The Texan (2 page)

L
es Gallagher, Hank Ryan’s attorney, stood up Josh Grady came into his office. The two men solemnly shook hands. It was a sad day for both of them. They had just buried a good friend.

“Have a seat, Josh,” Les invited.

Josh sat down in the chair facing the lawyer’s desk and waited to hear what he had to say.

Les sat and spread out some papers before him. “This is Hank’s will.”

Josh only nodded. He had known when Les had asked him to come to the office that the lawyer wanted to discuss their friend’s will.

“He went over it with me not too long ago, and he was serious about how he wanted things handled if anything happened to him.”

“I still can’t believe he’s dead.” Josh shook his head. The memory of his friend’s death would be with him forever. He and some of the boys had been right there with Hank when the stampede happened.

“I know. He was a good man—a hard one, but good.”

They shared a knowing smile as they thought of the rough-and-tumble way Hank ran things.

“Which brings me to the terms of his will. Since you’re part owner of the Rocking R, he wanted me to go over everything with you first.”

Josh just nodded, remembering the meeting he’d had with Hank when he’d sought him out for a job the year before. Hank had told him that the offer to work for him still stood, but explained that he’d been going through a hard time and was short on cash. Josh had been sitting pretty with the reward from bringing in the bank robbers, so he’d offered Hank a deal—he’d give Hank the money he needed to keep the ranch running in exchange for part ownership of the Rocking R. They’d agreed to a 70/30 partnership, had drawn up a contract, and had shaken on the deal. He’d come to the Rocking R, and when the older foreman moved on, Josh had taken the job.

“Hank has left everything to his daughter, Emmie—”

“Not his wife?”

The lawyer’s expression was pained. “No. He didn’t leave Sarah a thing.”

“All right, then we’ll have to figure out a way for me to buy the place from Hank’s daughter.” Josh was surprised by the terms of the will. Hank had never said much about his wife, but since he’d still been married to her at the time of his death, Josh had thought she would inherit.

“Well, it’s not that easy. There’s more.…”

Josh wondered why the lawyer paused, looking at him awkwardly.

“Emmie inherits the estate, but only if she comes out here and takes over running the ranch.”

“What? He thought a female could run the Rocking R?” Josh was shocked. Hank had spoken of how much he’d missed his daughter, but because she’d been raised back East, Josh had never even considered that Emmie would be returning permanently.

“He did, because she is
his
daughter. He asked me to explain the situation to you in the event that something like this happened. I know you’ve never met Emmie, but I think you’ll understand better once you do.”

“What if she decides not to come back?”

“I seriously doubt that will happen. According to Hank’s will, if Emmie chooses to stay back east, she and her mother will both be cut off. All funds will be denied them.”

“Hank would leave them destitute?” Josh was shocked. The Hank he’d known always took care of his own.

“Those are the terms he set out,” Les said grimly. “I tried to reason with him, but, stubborn man that he was, there was no changing his mind. So it looks like you’re going to have a new partner to work with.”

“There’s no way I can just buy her out so she can stay back East?” Josh was frowning, his mood dark as he thought about trying to run the ranch with Hank’s daughter—a girl who’d been brought up to be a society lady, not a ranch owner.

“No.”

“What about the ranch hands? What should I tell them?”

“For now, just tell them Hank wanted to keep things going exactly as they are.”

“And you think the ranch will remain unchanged when a female who’s been raised back East takes over?”

“That’s right.” Les looked up at Josh. “He trusted you, Josh, and he admired you.”

“I felt the same way about him, but this isn’t going to be easy.” Josh knew it was going to be a challenge.

“Nothing worth doing ever is,” Les assured him. “But remember, Emmie has spent every summer with her father here on the ranch. She may surprise you.”

“I’ve heard the boys talk about her occasionally, but there’s a big difference between paying a visit every year and actually knowing the business and running things.”

“You’re right about that,” the lawyer agreed. He paused and then added, “There is one other thing.”

“What?”

