Pioneer Passion (14 page)

A soft tapping came on the window and in her
foggy mind she thought at first that she was dreaming. Then her
eyes grew wide, suspecting who was behind the tapping. Swiftly
placing her feet on the cool floor, Rusty wrapped a sheet around
her for warmth and modesty and opened the window to let her brother
in. She shivered fully awake from the blast of cold, fresh air.

“Hi, Sis,” Scott grinned, giving her a big
hug and kissing her fleetingly on the top of her head. Rusty wasn’t
sure whether to hug him back or to scold him. She hugged him.

“Scott,” she whispered, “What are you up to?
Why’d you lie about your name? Why didn’t you want Guy to know that
you’re my brother?” She fired one question after another.

Scott held up his hand in defense. “Whoa!
Little sister,” he chuckled. “Only one question at a time.” He sat
on the bed, patting the spot next to him, encouraging her to join
him. Rusty was apprehensive, and she was wondering if he was in
some kind of trouble. Her brother couldn’t fault her for that
because he never had given her reason to think otherwise.

“Don’t look so worried. I’m okay. A little
worse for wear, but I’ll live.” He rubbed his unshaven chin and
grinned, “I’m glad I didn’t shave off my three-day growth. The
truth about my true identity would hide better behind the disguise.
But, first, I want to apologize for the way I left you.”

He touched her hand that gripped the sheet
and Rusty slipped her other hand free to touch her brother’s face.
“Oh, Scott, you look awful.” Her sibling wiped her tears away with
his thumb. “I’m really all right, Sis. I guess I should
explain.”

“Yes, I think you should.”

“Well, I met Guy in town after returning from
a cattle drive. I was thirsty and went into the saloon. This tall
cowboy was standing at the bar talking about his ranch and how he
was looking for a ranch hand. I struck up a conversation with him
and learned who he was. At first, I was going to call out the
bastard but then thought better of it.”

Scott quickly stood and paced the floor
saying, “I swallowed my pride and bought him a drink. We talked and
I told him I could use a job. This was my chance to get back at the
man. It don’t matter that pa and I didn’t see eye to eye or that I
hate this fickle land. It’s my duty to set things right.”

Rusty believed that he tried to convince
himself as well as her that he could do the job. He stopped pacing
and talked to the floor. “I don’t know how I will get even yet!”
She felt the short hairs on the back of her neck tingle at his
remark about killing Guy. It was on the tip on her tongue to say
something, but she decided it was better to wait until he finished.
She wasn’t too concerned whether Scott could do the job, but his
attitude towards Guy made her insides feel empty. She hoped she
could convince her brother to forget the past as she had.

Would this ever end?

“Scott,” she put her hand up and called him
to her. “Please come and sit down again.”

He gave her a dour look, and then he went to
her. She searched for the right words, not wanting her brother to
dwell on all the sadness and hate she had finally released from her
own soul. She couldn’t live through it again with her brother.
Besides, things were different now; she loved that cowboy. Would
Scott relent knowing that she cared for Guy? She decided to be
honest with her brother about everything except her feeling for
Guy. Her deep love had to remain a secret for all concerned.

“Scott, the man is decent, not what I had
thought at first. He may be turning this farm into a cattle ranch,
but he gave me my own plot of land to raise oranges. I had a
plentiful crop but a storm destroyed it. I haven’t given up and I
am going to replant. Things have changed; this place will one day
become profitable. You’ll see.”

“I guess this puts a new light on things. I
guess I’m going to have to forgive him, too. It won’t be easy, Sis,
but if that’s what you want, okay.” He turned and hugged her
stiffly and squeezed her hand.

Rusty was happy Scott understood. She saw
fleeting pain and uneasiness in his green eyes and wondered how Guy
missed the resemblance in the two, but then he was sporting a light
beard. She pushed a lock of her brother’s hair from his face and
asked, “What are we going to do now? We must tell Guy the truth,
he’ll understand, I’m sure. After dealing with me, your deception
is mild.”

She sighed, fearing that Guy would definitely
think her whole family was crazy.

“Let’s say nothing. When he sees how well I
work, he may forgive me,” he insisted with conviction, but Rusty
bit her lower lip not convinced.

