by Liz Crowe
“Anne, your father went on to bed. He asked that I tell you and Albert good night.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stuart,” she replied. “If you two gentlemen will excuse me, I believe I will follow suit. Good night.”
Thomas observed his son’s reaction. Albert sat in the chair that was designated as “his”.
“Have a good walk with Anne, son?”
“Yes sir, it was fine,” Albert replied absently.
Something was on Albert’s mind, but as always, Thomas would have to wait until his eldest son wanted to discuss it. For once Thomas didn’t have long to wait as Albert began.
“What did you and Anne talk about tonight while I was working on the books?”
“Why do you ask?”
“She was, I don’t know, rather distant this evening. Usually, she’s open and cheerful. Tonight I got the feeling something was on her mind.”
“Anne and I talked about a number of things. She asked if I had known her mother and father in Baltimore. Primarily she wanted to know about her mother,” Thomas explained.
“I didn’t know you knew her mother,” Albert replied.
“I guess I never told you how John and I became friends. It was because of your mother and Anne’s mother. They were best friends in Baltimore.”
Albert, surprised, responded, “You’re right. You never told me any of this. I thought Anne’s mother was from England. I assumed you met John after Anne’s mother passed away.”
“Margaret was from England, but moved to Baltimore shortly after she and John married. He opened his law practice there, and the two women met each other at a museum one day. From that day forward, until your mother’s passing, they were best friends,” Thomas explained.
Thomas’ eyes took on a look of sadness as he added, “Margaret took it very hard when your mother died. She was a great comfort to me while we were still in Baltimore. She helped me with you and your brothers and sister a great deal.”
Taken aback that his father had not told him of this before now, Albert wanted to know more of how the families were intertwined. He sat forward in his chair, fingers laced, his chin resting on them, waiting for his father to continue.
Thomas, sensing this, went on. “After we left Baltimore, Margaret and I corresponded for a while. Then I didn’t hear from her again. I sensed something was wrong at that time between her and John. I didn’t hear a thing for five years when John wrote telling me of Margaret’s passing.”
That could explain her mood tonight. She seemed distant, as though her mind was elsewhere, Albert thought.
“Anne reminds me of Margaret a great deal,” Thomas went on. “She looks a great deal like her mother and has the same temperament. I get the impression that John has not told her much of her mother.”
Albert realized that, indirectly, Anne was a link to his past and he wanted to know more of her. He decided then and there that he would do everything in his power to see that he accomplished this.
As time passed, Albert and Anne grew more at ease with each other. And with each passing day, the attraction between the two of them grew.
Chapter Three
“John,” Thomas asked his friend one morning. “How do you plan on stocking your ranch? Do you plan on buying the horses here in Nevada, Texas, or perhaps Arizona? You need to make plans of how you will proceed once you receive title to the land.”
“Between you and me, Thomas, this horse ranch is Anne’s idea,” John told him. “I’m proud of the fact that our horses in England had the finest blood line developed in that part of the country. I’m embarrassed to tell you, however, that was because of Anne and her grandfather. She’s the one with an eye for horses, not me. But to answer your question, her plan is to ship some of our best mares and stallions from there and crossbreed them with stock from the area. She was hoping to have some assistance from you or your sons in accomplishing that.”
Surprised, Thomas replied, “I never would have guessed that she possessed such interests. Most women find such things distasteful”
Shaking his head, John declared, “Anne possesses a great deal of traits that I find distasteful in a woman. She’s headstrong, stubborn, and far too intelligent for her own good. I blame her grandfather for all of this; he encouraged her in areas a woman has no business being in.”
“No matter,” Thomas told him, “my son Albert is the one with an eye for horse flesh. I’m sure he would be more than happy to help her in this endeavor.”
*****
A few days after the conversation between her father and Thomas about their ranch, Anne found herself watching Thomas Stuart’s sons breaking horses in a corral near the house. Her interest piqued as she watched Albert when it was his turn on a horse. Ben and Henry joined her as she watched from the railing. Soon, his youngest brother began his good-natured ribbing as Albert eased himself onto the horse in the enclosure.
“Come on Albert,” Ben chided, “I know you’re older, but you’ve gotta be able to sit that old nag.”
“Ben,” Henry warned, “you best leave Albert alone. You know how he gets when you start messin’ with him.”
“Aw, Henry, Albert knows I’m just funnin’. He expects me to give him a hard time,” Ben grinned.
Albert shot Ben a warning look and then noticed he was standing with Anne. He hadn’t seen her come out to the corral and, for the first time in Albert Stuart’s life, he cared that someone was watching him and how he performed.
“Turn him out!” Albert shouted.
“Ride ‘em, Albert!” Henry called to his brother.
Anne watched the event unfold with interest. She had seen Ben and Henry ride, seeing immediately a few things they had done wrong, making it harder to settle the animals. She watched to see if Albert made the same mistakes.
