Revealed (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 3) Page 7

  Mama still slept behind the closed connecting door. She wouldn’t be joining them for supper, and Maria would bring her meal later, so as not to disturb her rest. The train trip had been more tiring than either Katherine or Mama had realized. Katherine, herself, was bone weary and would love nothing more than to have her meal here with Mama.

  But it would be rude not to show for supper. With one last peek into the mirror, she pinched her cheeks for some color, left her lovely room, and trekked down the hall.

  She followed voices coming from the dining room. The double pocket doors had been opened and, as she rounded the corner, she found everyone seated. Her nerves kicked flutters in her stomach. Was the clock in her room wrong? Had she kept them waiting?

  Rhyan was at the head of the long table with Carianne to his right. A silver blonde woman with her back to Katherine sat to Rhyan’s left. A man Katherine didn’t know sat beside Lila on the other side, and Maria and Carlos opposite.

  She’d never known servants to sit down at meals with family. That never happened in Papa’s house. Everyone kept to their places. But the servants in Charleston were former slaves, so that might make a difference, though it shouldn’t. Mama would be scandalized to see this, and Katherine hoped she wouldn’t say anything to hurt these people’s feelings.

  The men stood as Katherine stepped into the room, and Carianne gestured for her to sit in the vacant chair beside her. Was it by design that Colt was placed next? He smiled at her and held her chair as she seated herself. Whether by accident or design, she was glad.

  “I’m sorry to be late.” She let her gaze travel around the table.

  “Not late,” the older, blonde lady said. “Just in time. I’m Emma, and you owe me a hug after supper.”

  “Thank you, I won’t forget. I heard you’re a fellow Southerner.”

  Emma laughed. “That’s right, and I found myself surrounded by Yankees for a long time, especially when folks piled in for the land deal after the war. But you know what I found out? Folks are just folks, no matter where they’re from. Some good, some bad. We have to look into their hearts to find the real person.” How true. Emma was a wise woman, and Katherine felt drawn to her in more ways than one.

  “Katherine is from Charleston, Ma,” Colt said.

  Emma’s blue eyes widened in delight. “You know, my grandma came from Charleston. She’d never even met my grandpa before they married. It was arranged. That happened a lot back then. Oh, the stories she told about Charleston, and I always wanted to go there someday. I bet this place is stark compared to what you’re used to.”

  That’s what Colt had called it. Stark. Katherine recalled the vast stretches of prairie grass interrupted only by green patches of farms that flew by the train’s window on the trip out. “Yes, it is, and I’m already a little homesick.”

  “You’ll get used to it.” Colt’s soft baritone made her glance his way. “I wouldn’t think of living anywhere else in the world.”

  Rhyan tapped his glass with a spoon. Chatter ceased and all eyes turned to him as he stood. Katherine expected him to give a speech, and was surprised when he bowed his head and began a blessing.

  They’d never had grace said at home except for special occasions, and maybe he considered this a special occasion. She ducked her head along with everyone else.

  He might as well have given a speech because the prayer was long enough. After blessing the food, he mentioned the entire ranch and different people by name, most she had yet to meet.

  “And Lord God, my thanks overflows that I have found my mother and sister, a blessing I’d despaired of receiving. Unite us all in Your love. Amen.”

  Katherine looked at her brother with new understanding. All she knew of his past was what she’d read in newspaper articles, which indicated he was rather irreverent. Did he really look upon her as a blessing? She was far more blessed to have found him.

  Mostly she felt ashamed. God had saved her and Mama from their retched situation and brought them here, and she’d not even thought to thank Him. And there was much to be thankful for. Like good food. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation as dishes were passed around the table.

  This was country cooking. Creamed corn and fresh peas, mashed potatoes and gravy and cut-with-a-fork pot roast. Fluffy biscuits and rich butter. Ice Cold lemonade. How could she ever eat all she piled on her plate? During the past year, her stomach had shrunk from sheer hunger, but she was going to do her best to stretch it tonight. Nothing broke the silence for a while except the sound of silverware on china.

