“Nonsense.” She held her hand up to stop him. “We insist. Besides, Albert said since your little pinto has been in the stall near Firebrand, he’s turned into a different horse. When you take your horse away the grooms are afraid that Firebrand will go back to his wicked ways.”
“Thank you,” Billy finally said, reluctant to owe so much to the Holladays. Of course, controlling their headstrong daughter might be worth two horses. He looked at Fredrick. “Do you have all your gear ready, F. D.?”
“Who?” Margaret asked.
“Yep, I’m ready,” Fredrick answered Billy, then looked at his aunt to explain. “Out West they call me F. D.”
“For heaven’s sakes! Why?”
“It’s a long story, Aunt Margaret, and we really must be going,” Fredrick said as he hugged her one last time. “I’ll write to you.”
Aunt Margaret pulled Fredrick aside and whispered something as Billy turned toward the door.
Once outside, Fredrick glanced at Billy as they hurried toward the stables. “If my uncle gave you a horse, you’ve got yourself a real prize. He handles only the best horse flesh in the country.”
“I know. Wait until you see the stallion,” Billy said as they walked toward the stable doors.
When they reached the barn, Albert was leading Firebrand and Spot out of the stable. We have them all ready for you,” Albert said at about the same time Heath walked out with Fredrick and Claire’s horses.
“Obliged,” Billy said.
“He’s some horse,” Fredrick said as he rubbed his hand down Firebrand’s flank. The horse sidestepped. “He’s a bit skittish.”
“Not as bad as he used to be,” Heath said. “Seems as if Billy has a way with horses.”
Billy glanced at Heath. “Thanks for the compliment.”
Heath grunted. “You just make sure that you take damned good care of our sister. Be gentle. Don’t let her do anything foolish. If anything happens to her, you know who I’m coming after.”
Two days ago, Billy would have been angry with Heath’s remark. Now Billy realized that Heath was just being Heath. Billy stopped stroking Spot’s muzzle. “A compliment and a threat. Both in the same breath. Should I say that I’ll not miss you?”
Fredrick chuckled as he checked the cinch.
Heath chuckled also. “Now you have hurt my feelings.”
“I’m sure you’ll get over it,” Billy said as he shook Albert’s hand. “I really appreciate Firebrand. Maybe you can come out West and visit once I start my ranch?”
“It’s very different from here,” Fredrick offered. “But I think you’d both enjoy the wide open spaces.”
“I just might do that,” Albert said. “I’m going to sound like Heath. Be patient with our sister. She’s special.”
“Since I’ve now heard the same thing for the third time this morning, believe me, I will give Claire special care. I must admit that I’ve never seen such a loving family. She will miss all of you, I’m sure. However, Claire and I need to have a talk and establish a few rules.”
“Good luck,” both her brothers said at the same time, then laughed.
Billy mounted Spot and took the reins for Firebrand. “Good to meet both—” Billy paused then cut his eyes at Heath. “Well, at least one of you.”
“Go to hell,” Heath said, and then he slowly smiled. “Don’t look too smug. I just might take a trip West myself. Maybe drop by and see you.”
“Just let me know that you’re coming, so I can be out of town,” Billy said with a grin, then added, We better get going. Where is Willie? I want to say goodbye.”
“Willie went with Claire to the station,” Heath told him.
“I’ll see him there,” Billy said. “And I promise I’11 send your sister back safe and sound, if she isn’t happy,” Billy said as he took up the reins and pulled to the right to turn his mount. But the sad look that slipped unknowing over Heath’s and Albert’s faces surprised Billy. Did their sister mean so much to them that they couldn’t bear to see her go away for a few short months? Strange, he thought.
Claire had instructed the porter to load her luggage and told her driver to wait for Willie. Then he sat down on one of the long wooden benches hat flanked the train platform. Aunt Ute sat beside her. She had already pulled out her knitting and was busy with the ecru-colored yarn. Willie sat at her feet, playing with her dog Floppy.
