A Western Heart (Choc Lit) Read online

  ‘I might just be able to help out with that.’ He grinned at her, slapped his dust-covered Stetson against his thigh and put it back on. ‘We’re gonna be mucking out the horse barn this afternoon. The Big Circle horses will be arrivin’ Monday and we’re gettin’ ready for them. They can cover twenty miles of country in a half a day, and on a ranch with the acreage of ours, that’ll be a big saving in time when it comes to gatherin’ in the cattle so we’re keen to settle them in as soon as possible. Maybe helpin’ us with the mucking out is the sorta thing that’d amuse you. What d’you reckon?’

  She laughed, reached up to him and pulled the brim of his hat down over his eyes. ‘What I reckon is, we’ve got different ideas of havin’ fun, Will Hyde.’

  ‘I asked what you were doin’ here?’ Cora repeated, coming up to them, her hands on her hips, her green eyes flashing angrily. From her position behind Cora, Mattie glared at Rose.

  ‘Why, I’ve come to collect you, Cora,’ Rose said, glancing at her sister. ‘I thought I’d save the Hydes the trouble of bringing you back home. And as you’ve obviously finished trimming your dresses or you wouldn’t be out here, and as we’ve just heard how busy they’re gonna be this afternoon, I reckon that was a good decision.’

  ‘Cora can stay for lunch, though, can’t she, Will?’ Mattie pleaded. ‘Ma’s expectin’ her.’

  Cora looked hopefully at Will. ‘Mattie’s right – your ma invited me. We’ve got plans for after lunch so I was gonna go home later this afternoon. Ma said I could stay till this evening so long as I was back in time for dinner with the visitor, and it’s up to my ma what I do, not Rose. I know you heard her say that, Rose, so you shouldn’t’ve come so early.’

  Rose gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. ‘I must’ve forgotten. Anyway, apart from wanting to stop anyone from having to harness the horses to bring you home, Cora, I kinda thought I’d like to see Will.’ She turned back to Will and glanced up at him from beneath long dark eyelashes. ‘Feeling that way, I got into the buggy on an impulse and came.’

  He shook his head in mock admiration. ‘That was a mighty fine impulse, Rose. And of course, it wasn’t a way of putting some distance between you and the cooking this morning.’ The corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement as he looked down at her. ‘I seem to recall Cora telling me you were gonna be helping your ma today.’

  She threw back her head and laughed. ‘You know me too well. Although actually you’re wrong. I have been helping Ma all morning, and by the time I left to come here, most of the cooking had been done and I wasn’t needed real bad any longer.’

  ‘Is that so?’ he said with a smile. ‘Then let’s put my knowledge of you to the test, shall we? Right now, I reckon you’re hoping we’re all gonna walk over to the house and tell Ma that you’ll be stayin’ to lunch as well as Cora.’

  ‘I guess you do know me,’ she said, a lilt in her voice.

  ‘And you know she’ll say “yup” and be mighty pleased to see you at our table.’

  She glanced at him. Their eyes met and they smiled at each other.

  Then she turned to her sister. ‘I hope it’s okay with you if I join you for lunch, Cora.’

  ‘I guess,’ Cora said, her voice sulky.

  Rose went to her sister and put her arm around her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry if you think I’ve ruined your day. I sure didn’t mean to.’

  ‘But you did, anyway,’ Cora snapped, and she shrugged off Rose’s arm and moved closer to Mattie.

  ‘Why don’t you take Cora and Rose up to the house, Mattie?’ Will said, glancing at the faces of the two sisters. ‘As soon as we’ve finished sending the cows and calves out to graze again, I’ll wash up for lunch and join you.’

  The late afternoon sun was hanging low on the horizon when the ranch came into sight.

  ‘D’you intend to speak to me at all for the rest of today?’ Rose asked, slowing down the buggy as she guided it beneath a high wooden crossbeam burned with the words McKinley Ranch. ‘You didn’t say a word to me all through lunch, and you’ve been silent for the whole of the journey back.’

  There was no reply from Cora.

  Rose glanced across at her: Cora’s arms were folded, and her face was closed as she stared fixedly ahead.

  She turned her attention back to the track and carried on without speaking until they’d driven past the ranch house to the outbuildings to the right of the family home. Bringing the buggy to halt in front of the horses’ shed, Rose climbed down.