  For several minutes the food warred with Colt for her attention. She couldn’t help sending some sidelong glances in his direction. He was dressed in coat and tie tonight as were all the men. Large calloused hands handled his silverware as well as any gentleman she’d known back east.

  She appreciated the way the chandelier lights danced off his blond head. He caught her staring. A wide smile stretched his bronzed face. “Are you enjoying the meal as much as me?”

  Heat crept up her neck, and she dipped her head, laughing nervously. “It’s delicious, but I’m afraid my eyes are bigger than my stomach, as my mammy used to say.”

  “You had a mammy?”

  “Oh, yes, such a dear one. She passed away a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but she left you some good memories, I see.”

  Water gathered in her eyes, and she sipped the lemonade to force the lump that rose in her throat. It seemed that everyone who’d loved her had died, except Mama. And she was so sick. All she had was memories. Life had been so carefree back then.

  All of the ladies were in evening dress except her. She wished she’d taken the time to redo her hair. She suddenly felt as dowdy as a country mouse in her mended day dress. Maybe she should have asked to borrow an evening gown from Carianne until one could be made for her.

  “I have a lot of wonderful memories,” she said, then stuffed a piece of beef in her mouth to prevent further conversation.

  “Colt, would you take CeCe to town tomorrow? You’re still helping Tom at the livery, aren’t you?” Rhyan asked.

  CeCe was Rhyan’s pet name for Carianne, and Cowboy was her pet name for him. And Sweetie. And Darling.

  “No, but I’d be glad to take her. I’m helping Charley train her horse.”

  “I can drive myself, sweetie,” Carianne said.

  “No, you can’t. There may be rustlers about. I would go myself, but we’re short-handed right now.”

  A dart of alarm shot through Katherine. Mama always said she was a worrywart, looking for a devil behind every bush. But rustlers sounded ominous.

  “You lost any cattle, cowboy?” Emma asked.

  “Not yet, but Stu Martin lost two last week.”

  “Would you like to go with me, Katherine?” Carianne’s question caught Katherine off guard. “You didn’t get to see the library and amphitheater today.”

  With her mouth full, Katherine could only nod. Maybe she could find some way to help Carianne with the operation, though how, she didn’t know.

  “Now that’s a fine idea,” Emma said. “And I will come over here with Colt and sit with Arabella while y’all are gone. We’ll have a fine time reminiscing. I always enjoy pulling out memories of Opal. She’s been gone ten years now, but I miss her like it was yesterday.” She directed a smile to Katherine. “Wish you’d known your grandma. She was the kindest, most loving person I’ve ever known.”

  “I’d love to hear all about Opal, but I can’t really claim her as my grandmother. Rhyan is my half-brother, and I wouldn’t be related to his father’s people.”

  Silence fell like a wet blanket over the table. Katherine looked one way and the other to find all eyes fixed on her. What did she say? Heat flamed her face, and she stared at her plate, her stomach suddenly too full to eat any more. Her brain scrambled to find some reason she’d offended everyone.

  “Do you ride horseback, Katherine?” Carianne asked.

  Katherine g
rabbed it like a lifeline from the uncomfortable moment. “I haven’t had a horse in two years, but yes, I learned how to ride.”

  “I haven’t ridden since before Davey was born, so we’re both rusty. Later in the week, we’ll find you a gentle mount. I’ll show you around the ranch.”

  Rhyan pushed back in his chair, and Carianne waved her hand in his face. “I know, there are rustlers in the area. We’ll only go where the cowboys are working. Although I’d love to take Katherine to the river beach.”

  Chair legs scraped the floor and Rhyan raised one leg in mid-air. “CeCe, do you see this foot?”

  “I do, and you need to clean those boots.”

  Everyone laughed, the previous tension gone. Carianne deflected well.

  Even Rhyan smiled as he lowered his leg. “I’m putting it down. Neither you nor Katherine are riding around the ranch until those crooks are caught.”

