Chapter 2
Five horses raced around the fence looking for a place to break through. They were wild, but Aaron intended to hire a wrangler he knew who had a reputation for gentling the wild horses until they were suitable for even a lady to ride. He turned from the new corral and searched for the next most urgent repair job.
The Circle A Ranch had run down to where it would take several months and a lot of workers to restore it to its former glory. Aaron slapped his hat against his thigh and set it back on his head as he stared at the ranch house. It needed repairs, too, but that could wait. What couldn’t wait was convincing Mrs. Ames, or Liddy, as she insisted on him calling her, to accept his business proposition.
He should have told her when he first rode up with Liddy’s advertisement for a ranch worker in hand. Yet she’d been so excited to find someone to take the job for so little pay, he couldn’t find it in him to disappoint her. He hadn’t expected any pay. Indeed, he intended to pay her a lot. But he expected a lot in return. Would she be willing to deal with him?
After another backward look at the frisking horses, he strode to the ranch house.
Wally Stillman came out of the house as Aaron climbed the steps. He held the door open. “Miss Liddy is waiting for you. She’s sitting up in bed, reading.”
“You need to hear this, too, Wally. It shouldn’t take long.” Aaron hoped it wouldn’t take long, but regardless, the foreman needed to know the plan.
Wally shot him a quizzical glare as he stepped inside. That didn’t surprise him. Wally was protective of Liddy, and sweet on her, if Aaron had to guess. Liddy seemed totally oblivious to Wally’s feelings toward her. Hopefully, she was also oblivious to the town gossip about her and her ranch foreman, but he didn’t think so. Except for Doctor Gracie, Liddy had little to say about the town folks.
As they entered the room, Liddy dropped her book, her blue eyes wide and welcoming. Aaron didn’t know her age, but she must be somewhere in her middle thirties. No wrinkles flawed her peaches and cream complexion. Wally was probably ten years her senior, but that wouldn’t have kept him from viewing the lovely widow as a future wife. Aaron couldn’t help but admire how well the man held his feelings in check, obviously waiting, knowing she still pined for her deceased husband.
“Aaron, Wally told me you replaced those broken fence posts for the corral to hold those mustangs you brought with you. I can’t thank you enough for all the repairs you’ve done the past few days.”
He lowered himself onto the chair beside her bed. “I thank you for taking the horses in, as well as giving me a job.”
She smoothed the coverlet and clasped her hands together. “Oh, posh. I’m just sorry I can’t pay you for your work…not yet, anyway.”
Aaron glanced over at Wally, who’d pulled up another chair and kept his gaze on Liddy.
“That’s what I want to talk to you about, Miss Liddy. I have a confession about my interest in the ranch and a proposition that will benefit us both, if you’re agreeable.”
The smile fled from her face as she bit her lower lip. “Oh, what’s happened?”
“Nothing…nothing at all.” Why did he feel like a cad, taking advantage of a poor widow? His plans would benefit her, probably more than him. “I don’t need any pay. When I found your ad for a ranch hand, I saw an opportunity to make money from this venture.”
Wally’s chair scraped the floor as he sat up and crossed his arms. “What venture?”
Aaron didn’t have to look at the man to know he was scowling. Keeping his gaze on Liddy, he cleared his throat. “I’m a businessman, Miss Liddy. I invest in businesses that show promise to make money for the owner and for me. When I saw your ad, I knew your ranch, your land, could be made profitable again with my investment. All you need is money to make repairs, bring in new herds, and hire enough men to work the place. Am I right?”
Silence hung over them like a thundercloud ready to burst. “Of course, Aaron.” She released a little laugh. “Are you suggesting that you pay for all that? That’s your investment? Are you wanting to buy my ranch, because if you are, I’m not interested. Several men have offered to buy me out. Many have suggested that I take out a loan. I know what they think—I won’t be able to make payments at the bank and I’ll be forced to sell.”
She sent Wally a meaningful glance. “Wally and I have kept things together and we’ll continue to manage the ranch until it falls into dust if that should be the outcome.”