  Cora didn’t move.

  ‘I don’t know what’s got into you, Cora,’ Rose said, her hands still on the reins as she stared up at her sister. ‘I wanted to see Will. You’re seventeen and old enough to understand that, so I sure don’t know why you’re so angry with me.’

  ‘It’s always about you, isn’t it? It’s never about what I want,’ Cora snapped, glaring down at Rose. ‘You suddenly decide you wanna see Will, so off you go to the Hydes, and that means my day with Mattie’s ruined. What I want matters, too, you know.’

  ‘I know it does, and I’ve already told you I’m sorry I spoilt your day. You’re right, I didn’t think. But to be fair, we stayed on after lunch and in the end you’ve only lost about an hour – you’d have had to be back for dinner this evening as we’ve got that guest coming.’

  Cora glared at her. ‘If you say so.’

  ‘Also, both of us coming home a mite early could be useful for Ma,’ Rose went on. ‘There might be something left we could do to help. So I’m not the only one thinking of herself. You’re not exactly thinkin’ of Ma, are you?’

  ‘You can twist anything,’ Cora muttered. Her face sullen, she climbed down from the buggy. ‘I’ll find a wrangler to deal with the horses. You can do what you want.’ She spun round, ducked under the hitching rail and went into the horses’ barn, calling for Jesse.

  Dropping the reins, Rose walked slowly across the wide yard to the main house. As she stepped through the doorway into the hall, she heard the sound of Cora running up behind her.

  Turning round, she paused to let Cora catch her up.

  ‘Because you’re older, you always take over, Rose,’ Cora said, obviously still annoyed with her sister. ‘You may not know you do it, but you do. All through lunch, it was you that Will and his folks were talking to. And it was you doing all the talking when we sat on the veranda after lunch. No one remembered Mattie and I were there. And it’s the same here – it’s always you, never me.’

  Rose gestured her helplessness. ‘But you know why that is. It’s not just Ma and Pa – it’s the Hydes, too. They all want to see our two ranches united. It’s not about me: it’s about horses, cows, land, buildings. But you know that – why, you’ve even begun to help me out by changing the subject whenever they start on weddings.’

  ‘Then maybe you should think about helping me out sometimes. Maybe you could see that I’m not left out of the conversation. Mattie, too. We’re not babies, you know.’

  ‘Okay. I guess that’s fair. But you’ve got to make an effort, too, Cora. You’re a quiet person – except when you’re angry with me, of course,’ she added with a wry smile. ‘You don’t always speak out enough, and while that’s not a bad thing in a lady, it might be well if you made a bigger attempt to join in with conversation. I know you’ve got a strong mind and you’re a real determined person. Maybe you should let folks around here see what’s inside you, too. If they did, they’d wanna hear what you’d got to say.’

  Cora shrugged her shoulders. ‘It’s easy for you to say I should join in more. You always know what to say. I don’t.’

  ‘You had no problem talkin’ to Will this morning, I noticed,’ Rose retorted.

  ‘That’s ’cos I’ve known him for years. Not known him as well as you, of course, but I’ve seen him a lot. He’s been around all the time I’ve been growin’ up. Not that he’s ever noticed I’m there,’ she added.

  ‘From where I was standing, he sure was noticing you today. You both seemed to be doing a lot
of laughing with each other. What were you talkin’ about that was making you laugh so much?’

  Cora opened her mouth to reply.

  ‘Ah, there you are, girls. I thought I heard you,’ Julia McKinley said, hurrying from the kitchen into the hall and wiping her hands on her apron. ‘It’s just as well you’re back in good time for dinner – Mr Galloway’s gotten here sooner than we expected. I haven’t quite finished the preparations for tomorrow’s picnic so it’d help me some if one of you sits with your pa and Mr Galloway, and the other helps Maria and me finish up in the kitchen.’

  ‘I’ll help you, Ma,’ Rose volunteered. ‘Cora can sit with Pa and Mr Galloway.’

  The two girls exchanged glances. Cora gave her sister a slight smile. Rose giggled.

  Julia nodded. ‘That’s fair enough, Rose. You did rush off rather suddenly this morning,’ she said, her voice a trifle sharp. ‘With three of us working hard, it won’t take long to do what’s left. You’ll find the men in the living area, Cora. But go up and tidy yourself first.’

