Chapter Seventeen
Travis stood and watched as the stagecoach entered Vernon, pulling up outside its offices. The drivers jumped down, getting the cases down, before the passengers alighted. Beside him, Anna scanned the group of visitors.
“Which one is she?” she asked.
“You’ll know her when you see her. There!” Travis pointed, feeling happiness swell in his chest. “She’s just getting out.”
Travis smiled. Peggy looked pretty; her hair was bright red and thick, cascading down her back. Her trim figure was clad in a dark green dress with matching gloves, hat, and bag. The men around her were certainly giving her second glances, and some of them were lingering.
Travis heard Anna’s breath catch.
“That’s her?”
“It is.” Travis waved. “Peggy!”
Peggy caught sight of him, and her face broke into a beaming smile. Rushing over, she hugged Travis tightly as he lifted her off her feet.
“It’s so good to see you, Travis!” She got her balance back and inspected his face closely. “You’re looking well! I presume you’re sleeping well enough?”
Travis smiled. “I’m sleeping fine, Mother.”
Peggy swatted him on the arm before turning to Anna, who was watching their interaction a little nervously.
“And you must be his new wife, Anna.” She held out a hand. “Peggy McKenna.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Anna took her hand, relaxing in the moment. “Travis has told me a lot about you.”
“Oh, I’m sure he has.” Peggy winked at Travis. “Shall we get going? I need to stretch my legs after being in that cramped stagecoach for hours.”
“Well, we were going to walk, anyway.” Travis turned and pointed. “We’re just over there, not too far away.”
“Then let’s go!” She slipped her arm through Travis’s. “I can’t wait to see what your new home is like. You’ve talked about it often enough.”
“What’s he told you about it?” Anna asked, falling into step beside them. She was keeping a little distance from them, but she didn’t look uncomfortable. She appeared calm and smiled at Peggy. “I hope it’s good.”
“Oh, it’s good, darling. He spoke very highly of the ranch and of you.” Peggy grinned. “I think it’s safe to say Travis thinks well of you, Anna.”
Travis cleared his throat and subtly poked his cousin in the side. He could feel his face growing hot. Peggy simply giggled and nudged him.
“I’m being silly, cousin. You don’t need to worry about me. And I’m sure Anna will tell me more about the ranch soon.”
“I plan to,” Anna said eagerly. “My home is open to you as well.”
Travis watched his wife and thought about how their conversation had gone the week before. Anna had started out accusatory, thinking that he was having an affair, but then that disappeared once he told her the truth. Now she was eager to see his family, even if it was just one person.
Maybe he could ask Marcus and his family to come and visit as well. Then they wouldn’t need to be worried about him. Marcus’s most recent letter had expressed concern, and he wanted to know for certain that Travis wasn’t doing anything stupid.
This was probably the wisest thing Travis had ever done.
They reached the ranch gate, and Peggy gasped at the sight of the acreage stretching before them.
“This is all yours?” she said in wonder. “It’s beautiful.” Then her nose wrinkled. “Although there’s a strange smell to it.”
“It’s just the manure,” Anna laughed. “You get used to it.”
“I hope so. I have no idea how you live with this going on around you.”
Travis laughed. “Peggy, you live near where the villagers burn charcoal. That smell is even worse.”
“Fair point.” Peggy turned to Anna. “How’s my cousin been doing? Is he behaving himself?”
“Peggy!” Travis admonished.
“He’s doing absolutely fine,” Anna said, giving Travis a smile. “There were a few teething troubles in the beginning, but he’s been doing far better than I initially thought.”
“Perfect! At least he’s behaving himself.”
Travis nudged his cousin through the gate. Peggy’s suitcase would be delivered later, so they escorted Peggy to the house. Peggy looked around, her eyes widening at the horses grazing nearby and at the chickens running around.
“That’s cute. Having chickens run free.”
“What?” Travis frowned.
“Don’t they?”
Anna groaned.
“Not this again. I’d better go and get this sorted. I won’t be surprised if someone’s cut the wire mesh around the coop.” She gave Peggy an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry about this. Travis can show you around. I’m sure you’ve got plenty to catch up with.”
