“Warmer, Lavinia?” Henry asked, looking at her huddled in his thick winter coat, over the top of Rhett’s. Her lips were still blue, and Rhett was anxious to get her back to the hotel where she could change out of the sodden dress and be tucked into bed—not by him, of course, but herself. Her free-flowing hair was a delight, shrouding her shoulders, the color reminding him of a soft beaver pelt, dark brown with golden highlights, and making her look very young. He needed to remember that.
And poor Henry. He’d been sound asleep when they’d knocked on his back door. Now, sitting behind his desk in his nightshirt and slippers, as well as a robe, he looked the oldest Rhett had ever seen him.
“Just thought you ought to know right away. Also about Lavinia being lost, in case you hear some wild stories about us sneaking down the trail from the meadow after dark. Now you know we had good cause.”
“I’ll say you had cause. Clint will be mighty perturbed when he hears about this lumber crew, whoever they are. As will Blake and everyone else. I’ll be sure to pass on the information to Clint first thing in the morning. I don’t doubt he’ll be riding out there immediately.”
Rhett sat forward. “He better not go alone. We may never see him again, and they’ll claim ignorance that he ever arrived.”
“Sounds like you have some experience with loggers.” His eyes narrowed a bit, but his expression stayed neutral. He was interested, just like everybody else. People here just wouldn’t give up until he told them his past. Dammit. Couldn’t a man start over with a clean slate?
“You’ve already told me, Rhett,” Lavinia said sleepily. “Go ahead. You can trust Henry.”
Henry frowned. “Is there something I should know about?”
“Rhett?” Lavinia said softly. “Henry’s just being friendly. He doesn’t mean any harm.”
Rhett bristled. “I’m from San Francisco, as you already know. I worked on the dock with my brother, Shawn. My life took a different turn, and I decided to move to Eden. I have experience with the lumbermen along the California coast. Nothing more. Anything else you’d like to know?”
Henry sat back from the force of the statement flung in his face. If he didn’t expect an honest response, he shouldn’t have asked.
The attorney, whom he now considered a friend, put up a placating hand. Disappointment was on Lavinia’s face.
“We all have pasts, Rhett,” she said softly, reaching out and touching his hand. “Yours isn’t so bad. Why’re you so sensitive? I’m the one who should be sensitive.” She gave a soft laugh. “From the articles you brought to Eden about me and my sisters, you know the countless things we have to be ashamed of or embarrassed by, but now that they’re out for all the world to know, I’ve been thinking that it’s sort of a good feeling. Nothing left to hide. If anyone’s going to like me, it won’t be because of any preconceived notions. I had a lot of time to think, creeping down that dark and lonely trail before you found me. Who cares if someone knows Mavis and I got tipsy sneaking into a stranger’s wedding when we were twelve and eight, pretending to be long-lost relatives of the bride? It was fun. We took our punishment from Velma and moved on. Now that I think about it, we were looking for attention—whether good or bad didn’t matter a whit. Something was better than nothing.”
She gave Henry a wide smile, as proud as a peacock, as if she’d just made some important discovery. “Perhaps Lara did us a big favor and we owe her a thank-you. I’m going to speak with my sisters about that as soon as I have a chance.”
Maybe Lavinia was happy her past was an open book, but she’d certainly think differently if she knew he was the reason his younger brother was dead. He’d let women, whiskey, and song overrule his better thinking. A real man would never have behaved so irresponsibly. He wasn’t proud of his actions and was sure Lavinia would feel the same.
But what she’d said, about owning up to the past and releasing its hold over you. And about second chances. Maybe he’d have to give that some thought.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
At the livery the next morning, Clint saddled the skittish palomino mare he had on loan from Maverick, while Blake, already mounted, waited for him to finish. Maverick slid a Winchester into his scabbard in the front of his saddle and then took the reins of another mount that Rhett would use as soon as he arrived.
