The Widows Choice (6 page)

"I wish someone would stand up to that cad," Mary Ellen said, her face contorted with anger.  "He is the devil incarnate. Maybe you should speak to Sherriff McKade about this."

"The sheriff has his hands full.  Although he is one of the few people not in Winfrow's pocket, there really isn't much he can do about him.  Other than the McKade brothers, there is no one else who can match Winfrow's power as far as money and such.  Plus he's got those hired guns that run with him."

Mary Ellen was Daniel's younger sister, who came to live with them soon after Charlie arrived. She and the woman became fast friends.  Mary Ellen was five years older than her, now thirty and never married, which puzzled Charlie.  There was a gentle kindness to Mary Ellen, which made people feel at ease around her.  At the same time, her friend was strong and determined, which Charlie admired.

When Charlie asked Mary Ellen why she didn't seek a husband, she always said to be waiting for a kind man and loving fair man, who worked as a carpenter, which made Charlie giggle as she wondered if her friend realized it sounded like Jesus. 

After Daniel died, she'd asked her to stay in Colter Valley.  A proud woman, Mary Ellen had only agreed if she could earn her keep by cooking the meals.  Soon they found an easy rapport.  Mary Ellen handled all the cooking and helped with the gardening while Charlie did the rest of the housework.

"So," Mary Ellen gave Charlie an interested look.  "What did Rafe say about it?  He was sitting with you outside for a few moments.  You weren't mean to him were you?"

Charlie huffed. "Goodness, Mary Ellen, you defend him and Jerrick as if they are trustworthy.  We don't know them.  What's to say Winfrow didn't hire and send them here to spy on me?"  She held up her hand to keep her friend from speaking.  "Winfrow knew I hired two men, even though only Rafe was present when he rode up."

"They are good people, Charlie.  I have a sense about these things.  Both are here to start new lives.  If you joined us for dinner and talked with them, got to know them, you'd understand and have fewer doubts."  Mary Ellen went toward the kitchen and Charlie followed.

She began to stir and check on supper, while Charlie pulled plates from the cupboard and set the table for five.  "Don't you find it interesting that Winfrow knew about Jerrick?"

"Not at all.  The man knows everything that happens in town.  Rafe and Jerrick rode through town and made inquisitions.  I'm sure one of Winfrow's boys rushed to him with the news of newcomers.  Darn fools can't get to him fast enough, too scared of repercussions."

"That's true," Charlie replied while considering that was a very feasible explanation.  "There is something else." She waited until Mary Ellen met her gaze.  "Some of what Winfrow told me today rang true.  He said Horseshoe was too large of a homestead for me to run alone.  That I could manage a year, two perhaps if I'm lucky, but that eventually, I'd run this ranch to the ground."

Mary Ellen's expression of concern confirmed she also thought the same.  It could be she was allowing her pride to stand in the way, that the solution to it all was to sell everything and move far away.  Or she could remain in Colter Valley.  It would be enough money to buy a small house and settle in town.  She let out a breath and looked out the small window.  "I am not sure what is best, Mary Ellen.  I can't help but think he's right."

"Of course, he's not right," Mary Ellen huffed and put a hand on her hip.  "He just wants to break you.  Make you doubt things so he can swoop in and buy you out. You are a strong and smart woman. Sell if you must eventually, but never to Winfrow." Mary Ellen's eyes twinkled with mirth.  "Or marry someone else.  That would be the perfect way to prove him wrong."

The men approached and Charlie caught sight of Rafe.  Her breath caught when his eyes met hers and she turned to Mary Ellen.  "Is there anything else I can help with?"

Mary Ellen looked toward where she'd been directing her gaze and raised her eyebrows, her mouth tilting up on the corners. "No, just sit.  I have everything ready to set on the table."  She looked to the three men.  "Hope you're hungry.  I made chicken and dumplin's."

The men moved even faster, Joe and the two handsome friends became motivated at the mention of food. They settled into chairs and exchanged looks of surprise that Charlie joined them at the table next to Joe and across from Rafe.

––––––––

I
t was hard to concentrate on the delicious meal with Charlotte Kennedy across the table from him.  Rafe tried his best not to keep looking at her, but it was damn near impossible.  Although still a bit pale, she didn't seem as distraught.  Back to her calm and distant demeanor, she maintained her attention on her meal and spoke in low tones with Mary Ellen about upcoming work and the household.

