A Sweet Misfortune, page 13
“I’ll let you know what I find out, boss.”
Once they were back at the ranch, Curtis rode to the bunkhouse and John to the barn with his dog. Levi was there and took the reins. “I’ll take care of Cutter and get him dry. What’d ya find out there? Curtis was pretty worried.”
“I’m not sure if a calf was poisoned or ate something poisonous, but he’s dead now.”
“You don’t say!” Levi began to remove the saddle from Cutter’s back, while Winchester shook the rain from his heavy coat, then plopped down in the straw.
“We’ll have to be on the lookout for any others that may come down with something. Thanks for taking care of Cutter.” John turned to Winchester. “You stay right here in the barn, ole boy, and dry off,” he said. John gave him a piece of beef jerky, then patted his wet head. Winchester whined, wagging his tail and looking up at John lovingly. He loved his dog, but with his wet hair and smell John couldn’t allow him back inside tonight or Annabelle would have a fit.
His grandmother heard John when he returned and called out to him. “John, is everything all right? Annabelle told me Curtis seemed troubled about something.”
John strode into the parlor, aware his stomach was growling. “There might be a problem or it could just be a sick calf that died. I’m not sure. Curtis is going to ask around, but I told the hands to move the cattle just in case.”
“Oh dear. I hope it’s not serious.” She narrowed her eyes. “You look tired. Go get out of those wet things before supper. I think Annabelle is cooking shepherd’s pie tonight.”
“Mmm, that’s what I smell.” She laughed as he twitched his nose in the air. “I think I will get some dry clothes on and wash up then.”
———
Estelle watched him trudge up the stairs—not with his usual lively steps. There seemed to be a big void without Rachel around. She was like a daughter to her. She secretly hoped that John would see Rachel’s value as a good woman and perhaps develop feelings for her, but she knew those kinds of things could never be forced. Let things take their course, she reminded herself. God knew who was best for him.
Estelle was gaining strength daily and felt fit as a fiddle. Next week, she’d see the doctor and ask for permission to get on with her life. How fortunate she’d improved instead of having a major heart attack. She would count as a blessing every day that she was still around to be involved in her grandson’s life.
Rachel had been late for supper, but the evening was turning out better than she’d expected with Wyatt. He didn’t pressure her but was very attentive. The hotel restaurant had decent food, so they ate their meal to the sound of rain slashing against the windows again. There had been a few breaks between rain showers before supper, but heavier rain was coming down now. She was glad she’d decided to spend the night. Few patrons sat at tables, and the fire in the grate did little to warm the room.
“I’ll pay you for the hotel room when I get back home,” she said.
He looked up between forkfuls of chicken and rice. “There’s no need to do that. You can repay me by allowing me to court you.”
“No, I insist. I always pay my debts—or at least I try to.”
“Have it your way, but I won’t take no for an answer.” He smiled at her, allowing his eyes to linger on hers before glancing toward her mouth. “You know I could follow you home in the morning if you’d like—make sure you get home safely.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. Besides, that’s out of your way.”
“It’s never a bother to escort a pretty lady home,” he said.
“I rode here alone and I can find my way back, but thanks all the same. In fact, I’ll be stopping off in town to help Molly. She will be expecting me.”
Rachel squirmed in her chair. Wyatt was very handsome in a dashing way, with his black string tie, crisp white shirt, and black coat. His light blue eyes held hers longer than she was comfortable with, so she looked down for her knife to butter a roll.
“You know if you married me, you’d never have to work another day in your life,” he whispered. “I know you were never like those other gals at the saloon too.”
She looked up in surprise. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about marriage. And I like my job at the millinery.”
“Until you have children,” he said.
Rachel felt her face grow warm. That was personal, and she didn’t want to discuss it with him. Why, we aren’t even courting!
He continued, “I heard from John that Jeffrey has called on you too. Are you thinking you want to marry a preacher?”
