Wildfire Creek (21 page)

“Hello. Anyone here?”

Suzanne hurried to the front to see Rachel slipping off her hat and coat.

“What a nice surprise. Have you come for breakfast or dinner?” Suzanne asked as she gave her a hug.

“Actually, I hoped you might have one of your cobblers for me to take back to the ranch as a surprise for Dax.”

“I have a cherry and an apple. You can have your choice.”

“Cherry would be wonderful. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee if you have a few minutes to talk.”

Suzanne laughed. “I’d love to. It’s not often someone buys me a coffee.” She walked to the kitchen, emerging a minute later with two cups. “Ginny is getting the cobbler ready for you. Have you heard from Luke?”

“Dax received a telegram a few days ago. Luke said he’d be leaving Denver the following day and hoped to be home within a couple of weeks.”

“He must be anxious to get home,” Suzanne commented. She knew Ginny would be glad to see him.

“You never know with Luke. He works hard and would never leave if Dax needed him. At heart, though, I believe he craves the excitement of working with Pinkerton.” She sipped her coffee, deciding to go ahead with the reason for her visit. “I know you need to get back to work, but I have something important to ask you.”

Suzanne sat forward, resting her arms on the table. “I have time now.” She listened, without interrupting, as Rachel explained her request.

“I won’t approach Ginny if you need her. Please, be honest with me.”

Suzanne knew this time would come. Ginny and Mary had been a gift. Now the time had come to the let the gift go and share it with others.

“The truth is…the new restaurant has cut into my business more than I thought it would. As much as I’ve come to love them, Ginny needs a job where she can earn enough money to save for a place of her own, which is what she wants. It’ll take years, but I’ve no doubt that girl will do it. I can’t think of a better place for her to live and work than at your ranch.” Although the words were sincere, it didn’t stop the ache of regret she felt at losing them. “Would you like to speak with her now?”

Rachel reached across the table and squeezed Suzanne’s hand. “Yes, as long as you’re sure.”

“I am.” She stood and walked toward the kitchen as Rachel paced to the front window.

Since she’d entered the boardinghouse, a light snow had begun. She watched the flakes drop to the ground, hoping it wouldn’t get worse and compel her to spend the night in Splendor with her uncle.

“Hello, Rachel. Suzanne said you wanted to talk to me.” Ginny stepped closer, hands clenched in front of her. “It’s not about Luke, is it?”

Rachel saw the worry in her eyes and hurried to answer. “As far as we know, Luke is fine. I’ve come to speak with you about something else.”

They sat at a nearby table, Rachel noticing Ginny still clasped her hands tight.

“Our cook and housekeeper, Bernice, has been ill for quite some time. The doctor believes it will take a while for her to recover, and even then, she’ll never be able to do the same amount of work as before. We’ve made the decision to look for someone to take over her duties, then work with her as she recovers. I understand you may be looking for more work, and thought you might have an interest.”

Ginny’s expression changed from one of uncertainty to surprise as Rachel spoke. The tension Rachel noticed earlier seemed to ease, replaced by a look of hope.

Ginny cleared her throat, not wanting to anticipate too much. “What would you expect me to do?”

“To be truthful, she does quite a bit for us. Keeps the house clean, makes meals for us and the men, does our laundry… It’s a lot for one person.”

“I can do it,” Ginny blurted out, then sat back, wishing she hadn’t been quite so bold.

Rachel’s chuckle eased the tension. “Dax and I are certain you can. I help sometimes, and Bernice will be able to help a little as she recovers.”

“Would you want me to stay after she gets better?”

“Of course. If all goes well, you’d have the work as long as you want it.”

Ginny’s mind spun at what Rachel suggested. She had so many questions and she didn’t know which one to ask first.

“Would you expect Mary and me to live at the ranch?”

“Yes. We have extra bedrooms downstairs, along the hall to the kitchen. You’ll take your meals with us and earn a wage for the work.” Rachel fixed her gaze on Ginny, wanting to be sure she fully understood. “It won’t be easy. The ranch is growing and we keep adding men. Bernice provides breakfast and supper every day for everyone. She makes dinners for those who are out with the herd, and makes a hot meal at noon for those at the ranch. The laundry isn’t much as it’s only Dax, Luke, and I.”

Luke
. Ginny hadn’t thought about him being there. Perhaps this wasn’t the opportunity she’d first thought.

Rachel could see her expression change at the mention of Luke and hoped it wouldn’t cause her to decline the work.

“You don’t have any problem working with Luke around, do you?”

Ginny’s back straightened and she lifted her chin. She would not let anything, or anyone, stand in the way of this job. “Why should I?”

Rachel wondered if she should voice her thoughts, then decided it best to keep them to herself. “No reason.”

“What about Mary’s schooling? I don’t have a horse or wagon to get her back and forth to school, although I could teach her what I know.” Ginny’s mother had insisted on her attending school, and she felt fortunate to know how to read, write, and do her numbers. She didn’t know if she could do all the work Rachel expected, as well as school Mary.