When Joe cleared his throat and got her attention, Rafe was grateful.  "What all did Winfrow want today?"

She looked to Mary Ellen before replying.  "The same, just making trouble as usual." Color rose to her cheeks.  "You know that man won't stop until he gets what he wants. Go to any length necessary."

Mary Ellen interrupted and slid a look at both Rafe and Jerrick.  "I know you both plan to buy land and settle here.  You may as well learn that doing business with Jessup Winfrow is like shaking hands with the devil."

"I am gathering that much," Jerrick replied and took a sip of his coffee.  "I plan to travel into town in the next few days and inquire about a farm or small ranch for sale.  Joe has told me who to talk to."

"What about you, Rafe?" It shocked him that Charlie asked him directly and used his first name.  She seemed to realize what she did and blushed adorably. 

"It's okay, Misses Kennedy.  You are my boss, I don't mind you calling me by my first name."  He met her gaze and she nodded and looked away.  "I am not sure what my plans are right now. I am more of the thought to buy land and build myself."

"That's a lot of work, but you're young enough," Joe said and shook his head.  "Can't imagine doing that myself. When it comes time for me to move on, I'll get me a small place in town."

"You are not going anywhere, Joe.  I need you around here too much," Charlie told him emphatically.  "What are you talking such nonsense about?"

"Gettin' too old to be much more than a burden.  Every day I get slower.  I know my time is comin'.  Time for you to hire a new foreman and I can get on."

Charlie and Mary Ellen exchanged looks, the women seeming to communicate without words.  Both had matching irritated expressions.  Mary Ellen huffed.  "You have a home here.  Both of us do."

"That's right," Charlie said.  "You love your rooms attached to the back of the house.  Have a wonderful view of the stables and the horse pasture."

"What about when you get married, Charlie?" In his irritation, Joe sputtered.  "You are still young.  You and whoever you marry may want to have youngin's.  You'll need the space."

Her eyes widened and Mary Ellen giggled, which made Charlie give her a indignant huff.  "If I marry, which I don't have any imminent plans to do, you are still going to remain here.  End of subject."  She lifted her spoon to her mouth and lowered her eyes.

Joe let out a chuckle and looked to Rafe.  "This is why she won't have dinner with me.  I like to get her all riled up."

When Charlie looked to Joe, there was caring in her gaze, warmth that made his chest ache.  She genuinely cared for the older man, and from what he could see, counted on him for strength.  Both of the people who lived there and worked for her were more than just hired help. They were her friends, her family.

Jerrick pushed back from the table.  "I certainly appreciated the entertainment, Joe.  Misses Charlotte, as long as Rafe and I are here, we'll do what we can to protect you from that Winfrow fellow.  But you should consider speaking to the sheriff about it."

"If it comes to something more than subliminal threats I will.  The sheriff is aware of Winfrow.  The two men don't care for each other, which is a good thing.  And thank you..."

"Call me, Jerrick, please."

She looked from his friend to Rafe and smiled.  "All right, but if I'm to call you by your first names, then do the same.  Please call me Charlie."

Rafe wasn't ready to leave, so he accepted coffee when Mary Ellen offered to pour.  He knew it was getting late, yet he wanted to spend a few more moments in Charlie's company.

Joe grumbled about things that needed to be done, wood cut for a new pigpen, mending the fence on the west side of the property and such. All the time Joe spoke he listened and every once in a while commented.  The old man looked to Rafe and frowned.  "I hope you don't plan to be leavin' too soon.  There's still much to be done and I haven't gotten any other responses to the notice I put in town."

It occurred to him how strange that it was so hard to find workers.  "I don't understand how can one man stop men from working.  Don't they need to feed their families?"

Mary Ellen huffed.  "Winfrow has money.  He either pays them or threatens them if they try to work here.  He wants Charlie to fail.  For this ranch not to thrive, so he can swoop in and buy it."

Charlie gave him a pointed look.  "I'd rather give it away than sell it to that man."  There was vehemence in her voice.  "He's never going to have Horseshoe.  I'll burn it to the ground first."

