Timeless Passion: 10 Historical Romances To Savor (111 page)

Joe looked at them. “Ever ridden in a western saddle? Ain’t too different from those pancake saddles.” He laughed, spreading out his bedroll, “Just more of it.”

Hawke turned from brushing down his horse. “I guess we will need new saddles. Can we get them at the ranch or do we need to go somewhere to purchase them?”

“Naw, we got extras at the ranch. Might have to add leather to the stirrups to accommodate yer long legs though.”

Finished bedding down his horse, Hawke walked away from the camp to the top of a low hill. He watched as the sky turned from a deep clear blue to streaks of fiery red and orange, violet then midnight blue as the cloak of night covered the desert floor below. The air so dry and clear; he felt like he could reach up and touch the blazing colors spreading from horizon to horizon. The sun flashed its final gold brilliance in the sky, and the colors began to blend into the darkness.

Although it was late April, it had felt incredibly hot during the day. Not the suffocating wet heat of the jungle, but a dry baking heat shimmering over the land, sending waves dancing through the air. The heat disappeared with the sun and the air cooled rapidly. Turning back towards the camp, he watched as Secondino cooked beans over the open fire, the tangy smell of the mesquite wood scenting the air. In the distance, he heard a sound like hundreds of dogs barking. A chorus of high-pitched yips and long mournful howls seemed to be all around them. Walking towards the camp, he heard Joe explaining to Alec.

“Those ain’t dogs or wolves. It’s a pack of coyotes, worst scavengers in the desert. Seen ’em take down a full-grown bull. They just run ’em into the ground, rip out the leg muscles and overpower them by sheer numbers. When they yip and howl, they’re gettin’ ready to go huntin’. That’s what the boys are watchin’ for with yer cattle. You ever see ’em on the range, shoot. They’re nothin’ but worthless varmints.”

“Tell me, Joe.” Hawke eased himself to the ground, leaning back on his elbows on his bedroll. “Have you lived all your life out here, or did you come after the War Between the States, like Mr. Jonston?”

“Well, sir, I grew up in Northern Virginia. I served with Sherman during the war.” The haunted look of a man who had seen too much moved quickly across his face. “Nasty business. Case, fresh out of West Point, was my captain. Never served a better man.”

Hawke admired his loyalty and looked forward to meeting the man who had inspired it.

Alec, bored with talk of the past, looked at the cowboy next to him. “Where does a man go for entertainment in this empty land of yours? Where do you go for a drink and a little companionship, eh?” Darcy laughed as Alec waggled his eyebrows lasciviously.

“I’m guessing you ain’t looking for a church social.” Darcy thought for a minute. “There’s Miss Lila’s house in White Oaks. It’d be the closest. Then there’s Madame Varnish’s Casino if yer wantin’ to drink and play a little poker or faro. Them places and others like ’em are in Hogtown.”

“Now this sounds promising.” Alec smiled, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “Maybe it won’t be so bad here after all.”

“Several of yer countrymen hang out at Madam Varnish’s.” Joe stood and walked over to the iron pot hanging over the fire, filling his tin plate with beans and grabbing a biscuit. “Yep, they seem to enjoy spending their days looking down the bottom of a bottle. Who knows, maybe you might know some of them.”

“You wouldn’t by chance know their names … would you?” Hawke tried to sound casual, but inside his gut clenched in anticipation. Maybe he was closer to Tompkins than he realized.

“Naw,” Joe replied, chewing a biscuit, “Never bothered. All they want to do is sit around and tell us how inferior we are, and how much better it is back in England, while waiting for remittance money sent to keep them away.” He snorted in disgust. “Let ’em go back if they miss it so much.”

“Will any of these gentlemen be at the dinner Mr. Jonston has arranged?” Alec asked, leaning forward to scoop more beans from the bubbling pot.

“Case don’t hold with drunks and wastrels. You won’t see them anywhere around the ranch. Tried hiring one of them remittance men awhile back. Seems he was too good to do regular work.” Contempt colored every word. “Wouldn’t dirty his hands working cattle, but thought nothing of trying to put his hands on Miss Kara. He’s lucky he left the ranch alive.”

“Mr. Jonston beat the man?” Hawke’s words were spoken quietly, wondering if it could have been Tompkins.

