Alone in Austin Read online

  Linda hugged her. “I will see what I have. I can take it in if it is too big, but I do have one that I think you will like.”

  “I better get to work.” Jacklin grabbed her hat and whip and went outside. This was the world she was used to. Even if it was a man’s world. Finally, she was herself and in control. Earlier, with Harlen and her hair down, she’d been out of her world. Out of control. And she’d not liked it at all.

  Somehow, she would have to get used to being a woman and still be able to run the ranch. She mounted the dun gelding and rode out to the station where the cattle were being dipped.

  Jacklin wasn’t sure how she would feel seeing Harlen again. She rode onto the range and gripped the whip as a steely-eyed longhorn came her way, but he relented and veered off. When she reached the dipping station, she was disturbed to see that more than half the cattle hadn’t been dipped yet.

  One of the men rode over to her. “We ran out of dip. Harlen went into town to buy more.”

  He was one of her regular hands, and she trusted him. “Ran out? I paid for enough for more than this herd. What happened?”

  The man shrugged. “I told Harlen I didn’t think it was enough. He said it would be, but halfway through, we ran out. All we have is what’s in the vat. Harlen should be back by the end of the day. We can still get them done if we work through the night.”

  Jacklin nodded. “After Harlen gets back, tell him I want to see him.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” The man went back to the shoot and pushed another steer into the vat, making sure the animal was covered by the water to kill all the ticks.”

  Jacklin watched a bit longer and then left. Harlen better work through the night to get the herd ready for the train. She’d made a deal with the buyer, and the cattle were expected on time. This was the second mix up with the dip.

  The dun gelding snorted at a snake slithering across the road. She rubbed the horse’s withers to calm him down. “I know, snakes make me nervous too.”

  Her father always warned her to watch for the two-legged snakes that would try and charm her while they took advantage.

  “Harlen, what are you up to?” Of all the men working the ranch, Harlen was the one she could consider as an equal, and the one she might want to marry. Yet, that the cattle hadn’t been dipped on time, and that bothered her.

  Nick’s horse bothered her too. Why did it look like King Rock? Nick had made a point to show it to her. Had he paid someone to sneak a mare into the stallion’s pasture? Then again, Nick wasn’t hurting for money, and he was a straight-up kind of man. Never had she seen or heard of him cutting corners.

  He wasn’t the type to sneak around either. If anything, Nick was a man she could trust.

  Chapter 6

  Nick had just finished his morning work when David from the livery knocked on his door.

  “Come in, what can I do for you.” Nick grinned at the man. He’d been after him to do his books for years and knew they were a mess.

  “Did you take your horse out of the stall?”

  Nick frowned. “No. Why?”

  “He’s missing. You know I watch the barn like a hawk, but someone snuck in the back through the corral and took him.”

  Nick stood. “He’s been stolen?”

  “I guess so. I’m sorry, Nick. I feel awful. It’s the first horse I’ve had stolen from the barn.”

  “Let’s go talk to the sheriff. I don’t guess anyone saw anything.”

  David shook his head. “I asked the man who sweeps out the stalls. He said the only man he saw that night was one of the hands that brought in the string of horses from down south. But he didn’t see him leave with any horses.”

  “We’ll need the name of the owner and those men if you have it.”

  “I’ll run back to the office and look for the invoice.” He stopped after a couple of steps and turned to look at Nick. “About the books, I could use some help. I’ll bring them over for you if you still want to do them for me.”

  “Thanks for the business, David. I’ll meet you at the sheriff’s.” Nick had a bad feeling about the horse being stolen. From the moment he saw the horse, he suspected that someone had used Jacklin’s stallion without permission. It had been risky for them to bring the horse in town.

  He knew that Jacklin wouldn’t steal the animal. If she thought it was one of hers, she’d have taken it out from under him the day she saw it. But the animal was a dead ringer for her stallion.