When the gate was pulled open and the horse turned out, she watched Albert intently. To her trained eye, he did everything perfectly, managing to stay on far longer than the others. Until, just when he thought the animal had reached the point of acceptance, Albert’s concentration was broken. The animal seemed to sense this lapse and threw him into the fence hard. The three people watched and waited for Albert to get up. When he wasn’t on his feet as quickly as they thought he should be, they all ran to see if he was all right.
Anne, the first one to him, touched his arm as he lay on his side. Softly, she asked, “Albert, are you alright?”
Embarrassed that he had allowed the horse to throw him, especially in front of her, he answered a bit gruffer than he intended. “Yes, I’m fine! Damn animal!” he muttered. He came to his feet in one fluid motion, grabbing his hat as he stood.
Trying to soothe his ego, Anne told him, “Nice ride, Albert.”
“Nice ride?” Albert snapped back at her, “What do you know about breaking a horse? Besides what are you doing out here? This is no place for a girl! Don’t you have something better to do?”
She fought it, but her temper got the best of her. He had yelled at her and embarrassed her, something she would not tolerate from anyone, not even Albert Stuart.
Facing him, eyes flashing with anger, she responded. She strode towards him. Albert began backing up. Her head barely came up to his shoulder, but she was in no way intimidated by the difference in size.
“Do not snap at me because you made a mistake,” she began. “What do I know about breaking a horse? I know enough to know that your knees were not tight to his sides, your bottom was too far back in the saddle and your buck rein was too loose. You hadn’t even bothered to tighten it down. Oh yes, and you lost one spur and you hadn’t seen fit to wear gloves during this ride. So you see, you were asking to get thrown. That, Mr. Stuart, is what I observed you did wrong while trying to break that horse. And for your information, your father gave me his permission to go anywhere on this ranch I choose.”
She thought for a moment and then ended her tirade with, “And do not call me a girl!”
All three men were stunned by what Anne had just said,
now that she had been right. Henry and Ben fought back laughter, watching as their older brother got his comeuppance from of all people, a woman. Waiting for Albert to explode in rage, they were both astonished as they watched Albert regain his composure.
“You’re right. I apologize; I lashed out at you because of my own mistakes.”
Ben and Henry stood there open mouthed. Albert had never, ever, let someone criticize him the way Anne had.
“You’re darn right you should apologize!” she yelled. “Just who do you think you are speaking to anyone that way?”
Anne spun around on her heel and started back towards the house. Albert rushed to catch her, gently taking her arm. “I’m sorry. Anne, you were right. It was my own fault and I struck out at you in frustration.”
Ben and Henry watched, shaking their heads, as Henry put their thoughts into words. “That’s not Albert, that’s somebody else. Albert’s never let anyone dress him down that way, except maybe Father, and then Albert apologize? Reckon hitting his head addled him, Henry?”
“Albert? Naw, I think it’s something else,” Henry told him.
“Anne, please,” Albert said “I’m sorry. You’re right. My ego, along with a few other things, was bruised. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I don’t know what else to say, Anne.”
Not understanding the urgency, he felt that he had to do whatever necessary to calm her. He didn’t want her upset with him for any reason. He added, “Of course you’re free to go anywhere you wish, although I would like it if you would allow me the pleasure of your company.”
Albert thought, Why on earth would I say that last part? What is happening to me? She’s a woman I barely know, and yet I want her to be confident in me and be with only me.
Anne turned to face him, her temper now subsiding and, taking a deep breath, responded, “I accept your apology, Albert, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. But it makes me mad when a man, any man, puts limits on what I or any woman is allowed to do. And I hate being referred to as a girl. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m way past adolescence.”
Softening her tone, she asked, “Are you sure you’re alright? You hit that fence pretty hard.”
“I’m fine, Anne. That’s not the first time I’ve been thrown from a horse, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Let me get cleaned up, and then I’d like to take you for a ride. Besides, I need to get away from my brothers, who most surely will make a point of riding me about this the rest of the day,” he laughed.
“I would love to go for a ride, but are you sure you’re able to, seeing what just happened?”
“Yes, Anne,” he said with a smile, “I can still ride, and it would be nice if you didn’t kid me about this, either.”
Smiling at him, she told him, “Don’t worry, Albert, I won’t. Even I, a mere woman, understand that occasionally, big strong men are bruised in more areas than one.”
After telling her he’d be ready shortly, Albert entered the house and went to his room to clean up.
*****
Thomas Stuart wanted a word with his son. Thomas knocked on Albert’s bedroom door. Albert invited him in.
“You all right, Albert? Your brothers told me you were thrown and hit the fence pretty hard.”
“I’m fine, just a little mishap. Anne and I are going riding.”
“Anne is what I wanted to speak to you about.” Thomas told Albert of the conversation he had had with Anne’s father regarding the ranch and what the Wallaces hoped to develop in Nevada. After giving Albert a brief rundown on John’s plans, Thomas told his son, “Anne is the one who chooses the stock, seems she’s very good at it. John hates the fact and blames her grandfather for her abilities. He feels it is totally outside the boundaries that a woman should be allowed. I told him, out of all my sons, you were the best judge of horseflesh and that I was sure you would help her when the time came.”
