The Widows Choice (3 page)

Once they were alone, Rafe removed his steed's saddle and brushed down the horse, while Jerrick did the same.  He filled and carried several pails of water to fill the animals' troths while Jerrick took care of filling feeding buckets with oats.  Both horses nickered showing their appreciation.  It was almost an hour before they made their way to the bunkhouse.

The interior of the bunkhouse was spacious and clean.  With six beds, a table with four chairs, it was comfortable, clean, and well maintained.  There was a large fireplace on one end, logs stacked neatly inside the hearth next to it.  A side cabinet held a kettle, cups, and saucers and other eating utensils.  On a hook next to the hearth hung a blackened pot.

Jerrick picked up a tin plate and put it back down. "Reckon we'll have to cook after today?"

"Hope not," Rafe replied.  "Neither of us is any good at it."  He sat on a bunk and removed his shirt and boots.  Once he gathered up soap and a washcloth, he headed to the door.  "Washing up before supper. Spotted a water pump on the side."

He went to the side of the bunkhouse where there was a large washstand.  He guessed it was meant for the ranch hands to use to wash up and wash clothes.  Had to admit, the owners of the ranch had thought of everything. He'd make sure to take plenty of notes for when he bought his own place.

It wasn't long before he was back inside and changed.  He looked forward to seeing the woman again, finding out her story.

Moments later Jerrick walked in from washing up and lay atop the blankets to look at the ceiling.  "I could fall asleep right now.  If it wasn't for my grumbling belly, I'd not move."

His friend was almost the complete opposite of him.  Where he had black hair and dark brown eyes, Jerrick's hair was sun-bleached to almost blond and his eyes were a light blue. Instead of his more solemn nature, Jerrick was easygoing and quick to smile. Yet, in spite of all the differences, he was the closest thing to a brother.

Rafe pulled on his boots.  "Interesting that a woman would own a place like this, don't you think?"

"It's probably her family's home.  Or maybe her husband is gone off on a drive or something."

The idea of her being married didn't sit well.  If it were so, the old man, Joe, would have said so.  Although most women in the west were spoken for, it would have been a welcome thing if this particular lady was not. 

Rafe let out a gruff breath.  Instead of having his head in the clouds, he needed to concentrate on his goal.  Finding land, building a home, and getting settled.  After that, he could work on a family and such.  If it were even meant to be for him to marry.  Women were scarce out here and he wasn't going to be saddled with one not suited for him.  Nothing was worse, in his opinion, than living with someone disagreeable.

The sun began to fall in the sky, and the bunkhouse became dim.  Rafe lit a lantern and considered starting a fire in the hearth.  It would warm the bunkhouse for the night when they returned from the meal.  Not knowing how long they'd be gone, he decided it was best to wait until after supper.

After checking on his horse, who slept soundly, Rafe went to the ranch house.  Just inside the door to the right was a large kitchen.  Jerrick and Joe were already seated, he noted it was set for four, but Charlie Kennedy was not present.

Just as Rafe settled into a chair opposite Joe, an attractive woman, who looked to be about his age, in a flowered dress with large white apron over it, bustled over and ladled a hearty stew into bowls.  She smiled at them.  "I'm Mary Ellen, anything you boys need, let me know."  She went back to the counter behind them and returned with a basket of biscuits.  "Go on and eat."

Joe gave the woman a warm smile.  "Mary Ellen, this here is Rafe Preston and Jerrick Black. Claim to be brothers."

The cook's bright eyes took them both in. "I'm glad you're here to help.  Joe certainly could use it. Brothers?"

Jerrick smiled at her.  "We're not brothers by blood."

"Sometimes a good friend is better than family," Joe said and looked toward a doorway. "Charlie not joining us?"

Mary Ellen shook her head. "No, she's not feeling well."

The flavorful stew and buttery biscuits were the best meal he'd had in a long time. Rafe looked to the woman who settled in across from him. "The meal is delicious.  Best I've had in a long time. Thank you."

Mary Ellen beamed at the compliment and waved his words away, with a wide grin.  "Hush now and eat."

"Are there any other ranch hands here?" Rafe asked Joe to make conversation and because he was genuinely curious.