  The town was bustling. Even with the lunch break, it did seem there was an unusual amount of people in town. Then Nick remembered tonight was the big social. The town didn’t have them often, so when it did, many came to enjoy the fun.

  He thought of Jacklin. What it would be like to ask her to the social and dance with her. But now that he was serious about starting a family, he needed to clear up his options.

  For twenty years, he’d admired Jacklin, but he’d never told her. Tonight would be a good time to start. If she laughed at him or got angry, he’d know she wasn’t the one, and he could move on. It was silly of him to wait all these years for a woman that hardly wanted to be a woman.

  Why he cared about her was something Nick couldn’t understand. Maybe because his father’s dying words were to watch over Paint Rock Ranch and Jacklin. Whatever the reason, always in the back of his mind, he’d thought fondly about her.

  Not that she did the same for him. Every week when he showed her the books, she fought him over every suggestion. Most of the time, she admitted he was right, eventually. It was almost as if they were in some kind of struggle for control.

  He would have made the same suggestions regardless of who owned Paint Rock. But Jacklin always took it personally. One of their biggest fights had been over giving Harlen the right to sign checks without her approval.

  She rebuffed his worries by saying that her father had done the same for his foreman. But Carson had been a different man. A good man and he and her father had gone way back. Too bad Carson had died in a stampede not long after Harlen had joined on.

  And it wasn’t long after Carson’s funeral that Harlen had made the play to move up to foreman. Oh, he was smart and a good judge of cowhands. The men respected him and obeyed him, and for the most part, the ranch went on smoothly because of the man.

  But Nick had never liked him. Maybe it was as simple as the way he looked at Jacklin. Like he was interested. Sometimes, like a wolf licking his chops. Whatever the reason, Nick wished Harlen would move on.

  Stepping up to the sheriff’s office, he knocked. “Sheriff, my horse has been stolen.”

  Sheriff Jess Adams sat up, worry creasing his brow. “When?”

  “David said last night.”

  The sheriff stood and walked to the door and put his holster and guns on. After grabbing his hat, he looked at Nick. “Let’s go.” Outside as they walked, the tall man asked questions. Finally, he asked the one Nick had been waiting for.

  “That horse looked a lot like King Rock. Did he to you?”

  “Yes, it was the real reason I bought him. I wanted Jacklin to see him.”

  Sheriff Adams nodded. “I had the same feeling. I don’t think he was meant to be on that string brought into town. I guess somebody remedied that.”

  “David is getting the name of the owner and the names of the men who brought in the string. He said they’ve come before with horses for him to buy.”

  “Good. Seems like we are all of the same mind.” He darted a glance to Nick. “I don’t suppose Jacklin saw the horse?”

  “She did.”

  “You don’t think she’d have taken him?”

  “No, if she wanted to, she could have taken him from me. But the horse looks just like King Rock. Has to be his colt.”

  “I’d say so too. I was there when the men rode into town with the string. I’ve been thinking of getting a new horse. Brandy is getting a little too old to chase bandits anymore. David always gets good horses in. Of course, I thought of buying one from Jacklin to
o. I wouldn’t mind having a colt from King Rock. I think they’ll be worth more in the near future.”

  Nick kicked a rock from his path as they crossed the street and walked up the hill to the livery.

  When the town was built, the founders had made the livery go north and west of town to keep the wind from blowing the smell into town. They’d been smart because most of the time the town was free of the aroma.

  They’d also put the corrals and pens for the cattle to board the train outside of town. Nick had to admit, the council, of which his father and Jacklin’s had been part of, had been smart in the planning.

  David was just coming from his office and waved at them. “I found the invoice.”

  Nick shuddered, thinking if it had taken him that long to find the paper, just what kind of shape the man’s books were in. He was sure when David brought him the paperwork for him to work on, it would be papers piled high in a box.

  David handed the paper to Sheriff Adams. “All it says is High Point Ranch. No names.”

