Danny Read online

  “I have to fix supper for Venie and me anyway, so I might as well fix something for you at the same time. You tend to the horses, get cleaned up, and then come on in the house; I’ll have food on the table. There’s hay in the loft and oats in the granary. You’ll have to pump water, though, and the pump doesn’t work very well.”

  Dan watched Edie and Venie walk into the house, and then he scanned the surroundings before driving the wagon to a spot he could see was where Edie kept it stored.

  * * *

  The house was surprisingly big and well built. A hailstorm, or something, had torn away some shingles, and the picket fence around the house was falling down.

  The house was built near the stream. It wasn’t much of a stream, but the water ran clean and trees lined its banks. A small herd of cattle grazed nearby, and a herd of antelope foraged on the slope just beyond. Ed Calem had chosen well when he bought this land, and it was worth fighting for.

  Dan opened the barn to feed the horses. The door swung on squeaking hinges, the barn needed cleaning, the hay needed re-stacking, and the pump needed fixing. In short, Edie needed a man to put things in order. Tomorrow morning he would get at it. He bathed before doing the chores to allow his clothes time to dry.

  The corral behind the barn held three milk cows. Their calves were in a pen beside the corral. The cows needed milking and a five-gallon milk pail hung on the wall. Dan milked the cows, and then turned them loose with their calves so they could feed the calves, and the calves could complete the job of milking and take nourishment at the same time. He left enough milk in the cow’s udders to feed their calves.

  A hen house was beside the barn, and Dan gathered the eggs, walked to the ranch house door, and knocked.

  Edie opened the door with a smile. She had bathed and changed clothes. Her auburn hair was combed and hung in soft curls around her face; her smile was radiant and her soft, green eyes glowed warmth that stirred a longing in Dan that he had never felt before. He was afraid to comment on it because he had always been clumsy around pretty women.

  Supper was ready; the house was neat and orderly. Venie ran to Dan with her little arms extended, wanting a hug. Dan picked her up, and she wrapped her arms around his neck while he carried her to her highchair.

  “Thank you for tending the animals,” Edie said. “I would have had to do it myself if I hadn’t met you on the road.”

  Dan held Edie’s chair and then sat in the chair across the table.

  “I see you’ve had good training, and you are a gentleman. Would you like to say grace?”

  “I will, if it’s your custom. I was raised in a Christian home, but my parents weren’t churchie.”

  “Then dig in,” Edie smiled.

  Everything Edie prepared was something she had raised on her ranch, or made with her hands, and it was delicious. It had been a long time since Dan had sat down to a home-cooked meal. He had eaten with saloon girls, and they were always nice to him, but the woman sitting at this table was no saloon girl. Edie was a woman, who wanted to be a woman, and any man would be honored to sit with her, and Dan wondered why none were.

  If he were going to save her ranch, he had to ask some questions, but he didn’t know how to ask without appearing to pry.

  Sensing his dilemma, Edie asked, “What do you want to know?”

  “I need to know how much money you owe, and when the mortgage is due. You have a herd of cattle. Why don’t you sell a few?”

  “I only owe two hundred dollars, and the note isn’t due for another three months, but the banker and the sheriff won’t let anyone buy my cows. I couldn’t get the cows to the market anyway. How could a woman with a four-year-old child drive ten cows thirty miles?” She shook her head, sighed, and continued. “I’ve thought about leading them behind the wagon a few at a time, but the people in Lone Hill who buy cattle also owe money to the banker, so they’re afraid to buy my cattle.”

  “How do you get money to buy groceries?”

  “I make butter, seal it in a metal box, store it in the cold stream, and then trade butter and eggs to the grocer for the things I need. The trip into Hill View takes all day. It’s dangerous, but I have no choice.”

  “Could you go to another town? How far is it to the nearest town west of here?”

  “About three days in a wagon, but if I went that way, I would have to camp two nights on the trail. Me and Venie would be exposed to Indians and drunken miners. I would never chance it with Venie. I couldn’t even protect myself, so how could I protect her?”