“I don’t know. I think we should be honest
with him, especially since we’re both leaving within a week to
visit his parents.”

When Scott’s brows arched with questions, she
explained about the trip she had agreed to take. Her brother
protested, concerned that she shouldn’t go away with this stranger.
“Scott, I know this is a lot for you to understand, but I… I need
to get away.” She walked the floor. “Please, try and see my side
for a change. I’ve never been away from this place and now that Guy
and me are on good terms, I really would like to meet his family.
Besides, he thinks of me as a friend,” she shrugged. “You know,
like a little sister.”

But silently she confessed, a friend who
would love to be more. How could she explain the real cause why she
wanted to go? That she’d miss Guy to distraction if she didn’t.
This wasn’t easy since she couldn’t tell Scott her true feelings.
She disliked deceiving Guy again who seemed to be upright and
forgiving with her. Rusty was glad to have Scott home but not under
the cloud of another lie. Once again, she tried to rationalize with
him.

“Scott,” she stopped pacing and looked at him
beseechingly. “I really would like you to come clean with Guy. I
don’t want anymore lies between us and I promise you, he’ll
understand. After what I did he found it in his heart to forgive
and even apologized for the pain he caused me. Please, Scott, no
more deception.” She blinked back the tears that pricked her
eyes.

He let out a long breath and then pleaded,
“Look, let me work the place while you’re gone. I want to show I
can be trusted. Please, all I ask is to be given the chance to
prove myself. I don’t like lying anymore than you Sis, but...”

Her brother gave her a sheepish smile, and
she wondered if she should trust him, but he touched her shoulder
lovingly, and added, “And I want to prove myself to you too. To
make up for all the disappointment I caused you. I want to help,
show you I’ve grown up and I’m willing to accept
responsibilities.”

Rusty could see him studying her while she
digested all he said. She thought seriously about his words and
decided that maybe it would be better if Scott did prove himself.
Later, she’d explain her brother’s actions to Guy and why Scott had
hid his true identity. She agreed to the masquerade, for now, but
didn’t like the uneasy feeling she had, not at all.

Scott had lied and continued to deceive his
sister, knowing he should feel bad but he didn’t think twice about
it. As he returned to the bunkhouse he convinced himself that Rusty
would have objected to what he had in mind. The improved homestead,
her room, the few extra pounds on her once skinny frame, and the
glow on her face, told him she was on good terms with the rancher
and that didn’t sit well with him.

He stoically listened to his sister for an
uncomfortable span of time. Outrage, coupled with disappointment,
tingled through his body, but he held his temper. He was right to
assume she had no animosity toward the man and was glad he had not
revealed his plans. Now he had some fast thinking to do.

His mind was racing, he couldn’t believe his
luck. Guy Strong would be gone from the ranch, giving him time to
work on his plan for revenge. He had hidden the evil grin that
spread across his face and felt his sister was too upset to think
straight right now; he believed that she’d thank him later when she
got her farm back.

Chapter Sixteen

In the week that passed Guy explained to
Scott what had to be done while he would be gone. “All the
branding’s done, so things should be pretty quiet around here.
Round up wouldn’t be until after the calves are born.” Guy knew the
place was in good hands and he trusted his men to take care of
everything, barring any catastrophes. In that case a wire would
bring him home on the double. He had the men promise to keep a
tight eye on the new ranch hand, Nick Morrow. Guy had noticed the
family resemblance and had suspected the young man, claiming to be
Nick was lying all along. When he had seen the look on Rusty’s face
that morning, he knew his suspicions were correct. He hoped the two
wouldn’t deceive him too long, but he’d give them a chance to set
things straight.

