A Constant Love (The Hope of Cheyenne #1)

Chapter 10

10

A little over a week had passed since they’d celebrated the nation’s independence, and still the heat refused to abate. Folks were already starting to fear another drought like the summer of ’86, which in turn caused them to fret about another winter like what had followed.

“Do you suppose we should lay in more hay?” Mother asked Charlotte as they ate breakfast.

“I don’t know. Have you talked to Mr. Johnson or Micah about it? I’m sure they must have an opinion.”

“I suppose that would be the place to start. I just don’t want there to be any problems. I’m not seeing any particular signs that we’re heading into problems, but I want to be ready for whatever comes our way.”

Charlotte began to butter a piece of toast. “I believe we’re doing a good job of that.”

“I agree. Now that we have fenced off pastures, I feel much better. That grass is growing nice and thick and will afford us a way of better caring for the animals if the weather turns bad. Of course, in time the herd will expand significantly and no longer be contained in those fields.”

“That’s why we need to keep looking ahead. We have the money to fence off more land. Maybe we could hire some summer workers and get another large section taken care of this year.”

“That is a good thought.” Mother paused with her teacup halfway to her lips. “I think we should consult Micah on that as well.”

Charlotte smiled. “I’ll do that.” She was about to take a bite of her toast when someone’s shout caught her ear.

“Fire!”

She looked at Mother as a sense of dread washed over her. Both women dropped what they were doing and jumped up from the table. They went flying out of the house, with Nora right behind them. Smoke billowed up from just beyond the closest corral.

“What’s going on?” Charlotte demanded to know as she caught up to one of the cowboys. He had bucket in hand.

“The birthing shed is on fire,” he replied.

“I’ll get the chickens out of their pen,” Mother said, heading in the direction of the coop. It was just a few feet from the birthing shed.

The young man took off with his bucket, stopping long enough to fill it at the watering trough. Charlotte went back to the house, grabbed up three buckets, and headed out again. At the trough, she filled each bucket with water.

Nora took up one. Charlotte grabbed two, and then they headed to the birthing shed, where flames were already consuming the small structure. Charlotte glanced around with a frown. They couldn’t save the shed, so maybe the best idea was to tend to things nearby.

“Kit, get the men to water down the outbuildings around the shed. We can’t save it, but hopefully we can keep it contained if the winds don’t whip up too bad. Still, you stay on top of the fire. Have one of the other men work it with you and don’t leave it until it’s completely out.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied and took up a shovel.

They all worked together to water down the chicken coop while the hens enjoyed themselves in the front yard, well away from the fire. Mama took care of getting the pigs and milk cow taken care of, while Charlotte worked the pump to keep the trough full of water. She couldn’t imagine what had happened to start the fire. Thankfully, it was one of those rare days when the winds weren’t bad.

Once the fire was out, she gathered Kit and the crew together to determine what had happened. “Any idea how this started?”

“I don’t know exactly what started it,” Kit said, sounding almost embarrassed.

Charlotte thought his demeanor rather strange but said nothing.

“Does anyone know what happened?” Mama asked, looking at each of the cowboys.

“No, ma’am” came from each man.

“I suppose it’s possible someone threw down a cigarette,” one of the hands finally spoke up.

Mama looked at the cowboys. “Any of you remember smoking in the birthing shed before the fire started?” They shook their heads, and she continued. “You’re not in trouble. I just want to know what happened so it won’t happen again.” Still, no one said a word.

“Very well. We’ll have no more smoking in the yard. Is that clear?” Mama asked. The men all nodded, and she continued. “I’m sorry if that inconveniences you. Take a walk when you smoke or do it on the drive. Then be careful with putting out your cigarettes when you’re finished. We can’t have another accident like this happening. If the winds had been bad, it could have taken everything.”

The boys seemed genuinely upset by what had happened, and well they should. Charlotte glanced at Kit. Their gazes locked for a moment, and then he quickly turned away.

“I’ll make sure the fire’s out and get the mess cleaned up,” he muttered as he went.

Charlotte frowned. “Kit’s not acting himself this morning.”

Her mother drew near. “He probably feels to blame for what happened. We were truly blessed that the fire didn’t spread. Everything is as dry as can be. It wouldn’t have taken much to set it all ablaze.”

“I know.” Charlotte squared her shoulders. “I’m thankful, to be sure. Wish we knew what happened though. Surely the boys know if they were in there smoking or not.”