“I’m not sure what I want, Wyatt, but Jeffrey is a nice man. Why don’t we finish our meal? It’s been a long day and I want to get an early start tomorrow.”
“Certainly. I hope I wasn’t being too forward. I really didn’t mean to be,” he replied.
They continued to eat in silence until Rachel said, “Thank you for dinner. I believe I was quite ravenous after all.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” He paid the bill after the waiter removed the remnants of their meal. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Oh, no.” Rachel shook her head as they walked toward the staircase. “I wouldn’t want anyone to start something. See you back in Cottonwood?”
He tipped his hat. “To be sure, ma’am. Sleep well.” He lifted her hand and leaned down to brush his lips against it.
She watched him a moment, wondering what it was that intrigued him about her. She had little money and no dowry, but he was wealthy. Purely physical attraction? Rachel wasn’t sure, but if that was the case, a marriage couldn’t be built on attraction alone.
25
The rain had diminished in the morning, and Rachel avoided the potholes in places where the road was washing out. She was careful in her maneuverings with the horse and buggy, and arrived at Estelle’s Millinery a couple of hours after leaving Lewistown. Molly was happy to see Rachel but was assisting a customer when she arrived. As soon as she was through, she asked about Rachel’s trip.
“I’ll tell you later when we have no customers.” Rachel indicated in the direction of a customer who was perusing the lingerie, and made her way over to assist the young woman. The pretty lady smiled at her shyly and said, “I was looking for something special to wear on my wedding night.”
“I’ll be glad to help you. We have a beautiful nightgown with a dressing gown that I’m sure you’ll like. Let me show it to you.” Rachel pulled out a delicate white lawn gown trimmed in baby-blue ribbons at the neck and cuff. The matching dressing gown was made of the same fine lawn. She watched as the young woman fingered the delicate material.
“Oh my . . . it’s lovely. I’ll take it. Please do wrap it up for me.”
“Absolutely. I’m glad I could help on such a wonderful occasion.” Rachel took the outfit over to the counter and wrapped it up after the purchase was made.
It was nearly closing time when everyone had left. “So? Are you going to tell me what happened in Lewistown or not?” Molly crossed her arms, waiting.
Rachel was straightening the shelves but paused with a sigh. “Well, it wasn’t why I went, but I had a proposal last night from Wyatt.”
“What? You can’t be serious. He hasn’t even courted you!” Her eyes grew large.
“That’s true, but when I worked at the saloon, he was always making offers for me to come live with him.”
“And of course you turned him down?” Molly cocked her head, making her curls bounce.
“Do you mean last night or then?”
Molly rolled her eyes. “You know perfectly well what I’m asking.”
“I told him I barely knew him and would have to think about it, that’s all.”
Molly shook her head. “I must say you have men swarming around you like flies in the buttermilk.”
Rachel drew back. “I do not!” she said.
“’Course you do—Pastor Jeffrey and Wyatt and Curtis. I wish I had your problem,” Molly said with a deep sigh.
“Why don’t you come over to supper after work this Saturday? I’m sure Annabelle won’t mind another person.”
“Really? I’d love to come, but only if you’re sure it’s all right. Rachel, you still haven’t told me what happened at the bank.” Molly stood next to her and propped an elbow on the counter, cupping her chin in her hand and waiting.
“Oh, Molly . . . there was no money—”
“Are you sure?” Molly gave her a pitying look and frowned.
Rachel sighed. “I’m sure. Only our family Bible and our parents’ wedding rings were inside the box. I should never have expected Preston to save a lot of money in the first place. He was a young man looking for adventure.”
“Oh dear. I’m truly sorry. At least Preston saved a family heirloom for you. Not everyone has one.”
Rachel squeezed her friend’s hand. “Always the encourager, Molly. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I was expecting a whole lot more—enough to buy our ranch back.”
“If you ever do, can I come live with you? I can help out with the chores.”