“Hank never told his wife or daughter about taking you on as a partner. He was going to tell Emmie when he introduced you to her, but now that won’t happen. I thought it would be best if we could let her know after she returns to the ranch.”

“All right. Have you wired them about Hank yet?”

“No, I’m not going to send a wire. I want to be there with them when I break the news, and then I have to explain the terms of Hank’s will. I’m leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow.”

“What will happen if Emmie refuses to come back?”

Les held up a sealed envelope. “Hank’s directions are here, and he gave strict instructions that this was to be opened only if Emmie didn’t agree to the terms and she and her mother ended up being disinherited.”

Josh stood, ready to ride back to the ranch. “How long do you think the trip will take you?”

“I’ll be gone for at least three weeks, possibly longer, depending on the trains. I’ll wire you from Philadelphia and let you know when I’ll be returning—hopefully with Emmie.”

“I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

“I’ll make arrangements with Fred Harris over at the bank so you can access Hank’s money in case you need anything on the Rocking R.”

They shook hands again, then Josh left the office.

After Josh walked through the door, he stood for a moment, just staring down the street at the saloon. He thought about stopping off for a drink, but decided to ride back to the ranch instead.

There was a lot of work to be done.

The party at the Randolph mansion was well under way when the carriage carrying Sarah and Emmie Ryan arrived. They descended gracefully with the help of the doorman and were welcomed warmly
by the Randolphs as they went inside to join the festivities.

Mother and daughter were both looking forward to enjoying themselves this evening, but Sarah, in particular, was eager to see how the evening progressed. Kenneth St. James, a sophisticated young man from a wealthy family, had recently been showing interest in Emmie, and Sarah thought he would be the perfect match for her daughter. He had prestige, and his family was well established here in the East. The last thing she wanted was for Emmie even to consider returning to live in Texas. Her yearly visits to the ranch were troubling enough for Sarah. She wanted her daughter’s future to be safe and secure.

For her part, Emmie was well aware of her mother’s interest in Kenneth as a possible suitor for her. She did enjoy his company, but at that particular moment she had only one thing on her mind: finding her best friend, Millie. Emmie immediately spotted her on the far side of the room.

“There’s Millie, Mother,” she announced.

“Go and have fun, dear,” Sarah said.

“You, too,” Emmie replied, knowing how much her mother enjoyed socializing.

Sarah watched proudly as Emmie made her way across the room to join her friend. Emmie had grown into a beautiful young woman, and to night, in a new shimmering satin gown and with her dark hair styled up in a sophisticated arrangement, she looked absolutely lovely. It was Sarah’s hope that Kenneth
St. James would be smitten and ultimately propose. The thought left Sarah smiling even more brightly as she moved off to join her own circle of friends.

Emmie was smiling, too, as she watched Millie openly flirting with the young men who were hovering around her. Her pale pink gown was elegant, and she was wearing her blond hair down around her shoulders in a tumble of fashionable curls. Millie might appear to be the perfect lady, but Emmie knew she had a wild side to her. In fact, the last time they were together, Millie had mentioned that she wanted to go to Texas with her when she went for her next visit. Emmie had been truly surprised by the notion, but the more she’d thought about it lately, the more she wanted her friend to go. Emmie loved being with her father, but there were times when she did get lonely, and Millie would certainly liven the ranch up.

“I was wondering when you were going to show up,” Millie teased as she greeted Emmie. “Did you come late just so you could make a grand entrance?”

“Hardly, although I’m sure my mother enjoyed it.” Emmie laughed. “The truth is, she insisted on styling my hair up this way, and it took longer than we expected.”

Millie eyed her, smiling. “You look lovely.”

“Why, thank you, and so do you,” Emmie responded. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, and soon you will be too,” Millie said with confidence, adding, “Kenneth is here.”

“Oh, good.”

Millie didn’t think Emmie sounded too excited, but she had no chance to say more as the music started up again and one of her own suitors claimed her for the next dance. As she was whisked away onto the dance floor, Millie spotted Kenneth on his way to join Emmie.

“Good evening, Emmie,” Kenneth said, his gaze warm upon her.

