The Deardons Complete Mini-Series

by Kelli Ann Morgan

  Dell headed back out to the living area, presumably to tell the unsuspecting suitor that Miss Callahan would be out to greet him shortly.

  Noah didn’t move from his place in the hall.

  “Well,” Mr. Thomas slapped him on the shoulder, “this might prove to be more of a competition than I originally thought.” He turned to follow Dell. “Time to step it up a notch, eh, Deardon?” he said with a haughty smirk.

  Noah shoved his hands through his hair, rooted to his spot.

  “Aren’t you even the least bit curious?” Levi asked.

  Noah had heard about wealthy businessmen back East who were looking to invest in or purchase successful ranches. He wanted to see this Mr. Stiles and vet him properly as much as anyone, maybe more, but something gave him pause.

  “Of course, I am,” he whispered louder than he’d intended. “But I gave her my word.”

  All this rigmarole complicated everything, not that he was afraid of a little competition. He needed to go about things a little differently.”

  “There is nothing for me to do except show Kate who I am. To prove to her that I am the right man.” He knew it sounded strange to want to be with a woman he’d barely met, but he wanted to spend the rest of his life getting to know her.

  “How are you going to do that?”

  Noah had been thinking long and hard about his plans.

  What am I doing?

  “This isn’t me, Levi. If I am going to do this, I am going to do it my way.”

  He needed to show Kate that he was a man worth taking a risk over. He needed to court her, yes, but he also needed to convince her he was everything she’d asked for—

  Hardworking? Check.

  Knowledgeable of how to run a successful cattle ranch? Check.

  Young and able-bodied. Mostly check. To some, his thirty years didn’t qualify him as young, but he was still able-bodied.

  Kind? Faithful? He tried. And check. To the end.

  Now, Noah just needed Kate to get to know the real him and not the concocted version brought out by a trivial competition with several other potential suitors.

  “I like the sound of that. What is your way?” Levi asked, leaning against the wall in the corridor.

  “For starters, I’m going to work.” Noah turned the opposite direction, heading for the back door.

  There was a lot to be done. A ranch this size needed several more hired hands. Virg, Cal, and Oscar, along with Dell and Kate, had been doing a great job at maintaining some of the necessities, but a lot of the property had already started falling into disrepair, and it was simply too much for just the five of them to handle. At least with several potential suitors, more work would get done around the place.

  Maybe.

  Levi caught up to him as he stepped down off the back steps. “I’ll do everything I can while I’m here.” He stopped Noah and turned to face him. “I’m leaving at the end of next week. I’ve already been gone too long and the railroad needs me in Green River to oversee the men I sent ahead from Oregon.”

  “You recruited men from Oregon?”

  “You didn’t think you were the only one, did you?” Levi laughed. “What’s the saying? Two birds, one stone. You were the one I wanted for Laramie. The only one.” He clapped Noah on the shoulder. “Eamon’s coming too. He’s bought a place there and is trying to convince his daughter to join him. We’ll head out on the seventh.”

  Noah knew the time would come when he’d have to say goodbye to his cousin. The man was key to the successful founding and civilization of several of the fledgling towns along the transcontinental route. Rather than encouraging the growth of the Hell on Wheels towns that plagued the growing railway, he brought respectability to the west by finding good folks to settle down and build their lives.

  “Then, we’d better get to work.”

  Chapter Nine

  Several days had passed since her accident, and Kate was itching to get out of the house. Since she couldn’t walk the property, she figured she’d go for a ride to get some fresh air on this unusually warm November morning. Her foot still pained her, but the discoloration and swelling had all but disappeared except for some lingering stiffness. Noah had been faithful about making her soak it every night in the chilly water before she retired and so far, it seemed to be working.

  She waited by the window until she saw the men leave for the hills with a few wagonloads of hay and wood to fix some of the broken fences, then grabbed the walking stick Noah had so kindly fashioned for her—most likely from a branch of the big white willow tree in the yard—and she made her way out to the stables. She’d heard the reports of what the small crew had been able to accomplish in the last few days, but she wanted to see it for herself. And to see each of the men who vied for her hand at work.

  The extra help around the ranch had been a welcomed blessing, though she felt guilty that some would leave without getting what they’d come for.

  A few of the outbuildings she’d wanted to have in place before spring had already been completed, as had several wind fences and snow barriers that would help protect the cattle from harsh winter storms. And a giant open air barn, with only a roof, but no walls, now towered over a good section of the pasture just outside of the main corrals.

  Many of the broken fences had been mended and three new corrals had been erected in preparation of the new herd. She’d only just received word yesterday that the drive had been halted in Denver due to the imposing weather through the wintery mountain passes.

  A couple of the ranch hands had been left behind this morning to repair tools, rebuild saddles, and tend to the milk cows, for which Kate was grateful as she was able to convince one of them to saddle her horse and help her mount.

  “Thank you, Cal,” she said with a smile.

  The gruff old hand mumbled something back at her that she didn’t understand and walked away, shaking his head. She guessed he didn’t much care for being left behind. Well, she understood that sentiment completely.