Since everyone was occupied, it gave Claire : moment to rest and think. This morning had been so busy taking the trunks out to the carriage ant checking to make sure she hadn’t forgotten something, she hadn’t thought of last night at all.
She had thought that going ahead would be bet ter for all concerned. And she’d kept her mother so busy there was no time for tearful goodbyes. A the same time, she wasn’t looking forward to seeing Billy after last night Waiting at the station gave her the time she needed to think about what she was going to say. She hoped Billy had cooled down by now. But she also knew that if he’d come down stairs to find that Aunt Ute and Floppy were also traveling with them, he would have made a scene If she’d confronted him at home, the rest of the family would have joined in the fight, and she didn’t want them any more upset than they already were.
She was an adult, as much as they’d coddled her, and she could handle her own battles. However, if she could avoid one battle, she would. She wasn’t sure how Billy was going to react about anything this morning since he’d been so angry at her last night.
Last night... Claire sighed. If she closed he eyes and thought about his kiss, she felt warm all over. And she was pretty sure he had felt something, too.
David had ruined everything. She hadn’t wanted to have that confrontation. Of course, she wouldn’t have been kissing Billy if it hadn’t been for David behaving like a fool. She sighed again as she watched the steam hissing out from under the locomotive. Billy was right, of course. She had used him, and she was not proud of the fact But she’d wanted to kiss him long before David had walked out onto that veranda.
Perhaps, this morning she’d pretend that nothing had happened last night, and when Billy was in a better mood, she would apologize to him.
“You think Floppy will like riding on the train?” Willie asked in a sad voice.
“I hope so,” Claire said with a smile. She hated leaving Willie since she’d been the one who always looked out for him, but she couldn’t risk having him being left alone once she died. That wouldn’t be fair to him. He would grow up thinking that all adults abandoned him. Maybe her brothers would take special care of Willie.
She looked around and wondered why it was taking Billy and Fredrick so long to reach the station.
Billy was quiet as they rode to the train station. Now that he was on his way, he realized that in these few days he’d come to like the Holladays. He would miss them. True, he wanted to return to his home, but he wouldn’t have any strong objections if he had to bring Claire back home so he could visit again.
When he looked up, he could see the train station in the distance. They turned toward the cattle cars where the horses would be kept
They dismounted and unsaddled the horses, choosing not to leave the care of their animals to others. Billy now owned some very expensive horseflesh, and he wasn’t chancing their safety to some young kid who didn’t know beans about them.
Billy led Spot in first, and then made sure that Firebrand was settled in the next stall. Fredrick followed and took care of his horse and Claire’s.
They headed for the passenger platform. The station was a brown oblong building trimmed in white. There were four hardwood benches: two on one side and two on the other, and he could see several people seated and a few more groups standing around waiting to board.
“If we’re lucky, this will be a smooth trip with no problems,” Billy said. He glanced at Fredrick. “What did Mrs. Holladay whisper to you back there, and don’t tell me it was to take care of Claire.”
Fredrick laughed. “Nope. She was very disturbed by t
he name F. D. She said I should live up to my name instead of changing it. That people who respect the person will respect the name. And I guess she’s right.”
“Yeah, she does have a point. She seems like a smart woman to me,” Billy said.
Fredrick looked up ahead of them. “Claire is probably wondering what is keeping us.”
“It’s good for her. She needs to learn some patience. Maybe then next time she’ll let me know her intentions,” Billy said. “I’m sure, as concerned as everyone is over her safety, the driver and Willie will not leave until we arrive.” Hopefully, she’s wringing her hands with worry, Billy thought to himself. Maybe it would teach her a lesson.
“When they reached the square platform behind the depot, Billy saw Claire sitting on one of the long benches. She didn’t look in the least bit worried. As a matter of fact, she appeared contented. She leaned over, caressing a long-eared hound, and talking to Willie who was down on his knees, petting the dog.