Blake leaned forward in the saddle. “Like I said, we were surprised when Lavinia came out to the ranch this morning with her story of a lumber company pillaging the forest. I can’t believe she actually hiked into the timberland alone. That has me nervous. That’s a big land out there. If she’d gotten really lost, there’s a chance we’d never have found her.”
Clint knew the feeling. “I was just as surprised as you,” he said, tightening his cinch and looping the supple strap into the leather keep. “Henry came by last night, even though it was late. Filled me in. I guess I’ve been a day late with finding ’em each time they had a camp. We’ll see what’s up soon enough.” He gave Blake a long look. “You really don’t need to bother riding out with me. I can handle this myself. I know you have work to do.”
“The way Laughlin told it,” Blake said, “these scabbing practices aren’t all that uncommon. Neither is a man losing his life over trying to stop it. We’ll go together. What threatens Eden threatens us all.”
Maverick ambled in and tied two more saddled horses to the hitching rail.
Blake had a point. Better to show a strong hand right from the get-go. “Getting answers won’t take long if the fella in charge is there.” If what Henry and Laughlin said was true, who knew where they’d stop their timber felling? He didn’t want Eden to lose its forests. Even a few miles away, where the clearing didn’t show. Once a big-time lumber outfit got a toehold, there’d be no stopping ’em.
At the sound of approaching hoofbeats, the men turned to see all five Brinkman sisters, led by Belle on Strider, the horse that had been the girls’ father’s until he’d died.
“What’re you doing here, Belle?” Blake called. He rode forward to meet them a few feet from the livery doors. Of the sisters, Belle was the most accomplished rider. The rest of the girls had been given horses and had ridden a fair amount, but they didn’t spend most of their days working the ranch like Belle did.
At the sight of Mavis, sitting tall in her saddle with determination on her face, Clint’s heart warmed. She’d been avoiding him, but he had hope of rectifying things.
“What do you think we’re doin’, cowboy?” Belle teasingly answered. “We’re going with you. This town means everything to us—as it did to our father. We’ll not sit back and leave all the work to the men. We’re just as capable as the rest of you.”
Katie and Emma didn’t look quite as confident as their married sister, but Mavis and Lavinia did.
Mavis glanced around. “Is this all of us?”
“You’re not going.” Blake removed his hat and scratched his head. “Taking on a camp of angry men is no place for a woman. Or five of them. Be reasonable.”
“Blake,” Lavinia began.
Blake narrowed his eyes, cutting her off. “There could be trouble.”
“That’s why we’re coming,” Emma replied.
Blake laid a hand on Belle’s leg, seeking her gaze. “Please listen to me on this, Belle,” he said, less forcefully. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“We won’t be hurt, Blake,” Belle responded. “But we won’t be kept back from helping Eden, the ranch, or the men we love.”
She has a point, Clint thought.
Henry was staying back. If they didn’t return by the specified time, he was to gather a group of men and come out. They needed someone in town who knew what was happening. Rhett arrived on foot. Maverick handed Laughlin the reins of a horse he’d saddled, and the newcomer mounted up as if he’d been riding all his life. Wouldn’t take long to get out to the Dolores.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
As Lavinia rode her horse along in the group, she couldn’t, for some reas
on, keep her mind off the telegram she’d received five days ago and the one she’d sent back to Philadelphia. Her excited feelings were like a jumble of gooey Christmas candy. She recalled telling Rhett about her plans in the darkness of the trees, and the warmth of his hand in hers. How close he’d stood to her when he’d found her huddled in the forest. She tried to recall his reaction, but could only remember how her tingling nerves made her light-headed.
She let go a long sigh. I should tell my sisters today, get the good news off my chest, so I have plenty of time to prepare properly for the journey. She glanced ahead at Rhett’s back, riding close to Blake and Clint. She really should, but the contract signing for the ranch felt like the right time. Not yet, not today. What would a few more days matter?
Belle’s been walking on air since her wedding. I’ll be doing the same, only in Philadelphia. My life couldn’t be better if I wrote the script myself . . .