  “I see your problem, and I can help. You’ve got enough repair work to keep me busy for two weeks. I’ll think on it while I’m doing the chores. Make a list of the things you want done, and I’ll start on it tomorrow morning. You’d better get some rest now. I’ll sleep in the barn. Call me when breakfast is ready.”

  “I could make a pallet on the floor until we can get the shed cleaned up,” Edie offered.

  “That’s a good offer, and I appreciate it, but we’ve just met and you might not sleep well, and I’m not sure I’d sleep well either.”

  Edie smiled. “I think I trust you, more than you trust yourself. I’ll get you a blanket. Sleep wherever you want.” Edie handed Dan a blanket. “Dan, I know you are a man, and I know you like me. It shows in the way you look at me. I’m going to bed, but I won’t worry.”

  “Maybe you’d better lock your door,” Dan said as he returned the smile and walked away carrying the blanket.

  The smell of hay, aging wood, and animals brought back memories of home. Dan snuggled into the hay. He felt that the day went well; he was exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

  Chapter 4

  A rooster crowing awoke him. He milked the cows, fed the animals, gathered the eggs, and as he closed the barn door, he heard Edie calling, “Breakfast is ready.”

  Edie had been watching Dan from behind the kitchen curtains. She liked the way he moved, and the way he knew exactly what to do. She was thinking, That’s the man I’ve been looking for, but what will I have to do to keep him? He’s handsome, so doing what needs doing might not be such a chore.

  Dan came in and said, “Good morning, Edie, did you sleep well?”

  “I slept comfortably, and without fear for the first time since Ed was killed. Every night before last night, I was always aware that I was a woman alone with a child, and at anytime a bad man could break into my house. . . . Knowing you were sleeping in the barn made a big difference. . . . Did you sleep well?”

  “I wrapped myself in the blanket, burrowed into the hay and slept comfortably. I woke up a couple of times. The animals were resting, so I knew no one was prowling, and I went back to sleep. Your rooster sounded the morning call for me and the hens, and while I was milking the cows, I saw the light come on in the kitchen and knew you were up.” He gave a big smile. “Mmmm, that bacon and coffee sure smell good.”

  “Let’s eat. I also have eggs, hot biscuits with buttered honey, and I can make flour gravy if you would like. I haven’t made flour gravy since Ed died. ”

  “No, no, don’t fix more, you’ve got plenty,” Dan said as he gazed at the table, then looked up and asked, “Did you get a chance to make that list of the things you want me to do?”

  “I didn’t make a list, but the weather is good, so I think we should fix the roof before it rains. We have extra shingles in the shed. The shed needs cleaning anyway, so I’ll put the shingles on the roof while you nail them in place. . . . Did you think any more about how to sell enough cows to pay off the mortgage?”

  “I know a way that might work. What’s the name of the town where the banker and sheriff tell everyone how to live?”

  “It’s called Lone Hill.”

  “No one in Lone Hill knows me, so I’ll ride into town, find a buyer for ten cows. I don’t have enough money to actually buy the cows but you could pretend that I did, and give me a bill of sale, and I’ll sell the cows and pay the mortgage.

  Edie shook her head. “I’m afra
id for you. The sheriff works for the banker, and the banker sees a chance to get this ranch. He’ll do whatever he deems necessary to prevent me from paying the mortgage. The sheriff killed my husband when he tried to make a payment, and he’s sure to kill you if you try to pay off the whole mortgage.”

  “I could probably handle the sheriff, but I don’t want to kill anybody. There’s got to be another way.” Dan shook his head. “Let’s do the repairs and continue thinking about it. I’ll fix the pump while you care for Venie—all the pump needs is a gasket. You can show me where the roof leaks, and then I’ll know which shingles needs changing. I enjoyed the breakfast, Edie, thank you. Now it’s time to get to work.”

  “Glad you liked it,” Edie smiled as she picked up the dishes and cleared the table.

  Dan took the water bucket, went to the well, and then unraveled about a foot of hemp rope to make a gasket. He fixed the pump and returned to the house with a bucket of fresh water just as Edie finished feeding and dressing

  Venie.

