Rescuing The Wildcat Read online

  “You were right, Mrs. Hislop. He is not a nice man,” Kanti pulled her employer to one side. “He looked her over, like a cow at the auction, and told her she would not do. He insulted her and said she had duped him.”

  “Hmmp. More like he duped her into coming. I think she is well shot of the man. Please make some tea, Miss McGrath, I will see what can be salvaged from this.”

  Kanti did as she was bid, returning several moments later with the tea. By this time Mrs. Hislop was sitting with Miss Tatum who appeared to be pouring her heart out to the older woman.

  “It’s not true, I didn’t mislead him, I am twenty-four. Well, almost twenty-five, but I’m not thirty, and why should it matter if I am slender?”

  “Of course it doesn’t matter,” Mrs. Hislop soothed.

  “Do you think, if I went back and tried to talk with him, he might change his mind?”

  “Why would you want him to?” Kanti demanded. “He said you were not the only one. I think Mrs. Hislop can tell you a bit more about that.”

  “You can?” Miss Tatum regarded her hopefully.

  “Miss McGrath,” Mrs. Hislop censured, “I don’t think…”

  “I do! From what you said to me, and what I saw not twenty minutes ago, any woman would suffer if she tied herself to Forncett. Anyhow, he specifically said he didn’t want you, Miss Tatum, why should you wish to go back?” Direct, not tactful, but all true. Kanti did not generally speak out around her employer, but she would soon be leaving, and if the woman decided to dismiss her it would be no loss.

  “He seemed interested in you,” Miss Tatum accused her. “If you hadn’t been there…”

  “If I hadn’t been there, I would not now be in his sights! I think I want to stay as far as possible from that man. Tell her what you know, Mrs. Hislop, women should help each other!”

  Mrs. Hislop looked from one to the other. “You are right, we should. You are also right, he has a reputation.”

  She launched into the stories she had heard about Forncett’s antics, and about the house of ill-repute which he ran in Files Crossing.

  “Mail-order bride,” she scoffed, “mail-order slave more like. He would have you a working girl in no time at all. Once in his control you would have no way out, no escape.”

  “But…” Miss Tatum looked horrified. “He said… he said I owed him, he paid for my ticket, he said he wants the money back.”

  “Do you have the money?” Mrs. Hislop asked.

  “No, not enough. If I pay him back, I will be destitute. What am I to do?”

  She sat on the couch, her hands shaking so badly that her tea cup rattled in its saucer.

  Kanti could feel nothing but sympathy. What would it be like to have nothing? To have nowhere to call home? She might be here, working away from her home, but that was because her father did not wish her to be all alone while he was away. She could go back to the homestead any time she wished. In fact, after her encounter with Forncett, she would go sooner than she had intended. She would wait for her father at their home.

  “Do you have enough money to travel back home?” Mrs. Hislop asked Miss Tatum.

  “Not if I pay Mr. Forncett, and anyhow, there is no place for me, my father remarried and my step-mother doesn’t want me around.”

  Kanti made a decision.

  “If you don’t marry, do you need a job?”

  “I suppose I do.”

  “Then, if Mrs. Hislop is agreeable, you can have my job. I am going home.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t…”

  “Why not?” Mrs. Hislop questioned. She nodded at Kanti. “I knew Miss McGrath wouldn’t be staying much longer, I could use the help, if you are willing to give it a try?”

  “I could? You would give up your job for me?”

  “Like Mrs. Hislop says, I was leaving anyhow.”

  “So Miss Tatum, you can cook and clean?”

  “I can. I did everything for my mother until she died. My step-mother, she doesn’t like for me to do it.”

  “Then it is settled. You can stay here. Find your money and pay Forncett off.”

  Miss Tatum gave a shudder. “I don’t want to see him, and I don’t want to go into that… place.”

  Mrs. Hislop looked at Kanti, “Could you…?”

