Sacred Ground (22 page)

Willow
couldn't help rolling her eyes upward. She couldn't believe how smoothly Elsie handled the conversation.

"I'm hoping that's the way things is. Well, I don't got all day to wait for Brett. You own this place, right?"

"Yes, on paper. But Brett has been running it for years so you could say it's more his than mine. I'll be signing the papers over to him real soon, so you could say it's his."

"I'm prepared to make you a considerable offer for your property, Mrs. Turner. You know I've been struggling, and it's all because I don't have enough land to do all the ranching I need to do. Cattle take a lot of land, which leaves me little to do my planting. I want to do both. The way I see it, either I expand or I lose everything."

"Surely things aren't that serious. Tell you what. I'll discuss it with Brett. Don't look so disappointed. I've been considering selling for some time. I'm too old to be out here. I'm by myself most of the time. There's no water now, things haven't been easy for us either."

"Now that's good news for me. Tell you what, you think it over and discuss it with Brett. I'll stop by tomorrow and get your answer."

"That might be too soon to decide. Besides, I have no idea what you're willing to offer."

"Well, you tell me what figure you need to sell and I'll guarantee you a check the very day. I'll even help you pack, if that's what it'll take."

"You seem awfully anxious, Wyatt. But, I suppose I would be too, if my life hung in the balance of saving or losing everything I've worked for. I've been after Brett to finish his veterinarian degree. Maybe this will be the answer. I'll have to talk to Brett."

Willow
’s heart pounded and her mouth grew dry. Elsie Turner was one smooth old lady.

"You do that. Have
Willow
call me when she comes for her kid. It's important."

"Are you planning on buying up her land too?" Elsie asked.

"What?
Uh, no.
Well, you might say those rumors you've heard are true. I'm romantically involved with her. I want to give her your land as a wedding gift. We'll be able to link all three properties and have the largest spread in these parts. Not a bad plan, do you think?"

"I see, how sweet of you, Wyatt. These properties haven't been together as one since the Blackfeet hunted buffalo on them. Matter-of-fact,
Willow
's back property is an old Indian burial ground. It's sacred to the Indians. I believe it ends just before it joins mine. I think she plans on turning it over to the Blackfeet. From what I heard, Gordon wasn't too happy about that idea some time back, and he put her in her place. Indians always seem to think possessions should be given away as gifts. Good thing that land was in Gordon's name. I’ve been extremely nervous thinking that Indians might own that property. I’ve been afraid
Willow
might follow through with it now that Gordon has passed."

"I can understand your fear, Mrs. Turner. Damn savages! We sent them running to reservations years ago and we can do it again. Be assured, I won't let
Willow
give a square inch of that land to the Indians."

Willow
stiffened her back and clenched her fist, wishing Wyatt stood before her so she could punch him in the mouth.

"I feel much better already. I must admit, Mr. Anderson, you surprise me.
Your
being romantically involved with an Indian, I hadn't expected you to feel this way," Elsie said calmly.

"Well,
Willow
is different. I've got things to do . . . I'd better go. You talk things over with Brett, and I'll be back tomorrow. You do realize the decision is really yours. You own the place on paper, and that's what counts. You don't have water, and a ranch this size is nothing but trouble for a widow. Just get me a price and you can go on with your life."

"Your offer is very convincing. I'll talk to Brett. He may be dying to sell, who knows." Elsie's words were playful but the meaning was not.

Willow
heard a faint tremor in Elsie's voice as though some emotion had touched her. Hang in there; you're doing great,
Willow
thought. She heard Wyatt clear his throat. Elsie's comment had shaken him. Good,
Willow
couldn't help thinking.

"Boys, go feed the ponies and gather the eggs. We'll be eating soon," she called out.

"Well, I'd best be going. See you tomorrow, Mrs. Turner."

"It might be best if you call ahead before coming over, just in case Brett and I haven't had a chance to talk. I'm rather angry with him for not letting me know where he went. A mother worries, even when her child has grown up. Bye, Wyatt."

"Bye, ma'am."

Willow
couldn't help being amazed at how smoothly Elsie handled Wyatt Anderson.
Willow
gripped the receiver tighter and strained to hear the front door close, then what she guessed to be Elsie's footsteps on the hard linoleum.

"Now that was an interesting conversation, wouldn't you say, dear?" Elsie asked.

"Most certainly.
You sure handled him. He didn't have a clue you knew anything. That man makes my skin crawl,"
Willow
admitted. "I'll let Brett know what Wyatt said."

"You tell my son we'll make it through this like we always have."

"Mom, I don't want Gordon anywhere near Lance or Sean. Please take the boys to my parents now!"

"I'll take them. Your relatives will be happy to have them visit. I do have a question, though. Lance had one of his headaches last night. I see why you're worried. I know a man at the reservation, and I was wondering if you would mind if I took Lance to see him? Maybe he can help."

Willow
felt her eyes fill with brimming tears. "You think something's wrong with him, too, don't you?"

