The Devil's Daughter (18 page)

He pointed to a ridiculous-looking yellow hat in the corner of the window display. Barely large enough to fit the crown of a woman’s head, it seemed to be sprouting feathers – of every color – from the side.

Lucy snorted softly and smiled. “If you like it so much,” she said, “buy it for yourself.”

Jed pretended to consider the idea. “It’s not really my color, is it?”

“Yellow?” Lucy’s smile faded, her face now serious. “Definitely not.”

He’d have sworn his heart swelled a little with those two words.

“Where do we find this George person?” Lucy asked, leaving the mercantile behind them without another glance.

“He’s the bank manager.” When Lucy raised a brow, he continued. “Seems he came into an inheritance from his uncle, I believe, which included a sizeable herd and a ranch down south a ways.”

“Why doesn’t he keep the herd then?”

Jed laughed. “George isn’t much for ranching. Once you see him, you’ll understand – he’s better suited to banking.”

He led her up the two steps into the bank, then took a moment to let his eyes adjust from the glare of outside to the cooler, dim interior of the bank.

“Good morning, Jed.” The bank manager stepped out from his office, a small room tucked off to the side of the bank and offered Lucy a slight bow.

“George McTaggert,” Jed began. “Like you to meet my wife, Lucy.”

Lucy tipped her head in a perfect ladylike gesture and allowed George to shake her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said. “Jed tells me you’re very good at your job.”

George seemed to grow two feet all at once. His wiry frame puffed out and the blush that started at his neck raced over his face and nearly bald head. He pushed his half-moon glasses up on his nose and smiled modestly.

“Thank you,” he said. “That’s very kind.”

He led them back into the quiet of his tiny office, a room barely big enough for the three of them, his desk and the chairs.

“Please, have a seat.” He waited until Lucy was comfortable before he took his own chair. “You’ve come about the cattle, is that right?”

“That’s right.” Jed settled his hat on his lap and held his breath, hoping George’s price wouldn’t be too outrageous. George chewed the inside of his cheek, his gaze flicking from his folded hands to Jed and back. This couldn’t be a good sign.

“Can I be frank with you, Jed?”

“Wish you would.” His fingers tightened around his hat.

“I’ve taken a liberty on your behalf that I hope won’t be too upsetting to you. Or the misses.”

Dread began to pool in Jed’s stomach. If George wanted more for the cattle than Jed could afford, he might have to forgo buying Lucy that pretty new dress, or worse, the number of head he’d hoped for.

Dammit.

George cleared his throat. “I had a buyer in San Antonio who wanted the whole herd.”

Jed forced his tongue still. If George had sold the whole herd. . .

“But I told him you’d already bought half.”

It took a second for George’s words to sink in. “You what?”

Color deepened George’s cheeks. “I’m sorry, Jed, but he wanted an answer immediately, and I had no idea when you’d be in town next, so I told him you’d already bought half the herd.”

“Half?” Jed’s brain twisted and flipped, mentally calculating how much this was going to cost.

“Yes.” The other man ran a finger between his neck and collar. “I’m sorry, but I had no idea you’d been in town for the auction. If I’d have known, I would have talked to you then, even though I’d already given him my answer.”

Jed stared at the banker, dumbfounded.

“I’m not sure what I’ll do with them if you say you don’t want them now,” George went on. “Because they’re already on their way.”

Jed’s expression must have unnerved the poor man more, for a sheen of sweat broke out against his brow and he couldn’t seem to look at either Jed or Lucy.

“Hold on a minute,” Jed finally said. “You saved me half your herd even though you had a buyer lined up in San Antonio?”

George nodded briefly.

“Wouldn’t it have been easier to let your buyer take the whole herd?” Lucy asked.

“Undoubtedly,” George said.

“Then why. . .?”

George held Jed’s gaze for a few seconds. “Because I gave your husband my word.”

He’d done that, sure enough, yet still, something felt off.

“And you already arranged to have them driven up here?” he asked.

Another nod.

Jed blew out a long breath and slumped a little in his chair. The idea of buying Lucy that new dress was floating away like a feather on a spring breeze.

Lucy’s foot slid over and nudged him. When he glanced up at her, she tipped her head ever so slightly toward George, who looked as though he was going to be sick.

Jed rested his elbows on his knees and forced his hands to relax their grip on his hat. He even twirled it a few times for good measure.

“I sure appreciate you thinking of me that way, George,” he said. “But to be honest--” he glanced at Lucy, swallowed, then continued. “I don’t know if I can afford half the herd and the cost of driving it up here.”

For the first time, a small smile found George’s face.

“I’m certain we can work something out, Jed.” When Jed made to object, George held up a hand. “I’m not talking about credit or charity, so get that out of your head this second.”

Jed sat back in his chair, unconvinced, but ready to listen. He didn’t dare look at Lucy for fear of seeing disappointment.

George pushed his neatly stacked papers across the desk toward Jed. “This tells you how many head are on their way. There’s another bull, but he’ll be sent by train.”

“Why’s that?” Lucy asked, inching forward to read the numbers, too.

George and Jed both chuckled, then Jed answered.

“It’s not a good idea to have more than one bull around all the cows. They get a little territorial.”

All told, the herd numbered about 130, mostly young heifers, yearlings and a good number of steer.

“What are you asking?” Jed dreaded the answer, but sat up straight and waited. Whatever it was, he’d have to find a way to pay it.

George looked him straight in the eye before answering. “Eighty-seven for each of the bulls, twenty-three for the cows, and twelve for the yearlings.”

