“That’s thoughtful. Thank you.”
Jimmy chattered like a chipmunk all the way into Sundance. Marty mostly grunted in response and he left Ruby no time to respond at all.
“Where to?” Marty asked Ruby.
“Last night in Sackett’s I heard a man say horse racin’ and livestock events were at the racetrack north of town,” Jimmy said.
“Let’s go there.”
Spectators had lined their buggies around the perimeter. Marty found a spot and parked. But they were so far away from the events they might as well have stayed in Labelle.
Ruby jumped down without Jimmy’s assistance.
“Looks like the horse racin’ just finished.”
Marty scoffed. “I’da beat them all. That’s why they never let Indians compete.”
Jimmy nodded. “Marty’s horse would whip up on anyone’s.” Then he pointed. “Livestock competition is over there.”
“I’d like to set up there to start.” She left the food but pocketed the flask, and grabbed the picnic blanket she and Jonas had used and her parasol.
A couple of families gave them a wide berth as they crossed the dirt track to get a better view. But Ruby didn’t pay them any mind. Especially not after Jimmy said, “Hey! I see Deputy McKay.”
Jonas and Silas were both on horseback. Even if the deputy hadn’t pinned his star to the front of the vest identical to the one his twin wore, she could’ve told the brothers apart. She knew exactly how Jonas McKay moved, regardless if he was atop a horse or atop her: with an innate awareness of his body as he gently—but firmly—controlled the animal beneath him.
God. The man was magnificent.
She kept walking until she reached the best viewing area. It was no skin off her nose if other families didn’t want to sit close to her.
It wasn’t until after she’d popped open her parasol that she noticed Jimmy and Marty whispering back and forth. “What?”
“People ain’t any nicer to you, Miss Ruby, than they are to us. You want us to stay here by you for a spell?”
Such a sweet boy, trying to protect her feelings. “If you have any interest in watching the competition, I’d say yes. But I’m guessing you two would rather go over to where the tents have been set up for the carnival.”
“I see enough ranchin’ stuff every day. This is the first time I’ve been to a town celebration so me’n Marty wanna have a look-see.”
“I don’t blame you. Keep aware of who’s around you, all right?” From the small miser’s purse, she pulled out a dollar’s worth of coins. “Don’t waste this on games of chance. Don’t spend it all in one place.”
“Aww, thanks, Miss Ruby.”
Marty and Jimmy exchanged a quick grin and scampered off.
A breeze eddied about, kicking up swirls of dirt. Even through the dust she could see Silas searching the crowd for his betrothed. Whereas beside him, Jonas messed with his rope.
How she wished Jonas knew she was out here rooting for him.
Although Silas hadn’t spotted Dinah, Ruby had her within her direct line of sight.
Dinah stood with a group of overdressed ladies. The pleasant smile affixed to her face slipped when one particular woman spoke. Ruby suspected most of the ladies’ conversation was lost on Dinah because she was concentrating on Silas. Little doubt she was entertaining licentious thoughts watching him in his element, the same way Ruby lusted after Jonas.
Ruby gave into her smug sense of satisfaction that none of those snooty-looking women had a male like one of the McKays in their beds. If they had, they wouldn’t give two pins about gossip; they’d be too enthralled watching their virile man publicly prove his prowess.
When two newcomers joined the clique, Dinah discreetly turned her back and conferred her full attention to the competition.
Jonas was the first contestant in the horse skills contest.
Ruby’s mouth went positively dry even as her pantalets went damp at seeing Jonas and his expertly trained horse barreling through the requirements, as if demonstrating perfection.
No other contestants begrudged his first-place finish, especially not his brother, who’d finished second.
During the switchover to the next event, she lost track of Jonas and Silas in the milling crowd of men and sea of hats.
The announcer called out the start of the bronc busting.
Ruby assumed Jonas would cheer on his brother during the contest, but wouldn’t enter it himself.
Wrong.
Jonas was announced fourth in the line-up and Silas sixth.
She held her breath from the moment Jonas climbed on the back of the beast until the moment the animal tossed him in the dirt.
He laughed, dusted himself off, and went to help his brother get ready for his attempt.
Silas fared better than all but one of the buckaroos and he ended up in second. Pity he couldn’t see Dinah cheering for him and his consecutive second place finish.
The announcement for team roping caused a large portion of the crowd to leave, which didn’t make sense to Ruby. This was the real-life skill set ranchers used on a daily basis. This was what she’d been eager to see…or maybe she just wanted to witness how well Jonas and Silas worked together.
And she wasn’t disappointed in the show they put on…because it wasn’t a show. These men had a nonverbal communication that transcended their bond as twins. They were in tune with their individual responsibilities yet created a seamless team transition that made roping a frightened animal look easy. Ruby knew if she questioned either of the McKays about it, they’d be humble, chalking it up to luck and well-trained ranch horses, and not their skills.
The brothers vanished in a cluster of men on horseback to ready themselves for the next event.
