Ana Leigh (30 page)

“How big is the ranch?” Rose asked, flabbergasted.

“It’s between three and four hundred thousand acres.”

Rose’s eyes popped open. “What!”

“One of the largest in Texas,” Garnet said.

“The Triple M’s got everything except its own post office,” Emily added. “Just think, honey, we’ll be neighbors! Maybe not as close as roommates—since we’ve both found new ones,” she added with a grin—“but our houses will be within sight of each other. We’re all together, but each household still has its own privacy.”

“It sounds too good to be true,” Rose said. “It’s a wonder the boys would ever want to leave.”

“All our sons had to test their wings,” Garnet said, “just as their fathers did. But once they’re ready to settle down, they come back.”

“If they’re still alive, you mean,” Rose said, recalling the events of the past week: murders, Zach’s near death, her own injuries, the desperate flight to stay alive, and the heartache of betrayal—Zach’s failure to be honest with her.

She stood up, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have to get back.”

“Rose, wait,” Emily called out to her.

“I’ll talk to you later, Em,” she said, and literally ran out of the dining room.

She didn’t stop to check Zach, but went straight to the bedroom. His deceit was too big an issue to discuss until he was well. But how could she keep up a pretense that it didn’t matter until then? It would be wiser just to tell him she was going back to Brimstone to get her clothes. He’d have no reason to doubt her.

When Rose joined Zach’s family for dinner, she received another shock. The body of Will Grainger was arriving on the morning train, and the MacKenzies were taking him to the Triple M for burial. Everyone would be leaving on that train—Zach included.

With time running out, she went into his room and told him her intentions.

She might just as well have struck him. “Rosie, don’t do this to me, please. I need you,” he pleaded.

“Zach, you don’t need me. You have a devoted family who will wait on you hand and foot.”

He grabbed her hand. “You don’t really think that’s why I need you, do you? Waking up and seeing you beside me heals my body and soul. That’s why I need you, Rosie. That’s why I’ll always need you. As soon as I’m back on my feet, we’ll get married and go back to Brimstone to get your things. Or you know Kate’ll pack up your clothes and ship them to you. Okay, Rosie?” he asked, looking at her hopefully.

He was doing it to her again. Mesmerizing her with those sapphire eyes, that irresistible little-boy look. Making her forget everything except how much she loved him.

The next morning, when the train pulled out of Comanche Wells, Rose sat beside Zach’s berth. He held on to her hand as if he’d never let go, and she wondered just when she’d lost control of her own life.

Chapter 30

T
he trip had tired Zach, and he was put to bed as soon as they arrived. While he slept, Rose had a chance to look around at the compound. Emily had not exaggerated; the Triple M resembled a little village.

And it was the ideal place for a man and woman to raise their children.

She paused by a fenced-in graveyard, and was surprised to see that, despite the hired help, Josh MacKenzie was digging the grave for Will Grainger.

“You’re working hard, Josh. Can’t you get someone to help you?”

He wiped his brow. “It’s the least I can do for Will. Besides, everyone works hard on the ranch. In the years I was gone, I’d almost forgotten just how hard it is, but it’s a good life. I was ready to come back.”

“What about Emily?”

“Em loves it. She soaks up work like a sponge does water. You wouldn’t believe it, but she and my mom canned pickles last week. Emily Lawrence MacKenzie, canning pickles.” He chuckled. “What a woman.”

Rose smiled at the vision of the wealthy Eastern heiress canning pickles, and she thought of their shared giggles when they were Harvey Girls. Good Lord, it had only been a year ago. It seemed like centuries.

“This certainly is a big ranch,” Rose said. “I imagine it does keep everyone busy. It’s a cattle ranch, right?”

He nodded. “We run about forty thousand head and sell ten to fifteen thousand head a year, depending on the demand.”

“No wonder it takes so many people for the operation.”

“We grow all our own vegetables, too. With few exceptions, everything eaten on the Triple M has been raised on it.”

“You sound pretty proud of this place,” she said, smiling softly.

“The ranch wasn’t always so successful, especially after my grandfather died at the Alamo. Then it was just a little piece of land, but my dad and uncles turned it into what it’s become today.” Josh hesitated, then said, “And the women they loved toughed it out with them. I’ve got a lot of good memories, Rose, and you’ll grow to love the Triple M the same as Em has. She calls it Utopia, Texas.”

“That’s a far cry from her opinion of Long Island, where she was raised.”

“We both know what she thought of that place. Would you believe her father has even come down here and visited? He’s talking about building a house in Dallas.”

“It’s strange what courses people’s lives take. Zach and I once had a discussion on that very subject.” Suddenly, without any intention to do so, she blurted out, “He came so close to dying, Josh.”

