Chapter 23

Jed paced back and forth on the small platform and heard the whistle blow. His head shot up in the direction and smiled. He would always think of Emily when he heard that. Though he could not remember where he put his hat that morning or his wallet, he hoped he would never forget the first time he met Em.

Suddenly, he realized how he missed Maria Hightower, even though the summer flew by, and they had received a few letters from her.

In a few moments, the train chugged into the Silverhill station. Jed couldn’t help himself. He smiled happily as the train stopped at the platform. It was only three cars long, but Jed found it amazing the amount people that streamed out of the doors.

Rick Cumberland seemed like he was holding court as he spoke to the tourists. “Now, folks, this is Silverhill, Montana, a throwback to the Old West. It’s cattle country and many a cattle drive passed through here, thousands of head of cattle sent on their way to the cattle towns of the Southwest. Silverhill was founded in 1835 by a man who was prospecting for silver….”

From engineer to tour guide, Jed thought he looked like he enjoyed his new job. He scratched his head as the stream of visitors snapped pictures and followed Rick through the station.

“I’ll be damned.” Jed scratched his head. “I guess Tess was right.”

“It’s not a good sign for a man of such wealth to be talking to himself,” Maria’s soft voice called out behind him.

Jed whirled around and gazed at the smiling familiar face. He realized just how much he missed her. “Maria” was all Jed could say. He took off his hat.

“You look well, Jed.” Her soulful brown eyes smiled warmly.

“You look different. What is it?” he asked curiously as he searched her face.

She wore the same wide-brimmed sage green cowboy hat that she always wore, the eagle feather lying on the crown. Her long silky brown hair with gray streaks gracefully running through it lay comfortably in a long braid down her back. Her white shirt tucked in to her mid-calf denim skirt rounded off her look of a typical western lady. However, her air of regal Cherokee heritage was predominant.

“You’re a fine-looking woman, Maria.”

“Am I, Jed Rawlins? I must go away more often,” she said with a small grin.

Jed returned the grin. “Oh, no, never again. I hope everything is all right with your family?”

“Yes, now. Thank you for asking. So how are things at the ranch? How is Claire doing?” Maria asked as they walked through the station. “Do I still have a job?”

“Things are going very well. Claire is doing a wonderful job. And you will always have a home on the ranch. You know that. Tess has a wild idea for the old house.” He then thought of Tess and Claire. “Um, things around here have changed.”

He gently guided Maria out of the station and placed her suitcase in the Jeep. “Walk with me?”

They walked to the outskirts of Silverhill and Jed glanced at the woman he had known since Emily’s passing. He remembered when Maria Hightower came to the Double R. She fit right in with his family. Taking Tess and Stephen under her wing, teaching them about the Cherokee way of life, showing all of them how to live in peace with the land and one another.

“You’re scaring me,” Maria said.

“I don’t mean to scare you, though when I’m done telling you this, you very well may be.” He took a deep breath and explained Tess’s idea of turning the old house into a guesthouse for tourists and turning the Double R into a working ranch. He also told her about Tess and Claire and their love for each other.

Maria listened intently, raising an eyebrow once. She then nodded and smiled slightly. “I assumed as much. I sensed it from Claire when I first met her.”

Jed gaped at her. “What? How? My Lord, that’s exactly what Emily had said about Tess. What is it with women?”

Marie chuckled openly. “Men are too busy being logical. You don’t listen with your heart,” she said. “Do I still have a job at the Double R?”

“Yes, thank God. I’ve come to love Claire, but I really missed you.”

“Thank you.” Maria smiled. “I’ve missed you and the ranch.”

“Well, good, because like I said, you’re not going anywhere. If I’m not mistaken, I think Tess and Claire will move into the old house and take care of the guests. I’m sure Claire will take care of the house and the cooking. Tess will look after the activities. You should see her. Remember how she and Steve used to fish in the stream? Well, who knew that would be an attraction. Fly fishing. Tess got one of her college friends to work on the computer, I guess, for a Web site and all that.”

“What will she do about her job at the college?”

“That’s the best part. Her contract will be up soon. She’s been in contact with them, and the agriculture department is going to let her to do some sort of independent study for students and use the ranch as their playground.”

He laughed along with Maria. “She’s got a mind, that girl. Gets it from her father,” he said, stealing a glance at Maria.

“My goodness, it’s been busy. But Tess found a way to keep the ranch. This is good.”

“Yes, it is. And it’s good to have you home again. And you won’t ever leave?”

“I’ll never leave.”

Maria slipped her arm in Jed’s as they walked through town.

“Maria!” Tess called out as she dashed off the porch and hugged her old friend, lifting her off the ground and twirling her around. Jed laughed as he took the luggage out.