"A child would not fake something like this, even for attention. He's in pain, real pain. I realize it passes in time, yet it's not good. Brett told me you're worried. I think you're right to feel this way. Let me take him to
Nat-O-wap-ah
."

"How do you know Blind Medicine? He's known only to the People."

"Soon I'll tell you and Brett all there is to know, but now isn't the time. You must go back to my son, and I must take the boys to safety. Call me when it's safe for us to return."

Willow
wondered why she'd always imagined Elsie as shallow and frail. The woman on the other end of the line didn't fit either of those descriptions.

"Mom?
Thank you,"
Willow
said, before her voice cracked.

"
Willow
, I know my son cares for you. I ask you as a mother, please don't break his heart. I don't think he could stand another rejection."

The soft click, then dial tone, told
Willow
the conversation had ended. Damn Gordon! If he stood before her, she'd kill him herself! Who would charge her with murder? The man was dead! Guilt filled her. As much as she hated Gordon, she wasn't capable of murder and he knew it.

Chapter Thirteen

Straining, Brett listened. Footsteps came closer. It had to be
Willow
, but what if it wasn't? His leg ached beyond description, but the sharp piercing jolts had stopped. He lifted himself to his elbows and looked down at his leg. The sticks and heavy wrap had been removed. A mud-looking cast covered his leg from thigh to ankle. He leaned over and touched it, surprised it felt cement hard.

He struggled to remember who had done it.
Fragments of chants, a bitter taste, dancing Indians, and a warrior working over him.
He was the same Indian that had been in all of his dreams.

Brett dropped back on the pillow. He glanced down to find a steaming cup beside him. He picked it up and smelled it, recognizing mint and ginger, he drank. It warmed him and also eased away the pain.

"Where have you been?"

Brett recognized Wyatt's voice and tensed. He glanced around his small enclosure, but found no one. He must be in the barn, Brett thought.

"Why do you ask?"
Willow
responded.

"I woke and you were gone. I missed you. I'd hoped to wake with you in my arms."

"Well, you were sleeping and I had
work
to do. This ranch doesn't run without a lot of hard work, I'm sure you know that."

"Yes.
Willow
, about last night.
It meant a lot to me to finally feel you in my arms. I admit I did have too much to drink. I had to have you, and I hope I wasn't too rough. I want you for my wife."

Brett tensed. What had that bastard done to
Willow
? Had she been honest when she had said nothing happened?

"You weren't rough at all. You expressed your feelings quite well, and I responded of my own free will. What we had last night, well, we'll never have again."

"What do you mean, never have again?"

"You know, our first night together. No night between a woman and man are like that first time. We'll only have memories. You do remember it all, don't you Wyatt?" she asked, a softness to her tone.

Brett sensed a teasing in her voice. He wanted that part of her saved for him. He didn't want to hear their conversation, yet he wouldn't have stopped listening if he could.

"Of course I remember it all. It was the best night of my life. What you smiling about?"

"A woman smiles when she's happy, Wyatt. You have a lot to learn about women. That reminds me. I had a bit too much to drink last night too, and well, I couldn't get my truck started. So I borrowed your motorcycle. I hope you don't mind."

"Saw that beat-up old truck in the yard, wondered why."

"That's where I've been. It felt so free and exciting to ride. I've been having a great time.
Rode all over the breaks and around my property line, then up and back from Rattlesnake Cliff.
It was great!"

"Rattlesnake Cliff?
Why'd you go up there?"

"Everyone goes up there. Best scenery around. Have you been up there lately? No, well you should go. Why don't we hop on your bike and ride up there? It's breathtaking. It was awfully early when I got there, couldn't see a whole lot, but it was fun and exhilarating. Should we go?"

Brett knew she was playing a dangerous game with Wyatt. He admired her guts, but it angered him too.

"I don't have time today,
Willow
. I have a tight schedule."

"What you doing here then?"

"I wanted to come over and tell you how much being with you last night meant to me. You haven't seen Brett Turner by any chance, have you?"

"Why would I see that spoiled, out-spoken pain in the ass?"

"Your sons are friends."

"That definitely doesn't mean Brett and I are. Some things are meant to be and some are not. Brett and I fall in
the
are
not
category."
Willow
stated with obvious vengeance.

"I heard you and Brett spent several nights together when your boys ran off.
Caused quite a stir in town."

"Might have caused a stir there, but not between us. We fought all the way up and all the way back. I couldn't wait to put our ranches between us. People in town can talk all they like; they didn't have to deal with Brett Turner."

"I'm pleased to hear it. I thought maybe you and him . . . well―"

"After what we shared last night, you could question how I feel? You surprise me, Wyatt."

"How about coming over here and giving me a kiss to prove how you feel?"

Brett tensed.

"Now, Wyatt, I have scruples about falling into a man's arms when I feel all hot and dirty from work. There's nothing sexy or romantic about sweat."