Aaron shifted in his chair. How to gain this woman’s confidence when others had tried to swindle her? “I don’t want to buy you out, Miss Liddy. I want to become a partner with a forty-sixty split. I’ll invest the money require to make the ranch profitable, perhaps expand it in time. I’ll receive forty percent of the profits and you’ll get sixty. You could buy me out at anytime by repaying my initial investment.”
“You know I couldn’t buy you out, Aaron, not until the ranch becomes profitable.”
“I do know that; but it will become profitable, greater than any other in this part of the country. The acreage will allow expansion of the herds and we can add horses for sell. Besides you have multiple water sources.”
He could see the skepticism in her features. Please, Lord, help me to gain her trust for her own sake.
“It sounds reasonable, Aaron, but I don’t know much about business. I’ll have to discuss this with Wally and think about it. I suppose if I decide not to go into this partnership, you’ll be leaving.”
“I’ll have to. Reluctantly, because I think this is the only way to save your ranch, and that would be a shame. Do you know Jericho Jones, the lawyer in Rattlesnake Ridge?”
Liddy’s eyes brightened. “Yes, I met him and his lovely wife, Sterling, at church. They are a wonderful, friendly couple. That’s more than I can say for some of the people around here. Mr. Jones has offered me advice without charge on more than one occasion.”
Aaron saw an opening. Thank you, Lord. “I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jones, and he knows the businesses and land around here. I’ll go into town tomorrow and discuss the particulars with him. He can draw up the contract and I’ll ask him to come out here and answer any doubts you may have. I hope to your satisfaction.”
Liddy released a soft sigh and rested back on her pillows. “I like that idea, Aaron. I’d like to have Mr. Jones’s educated opinion.”
He held out his hand to her, meeting her smile with his own. “Thank you, Miss Liddy. I think he’ll be able to convince you and you won’t regret this.”
Her fingertips pressed into his palm. Then he remembered. “I almost forgot.” He fished the letter out of his vest pocket. “Mrs. Handley at the mercantile sent you your mail.”
Surprise registered on Liddy’s face, indicating she rarely got mail. Another sad thing about her life that left Aaron wanting to help her all the more.
“It’s from my sister, Agnes.” She slid her fingernail under the flap and took out the pages. “A nice long letter. Agnes and her husband live in New Orleans, you know. They have ten children, three still at home.”
Aaron and Wally had almost reached the front door when Liddy squealed. Thinking she’d hurt herself, they rushed back to her bed in the parlor. She blinked at them and, waving the letter like a wild woman, giggled. “Wally, Aaron, my niece is coming for a visit. I haven’t seen her since she was a little girl. Oh, what a blessing. It’s been so long since I’ve seen any of my family. She’s going to stay until I’m back on my feet.” Liddy giggled again. “I wonder if she realizes that might take three months according to Doctor Gracie.”
Unshed tears glistened in her eyes. “Gieselle will be such a big help. Just being here will bless me so much.”
Aaron couldn’t help choking up himself. He handed her his handkerchief. “That’s sure wonderful news. When will she get here?”
She sniffed into the handkerchief. “Let me see.” She scanned the letter’s pages, then looked up at him, her mouth forming a gaping o. “This says she’s scheduled to arrive tomorrow on the noon train.” She shifted her gaze to Wally. “Wally, dear, can you go to town to meet her train?”
“No need for that, ma’am,” Aaron said. “I can stop by the depot after I’ve spoken to Mr. Jones.”
“That’ll work out fine, Liddy, since both of us can’t be gone at the same time,” Wally said. “I’m just glad someone in your family is coming to see about you.” There was a big dose of censure in Wally’s words. He had commented to Aaron that it was a shame no one from Liddy’s family had come for a visit.
