A Cowboy for Christmas (16 page)

“All right, Jack. We’ll do it,” Dan promised.

“Yes,” Jack said with certainty. “You will.”

To get a smile out of Jack, Dan asked, “Should I take Dwylah with us? She’s our chaperone, you know.”

The thought of the chaperone trying to ride one of their horses did make him smile. “What if I said yes?”

“We could take her along, but we might not get back until the spring thaw.”

“There’s a line shack or two up there.”

They finally laughed a bit. Then Jack’s mood sobered again.

“I trust you, Dan. If anybody can take care of my girl, it’s you. Bring her back safe and sound—and get the money.”

“I will,” he told him.

Dan left him then. He, too, knew he was going to need some sleep that night, for he sure wouldn’t be getting much, camping out with Penny up in the canyon this next week.

As Dan came out of the main house and headed back to the small house that served as the foreman’s home, he didn’t see John lurking in the shadows near the study window.

John stayed down and out of sight until Dan had gone into his place and closed the door. Only then did the ranch hand emerge from the darkness and return to the bunkhouse.

Something big was going on.

He knew it.

John had been just coming out of the stable when he’d seen Jack and Dan leave the bunkhouse. They hadn’t noticed him, and he’d been glad. He hadn’t been able to hear everything they were talking about, but it had sounded intriguing, so he’d sneaked over by the study window to try to listen in.

When John had heard Jack say there was some money hidden up in the canyon, he’d gotten real interested. He hated working on this ranch, and he didn’t have any use for the foreman. Dan had it in for him, always giving him the hardest, dirtiest jobs to do and staying on him constantly. John knew this would be the perfect chance to get even—and get rich. He was supposed to ride out and check stock for the next few days, and that gave him the opportunity he needed to head for the canyon instead. Since they weren’t leaving until the afternoon, he could ride out to the canyon area and hide out, while he waited for them to show up. He’d find the money, and then be long gone before anyone even found out he was involved.

Penny went to speak with Dwylah the first thing the next morning.

“You’re doing what?” Dwylah asked, shocked after hearing about her father’s hidden money.

“I have to ride up to the canyon with Dan.”

“Will you be back tonight?”

“No. We’ll probably be gone at least a few days.”

“Oh my goodness—” The chaperone wasn’t sure what to do.

“What I wanted to tell you was, right after breakfast I’m going into town to get some work clothes and I wondered if you wanted to go with me? The dresses I’ve got aren’t quite suitable for any hard riding,” she explained.

“I’ve never been one to pass up a shopping trip,” Dwylah answered, smiling back. “But tell me, could this trip to the canyon be dangerous?”

“Dan will be with me. I’ll be safe,” she assured her.

“Danny will keep you safe, but I’d better get riding clothes, too, so I can go with you. I am the chaperone, you know.”

Penny couldn’t help herself. The thought of
Dwylah riding astride up to the canyon was humorous enough, but she knew what her true motive was. Penny started to laugh. “I know why you really want to go—you just want to spend more time with Dan.”

Dwylah laughed, too. “I’d never pass up the chance.”

Penny knew she had to discourage her from going. “It’s a hard ride, though. I’m a little concerned about making the ride myself. It’s been so long since I’ve ridden astride, but we’re in a hurry and we have to get up there and get back.”

“But you’re going to be alone with Danny,” Dwylah pointed out.

“This is important. I have to do it. I’m not worried about my reputation. We’re not in society anymore. We’re back on the ranch, and I’m taking care of my father’s business.”

“There’s nothing else you can do, is there?”

“No. My father’s not strong enough to make the trip. I have to go.”

“Well, let’s get into town while you have time.”

They found Jack waiting for them downstairs.

“Breakfast is ready. You won’t want to go into town without eating something,” he told them.

They all went into the kitchen to eat.

“We’ll be back as soon as possible, Papa,” Penny assured him.

“Get whatever you need and tell Artie to put it on my bill,” Jack advised. “Take an extra blanket
with you this morning. Rob’s taking you in the buckboard. He’s picking up supplies while you’re there.”

Penny went upstairs to get another blanket and their coats. When she came back down, she saw that Rob had pulled up out in front.

“Rob’s ready to leave,” Jack told them.