“Of course I will,” Albert replied, thinking, Damn, seems I misjudged the lady. She holds more surprises than I first imagined. I never dreamt there was such a spirit beneath that smile and those eyes. She knew what I did was wrong and knew the horse was going to react the way it did. No wonder she lost her temper, she knew exactly what she was talking about. What other qualities does this woman possess that are unlike any other I have known?
Chapter Four
On the day her father had gone into Carson City to set up his office, and all four of the Stuart men were on the range branding cattle, Anne was left to entertain herself. It was an extremely hot day, even for Nevada standards. Anne had tried all morning to stay cool, finally coming up with an idea to get relief from the heat. She laid out a change of clothing, a towel, and a blanket, along with a few other items. Putting everything together in a canvas bag, she headed downstairs, stopping by the kitchen to tell George she was going out for a while.
“You no go, Missy Anne. You not know the ranch, you get lost,” the small man told her.
“George, don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’m not going far, just somewhere to get some relief from this heat.”
She went to the barn, saddling the horse she had been using during her time at Sky Valley. Anne tied her bag to the saddle and led the horse into the courtyard. When mounted, she turned toward the road and then toward the area Albert had shown her, Topaz Lake.
*****
Thomas and his sons had accomplished the branding faster than they had originally thought they would. Riding home, the men talked of their plans for the remainder of the day.
“Man, I can’t wait to get home, get a bath, and maybe take a run into town for a cold beer,” Ben said.
“Think I’ll do the same, Ben,” Henry added. “How ‘bout you, Albert? Ready to go to town and let off some steam?”
Any other time, Albert would have gone. But now, there was someone who interested him far more than cold beer and loose women.
“No, I believe I’ll just get home, get cleaned up, and relax,” he told his brothers.
“Come on, Albert,” Ben urged, “you haven’t left the ranch in over a month. You’ve got to be ready to bust. Besides, there’s a new gal at the saloon who’s just your type.”
“Thanks, Ben, but I’m not interested,” Albert replied.
Shrugging, Ben added, “Okay, it’s your loss.”
*****
Anne had retraced the route she and Albert had taken and found the lake with no problem. She chose a small cove, which afforded a beautiful view, along with a place to lay her blanket and tie up her horse. Dismounting, she removed the bag, carrying it to a place on the shoreline. After spreading the blanket, she removed all the items she had brought with her from the bag. Sitting, she pulled her hair back, using a ribbon to tie it into place and then set about removing her boots. Stretching her legs out in front of her, she pulled up her skirt until it rested on her thighs, and then removed her stockings. “Much better,” she sighed.
“What do you mean she’s gone out?” Albert questioned George. “Why did you let her go alone?”
“George try to stop. Missy Anne say she go, not get lost, would not listen to George, said she want relief,” the little man told Albert.
Albert turned, grabbed his hat and gun which he strapped on as he left the house, rushing to mount Diablo. Turning the horse back toward the road, he kicked the stallion into a run.
Damn it, what was she thinking? She doesn’t know the area, she could get lost, or worse, she could run into some drifter. Where would she go? Albert thought, and after a moment, he remembered the last thing George had said, She wanted relief . . . she’s headed for Topaz Lake. I told her that the Indians go there. When I get hold of her. . .God, let her be all right! Don’t let anything happen to her!
*****
Anne stood, undoing her skirt, letting it drop to the blanket, followed by her shirt. Left only in pantalets and camisole, she made her way to the edge of the lake. Testing the water with her foot, she found it cold and refreshing. Taking her time, she waded out to where she
could see a drop off. Pausing for a moment, she took a deep breath and dove into the deep blue depths.
Albert, meanwhile, had kept Diablo at a full run all the way there. “Sorry, boy,” he told the stallion, “I’ll make it up to you.”
Off on the horizon, Albert saw the sun’s reflection off Topaz Lake. Thinking, How on earth am I going to find where she’s at? She’d probably want privacy, yet not be too far from the trail around the lake. Reining Diablo to a walk, Albert began the tedious job of looking for her.
Anne surfaced from the crystal clear water. It had been a shock when she first dove in. Now, used to the chill, she lay on her back, floating on the surface, letting the sun warm her. She remembered back to the times she and her cousins had spent hours swimming in the river that ran through her mother’s estate in England. Turning back onto her stomach, she once again dove under the surface, loving the freedom she felt there. Relaxed for the first time in a very long time, she wasn’t in any hurry to leave this sanctuary.
Having heard a splash, Albert scanned the surface of the lake. He thought he had seen something for a brief moment, at the inlet of the cove. Urging Diablo in that direction, he kept his eyes trained on the surface where he had last caught a glimpse of. . .
“There,” he thought, after seeing the reflection of the sun off of auburn hair when she surfaced. Relief flooded through him as he realized he had been holding his breath.
Anne, by now, had re-surfaced and had gone back to gently floating in the water, thinking, As much as I hate to, I better be getting back. I don’t want anyone worried that I was gone too long. But I definitely will return; it’s so peaceful and private here.