An Agent for Ulyssa Read online

  “Oh, this is what I needed.” She let herself relax, and her mind drifted to Cade. With a start, she sat up. Cade. What was she thinking? Although it would be an excellent way to break them up. A tinge of guilt pricked her. She really did like Rusty.

  The girl was a delightful woman with a quick wit and good manners. Any man would be proud to marry her. So why was she still unmarried? That would be Ulyssa’s first line of questioning to her.

  And why Cade? Although, as soon as Ulyssa thought of the question, she came up with answers. He was handsome. Charming. And someone she wouldn’t mind getting to know. And that bothered her. Ulyssa Long didn’t think that way.

  Ulyssa couldn’t even remember the last time a man had caught her attention in a romantic way. Ulyssa knew nothing about romance. Really, she knew nothing about men other than they had abused her in the past.

  Then again, Ulyssa had to admit she was near spinster age. It wouldn’t be long, and no man would look at her in that way. She’d be relegated to the nanny stage. A dutiful aunty.

  Ulyssa washed her hair and soaked in the warm water. It had been kind of Sam to think of the bath for her. Then she shook her head. What was he going to want in return? She didn’t trust him at all.

  Cade, now she could trust him. There was something about him that worked past the walls in her heart. The same ones that prevented her from thinking of Sam as anything but an outlaw.

  After her bath, Ulyssa hoped Rusty would want to go for a walk. Interested in the case, Ulyssa left the tub and changed into a skirt and blouse. It looked Mexican with happy colors and was comfortable and cool to wear.

  Leaving the room, Ulyssa wondered how she would find Rusty when the young woman walked out of the study and smiled.

  “Ulyssa, you look lovely and refreshed.”

  “Thank you for the clothes. I like them. They are so comfortable.”

  Rusty grinned. “Yes, we’ve learned much from the Spanish. Like the adobe walls and high ceilings. It really keeps the place cool in the heat of the day. Can I show you the rest of the house?”

  “Oh, yes. I was hoping you’d ask.” Ulyssa followed Rusty down the hall. “I don’t think I have ever seen such a long house.”

  “It’s ranch style. I’ll take you to the kitchen. Margarita is making a special dinner for us tonight. But I heard that she’s already made some cookies.”

  Ulyssa gasped at the size of the kitchen. There were three large ovens. Long tables where the food was prepared, and a pantry that would feed an army. “How many people work on your ranch?”

  “No one really knows. People come and go, and Father always makes sure to feed the stragglers.” She smiled. “That’s how I met Cade Monroe.” Rusty pulled Ulyssa aside. “I know Father must have a plan to break Cade and me apart. Are you part of that plan?”

  Ulyssa was stunned by Rusty’s perception and suspicions of her and Sam. “Why, no. We were told about the ranch and wanted to see it. I can say that it has exceeded my wildest imagination, and all I’ve seen is the house.”

  Rusty shook her head. “Well, it doesn’t matter. The only person that can break Cade and me apart, is me. I haven’t fully made up my mind. Father thinks I have. But he doesn’t know everything.” She held Ulyssa’s hand. “No ring?”

  “Oh, no. That’s not part of our beliefs. We think a couple’s love should bind them together rather than a piece of metal.” Ulyssa was amazed at her answer. It sounded good, and by Rusty’s nod, she believed her.

  Then again, Ulyssa felt terrible that she’d lied to the woman. Yet this whole case was a lie. She didn’t love or even like Sam, and thank goodness they weren’t married. Then there was Cade and her surprising attraction to him.

  While Ulyssa didn’t know the first thing about Cade, he’d made it past her walls and somehow opened her heart. Was that the same thing he’d done to Rusty? Could Cade be trusted?

  She looked outside and saw Sam and Roy walking to the corral. What a mess. If she could only change places with Rusty, the case would be solved. How strange that the father thought Cade a risk but had taken a liking to Sam.

  Chapter 8

  Sam walked with Roy to the corral. So far, this case had gone from bad to worse. He’d been stuck with the meanest female this side of the Atlantic, and then to pretend he was married to her was asking a lot of a man not that long ago an outlaw.