After secretly saying her good-bye to her
brother, Rusty was on her way to meet Guy’s family. As she and Guy
waited patiently at dawn for the sound of the train her heart
fluttered with anticipation and apprehension. She sat in silence,
still annoyed at Guy for his remark earlier about her clothes, but
she continued to remain adamant about wearing a dress. Her attire
was her security blanket. She was nervous enough going to a strange
state and she wanted to go feeling like herself. Anyway, she felt
she didn’t have to impress anyone and she was in a melancholy mood
thinking of her brother and his deception. She still would have
preferred to be honest with the cowboy. After boarding the train,
Rusty sat across from Guy on a hard, uncomfortable bench and the
train whistle blew, piercing her eardrums. The engine jerked
forward with a grunt causing her spine to object when it made hard
contact with the back of the seat. Her bottom shifted on her seat;
she just couldn’t relax and turned to see Guy watching her with a
twinkle of humor in his eyes. She murmured a complaint and frowned
at him when he lifted an eyebrow at her low protest. She narrowed
her own eyes in scrutiny, and then turned to stare out of the
window, watching the scenery go by.

“Are you all right?” Guy inquired. She gave
him an unconvincing nod and looked out the window. The cowboy said
nothing more to her and relaxed as much as his long legs let him in
the tight legroom. She heard him silently curse the seats that were
not designed for comfort or big people. He squirmed on the hard
seat, and she smothered a smile seeing him trying to get some
circulation back in his cramped legs. But she believed that he
abandoned all thoughts of discom-fort because he nodded off with
the rhythmic movement of the train.

To Rusty the trip seemed interminable and
they reached their destination late the next day, and it was not
soon enough for her. They arrived tired and hungry; the picnic
basket full of fried chicken prepared by Mattie was finished last
night. All they had eaten that morning was dried corn bread and a
few pieces of fruit. She departed the train stiff and sore and
ached in places she didn’t know could hurt. Ignoring the comfort
for now, Rusty looked about the station, watching the bustling
people greeting friends and relatives.

How would she be received by Guy’s family?
Was she actually seeking a little approval?

“Guy!” A female’s voice rose slightly above
the crowd. The sweet voice got their attention and Rusty noticed
the call came from a beautiful and excited young lady who was
waving and bobbing up and down. A gloved hand continued to wave
frantically in the air as people passed between them. She heard,
“Oh, Guy!” Then the young woman picked up her skirt showing a
white-laced petticoat and a trim ankle. She watched the pretty
stranger push her way through the throng of people before running
into Guy’s open arms.

Rusty didn’t miss the fact that the girl, who
appeared to be around her age, was dressed in pale blue, a color
that matched her eyes. Her flawless face was full of happiness. She
was tall, like herself, but slightly built. It was the first time
she felt awkward; the colorful peacock made her feel like an ugly
duckling. The intimate display of affection between the two made
her envious of the beauty in Guy’s arms. This new emotion turned
her stomach like the time she drank buttermilk by mistake. She
wanted to spit out the vile taste of envy but instead cleared her
throat, bringing attention to herself.

Grabbing her hand, Guy pulled her close to
him and said, “This is Rusty Crawford, the girl I mentioned in my
wire. I’m sorry I momentarily forgot about my traveling companion.
You took me off guard with you over-zealous welcome, something I
had not expected.”

Rusty stood near the young woman dressed in
her finery and felt like a street urchin. She could have kicked
herself in the behind, regretting... Oh, what’s the use? she pouted
inwardly; it was too late to run which she felt like doing.
Instead, she stood tall and squared her shoulders proudly, hoping
she didn’t show the foolishness and anxiety she was feeling. A
dainty gloved hand was extended in friendship and the young lady
smiled making her blue eyes sparkle.

Rusty, in turn, coolly took the slim hand
offered to her wondering how she’d compete with such a lovely
creature. Was she an old flame of Guy’s? She was definitely feeling
crushed and sorry she had come. If the exquisite stranger was put
off by her aloofness, she didn’t show it. In fact the young woman
showed off perfect white teeth and said, her voice dripping with
honey, “Sooo glad to meet you, m’dear. I’m Skye. My brother,” she
smiled sweetly at Guy taking his other arm, “didn’t tell us how
pretty you were. And....”

Whatever she said after that didn’t reach
Rusty’s ears. Brother? Did she say brother? Her eyes darted from
one to the other feeling her face heat. Mortified by her wrong
conclusion and rudeness, she felt a shudder of humiliation. She
should have seen the resemblance but jealousy clouded her vision.
The only difference was his sister’s light eyes; their hair color
was the same. Skye’s dark hair contrasted with her light blue eyes,
revealing her striking beauty. Skye? How fitting.