Chapter 15
15
It didn’t take much time to get lunch ready. Nora had prepared most everything the day before. Now it was just a matter of warming up the smoked ham or eating it cold. Frankly, as hot as the day was, Charlotte preferred a cold ham sandwich to eating a hot ham steak.
At lunch they discussed the way they would handle things with the cowboys, and by the time Nora was gathering up the dishes, Charlotte was ready to put their plans in motion.
“Nora, would you go out and tell the men we want to meet with them in the front yard?” Mama asked. “Charlotte and I will finish getting the table cleared. Micah, you go ahead and wait for us outside.”
Micah nodded and headed out with Nora right behind him.
Mama smiled. “I feel so good about this decision. Finally, I believe we are all going to move forward with the plans God has for us. And you will have more than ample opportunity to tell Micah how you feel.”
“But what if he doesn’t feel the same way? Before, he could just head home and be done with me, but now he’ll have to stay and work with me. I’m less sure about speaking to him now than I was before.”
Mama stopped what she was doing and looked at Charlotte for a moment. “You have loved him for most of your life. That isn’t going to change no matter what you tell him. It’s going to be harder, I think, to work with him every day and try to keep your feelings to yourself. Besides, I think Micah cares for you, and once you put the idea of romance into his mind, then perhaps that will give him permission to explore those feelings.”
Charlotte knew her mother was probably right. “I just don’t want to run him off.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. Now come on. Let’s get these dishes to the kitchen and go speak to the boys.”
The men were already gathered when Mama and Charlotte joined them under the shade of the cottonwoods.
“We have changes to announce,” Mama began. “Some of them you may not care for, and if any of you are of a mind to leave, you may do so with your pay and no hard feelings.”
The men exchanged glances but said nothing. Kit Hendricks was the only one to open his mouth. “What’s this all about, Mrs. Aldrich?”
“Ranch improvements,” she replied. “We want to rebuild this empire, and to do so we need knowledgeable hands who aren’t afraid of hard work. We need a foreman who has more experience than you, Kit, and one who has the ability to train others. That’s why I’m putting Micah in charge. Micah has ranched all his life. He knows the duties required and more tricks of the trade than most. He will take over as foreman and our partner. We’re going to merge the Aldrich and Hamilton cattle ranches. Kit, you will learn from him and take over for him when he has to be elsewhere. Eventually, if you learn what you need to know, you’ll be returned to the position of foreman.
“I apologize for putting you in a position for which you weren’t yet ready. It was unfair to you. Micah will teach you what you need to know.”
“I do my job,” Kit protested.
“You do part of your job, but even that part is done rather poorly, I’m sorry to say. In order to make this ranch what I want it to be,” Mama continued, “I need for the job to be done well. I need the men to respect you. You can’t very well teach others if you don’t know the job yourself.”
Kit’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t care to have the likes of him bossin’ me around.”
“As I said, you can stay on and do things our way or leave. I’ll pay your salary, and there will be no hard feelings.”
Kit looked at Micah and then shook his head. “I quit, then.”
“It’s a pity, Hendricks,” Micah said, squaring off with the man. “You have the ability to make yourself into a good foreman, but you refuse to receive correction or instruction from anyone. There’s so much you don’t know but could learn.”
“I know enough. Mr. Aldrich had no trouble hiring me on.”
“But you weren’t hired on as a foreman.” Charlotte’s mother refused to look away. “That was my son’s job—not yours. It was never intended to be yours because we never figured to lose Frank Jr. nor my husband. You were hired as a ranch hand. And, as I recall, you had less experience than some of the others, but we wanted to give you a chance.”
“The others may have had more experience, but they left you. I stayed,” Hendricks countered, his voice full of contempt. “I’ve been here over two years now.”
“And you’ve learned in part what is required, but you are far from knowing what I need for you to know.”
Charlotte heard the exasperation in her mother’s voice and stepped in. “He’s quit, Mama. No sense in arguing with him.”
Kit gave a huff and looked at the other cowhands. “I can’t help it if these ladies don’t see the value in keepin’ me. Women oughtn’t be running a ranch anyway.”
“These two are more capable of it than most men I know,” Micah interjected.
“I’m sure you’ve had plenty to do with this, Hamilton.” He raised his arms slightly away from his body as if preparing to throw a punch or grab Micah.
Mama stepped between them. “Kit, I won’t tolerate fighting, so just go get your things and meet me at the house for your pay.”
For just a moment Charlotte held her breath. Kit seemed to hesitate, and she wasn’t sure if he would still attempt to go after Micah. He scowled and muttered something inaudible, then backed down and headed for his quarters, cursing as he went.
Mama looked at the others. “Well, are you staying or going?”
The young men looked at each other, and the tallest of the bunch, a boy named Wesley, spoke for the group. “We’re staying, Mrs. Aldrich. We don’t have any problem with Mr. Hamilton being in charge.”
