Silver Springs

by Carolyn Lampman

Treenery stopped pacing a moment to glare at his grandson. “What difference does that make? All that matters is Brady won this round.”

  “I’m still not convinced he’s behind it.”

  “Oh, he’s behind it all right. Who else would have cause?”

  Ox shrugged. “Any thief looking for a quick dollar. With the epizootics running rampant, those mules probably brought in as much cash as the payroll.”

  “So how did they wind up pulling The Silver Springs Express if Brady had nothing to do with it?”

  “The Express probably offered the most money. When the sheriff investigated, they produced a legitimate bill of sale.”

  “Forged, no doubt.”

  “Most likely, but it was good enough for the sheriff.” Ox shook his head. “I couldn’t even prove they were the mules I got from the army.”

  “Brady probably has the sheriff in his pocket, too. He’d have to in order to protect that bunch of cutthroats he’s got working for him.”

  “I still think someone else is masterminding all this. Look at all the trouble he took to keep the outlaws from taking the payroll. Why would he do that if he wanted them to steal it?”

  “To fool us into thinking he had nothing to do with it!” James said in exasperation.

  “You’re too suspicious.”

  “And you’re too trusting. I think that bit of fluff you’re playing with when your fiancée isn’t looking has softened your brain.” Treenery shook his head. “I’m surprised Alexis hasn’t put a stop to it.”

  Ox frowned. “If you mean Jessie, there’s nothing to put a stop to, and Alexis knows it.”

  “So you say.”

  “Look, old man, if you came here to abuse me, you’re wasting your time. We have more important matters to discuss, like money to run this business.”

  “No.”

  “Does that mean you won’t discuss it, or that you’re not putting any more into the line?”

  “I’m not putting in another penny until Brady makes his move.”

  Ox raised an eyebrow. “What move is that?”

  “Either he’ll figure out another way to attack The Flying T, or he’ll try to buy me out.”

  “I still don’t see what letting the stage line go bust will accomplish for either one of you.”

  “Don’t fool yourself,” Treenery said, crossing to the window. “Brady has no intention of destroying The Flying T. He’s just lowering the price.” He glanced at his grandson. “I see you still don’t believe me.”

  “It does sound a little far-fetched.”

  “Then why don’t you ask him for money?”

  “I already have.” Ox sighed. “He refused even faster than you did.”

  “There, you see?”

  “What I see is that this stage line is going to go broke unless someone is willing to put a little money back into it,” Ox said in exasperation. “The replacement horses I bought just about cleaned us out. There isn’t enough left to make up the payroll we lost. If neither of you will fund it, I’ll be forced to start selling off assets.”

  “Then so be it.” Treenery said with a shrug. “Just be sure you inform Brady that’s what you intend to do. When he comes through with his half of the money, I’ll kick in mine.”

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “Then we’ll be that much closer to buying him out.”

  Ox glowered at his grandfather. “I have a better idea. Why don’t I just resign and let you two fight it out?”

  “Go right ahead. I’m sure your mother won’t mind the inconvenience of moving to Cheyenne, though you’d better do it soon. You wouldn’t want to endanger her health with winter coming on.”

  “You’d use my mother as a pawn in your little game with Brady?”

  James Treenery made a helpless gesture with his hands. “You leave me no choice. The only chance I have of beating Brady is with you here to watch out for my interests.” He consulted his pocket watch. “My train leaves in ten minutes. I’d best be off.”

  “What if Brady doesn’t come around to your way of thinking?”

  “Don’t worry, he will. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, keep me informed.”

  With an expression of intense loathing, Ox watched his grandfather stroll down the street. “You can come out now, Alexis. He’s gone.”

  “He sounded just like my father did two weeks ago,” Angel said, coming out of the back room. “After the holdup, all he could talk about was how he wasn’t going to let those damn Treenerys get the best of him.”

  “Good. As long as they concentrate on each other, we’ll beat them.”