  She gave them a quick smile, turned and went back to the kitchen. A moment later, they heard the faint sound of her talking to Maria.

  ‘I hope Pa’s guest isn’t too old and dull,’ Cora said, pulling a face. ‘The last time someone was referred to Pa by one of his ranching connections, he was so deaf we had to scream everything at him. And Ma and Pa had to shout out every word, too. My throat was so sore after he left that all I could eat for a week was alum.’

  She pulled an expression of distaste. They both giggled.

  ‘I guess I’d better go and change,’ Cora said, ‘and then join Pa and his visitor. Don’t be too long, will you? I know I said you’d done more than your share of the talking today. Forget that. I’ll be real happy if you come on down as soon as you can and take over from me. I’ve got a feeling we’ve a long, dull evening ahead of us.’

  Holding her skirts and petticoats up, Rose ran down the stairs and then turned to go into the large living area on the right.

  As she entered the room, she saw that her father and the visitor were sitting side by side in two of the deep brown leather armchairs, their backs to her. Cora was sitting opposite them on the other side of the low dark wood table.

  At least, he didn’t have grey hair, and there weren’t any unruly whiskers bushing visibly out of the sides of his face, she thought as she stared at the back of the visitor’s head.

  ‘Ah, there you are, girl,’ Thomas McKinley said, turning slightly in his chair and catching sight of her. He stood up. ‘Meet my daughter, Rose, Galloway.’

  His back to her, the visitor rose to his feet. Her mouth started to curve into her customary smile of welcome.

  He turned to face her, and she stopped abruptly mid-smile.

  Hooded jet-black eyes burnt into her with an intensity she wasn’t used to, then swept down the length of her body.

  She felt herself go red.

  Putting her hand to her cheek to cool herself down, she stared at the man.

  He was a mighty fine-looking man, she thought. He appeared to be several years older than Will. Like Will, he was tall and lean, but whereas Will’s skin was the colour of liquid gold and his eyes as blue as the midday sky, the visitor’s skin was only lightly sun-browned. And whereas Will’s brown hair had been streaked fair by the sun, the visitor’s hair was as dark as his heavy-lidded eyes. Whatever the stranger’s business, he certainly wasn’t out on the range every day in all weathers.

  And whatever his business, he was obviously a successful man. His clothes told her that.

  Under a canvas brush jacket, he wore a crisp white shirt tucked into well-cut brown canvas pants that clung to his muscular thighs. His boots were made of the finest quality calf-skin, and the design scored into the polished leather belt that hung low on his hips was hand-tooled. Everything about him shouted out confidence and success. And masculine strength.

  ‘You’ve two fine-looking daughters, Mr McKinley,’ he said glancing from Rose to her father.

  Raising her eyes to his profile, she traced the planes and angles of his features, which were highlighted by the reflected glow of the kerosene lamps on the wall and on the table. He turned slightly towards her and caught her looking at him. Their eyes held for a moment, then she turned quickly away.

  Her skin tightened around her frame, and she suddenly felt hot and uncomfortable. Swallowing hard, she took a deep breath.

  ‘Rose, I’d like you to meet Nate Galloway. Mr Galloway’s gonna be our guest for a few days.’ Her father’s voice seemed to come from afar.

  ‘Pleased to meet you, Mr Galloway,’ she managed to say, her mouth dry.

  Nate Galloway stepped forward and took Rose’s hand. A jolt ran up her arm, and she made a move to pull her hand away, but his grip was firm. ‘And I’m mighty pleased to meet you, ma’am,’ he said, his voice a slow drawl. ‘Mighty pleased indeed.’

  ‘Go and sit next to your sister, gal,’ her pa said, indicating the armchair next to where Cora was sitting.

  Nate dropped Rose’s hand and stepped back.

  Her hand feeling empty, she sat down where her pa had said and pressed her fingers hard against the side of her skirt in an attempt at wiping away the feel of where he’d touched her.

  Nate Galloway and Thomas sat down again in the chairs facing her and Cora.

  Glancing across the table at her, Nate stretched out his long legs and gave her a lazy smile. She started to blush again, her heart hammering loudly in her chest. Wondering if Cora could hear the thudding, she glanced at her sister.

  Her face impassive, Cora was staring at her.