“Put me down, you idiot!” Maria exclaimed as Tess set her down.

“Boy, I’ve missed you.” She kissed her cheek.

“I’ve missed you, as well. I understand you’ve been a busy woman,” she said and glanced at Claire.

Tess blushed deeply. “More than you know.” She stopped short, not knowing what in the world to say.

Maria laughed and took her hand, leading her to the porch. “Your father has told me all about your new venture with the ranch. It’s good.” She noticed Claire and smiled. “This is good, as well.”

Claire hugged Maria. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

“Thank you, Claire.”

Maria took her hand and reached for Tess’s hand, as well. “It will not be easy, but to find love is wonderful. To keep it is hard work. Be partners.”

“Hey, Maria!” Jack’s voice called out as he rode up.

“Good heavens, is that Jack?” Maria asked in amazement.

Claire nodded. “Unbelievable, isn’t it?”

“He looks like a young man, not a boy.”

Jack swung off his horse and hugged Maria. “Let me look at you. Jack, you are so handsome. I see your mother in you now. More than ever,” she whispered, and Jack’s grin covered his face.

“Let’s get you settled in your room. Jack is staying in the bunkhouse, Claire and I, well, we’re staying in the old house. And…”

Claire mercifully stepped in. “I think she gets the general idea, honey.”

Jed drove into town to meet with Tom about the last-minute preparations for the cattle drive. After settling everything, Tom shifted uncomfortably in his chair. His old friend gave him a curious look.

“What’s the matter with you?” he asked lightly. He was in too good a mood. Tom was about to change that.

“Jed, we’ve known each other all our lives. I consider you one of my closest friends. And what I’m gonna tell you is for your benefit.”

Jed sat tall in the chair and studied Tom. “Okay.” He knew what was coming.

“A few people saw Claire and Tess earlier…”

“So?” His voice was even and clear. His anger rose.

Tom took a deep breath. “Jed, there’s talk. Tess was kissing her...”

Jed leaned forward in the chair. “This is no one’s business but Claire’s and Tess’s, who I might add will inherit the Double R Ranch someday, the ranch that gives a good many people their livelihoods. Now what is your point?”

Tom rubbed his face tiredly. “I like Claire. I respect Tess, and I don’t care who she fools around with.”

“Fool around! I’ll have you know those two women are deeply in love. If it were possible for them to marry, they would. So be very careful how you choose your next words,” Jed said in a controlled voice.

“Marry her? Jed, are you trying to give Warren Telford ammunition? It’s bad enough they’re talking about them behind your back, do you want...?”

Jed stood and banged his fist on the desk. “Enough! What my family does is my family’s business. We don’t expect anyone to live by our rules and expect the same in return. My family has practically kept this town alive for over a hundred years with our sweat and blood and sharing our good fortune…”

“Please listen to me. Telford’s already talked to some of the ranch owners in town today. The rumor is spreading like wildfire. I overheard him talking to the Drummond kid. He’s threatening to expose the whole thing unless…”

“Unless?” Jed asked slowly, keeping his fists clenched at his side.

“Unless you give him the north pasture. That’s what he told Ethan Drummond. There are a couple of ranchers who are backing him,” Tom said. He walked around the desk and held out his hand. “I for one am not. I love Tess. I’m telling you this to warn you. Telford will stop at nothing. We both know he was involved with Stephen’s death. Please be careful.”

Jed hesitated for a moment, then took Tom’s hand. “Sorry if I got a little riled.”

Tom chuckled and placed his other hand on Jed’s strong shoulder. “Just one thing?”

“What?”

“Can they get married?”

“Tom, I never thought Emily would die so young. I never thought I’d see the day when cattle ranching would become a thing of the past. I never thought I’d be struggling to keep my family’s ranch. So I have no idea what’s possible anymore.”

As Jed walked out of Tom’s store, he noticed Ethan Drummond getting into his convertible.

“Good evening, Drummond,” Jed called out.

Ethan’s head shot up and he smiled slightly. “Good evening, Mr. Rawlins. How are you?”

Jed watched him for a moment, remembering how he used to come by the house as a kid. He and Stephen were good friends.

“I’m doing just fine. I haven’t seen you in town the last few days. How’s business at the bank?”

Jed noticed his hesitation and placed his hands on the car door. “I hope whatever you’re doing, you know what you’re getting into, son.”

Ethan swallowed and nodded. “I do too, Mr. Rawlins. Just remember…” He stopped and grinned. “You take care. It was good to see you. Say hi to Tess and Claire for me,” he finished and put the car in gear.

Jed nodded and stepped back, allowing Ethan to pull out of the space and head out of town.