The Rancher Takes a Cook Read online

  Anna cringed and let out a breath. “Oh, Aunt Laura, I’m just so worried—about Edward, the soldiers, our future. You and Uncle Walter have been so good to us. I hope you don’t think I’m ungrateful. But I keep thinking I should be doing something more to protect Edward and make a home for us here. We can’t trespass on your hospitality forever, and I’ll eventually have to find a way for us to have our own home. I just haven’t figured out how to do that yet. I keep feeling like I’m missing something—that God has a bigger plan for us, but I can’t find it.”

  “Anna dear, you can’t take on the world by yourself. Give it a little time and you’ll see that God will work all things together for good, as long as you stay in His will.”

  The lines around Aunt Laura’s eyes deepened. “Edward seems to be enjoying himself, except for his run-in with the soldiers. That boy loves doing odd jobs around town. Did you hear the stories he told at supper last night? He seems to be enamored with the cowboys that come into the blacksmith shop, spinning their wild tales about the cattle and living on the range. It wouldn’t surprise me if he joined on to a ranch one of these days.”

  A new tightness settled over Anna’s chest. “You don’t think so, do you? I know Edward’s a capable horseman. Pa made sure we were both competent in the saddle. But there’s no way he could be a cowboy. That’s way too dangerous.”

  Aunt Laura chuckled. She opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted when the door banged open and Edward’s lanky form shuffled into the room, one hand over his eye and the other holding his head.

  “Edward. What’s wrong?” Anna dropped the wet pants she’d been scrubbing and was by his side in an instant, leading him toward a chair. “Here, sit down.”

  “Oh…” He moaned, plopping down and leaning back to look at her through his one uncovered brown eye.

  “What in the world happened to you? Where are you hurt?” Anna perched in the chair across from him and rested a hand on his bony knee.

  “It was those blasted soldiers again. I was cleaning stalls at the livery, minding my own business, and two of ’em appeared out of nowhere. I tried to be polite, but they kept insultin’ Pa and I couldn’t take it no more. I got in a couple good licks, but then one of ’em caught me from behind and the next thing I knew I was on the ground with boots flying all around and into me. I must’ve got knocked out ’cause when I woke up, Mr. Tucker was swinging a pitchfork and yellin’ at ’em to get out of his barn. He helped me wash up, then sent me home.”

  Anna gasped and sat back in her chair, fire burning her insides. How could anyone be so cruel as to hit an innocent boy like Edward, especially soldiers who’d been put there to protect the town? It was unthinkable.

  “Stay right there, dear boy,” Aunt Laura crooned, peeling his fingers back to examine the already darkening skin around Edward’s eye. “I’ll bring you a damp cloth and a poultice for your eye.”

  Edward nodded and leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “I didn’t mean to get in a fight with them, sis. Honest. I just couldn’t stand them talkin’ about Pa like he was some black-hearted murderer.”

  The earnest expression in Edward’s good eye was more than Anna could take. “I know it, love. You relax now and let Aunt Laura tend to you. I’ll be back in a little bit.” She rose and grabbed her bonnet from the peg by the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Army headquarters.” Before he could protest, she slipped out the door and held her breath as the latch clicked into place. She had to get away before Aunt Laura returned to the room and stopped her. The wisest thing would be to let Uncle Walter handle the situation, but she was not about to sit back and allow someone else to fight her battles, especially when Edward’s safety was at stake.

  With a determined step, she strode through the mercantile and out the front door. She was met by a steady rain that drenched her hat and shoulders within seconds. No matter. A little rain wouldn’t melt her. Hurrying through the streets while dodging mud puddles proved challenging enough, but she had to glance up periodically to make sure she was headed in the right direction. Uncle Walter had said the soldiers were encamped on Live Oak street, a few roads over.

  At last, the double row of tents came into view, and Anna pushed forward. As she neared a larger tent with a sign that read Headquarters, Anna began to have second thoughts. What was she thinking, waltzing right in the middle of a Yankee camp, unescorted, and looking like a muddy, wet dog? Probably smelling like one, too. Would they throw her out? Or worse, hold her prisoner?