  “You can see we have good breeding stock. They are good horses. Every one of them. I get top dollar. The army comes around and buys some when they need them. I almost hate to sell to them because I know those horses won’t last long.” Roy turned to him. “See any you like?”

  Sam pointed at the herd. “About twenty. Before we leave, we need to replace Ulyssa’s paint. I was afraid those Indians would see us when we escaped. A Pinkerton needs a dark horse.” Sam ran a finger over the corral rail.

  “Yes, sure. I’ll probably turn the paint mare loose rather than keep it.” Roy turned to face his horses. “They’re my pride and joy. Oh, except for Rusty of course. But I’ve always been fond of a fast horse.” He pointed to the far end. “That mare, she’s got thoroughbred in her. Sometime next month, I have a thoroughbred coming from Nashville. He’s out of Bonnie Scotland from Belle Meade Plantation. Yeah, I’m proud of what I’ve carved out of this wilderness.”

  Sam looked at the man. He was as rugged as the country. Big, brash, and honest. Roy was the kind of man that Sam had once hoped to be. “You have a right to be.”

  Roy looked at him. “And you? What are you doing out here with a woman you don’t know or even like?”

  “Well, sir. You hired us. She wasn’t my choice for a partner, but she knows what she’s doing.”

  Roy pointed out a tall mountain. “Look at that mountain. It calls to me every morning. I look at it, and every morning, I gain strength to see how it still stands as a lookout over the land. Never afraid. Never to be conquered. Yes, sir. I like that mountain.” He grinned. “I’ve claimed it as mine. Roy’s mountain. That old mountain reminds me to be grateful to God for giving me another day.”

  Sam chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever done that.”

  Roy clapped an arm on his shoulder. “Son, every man needs a constant. Now, the Lord is my constant, and that mountain reminds me that there is One I serve who is greater than I. Without that constant, I could have gone on the wrong trail. I headed down that trail once.”

  Sam kept his gaze on the mountain, not wanting Roy to look in his eyes and see the truth about what Sam had been. And still could be if he didn’t watch himself.

  “This Cade. Has he gone down the wrong trail? Is that why you don’t want Rusty to marry him?”

  Roy scratched his red beard. “That boy, he just doesn’t fit with my girl. He’s got more a gleam in his eye for my ranch than for Rusty. I want her to be happy. I don’t believe Cade is the man to do that.”

  “Then he’s not an outlaw?”

  “No, I don’t think he is.” Roy looked away and pointed at a bay mare. “That one, there. She’s the one I’ll trade for Ulyssa’s paint mare. She’s a good horse. Sturdy and strong and gentle.”

  “Thanks, Roy. It will be up to her. She’s the one that picked out the paint.”

  “I get the feeling, she’s the one running this show. I find that backward, especially out here in the wilderness. But then I have a headstrong daughter, so I can see how it happens.”

  Sam frowned under the man’s keen observation. It was only a matter of time before Roy saw through him and his outlaw past. One thing Sam knew, they better get Rusty disinterested in Cade, and the sooner the better.

  “You look worried, son. Don’t be. I like you. Something about you reminds me of, well, me. Things will work out. Find that constant in your life. Your north star. Big Mountain, whatever it is, and serve the Master of Creation. He’ll lead you to the straight and narrow.” Roy stretched his back. “I better see to the chores. This ranch doesn’t run itself.”

  “Need any help?”

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p; Roy nodded. “Always. Glad to have your young muscles.” He laughed that big full-of-life laugh of his.

  Sam joined in. “Where do we start?”

  “We’ll saddle up, and I’ll show you the main herd.”

  “Good. I suppose you know we ran into Cade near your ranch. He was in a cabin near the creek.”

  Roy nodded. “Yeah, I know he’s there. I’m sure Cade thinks that I’ll come and run him out, but I won’t. I figure he’s a good watchman for our ranch. Like I said, I don’t hate the man. He’s just not right for Rusty.”

  “No constant?”

  “That’s right. He’s set a constant on money and maybe something else that I can’t put a finger on. I tell you money is hard to hang onto. Makes a man shiftless and always looking for the next easy deal. No, that’s not what I want for my girl.”

