Diane R. Jewkes (4 page)

“We’ve been working this past week on gathering the cows and calves in order to brand, doctor, and move them to summer pasture,” said Joe, drawing him from his reverie. “The summer pasture is up in those mountains. Good pasture.” He nodded his head towards the west.

“Yep.” A stream of tobacco juice landed on the ground in front of Joe’s horse. “We’re making good time with these animals of yours.”

Hawke turned to watch the cowboys move his cattle along. Dust danced in the air from the movement of many hooves. Tails whipped back and forth across shiny black hides as the cattle ambled across the desert. Sharp whistles split the morning air and the sound of coiled ropes slapping leather-clad legs creating a rhythm that moved the cattle, but at the same time seemed to keep them calm. He watched one cow try to break from the group and the man named Darcy spin his horse around to intercept the animal and guide it back to the group.

“Fascinating how they almost seem to know what the cow is going to do before it does it,” Alec said, watching the cowboy and his horse work smoothly and quietly to return the stray to the group.

Their attention was drawn to a group of cattle on a rise running frantically. A horseman appeared, riding hard towards the leaders. Hawke watched as the rider drove the horse, leaning close to the animals’ neck, passing by the surging beasts.

“Joe, looks like your man is having some problems. Do you think he might need some assistance?”

“Naw, it’ll be under control in a moment. Just you watch that big, red hoss work. Besides, we’re still about a mile away. Wouldn’t get there in time.”

He couldn’t believe they were so far away. The distances were deceiving. The horse reached the front of the group and began turning them back on themselves until they came slowly to a stop. One of the cows tried to break and the horse and rider turned to intercept it. It looked like the two animals were engaged in a strange dance.

The horse dropped his head down to eye level with the cow. The cow would dodge to one side, but the horse was right there blocking the path. The horse’s front legs were bent and his hooves seemed to skim the ground shifting his weight back and forth, cutting off the other animal’s escape. Every time the cow ran, the horse challenged him. Finally defeated, the cow turned and returned to the group. Another rider appeared and the first rider turned and headed down the hill.

“What a horse,” exclaimed Alec, drawing alongside. “Did you note the speed of the turns? I’ve never seen an animal so quick.”

Admiration filled Hawke’s voice. “The skill of the rider,” he said, realizing how small the rider seemed compared to the horse. “His balance and control were amazing. He must not be very old. Did you see how small he appeared? He is one hell of a rider.”

“Oh, you’ll meet those two later.” Joe said, a big grin split the weathered face. “Galahad is the horse. He’s one of the quarter horses Case has bred. Ain’t any horse smarter and they’re fast enough to work the cagiest cow. He’s also a helluva roping horse. His rider trained him, so they work very well together.”

“Well, I certainly want to talk him about his training techniques.” Hawke stared towards where the rider had disappeared, eager to reach the ranch and meet the young man.

The headquarters were coming into view in the distance. Hawke was impressed by the size of the compound. He had not expected such a large place. The more he saw, the more anxious he was to meet his new partner and find out about his new investment.

Kara had seen the group watching her from the hill.
Blast
, she thought. They weren’t supposed to be here yet. Papa would have her hide if she didn’t get home before they arrived.

Blast, Blast, Blast! She headed for the house, her thoughts racing. She knew with the long distances between ranches some of the guests would be staying overnight, and she should be there to help greet them. First, she had to clean off the dirt from working the cattle.

She looked forward to seeing her friends; many she hadn’t seen since she returned from school a few months earlier.

With lists of chores running through her head, she galloped Gally into the front yard, jumped off as he slid to a halt, and led him toward the barn.

“Kara.” Her father’s voice stopped her. She turned to see him, hands on his hips. “I’ve been told Joe and the others are close by. Let one of the hands put your horse up. Hurry and see what help Consuelo needs.”

Case headed back into the house. She threw the reins to one of the hands standing near the barn, and hurried to follow, taking the stairs two at a time.

“For God’s sake, Kara,” He glowered. “Don’t forget to clean up and put on a dress … you are a young lady. Remember?”

She smiled to herself, shaking her head.
Lord, the man must think I have eight arms to get everything done at once.
She walked through the massive wood doors and headed for the kitchen.