"Jest you two looks like," Joe mumbled with a frown.  "Damn Winfrow probably hired everyone worth a lick from around here.  Jessup Winfrow owns the ranch up the road about an hour ride from here. He always seems to get a jump on things.  I try to get into town and do what I can, but when I got there a few days ago, everyone was hired up.  I put up a notice at the post office hoping to get at least a few workers."

"What about Misses Kennedy's husband or family? Seems like someone would come and help her," Jerrick asked and Rafe was grateful, as he was interested in the answer.

Joe became closed off and grunted. "Her parents live back east.  Charlie is a widow." He didn't say anything else. Rafe figured the man was protective of the young widow and he could not fault him for it.  After all, he and Jerrick were strangers.

"We will do what we can to help.  I have a lot to learn about cattle ranching, so this would be a good time as any for me to get as much learning as I can," Rafe said moving the conversation away from the touchy subject of Joe's boss.

The old man visibly relaxed.  "You'll more than get your experience this season.  Moving the herd and calving approaches.  A rancher is coming next month to collect a couple hundred head of cattle.  Tomorrow we start moving the herd to the west pasture." The foreman continued to talk, telling them of the many chores needing to be completed around the ranch.  Rafe paid close attention, committing as much as possible to memory.

Movement caught his eye, the younger woman, Charlotte, moved across the doorway in the adjacent room.  He noticed she'd changed into a different dress, this one a simple frock.  Her hair was down and she looked to be pacing.

"Can the three of us do all that?" Jerrick asked.  "Seems like a job for twice our number."

"Yeah it is...we'll separate the herd.  Do about fifty head at a time," Joe replied in between bites.

They finished dinner and Rafe felt the weariness from days of travel begin to take hold. He yawned and stretched.  Getting up from the table, he picked up his bowl and took it to the washbasin. 

Mary Ellen instantly appeared at his elbow.  "Put that down, what are you doing?"

"I was going to wash it." Rafe wasn't sure what he'd done to earn her frown.

The woman pushed him back, but her expression softened.  "No need for you to do any of that.  You'll more than earn your pay and keep with all the work Joe will have you doing. I'll clean up.  You boys go on and get settled for the night.  I heard you traveled all day.  So you're probably dead on your feet."

He was.  "Thank you, the food was delicious," Rafe repeated and stepped back noticing Jerrick already headed out the door.

"See you at breakfast," Joe said sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. He looked to be staying for a while, so perhaps the old man lived in the larger house as well. 

Just as he walked to the front door, he turned to see Charlotte standing in front of the hearth.  Her head bent, she looked to be deep in thought.  "Goodnight, Misses Kennedy," he said and her head jerked up. 

She looked to him in surprise, obviously she'd thought he left with Jerrick.  "Goodnight, Mister Preston." Her voice was soft yet at the same time strong.  He could listen to her talk for hours and not want to interrupt.

Their gazes met and held for a moment before she turned away to the fire again.  Tendrils of hair fell forward blocking most of her face from view and he imagined pushing it back to get a closer look into those vivid hazel eyes.

The sun was still visible as he made his way back to the bunkhouse.  The entire time the picture of Charlotte's beautiful face forefront on his mind. 

The bunkhouse loomed and he didn't feel up to going inside just yet.  He walked for a while until coming to a small graveyard.  Three gravestones stuck out from the well-maintained ground.  Merle Kennedy, Hazel Kennedy, and Daniel Kennedy, the youngest of the three.  He figured Daniel was Charlie's dead husband.  He stood for a long moment paying his respects wondering what had brought the man's life to an abrupt end at thirty years old.

Moments later after checking on his horse, Rafe washed up and headed for his bed.  His gut full and his head occupied with so many questions, he looked forward to the next day, wondering if he'd get the opportunity to speak to Charlie alone.

"You got that look," Jerrick said in the dark.  "What you up to?"

Rafe grumbled under his breath.  "Nothing much.  Just thinkin'."

"You takin' a shine our boss lady already, aren't you?"  Jerrick chuckled.  "She's a beauty."

"That she is," Rafe said not answering the question.  "Goodnight, Jerrick."

"I'll take that as a yes."

Maybe he did find Charlotte Kennedy arresting, but this was definitely not the time to be thinking about such matters.  He needed to concentrate on the future.  Colter Valley felt right.  The lands were plentiful and plush, the townsfolk welcoming, and without much trouble, he and Jerrick were settled with work.