  The sheriff frowned. “What about the men who brought the string of horses in. Nick said they’d brought some before.”

  “Yeah, they have. I know they aren’t the owners of the ranch because they told me as much. Said the owner wasn’t around much. They just got their orders from him. I think their names were Sid and the other one was Tod.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Mind if I keep the invoice? The two men aren’t still in town, are they?”

  David shook his head. “They were yesterday, but they’re gone today. At least, their horses and tack are gone. Keep the invoice, and when you get through with it, give it to my new bookkeeper, Nick.”

  Nick smiled at the livery owner. “Can’t wait to get started.”

  “I hope you won’t get mad. I’ve got papers, but they’re in a box or two.”

  Slapping David on the shoulder, Nick laughed. “It’s all right. Quite a few of my clients bring me their invoices in boxes or sacks.”

  “Good. It was one reason I hesitated to even ask you, but I realize that I need to keep better control. I can’t be sure, but I think something strange goes on with that ranch and the two who bring me horses.”

  The sheriff squinted against the noon sun. “How so?”

  “Like I said, my books are a mess. But at times, I think they’ve brought in an extra horse, but then I go to count, and it’s gone. Maybe it’s a trick, or I’m not paying attention. But I get the feeling that things aren’t right with that ranch and their books.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Did they say they were bringing any more horses into town?”

  “No, they come maybe two or three times a year.” David scratched his head. “You know, I sold Nick that black before we even got them off the string. The two that had brought the horses left to go to the saloon. They weren’t happy after I told them I’d already sold one.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Want to go for a ride with me, Nick?”

  “I was thinking of going to the social tonight. Tomorrow I could.”

  “You’re right, I forgot all about the social. It’s possible those two will be here for the festivities. Might even save us a ride.” The sheriff looked up as a fight in the saloon spilled out onto the streets. “I better see to that. See you men, tonight.”

  Nick nodded. “Don’t tell anyone else about my horse being stolen.”

  David tugged on his gloves. “I won’t. I sure am sorry.”

  “Yeah, me too. Maybe we’ll find him. I’ll see you at the social.”

  David waved and walked back to the livery.

  Nick knew David was above reproach, but what about the two who brought in the string of horses, and who owned the ranch that they worked for? All questions he wanted to ask. Then again, he had a feeling that Jacklin’s prized stallion was tied into this somehow.

  Chapter 7

  Jacklin stood like a fidgety filly as Linda set the pins in the hem of the yellow dress. “I have to say, I will look like the yellow rose of Texas.”

  “Stay still.” Linda tugged on the fabric and set some pins around her middle.

  “Thank you for helping me. I was at a loss as to what to do. I guess that I need to buy some dresses.”

  Linda smiled at her. “You are a lovely woman and remind me of your mother. Marianne is pretty, but she took after your father. You, my dear, are a beautiful replica of your mother. I wish you had known her.”

  Sadness pricked Jacklin’s heart. “I do too. I think Father blamed me that Mother died at my birth.”

  “Oh, he was sad. He loved her very much. But you were the apple of his eye probably because you looked like her.”

  “He treated me like a son and not like he did Marianne. He loved her and was easy on her. I was treated with a glove of iron.”

  “That my darling is because he knew you were the one to inherit the ranch. Marianne wouldn’t be able to, and he doubted she’d marry anyone capable either. You were strong and tough. He placed the future of the ranch on your shoulders. Right or wrong, it was done, and you have carried it well.”

  “Maybe so. But I am lonely. I want a family. A husband.”

  Linda set her pins down and hugged her. “You are a lovely woman. You just need a little help in finding the woman you were meant to be.”

  “What about the ranch?”

  “Oh, darling. When you find the right man, everything will line up and be taken care of. Trust me. I have been praying for you.” She laughed. “I was not surprised when you asked for a dress.” With a mysterious grin, Linda put in the finishing pins.