The smell of beans, chile, and spices mixing with the aroma of roasting meat from the pit outside assailed her senses and started her mouth watering and her stomach growling in protest.

Kara entered the large sunny kitchen. An array of cans and jars were neatly arranged on the open shelves. Several big pots simmered on the cast iron stove. The smell of of fragrant mesquite and pine sticks in the wood box scented the air. Colorful bunches of herbs hung from the vigas overhead, drying over the large wooden table in the center of the room.

“Consuelo, how are the meal preparations coming?” She peered into a pot of bubbling stew. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Picking up a spoon, she tasted the spicy stew, savoring the blend of flavors, hunger clawed at her insides.

“Mija, put that down.”

Consuelo walked over to her drying her hands on the towel tucked into her apron. Consuelo gently slapped her on the wrist making Kara drop the spoon and shooed her out of the kitchen.

“Look at you … still in your work clothes and smelling like livestock.” Consuelo waved her hands, sending her towards the door. “Go clean up before you come in my kitchen again, miss.”

“I’ve been working cattle all morning, Consuelo.” Kara looked beseechingly at the small round woman. “Don’t you think I could have a little bit … I’m fair starved to death and there’s no telling when I’ll get to eat again.”

Consuelo sighed. Turning back she filled a bowl with the stew and took warm tortillas from the oven.

“Ay me,” Consuelo followed her to the table and placed the food in front of her. “You always get your way with me, don’t you?”

Kara laughed and threw her arms around Consuelo’s waist. “It’s just you love me so much, and I love you, it’s why I get my way … verdad?”

“Si, you imp,” Consuelo laughed returning the hug. “Now hurry up. There are fresh towels and hot water in the tub. Your robe is in there also. Eat up. We wouldn’t want you to faint at the feet of your father’s new partner, would we?”

Kara snorted. “No, Consuelo.” Her eyes narrowed. “In fact, I think I’m going to have to show our new partner how tough we modern western women are. I’ve read about the women in their ‘society,’ and it seems they are always waiting for some man to tell them what to do and think.” Taking another spoonful of stew, she chewed thoughtfully. “I think his lordship will probably be a little shocked by how independent women out here are. He might just faint at my feet.”

“Mija,” Consuelo warned. “You had better not be planning any tricks. Your papa … he will have your hide if you embarrass him.”

Kara sighed. “You’re right. But it sure would be fun. I could think of ways to shock his lordship and perhaps send him running back to London.” The thought of some dandy making all sorts of silly demands made her grimace. “He’s going to want everything his way, I just know it.”

Kara rose from the table and put her bowl in the sink. “Are the rooms and guesthouses ready? Is there anything I need to do?” she asked.

“No mija, no,” Consuelo smiled. “The girls and I have everything ready; all you have to do is get yourself dressed.” She headed Kara towards the bathing room with a gentle shove. “Go quick.”

Swinging around, Kara gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled, “Thank you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier to help.”

• • •

Kara bathed quickly, wrapped up in her robe, and headed up the stairs to her room to change.

The flagstone floor felt cool on her bare feet. Entering her bedroom, she went to her vanity table with its large mirror, picked up her brush, and began brushing out her wet hair. She loved this room with its bright white-washed adobe walls and ceiling. A small fire burned in the corner kiva-shaped fireplace with a rocking chair nearby and the thick quilt her mother had made folded on the wrought iron bed. Kara looked at the framed tintype of her mother and father on the bedside table. Her most valued possession.

Walking across the wood plank floors covered with colorful Indian rugs, she remembered the day her mother had given her the picture. An aching pierced her heart. When would the pain cease? she wondered.
When will I quit missing her so much?

Maria, Consuelo’s oldest daughter and Kara’s friend, entered the room. “Mama said you’d be running late and would need help.”

Where she was tall and slender, Maria was small like her mother, with light brown skin, high cheekbones, a lushly rounded figure and a ready smile. They were sisters in all ways that mattered.

“Oh God, Maria.” She looked at the clock on her dresser. “Where’s my dress? What am I going to do with my hair?” Frantic, she looked around her room, not knowing what to do first. “I could kill Papa for planning this big to-do during the middle of spring round-up.”