“I know. It makes me uneasy that they won’t be honest about it. A man should be able to own up to his actions, even if they’re careless and cause problems.” Mama pulled off her work gloves. “I’m going to finish my breakfast. Want to join me?”

Charlotte nodded. “Yes, and I want to talk to you about some ideas I have for a new birthing shed.”

Micah hadn’t expected Rich Johnson to come calling that Friday morning, but spending time visiting was just the thing to revive his spirits. Since dawn, Micah had been trying to figure out his best course of action. The Aldrich women wanted him to combine forces and create the Aldrich-Hamilton Cattle Company. They’d talked about the idea all the way home from the Fourth of July celebration.

“The idea is intriguing,” Micah said. “But I just don’t know if it’s what I should do, so tell me what you honestly think.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Rich replied. “Those women have fought hard to hang on to their ranch, and if you join forces and assets, I think it will be good for both parties. I have to admit,” he paused and grinned, “I’ve had a thought about joining up with Mrs. Aldrich, myself.”

Micah looked at him for a moment. It dawned on him that Rich wasn’t talking about cattle ventures. He laughed. “She is a handsome woman, Rich.”

“That she is. And smart. She knows this life out here and what’s required. I don’t like living alone. My children are grown and gone. None of them want to take up ranching, and there’s only my foreman and housekeeper to keep me company. Oh, and my surly cook, but she’s no real company at all. Just complains about everything. Why, I hired five new men, and she complained about it even though she doesn’t have to cook for them or clean up after them.”

“So are you gonna go courting, Rich?”

“I think Betsy would say it’s the smart thing to do. Lucille and I have both lost our mates, and it’s not good to be alone out here. And if you and Charlotte end up together, Lucille would be just as alone as I am.”

Micah’s head snapped up. “What do you mean if Charlotte and I end up together? There’s nothing between us that way.”

Rich gave a roaring laugh. “You may not have thought it all out yet, but folks have always figured on the two of you marrying.”

“No, it’s not like that at all. Charlotte sees me as nothing more than a big brother. She was always hanging around with Frank Jr. and me.”

“Well, son, I have three sisters, and none of them ever looked at me the way that girl looks at you—the way she’s looked at you since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.”

Something stirred inside of Micah, breaking down a little bit more of the sturdy wall he’d built around his heart. Did Charlotte really look at him that way? Did she have feelings for him? Sure, she turned to him for advice and told him how important he was to her, but he’d never seen it as anything more than the close family-type connection they had for each other.

“Oh, come on now, son. She’s been gone over you for years. At least that’s how I see it. No one has ever told me otherwise. I think even her folks knew how she felt.”

“She’s never said anything about it to me. Not that I would have encouraged that kind of thing. Her pa wanted her to marry someone other than a rancher. Charlotte even said they had a terrible fight about it. She loves the ranch.”

“She loves you,” Rich said, laughing again. “And with any luck at all, I’m gonna get her ma to lovin’ me.” He headed to where Micah had been doing some fencing repairs.

“You’ve got a good place here, Micah, but the Aldrich situation is even better. Maybe you shouldn’t go makin’ a bunch of repairs and additions to this place. Could be if you and Charlotte marry and Lucille does the same with me, you could just keep this place for your oldest son. I’ve got more than enough to share with Lucille, and she told me she plans to set the ranch up in Charlotte’s name. You two could combine your assets and make quite the empire.”

His ideas had Micah feeling completely off-balance. He couldn’t think of Charlotte that way. It wasn’t right. She was just a good friend ... a sister of sorts.

But I don’t feel like she’s my sister.

The truth was what it was. Micah hadn’t allowed himself thoughts of romancing Charlotte Aldrich, but those ideas weren’t off-putting.

“I don’t want to go through another winter alone,” Rich said. “Christmas last year was the saddest I’ve ever faced. I imagine the same was true for Lucille. I’m gonna work real hard to convince her we belong together. Could be if you did the same with Charlotte, Lucille would be more inclined to consider me. If she knew her daughter was all settled and happy, then I think she might allow herself to be likewise.”

“I, uh, I don’t know to say. Here I thought you were going to give me ideas on what I needed to do with the ranch.”

“Well, I just did. If we boys get married, it will straighten itself out.” Rich gave another laugh. “In fact, I’m not so sure the entire world won’t settle into place once we tie the knot with those two gals.”