  “Why don’t you get Charley to go with them? You hired her to be Carianne’s bodyguard.” Colt came across as both a peacemaker and a problem solver, two traits Katherine admired in a man. He met her glance and added, “Charley is a sharp shooter.”

  “She was a bodyguard until CeCe put her in the Wild West Show,” Rhyan said, then huffed a sigh. “All right, get Charley to go with you. You’re meeting with her tomorrow, aren’t you?”

  “I am.” Carianne pointed a spoon toward Katherine. “Don’t let me forget to ask her, Katherine. I’m sure she won’t mind.”

  Conversation turned to more mundane subjects—the goings-on of the town. Thankfully, subjects Katherine knew nothing about. She could turn her attention back to her food and keep quiet.

  ***

  As soon as supper was over, Mr. Elder took his leave, and Lila left to attend the baby. The rest gathered in the living room around the expansive hearth. Katherine found a corner in the shadows, imagining how homey it would be in the winter with a roaring fire. Maybe by then she’d feel comfortable joining in.

  No fires were needed this evening. She waved her fan lazily to both cool her face and keep it hidden. Colt snagged a guitar that leaned beside the fireplace and sat on the raised stone front. He began to play.

  Minutes ticked into hours as everyone joined in old campfire songs. Katherine sat forward on her wingback chair, finding it hard to keep her feet from tapping in time to the music, all her focus on Colt. The pleasant notes of the guitar and his compelling voice mesmerize her. She’d always loved music and recalled he’d invited her to play the piano at the Cowboy Chapel. Tomorrow, she’d find the piano in this house, if there was one, and practice.

  Shortly before eleven, Colt stood and returned the guitar to its resting place. This signaled the end of the evening. Hugs and good-nights followed. Maria and Carlos disappeared into their wing, and Emma and Colt departed shortly afterward.

  Katherine started toward the hall leading to Mama’s and her bedrooms. Maria had taken Mama supper and hadn’t returned. Katherine didn’t know whether that meant Mama was awake and all right, or whether she needed Maria’s help.

  Stretching her tired muscles, she yawned. It had been a long day, and sleep should come easily tonight. All worries of keeping a roof over her head and food on the table had gone. But a strange cross between anxiety and excitement took over where the worries had been. She hoped they wouldn’t disturb her slumber.

  The last to leave the living room, she got her bearings and rounded the corner leading to her bedroom.

  Rhyan called her name from the library, stopping her in her tracks. She pivoted in that direction, apprehension following. What could he want this late?

  She’d wanted to explore the library anyway. Maybe find a book to read in bed—something to wrangle those thoughts ricocheting around her brain.

  The room itself was enormous, larger than her apartment in Charleston. Much larger than Papa’s library. She glanced to the right and left. Book shelves covered most of the wall space, except for tall windows that looked out on the portico and the lawn beyond. For a moment she stopped to enjoy the way lanterns lit the overhangs and walkways. This wasn’t just a big house. It was a mansion.

  She turned to find Rhyan’s dark eyes apprising her. He stood beyond the long table beside a reading nook of two large burgundy chairs. She strode forward and sank into the buttery soft leather of the first chair. It was roomy enough for her to pull up her feet and get lost in a book or her thoughts. But the expression on her brother’s face made her think she wouldn’t like this interview.

  He sat on the edge of the other chair and leaned his hands on his knees as he stared at the floor. “I know it’s late, Katherine, but I have something to discuss with you tonight because I might not see you in the morning.”

  She wished she could think of something to make light of the situation to counteract his somber tone. “It’s all right. I’m not sleepy.” Her voice sounded so young and pathetic.

  It did earn her a glance from him. His eyes softened with a look of pity. “When you told us how your father’s relatives ran you off his property because Mother had no legal claim to it, I had no idea you didn’t believe—” He opened his hands palms up. “That their charges were true.”

  He wasn’t making much sense, or maybe she was more tired than she realized, and her brain wasn’t functioning. What did Papa’s relatives outrageous claims have to do with anything?

  “What charges?”

  “That Mother was never married to Gerald Levinson.”

  She couldn’t help leaping from the chair. “That’s not true. I saw their marriage certificate myself.”