Two couples with assorted children approached Ruby until the younger man—who’d been a longtime regular customer—realized who she was. He sent her a panicked look as if she’d announce to his wife, three children and in-laws that his kink was having a glass dildo shoved up his ass while getting his cock sucked. She really wished these men would give her more credit; if she blabbed their secrets far and wide, how would she ever stay in business? Still, she turned the other cheek and scanned the people standing around the tents to try and catch a glimpse of either Jimmy or Marty.
No luck.
When she faced forward again, she jumped because Dinah had appeared in front of her.
Directly in front of her.
Wearing a friendly smile.
“Ruby. How are you?”
She offered a tentative smile in return. “I’m good.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Since the start of the cattlemen’s events.” She paused. “The McKays have had a great showing, haven’t they?”
“Outstanding. Although I’d be happy never to see Silas climb on the back of a bucking bronc again.”
Ruby didn’t say anything.
Then the event coordinator announced the last event.
Dinah turned and stepped to the side. “Do you mind if I watch from here?”
“Won’t your friends…” Stare and demand answers on how you know Madam Ruby?
“Only one of those women is my friend. The others are sycophants since Bea’s husband is building the new bank in Sundance.”
“I see.”
“Before you say something insulting like I should care about my reputation by acting as if we don’t know each other, I’ll point out we have more in common than you might imagine.”
Ruby managed not to snort with disbelief and offered a cool, “How so?”
“We’ve both fallen for a McKay.”
That left Ruby speechless.
“I’ve not said anything to Silas—or to anyone else, for that matter—about you and Jonas being together.”
“How did you arrive at the conclusion we’re together?”
“When I stitched you up, you called him Jonas. Especially telling since most people refer to him by his t
itle. Silas says Jonas only stays at the cabin maybe two nights out of the week. He believes his brother is sleeping at the jail. Maybe he is some nights. With no boardinghouse in Labelle…there is one place he could stay regularly and no one would question his comings and goings.”
Ruby continued to stare straight ahead, neither confirming nor denying.
“I believe you brought Silas to Doc’s in a blizzard because you were taking care of him when Jonas couldn’t, and it was your way of helping your man’s family.”
Dammit.
“The only way you could’ve known about what was said between Silas and me after the incident in Sundance was if Jonas had told you—after Silas had told him—because no one else heard our conversation. And I’m pretty sure that Silas and Jonas tell each other everything.”
“Not everything,” she said dryly.
“You have a point. I’m not saying any of this because I want to hold something over you.”
“Then why?”
Dinah paused. “Because like me, you’re actually here to watch them compete.”
“They’re nearly done, right?”
“This is the last cattleman’s event.” She stood on her tiptoes. “Looks to me as if the deputy isn’t competing.”
“Shame,” Ruby said off-handedly, grateful if he’d foregone climbing on the back of some wild, bucking animal.
“I see Silas tossing his rope, so I’m betting it’s a roping contest.” Dinah attempted to discreetly wipe the sweat from her brow. “I don’t know how I forgot to wear a hat today.”
“Because it would’ve messed up your lovely hairstyle. Come. This parasol is ridiculously big. There’s plenty of shade to share.”
Dinah blinked those big blue eyes at her. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you.” She scooted closer. “Did you come here with someone?”
“Two someones actually. Jimmy and Martha, although she is dressed like a boy and is insistent on being called Marty today.”
“That sounds like her. You’re only missing Ernie Robinette and you’d have my entire school with you.”
Ruby glanced at her. “Only three students in your school? That’s it?”
“Yes. Once I got over the shock and disappointment, not to mention the jokes at my expense of not being a ‘real’ teacher with a ‘real’ schoolhouse…I embraced the challenge. Traditional schooling didn’t work for any of those kids. Ernie is brilliant at math and science and doesn’t see the point of wasting his time on other academic avenues. Martha could teach a master horticulturist a thing or two; she’s an excellent hunter and horse trainer, so traditional jobs relegated to females hold no appeal for her. Jimmy absorbs whatever is placed in front of him when he’s not falling asleep from exhaustion at being a twelve-year-old boy who works any job asked of him in order to survive.”
Ruby hadn’t expected to hear such admiration from Dinah for kids who most people—teachers included—would discount.
“Oh, it’s starting.”
Once again, Silas McKay had no competition and took first place.
When Dinah saw him looking around, likely for her, she waved the parasol and shouted, “McKay!”
Everyone turned and looked at them.
Everyone.
The attention didn’t bother Dinah a bit. She didn’t notice; she was too busy getting moony-eyed over her man.
That’s when Ruby believed she and Dinah were kindred spirits.
Especially when Dinah leaned over and whispered, “It’s actually funny how hard the deputy is trying not to look over here at you every thirty seconds.”
Ruby laughed. “He’s failing miserably, don’t you think?”
“Yes. Does it bother you?”
“What? That I can’t yell his name and blow kisses at him in public?” That sounded a little salty. “Sometimes, yes. But it’d be worse for him to be publicly dragged down for doing something as silly as falling in with a prostitute.”
“I’m sorry. I truly am. One can only hope with the suffrage movement some of those biased and unfair judgments toward women will change.”
“Amen, sister, but I’m not holding my breath.”