“Hello, Kenneth.” She smiled up at him. He was a handsome young man with his brown hair and blue eyes, and he was certainly a gentleman.

“May I have this dance?” he asked.

“Of course.”

Kenneth took her into his arms to squire her about the room.

On the far side of the dance floor, Sarah was looking on with delight. The evening couldn’t have been working out more perfectly. Perhaps Kenneth would even propose to night.

The party passed in a whirlwind.

Kenneth spent most of the time with Emmie, and it was past midnight when he managed to slip out onto the balcony with her.

The night sky was a canopy of stars, and the moon was a mere sliver of light low on the horizon. The distant sound of the music indoors just added to the romantic feel of the evening.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Emmie said, enjoying being away from the crowd for a moment.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Kenneth said in a deep, suggestive voice as he drew her over to a quiet corner,
away from prying eyes. “I’ve been wanting to do this all evening.”

“What?” She looked up at him questioningly “Come outside?”

“No. This.” He answered her with a kiss, pulling her into his arms and holding her close.

Kenneth had kissed her before, but never quite so boldly or so passionately. She was surprised by the heat of his ardor, and a little relieved when they heard someone coming and had to move apart.

“We’d better go back inside,” she said, knowing how her mother would feel if someone started gossiping about her and Kenneth being out on the balcony unchaperoned.

“I’d like to call on you tomorrow, if that would be all right. Say around three in the afternoon?” he asked as they started indoors.

“I’ll be looking forward to it,” she answered as they went in to join the others who’d gathered near the refreshment table to partake of the punch that was being served.

“Millie tells me she’s planning to travel to Texas with you,” commented Charles Hill, one of the men who was courting Millie. “How soon will you be leaving?”

“I visit my father every summer, and I can’t wait to go again.”

“You really enjoy it there?” Kenneth asked, sounding a little surprised. “I can’t imagine living so far from civilization.”

“I love the ranch,” Emmie answered. “I miss it when I’m away.”

“But it’s dangerous, isn’t it? We’ve all heard the story of why your mother moved back,” Charles put in.

Emmie looked at Charles and knew he wouldn’t last long on the Rocking R. As she tried to imagine him spending the whole day in the saddle, working stock, she had to struggle to keep from smiling. “It’s a different way of life, that’s for sure, but I love it.”

“And I can’t wait to go. It’s going to be such an adventure,” Millie put in excitedly. “Emmie’s told me so many fascinating stories. I can’t wait to see the real Wild West for myself.”

“And your parents are letting you go?” Charles asked incredulously. “I guess you’re just too headstrong to keep at home.”

Millie didn’t mention that she hadn’t told her parents of her adventurous plan yet. There would be time for that later.

The conversation turned to other things, and before long it was time to say their good-byes.

Sarah was quite pleased with the attention Kenneth had paid to her daughter. She’d kept an eye on Emmie and was eager to speak with her about her beau.

“Did you enjoy yourself to night?” Sarah asked as they settled into their carriage for the short ride home. “I noticed Kenneth spent quite a bit of time with you.”

“Yes, he did, and he’s coming to the house tomorrow for a visit,” Emmie told her.

“That’s wonderful. We’ll have to be ready for him. What time is he stopping by?”

“Midafternoon.” Emmie glanced over at her mother and saw her delight at the news.

“Good. That gives me time to get everything prepared.”

Emmie had to hide a smile, for her mother seemed to be more excited about Kenneth coming to call than she was. “Mother, Millie mentioned to night that she’d like to travel with me when I go to visit Papa again.”

“What?” Sarah was horrified by the thought. “Her parents will never allow her to do that.”

“Well, we’re hoping they will. She’s very excited about visiting the ranch. I can’t wait to show her around. It will be fun.”

“I would hardly call ranch life fun,” Sarah said bitterly, and her comment evoked a frown from Emmie.

“Some of us enjoy it, and I think Millie will be one.”

Sarah had had this argument with her daughter many times and knew there was no point in trying to change her mind. Though she’d grown into a lady, underneath she was still a lot like Hank.