Gabe’s brows knitted together as his eyes flitted between Jonah and Lucas. “What are you talking about? I was referring to him reeling in the crowds at the Moonlight event next week with his fancy trick riding. I was sure he’d be able to sit on that bull longer than any of the others crazy enough to try.”
Damn.
Lucas hadn’t wanted Jonah to find out this way.
Jonah looked down at his feet, his hands clenched into fists. He took a deep breath.
“Jonah.” Lucas stood to talk to his brother, to plead with him to understand, but when their eyes locked, it wasn’t anger he saw, but sadness.
“I can’t listen to this.” He threw his hands up into the air, shaking his head. “You’re going to get yourself killed and then where will we be?”
“Now, don’t be such a woman,” their father said mockingly.
Lucas held his breath.
Jonah raised a brow and turned on the man. “You are a selfish coward. I’m sorry that Henry’s death was such an inconvenience to you. And now, you’re willing to sacrifice another son? Maybe it’s time you found another way.”
“That’s not fair—”
“No! You treating us like nothing more than your hired hands after mama left is what’s not fair. You keeping us from our grandparents out of some sense of misguided pride is what’s not fair. You want to talk to me about fair?” Jonah marched to the door. “How is it fair that four young boys lost both of their parents on the same day? Mama, when she walked out on us and you when you gave up hope.”
Lucas dared a glance at their father who stood with his back straight, his jaw clenched, and his face redder than a beet. He looked as if he could spit nails. It was the first time he could ever remember his father being speechless.
“I will not make the same mistake you did when you left your family behind,” Jonah said quietly, “but I’ll be damned if I keep my mouth shut any longer. You want to try cattle ranching, fine. If that is what we have to do to build a legacy for our families, we’ll do it. But we’ll find another way. I owe that to Emma and to our child.” He turned away and walked from the room.
“Jonah,” Lucas called after him.
Silence.
The tension in the room grew thick and the weight of it came to rest on Lucas’s shoulders. Without a good arm to use breaking in wild horses or entertaining spectators atop a bull, he would be worthless in helping his family keep their home—whether they traded in horses or cattle.
We’ll find another way.
“You have a lot of talent, Lucas,” Noah said as if reading his thoughts. “It may take some time, but he’ll come around.” He stood and picked his hat from their father’s desk.
“What’s this?” Noah asked, pulling an unopened envelope from a collection of papers on their father’s desk. Noah held it up and showed Lucas. It had been addressed to Jonah, Noah, and Lucas Deardon with fancy writing. The corners were bent and it looked as if it had been there for quite some time, but had yet to be opened.
“It’s nothing.” Their father snatched it back from Noah’s hands and cleared his throat.
“It was addressed to us. Don’t you think we should at least know who it’s from?” Noah persisted.
“Just someone trying to stir up trouble. Let’s leave it at that.” The stern expression on their father’s face said that was the end of it and they should not press it any further.
Noah bobbed his head with a reluctant nod, but Lucas was growing increasingly suspicious of their father. Though tempted to snatch it right out of his hands, he refrained, gripping the brim of his hat a might tighter instead.
“Well, that didn’t go over like I’d imagined.” Their father tucked the letter in his back pocket and continued as if there was nothing else to say. “We still need to figure out how we can come up with the money for the herd. Why don’t you boys take some time tonight and think on it. We’ll discuss it again tomorrow. We’ll leave a legacy all right.”
Lucas and Noah looked at each other.
“Did Jonah say, ‘our child?’” Lucas asked.
It only took a moment before both of them scrambled out the door to find their older brother. Jonah’s words about their father having left his family behind had sparked an idea in Lucas. There was a way to get the money, but he doubted anyone was going to like it.
Lucas thought of the conversation he’d had with his cousin, Raine, when they’d visited Redbourne Ranch last year in Kansas. Raine had told him that Granddad Deardon had provided an inheritance for all his grandchildren if they married before the age of twenty-five. Jonah had met the requirement when he and Emma wed and Lucas knew if he could convince their grandfather to uphold his end, they would have enough to purchase the herd and save the ranch. If not, he could always ask for a job.