Taking control, Maria pushed her gently into the small padded chair in front of the vanity.

“Your dress is in the wardrobe, and if you’ll sit still, I’ll fix your hair.”

“This is all so silly. Having a party just to introduce a man who probably thinks he’s better than everyone anyway, just because he has a title.” She slumped defiantly in her chair.

“Why are you determined to dislike someone you’ve never met? I’ve never known you to be this negative. What’s bothering you?”

“I don’t know,” she said softly. “I just feel his arrival is going to turn my life upside down, and I don’t know if it’s going to be for the better or the worse. There have been so many changes in my life the past few years. I’m just ready for life to be normal again. Plus I worry he’s one of those swindlers just out to steal the ranch.”

Maria continued brushing out Kara’s long silky hair. “Maybe he’s a handsome young man, who’ll sweep you off your feet,” she teased. “Maybe he’s the knight in shining armor you were always reading about when we were little girls.” Maria laughed at the face glaring at her in the mirror.

“More likely some overweight, mincing clown sent by his father to get some starch in his backbone.”

Kara stood up and pranced around the room, trying to imitate an overweight effeminate man. “I’ll even bet his hands are all soft and clammy … yuck!”

Both girls fell on the bed laughing. The tension Kara had felt eased the more she talked to Maria.

“Besides, after all I learned from the women in the suffrage and women’s rights movements back east, I don’t believe I want a knight in shining armor anymore. I think I would rather rescue myself, and while I’m at it control my own destiny, instead of letting some man tell me how I should live or treat me like some possession.”

She jumped up on her bed, legs astride, her hand tucked into her robe with the other pointing to an imaginary spot above her. Mocking her own seriousness. They burst out in giggles all over again.

The girls were still giggling when Luisa, Maria’s younger sister, walked into the room.

“Maria, Mama says the Roberts have just arrived. She said hurry up.” Ducking to miss a small pillow thrown her way, Luisa left the room.

Kara sat down in front of the mirror and Maria quickly finished her hair and helped her dress. The dark blue sateen, the color of her eyes, was set just off her shoulders, with puffed sleeves narrowing over her elbows to her wrists. The bodice with its sweetheart neckline and nipped waist highlighted her trim figure. The skirt swirled easily around her ankles and matching blue shoes. Taking one last spin in front of the mirror, she picked up a shawl and both women left the room deep in discussion about what party preparations needed to be finished.

The ranch was a hive of activity as the men rode in.

“Looks like quite a party they’re having for you,” Alec noted. Hawke saw Alec’s attention drawn to several ladies entering the house.”

“Yep. Case wanted you to meet some of the neighbors and townsfolk,” Joe said as he stopped his horse outside the empty corral. “Me and the boys will settle the cattle in here, and your bags will be sent up to the house.” Joe looked over his shoulder. “Here comes Case.”

Joe turned his horse and began shouting orders to the hands. Hawke and Alec dismounted and turned to meet Case Jonston.

Hawke watched the older man approach, noting the vitality of his movements. Intensely blue eyes stood out in his tanned leathered face, and his smile showed strong white teeth.

• • •

“Gentlemen … Welcome!” Case extended his hand. “Welcome to the Ladder J. I’m glad to see you’ve arrived with no problems.” He looked past the men into the corral filled with black cattle moving restlessly, noting the well-filled-out bodies and shiny ebony coats.

“That’s a fine-looking bunch of animals you brought. I look forward to crossing them with my longhorns. They seem to have handled the long trip just fine.”

He gestured towards the house. “Let’s go into the house so you can clean up, and then you and I, Lord Stoneham, can conduct some business in my study before the barbecue begins.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied Hawke, smiling at him. “We feel welcome already. May I introduce my friend Alec MacCairn, Lord Peyton?”

“A pleasure, sir,” Alec shook Case’s hand. “Hawke has been regaling me with tales of cattle breeding and western ranching. I feel almost a native already. Not only has he told me many tales of the American West, but your employees have been telling us about your fascinating and multitalented daughter. I do look forward to meeting her.”