  As she rode toward the east pasture, Kate looked up at the beautiful mountainside that encompassed a good portion of her property. The Callahans had been blessed to be some of the first to settle the Laramie valley. Her father had chosen his land well, with a large spring running through it and mountainous terrain with an abundance of trees as well as thick hearty meadows. She loved this land. Its beauty. She even loved the smell of it—well, most of it. When she was away from the vast numbers of cattle, the fresh scent of pine trees and the crispness of the air renewed her. She pulled her mount to a stop where she could glance over and appreciate the wide expanse of her home.

  Kate imagined that her herd from the last drive was being auctioned off in Denver. She’d have to find another way to secure the funds to purchase a few thousand more acres that bordered her land if she was to expand her operations.

  After a few awe-inspiring minutes, she shook out the reins and started moving again, riding along the ridgeline. She stopped a little ways up the trail when she noticed that one of the fences she and Cal had mended just last week had been knocked down again.

  How had the others missed it? Kate made a mental note to have Dell swing back around and get it fixed before half the east herd escaped onto the open range.

  She kept riding until she reached the corrals near the stone well in the northeast corner of her land where the men were supposed to be herding in and checking the health and well-being of the cattle that had come down to the low country a few days ago looking for food. She was pleased to see several more wind fences, a snow barrier, and a large slanted shelter had been constructed.

  Bundles of hay had been strewn across the ground and a good hundred head had already been driven into the corral, but the men were nowhere to be seen. Either they were the fastest drovers she’d ever known or these cows had been here at least overnight.

  Kate had been told of several sections of fence that were in need of mending along the property. Maybe the small, mismatched crew had a
lready finished up here and moved along—though she doubted they’d been here at all or they would have fixed the downed section of fence a ways back. It was more likely they had started on the west side and were working their way east. She tugged her reins lightly to the left and leaned forward, nudging her mount toward the north side of the property.

  It wasn’t long before the sound of deep, male voices could be heard in the distance. She was close. As she curved around the little bend of the mountainside, the men came into view, but there were only three of them—Noah, Levi, and Mr. Stiles. There was no sign of Dell or Mr. Thomas.

  Kate kept her distance, not wanting them to know she was there. A trail had been carved into the base of the mountain, leading up to an overhead lookout, hidden by trees. From that position, she may not be able to hear the conversation, but would be able to watch the men working and get a better feel for those who’d come to White Willow for the chance to own a part of it.

  Luckily, she made it to the lookout without too much noise. She hadn’t anticipated that the trees would block most of her view. The consequence for getting down from the horse would be that she wouldn’t be able to get back up again, and without her walking stick, she’d either be stuck up here all night or have to tell them that she’d been spying. She opted to stay put and just make out what she could from behind the trees.

  Chapter Ten

  “Careful of that fence there, Stiles, it may get your suit dirty.” Noah drew several of the large planks from the back of the wagon and carried them to the section of downed fence.

  The fancy businessman shot to a standing position and brushed vigorously at his backside.

  “I don’t see why she doesn’t just hire more ranch hands to do this kind of work.” Gregory Stiles removed his white boater hat and wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist. “Once we’re married, this type of labor will be a thing of the past. She’ll be able to take tea with the other wives and…”

  Noah stopped listening to the droll ramblings of the older man. It was obvious the Easterner was only there for a claim on White Willow. Having a wife that looked like Kate, however, would make him the envy of society.

  They had left Dell and Clifford with the other wagon and supplies about a mile back to inspect the small group of Herefords that had wandered down from the high country and congregated in a small, grassy vale.

  “So, we’re leaving tomorrow,” Levi said quietly, joining Noah with a bundle of nails.

  Noah held the plank firmly in place against the top of the post still firmly planted in the ground and Levi drove three of the metal stakes through the wood. They repeated the process for the bottom edge and then Noah secured both sides with a string of wire, weaving them tightly against each other.

  “Don’t remind me. If I have to listen to one more story about how wonderful it is in the east without having someone to commiserate with, I may have to strangle him.” He looked up at the man who now leaned against the edge of the wagon inspecting his fingernails.

  If Kate was taken in by someone like Gregory Stiles, then she wasn’t the kind of woman Noah believed her to be, nor someone he wanted to settle down with. Somehow, he knew that riches and glamour were not high on her list of priorities. She was nothing like his mother who had run off on her husband and four small children to pursue an opportunity to sing on some big, fancy stage.

  As he headed back for the wagon, a splash of color caught his eye in the dense cluster of trees jutting out from the side of the mountain. He searched between the branches and locked eyes with Kate, watching them from above.

  “We’ve got company,” Noah said aloud, pointing up with his chin.

  Levi’s hand shot to his hip.

  “Come on down, Kate!” Noah bellowed loud enough she would be able to hear him.

  Mr. Stiles snapped his head toward the spot and immediately adjusted his black colonel tie. After a moment of quiet, the trees rustled and he could hear the horse’s hooves as they headed away from them—Noah guessed there was a back trail that would lead her down to them.