  Angel frowned. “Do you think he’d really throw your mother out if you refused to do what he wanted?”

  “I wouldn’t put anything past the old devil.”

  “Then what’s he going to do when he finds out you’ve been behind all this?”

  “I don’t know. Once he figures out I’m beyond his control, I’m very much afraid he’ll take it out on her. Originally, I figured The Silver Springs Express would be lucrative enough that I could take care of her when the end came. I didn’t anticipate the downfall of The Flying T happening quite so fast.”

  “Who would have thought they’d go after each other this way? I swear, they’re doing more damage than we are.” Angel crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “I guess we’ll just have to figure out a way to keep your mother out of his reach when the time comes.”

  “If worst comes to worst, she can go stay with my great aunt. Even my grandfather won’t tangle with Aunt Thelma.” Ox smiled. “At least we won’t have to pretend to be betrothed much longer.”

  “No.” The thought caused a surprising wrench. When had she begun to relish the part she played?

  “I’m sure Brandon will be glad to see the end of it.”

  A slight smile flitted across her face. “I think it’s safe to say Brandon is looking forward to the end of the deception almost as much as I am.”

  Ox sat back in his chair and gazed at her speculatively for a long moment. “Have you thought about what we’re going to do after you’re married?”

  “Do?”

  “I assume you’ll be living out at his ranch.”

  “I suppose so,” she said cautiously. “Why?”

  “I doubt Brandon will want you to continue helping run The Silver Springs Express.”

  “No, I don’t guess he would at that.”

  “Good. I want to buy you out.”

  Angel blinked in surprise. “What?”

  “I want to buy your half of The Silver Springs Express. I won’t be able to do it all at once, of course, but if profits continue to grow the way they are, I should be able to swing it by the end of next year.”

  Angel’s heart plummeted. The loss of the business was almost as devastating to contemplate as the thought of how Ox was going to react when he discovered she’d been lying to him. She’d probably never see him again. “Wh-when would you want to dissolve our partnership?”

  “After the final confrontation with my grandfather and your father. At top market value, I expect you’ll increase your original investment substantially.”

  “I hadn’t even thought about it.”

  “With your business sense, I find that hard to believe.” Ox smiled. “It’s no wonder your husband only appointed a couple of trustees to look after your fortune for you. He knew you were quite capable of taking care of it on your own.”

  “Duncan figured on Angel helping me.”

  “Frankly, I think you’re fully as capable in the business world as your sister is.”

  A ghost of a smile crossed her face. “I’m sure my sister would be amazed to hear that.”

  “How is Angel anyway?”

  “Fine, as far as I know. The last I heard, she was too busy to get away, even for a few days.” Angel thought she detected a flash of regret in Ox’s eyes, but it was gone in an instant. “What makes you ask?”

  “A conversation I had with
the children the other day got me to thinking about her. I just wondered.”

  “Ox,” Jessie cried, bursting through the front door. “You have a telegram from Sam!”

  “A telegram!” Angel said in astonishment as Ox took the message from Jessie’s hand. “What on earth could be so important he’d risk sending it in such a public manner?”

  “I’ll be damned,” Ox said. “This is great news!”

  Angel peered down at the note in Ox’s hands.

  OXEN HEAR. UNCLE’S LETTERS COME BY EXPRESS.

  She read over his shoulder, then glanced up at him. “That makes no sense at all.”

  He grinned. “It’s a code Sam and I worked out. Notice this was sent to Jessie, not me.”

  “But Oxen hear means to tell Ox,” Jessie said eagerly.

  “That makes sense, I guess,” Angel agreed, “but what’s all this about your uncle’s letters?”

  “That, my dear, refers to Uncle Sam. It seems he’s decided to send his letters on The Silver Springs Express rather than The Flying T.”

  Angel’s eyes widened in disbelief. “We got the government mail contract?”

  “It appears that way.”

  “Oh, Ox,” Jessie cried, throwing her arms around him. “The Silver Springs Express is going to make it!”

