a ranch as big as this one. The ranch hands aren’t going to listen to me. I probably should sell it and go back to St. Louis. That would be best for everybody.”
Dan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew if she did that after Jack died, Jack would be turning over in his grave. “Your father would never have considered putting you in charge of the Lazy Ace unless he believed you were capable of taking over and running things. He trusts that you can do it. You should trust yourself.”
Penny shrugged and looked away, her thoughts in turmoil.
“Penny—I believe you can do it.”
“You do?” She glanced at him, shocked.
“That’s right. I admit I had my doubts back in St. Louis. I didn’t know how the girl I found at the dance was going to react to the idea of leaving the good life she had in the city to take up living on a ranch again. I was worried—for your father’s sake—but I’ve been watching you and I’ve been impressed. You are Jack’s daughter, and you’re doing him proud.”
“You really think so?”
“Yes, I do, and, Penny . . .” He waited until she met his gaze. He saw the doubt, confusion, and uncertainty in her eyes. “This is your home. Don’t ever forget that.”
Something stirred deep within her at his words, and she felt a sense of pride strengthen her. “You’re right, Dan. I am my father’s daughter. I’ve got work to do here on the Lazy Ace.”
“Yes, you do, so you’d better get some rest tonight. Tomorrow is going to be an even harder day in the saddle for you.” He knew how sore she was going to be in the morning.
“You’re right about that,” she agreed, getting up slowly from her chair to clean off the table. “I can only imagine what I’d be feeling like right now if I’d been on a different horse.”
While she washed the dishes, Dan checked the stove and added more wood to it to keep things warm overnight.
“Do you need some time alone to get ready for bed?” he asked, wanting to give her the privacy she needed.
Penny looked up, a little unsettled by the thought of the night to come. “Just a few minutes, if you don’t mind.”
“All right. I’ll go check on the horses and be right back.”
Penny took care of her needs and then thought about changing into the heavy flannel nightgown she’d brought along. As cold as the night was turning out to be, though, she realized she’d be better off just sleeping in her clothes. She took off her boots and climbed into the bottom bunk, opposite the bunks where Dan would be sleeping.
When he came back in a short time later, he found her curled up in her blankets on her bed.
“You need anything else?” he asked.
“No, thank you.”
“I guess I’ll get up on top, then,” he said, smiling to himself.
Penny watched as Dan sat down on the other bottom bunk and took off his boots. Then he turned out the lamp and climbed up into the top bunk to settle down. She waited a minute, listening to the harsh gusts of the wind outside, before she told him, “Thanks, Dan.”
“For what?”
“For helping my father—and me. There’s no way I could have made this trip on my own in this kind of weather.”
“You’re welcome. Now get some sleep.”
“You, too,” she returned. She thought he sounded grouchy and, though it puzzled her, she just figured it was probably because he was tired. She rolled over and, huddling beneath her blankets, she sought warmth and rest.
Dan was still cold as he lay in his solitary bunk. Earlier, being “on top” had sounded good, but now he knew it wasn’t. He glanced down to where she was nestled on the other bottom bunk, and he found himself wishing he could climb down there and take her in his arms. He knew they would both be a whole lot warmer if he did.
Dan still found it hard to believe that Jack trusted him enough to let him make this trip alone with Penny. He tried to imagine Dwylah making the ride with them, and he knew they wouldn’t have gotten very far with the chaperone along. Even so, it was a great responsibility, being here in the line shack with Penny. He thought about their conversation about being on top again and grimaced, shifting positions so he was facing the wall away from her.
Dan closed his eyes.
Morning was going to be there real fast.
He just hoped he could get some sleep.
Chapter Eighteen
“If the weather holds, we’ll be in Sagebrush in a few more days,” the stage driver said as they sat at the table in the way station having a late dinner. They’d had some damage to one of the wheels and had fallen behind schedule. “Sorry we’re running late, but some things can’t be helped.”
“We’re just blessed no one was injured,” Nick said, knowing how serious things could have been had the stage been wrecked.
“You’re right about that, Reverend,” he agreed. “I’m thinking it pays to have a preacher man riding with me this trip.”
“So, are all you folks going to be home in time for Christmas?” Andy, the manager of the station, asked as he came back inside after taking care of things down at the stable.