  * * *

  As Edie suggested, she handed Dan the shingles, and he nailed them in place while Venie watched. They finished about an hour before sunset. The stream was about a hundred yards down a hill, across a meadow behind a grove of willows. Cottonwood trees grew on the banks, and the water was cold, but with a lot of soap, Dan bathed, washed his hair, and then washed his only shirt. Edie bathed in the house and fixed supper.

  They were all tired, so Edie prepared ham steak for dinner. After dinner, Venie wanted Dan to tuck her in bed. He told her a bed-time story until she fell asleep.

  Venie had already fallen in love with Dan and Edie could see why.

  Dan looked at Edie and liked what he saw, but he was cautious. Women were scarce, and Edie was beautiful. She had been alone for more than a year, and Dan wondered why. Was there a man somewhere that she was not telling him about? He stepped out on the front porch as the last rays of the sun were fading. A porch swing hung from rafters on two small chains.

  “Edie,” Dan called, “I like to watch the sun set. May I watch it from your porch swing?”

  “Sure, that’s what a swing is for. We worked as a team putting the shingles on the roof—would you like some help watching the sun set?”

  “I’d like that, and you can tell me a little more about yourself.”

  They sat silently and listened as the day traded places with the night, but Edie didn’t offer more information.

  A storm was brewing—high clouds foretold its coming. Ripples in the stream reflected the last light, and something magic was in the air.

  The swing was big enough for two with room to spare, but Edie sat closely. Dan was keenly aware of her closeness, and her soft fragrance was enticing. He looked directly into her eyes—she didn’t look away but pulled away a little. That slight withdrawal told him that it was time to call it a day before he said, or did, something he shouldn’t. He quickly got up and said, “Good night, Mrs. Calem, I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Remembering the many evenings she had sat in this swing with her husband, she felt that to share the swing with another man, especially a young, handsome man who was trying unsuccessfully to hide his prurient interest, was a violation of her husband’s memory. She watched sadly as Dan walked away.

  It was fifty yards to the barn, and as she expected, Dan looked back before he closed the barn door.

  What would Ed want me to do? I need Dan’s help, and he seems more than willing. But why? What’s his motive? He has experienced similar problems. Only time will tell. He has one thing in his favor—he isn’t pressuring me. I almost wish he would. I’ve got to get over missing Ed; he’s been gone a long time.

  * * *

  Morning came late; the sky was cloudy, and a light rain was falling, but Dan was punctual with the pail of milk and the basket of eggs.

  Edie had prepared coffee, leftover ham steak, scrambled eggs, and biscuits for breakfast. It was still early summer, but a chill was in the air, so Dan built a fire in the fireplace. He wanted the warmth, and he wanted to know if the flue was working properly. Edie picked up on why Dan had built a fire, and it added to the many reasons that she was learning to trust his motives. Smiling to herself, she thought, It would be terrible if he didn’t desire me, but how should I respond if he pursues me more vigorously? She didn’t want to appear wanton, so she dressed in loose-fitting pants and shirt.

  Dan noticed the difference in the way Edie was dressed, and wondered if it were because of the weather or for another reason.

  “The land around here is good for grazing, so you must have neighbors. Do they look in on you once in a while?”

  “Three ranches border mine. All are big, and they occupy large tracts of land. This is one of the smaller ranches, and it occupies ten sections. The closest ranch house west of here is four hours’ ride downriver, and the next closest east is situated between here and Lone Hill, but it’s several miles off the main road. The rancher knew Ed, but he doesn’t know me. His wife speaks to me when we meet on the street in town, but she keeps a tight rein on her husband. . . . Why are you so interested in my neighbors, and why are you calling me Mrs. Calem?”

  “Several reasons, and I think you know at least one of them. Last night, I was enjoying the sunset until I felt you pull back, and then it occurred to me that you must have sat in that same swing with your husband. I figured you had those memories, and I didn’t want to violate them.”

  “Dan, you’re a perceptive man. What’s the second reason?”