Mr. Hoffman, wearing his brown bowler hat, stepped out of the butcher shop and waved to the party of nine as they rode past and up the road from the livery toward the telegraph office, where they’d catch the trail to the meadow. When he smiled broadly at Lavinia, a warm goodness filled her. The butcher, like just about everyone else in Eden, was kind and thoughtful. She would miss the townspeople, the children at the orphanage, and the nuns, she realized. They’d become more like family than friends.
They started up the narrow trail. After today, the mostly hidden path would be much larger and easy to spot once the horses had stomped it down, as Maverick’s mount, directly ahead of hers in the single file, was doing at the moment. More people might venture up to the meadows, which made Lavinia a tiny bit sad. She’d thought of the private place as hers alone, and maybe now Rhett’s as well.
“Have you heard Lara is staying in town?” Lavinia said over her shoulder to Mavis. Intermittently, she could see Emma behind Mavis, and then Katie and Belle. She spoke up so the rest of her sisters would hear. “I’m thankful she’s not rushing back to Philadelphia. Perhaps we can mend the rift between us. She’s taken the job at Rhett’s restaurant.”
All her sisters looked surprised.
“No, I hadn’t heard,” Mavis replied, sitting her saddle with the grace of a dancer. “But I think that’s wonderful. As upset as I felt before, now I’m just sad. I wish she’d say why she did what she did. It couldn’t be for the money. Her parents are well-off, and she is too.”
“I’m surprised!” Emma called forward. “She has no experience waiting tables. I can’t really see her cooking or cleaning up, but I applaud her for her bravery. And I’m glad she changed her mind about leaving right away. Who knows, perhaps she’ll decide to stay for good.”
Lavinia nodded. “Something hit me yesterday that I’d like to share.” She was enjoying Tidbit’s easy stride and the back-and-forth rocking of her saddle. The climb up the path was relaxed, especially on horseback. She thought of all the times she’d made the journey on foot. The warm morning sunshine felt good as well, especially after being so cold last night. “This might sound strange, but I’m not that troubled anymore about everyone knowing all the things that were written about us. I say, so what! If people get enjoyment knowing all our private matters, who cares. I think we should go to Lara and tell her she’s forgiven. Make that the end of it. She doesn’t even have to admit her deed. It’s like our hurt, or perhaps even our pride, has driven us apart and ruined a beautiful, dear friendship we’ve all held special for years. The only thing that will bring us back together, back into unity, is our love. But only if we really forgive—and then forget.”
She glanced back to see the effect of her words. Her four sisters appeared deep in thought. She’d been happy when Belle chose to ride in the back with them instead of up front with Blake. She and Blake were together for most all the hours of the day and night. Sometimes, Lavinia felt like Belle had forgotten them. Their sisterly relationship was important too. A special bond that needed to be nurtured and cared for.
Katie, aboard her flea-bitten fourteen-year-old gray gelding, Spur, smiled. The horse had been pulled out of the retirement pasture along with Mavis’s, Emma’s, and Lavinia’s mounts, and was gentle and well trained, having spent his younger years as a ranch horse, just like the rest. “I never considered that. I’ve always been nervous about someone hearing I failed my first test and asking, and how I would respond. Feels like the sting is gone.” She shrugged and laughed in her lighthearted way. “If the subject ever does come up, I’ll just tell the truth and that’s that. No need to try to artfully change the subject or skirt the issue to keep my failure hidden. I’m only human—just like the rest of the world. And today, I’m feeling happy I am.” She exhaled loudly. “What a difference a few days can make.”
“That wasn’t a failure, Katie!” Emma defended, glancing back at the youngest. Dusty, Emma’s mount, a leggy sorrel gelding with a small star—not much more than a few white hairs—between his eyes, trudged stoically along. “Taking the test twice was allowed—and nothing to be ashamed of. We’re all so proud of your accomplishment. You’ll be a fabulous teacher one day.” She shrugged and turned back to the front of the trail.