  Taking a deep breath, she sent a prayer heavenward. Lord, You promised You would never leave me or forsake me. Right now, I really need Your help. Please protect me and help me to protect Edward. With a weight lifted from her shoulders, she marched toward the Headquarters sign and knocked on one of the wooden posts holding up the canvas.

  “Come in,” called a deep voice from inside.

  Come in? She had expected to be questioned by a guard and searched, not invited in like an expected guest. Peering inside, two uniformed men sat around a small table, a stack of papers between them. Their eyes connected with her and widened. They rose and removed their hats.

  “Please come in, madam.” The deep voice boomed from the man on the right as he gestured to the dry ground in front of him. His face looked a little older than middle-aged, but the silver in his hair made him look a decade older than that. The stripes on his blue wool jacket proclaimed him to be a Major.

  She approached, eyeing both men as she gave a quick curtsey. One glance at her water-logged and drooping attire sent a pang of regret through Anna’s chest. Why hadn’t she stopped to grab an umbrella?

  “It’s not often we receive the honor of a visit from a lovely lady, especially on a dreary day like today. To what do we owe such an honor?”

  Heat rose to Anna’s cheeks, and she dipped her head, but then Edward’s blackened eye flashed through her mind and she raised her chin. “Please pardon my intrusion, Major…” She paused, waiting for him to provide a name.

  “Barnes. Major Barnes,” he supplied.

  “…Major Barnes,” she continued. “My name is Miss Anna Stewart and I have an important matter that must be addressed immediately.”

  “Indeed, Miss Stewart. I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” the older man said with a slight bow. “May I introduce you to Captain Randall?” He pointed to the slender man next to him.

  The Captain also bowed, his heavy mustache and somber manner giving him the appearance of an undertaker. “A pleasure, Miss Stewart.”

  Major Barnes turned back to Anna and waved toward a chair near the entrance of the tent. “Won’t you please be seated?”

  Anna sat and, after inhaling a deep breath, began her tale. She spoke through the lump in her throat as she recounted the story of the three soldiers who had harassed them on the street then told of the same soldiers who had sought out Edward to taunt and beat him. “Even after he lay unconscious on the ground, they continued to kick and abuse him. Not stopping until the livery owner accosted them with a pitchfork.” Anna’s voice pleaded as she finished the tale.

  The Major’s face looked suddenly worn, his eyes tired and sad. “I am so sorry, Miss Stewart, for the ill-treatment you and your brother have experienced at the hands of my men. It is not our intent to be cruel to the people of Seguin but to help restore peace and a sense of unity. It saddens me to say, though, that some of my soldiers still bear a grudge for those who fought against them during the War. I will make every effort to squelch such vile behavior and punish the offenders. I do appreciate you bringing it to my attention.”

  Anna’s shoulders relaxed as relief washed over her. Her mission had been accomplished and this man would help to make things better for them. With a grateful smile she said, “I thank you, Major Barnes, for hearing me out and for your attention to this matter.”

  Rising, Anna turned to leave the tent but stopped as the Major called to her. “Please, Miss Stewart, won’t you stay unti
l the rain stops? If you’ll wait, I will have one of my men escort you home.”

  Now that her errand was complete, Anna had a strong desire to get away from this place and back home where the people were familiar. Not to mention a craving for dry clothing. With as charming a smile as she could muster, she said, “No, indeed, Major. My home is not far from here and a little more rain won’t hurt me. Thank you again for your help, and I’ll bid you both good day.”

  With that, she plunged through the tent flap and out into the weather. The rain fell in sheets now, and a bolt of lightning flashed in the distance, followed by a clap of thunder. Gritting her teeth, Anna charged ahead, trying to avoid the streams of water flowing across the muddy street. She kept her head bent low so the rain didn’t fall in her eyes.

  Suddenly, something struck her waist and the air whooshed out her lungs. Strong arms closed around her, dragging her, and then the daylight disappeared. Darkness smothered like a blinding smoke. Choking.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Anna screamed and a hand clamped over her mouth. Grimy skin reeked like a horse’s hoof, churning her stomach. She flexed her jaw but couldn’t get her teeth around the rough flesh that pressed over her face.