The little boy named Zach spoke up, smiling brightly. “We are! It won’t be long now, will it, Mama?”
“No, it won’t. We’re going to have a wonderful Christmas this year,” his mother said.
“Santa is coming! I know he’s going to bring me presents this year ’cause I’ve been good, haven’t I?”
“Yes, Zach, you’ve been very good.” His father smiled at him.
“I can’t wait to get home!”
Santa Claus—
Presents—
Home—
Steve was sitting between Nick and Miss Lacey at the table, listening to the other boy. The boy and his parents had been traveling with them for the last two days, and they’d been much better company than the other man and woman who’d been so mean to Miss Lacey when she’d first got on the stage. Even so, all the talk about Santa Claus and the joy of spending Christmas with his family left Steve feeling miserable. He would never again be with his mother and father on Christmas, and he had no idea if Santa would even know where to begin to look to find him and bring him any presents this year.
Steve didn’t let on about his heartache. He just stayed quiet and tried to concentrate on eating his beans and bacon. He told himself he was being an adventurer, making this long trip with Reverend Miller. The excitement that had filled him until now, though, faded away, and he was left with only the realization that he would never be able to go back to the days when he was surrounded by a loving family.
Andy started to clear the table as some of the adults finished their meals. As he took away Nick’s place, he frowned, staring at him.
“Is something wrong?” Nick asked, puzzled by his expression.
“No, nothing’s wrong. I just recognized you, that’s all.”
Nick was surprised. “We’ve met before?”
“Yeah, you just were through here not too long ago, weren’t you?”
“No. This is the first time I’ve traveled this way.” Hope suddenly flared within him.
“Well, you look a lot like a fella who came through here on his way to Sagebrush.”
“Do you remember his name?” Nick asked, a bit excited.
“No, I get too many people through here to keep track.”
“My brother, Dan Roland, was traveling this way, too, so it might have been him.”
“Could have been.” Andy moved off to take care of business.
Glad to be distracted from his own sadness, Steve looked up at Reverend Miller. “He was here!”
Nick smiled down at him. “I hope so, Steve. If it was Danny, we’ll be catching up to him real soon.”
Lacey smiled, too. “Your long trip will all have been worth it, once you find him.”
“Yes, it will,” Nick agreed. Over the days of traveling together, he’d found Lacey to be a very s
mart young woman. It was obvious she was a survivor. They’d had no chance to talk privately, but he’d been impressed with how she’d conducted herself around the young boys. He believed there was a lady inside her, and he hoped he could help her find a way to improve her life.
It was a short time later the women started to retire to their separate room.
“Wait!” Zach ran to his mother to give her a good night hug. “Good night, Mama.”
“Good night and sleep tight,” she said, lovingly kissing his cheek.
Steve pretended not to notice. He went with Reverend Miller to get ready for bed. As harsh as the accommodations were, they all knew they were fortunate that the stage had been able to make it to the way station. It would have been a cold, hard night, if they’d been forced to sleep on the stage.
Steve took the cot beside the reverend and curled up on his side, facing away from him. He didn’t want Reverend Miller to know how listening to the other boy was affecting him.
And yet alone in the darkness, Steve was filled with sorrow and he couldn’t stop himself from crying. He wept as quietly as he could, but feared one of the men would wake up and hear him. Taking great care, Steve got up from his cot and crept from the room. He made his way to the front door and grabbed his coat and went outside.
The night was cold, but Steve just wanted to be alone with his misery. He made his way to the side of the station and hunkered down against the building. He cried his heart out, knowing he had no one to spend Christmas with and knowing no one loved him the way his parents had loved him.
Inside the station, Lacey had been trying to get to sleep. The other woman had drifted off right away, but Lacey found herself staring at the ceiling, worrying about the fact that they were almost to Sagebrush. The driver had said just a few more days. Soon she would be left all alone in a strange town with little money and no friends. She’d been in bad situations before and she’d survived. All she had to do was find a job to support herself and things would be all right.
Even as Lacey thought it, though, she knew she was limited on the type of work she could get. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she figured she could probably wait on tables if there was a restaurant there in town. She certainly didn’t want to risk going to work in a saloon again. She would work hard for her money, but the work had to be respectable. She would work as a laundress or a maid if she had to.