Aaron didn’t think much of that family’s behavior, either, and he was of a mind to tell Miss Gieselle when he picked her up from the depot. Didn’t they know Liddy was absolutely helpless with both legs broken? For that matter, nobody from the town had visited since Liddy had come home from the clinic, except for the doctor. Yes, it was a long journey from Rattlesnake Ridge, but Liddy had lived here for over ten years. You’d think someone would consider her a neighbor in need. Most of the folks in the town were known to help each other out. Exactly what did the residents of Rattlesnake Ridge have against Liddy? He”d ask the lawyer tomorrow.
***
The train’s whistle sounded as Aaron exited Mr. Jones’s office the next day. Right on time. He prided himself on being punctual, yet hated wasting time waiting around. Still, he didn’t have any time to spare. By the time he rode down to the depot and got his buggy parked out of the way, the passengers would be disembarking.
He’d have to watch carefully because most of the passengers would be leaving the train just to stretch their legs, and they wouldn’t have time to spread out since Rattlesnake Ridge was nothing more than a water stop for the train. Few passengers stopped here for a visit. Picking Miss Dubois out from a crowd might be difficult, since Liddy didn’t have a good description of her niece as an adult.
When he’d asked her what her niece looked like, she’d thought for a long time before answering. “Her hair was lighter than mine as a child, but it might have darkened some by now. She’s of medium height. I know that because Agnes wrote me all about shopping for Gieselle’s spring wardrobe.” Liddy had flapped her arms then in that way she had of showing excitement. “Her eyes are the most beautiful shade of blue you’ve ever seen, like deep blue pools of water. Oh, and long lashes that make her eyes look larger than mine. Of course, she was a child when I last saw her, but her eyes wouldn’t change color.”
He found a space on the boardwalk, out of the way of the bustling pedestrians. Now that he thought about it, Miss Dubois should be easy to spot coming down from the train platform. A blue-eyed blonde of medium height and dressed at the height of fashion, no doubt. Yes, she should be easy enough to spot.
The train emptied and no lady of Miss Dubois’s description showed up. Aaron hung his head and stared at the ground. Liddy was going to be so disappointed. Wally had told him last night she’d not shown real joy since her husband’s death—until hearing that her niece was coming.
Aaron didn’t like disappointing anyone, least of all Liddy. She was such a sweet, though pathetic, woman and she reminded him so much of his mother.
The swish of a lady’s dress caught his ear and a shiny, new boot came into view on the depot’s steps. “Were you looking for me?” The voice was like no other he’d ever heard. Sweet and slow as honey in winter with a cadence that demanded attention.
His gaze rose to meet wide blue eyes fringed with sweeping lashes, golden curls peeping out from under a Stetson. The fringe on her matching vest had him staring at it in a way no gentleman should stare. But she had him flummoxed.
He shouldn’t be surprised this was Liddy’s niece, Gieselle. Those eyes and that hair were exactly as Liddy described her. But he was surprised. Forcing his gaze back to her face, he swallowed as he watched her tawny, winged brows hike. Seconds passed before he found his voice. “I…yes, I am, if you’re Miss Dubois.”
A smile quirked her full rosy lips. “I am. Are you Wally Stillman?”
She pushed her Stetson back, reminding him he hadn’t removed his hat. He snatched it off.
As she stepped down from the platform, Aaron couldn’t help but notice how that fringed vest fit snuggly over her white blouse. He moistened his suddenly dry lips. “Wally? No, I’m Aaron…that is, Aaron Bainbridge. I work for your aunt and I’ll be escorting you to the Circle A ranch.”
Her mouth fell open and she speared him with a curious glare. “Your name is Aaron?”
He wondered if Liddy had mentioned him in her telegram to New Orleans. “That’s right. Does that bother you?” From the looks of her, something about his name startled her.
She shook her head, dislodging her hat. Catching it, she tapped it back on her golden head. “Oh, no. It’s just…I have a story to tell you…later.” She grinned and shrugged one shoulder. “Well, I’m Gieselle, and I’m here. My trunk is over there. It’s the one with the tag that says Nevada or Bust.”
He laughed, the tension draining out of him. He loaded the luggage in the buggy and helped Miss Dubois step up to the seat. “You only have the one trunk and bag?” He worried she wouldn’t be staying as long as Liddy thought.