  “Regardless of what I call you, or where I sleep, I’m going to save your ranch even if it costs me my life, and I have my reasons for doing it. Should I call you Edie, or should I call you Mrs. Calem? You loved your husband, and that speaks well of you, and if you want me to refer to you as Mrs. Calem, I will conduct myself as I would with a married woman. But if you want me to refer to you as Edie, I will conduct myself as most men would around a pretty, single woman.” Dan searched her eyes. “Which shall it be?”

  “I’m sorry about how I acted last night, Dan. I did remember sitting in that swing with Ed, but I didn’t mean to offend you, so please call me Edie. Now, what else is concerning you?”

  “Edie, women are scarce in the west, and beautiful, single women are almost non-existent. Any man would ride many miles for just one hour alone with you. Men in the west are willing to die for almost any woman, and they would gladly risk their lives for a woman as beautiful as you are. You have ranchers for neighbors, and ranchers have wives, but ranchers also have cowboys, and those cowboys know that you live alone. Chances are some of them have come-a-calling. When we first met, you said you have had to learn to judge men. That told me that more than one man has betrayed your trust, but you didn’t say whether or not some man had gained your favor?”

  Dan looked squarely in Edie’s eyes and wondered if he should go on. She didn’t look away, so he continued. “I am a healthy man, and as a healthy man I find you strongly appealing. But that’s not why I want to help you. I was forced to watch my parents die in a fire, and the same thing might happen to you and Venie. I’ll stop that from happening, regardless of what you think of me. I’ll sleep in your barn, eat your food, and I’ll accept the horse and saddle you offered, but that’s all I ask. I told you when we met that I would never violate either you or your trust, and that hasn’t changed nor will it ever change.”

  Knowing that Dan had a right to know, Edie was thinking, This man is not only handsome, he’s smart.

  “You’re right, Dan, a few men have called on me. Some were young, strong, and good-looking, but they wanted more than what I was willing to give. None offered to fix my roof or repair my pump. You did those things without making demands or expecting sexual favors. Thank you for wanting to help. How can I help you, help me?”

  “It’s raining today. We can’t accomplish much here, but we could use the time to find a way to pay your mortgage. If Ed had to borrow money to keep his ranch going, it’s probable that so
me of the other ranchers had to borrow as well. I’d like to talk to these ranchers, and seek their help. They won’t talk to me alone, but if you’re with me, they’ll talk willingly, and if I’m with you, their wives won’t feel threatened.”

  Dan picked up his hat. “If you’ve got a cover for your wagon, I’ll put it on so we can stay dry. I’ll bring the wagon right to your door, and neither you nor Venie will get wet. Would that meet with your approval?”

  “Dan! Of course I approve; I should have thought of that myself. I’ll get Venie ready while you get the wagon.”

  Rain was falling on dry ground light and steady, producing an aroma that both people and animals enjoy. The land soaked up the refreshing water, and the rhythmic pounding of raindrops was like music.

  Venie was excited to have Dan for company and wanted to sit on his lap and help drive the horses. Her father was killed before she was old enough to remember, so Dan was the nearest thing to a father she had ever known, and she was beginning to think of him as her father.

  Edie noticed and was both pleased and concerned. She was pleased because Venie needed a father, and who better than Dan, but she was concerned because, while Dan had committed to help, he had not committed to stay after he helped. She could change that, but she didn’t want to offer herself as a reward.

  Dan gently took Venie on his lap and gave her the reins. “You’re the driver now, Venie, so take us to see your neighbor.”

  A smile that would light the darkest day lit Venie’s face. Dan smiled too, and said to Edie, “In about a dozen years, this little girl will be almost as pretty as her mother, and she’ll break a lot of hearts.”

  Edie touched Dan’s forearm and smiled. “Just ahead is the turnoff to the Bar-Y Ranch. Ganus McClure bought this ranch a few years before Ed and I bought the Rocking Bar. He’s gruff, but he isn’t all that bad when you get to know him.”

  After following the road to the Bar-Y for about an hour two riders wearing ponchos stopped in front of the wagon. One of them, a short heavyset man, blocked the road, and growled like a bear: “Where are you going? Are you lost?”