  He chuckled at her exuberance. “At least now we have a fighting chance.”

  “I never realized our ultimate success was so important to you, Jessie.” Angel had to fight the insane urge to jerk the other woman out of Ox’s embrace and rip all the hair out of her head.

  “It means so much to all of you,” Jessie said with a shy smile. As if suddenly realizing where she was, she blushed and stepped back. “I’m sorry I got so carried away, Ox.”

  “My pleasure,” he said with a grin. “This calls for a celebration.”

  “I suppose you keep champagne handy for just such an occasion.”

  Angel’s biting sarcasm brought a smile to Ox’s lips as he pulled a bottle out of his desk. “Close enough.” He popped the cork and poured some into three glasses. “I use this particular bottle of cognac only for celebrations.” His gaze met Angel’s as he handed her a glass. “It has special significance for me.”

  The air fairly sizzled with memories and unspoken emotion as Angel raised her glass in a toast.

  “Here’s to success.”

  “To success,” Ox said as he lifted the glass to his lips.

  The cognac burned its way down Angel’s throat, but this time she didn’t respond to its mellow soothing. Her dreams had been destroyed by the man she loved with a few innocuous words. She really couldn’t blame Ox for being so ready to end their association. The Alexis he knew had gone out of her way to make him feel that way. As painful as it was for her, it had been necessary. At least now, when the real Alexis returned as a married woman, he wouldn’t discover he’d fallen in love with a myth. Of course, there was no getting around how angry and betrayed he was going to feel when he found out about the masquerade.

  It was all a moot point anyway. The way Jessie had hugged him, it was obvious she was in danger of succumbing to Ox’s fatal charm, too. If Jessie decided she wanted a man, no other woman would stand a chance.

  For the first time, Angel dreaded the day she would give Alexis her life back, and it wasn’t too difficult to figure out why. Angel’s world was going to fall apart, and there wasn’t a darn thing she could do about it.

  Chapter 32

  “Look, Jared,” Shannon said, as she negotiated a difficult turn on the driving course Ox had helped them build. “Angel’s here.”

  “Hello,” he said, waving wildly as Shannon brought the pony cart up to her at a smart trot. “Did you come down to watch us?”

  Angel glanced around at the deserted homestead. It was half a mile from anything. “Of course not. Martha sent me to the store for some molasses. If I go home too soon, she’ll find something else for me to do. Your little course was on my way and seemed like a good place to hide from her,” Angel said. “Why else would I be here on such a cold day? We might even get snow before evening.”

  He grinned at her. “To make us happy.”

  “What an idea,” she said, seating herself on a stump. “As though I cared whether you two were happy or not. Now, which of you is going to demonstrate your driving skills first?”

  For the next fifteen minutes, Angel was an appreciative audience, calling encouragement and applauding at the appropriate moments. When Jared and Shannon joined her at last, they were both glowing.

  “You two are incredible!” she told them truthfully.

  “Ox taught us all the difficult tricks,” Jared admitted.

  “Maybe so, but you must have been practicing every free minute to become so accomplished.”

  Shannon nodded. “We come here every day.”

  “We started doing that when Ox was teaching us, but we’ve kept it up, even when he stopped coming.”

  “He doesn’t come anymore?” Angel asked.

  “Sometimes, but not so much as when we first built it. He used to come to watch and talk, just like you did today.”

  “What do you talk about?” she asked casually.

  Shannon and Jared exchanged a meaningful glance as Angel pretended to study the deserted barn that stood nearby. “Horses mostly, though he used to ask lots of questions about you and Alexis.”

  “Oh? What kind of questions?”

  Jared shrugged. “Mostly boring grown-up questions, like what you do for fun, what you do when you come to visit and things like that.”

  “But sometimes, he told us stuff, too.” Shannon sat down next to Angel on the stump. “Did you know he had a mule named Angel?”

  Angel raised an eyebrow in surprise. “He did?”

  “Yep.” Jared nodded in agreement. “Because she was the stubbornest, most contrary critter he ever tried to drive.”