“But it’s over, Rose. Put it behind you and look toward the future.”

“I’m trying to, but I’m not sure I belong here. I don’t think I can live up to the other MacKenzie women.”

“I think you can, Rose, and obviously Zach believes it, too. You’ve been through a rough time, but you can relax now. Zach will soon be up and around, and if it’s any comfort, you’re not alone anymore, honey: there isn’t a person on this ranch who’s not gonna look out for your welfare. Trust us—and stop doubting yourself.” He put aside the shovel and climbed out of the hole. “I reckon I better get back to the house. You okay, Rose?”

“I’m fine,” she said.

“You sure you don’t want me to send Em down?”

“No, I’m on my way back, too.”

For a long moment she sat there, staring at the stone crosses that marked the graves.

“Are you thinking how one of those markers could so easily have had Zach’s name on it? I know I have.”

Rose jerked up her head to see Garnet MacKenzie standing nearby. “Oh, forgive me, Mrs. MacKenzie, I didn’t realize you were there.” She turned back and stared at the crosses in the gravesite. “It’s very sad. There are quite a few of them, aren’t there?” She started to read the names aloud. “Kathleen MacKenzie. Sarah MacKenzie.”

“Flint’s mother, and Luke’s first wife. They were brutally killed during the Civil War while the boys were away in the army.”

“Maude Malone. Was she a MacKenzie?”

“You might say that.” Garnet smiled in memory. “Maude more or less adopted the MacKenzies. She’d been a close friend of Kathleen and Andy, and watched the three boys grow up. Our husbands loved her; our children adored her. She was the grandmother they never had.”

“And those graves marked Matthew and Linda?”

“Matthew was Luke’s and Honey’s son. The precious little one died of consumption in infancy. Linda was Cleve’s and Adee’s daughter. She was stillborn. Flint and . . .” She suddenly stopped and drew in a deep, shuddering breath.

“What is it, Mrs. MacKenzie?” Rose asked.

“Flint and I have been fortunate; we’ve never lost a child. I can’t bear to think of what it would be like.” Garnet MacKenzie turned her head and stared right into Rose’s eyes. “But I know that part of us would have died with Zach if he hadn’t survived.” Her eyes were moist as she grasped Rose’s hand. “Forgive me, Rose, but I overheard part of your conversation with Josh. Between Cynthia and Zach, my husband and I have pieced together what you did. You weren’t struggling to save your own life—you were fighting to save Zach’s. Don’t believe for a moment that you don’t have the mettle to be a MacKenzie wife. You belong here, my dear. And we’d welcome you with open arms.”

After a soft squeeze of Rose’s hand, she left as silently as she’d arrived.

The next morning, Rose sat on the wagon seat beside Zach for Will Grainger’s burial. She glanced in sympathy at the Rangers and the MacKenzie family, who stood with bowed heads and saddened faces as they said this final good-bye to their comrade and friend.

With stark awareness, she realized that every man present was serving or had served in the Texas Rangers. And his offspring were sure to follow in that same tradition. Despite Garnet MacKenzie’s words of assurance Rose knew she wouldn’t be able to mourn this stoically. How could she bear it if it had been Zach who’d fallen in the line of duty, instead of Will Grainger?

She stole a glance at Zach. He looked so pale, and his stricken countenance was a grim reminder of the anguish he was suffering. Though his wounds were healing, this funeral was taking a toll on what meager strength he’d recovered.

Maybe it was a reaction setting in, but whatever the reason, she had to get away to think the whole thing through. To try and understand what his motives for deceiving her had been. As much as it did not—could not—lessen her love for him, the deception made her heart ache. She had to go away and make peace with it; she knew she couldn’t do that at the Triple M. She’d be surrounded by people who loved him too much to be objective.

Although she’d vowed to never leave him again, she had to go back to Brimstone. Zach was past any danger, so she could leave with a clear conscience. And when he was well, she would come back and hear his explanation.

But she’d have to do it quickly. If Zach even suspected her intentions, he’d talk her out of leaving again.

If she was lucky, she could get to Calico before the northbound train came through, but she would have to borrow the ticket fare from Emily.

When they retured to the house, Zach went to bed and Rose went straight to her bedroom to get her few possessions. Removing Zach’s Colt from the pocket of her skirt, she stared at the pistol for a long moment. His life revolved around the use of a gun; hers, a Harvey Girl uniform. Could it be true they were as far apart as these symbols of their chosen lives indicated? Sighing deeply, she folded her clothing and tied it up in a package.

When she stopped to express her thanks to his parents for their hospitality, the couple was astonished.