Jed frowned. George’s prices were lower than average.

“Wait just a minute--” he began, but again, George cut him off.

“Let me finish.” He nodded toward the papers again. “I’ve listed what I’d want for the heifers and the steer, and I’d also ask you to cover half the cost of the drive.”

“Sounds a little too good to be true if you ask me,” Jed said. “What’s wrong with them?”

Again, color raced up George’s face. “Nothing. I swear. They’re perfectly healthy.”

“Then why the low prices?” Jed gestured toward the papers. “You know the average cost of a good bull is probably ninety dollars these days. And a heifer prob’ly goes for close to twenty.”

“Yes,” George nodded. “Of course I know that.”

“So then why. . .”

“You pay the price I’ve asked, including your half of the drive costs. In return, you get however much of the herd you want, including the other bull. But I also have one small request.”

Jed gripped the arms of his chair. He should have known there’d be a
but
coming.

“What?” he ground out. Lucy laid her hand on his arm, but he still didn’t look at her.

“Any of the herd you don’t want, I’d like to. . .well. . .” George glanced down at his desk top, then back at Jed. “I’d like to keep on your land for my own use.”

Silence filled the space between them for a long breath-held minute.

“You want to do what?” Jed frowned. George McTaggert wanted to be a rancher? Since when?

“I know it sounds odd.” George nodded through a nervous chuckle. “My whole life I’ve been too small for this, not strong enough for that, so I’ve holed up inside this bank since I was old enough to count coins.

“Look at me, Jed.” George waved a hand the length of his torso. “I’m not built for ranching, but I’ve always wanted to do it.”

Jed studied the banker carefully. He never would have pegged McTaggert for anything other than a numbers man.

“Have you ever been around a herd, George?”

“No.”

“Ever ridden a horse?”

“Of course,” he answered a little indignantly.

“Do you get sick easily?”

“I beg your pardon.” George’s mouth tightened into a thin line.

“Sorry,” Jed said quickly. “No offense intended, but working with the herd can make even the hardiest of men sick – especially when it comes time to castrate them.” He cast a glace at Lucy. “Sorry.”

She nodded, a small grin tugging at her lips.

“I’d be fine,” George replied. “I swear.”

George was a businessman, first and foremost. And regardless of how much they respected each other, his first priority would be to make money on this deal with Jed, so charity wasn’t a concern.

If all he wanted was to graze a few head on Jed’s land and ride along once in a while, that was easily done. Jed pulled the papers from the desk again, worked a few more calculations, scribbled some numbers beside the list, then looked at Lucy. Her smile nearly knocked him out of his chair.

“Well, George,” he finally said. “Looks like we’ve got us a deal here.”

A look of such relief washed over George’s face that for a minute, Jed thought the man would cry. But he pushed out of his chair and shoved his hand over the desk toward Jed.

“Excellent. I was hoping you’d agree.” He next shook Lucy’s hand, though not with nearly as much enthusiasm, then pulled a ledger from his desk drawer.

“How long ‘til the herd arrives?”

“I’m told they’ll be here the end of next week.”

“Next week?” Lucy gasped. “That soon?”

George nodded. “Is that going to be a problem?”

“Not at all.” Jed laughed. “Just means we’ll need to work a little faster is all, ain’t that right, Lucy?”

She didn’t answer, just stared back at him with wide disbelieving eyes.

“Very well.” George collected the papers and rose from his chair. “I’ll have the official paperwork drawn up and you can sign it and pay the next time you come in to town.”

“Why don’t you take the money now while I’m here?”

George shook his head. “No, sir. We’ll leave your money right where it is, collecting interest, until it’s needed. Besides, you’ll need to check over the herd before you pay for it.”

Jed rose from his chair, too. “Pleasure doing business with you, George. Whenever you’ve got time to spare, you’re more than welcome to come out and help. Can’t promise the work’ll be any fun, though.”

George grinned like a little kid. “Anything’s more fun than sitting behind this desk day after day.”

“You got me there.”

“I’ll be in touch.” George straightened his suit jacket and once again shook Jed’s hand, then Lucy’s. “Mrs. Caine.”

Jed led Lucy out of the bank, his head high, a smile on his face, and his pride intact.

“Now that’s over,” he said with a grin, “let’s go see about that new dress.”

Lucy slipped her arm beneath Jed’s elbow and fell into step beside him, smiling. The herd was on its way, soon they’d have the barn built, and then they could start on their house and. . .

Wait! What was she thinking?

She shook herself hard, trying to rid herself of such ridiculous thoughts.

They weren’t going to have anything.

She
was going to have it all.

They had no future.

She
had a future – and as much as it unsettled her, that future did not include Jedidiah Caine.

How had she let herself slip so easily into the role of his wife? She had to stop thinking that they were partners -- because eventually Jed would be gone.

Her heart stuttered in her chest.

Jed would be gone.

Forever.

A pain began in her heart, slow at first, then spreading quickly. She didn’t get sick, so this must have been one of Deacon’s tricks. But her brother was nowhere in sight.

“You okay?” Jed’s worried face studied hers.

“Yes, of course.” She forced a smile, but he didn’t look convinced.

“You got real pale all of a sudden.” He stopped in the middle of the boardwalk and turned her to face him. “D’you want to sit down?”

“No.” She waved away his concern. “I’m fine. Really.”

He shook his head and changed direction, leading her toward the restaurant.

“You need something to eat.”