She was the perfect refined lady, dressed in a dark blue traveling dress, he thought as he approached.
A rather large-boned woman sat next to Claire. Billy didn’t recognize the woman, and assumed she was a servant from the house or possibly another passenger resting while they waited to board the train.
Billy stepped in front of the small group. All eyes shifted his way, but it was Claire’s vivid blue eyes that Billy focused on.
“Good morning,” Claire said in a chipper tone. “Did you sleep well? You look a little grumpy this morning.”
“I slept fine,” Billy said, his gaze never leaving her face. “It was when I woke up that the grumpiness, as you put it, set in.”
“Really?”
Billy nodded.
“And why is that?” she persisted. “I would have thought that you’d be happy to be getting underway.”
Billy felt his jaw tightening, and he had to keep himself from lashing out at her. She looked so completely innocent. “When I was informed that you’d struck out on your own, my mood went South fast,” Billy clipped.
“For heaven’s sake, why? I can’t see that it is anything to get upset about, but Apparently you do.” She shrugged. “I thought to save you the trouble. As you can see,” she waved a hand, “all my trunks have been loaded and I’m just fine.”
Damned hardheaded woman. “Let’s get one thing straight. Where we are going, your life could very well depend upon you following my instructions and doing everything I say. Not heading off on your own.”
She had the nerve to cut her eyes up to the sky and appear as if he were bothering her. “That may be true, sir. But I assure you that I am quite capable of taking care of myself.”
Billy leaned over and looked her straight in the eyes. “Maybe I should make myself perfectly clear. If you wander off again without my knowing where you are going and when you’ll be back, I will tie you to your seat and make your life damned miserable.”
Willie tugged on Billy’s breeches. “Are you angry at Claire, Mr. Billy?”
Billy glanced down at the child. “No. I’m just trying to get my point across.”
“Billy is right,” Fredrick added. “It’s dangerous where we are going. It is nothing like this part of the country.”
“You’ve made your point,” Claire said as she got to her feet. “And I suppose that I’m sorry for saving you the time and trouble, if it will make you happy. We are ready to go.”
“We?”
Claire turned that innocent expression on him again, which he was learning meant that she was up to something. “I must have forgotten to mention that my Aunt Ute will be traveling with me as well as my dog, Floppy.”
The woman Claire spoke of slowly got to her feet. “So you’re the young man that Claire has been telling me about”
“Wait a minute,” Billy said. “This wasn’t in the bargain. I was supposed to bring one person to Denver.”
“You don’t think you can handle the task?” the bigger woman asked.
Billy straightened. At least the woman wasn’t on eye level with him. “Of course I can.”
“Then what is the matter? I assure you that I have traveled more than you, young man. I came here all the way from Deutschland, and can probably show you a thing or two. It isn’t proper for a young woman to travel alone, as you should well know.”
Billy had no doubts that the woman could take care of herself. Aunt Ute would make any man back up and cower in fear.
“And the dog,” Claire added.
Billy felt as if he were being hog-tied. Floppy looked up at him. He didn’t even bother to pick up his head; he just managed to arch his brows. The soulful look was so sad that Billy said, “All right, he can come.”
Claire smiled. “Good.”
“Bye, Floppy,” Willie said with a pat on the head. He turned and looked up at Billy, then reached out his little hand. “I wish I could come with you.”
Billy saw the tears gathering in the child’s eyes. He ached for Willie and, worse, there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it. Reaching down, he helped Willie to his feet. “Come and take a walk with me.”
Porters were rushing back and forth, pulling carts piled high with trunks and barrels. Boy, these people had a lot of stuff when they traveled, Billy thought. All his possessions were in a saddlebag.
Willie held onto Billy’s hand as they moved away from the others. He wasn’t sure how he was going to handle this goodbye. True, he’d just met Willie, yet he felt a certain bond with the child.