It was irrational that one man could hold families back based on threats.  "Aren't there any other people around who can stand up for you?"

"The McKade's try," Joe said holding his cup up for Mary Ellen to refill.  "They got land of their own to look after, but they make rounds every once in a while.  The family owns most of the land on the other side of Winfrow.  They are a big bunch, so the coward doesn't bother with them much."

Rafe began to get the picture of what life in Colter Valley was like.  For the most part, the townspeople lived a good, peaceful life.  The ranchers, however, were part of a hierarchy and dealt with power struggles and competition.  Charlie was caught in the middle of what looked to be one man's attempt to become the rancher with the largest land mass and herds.  In addition, the man wanted Charlie. She was Jessup Winfrow's ultimate prize.

Now that he had decided to live here, he'd join the game, but his ultimate goal would be for peace within his new community.  Unfortunately, it seemed it meant he'd have to find a way to deal with Jessup Winfrow.

––––––––

M
ary Ellen felt a physical loss as soon as Jerrick Black left the room.  Not that she had any aspirations of ever garnering the attention of a man like him.  Admittedly, not only was Jerrick astonishingly handsome, but he was a few years younger than she.  Through conversations and such, she'd gathered he was twenty-six.

About to turn thirty, she was past marrying age and although she considered options for marriage, could never bring herself to marrying any of the men who lived in Colter Valley and had shown interest. 

Unlike a dazzling beauty like Charlie, she was pretty enough, more pleasant of face.  The last three years, she'd garnered men's attention and even a couple marriage proposals.  Yet in spite of wanting a family of her own, children and a husband, she'd not been able to bring herself to accept.  Her heart was set on romance and in her opinion it was the most important factor for a successful marriage.

The room became too warm and Mary Ellen got to her feet fanning her face with both hands.  "It's too hot in here. I'm going to get a bit of fresh air before cleaning up." The three people at the table barely glanced up from their meal as she made her way outside.

The soft chirps of cricket's song filled the air along with the sounds of an owl hooting in the distance as Mary Ellen made her way down the worn path.  She'd circle the house as was her usual routine. It gave her an opportunity to not only get fresh air and exercise, but clear her mind as well. Deep in thought she almost screamed when a figure appeared before her, coming from between two trees.

A chuckle stuck in her throat at almost walking up to Jerrick relieving himself.  "I'm sorry... you startled me.  I thought you'd be at the bunkhouse by now."

His light hair shimmered in the twilight, his hazel eyes seeming to darken when meeting hers.  "Doin' a bit of walkin' myself.  Ate too much of your delicious cookin'.

When his lips curved, she had to force herself to look away. "I'm glad you enjoyed it.  One of my favorite things to do is cook and bake."

"It will be hard to leave.  A man can get used to eating like this every day." His voice held a gruff edge, while at the same time his Texan accent softening the tones.

She wasn't sure what the appropriate response was, so she changed the subject.  The one thing she wasn't ready to think about.  The day he'd leave.  "It's a beautiful night, isn't it? I just love this time just after sunset."

Jerrick wasn't fooled for an instant, by the twinkle in his eyes.  "Yes, ma'am, it is." He held out his arm.  "How about I walk with you?"

Butterflies tumbled in her stomach. The idea of walking in the moonlight with him as foreign as walking on water.  She couldn't stop her eyes from widening at his coming closer before she assumed her usual casual air as she tended to do when he was near.  "Yes, of course.  That would be lovely."

No sooner did she slip her hand through his arm did she become a tongue-tied imbecile.  Not one thought, even worse did any word, form in her mind.  Every sense except touch disappeared.  The warmth under her hand sent a trail of heat straight into her chest.  Her breath quickened and she hoped not to embarrass herself by fainting or stumbling at the lack of oxygen to her brain.

"Montana is very different from Texas.  The trees taller, the grass greener.  Not to mention the mountains," Jerrick told her, his voice soft, yet deep at the same time.  "But at night, when I look up at the sky, it doesn't seem so very far."

"Why did you leave?  Sounds like you miss home."

He inhaled and let it out slowly.  "I do at times wonder why I left.  I suppose it's that I have nothing to hold me there. No one to return to.  Its where I grew up, but not where I belong."