West Winds of Wyoming (32 page)

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Authors: Caroline Fyffe

BOOK: West Winds of Wyoming
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“Tired, sweetie?” Maddie nodded into the crook of her neck. “Me, too. I’ll be glad when Mr. Hutton is able to come back and I—we—can stay home.”

Maddie didn’t respond.

“You said your pa was in the war. Can you tell me more about him? I’d like to know because I love you and I want what’s best for you. If I know a little more, perhaps I can help find him.”

A moment ticked by. “Maddie?”

“No.” The word was a whisper. It wasn’t as if Maddie didn’t want to share with her, it was more that she was fearful to.

“That’s all right, you don’t have to tell me a thing.” She kissed her cheek. “Ready to stand?”

Maddie nodded. Brenna set her down and wiped her face with a hankie she had in her pocket. “There. You look prettier than a falling star.” That made Maddie smile. “Now let’s make a quick trip down the street to the Silky Hen so I can have a word with Hannah, then we’ll stop in Miller’s Mercantile for some flour and a penny candy.”

Brenna peeked her head into the restaurant from the lobby of the El Dorado Hotel, holding on to Maddie’s small hand. Several tables were occupied. Susanna, looking as regal as ever in her purple dress and starched white apron, came out with a water pitcher and began refilling glasses. When she noticed them she waggled her fingers. “How’re things at school, Brenna? You’re a brave woman to take that on.”

Brenna laughed. “Brave or knuckleheaded. I’m not sure which. Mr. Hutton’s return can’t come fast enough to suit me.”

“Well, don’t just stand there. Come in. Can I get you something? Hot tea?” She smiled at Maddie. “A cookie?”

Brenna glanced down to see a tiny smile on the child’s face.

“I think a cookie would be just fine, Susanna. Thank you.”

“Fine, then. Follow me.” She led the way into the cluttered kitchen where Hannah sat at the table looking over a list and Daisy smiled from the far side of the room where she was mixing something in a large bowl.

“What a nice surprise,” Hannah said, laughing happily. “I wasn’t expecting to see you for another day when you brought in my pastries. How’re you, Maddie?” she added. “How was school today?”

“Fine, ma’am.” Maddie’s voice wasn’t quite back to normal after her crying, causing Brenna’s heart to pull up tight. Now standing, Hannah scooted out two chairs for them to join her at the table. Susanna went to the cookie jar and returned with a large oatmeal-raisin cookie that she placed in Maddie’s palm.

Maddie’s face lit with pleasure. “Thank you.”

“Hannah, look what Maddie drew today in class.” Brenna handed her the picture from the top of the assignments she held in her arms. “Isn’t it the prettiest flower you’ve ever seen?”

Hannah gasped softly. “It is. You have a nice touch, little one.”

“Very pretty,” Susanna agreed from over their shoulders.

“It’s one of the loveliest flowers I’ve ever seen, Maddie,” Daisy added, admiring the picture.

Maddie was everyone’s favorite.

“So, what do I owe this unexpected visit to?” Hannah asked. “I’m glad because I haven’t seen you for almost—”

Hannah gasped loudly and Susanna looked over from the stove in surprise. Hannah’s eyes grew so round Brenna reached over and touched her hand, but the guilty expression was almost more than she could stand.

“Please, Hannah, tell me it’s
not
true. Tell me you didn’t forget about the books.”

Every day that passed, Brenna had meant to check with her, to be sure the order had been placed. But every day she’d been waylaid with things that needed to be done. She’d counted the days until the books’ arrival, making up all sorts of half-lies to keep Mr. Hutton from the truth. Hannah’s white face gave her the answer.

“It’s true,” Hannah whispered. “How could I be so careless?” She reached down into her skirt pocket and pulled out the note Brenna had given her the first day of school. “And it’s even still in my pocket. I’ve worn this skirt three times since and never once put my hand inside. How can I ever make this up to you, Brenna? I feel horrible.”

Brenna hadn’t heard anything past “It’s true.” Her stomach turned sour and a prickly heat broke out over her body. What in land’s sakes was she going to do? Dr. Thorn had cleared Mr. Hutton to come back sometime next week. He’d made a surprisingly fast recovery.

“Brenna. Please. Say something.”

Brenna reached out and ran her hand down Maddie’s back. The girl had stopped eating and was listening to the tense conversation, a frown pulling her small lips downward. When she felt the caress, she reached over and clutched Brenna’s hand.

Hannah slid the note across the table. “Tell me what I can do to help. Anything, Brenna. I can talk to Mr. Hutton myself, if you want. I’m so sorry.”

Brenna tried to smile, but knew she was failing miserably. “I don’t think there is anything anyone can do now. Please don’t worry overly much. It was—and is—my mistake. I’ll have to tell Mr. Hutton tonight.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

T
he disappointment of the last few days had Nell’s head hurting. No horses. And hardly any sign of them, either. She reached up and rubbed the two sensitive spots on the side of her skull while she gazed up at the multitude of stars. Or perhaps her head hurt because of the hours she’d lain awake thinking about Charlie and how she would miss him when they got home and he picked up where he’d left off with Brenna.

A rustle of blankets sounded from across the campfire. Gabe rose, grabbed the coffeepot, and headed for the stream. This was their ninth campsite. She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep for another few moments. They needed these horses. She wasn’t giving up. She opened one eye to see Charlie’s place empty. Through her lashes she watched him working on the fire. Jake rose, stretched, greeted him quietly.