Rachel laughed, her mood brightening. “Silly girl, by the time I can afford the ranch or any property, you’ll have a husband with three children racing around your ankles, and I’ll be walking with a cane.”
Molly giggled. “If only that were true,” she said, peering out the large shop window with a dreamy look. “Not you walking with a cane, though,” she quickly added.
“Don’t be in such a rush. It will happen.” Rachel felt certain it would if she had anything to do with it.
Before supper John heard pounding at the front door. “I’ll get it, Annabelle,” he said loud enough for her to hear. He swung the door open to see Clay anxiously twisting his hat in his hands.
“Boss, we got trouble! Billy and I think a couple more calves have come down with something.”
John reached for his slicker, quickly saddled Cutter, and followed the jawing cowboy down a hilly slope where Billy stood looking down. Sure enough, one calf was having trouble walking and another had a swollen leg. When John felt the calf’s shoulder, it made a crackling sound.
“Clay, you’re right. I don’t know what this is but it looks serious. They both have a high fever too. That makes three calves now. I hope no more come down with this. Is Curtis back yet?”
“He is now,” Clay said, pointing up the hill toward a man riding fast, jacket flapping in the wind. Curtis galloped up, quickly reining in his horse before jumping down.
“John.” Curtis was breathing hard and so was his horse. “Wyatt said it sounds like blackleg to him. He’d just returned from Lewistown and heard another rancher talking about it. It is deadly to calves, but it’s not contagious.”
“Thank God for that. But what do we do? How’d they get it?” John was worried about his herd. If other calves came down with this illness, it could spell disaster. The thought made his head hurt even more.
“Well, he said the steers die within forty-eight hours. It affects calves aged six months to two years.”
John tried to take it all in. “Where did the blackleg come from in the first place?”
“More’n likely from the spores in the ground that enter a small cut or crack on the steer. The spores are from ground that’s been saturated with heavy rains.”
Billy snorted. “Well, we shore ’nuff had that,” he said with a glance to the sky.
“He said we have to burn their carcasses where they drop, but the rest of the calves up to the age of two is gonna have to have something called nitre in their food once a week. I sent Levi on into town to see if the general store had the medicine we needed. Wyatt seemed to think they would.”
“All right. Let me know as soon as he returns, and rain or no rain, we have to corral the cattle and give them a treatment or it sounds like we could lose the entire herd. I can’t afford to let that happen. You hear?” John snapped louder than he intended. But his nerves were frayed.
Rachel was more than a little weary when she arrived back at the ranch but glad she’d worked part of the day with cheerful Molly. No one was around to handle the horse and buggy for her, which she thought was odd. Perhaps everyone was busy preparing for the trail drive. She unhitched Sal and led her to a stall, making sure she had plenty of fresh water and oats.
As soon as she entered the house and hooked her coat on the coat rack, she heard Estelle call out to her. Rachel smiled at the sound of Estelle’s voice and greeting.
“I’m so glad you’re back. I had no idea you’d spend the night. Was it because of the weather?” Estelle’s eyes were filled with concern.
“I’m sorry. There was no way to let you know, but yes, the weather was atrocious, so I spent the night then drove on to work this morning. I hope I didn’t cause you to worry.” Rachel pulled up a chair across from Estelle.
“I’ll admit I was concerned, but I reminded myself that you’re a grown woman who’s used to being on her own.” Estelle smiled, wrinkles folding into one another. “I’d ring for some tea or coffee, but it’s nearly time for supper. Where did you spend the night?”
“At the hotel in Lewistown, at the insistence of Wyatt.” The older lady’s eyes narrowed as she searched Rachel’s.
“You must tell me all about your trip, then. I hope the safe-deposit box held something of value for you.”
“It was a big disappointment,” Rachel murmured. She related the trip to the bank and her dinner with Wyatt—as well as his proposal—as Estelle listened with rapt attention. She was glad she had Estelle to talk to.