  “Shut up and quit yer fighting,” a voice hissed in her ear. The warm breath on her neck made Anna’s skin crawl. She stomped with all her might, and satisfaction rushed in when her boot landed squarely on his foot. The man muttered a few expletives that burned Anna’s ears.

  “Quit, you Jezebel,” he growled. “If you know what’s good for ya, you’ll keep your nose in your own business and quit talkin’ to the Major. You tell that brother of yours to shut up, too, or I’ll have my men do more than just toss him around.” The man let out a sinister laugh that spread goose bumps over Anna’s arms. His voice sounded familiar—probably the Colonel who had looked at her so lustfully on the street. She had to get away from this thug and his dark tent.

  Lord, please help! Anna’s mind screamed. A verse flickered through her mind. Fear not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee. I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Anna’s chest loosened, and peace washed through her.

  The man shuffled deeper into the tent and pulled her with him. “Now listen here, missy,” the voice rasped. “I’m going to take my hand off your mouth for just a minute, and you’re going to keep yourself quiet as a kitten, do ye hear? One little sound and you’ll regret it for the rest of yer short life.” He snickered in the darkness as she nodded. She had to pacify him as much as possible until she found the right time to make a move.

  His hand slid off her mouth and he brushed her arm as he reached for something in the darkness. Anna sucked in a breath of clean air, but the arm still cinched around her waist restricted her lungs from filling completely. As the man moved, something metallic-sounding clattered to the ground. The arm around her waist loosened just a fraction as the man bent to retrieve the object, but it was the moment Anna had been waiting for.

  Like a nitroglycerine explosion, she slammed both elbows into the man’s ribcage and kicked at his knee as hard as she could. She wasn’t sure if it was the shock or the pain that caused his hold to loosen, but Anna writhed out of his grip and bolted for the door. He recovered too quickly, though, and grabbed her hair in his fist, jerking her back to him. Anna let out the loudest scream she could muster, freedom slipping away from her.

  The man again clamped a hand over her mouth and nose, cutting off her air supply. But it was too late. Heavy boot thuds and men’s voices drifted from outside the tent, then the flap opened and lantern light illuminated the area.

  * * *

  Over the next week, Anna kept Edward close to the Mercantile, and she was too shaken up to venture farther than the backyard herself. Major Barnes had informed Uncle Walter that the Corporal had received punishment and been transferred to Virginia for his misconduct, but Anna still worried that another of the soldiers might have taken up his vendetta.

  She couldn’t stay holed up in her aunt and uncle’s house forever, though. More than anything, Anna wanted a home of their own and a livelihood. A purpose. How could she earn enough income to maintain a roof over their heads and still have enough for food? Without a large amount of capital to start a new business—which she didn’t have—it was impossible for a woman to support herself alone, much less support a fifteen-year-old brother, too. Edward’s odd jobs earned pocket change but certainly not enough to live on. Anna had become an excellent cook and housekeeper over the years since Mama passed away, but most housekeeping jobs were live-in positions, and she had to find a way for Edward and her to stay together. Lord, please send me something. I need to figure out what to do now.

  * * *

  Edward came in for supper that night fairly glowing. He fidgeted during the prayer, and as soon as Uncle Walter’s deep baritone voice said, “Amen,” Edward looked up at Anna with the shine of a schoolboy who’d just won the spelling bee.

  “Guess what?” Without waiting for a response, Edward rushed on. “A couple of cowboys were at the smithy today when I was holdin’ horses to be shod. One of ’em noticed how good I was with the animals and asked if I wanted a job as a cowpuncher. His name’s Monty and he said he’s the foreman on the Double Rocking B Ranch and they need a good cowboy. He said he’ll teach me everything I need to know. Isn’t that great, Anna?”