“Most days I come to town to help Uncle Charles. She’s welcome to ride with me. On the days I don’t, I’m happy to work with her—if it’s agreeable with you.”

She’d never dreamed of anything such as this happening. Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat. “I accept, Rachel. When would you want me to start?”

“When would you like to begin?”

“Tomorrow, if someone is available to take us to the ranch,” Ginny said, then paused, not believing she hadn’t thought of this sooner. “Does Suzanne know?”

“I hope it was all right, but I spoke with her earlier. She has no objections. Someone can be here tomorrow morning to bring you and Mary to the ranch.” Rachel walked around the table and pulled Ginny into a hug. “I’m thrilled you want to work for us.”

“Your offer is a gift, Rachel. It’s what I’ve prayed for.” She stepped back, her eyes misty. “I’d better tell Suzanne and Mary. We’ll be ready in the morning.” Ginny turned to leave, glancing over her shoulder once before disappearing into the kitchen.

As promised, Ginny and Mary sat in the parlor of the boardinghouse, their two bags packed and ready, as Dax pulled the wagon to a stop. He jumped down, then helped Rachel, who walked inside to see two bright smiles greeting her.

“We’re ready!” Mary jumped up and down, excited with the idea of living on a ranch.

“I see you are, Mary,” Dax said and picked up the two bags. He looked around, quirking a brow. “Anything else?”

“Just those two bags.” Ginny buttoned the top of her coat, wondering if Rachel and Dax had any idea Luke bought it for her. She’d used her small amount of cash to purchase a new coat for Mary, which she buttoned all the way up. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, yes!” Mary ran outside and stopped next to the wagon.

They’d already said their goodbyes to Suzanne, who now busied herself in the kitchen. Ginny knew their departure was difficult for her, even though Ginny promised they’d visit often.

They’d brought the larger of their two wagons, this one boasting a seat wide enough for three adults. Dax leaned down to Mary. “Would you like to ride on Ginny’s lap or in the back?”

She turned toward her sister. “Can I ride in the back, Ginny? Please?”

“All right.” Ginny smiled at Mary’s uninhibited enthusiasm. She’d been afraid her sister would miss her friends in town. She needn’t have worried.

“Just hold on. The ride will be bumpy.” Dax lifted her up and over the side. “Sit with your back against the seat and let me know if you want to move up with us.” Once he felt certain Mary would be fine, he helped Ginny and Rachel up, then took a seat next to his wife. “We ready to head home?”

Home
, Ginny thought, realizing she wanted one more than anything.

They’d had several storms since Luke left Splendor. Nothing seemed to melt, just added to the existing amount of snow already piling up on the ground. Without the snow, their trip would take less than thirty minutes. Going home today took a bit longer.

“Look, Mary.” Ginny turned in her seat while pointing ahead, indicating the big ranch house in the distance.

“Is that our house, Ginny?” the girl asked, her voice full of wonder.

“It’s not
our
house, but it’s where we’ll be living.”

Rachel glanced at Dax, her eyes sparkling, knowing they’d made the right decision to hire Ginny.

Chapter Fifteen

Eastern Range, Wyoming

Luke lay huddled beneath his blanket as Tom stoked the fire. They’d found what appeared to be a cave. Instead, it turned out to be no more than six feet wide, a few feet deep, and about six feet high, enough for the two of them and a fire, but not the horses.

They’d made the decision to take an even longer route back after hearing of continued hostilities in the western part of the territory. It would take twice as long to reach Big Pine, even though the snowfall had been more moderate in this region.

“Two, maybe three more days and we should reach Big Pine.” Tom tossed aside the stick he’d been using. “You still interested in helping find those responsible for the gold thefts?”

“Yes, if you can get Pinkerton’s approval. I need to ride on to Splendor first, make sure all’s well.”

“Understood. I still have more inquiries to make based on information provided by Sheriff Sterling. What do you think of him?”

“Sterling? Seems capable enough. From what I’ve heard, the citizens of Big Pine respect him, and he’s hired experienced deputies. Why?”

“No reason. I just like to know with whom I’m dealing.” Tom pulled his blanket around him.

“Whenever you’re ready, let me know. Sounds like a job for more than one man. Of course, Dutch may be available by then.”

Luke stared at the fire and thought of the ranch, wondering if they’d even thought about him much during his absence. He knew winters in this area were brutal…not just some years but every year. Dax’s attention would be focused on the cattle, not on his absent brother.

Luke let his mind wander to Ginny. He wondered how she’d reacted to the gift he’d sent her. Not well, he guessed. He didn’t know when he’d ever met such a stubborn woman. Well, he’d done what he could for her, and whether or not she appreciated it, he felt good about it. Luke doubted he’d see much of her while in Splendor. He knew there’d be too much to do, and the journey into town and back would take at least twice as long as other times of the year. Besides, with two jobs, he guessed she’d have little time to socialize, and he sure as hell didn’t want her to take his friendship as anything more than that. Keeping his distance from her would be best for both of them.

He closed his eyes, ready to return to the familiar, unchanging faces at the ranch.