Tracie Peterson - [Heirs of Montana 04] (46 page)

“Pneumonia. She’s probably been sick for some time. Being malnourished didn’t help her cause any.”

“What’s pneumonia?” David asked.

The doctor looked down on him with great compassion. “It’s a sickness that affects the lungs. They become inflamed—infected with fluids and such. It’s often fatal, especially for the poor.”

Morgan felt the boy’s shoulders slump as if in acceptance of the news. He kept his arm around David and said, “Thank you, Doc. Come on, David. We’ll need to arrange a funeral. I know your mother hated Virginia City, but I think it best to have her buried in the cemetery here rather than take her back out to the cabin.”

“I guess so.”

Morgan told the doctor that he’d make arrangements with the undertaker, then settled up the bill before he quietly escorted David from the small hospital.

“What am I going to do now?” David asked Morgan. “I ain’t got no other family. Can’t go live with anybody else.”

Morgan realized that the boy was probably telling the truth. If they’d had family, surely his mother would never have lived in the shack alone. Morgan scratched his chin. The bearded stubble there was itching something fierce. “Tell you what. Let’s get us a room at the hotel, and we’ll talk things over while we have some dinner.”

“I ain’t hungry,” David said, stuffing his hands deep into his oversized pants.

“Well, maybe not. But I am. I was looking forward to some venison steaks, but by now a bear probably has taken our catch. Come on.” Morgan nudged the boy toward the street. “We’ll think better on a full stomach.”

At least that was what Morgan hoped would be the case. He couldn’t say that it helped at all, however, as he pushed back from the empty luncheon plate an hour later. He’d been trying to consider the boy’s situation and what was to be done, but in truth, it seemed hopeless. As he watched David, Morgan found he was strangely drawn to him. He didn’t know if it was a matter of seeing himself in the boy or if he just felt sorry for him, but Morgan couldn’t bring himself to walk away.

“Will you take me back to the cabin after we get Ma buried?” David asked.

“I’ve been thinking on that very thing. I can’t hardly see that it would be the Christian thing to do.”

David scowled. “Don’t want no Christian things done to me. Your prayin’ didn’t help my ma.”

“Well, it may not seem like it now, but I know God heard my prayers and that He cares deeply about you and your ma.”

“I don’t believe you. God killed my ma as sure as anything.”

“Sickness took your mother’s life, David. Everybody gets sick now and then. Good folks and bad. It was just her time.”

“I don’t care.” He crossed his arms tight against his chest. “It’s not fair.”

“No, I suppose it’s not.”

Morgan watched the boy for several minutes. He liked the child and had enjoyed their time hunting that morning. A thought came to mind. He was alone and now David was alone. Why not remedy that and stick together?

What am I thinking? I’m not equipped to take on a child
. But in truth David hardly seemed like a child. He’d probably lived through more than most adults. Morgan took a long drink of coffee and continued to think about the possibility.

I’ll probably never marry—never have children of my own
. He looked at the boy who by now had bowed his head in complete exhaustion. How long had he been up hunting to find something for his mother to eat?

“David, how old are you?” Morgan asked, sizing up the boy’s frame.

“Be fourteen come July.”

Another couple of years and the boy would be old enough to be on his own if he wanted. Surely Morgan could endure a couple of years raising the boy and seeing to his needs. If nothing else, Morgan could ask Dianne for advice if things got too complicated. Then Morgan realized that being on the road all the time might not be the best for David. After all, he couldn’t very well attend school while camping deep in the wilderness.

“Do you go to school?”

David looked at him and frowned. “Not since I lived here. I didn’t much like it, but I can read and write and cipher. Figure that’s enough for any man.”

Morgan had to give him that much. He’d not enjoyed school himself and had put it behind him at sixteen. David had already managed to retire his education, and who was Morgan to preach at him that he should do otherwise? He took another draw from his coffee mug.

“And you’ve got no family? Not even back East?”

David shook his head. “Ma said they were all dead. It was just her and me. Now it’s just me.”

“So you wouldn’t be opposed to maybe signing on with someone else?”

David looked up apprehensively. “I don’t know no one else.”

“You know me.”

“I don’t know you much.”

Morgan was surprised at the boy’s comment. “That’s true enough, but I was kind of thinkin’ to take on a partner. I do a pretty good business guiding folks on hunting expeditions and such.”

“A partner?” He looked rather interested at this aspect. “What would I have to do?”

“Oh, help lead pack mules, dress the game, make camps, care for animals. Things like that. You’d be paid, of course.”

“You ain’t joshing me, are you, Mr. Morgan?”

Morgan could see the apprehension in the boy’s eyes. “Not at all. My business is growing, and I need the help.”

The other people in the dining room seemed oblivious to the moment. They were sharing their quiet dinners, immersed in their own discussions. No doubt the young boy and man held little interest for them.

“Most of the time it involves a lot of travel. I hike miles into the mountains. Like a while back I took a man west into the Coeur d’Alene Mountains. It was probably the worst trails and climbs I’ve ever made. It took a lot of time and energy.”

“I’m good at that stuff,” David offered. “I can shoot fair too. Ain’t had a gun for a while, though—we had to sell it for food.”

They sat across from each other in silence for several minutes. Morgan knew this quick decision might cause him grief down the road, but even now, reflecting on the possibilities, it seemed right. He felt a complete peace about taking on David. After all, what was the alternative? He could walk away and leave the boy on his own, or he could turn David over to the authorities. Neither choice was something Morgan felt he could live with.

“So what do you think?” Morgan asked.

“I guess I don’t got nothing else. I’d need a job anyway.”