“I detect some anger in your voice. Were you hoping Preston had saved a lot of money?”
Estelle could see right through her. “Honestly, yes. I did. I guess I got my hopes up that I could buy back my family’s ranch.” She inhaled deeply, sighing as her shoulders dropped. “Now I feel foolish and angry.”
Estelle reached over to pat her knee. “I know. Try to remember all the blessings even through life’s greatest trials. It’ll help your heart heal the bitterness.”
“You’re probably right, but tell my heart that.” Rachel rose. “I need to go freshen up. I feel as soggy as the road Sal and I traveled.”
26
At supper, John seemed distracted and barely touched his food. Rachel tried to engage him in conversation but it was an effort. She noticed Estelle observing her grandson as well.
Annabelle sashayed into the dining room, hands on her hips, and stared down at John’s plate. “You stopped liking my cooking?” she demanded.
He looked up at her without smiling and answered, “Now, you know you’re the best cook in these parts—well, except for Slim.”
“Then why aren’t you eating like you love it?”
Rachel suppressed a giggle, watching the two of them.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind and my appetite’s a little off. That’s all.”
Annabelle harrumphed, leaving the room while shaking her head.
John glanced down the table at Rachel, his eyes deep and searching hers. “Curtis told me this afternoon that Wyatt saw you in Lewistown. Did you have a good trip, in spite of the rain?”
“My, but word gets around fast, doesn’t it? I did have a nice dinner with Wyatt. As to my trip—let’s just say it didn’t turn out the way I hoped.” Rachel didn’t want to say more. He gazed at her but said nothing further. However, Estelle did.
“She did receive an offer of marriage from Wyatt, which she is considering,” Estelle said with a smile.
Rachel cringed, her cheeks flaming. She hadn’t thought Estelle would say anything.
John took a long swallow of his water then asked, “Is that so?”
Rachel looked him in the eye. “Yes, he did offer, but I never said I was considering it.” She was hoping his reaction might indicate that he was the tiniest bit jealous, but if he felt that way, it didn’t show in his countenance.
“A little soon, don’t you think? Oh, that’s right—you knew him before from the saloon. Should I congratulate you then?”
Rachel’s mouth twitched. “No, because I haven’t accepted, and no, I didn’t know him exactly—”
“Either way, it’s clearly an honor to be asked by one of the richest men in the valley,” Estelle interjected.
John turned to his grandmother. “You forget that I just purchased another thousand acres of land, Grams? Wyatt’s a good man, but he may no longer be the richest.”
“No, I haven’t forgotten, but you aren’t the one asking for her hand in marriage either,” Estelle reminded him.
He coughed into his napkin and absentmindedly rubbed his fingers across his forehead. “I’m too busy to be concerned with who’s eligible and who isn’t at the present time.”
“Oh? So does that include Beatrice?” Rachel asked.
Before he could give her a reply, Annabelle rushed back in with Curtis, hat in hand. “Sorry to interrupt”—Curtis paused to nod at Rachel—“but I wanted to let you know what Levi found out.”
“Excuse me,” John said to the ladies as he pushed his chair back. “Let’s go talk, Curtis.”
“Yes, sir,” Curtis responded before turning to Rachel. “You look mighty pretty tonight, Miss Rachel.” John gave him a nudge toward the door with an aggravated look on his face. Curtis gave a slight bow and shuffled to the parlor to talk.
Estelle thumped her fingers on the table. “It appears to me that my grandson is troubled by all the attention you’re receiving lately.”
“I doubt that. If that were true he wouldn’t be courting Beatrice, would he?”
“All I can say is, he hasn’t been that attentive to her. However, I know he has the roundup on his mind, which will be delayed because of the weather, and now this disease called blackleg that some of the calves have come down with.”
“Oh my. I can see why he was preoccupied tonight.”
Estelle added, “Apparently it’s deadly and they’re trying to come up with a treatment. I hope they can or he’ll lose all the calves.”
