by Liz Crowe
John felt he was entitled to his wife’s estate. He had put up with Margaret during her illness, and had taken care of Anne. He saw to her education and provided her with the best of everything. Despite the fact it was his own daughter’s money, John had been plotting how he would go about circumventing her grandfather’s will since the day the old man died.
Now, when he was so very close to success, Albert Stuart had come into her life. Albert is like Thomas, he will see something amiss and start delving into matters. As her husband, Anne will give him complete control. That, I cannot allow, John thought. I’m going to have to proceed carefully. I don’t want to raise anyone’s suspicions when I’m this close.
If he hadn’t stood to lose everything, he would have encouraged Anne’s attraction to Albert. He came from a fine family, and Thomas Stuart wielded a great deal of influence in the territory. Influence that, had they married, would have proved to be very valuable to John’s career. However, for now, it was imperative that his daughter’s attentions be elsewhere, until after her birthday, giving him time to finalize the sale of the manor. A sale he had no legal right to negotiate, for the manor belonged to Anne.
It was these thoughts that ran through John’s mind as he sat in his study, composing a letter to Joe Young, a man he thought would take care of all his problems. The bartender at the saloon had provided information about the man to him, with the assurance that he would deliver John’s message, for a price.
Mr. Larkin,
I have a business proposition I wish to discuss with you. Meet me in my office at the courthouse tomorrow morning at seven o’clock. I believe you will find it most beneficial. I trust you will be discreet.
Judge Jonathon McDonald
John needed someone who would be capable of dealing with the problems his daughter and Albert presented, and be trusted to keep his mouth shut. He had found, in his experience, money bought most people’s silence.
Completing the note, John sealed the envelope from prying eyes. He would drop it off to the bartender to give to Young, when he and Thomas Stuart went into town that afternoon.
John Wallace had an appointment very early the next morning, so the prying eyes of Carson City would not see the man that now entered his office.
“Judge, I got a message you wanted to see me,” Joe Young said.
“Shut the door,” John instructed. “I don’t want the busybodies of this town knowing my business dealings.
“Sure thing, Judge,” Young said as he closed the door. “Now, what did you want to see me about?”
“Mr. Young, I have been told you are experienced in taking care of problems,” John said.
“Yeah, I know how to take care of any problems that need to be taken care of. But what problem could a judge have that requires my help?” Young asked.
“I want to see if you’re capable of seeing to a few issues I’m having. I thought I could hire you to be the foreman of my ranch. This would give you firsthand knowledge of my daughter’s comings and goings. It just so happens she’s one of my problems.”
“Sure, Judge, anything you say. What kind of problems you been having with your daughter that you need to see to?”
“It pertains to her involvement with Albert Stuart,” John explained.
Young’s interest piqued when he heard who the two people he would be dealing with were. He had been looking forward to seeing the Judge’s daughter again, and it would be a pleasure to bring Albert Stuart down a few pegs.
“When can you start?” John asked.
“How ‘bout right now,” Young responded. “But first we need to talk money. I want to know what my pay is gonna be for solving your little problem.”
“Whatever Thomas Stuart paid you, I'll double, and there will be a bonus when I’m satisfied with the results,” John explained.
“I can live with that, Judge. Now let’s hear what you want done with your problem,” Young said sitting back in the chair, listening intently. “I can move into your bunkhouse today and get started on your daughter. You sure ain’t like any of the judges I met. Well, it's no matter to me, money’s money; ‘sides, I'll enjoy takin’ care of her.”
“Remember, Young, show some restraint. I do not want her hurt; just scare her. Whatever else you do is up to you. As far as Albert Stuart goes, handle it any way you see fit,” John said.
John Wallace was not a man prone to violence, but he had to do something about Anne and Albert. She was going to balk about going back east, and he would take any steps necessary to bring her into line. He knew she would not allow anything to happen to young Stuart and hoped Young would show some restraint dealing with her.
However, if the man got a little too heavy-handed, so be it. He had waited a long time to control the fortune Anne's mother had left her. No one, not even his own daughter, would stand in his way. It was imperative that she not know of her inheritance until everything was finalized. By the time she found out, it would be too late. If he were unsuccessful, she would inherit a virtual fortune when she turned twenty-one, and her birthday was only two months away.
*****
Young stepped out into the dusty streets of Carson City on his way to the hotel to pack his things and move to the judge’s ranch. He would meet Anne Wallace when he got there. Her father had given him a letter of introduction to give to her.
He wants her out of the way pretty bad to hire me to rough her up, Young thought. I wonder what he stands to gain. I need to find that out; there may be more money in it for me before this is over.
Anne Wallace was in the process of planning her day. She went to the kitchen to speak to their cook and, after selecting the menu for that evening, made her way to the corral. She heard a horse approaching, assuming it would be Albert. She turned only to find Joe Young, the man Albert had cautioned her about, before her.
Waiting as he dismounted from his horse, she said, “May I help you with something?”