  It took several minutes, but Kate finally came into view from the east as she rounded the bend by the small watering hole.

  He wondered how she had been able to get herself up onto the horse and smiled at her ingenuity. When she’d lamented being cooped up in the house, Noah had gone out to the large white willow and found a broken branch, thick enough not to snap under her weight, but slender enough she could hold it in her hand. He’d sanded it smooth, carved her initials into it, and given it to her to help her get around the homestead.

  From what Levi had told him, she was still a little wary on a horse, but by what he could see, she’d learned pretty quickly.

  “What ya doing?” he asked in an exaggerated drawl.

  She stared at him for a good while before answering.

  “I wanted to watch y’all work and didn’t think you’d let me come along—that you might think I’d just be in the way.”

  Honest. He liked that too.

  “It’s your ranch, Miss Callahan. You’re welcome to go where you please.”

  Kate sat up straighter in the saddle. The smile she offered him filled his soul with fresh air.

  “Hmhmmm.” Mr. Stiles stepped toward her, bowed in half, holding his hat, and reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips.

  “You are looking very lovely this morning, my dear. What a bright spot you’ve made on this ghastly day.”

  “Why, thank you, Mr. Stiles.”

  “I think he’s full of ‘ghas,’” Levi leaned in and whispered over his shoulder, imitating the man’s slight accent.

  Noah chuckled as he bent down and picked up several pieces of the broken fence panel.

  “We’re about finished here.” He looked up at her and their eyes locked, nearly knocking the breath from him.

  Stop it!

  He glanced away as he tossed the wood into the back of the wagon to be used as fuel for the fire. “We’ll just have to spread out the rest of this hay for the cattle and then we could accompany you back to the house. If you’re willing to wait for a few minutes.”

  “That would be lovely.” Kate dipped her head.

  Mr. Stiles finally slid his hands into the gloves Noah had given him back at the house, his nose upturned, and walked over to pick up the last piece of the splintered fence, pinching it by the end with his thumb and forefinger. He raised it up, his lips curled into a grimace, and dropped it into the back of the buckboard, dusting his hands together as if he’d been slaving away all morning.

  Noah rolled his eyes. He couldn’t help it. The man was useless for any real ranch work.

  “Come on.”

  Noah looked up to see Levi extending his arms up to help Kate down from the saddle.

  “You’ve become quite a good rider, Katie. Your father would be proud. But, my guess is that your ankle is still sore enough, that you ought to ride in the wagon.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said stubbornly.

  “Come on,” Levi said again, motioning with his raised hands that she needed to dismount.

  A twinge of jealousy settled in Noah’s gut as Kate swung her leg around the saddle horn and slid into his cousin’s arms. He threw his tools into the back a little harder than he’d intended.

  When Levi reached him, he held her out to Noah and winked. He gladly took the lovely Kate into his own arms, capturing her gaze momentarily before lifting her up onto the high seat. He met Levi’s eyes with an unspoken ‘thank you.’ His cousin patted him on the shoulder and walked to the back of the wagon where he tied his mule-like gelding, then strode to the chestnut mare Kate had been riding and mounted.

  There wasn’t much Noah could do to make the ride more comfortable for her, as she would still have to rest her foot against the tilted plank in front of the seat, but he figured at least this way it wouldn’t be wedged into a stirrup.

  “Did you and the others come up through the west pass?” she asked when he joined her on the b
ench.

  “Cal told us that there were a few scattered animals that had walked down into the ravine. Dell and Clifford are there checking on them now. Why? Is everything all right?”

  “It might be nothing, but I noticed that one of the fences we mended last week is broken again and there are cattle corralled in the east pasture.”

  “How about I take you out there after supper and we’ll have a look.”

  Kate nodded. “I’d like that.”

  She placed a hand on his forearm and Noah sucked in a breath.

  “Thank you,” she said with a smile that reached her eyes.

  The ride back was pleasant and Noah found that he enjoyed her company even more than he’d remembered. Over the last several days he’d tried to keep his distance to give her room to breathe as she contemplated her decision—only seeing her when it was time to soak her foot and occasionally at mealtime.

  He’d delved into the work, which made it a little easier, but he found that the more he got to know her, he wanted to spend more time with her. He selfishly would have loved to spend every waking moment with her. He was caught between all that needed to be done around the ranch and his desire to hear her laugh, to see the light in her eyes when she was pleased by something or someone.

  No, keeping his distance would give the other two suitors vying for her affections plenty of rope to hang themselves as they stumbled all over each other to tell her how wonderful they were.

  With only three ranch hands and the foreman, it was a wonder the White Willow Ranch still functioned. They’d lost nearly eight weeks’ worth of work when more than a dozen ranch hands had up and left their employ to find work elsewhere after Emmett Callahan had been killed. So, Noah had pooled the help of all of the men available to him and together they’d been able to accomplish even more than he’d expected, regardless of Mr. Stiles’ ineptitude.

  When they got back to the homestead, the other wagon was already there. Noah jumped down off the seat and held his hands up for Kate.