They went outside to find the older ranch hand waiting for them with the buckboard.

“So we’re going in that?” Dwylah eyed the buckboard skeptically. It looked to be a much rougher ride than the carriage that had brought them out to the ranch.

“Do you want to stay here?” Penny asked, knowing it wouldn’t be an easy ride for her.

“No, I’m always ready for something new. Let’s go!” Dwylah went down to where Rob was standing.

Rob helped Dwylah up on to the driver’s bench first, knowing she’d be safest sitting in the middle between him and Penny. After getting Penny seated, he joined them there.

“We’ll be back soon, Papa,” Penny promised as they started off.

Jack stood on the porch, watching them drive away. Dan had been down at the stable, and when he saw Jack, he came over to talk with him. They had a lot of plans to make, and this was the time. He had to get their supplies and be ready to leave when Penny returned from town. They went inside to talk.

“Are you ready for this?” Jack asked Dan as they settled in his office.

“We’ll do it,” he assured him.

“Just keep an eye on her. Penny could be trouble. She always was as a child,” Jack told him with a half smile, remembering some of the wilder escapades of her younger years.

“I thought I’d put her on Ol’ Midnight.”

“That’s good. He’ll be an easy, steady ride for her.”

“I’m going to go get things packed up. Let me know when she’s ready to head out.”

“I will, and, Dan—” Jack’s tone turned serious as his foreman looked his way. “Be careful.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dan left him then, his thoughts a bit troubled. He was making this trip for Jack, just like he’d made the trip back to St. Louis, but this time he was going to be alone with Penny out in the middle of nowhere. He hoped she was capable of keeping up with him, but lady that she was, he had his doubts. It wasn’t going to be easy, no matter what he’d told Jack. She was a temptation, and he was going to have to concentrate on the job he’d been sent to do, and nothing else.

“Oh my—” Was all Dwylah could say as she stared at Penny.

Penny had gone in a back room of the general store to try on the work clothes she needed for out at the ranch. She stood before her now, wearing a
pair of denim pants, boots, a boy’s work shirt, and a cowboy hat.

“What do you think?” Penny asked.

“I never thought I’d see you wearing pants,” she answered, realizing how they showed off the slender curves of her figure. She might be wearing clothes fit for a boy, but she certainly didn’t look like one.

“I picked out a riding skirt, too, but the pants will be warmer.”

“I see,” she replied, but she was having trouble adjusting to this part of western life. “You will need a heavier coat, won’t you? The one you wore on the trip back from St. Louis certainly won’t work if you’re out riding.”

“You’re right.”

“I’ve got what you need right here, Penny,” Mrs. Carson, the shopkeeper’s wife said, coming to speak with them, carrying a suitable work coat. “It’s a boy’s size, but it looks like it’ll fit you.” She’d known Penny before she’d left, and was impressed with the woman she’d become. She was surprised she wanted to get back to the ranch life after living in the city for so long, but Penny was, after all, Jack Anderson’s daughter, and that explained it.

Penny quickly put the coat on and was satisfied it would work. “I’ll need another pair of pants and another shirt.”

“I’ll get them for you right away.”

Penny went in back and, to Dwylah’s surprise, came out still dressed in work clothes, carrying the clothes she’d worn to town.

“You aren’t going to change back for the trip home?” she asked.

“There’s no need,” she answered. “Dan and I will be leaving right after we get there, so I might as well just stay like this.”

Rob had already loaded up the supplies he was taking back, and had been watching for them. He met them at the buckboard. He stared at Jack’s daughter as if seeing a complete stranger. She definitely didn’t look like a fancy city girl anymore, dressed as she was. She looked like she was ready to hire on at the Lazy Ace.

“Do you need anything else here in town, Penny?” Rob asked.

“No. Papa’s waiting. We have to get back.”

He helped Dwylah up and was about to help Penny when she climbed up agilely all by herself to the driver’s bench. He took his seat and grabbed up the reins, set for the trip back.

The ride back to the ranch was cold, but uneventful. Jack had been watching for them and he came out of the study just as Penny and Dwylah entered the house. He stopped to stare at his daughter and ended up smiling.

“Don’t you look like a ranch hand,” he said.