“Yeah,” he began, “you must be Miss Wallace, the judge’s daughter. I’m Joe Young. Your father just hired me as foreman of this ranch.”
Taken aback by this revelation, Anne regained her composure. “My father didn’t mention this to me, Mr. Young. I will have to check with him about this.”
“Naw, Miss Wallace, ya’ don’t have to check. Here’s a letter he said to give ya’,” he said, handing her the folded paper.
Anne opened it and read its contents. Her father had hired him; why, she could not guess. The ranch didn’t have that much livestock yet, so there was no need for a foreman.
“It seems you’re correct, Mr. Young. You may put your things in the bunkhouse over there,” she said, indicating where the bunkhouse was. Anne had an uneasy feeling about the man; the way he looked at her. Albert definitely was not going to like this.
“If you will excuse me,” she began.
“No need for excusin’ yourself missy, you’re gonna be seein’ a lot of me,” Young said to her.
“Mr. Young, let’s get something straight,” she said. “My father hired you to run this ranch. That does not include me; do not make the mistake of thinking that. I won’t hesitate to fire you if you get out of line one time.”
As he walked toward her, Anne resisted the temptation to back up as he said, “Miss Wallace, there’s no need to threaten me. Your father hired me, and he's the only one who’s gonna fire me, no matter what. Now you better get use to me bein' round here all the time. I gotta say it will be a pleasure seein' you every day.”
“We’ll just see about that,” she said through clenched teeth. Anne started into the barn to saddle her horse with Young right behind her. Standing far too close to her, he told her, “Yeah, Miss Wallace, you and me gonna get to be real good friends.”
he spun around and said, “Stay away from me! Don’t you dare come near me again.”
“And if I don’t,” he began, “what are ya gonna’ do, tell Albert Stuart? Got news for ya, missy, I ain’t afraid of him.”
“No,” she
seethed, “it won’t be necessary for me to tell Albert. You’re not worth his time; I can deal with you myself.”
“I’m lookin’ forward to that, missy,” Young said, leering at her.
“Mr. Young, let me give you fair warning. I do two things very well. The first one is riding; the second is using a gun. I’m an excellent shot, and I won’t hesitate to shoot anyone who threatens me.”
“Hey, missy, no need to get all mad and such, I was just wantin’ to get to know ya’,” Young explained.
“You’re a hired hand and it’s not necessary for you to know me. Stay away from me, Mr. Young, or I will see you gone, one way, or another,” she told him.
Chapter Seven
“I want him fired,” Anne told her father that evening. “We don’t need him for twenty horses. What were you thinking?"
“I need someone in place to handle the day to day operation of the ranch, Anne. I hired him, and he’s not going anywhere,” her father told her.
“Father, he makes me very uncomfortable. He made some inappropriate suggestions to me. I want him fired.”
“Anne, it was his first day. He comes highly recommended, so let’s give him a chance. He even worked for Thomas Stuart; now that should tell you something.”
“I know all about his working at Sky Valley. He was fired for stealing cattle. I imagine you didn’t know that,” she challenged.
“Actually, my dear,” he said, “I do know of that unfortunate incident. Personally, I believe it was all a misunderstanding. Now I’m going to give Mr. Young an opportunity to prove himself. When, and only when, I feel he isn’t working out, he will be let go.”
“Father, I had to threaten him today to leave me alone. Doesn’t that tell you anything?” she asked.
“It tells me,” he began, “that you are judging the man before you know him. I thought you prided yourself on your tolerance of everyone.”
“Albert is not going to like this,” she said.
“Albert Stuart does not run this ranch! I do!” he said vehemently. “Now you may be all enthralled with young Stuart, but I’m not. You listen to him far too much. That’s another reason it will be good for you to be away from him for a while. You will be able to regain your impartiality. Something you’ve lost since you’ve been involved with him.”
“Say what you will,” she began, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going back to school, so you might as well get use to the idea. Just keep Young away from me. I will not hesitate to defend myself if I feel threatened.”
She would have to tell Albert, and he would be furious. He was to be out of town on business in a few days and now would be reluctant to go because of Young. However, if she didn’t tell him, he would be even angrier.
*****
Albert came calling later that evening. When he dismounted Diablo, Young sauntered out of the bunkhouse.
“What are you doing here?” Albert asked.
“I’m the new foreman; the Judge hired me today,” Young responded.
Albert went to the front door and knocked, watching the man as he stood leaning against the hitching post. Anne opened the front door, giving Albert a kiss. As he entered, he asked, “What is your father thinking, hiring Young? Didn’t you tell him the problems we had with him?”
“Yes, Albert,” she said taking his hand, “I did, but father is adamant about giving him another chance. He already makes me uncomfortable.”
“Let me speak to your father,” Albert said.
“He isn’t going to listen.”
“Anne, let me talk to him,” Albert said forcefully.
“All right, but you won’t get anywhere with him. I’ve already tried,” she explained.