“That’s all. I have very few dresses that would do out here, on a ranch, if I’m to be of use to Aunt Liddy. My dresses are of the type only useful for making calls or entertaining callers. That’s why I purchased this costume in St. Louis. The salesman assured me this was what western ladies wore, so I wore the vest and hat.” She lifted her foot. “And these boots. They’re made of snakeskin, the clerk said. Perfect for Rattlesnake Ridge.”
She looked past him at the few people remaining in the street. “I think he lied to me, though. I don’t see a single lady wearing a Stetson. All are wearing bonnets and ladies hats.”
Aaron climbed in beside her and darted a sideways glance as a chuckle slipped out. He’d thought the same thing. He’d been sure if Mrs. Handley had craned her neck any more it would’ve snapped. He admired Gieselle for wanting to fit in, and he knew the stories about the west were greatly exaggerated back east and south. “Since your aunt is laid up, you could probably wear her clothes.”
“That’s possible. What does she wear to do ranch chores?”
“Honestly, I don’t know, since I hired on after her accident, but Wally said she rode her horse astride, wearing her late husband’s trousers.”
Gieselle slumped in relief. “That’s good. I can only imagine how the ladies in town would’ve stared if I’d worn my split skirt, too. From the scowls I noticed on the townspeople’s faces, I was afraid my cowgirl outfit would scandalize them. But if Aunt Liddy rides astride, I will, too, though it’ll be a first. As far as the townspeople, I don’t care what they think.”
She’d never ridden astride before. That was going to be interesting. “They’re going to talk all the same. Like most small town people, they’re all a little nosey, but most of them are good folks who will be grateful one of Miss Liddy’s family is here to take care of her.”
“I hope so because I love this beautiful scenery.” She threw her head back and drew in a breath. “The air is so clean, even in town. How long will it take to get to the ranch?”
Um. It might be dark before they got there. He hadn’t thought about that. She might think he was compromising her to arrive after dark. “About six hours. You could stay at Miz May’s boarding house for the night and I could fetch you in the morning.”
“Heavens, no. I wouldn’t think of putting you to that inconvenience. Besides, I can’t wait to see Aunt Liddy.”
“All right then.” He got the horses underway and they soon left the town.
A gust of wind snatched her hat off and it went flying on the air current. Aaron reined in the team, a handsome pair of roan thoroughbred mares. He’d already decided to breed them—if Liddy agreed. These horses were the last of the Circle A’s fine herd.
He circled back and halted where Gieselle’s hat had gotten caught up in a bramble bush. Gieselle poised to leap from the buggy and he grabbed her arm. “I’ll get it,” he told her.
She flashed a smile that sent a warm feeling to the pit of him. He rushed to retrieve her hat and set it on her head, totally fascinated by the way the sunshine made her hair glint with golden sparks. When she thanked him, he grinned like a silly schoolboy trying to impress the prettiest girl in class.
He rounded the buggy and took up the reins, reminding himself he was a serious businessman on a mission. No time to get mushy over Liddy’s niece.
“There were hats with leather ties, but I didn’t think I’d need them,” Gieselle said. “Am I wearing it wrong? How do cowboys keep their hats on while riding a fast horse?”
He dropped the reins and, against his better judgment, turned toward her. Their knees brushed and the touch jolted him. This woman was attracting him more than any woman he’d ever met. He swallowed hard. He’d stepped out with several beautiful women in his past. Never yet found one he wanted to court, though. So why did this one have him wound up like a child’s top and ready to spin out of control? At first sight?
Miss Liddy had mentioned her niece was engaged. He couldn’t allow himself to have feelings for another man’s intended. That would only lead to trouble. To sin. To heartbreak. He should’ve insisted she stay at Miz May’s tonight.
Taking the hat from her hands, he worked with the brim. “You have to curl up the sides, like this, so the wind runs over it and pushes down instead of getting under it and blowing it off.” He placed his hands on each side of the brim and curled it up, taking care not to pinch her rosy ears. In his efforts to fit her hat, he’d come close. He didn’t realize how close until her breath reached his nose. Peppermint. She’d been eating peppermint candy. Yes, the candy had left her lips stained red.