There was just one thing left to do. Find their grandfather.
“Do you ever get the feeling we are more like business partners than his family?” Noah asked as they stepped outside into the brisk evening air. “Jonah was right, you know. Mama leaving left Dad a broken man. I’m not sure he even remembers how to be just a father, not the boss,” he mused.
Lucas’s thoughts turned to the woman who’d destroyed their once happy family so long ago. “Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if she hadn’t left? Do you think that letter was from her?” Lucas wondered aloud.
Noah turned to look at him. “Come on, we’ve got Jonah to find and work to do.” He haphazardly smacked Lucas on the shoulder.
Arggggg. He bit back a curse.
Chapter Two
Montana, Dakota Territory
Lucy Russell stepped down off the stage, followed by two other young women who’d come west for the same reason. A husband.
The burley driver stood up on his very tall seat and tossed down several packages for some of the townsfolk, a few large trunks, and a gaggle of smaller bags from atop the coach, earning him exaggerated gasps from the other two soon-to-be-brides. It took a moment before he found hers, but the man, who’d allowed her to ride on his seat when the coach had become too stuffy, carefully handed down her lone, oversized carpet bag.
“Good luck to you, Miss Russell,” the driver called as he tipped his hat and recaptured the reins.
She smiled and waved him goodbye. With a quick attempt at brushing the thin layer of dirt from her traveling dress, she looked up to face the little town of Thistleberry, Montana. It was the hometown of Gilroy Hearn, her betrothed—even though she’d never met the man. The settlement was a far cry from the busy streets of New York, but as she took a deep breath, she couldn’t help the excitement this opportunity brought. She had a plan. And this is where she would make her home.
Several men and women had gathered around the stage and Lucy looked for any sign of the man who’d been described in her letters—average height and build with a thin mustache. Plenty of men looking on fit that description, but as she glanced toward each of them, none seemed to be there to collect her.
Maybe he’s just running late. It was hard, after all, to predict the exact time a stage might arrive.
A rather large framed man with sunny blond hair picked up the enormous blue trunk that belonged to one of her traveling companions and slung it up onto his back, evoking a giggle from the girl that made Lucy’s eyes roll. A young, nice looking man with a slight mustache walked toward her and suddenly her heart started beating heavily in her chest. She stood up straight, prepared to offer her hand.
He smiled at her, tipped his hat, and reached down for the brown riveted trunk she hadn’t realized sat next to her feet. Her uneasy smile froze in place, her gaze quickly darting from man to man as they lined the street.
He’s not coming.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but are you Miss Lucy Russell?”
She spun around with a smile, anxious to meet the man who belonged to the deep and rugged baritone voice.
“Hello,” she said, annoyed at the slight crack in her voice. She certainly hadn’t exp
ected him to have white hair and a clean shaven face.
He’s old enough to be my grandfather, she mused as she craned her neck to look up at the tall gentleman. He’s certainly not average…anything.
With her back straight and her chin held high, she extended her hand. “Gilroy Hearn, I presume?”
The man cleared his throat, but instead of taking her hand, he took her bag.
“Liam Deardon, ma’am,” he corrected, meeting her eyes straight on. “Now, here’s the thing...” He scrubbed the back of his curled fingers across his leathery looking jaw line.
Her stomach dropped along with her hand.
“If you’ll just come with me I can explain on the way.” He threw her bag into the back of a buckboard waiting behind them in front of the General Store.
“On the way to where?”
“Home,” Mr. Deardon announced. “Whisper Ridge Ranch.” He held out a hand to help her into the wagon.
She lifted her skirt and slid her other hand into his, unsure what to make of the situation. “I don’t understand. Where is Mr. Hearn?” She sat on the bench, determined to silence the alarm that sounded in her head.