Mama smiled. “Good. I hoped you’d say as much. Please understand me, boys, there’s not a one of you who has even reached your twentieth birthday. Some of you have been working with cattle for years already, though none of you were born into ranching. I wasn’t afraid to take a chance on you, but you still have a lot to learn. Micah is a good man and a fair one. He will teach you what you need to know to be truly valuable to me in your job. I want to keep you on for good—if you’re willing to do things our way. We’ll take on more men from time to time, but you’ll be my permanent workers, if you want that role. But it will be up to you.”
The boys looked at one another, grinning. What she was offering them was a home and job security. For orphans like them, this wasn’t something that usually happened. Permanent ranch positions were for family members or men who had years of experience and good reputations.
“I also want you to understand that Charlotte will continue to supervise what you do, along with Micah. She knows more than I do when it comes to running this ranch, and I will expect you to honor and respect her as you would Micah.”
“What if they don’t agree about how somethin’ needs doin’?” Wes asked.
Charlotte immediately spoke up. “Micah’s word is final. I won’t interfere if he thinks something needs to be done a specific way.”
Micah held up his hand. “But we’ll also discuss matters. Charlotte has some very good ideas and learned a great deal from her father. I value her opinion and so should you. The fact is, boys, sometimes two folks weighing in on a matter can be better than just one. Even if one of them is a woman. Women are capable and smart, and I’ll expect you to respect both of these women as you would me.”
Mama nodded in agreement and continued. “And last, but definitely not least, I want you boys in church unless there’s a good reason for not being there. We’ll have you trade off as to who will stay here on the ranch and who will go each week, but spending time with the Lord is important. If you don’t feel you can do that, then say so now. I need godly men working for me.”
“My ma would love that you’re doing that, Mrs. Aldrich.” This came from Jonny, the youngest of the bunch at seventeen. “’Course, she’s gone now, but I remember when I was little that readin’ the Bible and goin’ to church was important to her.”
“Well, I figure it’s my responsibility to see to your spiritual as well as physical well-being. We’re going to be making changes for the better in every way, including your quarters. We’ll be doing a few things to improve the living conditions. For now, Nora will continue cooking for you, but in time we may hire in an older man who needs a gentler ranch job.” She smiled. “I like to help those in need.”
Charlotte had always loved that about her mother. Years ago, Mama had seen a man in Cheyenne who had a bad limp. He was probably fifty years old or more, and he wore the clothes of a cowboy as if they were made for him. Mama had struck up a conversation with him. Before Charlotte knew it, the man was hired on to cook for the ranch hands. His name was Barney, and even though he’d only lived another year, Mama and Papa saw to it that he had a decent burial. In that short time, he’d become family in many ways.
“Do you have any questions?” Mama asked.
The boys shook their heads.
“Good. Now go about your business. Micah will meet with you in the morning.”
The boys left, and Micah looked at Charlotte and her mother. “They seem like good men. I think I should be able to work with them. I watched for their reaction when Kit looked like he might fight. None of them were interested in joining him.”
“They’ve been very respectful, Micah,” Mama answered. “I think they show great promise, and that’s why I want to get them proper training. I think we can have some good, lifelong workers with them.”
“I agree.” He let his gaze linger on Charlotte for a moment, then nodded toward the corral. “I’ll get Duke and fetch my things.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to take the wagon?”
“No. I’ll give it a few days and see if there’s anything I really need to bring over. I’d imagine the tools I’d need are right here, and I don’t have that many personal items that need to be a part of the move, especially since I won’t be here permanently.”
“You never know, Micah. You might find that you like living with us,” Mama said.
Micah looked at her with a most serious expression. “I already found that out years ago. Yours was the only family I wanted to be with after my ma died. I hated that it was just Dad and me. There was no joy in our house anymore.”
“Well, we’re going to have plenty here,” Mama promised. “You’ll see.” She turned to Charlotte. “I need to pay Kit, and then you and I will go clean his cabin.”
Charlotte nodded and watched Micah head out. She walked in silence with Mama back to the house, where Kit was already waiting by the door.
It took only a matter of minutes to settle with him, and then Charlotte and her mother watched the troublesome man ride away. She had an uneasy feeling about him. He was angry, and angry men often caused problems.
“I think he was the one who burned down the calving shed,” Mama said as Kit put his horse into a full gallop.
Charlotte turned to her mother in surprise. “What makes you think that?”
“There was no lantern or other source to start it. Kit wasn’t the only one who ever smoked, but he acted so strangely afterward. And in speaking to the boys privately, they all said the same thing. Kit was the only one who had gone to the birthing shed that day. The thing I really want to know is why. Why would he do that? If he burned us out, what did he have to gain by that?”
It was a good question. Why would Kit want to see them destroyed?