“Don’t worry about me, darling. You go and do what needs to be done.”
“Do you want me to help?” Travis asked, but Anna shook her head as she hurried away.
“I won’t be long!” She called over her shoulder.
As she spoke, she scooped up a chicken as it tried to run past her, and then she grabbed another, holding it by the tail as she trotted around the side of the house and out of sight. Peggy laughed.
“Is it always so crazy around here?”
“Not usually. We’ve been having a lot of vandalism here lately.”
Peggy frowned. “Vandalism?”
“Someone doesn’t want this ranch to work, obviously. But you don’t need to worry about that.” Travis slipped his arm around Peggy’s shoulders. “It’s good to see you. You didn’t need to be so concerned about me. I told you that I was perfectly fine.”
“I know that, but at the same time, I had to be sure. You did rush into this very quickly without much time to think.” Her expression softened. “I didn’t want you to be taken advantage of again. But from the looks of it, Anna’s not that sort of person.”
“You think so?”
“There’s something sweet about her, something genuine. I can see it. She’s a hard worker, but she’s not a harsh person.”
“Does that make any sense?” Travis asked.
Peggy laughed. “Probably not. But I know she’s a lot better than Clara. I told you before that you could do better, and you really have.”
Travis felt a tightness in his chest.
He beckoned her over to the paddock.
“I’ll show you around, and then we’ll have something to eat. Mrs. Mason is preparing something special for you, and I know she’s just as keen to meet you.”
“Mrs. Mason?” Peggy asked with a curious expression on her face.
“That’s our cook. She’s more like a mother hen around here. Really brightens the place up.” Travis leaned on the paddock fence. “I don’t think she’d appreciate me saying that, though. She would say it’s too flowery.”
Peggy laughed. “Sounds like a woman I’d love to meet.” She pulled herself up onto the bottom slat of the fence, the breeze wafting through her hair. “It’s good to see you looking so happy, Travis. I’m pleased you’re doing better.”
“I’m looking happy?”
“You’re not as thin as I remember, nor is there a haunted look behind your eyes. You’re glowing, for want of a better word, and you’re looking more like yourself.” Peggy winked at him. “Anna seems to be good for you.”
“What are you…?” Then Travis’s eyes widened at the implication. “Peggy! You shouldn’t say that!”
“Why not?” Pegg asked.
“This is just a business arrangement. We helped each other out. There’s mutual respect, but that’s it.”
“And mutual attraction,” Peggy said slyly.
Travis did a double-take. “What do you mean by that? Mutual attraction?”
“I’m not blind, Travis. I saw how you looked at Anna, and I noticed how she glanced at you. There’s definitely a mutual attraction there, even if you want to deny it.” She tilted her head to one side as she regarded him curiously. “I didn’t think you’d let anyone in after Clara.”
“I’m not,” Travis said abruptly. “There’s no mutual attraction or whatever it is.”
Peggy didn’t respond, but there was a knowing smile on her face.
“Anyway,” she went on. “I’m just glad that you’re looking and sounding well. Eamonn was telling me that I shouldn’t worry so much, but I can’t help it.”
“How is your husband, by the way? And little Betty?” His cousin’s expression softened, and a wistful smile passed across her face.
“They’re doing well. I miss both of them like mad, but I promised I wouldn’t be long.”
“You could’ve brought them. They are my family, too.”
“You couldn’t do that to Anna, bringing three people in suddenly to stay. She wouldn’t be too happy about that.”
“Won’t know until you ask.” Travis paused. “But I’ll leave it for now. We’ve got a lot going on, what with the vandalism and me trying to find my place. It’s tougher than I thought to work on a ranch.”
“You’ll get used to it. It will be a good thing for you to try something different.” Peggy jumped down and knocked his Stetson until it was over his eyes. “And this new life is good for you. You’re looking happier than I’ve ever seen you. And here I was worrying about you.”
Travis smiled and adjusted his Stetson.
“You have nothing to worry about. I’m not about to get myself hurt again.”
At least, he hoped not. He didn’t want to be scared to move on with his life, and yet it was still there.
He pushed it away. Now was not the time to think about what he wanted out of life. His cousin was here, and she was more important than his own thoughts.