  Edward’s eyes looked at her with brows raised and grin wrapping his face. She didn’t have the heart to tell him no right then. But that was certainly what she planned to say. Absolutely not. The life of a cowboy was far too dangerous. She’d heard the stories of cowboys being horned to death by the crazy longhorn cows or bitten by rattlesnakes or sucked into quicksand or attacked by mountain lions. No doubt about it, Edward would not be a cowboy.

  He eyed her with brows lifted, waiting for an answer. She looked at him with her most placating smile and began, “That’s quite an honor, Eddie, that he thought so highly of your skills as a horseman. I hope you were polite when you told him no.”

  “No? Why would I tell him no?” A wrinkle formed between Edward’s eyes. “He said it pays twenty-five dollars a week. Twenty-five whole dollars. And that includes room and board. I’m to start on Monday.”

  “Start on Monday?” Anna’s pulse leaped as a tingle shot up her spine. This situation was becoming too dire to beat around the bush anymore. “Absolutely not. The work of a cowboy is far too dangerous. You simply cannot.”

  “But Anna.” Edward’s tone was steady, but he had a stubborn jut to his chin. “We need the money and it’s a respectable job. I’ll be careful, and everything will be just fine. You’ll see.”

  In desperation, Anna turned to her uncle. “Uncle Walter, please tell Edward how ridiculous this idea is.”

  Uncle Walter stroked his chin, creases forming between his dark brows. “I know the Double Rocking B and its owner well. Marty O’Brien is a good man and runs an honest spread. He would watch over the boy and see he receives proper training. Yes, I think it might be a good plan.”

  Anna sat back in her chair, astonished. She’d always respected her uncle’s wisdom and judgment. How could he possibly think this was a good idea? Apparently, she would have to take the matter into her own hands.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Anna settled into the saddle on the bay livery mare and let out a long breath. The leather beneath her and the musky smell of the horse eased the tension from her muscles. She tucked her feet in the stirrups, adjusted her grey skirt, and gathered the mare’s reins in her right hand. Straightening her shoulders, she squeezed the horse with her lower legs and relaxed as they walked out of the livery yard.

  While she rode through town, Anna couldn’t help but stare at the pretty white buildings they passed, some with decorative scrollwork. Uncle Walter had said the white material was called concrete, made out of lime that was harvested nearby. It gave the buildings an unusual solid look and wouldn’t burn or rot
. That must be why so many buildings in the town were made of the stuff. People called Seguin the ‘Concrete City’. There was even a concrete wall around the town.

  As soon as she passed through the city gate, Anna urged the mare into a trot then a rocking canter. She reveled in the breeze playing across her face and the gentle rhythm of the horse beneath her. The bay mare was an older horse, but Anna settled into the ride like coming home.

  Even though they’d lived in the city growing up, every Saturday Papa would rent three horses from the livery and he, Edward, and Anna, would go for a ride through the plantation country around Columbia. Anna smiled as she pictured Pepper, the black and white paint mare the livery owner had always saved for her. Pepper had been a small horse but quick and a high-stepper. Over the years, she’d helped Anna develop a solid seat and sit a canter with confidence.

  After loping for about fifteen minutes, Anna reined the mare back to a walk. A grin stretched across her face. Even remembering where she was headed couldn’t steal the pleasure from this moment.

  After Edward’s news of his new job, Anna had spent many hours in prayer as she went about her daily work, beseeching God for guidance in the situation. He’d not sent any miraculous signs or changed Edward’s mind, so it seemed the only thing she could do was to ride out to the ranch herself and reason with Mr. O’Brien. Surely when he understood how young and inexperienced Edward was, he would override his foreman’s decision and fire Edward before he even began to work. Since Edward was to start on Monday—just two days away—time was of the essence.

  Too soon, Anna reached the cedar post which held a sign that read Double Rocking B Ranch, just like the directions Mr. Tucker from the livery had given her. She halted the mare at the post and gazed down the dusty wagon ruts that led to a ranch house and outbuildings. From this distance, it was hard to make out details. No sign of people, but several animals milled about in the corrals near the barn. Anna inhaled a deep breath and let it out, then squared her shoulders and squeezed the mare into a jog. Might as well get this over with.