Morgan smiled and pushed back his sandy blond hair. He picked up his felt hat and motioned to the door. “Good. Then let’s get to the store and get you outfitted. You’ll need some decent clothes and a bath. Oh, and a haircut. I know none of that is much fun, but we have to see to your ma all proper-like.”

“How you gonna pay for all that?”

He laughed. “I’ve been earning money and putting it away since I was seventeen. Don’t you worry about me. Now, come on. Let’s get over to the general store and see what we can find.”

Elsa and Jamie stood just inside the cabin looking with great wonder and gratitude. The open door allowed the warm breeze of the early June day to filter in. “It looks so homey,” Elsa declared. “Dianne and your mother surely did a good job of fixing it up.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Jamie said, putting his arm around her shoulder. “We weren’t sure if you’d mind that they brought in some of the furniture from your father’s house.”

“No, I don’t mind,” she said. “It makes it look so nice, and after all, it’s just material and wood. Remember when we were reading in Matthew about not storing up treasures on earth where moth and rust could corrupt?”

“I do.”

“It made me think about a lot of things. Like this furniture. It only has a little material value. It’s only important if I make it so. I can’t see being foolish or prideful about it. It’s here. We might as well use it. Doesn’t matter who owned it before us.”

Jamie laughed. “You’re a wise woman.”

“And a happy one.” She grinned and embraced him. “I’ve never been this happy before.” And in truth she didn’t think it possible to be any more filled with joy.

“Me either. I have you and the ranch. It’s taught me a lot about letting other folks help you out, and about trusting God.”

She pulled back so she could see his eyes. “Sometimes I think I’ll never get that one right. Just when I think I trust God completely, something happens and I act so foolish. God must surely suffer patience with me.”

“No doubt with both of us.”

“You two gonna stand here and gawk all day?” George questioned as he came up behind them on the porch.

Jamie and Elsa jumped apart as if caught doing something they shouldn’t. George laughed in amusement, then turned and pointed up the ridge. “We’ve got about a thousand head of prime Texas cattle coming this way. I could use your help. After all, this is your place now.”

Jamie picked up his hat. “I’m ready.”

Elsa’s heart swelled with pride. He was the man of the ranch now. Just as his father had been before him. And he was her man.

August 1889

A little more than two years had passed since Dianne and Cole had taken on the Walking Horseshoe Ranch. The time had passed quickly, and little by little they had managed to restore some of the herd numbers, as well as help build better accommodations at the Diamond V. It was rather like a large company, Dianne thought. And in truth, that’s what Cole and their sons, along with George and Jamie, had been discussing. The formation of a cattle company.

Now as they journeyed back from a trip into town, Dianne found herself deep in thought. She rode behind the rest, nearly a quarter mile from the wagon her husband drove. Watching her family in amazement, she couldn’t help but feel content.

They had promised to drop off some much needed goods at the Diamond V and to stay long enough to further discuss the cattle company. Soon she’d be able to visit with Koko and Susannah, as well as Elsa. It was always nice to have time with her aunt. Koko had become a mother to Dianne over the years.

Dianne’s attention was drawn back to her family, however, as the younger boys began playing around, racing back and forth across the open fields on their horses. She laughed at the sight.

Luke, now nearly fourteen, was tall and lean like his father. He rode at the side of the wagon and carried on a conversation with his father. No doubt they were talking about new innovations and projects for the ranch.

Luke worked hard beside his father when his studies were done. Cole was firm that his children should have an education, and since the new school districts had been formed and schools mandated for public education, Dianne had given up teaching the children at home. Luke was a star pupil, as were Micah and Lia. John, on the other hand, seemed to have little interest in education. He rather reminded Dianne of herself.

John and Micah had become good friends and conspirators. They were always the practical jokers. They thought it funny to find ways to pull tricks on their brother and father. Not that Lia and Dianne were exempt, but Dianne had long ago set the boundaries. She made it clear that the boys were to treat women with dignity and honor rather than as “one of the boys.”

But the important thing, she thought as she turned Daisy to the right, hoping to avoid the dust of the wagon, was that they were all happy.

The ranch had proved to be a good investment, and before long Dianne had found that the Walking Horseshoe felt like home. She enjoyed the sights and sounds of a ranch again. She loved the bustle of roundup and the quiet evenings in the summer.

The boys came riding at her in a race against each other. They circled her and reined up beside her.

“Ma, we’re going to ride ahead so we can help Pa with the wagon and see if George can teach us how to shoot with his bow after we’re done,” Micah announced.

“I see Jamie!” John declared. “Let’s go!” He was a boisterous ten-year-old who always seemed to have a lot on his agenda.

Dianne halted Daisy as they passed. “Be careful.” She watched the boys urge their mounts into a gallop as they went careening down the hillside. Lia had stayed at home with Winona and Ardith while the rest of the family had ventured to Virginia City. At eight years old, Lia was quite the little horsewoman, but a fall two weeks earlier had resulted in a broken arm. Dianne had picked up some special treats for her in Virginia City, hoping they might make up for missing out on the trip.

As was her custom, Dianne halted Daisy on the hilltop overlooking the Diamond V. Dianne sighed. It was still just about her favorite place in all of Montana. She’d contemplated so many things from this ridge.

“We’re all very blessed, Lord. I thank you for that.” Her family was healthy and well off. Zane and Mara were happy and completely devoted to their nearly two-year old son, Zachary. They were even now concluding some business dealings in Bozeman and would soon move the freighting business to that bustling town. Even Faith and Malachi were planning to move.

Dianne also knew from conversations she’d had with Koko that Jamie and Elsa had grown quite capable with the ranch. Elsa seemed to have a real knack for ranch life. In some ways, Koko said, Elsa reminded her of Dianne.