She rolled to her side and stood.

Charlie glanced over. “Morning.”

His tone said he was as frustrated as she was. They’d been going out in pairs. The boys’ disappointment had turned them quiet, while she and Charlie had become argumentative. She didn’t want another day like yesterday. “Morning,” she finally replied, heading to the stream to wash up. She owed it to everyone to stay strong. They were here doing their job. She could at least put away her fear of going home empty handed and make each moment count.

Charlie had just filled his coffee cup when Nell came back into camp. The red, glassy sheen in her eyes pummeled him right in the gut. He’d let her down. That didn’t sit well. He’d find those horses today if it was the last thing he did. He filled another cup and handed the coffee to her.

Jake and Gabe sat on a log by the fire. “Biscuits will be done shortly.” Gabe extended his leg and pushed the Dutch oven with his toe. “I can smell ’em already. We running the same drill today?”

“Yeah,” Charlie replied. “Go out in pairs. If you find the herd, return to camp and wait for the others. Check in every two hours. If we find nothing, we keep moving south.”

Nell nodded. “Sounds good.”

Charlie sipped, then said, “We have provisions for a few more days unless we want to hunt.”

Nell reached over and scratched Dog on the head. “I don’t want to stay out longer than we agreed. Chase won’t like it and I don’t want to leave Seth alone any longer than I have to. If we can’t find the herd in a few more days, we’ll have to give up for now.”

Charlie nodded. “Guess that means we’ll have to find them today. Which direction is the corral from here?”

“Southeast,” Jake said.

Gabe, just finishing a sip of coffee, nodded. “I’d say the same. I was studying the stars last night.” He got up and went over to a long branch placed on a large, flat rock. “I marked the North Star so we can be sure of our direction today.”

That sounded good to Charlie. “Fine then.” A warm, heady aroma filled the air. “Do I smell biscuits?” Gabe ran back and with two thick potholders dragged the heavy cast-iron pot from the flames.

“And I’ve got the honey,” Nell added. “Let’s eat and get out there. Those Cotton Ranch horses are just waiting to be caught.”

Charlie popped his hands together. “I think we should mix it up today. I’ll ride with Gabe, Jake can go with Nell.” Time apart would do them both some good.

Gabe removed the lid of the Dutch oven and reached inside, breaking apart the crusty bread blobs. Every few seconds he pulled his fingers back to give them a good shake. “These puppies are hot. Be careful.” He tossed one to Nell and another to Charlie.

Jake reached in himself and drew out two. “The advantages of sitting close.”

“Well, eat up,” Charlie uttered sternly. “I’m sure we’re all a little antsy to get back to civilization.

Ten minutes later, he watched Jake and Nell ride out of camp. This had to be the day they found the horses. The dull ache in his heart whenever he thought of Maddie grew, swelling so much at times he couldn’t even think. He’d made a decision last night. On their return he’d let Maddie know he was back in town. Even if he couldn’t take her yet until he had a place, at least they could spend time together. He didn’t want to live any longer without his daughter in his life.

He’d also made another decision. Once he revealed himself to Maddie, he’d start courting Brenna.

“Ready to go?” The reins to both their horses were in Gabe’s hands. Lost in thought, Charlie hadn’t even heard him approach.

“Sure. Only one way to find those wily animals and that’s to get to it.”

One hour turned into two. It was time to head back to camp to check in, but Charlie didn’t want to just yet. The terrain here was different. Less rocks, more grass. He pulled up and studied the ground. Gabe reined up beside him.

“What?”

“I don’t know. I just have a feeling.” He rode a little farther. “There.” He pointed to an area of trampled grass, much too large to have been made by deer. He spotted a pile of fresh horse manure, not more than a day old, and wanted to shout with joy.

They crossed a shallow creek, then rode for the brush, staying out of sight. Charlie reined up and listened. “Did you hear that?”

“Yeah,” Gabe said. “A horse neighing.”

A minute crawled by. “There it is again,” Charlie breathed. “Unless that’s Nell and Jake.” He dismounted and tied the black to some scrub brush. Gabe did the same. Crouching, they ran along the side of a bank, then proceeded forward, up the hill. At the top, they dropped to their bellies and crawled to the crest of the rise.

The herd grazed peacefully on the open land below them.

Gabe gave a huge sigh of happiness. “Didn’t think we’d ever find ’em. They’re sure pretty.”

They were. About the prettiest sight Charlie had ever seen. Along with the paints, there were bays, liver chestnuts, a few palominos and duns. “The herd is larger than I thought. How many would you say?”

“Seventy-five, if there’s one,” Gabe answered. “That’s a lot of horseflesh running free. And not a brand in sight.”

“They’re ours for the taking.” Charlie gauged the path of the sun and the landscape. “You have any idea where we are, Gabe? You and Jake mentioned you’ve been up here before. Do you recognize any of this?” They were low enough in the grass, and upwind, that the horses were none the wiser.

“Yeah. I’ve seen that outcrop of granite before,” he said, pointing. “Beyond should be a trail that hooks over to another. We’ll have to check it out. If I’m right, we’re not all that far from the holding corral. We’ve just come in a roundabout way.”

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