  Jacklin wasn’t about to ask why the grin. Linda was a constant in her life. The woman was more like family than hired help. But it had been some time since Jacklin had gone to the woman for help.

  “Now, take off the dress, and I’ll have it finished so you can look lovely for the men of Austin. I am sure there will be a few who are amazed at the transformation. You do know that you can be a woman and a successful rancher. One doesn’t need to sacrifice the other.”

  Jacklin nodded. Yet, she knew that what Linda had said was what she had done. She’d traded being boss of Paint Rock for being a woman. Now, she wanted both. Linda said it was possible, but how?

  She couldn’t go out and turn a stampede in that yellow dress. More than likely, she’d cause one if she went out to the herd looking like a walking sunflower. But perhaps there was a way. After all, she was not one to give up. She would make it work.

  If she did marry, would she let her husband run the ranch? Should she? Oh, how silly to worry about such problems when she couldn’t remember the last time a man looked at her as a woman.

  She recalled the way Harlen touched her hair. The thought sent chills down her back. And not bad ones. Yet, she didn’t want to be controlled. Nor did she want to control a man.

  “Stop it. I’m just going to a social. Doubt if anyone will dance with me. I’ll sit and sip tea and listen to the ladies chat about family and home and feel completely out of touch with the rest of the women.

  After all, Jacklin was more interested in tick fever, the rail lines, and the price of beef. Well, she’d just have to see how things went tonight. She had thought about writing to an agency about getting a mail-order groom if there was such a thing. And then the next big question, would she want such a man?

  Jacklin gently took off the dress and put on her usual uniform. Leather and suede, and dark colors, although they were made to fit her form. She hadn’t entirely hidden her womanhood. She grabbed her gloves and hat and went outside.

  The first thing she saw was the colt section of the corral. Was that what was behind all this quest for a dress and a husband. Children. Jacklin had always wanted children. Though no one knew it other than Marianne.

  Now, Jacklin could feel her time to have them slipping away. The very essence of her womanhood, to bear young. Chuck’s wife had just had a baby. She’d bought them some things and gone to see the baby.

  The sweet innocence of the child tugg
ed at her heart. His sweet smell, most of the time. She laughed when Chuck had held the baby at arm’s length and passed him off to his wife. But Jacklin could no longer deny the intense desire to have a child. And a husband came first.

  So, she’d go to the social and see if any man would be interested. Harlen was taking her. He’d volunteered, but he was her foreman. She was his boss. How tangled would that relation be?

  On a whim, she rode out to the stallion’s pasture. King Rock was her favorite horse on the ranch. She dismounted and called to him.

  The horse was standing on a high ridge but perked his ears and came running at her call. She marveled at his shiny black coat. He was looker, well-built, and athletic for his size. Best of all, he passed it down to his offspring.

  She pulled a carrot from her pocket. “Here you go, big boy.”

  The horse ate the carrot but nosed around, knowing she brought sugar cubes with her. Jacklin laughed and fished out the sugar cube and held it out to him.

  Greedily, he took it.

  “Any strange visitors out here lately?” She looked around and spotted a mare that she didn’t recognize. It was a cream palomino. She was about to go in the paddock when Harlen rode up to her.

  He pointed. “You know whose mare that is?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “No. I was just wondering that myself and was about to go in there and see if she had a brand.”

  Harlen had his hand on the gate. “Let me.”

  She handed him a rope. “Why don’t you bring her in. I’ll take her to town and see if David knows where she belongs.”

  Harlen nodded and entered the paddock.

  Jacklin watched as he rode toward the mare and threw a rope, but the horse dodged and took off down the ravine out of her sight. After a few more times, Harlen came back, the rope still empty, and his horse was limping.

  “Sorry, she got away from me. With the moves she made, she must be wild, and then my horse picked up a stone. Besides, it’s time to get ready for the social tonight. I don’t want to be late to pick you up.” He grinned and looked exceptionally appealing.