The older gentleman gingerly pulled himself up onto the wagon seat next to her and collected the reins. “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.” He looked straight ahead and snapped the leather straps in his hands. “Hi-yah!”
Oregon, One Week Later
“Montana isn’t that far away. It’s only a couple of hundred miles,” Lucas told Jonah as he tightened the saddle strap on his horse. He winced slightly at the pain the motion shot through his shoulder. “Adonis here will get me there with no problems, won’t you boy?” He patted the gelding’s back.
The horse whinnied as if he’d understood every word.
Lucas laughed.
“You can’t travel there alone.”
“He won’t have to,” Noah stepped into the stable and pulled his tack down off the wall.
Lucas smiled. “And just how did you get out of heading over to Eureka and working Markham’s ranch?”
“Oh, I didn’t. I’m to report there first thing tomorrow. I was referring to Jonah. I think he could use some distance from this place. From Dad.”
“And what about Emma?” Lucas asked.
“What about me?” As if on cue, Jonah’s bride walked through the stable doors.
His brother’s face lit up and he scooped his wife into his arms and kissed her smack on the mouth.
Lucas knew he should look away, but it was good to see Jonah happy. He deserved that.
“Good morning,” Emma greeted them, a light blush staining her cheeks.
The one thing he regretted about leaving so soon was that his niece or nephew would likely be born before he would return.
“You look beautiful, Emma,” he said, leaning down and kissing her on the cheek.
“We’ll miss you around here, Lucas. Take care of yourself.” She handed him a small knapsack. “Just a few things for your journey.”
“Thank you kindly, ma’am.”
Jonah’s forehead wrinkled above the bridge of his nose.
“I’ll be fine,” Lucas told them. “I’ve taken a job accompanying the stage as far as Virginia City. It’s good money, enough to get me to Thistleberry and back. I’ll be home before you know it.”
“Does Dad know where you’re headed? He should be the one leaving for Montana to face his family. Not you. Not with that shoulder.” Lucas knew how difficult it must have been for Jonah to stand up to their father, but he’d said it had been good for the soul, though he still sensed some hostility between the two men.
“I told him about the job with the stage and he was fine with it.” Lucas took a step toward Jonah, who mumbled something unintelligible under his breath.
“Look, we all have to do our part. Noah is going to Eureka to learn cattle ranching, you have to oversee this last herd and its delivery, and I...well, I have to find Granddad Deardon and persuade him to un-disinherit us. Is that even a word?”
“No,” Noah shook his head with a snort.
Jonah opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, but Emma stepped in between them, looking up at her husband.
“I don’t know where I would have been without my grandfather. He is the reason I have you.” She smiled.
A light chill swept over Lucas and gooseflesh rippled his skin.
“Your father is a proud man, Jonah. What was it you said? You shouldn’t be punished for his mistakes.” Emma threaded her arms beneath Jonah’s and leaned up against him. “Lucas is right. Finding your grandfather may be more important than you think. And it’s not just about the money. You should get to know him. While you still have a chance.”
Lucas beamed, grateful that someone understood why he had to go. “That’s a wise woman you’ve got there, big brother.”
Jonah sighed. He bent down and brushed his lips lightly over Emma’s, then deepened the kiss. When he pulled away, he lingered on her eyes a moment, then turned to Lucas.
“Take this.” He set Emma aside as he pulled something from his pocket and slid it into Lucas’s hand before yanking him into a fierce embrace. “God speed, baby brother,” he whispered. “God speed.” With a quick pat on the back he turned and walked from the stables.
“Good luck, Lucas,” Emma said as she stood up on the tips of her toes and placed a kiss on his cheek before hurrying to join her husband.
When Lucas opened his hand to reveal an old, oval-shaped, gold locket, his heart skipped a beat. He clicked it open. There was a photograph on each side—one of his granddad and the other his grandmother—the last before she died. Because of the strain between their father and his family, Gabe Deardon’s children hadn’t even been allowed to go to her funeral. Lucas snapped it shut and squeezed with a grateful upturn of his mouth. He didn’t remember much about the woman, except that her hair had always seemed to smell of warm bread. He smiled wider.