  “I would rather not. He suggested I might take Miss Tatum’s place, I would rather avoid him. Maybe I could take the money to the sheriff, explain the situation and ask him to give it to Mr. Forncett? That way the man couldn’t claim he’d not been paid back.”

  Mrs. Hislop nodded. “Get it done. Give her the money, Miss Tatum, then you can get settled in.”

  Ten minutes later Kanti delivered the money and a note to the sheriff, who agreed to pay Mr. Forncett to put an end to the whole sorry story.

  As she walked back to the Hotel, she decided she would be leaving the next morning. The sooner she got away from that horrible man, the better.

  CHAPTER THREE

  December 14th

  J ared rode towards the cabin through the fresh snow, hoping Rueben would have a good fire going, and the coffee ready and waiting.

  Seconds later he heard, and almost felt, the zap of a bullet past his ear. He’d had a couple before, and he wasn’t about to wait for the next. He bailed off Topper and let loose both horses. This was not what he’d been expecting from Rueben.

  A voice rang out.

  “You get back on that horse, mister, and you ride away. The next won’t be past your ear.”

  Not Rueben. Female; and she sounded like she meant it. Reuben’s daughter? He had mentioned her a time or two.

  “I mean no harm. I am looking for Rueben McGrath. I rode with him this summer. He told me to come visit.”

  “Really?” The voice was skeptical. “So what did he do this summer? I’ve not heard of you.”

  “He rode scout for Mr. Joel Simmonds. I rode as a hand. We are friends.”

  “Name.”

  “Jared Brown.”

  “Huh, Brown. That sounds likely!”

  “All right, it’s actually Buckingham-Brown, and I am English. How complicated do you want this to get? It’s cold out here, my horses need shelter and I could do with coffee.”

  Silenced reigned for several moments.

  “Come ahead. Come slow, and don’t think I have put the gun down.”

  Then, music to Jared’s ears, he heard a shout.

  “Hey, Jared, my friend! What are you doing?”

  Jared turned towards the voice, Reuben was approaching along the trail on the far side of the cabin.

  “Getting shot at by your daughter!” Jared shouted back to his friend.

  “Well! Dang fool of a girl!” he raised his voice even more and yelled. “Stop your belly aching, girl. Let a man in on a cold day like this.”

  The door slammed back and a small figure stepped out, rifle still held high, but not aimed.

  “And exactly what am I supposed to do when some strange fella rides up to the door? I was doing exactly like you always told me. Being careful!”

  Reuben rounded the front of the cabin. “You might find out if he’s friend or foe before waving the rifle.”

  “I might leave it too late and let him get the drop on me, too!” she retaliated sharply.

  Jared couldn’t help but agree with her. Had he known she was there, alone, he would have approached in a more cautious manner.

  “She’s right, Rueben. You know she is right!” He stepped across the yard to retrieve his horses, now standing patiently beneath the tree while the humans decided what was to happen next. “Where can I put this pair?”

  “Follow me,” Rueben ordered, “And you, girl, make sure the coffee is hot and fresh, and there are a few cookies too.”

  Jared caught the mutter from the young woman on the porch, what she said, he couldn’t quite hear, but he had little doubt it wasn’t polite! He could hardly blame her, Reuben was throwing orders about like an obnoxious trail boss.

  He followed his friend into the
small barn.

  “Wasn’t expecting to see you. I thought you were heading to stay with your brother over Christmas?”

  “I had meant to, but I think I’ve left it far too late. I want to take the ponies, and I believe I may have trouble crossing the mountains in the snow. I have heard tales.”

  “They are not just tales, they are true. One wagon party in particular left it too late, got caught in the snow. Rumors about how they survived have been bandied ever since. That was back in ’46.”

  “Your daughter seems able to take care of herself.”

  “Ahh, my Kanti. She’s a spirited lass, can ride a horse as good as any man. She can cook too. I hope she’s been baking.”

  “And if she hasn’t, you are not to lecture her on my account. She had no idea I was coming, you can’t expect her to be prepared.”