“That’s what I was aiming for,” she replied. “I’ve got a job to do, and I’m going to do it.”

“Yes, you are.”

Rob had followed them inside, carrying their bags for them,

“Go find Dan for me,” Jack told him.

“I’ll send him right up,” Rob said. He left the house to look for the foreman and found him working with Vic in the stable.

“Jack said to tell you he needs you up at the house.”

“Thanks, Rob.”

When Dan had gone, Rob saw the horses that were saddled and waiting, and he looked to Vic. “Is Dan riding out?”

Vic repeated what Dan had told him. “He’s taking Penny out to show her around the ranch. Jack wants her to get a feel for things while the weather’s holding up.”

“Dan is one lucky man,” Rob said.

“Why do you say that?” Vic didn’t envy Dan the task of riding around the Lazy Ace with a city girl.

“You should see that girlie now. She’s all dressed up like a real cowgirl, all ready for trouble. Or maybe she is trouble,” he chuckled. His tone didn’t leave any doubt about what kind of “trouble” he meant.

Rob didn’t know that Lou had walked up behind him as he was talking to Vic.

Lou’s expression was threatening as he faced down the ranch hand. “You’re talking about the boss’s daughter, Rob. Remember that.”

Rob shut up and went to take care of the team and the buckboard, but he was still thinking Dan was going to have a fine time with Penny.

Dan knocked on the front door and heard Jack call for him to come in.

“I’m in the study.”

Dan went down the hall and came to a stop in the study doorway. Dan always prided himself on his ability to control his reactions, and he was real proud of the way he kept his expression blank when he got his first look at Penny wearing her ranching clothes. He’d thought she was gorgeous in her gowns, but seeing her dressed liked this, he thought she was even prettier.

“Do you think these clothes will work for the ride?” Penny asked in her innocence.

“They’ll do much better than your dresses,” Dan assured her. “Are you ready to leave?”

“We were going to have some lunch first. You want to join us? There’s no sense in you riding out hungry,” Jack invited.

“I appreciate the offer, Jack, but I’ve still got a few things to take care of down at the stable. How soon will you be done eating?”

“About half an hour,” Jack said.

“Just let me know, and we’ll be ready to ride out.” Dan left them to finish taking care of business.

Jack went with Penny to join Dwylah, who was already waiting for them at the table.

The meal was hot and tasty, and Penny had a good idea this would be her last decent meal for quite a few days.

“Is there anything else I need to know before we leave?”

“Just listen to Dan,” Jack advised. “He’s a good man and he knows what he’s doing.”

“I will,” she promised. She paused for a moment, and then asked, “Papa, there is one thing I wanted to ask you about.”

“What?”

“Do I need to take a gun along?” She remembered the shooting lessons he’d given her years before, and though she hadn’t fired a gun since she’d left the ranch, she knew trouble could show up anywhere, at any time on the Lazy Ace.

Jack was thoughtful for a moment and then got up and left the room. He returned with a gun belt and sidearm. “There’s no need for you to be wearing it, but you can put it in your saddlebags. That way you’ll have it just in case you do run into trouble.” He put it on the table next to her.

Dwylah stared at the gun for a moment and then looked at Penny. “You actually know how to use that?”

“It’s been a while, but yes, Papa taught me when I was young.”

“Oh my—”

Jack looked to Dwylah. “I always wanted my girl to be able to take care of herself.”

“I can see that.”

“This isn’t the city,” he added.

“Obviously.”

They finished eating, and Penny hurried upstairs to pack what she needed to take along. She tied her hair back, put on her new coat and hat. She took a quick glance in the mirror and was satisfied that her father would be proud of her.

She definitely looked like she belonged on the Lazy Ace now.

She was back.

Grabbing up the bag she was taking along, she left her room and started down the hall. She reached the top of the stairs to find Dan, Dwylah, and her father talking in the hall below.

Jack went to meet her at the bottom of the steps and gave her a quick hug. “I gave Dan the map, and your gun is in your saddlebag.”

“Thank you, Papa.”

“Listen to me, Penny. Do whatever Dan tells you to do. He knows his way around the Lazy Ace. Trust him—and be careful,” Jack dictated. “You never know what kind of trouble you might run into out there.”