“You might want to.” Dinah wrinkled her nose. “The sheep events are about to start.”
“Oh. Do sheep stink?”
Dinah cocked her head. “They smell like oil and dirt and manure to me.”
“Not like sunbaked, rain-cooled wool from the misty moors?” Ruby asked slyly.
“No. In that furry form you won’t catch the crispy roasted meat with mint jelly aroma either. Which is a pity because that’s my favorite.” She frowned. “Why are the McKay brothers mixing with the sheep ranchers? Are they not aware that Zeke and Zachariah West are right there?”
Since Ruby was taller than Dinah, she could see that Dinah hadn’t been mistaken. Jonas and Silas were with the other sheep event competitors. “Surely they aren’t…”
“Damn Silas’s ornery hide, I’ll bet that’s exactly what he’s done: entered to put Zeke West in his place.” She sighed heavily. “You deal with men all day long. What is wrong with them when they just can’t let something go? Why do they have to keep poking the bear? Even after they’ve promised to stop poking the bear because the bear pokes back?”
Ruby twirled the parasol. “Dinah, if I’d figured out what makes men do what they do, I’d have more money than the Hearst family, the Vanderbilts, and the Rockefellers combined.”
Dinah snickered.
“Men will always have pissing contests to see who has the bigger pecker.”
Silence.
Ruby leaned closer. “Pecker is another word for cock, darling.”
“I sort of gathered that.”
Their conversation lost momentum while they watched the bizarre contest of putting small children on the backs of sheep.
But they voiced their outrage when a girl placed first and she wasn’t allowed to claim the prize.
Ruby casually said, “In the interests of female rights, I feel we should have a little celebratory toast to Edna Mae’s accomplishment.”
“Agreed.”
“Hold this.” She handed Dinah the parasol handle when she bent down to get the flask out of her stocking. “How about a nip of cherried brandy?”
“Sounds delicious.” Dinah swapped the handle for the flask. She took a big swig then passed it back. “Oh, that’s good. Like summer in a bottle. Thank you for sharing with me.”
“You’re welcome. Have more.”
They passed the flask back and forth until they’d emptied it.
They might’ve gotten a bit enthusiastic when Jonas and Silas set a new record for sheep penning. And when Silas gifted Edna Mae with their winning certificate.
Dinah revealed her tipsiness when she confided, “That’s the father of my future children. I’m thinking some intense baby-makin’ practice is in our immediate future whenever I see that man mount up. Or when I watch him ride.”
“Or even when you just watch him walk. With purpose, but also as if he has all the time in the world to get to you. And when he finally reaches you? Wild horses couldn’t drag you away from him, but he wouldn’t let you go anyway even if they tried.”
“God. You get it, Ruby. You really, really get it.”
Ruby bumped her with her hip. “I get it far more often than you do, virgin.”
“I believe it. I took your advice, madam.”
“Which advice?”
Before Ruby could respond, Jimmy and Marty tore up. Their powdered-sugar-coated faces and grins were something to behold.
“I take it you kids had fun.”
“The most fun ever. But we…” Jimmy and Marty both eyed their teacher and whatever they were bursting to tell Ruby wasn’t for Dinah’s ears. So she let Jimmy lead her away and the three of them huddled with their heads close together.
Ruby lowered her voice. “What did you do?”
“I know you warned us not to play games�
�”
She started to tell them not to feel guilty about losing the money, but Jimmy blurted out, “But we played, and we won.”
“What did you win?”
“Two dollars,” Marty bragged.
“Two whole dollars,” Jimmy emphasized.
“What game?”
“The shell game. A guy put a silver dollar under one of three shells and then kept movin’ them around. When he stopped, we had to guess which shell the money was under. Marty guessed right both times and we got to keep the dollar!”
“Did you make them mad when you won?”
“Just the last time because we took the money and wouldn’t play double or nothin’.”
“So what are you doing back here? Are you hungry?”
Jimmy and Marty exchanged another look.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, just tell me.”
“Well, we wanna know if we’re s’ppose to pay you back the dollar you gave us. Now that we got our own money.”
These kids. Two bucks was everything to them. “My dollar was a gift. Fun money. You don’t have to pay it back.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.”
“All right! So we’re gonna go back. But we promise we ain’t playin’ no more games.”
“Have fun. But keep checking in so I know you’re all right.”
When Ruby turned around, Dinah was gone. Apparently Silas was done competing if she’d taken off that fast.
Maybe she was slightly peeved that Dinah had just tossed the white parasol onto the ground. As well as the flask. That seemed rude.
And completely unlike the polite schoolteacher.
Frowning, Ruby bent down to pick up the flask and spotted a couple of large pieces of white fluff that weren’t from her parasol.
How hadn’t she noticed these? With the ground being so dusty, they would’ve stuck out.
Because the pieces of wool hadn’t been there before she stepped away to talk to Jimmy and Marty.
A bad feeling flowed through her.
Scanning the crowd didn’t get a glimpse of Dinah’s pale blue dress. She spun around and didn’t see her in any direction. Then she called out to Jimmy.
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