Within a few weeks, he'd find a place of his own and get his bank in Texas to wire money for the purchase.

He wasn't a wealthy man, but he had accumulated more than most.  Enough to get a couple hundred acres and livestock.

The night’s sounds wafted through the open window, and restless, he got up and looked out.

Lights were still on at the house.

––––––––

C
harlie stood at the kitchen window looking toward the bunkhouse.  The men had gone there right after dinner, Joe following Rafe and Jerrick after they invited him to play cards.  Joe had taken to the two newcomers and they'd fallen into an easygoing rapport of sorts.

Both Rafe Preston and Jerrick Black were very handsome men.  It still astounded her to find so many good-looking men in one town. It was as if the beauty of the area attracted them. The local McKade men where a striking bunch, all of them with the same devilish green eyes and tall muscular build. 

Her thoughts returned to the new ranch hands.  They were as different in looks as night and day. Jerrick was blond with light eyes that caught attention.  He had a playful edge to him, as if always holding back from teasing. 

Rafe was the more serious of the two, seeming to measure his words before speaking.  With black hair and the darkest brown eyes, he made one take notice.  Taller than Jerrick, he shrunk a room when entering. Of the two, she took more notice of Rafe. Whenever his dark eyes met hers, it was as if he could see deep inside.  To the most intimate areas, she'd rather keep to herself.

"There's too much work to be done for daydreaming," Mary Ellen, Charlie's friend chided her with a soft smile on her lips. "You thinking about our new ranch hands? They are a handsome duo, aren't they?"

"Honestly, I barely noticed," Charlie lied and avoided looking at her friend who carried a cup of tea to the kitchen table.  The cool breeze blew in through the open windows helping air out the overheated kitchen. She glanced once again outside.  The sun's setting always gave a beautiful glow to the valley.

"I hope they are trustworthy.  Joe sure seems to like them." Charlie wasn't convinced Jessup Winfrow didn't send the two men to sabotage her efforts and spy on her.  The man was evil enough to do something like that.  Hire men to work for her and undermine what work needed to be done.  It seemed convenient that only days after Joe went to town to look for help, the two appeared.

It made her suspicious, they did not negotiate at all on the wages, seeming to be more interested in room and board.  Something was off.

During supper, days earlier, she'd overheard Jerrick ask about her family and husband.  But when Joe had not replied in full, they'd not asked anything further.  Could it be because they already knew the answer?

There was too much on the line right now.  It would be the perfect time for the underhanded man to plan something against her.  It was uncanny how he seemed to know everything that went on at Horseshoe, more than he should, had spies everywhere when it came to her property and her.

If the cattle sale the following month did not go through for whatever reason, Winfrow would swoop in and buy them, just to prove a point.  To hold something over her and she'd owe him.  There was no way she could survive the winter without the money. 

He'd already asked about buying them for a lower price than she had arranged with the buyer.  He claimed he'd have to turn around and sell them himself and would barely turn a profit.  Charlie closed her eyes, tired of having to devote so much thinking and effort to Winfrow. If only he'd leave her be.  Find someone else to torment.

Yes, it would have been easier to sell the cattle to him and be done with it, but she didn't trust the man enough to go into business with him. Besides she had a buyer of her own.  And it was more than Winfrow offered her, and yes, it was still not as much as her husband would have negotiated for, but enough that she'd not have to worry about maintaining her ranch for the next year.

A month earlier, Winfrow had been enraged when she'd turned down his marriage offer, stating she'd run Horseshoe ranch into the ground without a husband. Jessup Winfrow's cruel streak was well known.

She'd heard rumblings of how he mistreated his workers and rarely had a kind word for anyone.  The man was both admired and feared in town.  But she refused to back down. Somehow she'd make it on her own, she had no immediate need of a husband.

She'd been married to a gentle and honest man; Daniel Kennedy was a good man who'd cared for her and she for him.  Their relationship had not blossomed to a love or passion, but she'd been content and well provided for.  Her life was predictable, yet comfortable, never needing for anything.  Then one day it all changed.  Daniel was thrown by his horse and hit head first into a pile of rocks.  He'd died instantly and she'd been left alone with all that had been his.