  Chapter Three

  ‘That was a mighty fine meal, Mrs McKinley,’ Nate said. ‘I appreciate it.’

  ‘I’m real glad you enjoyed it, Mr Galloway,’ Julia replied. She glanced at Rose and Cora. ‘I think we should let the men have their coffee and whiskey in the office, don’t you, girls? Your pa and Mr Galloway have business to talk over.’

  ‘What is your business, Mr Galloway?’ Rose asked. ‘I’m guessin’ you’re not a rancher – you don’t look leathery and weather-beaten like most of the men in these parts.’

  ‘Why, thank you, young lady,’ Thomas said, feigning outrage.

  Rose giggled.

  ‘I wouldn’t say Will looked leathery or weather-beaten, would you, Ma?’ Cora cut in. She turned to Nate. ‘Will Hyde’s from our neighbouring ranch, Mr Galloway, and he and my sister have an understanding. That’s right, isn’t it, Rose?’

  ‘Do they indeed,’ Nate murmured, and he glanced across the table at Rose.

  Rose swallowed her irritation with Cora. ‘Cora shouldn’t have said that, Mr Galloway. Will Hyde and I don’t have an understanding as such. We’re good friends, but that’s all.’

  ‘Is that so?’ he said. ‘But to go back to the question you asked, Miss McKinley. I’ve an interest in the meatpackin’ business.’

  ‘Meatpacking!’ Rose exclaimed. ‘Shouldn’t you be in Chicago, then?’

  He smiled at her. ‘I see you know a bit about the cattle business. The answer is, maybe, maybe not. Sure, the meatpackin’ industry’s moved west at the same rate as the population’s moved west, and Chicago’s now fair boomin’ thanks to the large-scale meatpackin’ houses set up by Armour and Swift. But the West’s growin’ and developin’ at a mighty pace, and there’s now talk of building a meatpackin’ house south of Chicago. Omaha’s been mentioned as a possible town to build one in.’

  Thomas nodded. ‘I heard talk about that,’ he said, ‘but I reckon the cattlemen hereabouts won’t take to the idea. It’ll add to the shipping time for the stock – the longer they’re on the railroad, the greater our loss. Havin’ a longer drive across the open range, which means less time in a railroad boxcar, is better for the cattle, and that means more money for the cattle owner.’

  ‘But cheapest thing of all is for the ranch owners to slaughter their animals where they’re raised and then ship out the dressed meat. It’s more
expensive to drive live animals across the plains to Kansas City, which is what’s happenin’ now. By the time they get there, they’re fair worn out. And then they’ve gotta be shipped by rail from Kansas to Chicago. By the time they reach Chicago, many have died in the railcars and most of those that haven’t are far too scrawny to fetch much. And that means less money for the cattle owner.’

  ‘All that’s true, of course. But you’ve gotta balance the loss caused by drivin’ live cattle and then shippin’ them by rail, against the loss caused by shippin’ a large amount of dressed beef by rail, and findin’ much of it a stinking, rotting mass when it gets to the other end. And that’s what happens.’

  ‘That’s what used to happen, sir.’ Nate paused. ‘But it won’t be happening in the future.’

  Thomas straightened up. ‘What’s your meanin’, Galloway?’

  ‘They’ve finally found a way of sending fresh, chilled beef in ice-cooled railroad boxcars, and they’ve started successfully shippin’ dressed beef from Chicago to New York. You can’t get much further east than that.’

  Thomas McKinley laughed dismissively. ‘I reckon I’d have heard about it now if that was so. Men have been lookin’ for ways of shippin’ dead beef for years now, but nothing’s worked.’

  ‘That was true till this last year, sir. And then they found the way. Swift and Company got in a man called Andrew Chase. Asked him to design a ventilated boxcar that would keep the beef cool, and he did just that. It’s well insulated, with ice packed in a compartment at the top of the car, and meat tightly packed at the bottom to stop it from shifting. And it works, Mr McKinley. It means we can ship our meat as far as we want, so there’s no reason not to slaughter the cattle closer to home, at the very moment when the cows are good and fat and will fetch the highest price.

  ‘Well, you don’t say,’ Thomas said slowly.

  ‘I sure do. You’re now gonna see a steady drop in the number of live animals bein’ shipped every year, and a rise in the amount of dressed beef being shipped.’