“You ready?” Noah had finished packing his beautiful paint gelding.
“As I’ll ever be.” He placed the closed locket in his vest pocket and scooped up Adonis’s reins.
He and Noah would be able to ride together for the better half of the day before the road would take them in separate directions. They led their horses out into the yard and mounted.
“Let’s go.”
Chapter Three
Montana, Dakota Territory, November
“When do you expect Mr. Deardon to return?” The gangly man in a dark green bowler hat inquired with a slight wiggle of his nose as he tried to readjust how his spectacles sat just below its bridge.
Wisps of snow had begun to fall again and now swirled in flurries around the man’s head. Truth was, Liam should have been back from Virginia City days ago and Lucy worried that he would get caught in the coming storm.
“I know you mean well, Mr. Tacy, but I’m afraid I do not have any more information for you. I will see to it that Mr. Deardon knows you stopped by.” She moved to close the door, but the man stuck his head inside, startling her. She jumped backward with a quick intake of breath.
“It is a matter of the utmost importance.”
Quickly collecting herself, she smiled at him with patience she didn’t feel. “I understand. Thank you.” She pushed on the door until he was forced to retract his head and it closed completely. She leaned against it and blew a stray lock of hair from her eyes. Taking over the running of this household seemed a better idea a month ago when she’d faced destitution on the street.
Where are you, Liam? The man had become like the grandfather she’d never known. He was a good man. She just hoped he wasn’t freezing out there. She made a mental note to have the foreman bring in another bundle of firewood for the hearth. He’d be home soon. From the way he spoke of the annual and much celebrated Deardon Thanksgiving Day tournament and feast, he wouldn’t miss it.
Knock. Knock.
Lucy shook her head and spun to open the door.
�
�I thought I told you...”
Her head motioned backward at the sight of the tall, dark-haired man with brilliant blue eyes who stared down at her. To her surprise, it was not the lanky young lawyer, but a stranger—though there was something oddly familiar about him. He was a beautiful man.
Stop that, Lucy Russell. She cleared her throat.
The stranger looked behind him.
“I’m guessing that was meant for him?” He pointed to the well-dressed man who lifted his foot from the mud puddle he’d just found in front of his little metal carriage and looked back at the house with a scowl.
Lucy giggled and waved. She couldn’t help herself.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, ma’am,” the stranger said, pulling her from her wicked thoughts, “but I was wondering if this is where I might find Mr. William Deardon.”
“This is Mr. Deardon’s residence. May I help you?”
“Will you please tell him that Lucas is here to speak with him?”
“Lucas?” She recognized the name and her heart nearly jumped from her chest.
“Lucas Deardon, ma’am. His grandson.”
Oh, my.
She’d thought the other Deardon men were handsome, but nothing had prepared her for this Deardon man. Liam had recounted how he had written to his estranged son, Gabriel, just after she’d arrived with the hopes of reconnecting with him and his boys by inviting them to Whisper Ridge for the holidays. By the way Liam had spoken of his grandsons, she half expected Lucas to be a young boy of ten or twelve, not a grown man.
She just stared at him for a moment.
“Ma’am,” he said, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Is your father with you? Your brothers?” she asked expectantly, stepping up onto her toes in an attempt to look behind him. That wasn’t going to work. He had to measure at least six feet, if not more.
“No, ma’am.” He fiddled with the hat in his hand. “I’ve come alone.” He met her eyes, his jaw set—prepared for the worst. She’d seen that look before. On Liam. She wanted to invite him in, but worried about the propriety of it. Tillie, the family’s cook was in town gathering last minute supplies for the feast. Nancy, the housekeeper, had already come and gone for the day. And now, Lucy was the only one left in the house.
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