Micah returned to the Aldrich ranch after retrieving his clothes and tack. He placed his stuff in a pile by the main barn door and then saw to Duke’s needs. Once the horse was properly cared for and turned out into the smallest fenced pasture where the other horses awaited their riders, Micah made his way to the house to see exactly where Mrs. Aldrich wanted him.
“I’m glad you didn’t go to the foreman’s cabin,” she said after inviting Micah into the house. “Charlotte and I went to clean it and found it to be a disastrous mess. Worse than I had anticipated. It will take us a few days to make it livable space. In the meantime, I want you to stay in Frank Jr.’s old room. If that won’t bother you too much.”
Micah hadn’t considered that as a possibility. “I don’t suppose it’ll be a problem. Thanks.”
He had stayed in Frank Jr.’s room on many occasions when they were younger. One summer when his mother and dad had to be away for a time, Micah had stayed several weeks with the Aldrichs, and he had bunked with Frank Jr.
However, when he set foot in the room again, it released an avalanche of memories. Nothing had changed much. Frank’s room had always been quite simple. A bed with a wooden trunk at the foot of it.
“You’ll have to let us know if you need anything,” Charlotte said, coming up behind him.
He turned and looked at her for a moment. She had changed her clothes to a plain blouse and skirt. Her hair was plaited in a single braid down her back with little blond curls framing her face. When he met her eyes, he felt warmed by her gaze.
“Mama wanted to make sure you knew there are towels in the bathing room downstairs. There’s hot water for your bath after the sun heats it. Papa built that little water tower for Mama that lets the water warm in the summer. I didn’t know if I’d ever told you about it. He did it just the summer before...” She let her words fade. “Uh, if you use it, let us know. We have to put more water in the tank for the next person.”
Micah searched her face as if looking for an answer. The problem was, he wasn’t sure what question he was asking.
“Thanks.” He finally forced the word out and looked away. “I should be fine. I’ll go get my things.”
“I’ll come help.”
He wanted to tell her no, but for the life of him he couldn’t seem to speak the word. He went to where he’d left his stuff by the barn and glanced at the pile.
“I’ll put some of this in the tack room. I only need to take my clothes and shaving stuff into the house. Oh, my Bible’s there too. I wrapped it in one of my shirts.”
She nodded and carefully gathered the clothes. “I’ll take these things while you deal with the tack.”
He watched her head back to the house before gathering the rest of his stuff. He could almost hear Frank Jr. calling after her to stay out of his room. Frank had loved his little sister dearly, but she could often be a pest to him, and his bedroom was his sanctuary.
Micah put away his things and headed to the house. The grandfather clock in the hall chimed six as he walked through the door. No wonder he was hungry, and something smelled delicious.
“Get washed up, Micah. We’re just about to sit to supper,” Mrs. Aldrich said as she passed down the hall and headed for the kitchen.
“Yes, ma’am.”
He hadn’t given much thought as to how this would all work out. He was about to live under the same roof as Charlotte and her mother. Nora too. He hadn’t been in the company of women in a very long time. He’d have to really mind his manners.
He went to the washroom and caught sight of himself in the mirror. For a moment, he saw the reflection of his father. His mother had said he was the spitting image of his father as a boy. It only stood to reason Micah would continue to favor him in his adult years. He’d never given it much consideration, however. At least not until now.
Seeing the similarities now was almost more than he could bear. There was a sense of accusation in his reflection. Accusation that he held deep inside.
You should have known better than to leave him alone. You should have stayed with him. You should have ...
“Micah, did you find everything?” Charlotte asked from the open doorway.
Her voice brought him out of his dark thoughts. “Yes. I’ll be right there.”
Later that night as Micah tried to fall asleep, he stared up into the darkness and thought of his friend. Frank was the type of friend that came along only once in a lifetime. In some ways the loss of Frank was equal to that of his father. The only difference was Micah knew Frank was in a better place. He had no idea where his father was.
He tried to pray, but it was as if the very question of his father’s eternal resting place was blocking his ability to speak. Did God care for those who killed themselves, or did He just toss them aside—send them into darkness to await final judgment?
His father had been a Christian, and up until the moment he took his life, Wayman Hamilton had been a strong man of faith. He had even shared Jesus with other men. Micah had heard him. Micah’s own faith had been bolstered by his father’s beliefs and Bible teachings.
It hurt so much ... so deep in his soul.
Had God snatched back His love? Had He removed His compassion and mercy? Was his father forever doomed— never to receive Jesus’s welcome into paradise as the thief on the cross?
Micah sat up and grabbed the pillow. He pounded it several times with his fist, then put it back on the bed before easing back down.
“God, my spirit is overwhelmed by this. Just as it was the day Dad shot himself. Please don’t forsake me. I need You.”
That was the most sincere and heartfelt prayer Micah had prayed in a long time.