“Rose, I don’t understand,” Garnet said. “Does Zach know you’re leaving?”

“It’s an emergency. There’s something I must do in Brimstone.” At least that wasn’t a lie. “Zach’s sleeping, and I don’t want to wake him. The funeral was very difficult for him. I’ll return as soon as possible.”

“Is there anything we can do to help, Rose?” the reticent Flint asked. His words were few, but Rose doubted he ever missed a sight or sound around him.

“No, sir. It’s something I must do myself.”

“Reckon you’ll need a ride to town,” he said. “I’ll hitch up the team and drive you.”

“I’d appreciate that, Mr. MacKenzie. I want to say a quick good-bye to Emily.” She hugged Garnet. “Thank you again, Mrs. MacKenzie. I love Zach. I’d never hurt him, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Garnet cupped Rose’s cheeks between her hands, and stared deeply into her eyes. “I know that, dear. Have a safe journey.”

It took every bit of Rose’s willpower to leave the house without stopping for one final look at Zach, but her courage and determination remained steadfast. She went straight to Emily’s house to seek her aid.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Em,” Rose said, when Emily came to the door.

Emily frowned. “Come on in, Rose. I’ve seen that look before. You’re about to do something that you know I’m not going to like.”

“I need twenty-five dollars.”

“Oh, is that all? You had me scared for a moment.” She dug into a sugar bowl in the kitchen cupboard and handed Rose the money. “If you’re going shopping, I’ll join you.”

“I’m not going shopping, Em; I’m going back to Brimstone.”

“You mean now?”

“Yes. Zach’s father is driving me to the depot.”

“Rose, what’s going on? Did you and Zach have an argument?”

“No, he doesn’t even know I’m leaving.”

“Rose, he’s going to be devastated.”

“I haven’t much time, but I’ll try to explain,” she said. “There are some things I have to think over, and I need some time alone. Away from Texas Rangers, sheriffs, outlaws, the United States Cavalry, and . . . forgive me, but, away from Mackenzies!”

“Think about what, Rose?”

“Em, I don’t know if I belong here.”

“I thought the same thing when Josh brought me here, Rose. But this family embraced me, and they will you, too. They already adore you for having saved Zach’s life. So, there’s something more than that. What aren’t you telling me?”

Rose fought the tears that threatened. “Zach lied to me, Em. He never told me he was a Texas Ranger until he thought he was dying. Until then, I believed he was a drifter. I don’t know the real Zach MacKenzie; I only know the make-believe one. He didn’t even tell me he was related to Josh. I asked him when I first met him, and he knew you were my best friend, but he still didn’t admit it. I just don’t know what to think anymore, Em. I have to get away.”

“Oh, honey, I know how you must feel. Remember, I had to struggle with my love for Josh when I knew he was pretending to be someone he wasn’t. Why don’t you confront Zach and hear what he has to say? He must have had his reasons for keeping the truth from you.”

“I’m sure he did. But I bared my soul to him, Em. Why didn’t he tell me he was a Texas Ranger? Why didn’t he tell me his family owned a zillion-acre ranch? Instead, he let me go on believing he was a penniless drifter—a member of an outlaw gang. He might have gone to his grave with me believing that.”

“Rose, I’m not trying to make excuses for him. I’m sure he loves you. He’s told the whole family he wants to marry you. As long as you love each other, nothing’s so bad that you can’t work it out. Believe me, I’m speaking from my own experience. What else matters?”

“I’m so confused lately I’m not even sure he really loves me. At one time I believed it, but I’m no longer certain, Em. Maybe he’s just grateful to me for helping to save his life.”

“Oh really, Rose! Now you
are
talking foolish. If Zach was just grateful, he’d say thank you and that would be it. He wouldn’t marry you out of gratitude. MacKenzies are too fair-minded to do that to anyone. At least go tell him good-bye.”

“I don’t have the willpower to say good-bye to him, Em, so you have to do it for me. Tell him I’ll be back. I’m not leaving forever; I just have to make peace with it myself.”

Flint rode up with the buggy, and the two women walked outside. Emily grasped her hands, and her voice broke. “Rose, are you sure this is what you want to do?”

“I don’t want to do it, Em. But I have to do it.”

Holding back her tears, Rose hugged Emily. “Remember, tell Zach I love him. Tell him I’ll be back.” She climbed into the wagon.

“When, Rose? When?” Emily ran beside the buggy as it moved away.

“I don’t know. But it will give him time to think things out, too.”

Rose turned her head and waved good-bye to the lone figure standing on the path. Garnet MacKenzie walked outside and stood next to Emily.