A rider was coming up the drive at quite a clip. Micah squinted against the sun to see who it might be, worried it would spell bad news.

“I brought this message from Miss Charlotte,” the young man told Micah reining back his horse to an abrupt halt. “She said to wait for an answer.”

“Maybe she’s proposing,” Rich said in a hushed voice, then busted out laughing.

Micah scanned the note. Charlotte had fifty new angus cows coming in the next day via the railroad and wondered if Micah would ride with her to bring them back. He couldn’t help wondering why she wasn’t sending a couple of hands to go fetch them.

He glanced at Rich. “She wants help bringing some cows back from Cheyenne.” Micah looked up at the rider. “Tell her I’ll be at the house first thing in the morning.”

“She said to come have breakfast with them at six,” the boy said before turning his horse and heading down the drive at a gallop.

Apparently, she had already known he’d do her bidding. Charlotte knew she could count on him. It really wasn’t anything more than that. Or was it?

“You’d better get busy, Micah, or some other fella’s gonna come along and steal that gal away.”

“Lewis Bradley has already tried,” Micah said, folding the note up and putting it in his pocket. “Charlotte put him in his place.”

“Still, I wouldn’t wait long.” Rich mounted and looked down at Micah. “A slow ride to Cheyenne would be a good time to talk about a lot of things.” He grinned again. “Maybe there aren’t any cows in Cheyenne, and it’s just her way to get you alone. Maybe I’ll try that with Lucille.”

This made Micah chuckle. “I doubt you could fool Mrs. Aldrich that way. Maybe just keep taking her dancing. She didn’t seem to mind at all that you kept her busy on the Fourth of July.”

“She’s light on her feet,” Rich said, giving Micah a wave. “Time to go a courtin’.”

Micah watched him ride off down the trail. Johnson was a good man. A man Micah’s father had truly respected. Like Frank Aldrich Sr., their friendship had been immediate and strong.

Leaning back against the fence post, Micah shook his head. Everything had changed. The world Micah had once known was gone. When they’d first come to the territory, people were few and far between, and folks learned quickly to do for themselves. Still, the friendships that could be made were more valuable than gold.

“Never lose sight of how important people are in your life, Micah,” his father had stressed. “Do for others and be available when troubles come, and they’ll do likewise for you.”

The Aldrich and Johnson families had been invaluable to Micah and his father. Out here, well away from town and easy help, they had been there for one another. More than once they’d ridden to each other’s aid and would continue to do so, even though so many of them were now gone. Micah might have been useless to everyone since losing his dad, but he didn’t intend to go on being that way.

His mother and Rich’s wife were gone. The Aldrich men and Micah’s father were dead as well. Rich’s children married and moved off. Only he and Charlotte remained of the children who had come here so long ago. Even so, Micah hadn’t really thought about what was to come next for the people. It was always about the land and animals. Since losing his father, he hadn’t considered taking a wife, much less that Charlotte might be the one.

When they were young, he and Frank Jr. spent time eyeing one girl and then another at church. They’d had their favorites and talked about courtship. But Micah had never given serious thought toward any of those young ladies. He was determined to see the ranch grow and become something wondrous, like John Iliff’s ranch to the south. He had been known as the cattle king of Colorado. It was said at his death in 1878 that Iliff had amassed some thirty-five thousand head. His widow had continued to build that ranch, and who knew how many they had before the Great Die-Up.

Thoughts of Iliff’s widow brought to mind Mrs. Aldrich. She was strong and capable. The ranch itself was proof of just how much she understood what was needed. She wasn’t afraid to work hard, but she was getting older. Rich would make her a good husband. Mrs. Aldrich needed someone like him who understood her love of the land and family. It wasn’t good for man to be alone. Together, they could face the future working side by side.

Was a wife what God intended next for Micah as well?

Micah gazed up at the sky. He hadn’t been overly active in his prayer life, but it seemed that maybe that should change. There were so many questions he had about his future, and surely only God had the answers he needed.

“Well ... here I am, Lord.”

He shook his head. Since his father’s death, God hadn’t been speaking to Micah at all. Why should he expect it now? Of course, maybe it wasn’t that God wasn’t speaking. Maybe Micah wasn’t listening.

He drew a deep breath and looked toward heaven. “I know I’m the problem, Lord. I just don’t know what to do about it.”