Her eyes—those deep blue pools—held him for a moment, just inches from his. He drew back like he’d just been struck by a rattler. Struggling to regain his composure, he mumbled, “Your hat isn’t a very good fit and you probably won’t be able to keep it on while riding.”
“Is this the way Aunt Liddy wears her hat?”
“I think Wally said she wears a Sombrero. She hasn’t been outside since I’ve been at the ranch, so I couldn’t say for sure.” He got the team underway and added, “The Sombrero is a wide-brim hat and has leather ties to keep it from blowing off. It might be easier for you to wear than the Stetson.” But she wouldn’t be nearly so cute.
Gieselle removed her hat, dropping it onto the floor, then scrambled to the edge of her seat, holding onto the buggy’s front rail. Apparently fascinated by the mountains that rose up on their right, he heard her draw in her breath.
“The air is so clean. We’ve been climbing higher up the mountain, haven’t we?” She didn’t take her gaze off the scenery. He could understand her awe of this land. He’d been awed himself when he’d first arrived here. The sheer beauty was one of the reasons he’d decided to partner with Liddy. The acreage on this land was the most beautiful he’d ever seen, most of it wild and untouched. The valley formed a perfect place for grazing cattle.
“We have been climbing up a bit, but we’ll be going down in a couple of hours. The view from Miss Liddy’s front porch at sunset is spectacular.”
“I can’t wait.” She drew in another breath before pushing back against the cushions.
“It’ll be dark when we get there,” he said. What a stupid thing to say. Of course she’d know it would be dark. The sun had almost reached the mountain peaks now.
“But I’ll be able to see the sunset streaking over that mountain from here, and the moon is full enough to show our way.” She sniffed in another breath.
Still drawn by the scenery, Gieselle kept up a one-way conversation, describing the sights as if he’d never seen them before. After a long pause, he asked a question to keep her from falling silent. He enjoyed listening to her voice. “Aside from an absence of mountains, what does the Louisiana countryside look like?”
“Very different. Very lush with trees and bushes and vines that will take over if you turn your back on them and fail to cut them back. Oh, and a lot of different animals.” Her honeyed voice rose as she described the scenery in the swamps, the beaches, and the Mississippi river. Her ungloved hands flew as her excitement grew. Then she went into her activities in New Orleans, including the sights and entertainments there.
She wouldn’t find much entertainment here. He found her chatter entertaining enough. Before he knew it, they’d reached the halfway mark and twilight had swept in. After giving the horses a rest, a feedbag of oats, and water, they were off again. He didn’t have anything to feed Gieselle except beef jerky.
Even the jerky excited her. He began to wonder if her exuberance was caused by nerves. She’d probably been sheltered back home and didn’t quite know how to handle her new freedom. But the hand that offered him an oatmeal cookie she’d bought off the train didn’t shake a bit. She looked very well composed, indeed. No, she wasn’t nervous. Just a woman filled with the joy of discovery. No wonder he felt drawn to her.
The jerky and cookie weren’t much to satisfy their hunger, and they’d both be starving by the time they reached the ranch. He’d make a pot of coffee and they’d eat the rest of those stale biscuits Wally made this morning. He always made way more than a family of three or four needed, but he was used to cooking for a whole crew and habits were hard to break.
After Aaron got underway from the resting place, silence descended with only the sound of a night hawk breaking the quiet. The darkness always brought a hush to the land and people, too. He expected Gieselle was finally talked out anyway, and she had to be tired, even though she had more energy than any lady he’d met.
His attraction to the exuberant woman surprised him, and he couldn’t form a romantic attachment to her. His plans were to buy into Liddy’s ranch, turn it into the largest, most profitable ranch around, and be on his way to his next financial venture. As the stepson of a railroad tycoon, he had to show his stepfather his acumen was as good as his stepbrother’s.