Entering her father’s office, she announced, “Father, Albert would like to speak to you.”
“Come in, Albert. Good to see you.” John Wallace stood, shaking his hand.
“Sir, I believe you’ve made a mistake hiring Joe Young. He’s a cattle thief and who knows what else,” Albert explained.
“Albert, as I told Anne, this is my ranch. Whom I employ is no one else’s concern. While I appreciate your opinion, this is my decision, and I would like you and Anne to respect it,” he said.
“But, sir,” Albert began, “I don’t think. . .”
“Albert!” the judge yelled, “I don’t want to be rude, but this is none of your business.”
“Sir, it is my business. I’m concerned for Anne’s safety with him around. He doesn’t respect women, and he’s not to be trusted,” Albert replied.
“Let me worry about that, young man. While you seem to be under the impression that only you can see to my daughter’s well-being, you’re wrong. She has been under my protection all of her life, and no harm has come to her,” the judge responded.
“She has been fortunate up until now,” Albert continued. He was furious that this man was putting her in danger. Albert had to make him realize this.
“Albert, because you are Thomas’ son, I’m going to overlook your rude comments and behavior. However, be warned, I will not tolerate any more of your conduct. Anne is my responsibility for now. I don’t feel she is in any danger, and until I do, Young stays!”
Anne knew Albert was ready to explode as she said, “Please Albert, let’s go for a carriage ride.”
Albert stood glaring at her father, unable to understand why the judge was being so stubborn and would not listen to reason.
“I didn’t bring the carriage, Anne,” Albert said through his anger.
“Well, then,” she began, “let's have our new hired hand hitch ours up. After all, he’s being paid to do more than lounge around the bunkhouse,” she said as she started for the door.
“I’ll see to it, Anne. I want a word with him anyway,” Albert told her. “Wait here. I’ll come for you when it’s ready.”
Walking out the door, Albert donned his hat. Approaching Young, he told the man, “I would like a word with you while I get the carriage ready.”
Following Albert into the barn, Young said, “Couldn’t get the judge to fire me, could you, Stuart?”
“Don’t worry about my conversation with the judge, Young. I’m warning you, do not go near Anne. I don’t have any idea why he hired a convicted criminal, but I will be watching you. Anne will tell me if you do or say anything out of the ordinary to her. If you value your life, stay away from her,” Albert told the man.
“Don’t be threatening me, Stuart. You’re not on Sky Valley now,” Young said.
“Just remember what I said,” Albert replied.
After leading the horse out of the barn and hitching him to the carriage, Albert went to get Anne. When they left, he asked, “Why would your father hire Young?”
“I don’t know, but something isn’t right. My father has never hired a criminal. His feeling has always been they could not be trusted. He’s up to something. I just know it,” she told him.
“Anne, stay away from him until I can figure out what’s going on. I just warned him to keep away from you. If he bothers you in any way, I want to know. I warned you about going into Carson City alone, and your father hires the most contemptible man in the town to work right here,” Albert said, shaking his head.
“I’ll be okay,” she told him. “I’ve had to deal with men like him before.”
“When were you exposed to men like that?” Albert asked.
“We visited Washington before we came here. There are a great deal of unsavory men running our country. I was able to avoid them, just as I will avoid Young,” she said. “Now I don’t want you worrying, Albert. I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t imagine what your father was thinking when he hired him,” Albert said.
After taking her home and putting the carriage away, he headed back home. Arriving there, he found Thomas sitting in the great room, reading. “Father,” he began, “may I talk to you about something?”
Thomas seemed to be taken off guard. “Of course, what seems to be the problem?”
“That doesn’t sound like John,” Thomas said.
“I don’t believe John is the same man you use to know,” Albert stated.
“I’m starting to believe the same, Albert. I’m ashamed to tell you that I contacted an attorney in London when John wrote and told me he and Anne were coming for a visit. I thought it rather odd that after fifteen years or so he suddenly wanted to renew old acquaintances. The information I’m receiving from the attorney is most unsettling.”
“What is it? Does it involve Anne?” Albert asked.
“I haven’t gotten everything back yet, but from what I gathered, it does involve Anne. She, however, is unaware of her part in this.”
“Would he put her in any danger?
“Right now, Albert, I can’t say for sure. I would rather wait until I have all the information. Then you and I will sit down and go over everything. Then we’ll decide what, if anything, we need to do.”
“Albert,” Thomas Stuart began, “I know you don’t want to go to San Francisco right now, but you’re the only one who can close this sale with the army. They have worked with you and won’t deal with anyone else.”
“Father, you have to understand my reasons for not wanting to leave Anne right now with Young working there.”
“I do, son, but you can’t watch over Anne twenty four hours a day. Her father is there, and he won’t let anything happen to her,” Thomas replied.
“You have more confidence in John than I do,” Albert said. “I don’t trust that man, and with the reports you’re getting back, it’s only a matter of time until I have to tell Anne what type of man her father is.”