“Nope,” Joe said with a cold smile. “I did. All the men working for me know Miss Kara is off limits.”

“Will Miss Kara be the only lady at this dinner?” Alec asked. “Or are there any women out here other than those in town?”

“Sure. Several of the ranchers and businessmen have daughters. Most of the girls go back East for schooling, but there should be several at the barbecue.”

“If the daughters are sent away for schooling, then why is your boss’s daughter here, working the ranch?”

Hawke twisted around, surprised at the vitriol in Alec’s voice. What was the matter with him? He acted like he already knew this woman and found her intensely distasteful.

“Excuse the rudeness of Mr. MacCairn. He’s only come to keep me company. I fear he gets surly when he’s away from his clubs and his mistress too long.”

The men were laughing at Alec’s remarks. Again laughter?

Thinking of his own sister, he wondered how these men, who seemed to like this woman one minute, could laugh at her the next. “What is wrong with this woman that you can laugh at her shortcomings so easily?”

“No, senor,” laughed Luis, scraping the plates while he cleaned up from the meal. “Senorita Kara, she is no why we laugh. You will find out soon enough, verdad. Those of us who know her respect and love her very much. You and your friend will understand soon enough.” Luis chuckled. “Shortcomings … hah.” He shook his head and continued cleaning.

Alec shot Hawke a bemused look. “Well, beats me. Can’t say what passes for humor around here. I tell you; the longer I’m out here with these ‘gentlemen’ the more I miss the pleasures of London.” Alec flopped over onto his side grumbling about the hard ground, the outdoors, and the coarseness of the blanket he pulled up around his shoulders.

Hawke lay on his back with his hands behind his head and marveled at the clarity of the stars overhead in the midnight blue sky until he drifted to sleep.

• • •

Shortly after dawn, they broke camp. Asking how much further until they were on the ranch, Hawke was surprised to learn they had been on ranch since yesterday, and would reach the headquarters later in the afternoon.

They stopped at the top of a hill and Joe showed the two men the boundaries of the property. “The ranch stretches from the Mal Pies.” He pointed to dark rocks in the distance. “That long outcrop of volcanic rock to the south and into the mountains further north. The eastern edge is where the foothills begin and through the pass is the town of White Oaks and a little south and further is Lincoln, the county seat.”

Hawke looked around, fascinated. The grasslands rolled like some great beast shaking its hide, the wind softly bending the miles of tall grass. Jagged peaks stabbed into the clear sky. The entire land bathed in a golden light cast by the rays of the rising sun. A warm breeze caressed his face with the gentleness of a lover. The sky was the purest blue he had ever seen, the color only broken by wispy clouds drifting along. An eagle above them played lazily on the shifting currents of air, rising and falling as gracefully as a leaf floating on a breeze. Inhaling deeply, he noted the complex blend of wildflowers, grass, and dust and rising heat in the air. The stark beauty of this land reminded him of his highlands, but he felt a greater sense of freedom here.

“We’ve been working this past week on gathering the cows and calves in order to brand, doctor, and move them to summer pasture,” said Joe, drawing him from his reverie. “The summer pasture is up in those mountains. Good pasture.” He nodded his head towards the west.

“Yep.” A stream of tobacco juice landed on the ground in front of Joe’s horse. “We’re making good time with these animals of yours.”

Hawke turned to watch the cowboys move his cattle along. Dust danced in the air from the movement of many hooves. Tails whipped back and forth across shiny black hides as the cattle ambled across the desert. Sharp whistles split the morning air and the sound of coiled ropes slapping leather-clad legs creating a rhythm that moved the cattle, but at the same time seemed to keep them calm. He watched one cow try to break from the group and the man named Darcy spin his horse around to intercept the animal and guide it back to the group.

“Fascinating how they almost seem to know what the cow is going to do before it does it,” Alec said, watching the cowboy and his horse work smoothly and quietly to return the stray to the group.

Their attention was drawn to a group of cattle on a rise running frantically. A horseman appeared, riding hard towards the leaders. Hawke watched as the rider drove the horse, leaning close to the animals’ neck, passing by the surging beasts.

“Joe, looks like your man is having some problems. Do you think he might need some assistance?”