  Sam led his horse out of the barn. “He could change.”

  Roy mounted a big sorrel. “No, he has to find his constant, and I’m not sure what his might be. It will take something powerful. Rusty is too easy going. Oh, she can be firm, but she’s not tough enough to hold Cade to the fire. He’d stray on her, and then I’d have to kill him.” The big man laughed.

  “I believe you. That ought to be a strong enough constant.”

  Shaking his head, Roy pointed west. “We’ll go out that way. No, I can’t interfere in their lives. Not like that. I can’t even run him out of the area because Rusty would leave to follow him. She’s going to have to see for herself.”

  “You’re taking quite a risk, aren’t you?” Sam remembered how Rusty’s eyes had lit up when she had talked about Cade.

  “I don’t think so. I know my daughter. She’s got a good constant in her heart. If she didn’t, she’d have already married Cade.”

  “But, you hired us to break them apart.”

  “Yes, I felt it might help change her mind so she can find the right man.”

  “Is there another that she’s thinking about?”

  Roy stared at him. “No, not yet. But I got it on good authority, that there might be one on the horizon.”

  “Authority?”

  “I talk to the Lord a lot. I feel that He has a plan for Rusty and Cade, but it’s not them two together. I’m glad you and Ulyssa came.” He reined his horse over a gully and pointed to the white-faced red cattle. “Herefords. Good beef stock. I’ve made a fortune on them.”

  “How many cattle do you have?”

  Roy shook his head. “Not sure. At least three thousand Herefords and there are an untold number of longhorns scattered about. Some modern ranchers kill them off, but the breed is American. I can’t do it.”

  Sam saw one of the big longhorn bulls on the ridge. “They crossbreed?”

  “Yeah, they do. Not a bad cow. The babies are smaller and easier on the mamas. And with those great horns, the longhorns can fend off wolves and bears without much trouble. I can’t get rid of them. They’ll stay on the ranch as long as I do.”

  Sam nodded. “Cade, I bet he’d kill them off.”

  Roy snorted. “You’re probably right. I like you, Sam Paxton. Now, follow me. I want to show you something.”

  Sam galloped after the older man and thought how much Roy reminded him of a longhorn. Big craggy and tough. A breed that wouldn’t leave easily. He liked Roy. The man galloped over the land as if he were reminding it and all around how he owned it.

  They rode through a valley and over a ridge and stopped on the highpoint. Roy pointed out the scene below. “You’ll never find anything prettier than this.”

  Sam nodded. “You’re right on that count.” Below them was a green valley with a stream cutting through the middle on its way to a crystal blue lake. The towering mountain guarded the valley.

  “This was our spot. My wife and I. Her name was Jenny. She looked a lot like Rusty with the same color of hair as a prized palomino. She was my beauty. The woman who God used to turn me to the straight path. And she was strong enough to keep me on it.

  Roy stole a quick glance at the man. By the look in his eyes, he was years away and standing on this spot with her.

  “She named it Serenity Lake.” Roy looked at him. “I hope you find a woman as good as Jenny was to me. I sense that you need that, Sam. Don’t settle for anyone. But drop everything for the one that makes your heart come alive and your soul sing.”

  “I’ll remember that, Roy. Thanks.” Sam didn’t realize how long he’d missed his father. His father the way he was when their family was safe and healthy. His mother’s death had sent his father on a downward spiral. One he never recovered from and one that sent Sam on his own crooked path.

  Perhaps his mother had been his father’s star and constant. Without her, he’d been lost. And in the process, Sam had been lost, too.

  Chapter 9

  After leaving Ulyssa with an armful of books to read, Rusty went outside to find her father, but she didn’t see him. Pedro, their wrangler, told her he went riding with Sam. That he would take someone with him on a Sunday surprised her, and she wondered what business Sam could have with Father. Concerned, Rusty saddled her horse.

  Sometimes, the house became too stuffy for her. She loved the wide-open spaces and enjoyed riding over her land. Father frowned on her going alone, but she was going to find him. She knew where he’d gone.

  He always rode to the lake on Sunday. Besides, she needed to talk to him. About Cade. Why Father was so against the man she loved, she wasn’t sure. Cade had done nothing wrong.