“That’s true!” Mavis agreed, clucking to Gem, her gentle strawberry roan. “And don’t you ever think different. Getting a teaching certificate was no easy feat.”
One fact Lavinia could always count on was the loyalty of her sisters. Their bond was unquestionable. Again she thought of Mr. Hansberry, but pushed him out of her thoughts. This day, they were on a mission for Eden. That’s the only issue she’d allow in her mind and heart—except, maybe, a few thoughts of Rhett.
“I’m glad Lara’s staying on as well,” Belle said. “Her arrival for the wedding was icing on the cake. I agree with Lavinia about forgetting about the articles and forgiving Lara. The past is gone and not to be relived. It’s best all around.”
Lavinia heard a round of amenable sounds from behind, and she smiled to the sky.
“I can’t tell you the feeling I get when I think of all us girls living here, marrying, and producing the next generation of Brinkmans,” Belle went on loudly so everyone could hear. “Together forever. When Mavis married Darvid, we only got to see her on Sundays, if then. I never said anything, but I always felt like a part of me was missing. Family is so important and so much sweeter when we’re living close. We can help raise each other’s children. Father certainly knew what he was doing . . .”
Lavinia jerked her face forward, an invisible knife blade slicing deep in her chest. How on earth will I break the news? I’ll be a turncoat. The only one to run off for my own selfish satisfaction.
She buried her hurt and forced a smile onto her face. “So far, this ride is wonderfully relaxing,” she said. “I haven’t been out on Tidbit much this month.” She reached down and lovingly patted her horse’s shoulder. “Poor boy. He’s getting fat and lazy.”
Belle laughed. “That’s because he’s barely over fourteen hands tall and roly-poly. I wonder who used to use him at the ranch. Did they tell you, Lavinia?”
She shook her head, not caring if Tidbit was little more than a pony, and thankful for the change in subject. When she needed speed, Tidbit gave generously, and mounting and dismounting was as easy as pie. She glanced around now as they crested the rise to the gorgeous meadow—her meadow, she thought. Mine and Rhett’s.
On top, where the trail widened out, the sisters rode side by side. “Look how lovely the morning is! I can’t get enough of this fresh air.”
Emma pointed at the stone tower. “What’s that?”
Lavinia gave a small laugh.
Belle narrowed her eyes. “Lavinia?”
“The watcher. I wondered if anyone would notice him.”
“The what?” Belle asked. “How do you know?”
Lavinia realized her mistake immediately. Katie, her brows raised, waited for her response, as did the others.
“Rhett is a rock sculptor. He made it last Saturday. I’m amazed some coyote
hasn’t knocked it over yet. Isn’t it clever?”
“Interesting,” Katie said. “You and Rhett, alone up here? I never would have guessed.”
Even though her tone said those living in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, her smile was affectionate.
Lavinia, unruffled, lifted a shoulder and tightened her legs around Tidbit, making him step out. “What can I say? We both enjoy the outdoors.” She pointed to the side of the meadow as they crossed. “I come up here almost every other day to hunt for early flowers for the restaurant. Where did you think my pretty blooms came from?”
“I hadn’t realized,” Emma commented.
Katie nodded. “I wonder what will happen when we reach the loggers. It’s quite exciting—and a little scary.”
“Blake thinks there’ll be a lot of talk, but he’s also worried someone might try something stupid. He’s asked that we stay back once we get there.”
“Did I hear my name spoken?”
Blake had pulled up and was waiting for them to catch up. A light breeze played with Banjo’s mane and tail as Blake sat relaxed in his saddle, his wide shoulders and square jaw looking quite manly. Lavinia glanced ahead to Rhett’s retreating back, suddenly wishing he’d reined up as well. What would her father think of him?
Mavis laughed. “You have good hearing, brother-in-law! And yes, you did hear your name pass your bride’s lips. Can’t you go two minutes without your beloved wife at your side?”
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