“I sure have enjoyed getting to know you,” Billy finally said.
Willie sniffed. “Me too.” Without warning Willie stopped and wrapped his arms around Billy’s legs. Willie’s voice quavered. “I like you—you’re different.”
Billy scooped Willie up in his arms and hugged the child. He could feel the small arms around his neck, hanging on for dear life. Willie sniffed.
Billy felt as if his heart was breaking as he said in a tight voice, “I like you too.” This was harder than he thought it would be. Billy took a deep breath, and set Willie back on his own feet.
Billy knew what he must do.
Chapter Twelve
Willie stared up at Billy, his brown eyes brimming with tears. They were so trusting, so young, and God knows the child needed someone. It was as if Billy could see himself in Willie, and that made his heart ache.
Billy touched the top of Willie’s head. “Do you think that you’d like to live with me?” he asked.
Willie eyes widened, and the puddled tears slipped unchecked down his plump little cheeks as he cautiously asked, “Are you funning me?”
“Nope,” Billy said with a shake of his head. “I’m dead serious.”
“You mean you want me to work for you?” Willie asked.
“No. I want you to be part of my family, seeing as you don’t have one of your own. I kind of grew up the same way as you, so I figured we should throw in together.”
“Really? You’d be my pa?”
Billy wasn’t sure he was ready to be a father. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. Hell, he hadn’t even thought about getting married. But he had to give Willie some kind of safety to hold on to, so he thought of a compromise. “How about brother?” he suggested.
Willie wiped the tears from his cheeks with the palm of his hands. “Brother,” Willie tested the word. Slowly he smiled, his forlorn face brightening. “I’ll work hard, you’ll see. You won’t be sorry.”
“Never figured I would be,” Billy said. “If you want, I’ll take you with me and you can meet the rest of our family. They’re all just like you and me. None of us had any parents. Besides, I’m going to need somebody to take care of Floppy and Spot Now that’s a big job. Are you up to it?”
Willie grinned. His eyes shone bright with happiness as he motioned for Billy to lean down. When he did, Willie threw his arms around Billy’s neck. “I love you, Billy. I really do. You won’t be sorry.”
“I love you, too,” Billy told him, realizing
he’d never said those words to anyone. He ruffled Willie’s brown hair. “Welcome to the family. And you’re not a hired hand, so you are not expected to work for your keep every minute. Your duties will be like everyone else’s. Now I’d better go and buy a one-way ticket for you.”
Willie’s brow furrowed. “I don’t have any money,” he said.
Billy gave him a smile. “You don’t need any money, Willie. 'You’re family now. I’ll take care of it”
As soon as Billy had walked off, Willie ran over to Claire. “I’m going to get to go, too, Miss Claire. Me and Billy are going to be brothers.”
“That’s wonderful, Willie,” Claire said, delighted. Then she leaned down and hugged the child. It seemed that Billy West was full of surprises. Who would have thought that a rough cowboy would take a child under his wing? Claire’s heart swelled with happiness. She had taken care of Willie while he was at the stables, but with her leaving, there would be no telling what might have happened to him. Willie would have a chance now, with Billy to guide him.
“Floppy wouldn’t know what to do without you to take care of him,” Claire said as steam began to hiss from beneath the train’s engine.
“All aboard,” the conductor called.
“Shall we go?” Claire said.
“Not without Mr. Billy,” Willie said. “He’s getting my ticket”
Billy had just left the ticket counter, when he stopped and looked at the group sitting on the bench. He could do nothing but stare at his small group. While he’d been sent to bring back one person, he now had Claire, her big German Aunt, and a hound that was moving as slow as molasses, and last, but not least, Willie. And of course, Fredrick.
Billy gave a half-smile. He couldn’t believe he’d just adopted another brother.
How had things gotten so complicated?
Hell, he didn’t know why he hadn’t asked Claire’s brothers to come along, too, and then they could all be one happy traveling family.
Until September Page 14