  He was a good man. She felt it and knew he was stable and steady. Rusty waved at Pedro and rode out of the yard toward the high country and her father’s mountain. The two of them were so much alike.

  Yet, she knew there would be a day that her father wouldn’t be here. The mountain would live as long as the earth, but Father’s days were numbered. Not that she expected to lose him soon, but it was on her mind. On her Father’s mind too because he feared leaving the ranch to Cade.

  “He doesn’t have a constant.” Her father had said.

  She shook her head. Well, maybe Father was right. Rusty had run into Cade while riding alone on Pine Ridge. He’d stolen her heart in just one meeting. She’d taken one look at Cade and knew he was the one. Later, when she’d brought him home, her father had taken one look at him and told her no.

  She’d wait until her father changed his mind, or for Cade to do to prove he was worthy enough for Father’s blessing. Rusty believed Cade would figure it out. Father even let him stay at the old cabin near the road.

  Urging her horse over the ground, she prayed that God would show Father that Cade was the man for her. Yet, she’d not go against her father. She loved him too much. He should know that because after the Lord, her father was her constant.

  The one who was always there. Father knew how to comfort her and keep her safe. He challenged her to be smart and strong. But on this one thing, Father had failed her. She loved Cade and that was that. She would outlast her father and eventually, he’d see how their love lasted.

  Rusty rode over the far ridge and, in the distance, saw two riders overlooking Serenity Lake. Again, she wondered who Sam was that Father would show him the lake. Father didn’t take anyone to this sacred place except her. And most of the time, Father went alone. Especially on Sunday.

  For a moment, she wished it could be Cade. Curious and a little irritated by it, Rusty rode to them.

  Father smiled. “My darling, daughter. What brings you out here?”

  “Looking for you.” She glanced at Sam but found that her gaze wouldn’t leave him. Her heart fluttered. Then her cheeks warmed, and she looked away to the mountain.

  She loved Cade. This Sam was no one to her. No one. “Ulyssa wants to trade her paint horse in on a bay.”

  Father nodded. “We’ve already discussed it. I pointed one out to Sam. Did she want to come riding?”

  “No, I left her with a pile of books. She likes reading as much as I do.” Rusty did enjoy having a friend on the ranch. Why Ulys
sa and her husband were here, Rusty couldn’t figure out. If she had been married to Sam, she would have gone riding with him rather than read a book.

  Sam backed his big black and rode to her. “If you two want to be alone, I can find my way back to the ranch. See what Ulyssa is doing?”

  Roy nailed a gaze at him. “And what do you call her, your Ulyssa?”

  “Call her?”

  “A pet name. My Jennie was always Jen to me.”

  “Ah,” Sam looked at Rusty and grinned. “I call her, Lyssa.” He was thankful for his quick wit and mind. He didn’t think they’d be impressed by what he really called her to himself. Useless.

  Rusty looked at him. “It is an odd name.”

  Sam nodded. “Yes, odd.”

  Roy cleared his throat. “I think I’d like to stay out here a little longer. Alone.”

  Rusty nodded. “I can make sure Sam doesn’t get lost.”

  “Good. You two run along, and I’ll meet you for lunch.”

  Rusty nodded and thought she caught a gleam in her father’s eyes. What was he up to? Surely, he didn’t want her to get interested in a married man.

  Sam rode beside her. “You’re a brave woman to ride out here alone.”

  “I grew up here. I’m not afraid.”

  “I bet your father spends hours on his knees praying for you.”

  She laughed. “My father is a good man, and yes, he does pray for me.”

  “I like your father.” Sam’s gaze lingered on her longer than was comfortable.

  Rusty looked away. Was that longing that she’d seen on his face. Couldn’t be. She’d done nothing to lure him. Besides, she wouldn’t do that because she liked Uyssa. “Our ranch, Father named it Serenity Ranch after my mother’s name for the lake. Our brand is a cross in front of a mountain. My father loves this place dearly. Frankly, I’m amazed he would show you the lake.”

  Sam looked at her, tilting his head like an inquisitive pup. “That so. I’m glad he did. Tells me a lot about him, this ranch, and you.”