“Naw, it’ll be under control in a moment. Just you watch that big, red hoss work. Besides, we’re still about a mile away. Wouldn’t get there in time.”

He couldn’t believe they were so far away. The distances were deceiving. The horse reached the front of the group and began turning them back on themselves until they came slowly to a stop. One of the cows tried to break and the horse and rider turned to intercept it. It looked like the two animals were engaged in a strange dance.

The horse dropped his head down to eye level with the cow. The cow would dodge to one side, but the horse was right there blocking the path. The horse’s front legs were bent and his hooves seemed to skim the ground shifting his weight back and forth, cutting off the other animal’s escape. Every time the cow ran, the horse challenged him. Finally defeated, the cow turned and returned to the group. Another rider appeared and the first rider turned and headed down the hill.

“What a horse,” exclaimed Alec, drawing alongside. “Did you note the speed of the turns? I’ve never seen an animal so quick.”

Admiration filled Hawke’s voice. “The skill of the rider,” he said, realizing how small the rider seemed compared to the horse. “His balance and control were amazing. He must not be very old. Did you see how small he appeared? He is one hell of a rider.”

“Oh, you’ll meet those two later.” Joe said, a big grin split the weathered face. “Galahad is the horse. He’s one of the quarter horses Case has bred. Ain’t any horse smarter and they’re fast enough to work the cagiest cow. He’s also a helluva roping horse. His rider trained him, so they work very well together.”

“Well, I certainly want to talk him about his training techniques.” Hawke stared towards where the rider had disappeared, eager to reach the ranch and meet the young man.

The headquarters were coming into view in the distance. Hawke was impressed by the size of the compound. He had not expected such a large place. The more he saw, the more anxious he was to meet his new partner and find out about his new investment.

Chapter 4

Kara had seen the group watching her from the hill.
Blast
, she thought. They weren’t supposed to be here yet. Papa would have her hide if she didn’t get home before they arrived.

Blast, Blast, Blast! She headed for the house, her thoughts racing. She knew with the long distances between ranches some of the guests would be staying overnight, and she should be there to help greet them. First, she had to clean off the dirt from working the cattle.

She looked forward to seeing her friends; many she hadn’t seen since she returned from school a few months earlier.

With lists of chores running through her head, she galloped Gally into the front yard, jumped off as he slid to a halt, and led him toward the barn.

“Kara.” Her father’s voice stopped her. She turned to see him, hands on his hips. “I’ve been told Joe and the others are close by. Let one of the hands put your horse up. Hurry and see what help Consuelo needs.”

Case headed back into the house. She threw the reins to one of the hands standing near the barn, and hurried to follow, taking the stairs two at a time.

“For God’s sake, Kara,” He glowered. “Don’t forget to clean up and put on a dress … you are a young lady. Remember?”

She smiled to herself, shaking her head.
Lord, the man must think I have eight arms to get everything done at once.
She walked through the massive wood doors and headed for the kitchen.

The smell of beans, chile, and spices mixing with the aroma of roasting meat from the pit outside assailed her senses and started her mouth watering and her stomach growling in protest.

Kara entered the large sunny kitchen. An array of cans and jars were neatly arranged on the open shelves. Several big pots simmered on the cast iron stove. The smell of of fragrant mesquite and pine sticks in the wood box scented the air. Colorful bunches of herbs hung from the vigas overhead, drying over the large wooden table in the center of the room.

“Consuelo, how are the meal preparations coming?” She peered into a pot of bubbling stew. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Picking up a spoon, she tasted the spicy stew, savoring the blend of flavors, hunger clawed at her insides.

“Mija, put that down.”

Consuelo walked over to her drying her hands on the towel tucked into her apron. Consuelo gently slapped her on the wrist making Kara drop the spoon and shooed her out of the kitchen.

“Look at you … still in your work clothes and smelling like livestock.” Consuelo waved her hands, sending her towards the door. “Go clean up before you come in my kitchen again, miss.”

“I’ve been working cattle all morning, Consuelo.” Kara looked beseechingly at the small round woman. “Don’t you think I could have a little bit … I’m fair starved to death and there’s no telling when I’ll get to eat again.”

Consuelo sighed. Turning back she filled a bowl with the stew and took warm tortillas from the oven.