  Shannon glared at her brother. “He never said that’s why he named her Angel.”

  “Did so. He would never even have told us if you hadn’t said she liked mules.”

  Angel blinked. “Whatever made you think I like mules?”

  “I heard you tell Alexis so last summer.”

  “You did?”

  Shannon nodded emphatically. “I remember, ‘cause I thought it was real strange. You said you liked a skinny mule named Ox.”

  Angel groaned. “Oh, no. Please tell me you didn’t give Ox that little piece of information.”

  “Why not? He thought it was funny.”

  “Oh yes, I’m sure he—” Angel broke off suddenly and listened intently. Someone seemed to be singing scales in the abandoned barn. “What on earth is that?”

  “Oh, that’s just Jessie. She comes here every day to exercise her voice.”

  Angel stared at them in astonishment. “To what?”

  “Come on,” Shannon said, jumping to her feet. “We’ll show you.”

  “You have to be real quiet though,” Jared cautioned, “’cause she needs to concentrate.”

  The lovely contralto voice surrounded them as they entered the barn. Jessie stood near the center of the building, trilling her way through the scales, completely oblivious to her audience. Angel was incredulous. Jessie made simple scales as delightful to listen to as any song.

  As the last note echoed off the rafters, something in a conversation between Beth Ann and Vanessa niggled at Angel’s mind, but she couldn’t quite remember what it was. Then Jessie launched into a song, and Angel ceased to think at all.

  The music flowed around her, sweet and intense, more beautiful than Angel had ever thought possible. She didn’t understand one word of the song, but it gave her goose bumps and brought tears to her eyes. When it was over at last, she stood there, scarcely able to breathe around the knot of emotion in her throat.

  They say her voice is the ninth wonder of the world. All at once, Beth Ann and Vanessa’s conversation came back with sudden clarity. She said she was going to visit her mother and disa
ppeared without a trace. No one has seen hide nor hair of her since.

  Angel felt weak in the knees. No wonder Jessie had never learned anything useful in school; she was too busy training that incredible voice. To the rest of the world, Molly’s poor orphaned little daughter was the incomparable Jessica Lanford.

  “Is that another one of those foreign areas?” Jared asked as the last note died away, and Jessie dropped her hands.

  Jessie smiled at him. “If you mean an aria, yes it is; an Italian one.”

  “I think I liked the one you did yesterday better,” Shannon admitted.

  “That’s because it’s—oh.” Jessie stopped mid-sentence when she turned and saw Angel standing by the door.

  The two women stared at each other for a long moment before Angel spoke. “Shannon, Jared, why don’t you two run along so Jessie and I can have a chat?”

  “Aw, come on,” Jared said. “We won’t be in the way.”

  Shannon took his arm and pulled him toward the door. “Come on, Jared, they don’t want us to hear what they have to say.”

  “I’d better not catch you eavesdropping outside the door, either,” Angel called after them. “You shouldn’t leave Lightning standing too long anyway.”

  “We always miss the good stuff,” Jared grumbled, following his sister outside.

  Angel waited until they were out of earshot before she spoke. “You’re Jessica Lanford, aren’t you?” she asked softly.

  “I...” Jessie hesitated, then slowly nodded. “Yes.”

  “Oh, Jessie, why didn’t you tell me?”

  Jessie blushed and looked down at her hands. “I wanted to be just plain Jessie for a while. If you had known, everything would have been different.”

  “I wouldn’t have done a thing differently if I’d known the truth.”

  “Oh no?” Jessie lifted her eyes. “Do you really think you’d have treated me the same?”

  “Of course I—” but as she said the words, a dozen images flooded Angel’s mind, and she realized Jessie was right. “No, I guess I wouldn’t have. Lord, I feel like such a fool.”

  Jessie smiled. “Why? You’ve never been anything but kind to me.”

  “But all those jobs...” Angel rolled her eyes. “You must have thought I was crazy.”