  “True. But she might have baked for her old Pa.”

  “Less of the old!” Jared laughed. “How old is Kanti?”

  “She will be twenty-two next summer. I suppose I’ve gotta start thinking I will lose her. I’m surprised she’s not found a man already, she’s a right pretty girl.”

  Jared had only one glimpse to go on, certainly, she had seemed attractive.

  Ten minutes later, horses unsaddled and settled with food, they walked back to the cabin.

  “So where did you go after we sold the cattle in Dodge City?” Reuben questioned.

  “I wandered around a great deal. First the Black Hills, then I went north to look at the hot springs at Yellowstone. Truth be told, I wasted time and I missed my chance to head over the mountains. I told Eddie I would be back for Christmas. I suppose if I got on the railroad, I could still do it, but I don’t want to lose these horses. It would also involve Eddie having to collect me, or me having to buy another horse. I will write and tell him I will see him in the spring.”

  “So you have nowhere to be for Christmas?”

  “No.”

  They entered the cabin and Reuben closed the door smartly to keep out the chill wind.

  “I suppose you think here might be a place to land?”

  Jared opened his mouth, and caught the look on the face of the young woman pouring coffee. She had heard those words, and she was not amused.

  “I only came to visit, not to impose. I will head down to the town tomorrow.”

  “You will not,” Reuben returned flatly. “You are welcomed here for as long as you like.”

  Jared caught her scowl. If it would cause upset, he would move on swiftly. Tonight there was little choice, tomorrow, time would tell.

  Kanti plonked coffee in front of him. “Milk and sugar on the table; of course, if you drink it cowboy style, you will want neither.”

  Jared looked her straight in the eye and replied as English as he could. “Thank you, Miss, but I prefer tea, with a little milk and sugar.” Her mouth dropped open. “However, I am sure I can manage to drink this, however you present it to me.” She spluttered a little, and turned away with a huff of annoyance. Meanwhile, Reuben dissolved in a fit of laughing.

  “Your face, my girl! What a picture. I hope you have got enough supper to feed this strapping young man tonight?”

  “Of course I have.”

  “Ahh, we will have a merry talk this evening,” Reuben predicted.

  ***

  Supper finished, they sat before the fire in the two easy chairs, Kanti sat on the rug with the dog. Jared offered her his seat, but she declined. He felt bad that she was on the floor, but she didn’t seem worried.

  They talked of where Jared had been since leaving Dodge City, of where they had been during the summer. Tales of long days and starlit nights, tales of hard work and camaraderie. Kanti sat and listened, but said little. As a good looking man, Jared was well accustomed to women taking notice, but Kanti seemed cautious.

  “I’m surprised you haven’t told my girl about how you fished me out of the river!” Reuben observed with a grin.

  Jared flicked his glance to Kanti once again and saw her lift her chin to stare at him.

  “You are the one who pulled him out after the cattle swamped him?”

  Jared shrugged. “I was the closest, what else could I do? We needed our scout.”

  He caught the flare of her nostrils as she digested his words. “Thank you for saving him.” To his ears the words sounded more than a little forced. Polite, but she resented having to credit him with any sort of favor.

  “If I hadn’t done it, someone else would have.” True words, but he’d not hesitated to put himself in danger to save his friend, that was the way it was, he didn’t need to boast about it.

  “I am very grateful,” Reuben said. “If I had died, my girl would have been alone. Don’t like the idea of that.”

  “But you go off and leave her alone over the summer!” Jared observed.

  “Only when I know she is going into town to work. Does her good to get away from here for a bit.”

  “Says you. I would happily stay here alone. I could ride into town if I needed anything. I am independent, I could live out here.”

  Rueben chortled breathlessly. “Ah, my girl, you are just like your grandma.”

  “Quiet, Papa,” Kanti hissed.

  “Like your grandma?” Jared questioned softly.