  “What was the date of their marriage?”

  “I…I don’t recall.” She slowly lowered herself to the chair. Why was she lying to him? She knew perfectly well the marriage date was but six months before her birth. But that happened more often than people realized, didn’t it? Rhyan himself was conceived before Mama’s marriage to Cortland Cason. That didn’t speak well of Mama, she admitted that. Why would he dredge up old sins?

  “It doesn’t matter, Katherine, because it was a bigamous marriage.” His voice took on a conciliatory tone. “Mother never received a divorce from my father, and he was living at the time of her marriage to Levinson.”

  No. Fury shook her. She had to hold onto each side of her chair to keep from jumping on him, pounding his chest until he took it back. Regardless that he’d been kind enough to rescue her and Mama and offered them every luxury this house held, he couldn’t disparage her parents—to suggest they would pretend to be married while living in sin.

  True, they committed an indiscretion. Many couples did. But their marriage was as valid as any. The idea that her dear Papa would steal another man’s wife was absurd.

  Despite the warning signs she gave him, Rhyan seemed determined to have his say. “Your father was a lawyer. He must have known his marriage to our mother was a farce. Why he would’ve done such a thing is beyond me, but when a man is in love, he’ll do anything to please the woman he loves. And I have no doubt he loved Mother. Or that he loved you as his own.”

  That was enough. She couldn’t listen to this. He didn’t know Papa. Didn’t know how Papa had quieted her nightmares, dried her tears, listened to her every problem, never failed to bring her treats from his journeys. God had taken Papa away, and now Rhyan was trying to take her good memories away.

  She sprang forward, standing in front of him, forcing him to rear back and look up. “I am his own, and I don’t care what you say, or what that horrid Elvira said, or what the law says. My parents were married in the sight of God, and that’s good enough for me.”

  If she didn’t get out of here, the tears would flow, and she couldn’t let him see her cry. She jerked away and was half-way across the room when he caught by the arm and swung her around. “Katherine, I can understand how you feel. I probably would feel the same way. But you have to face the truth.”

  She bit her lip and refused to look him in the eye as he continued. “People around here remember what happ
ened when Mother left, but they’ll have sympathy for you. However, you have to understand that your name is Katherine Cason. So, you must not keep insisting that you carry the name of the man who knowingly ran away with our mother and lived with her in an adulterous…” He trailed off. His tone had turned hard, reminding her he was a man used to giving orders and wouldn’t accept objections. Until she reached majority, he was her guardian and she’d have to obey him.

  Very well, Katherine would hold her peace and voice her opinion to Carianne.

  “What about Mama? Does she agree to renounce her name?”

  “She knows full well her name is Arabella Cason, but I don’t intend to bother her with any of this while she’s sick, and I ask you to do likewise.”

  He needn’t worry about her talking to Mama. She couldn’t voice such an unsavory subject with anyone, least of all her mother. “Of course,” she said, surprised at how calm she sounded. “Good-night.”

  She pivoted away and forced wide strides to carry her from the room. This time, he didn’t stop her.

  Chapter 7

  Dust clouded the strip of road through Westerfield’s business district. It hadn’t rained in over a week. Even the vibrant green grass had taken on a parched look. Colt sent a squinted gaze to the heavens. The sky was as blue and devoid of clouds as he’d ever seen it.

  “Whoa, girls.” He tugged the reins of the bay mares pulling the wagon. One of them could’ve done the job of hauling Carianne, Katherine, and him, but he’d harnessed the pair because they’d have the additional heavy load of supplies to carry back to the ranch.

  Colt had found Katherine reserved, even a little sad on the ride into town. This surprised him since she’d come out of her shell during the sing-along last night. Clapping her hands, keeping time to the music with her feet, she was as animated as any young lady trying to adjust to new surroundings in a casual social setting.

  He hadn’t missed the many glances of admiration she’d sent his way. She gave out all the signs of a woman who was attracted to him. He’d have to tread lightly there. Katherine was little more than a child, probably kept shielded during her childhood.