  “She sure is!” Kanti threw him a furious glare. “Don’t you look at me that way, there is no point in hiding the truth,” He tried to still his laughter and took a labored breath, “You are a wildcat, just the way she was. Blood will tell.”

  “Papa!”

  Jared eyed him, hoping he would continue. He did.

  “My Kanti’s grandma was a full blood Cree. She was a beautiful, and very fiery, woman.”

  “Papa,” Kanti’s entreaty was now despairing. Obviously her heritage was not an advantage. Little did the girl know it would bother him not one bit.

  He turned his eyes to her. “My eldest half-brother is the son of a Cherokee, my father married her when he was travelling here in America. Lance was born here, he now lives in England, where he will inherit my father’s estate.”

  She stared at him in disbelief. “Your brother is half Cherokee?”

  “My half-brother. If he was my brother, I would be too, wouldn’t I?”

  “So he will inherit an English estate?”

  “He will. He is already Viscount Cheney.” He gave a small sigh. “He may even have inherited by this time, and be the Earl of Edesbury. My father is almost eighty years old. I hope I will see him again, but we knew when I left that it may be good bye, forever.”

  “Oh, that is sad,” Kanti murmured. “Don’t you want to go back to find out?”

  “I will go back, but it would take many weeks. We know the way it is. After Lance had been travelling, he returned home to find he had missed his step-mother’s funeral by only a few days. He says he felt very guilty, but my father assured him there were no hard feelings, that is the way life happens.”

  “So your mother is dead?”

  “Oh no, my mother is Rupert’s third wife, I have half brothers and sisters from both previous marriages, and from my mother’s first marriage too.”

  “Oh my, how confusing.”

  “You get used to it. My half-brother Eddie lives in Oregon. I was supposed to go there for the winter, but I left it too late to cross the mountains,” he declared ruefully.

  “So now you want to stay with us.” Kanti murmured.

  “Err, no, that wasn’t necessarily my intention. I will move on and see if I can find lodgings in town. I came to see a friend.”

  “And there is no reason why you should not stay!” Reuben declared staunchly.

  “For a day or two,” Jared agreed. In truth, he would like to have stayed, but the homestead was smaller than he had expected, there was no separate room in which he could stay. He couldn’t see how it would work, someone would need to sleep in the main room! And that had better be him.

  ***

  Kanti watched him, he was a handsome ma
n, an unusual man. He declared her native blood to be of no consequence. She was not ashamed of her heritage, she was proud of her Cree forbearers, but that didn’t alter the fact that most people looked down on her because of it. If he was accepting, then maybe…?

  But she shouldn’t even think that way. She liked the way he looked, but he was English, and so far above her in station that she would seem no more than a servant to him. She wanted a man of her own, but she would be no man’s mistress. With this man, that would surely be her only choice.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  T he following day Jared helped his friend on his small farm. Both he and his daughter had only been back for a few days, there was much to be repaired and replaced. Reuben too had not come straight home after his arrival in Dodge City. He had detoured to look at some silver mining claims, but he had not found much to hold his attention. He had returned to town to collect his daughter, to find she had preceded him back to the homestead by only two days. He’d never intended to stay away until December, he’d meant to be back in early November, so he could hardly criticize Jared for his failure to take note of the date.

  There was plenty to keep them busy.

  “Ahh, Jared my friend, it was a good move you coming here. I need the help to get this place respectable again. Things seem to fall apart when there is no-one here,” Rueben declared.

  “I’m happy to help, but I do agree with Kanti, I can’t stay for long unless I sleep in the barn.”

  “You can’t do that!”

  “I should not be sleeping in the house with an unmarried lady, when there are not enough rooms for privacy,” he pointed out.

  “Who is to know?”

  “You would be surprised! It will damage Kanti’s chances of a good marriage.”

  “I don’t think my girl has any ideas of marriage at the moment,” Reuben eyed him thoughtfully, “Unless you are looking to court her?”

  “Don’t be daft, I barely know her.”

  “Ahh well, it’s worth a thought, surely?”

  ***