Big Sky Homecoming

Still chuckling, Duke entered through the kitchen door. Mrs. Humphrey slipped cookies from a baking sheet onto a cooling rack.

“Mmm. Cookies. Smells good.” He snagged up two as he passed and bit into one. “Hot.”

Mrs. Humphrey shook a towel at him. “They just came out of the oven. What did you expect?”

“I sure did miss your cooking while I was away.” He crossed toward the sitting-room door.

“Glad to have you back, Duke,” she called.

“Not half as glad as I am to be back.” He’d enjoyed meeting his grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins in Philadelphia but every day he’d missed Montana.

He stepped into the sitting room and stared at the traveling bags lined up. Mother laid a coat across a nearby chair.

“You going away?”

“Governor Toole has sent your father an invitation to attend some meetings. Your father thinks he might be asked to work on a committee.”

“I need to speak to him before he goes.”

“You’ll find him in the office.”

Duke crossed the room and stepped into his father’s office. Father gathered papers together and slipped them into a satchel.

“Can we talk?” Duke waited, hoping his father would give him his undivided attention. He didn’t.

“By all means. I’m leaving you in charge while I’m gone.”

Duke’s chest swelled with anticipation. Since his return, he’d wanted to take on more responsibility.

“Not that there’ll be anything requiring attention. Ebner has things under control.”

The foreman. Duke’s chest deflated. Would his father ever see him as capable? It was ironic. Father—the one person who should value him as a Caldwell—didn’t, while others couldn’t overlook it.

He’d experienced it many times over his life. Like the time when Duke was fourteen and a man befriended him. Duke soon learned it was only so he could approach “Mr. Caldwell” for a favor.

Then there was Jane Johnson, a gal he’d courted for a very short time before his trip to Philadelphia. She’d expected gifts and tokens, and when he’d failed to bring them she’d claimed surely a Caldwell could afford to win her affections that way. He wasn’t interested in her anymore.

In Philadelphia, being a Caldwell had brought the ladies flocking to his side. He’d thought they were truly interested in him. Especially Enid Elliot. She’d hung on his every word. Made him feel ten feet tall. They’d even discussed marriage. He’d been about to offer his hand when he’d overheard her talking to her friends.

“He’s a Caldwell. His name and money are worth overlooking the fact I find him a bit loutish. All he talks about is his horse and his ranch.” She’d made a dismissive noise. “I have no intention of living out west. He’ll soon come to see my point of view.”

He’d come to his senses rather quickly after that and the offer of marriage had never been made. In hindsight, he considered himself fortunate to have discovered the truth beforehand, but it hurt to know her attention had been for such a selfish reason.

To Enid, being a Caldwell meant she could benefit from his name.

To Rose, being a Caldwell meant he was her opponent.

He wished he could just be Duke and have someone care about him for his sake alone.

He sucked in a long breath and focused on what he meant to say to his father. “I’ll manage everything.” He sank into a chair in front of the big mahogany desk. How often had he tiptoed into this room when Father was away and sat in Father’s chair, taken up pen and paper and pretended he was in charge? He’d planned the things he’d wanted to do, the changes he’d like to make. He’d implement a new breeding program with imported bulls. He’d put up hay for the winter—

Now was not the time for dreaming. “Father, could you sit down a moment?”

His father gave him a distracted look, then sat. “I don’t have long. We’re planning to leave first thing in the morning.”

That would give Father plenty of time to listen to Duke’s request and to act on it. “Father, I happened to ride by the Bells on my way home and found their sheep had been let out of the pen.”

“They should have better fences.”

Father and son studied each other, measuring, assessing. Duke would not blink, would not show any sign of weakness in front of this powerful man who considered his word to be law.

“Their fences and gates are perfectly adequate and I think you know it. Someone opened the gate and let the sheep out. Just like someone purposely drove the cattle over their property and did a number of other destructive things. Father, the land is theirs. We have no right to harass them. It’s wrong.” Knowing his father meant to go to Helena to see the governor, Duke saw how he could use that to his advantage.

“Governor Toole would not view it as appropriate. Don’t you think it’s time to end this?”

Father tented his fingertips and looked thoughtful.

Duke pressed his point. “Inform the cowboys to end their harassment before you go, then you can go to Helena knowing you’ve done the honorable thing.”

“Son, I think you’d make a good politician.”

Duke would be happy being a good neighbor.

Father pushed back from the desk and got to his feet. “You have a point. I’ll deal with this before I leave.”

Duke got up, too, and offered his hand to Father. They shook.

The feud was over.

He’d tell Rose himself.

* * *

He’d fine-tuned his plans last night and rose Sunday morning eager to start the day. He knew the Bells didn’t work on Sunday, so that afternoon would be a perfect opportunity to pay them a visit.

His parents left early for Helena as he and Billy prepared for church. They rode their horses into town, many greeting him as he swung down and strode toward the church steps.

The Bells were already seated in their customary place. He studied the new husbands some. They looked like nice enough fellows.

The Caldwells always sat on the left side of the church, two pews from the front. But today he chose a spot across from the Bells, in a back a row where he could watch Rose without appearing to.

She wore her rich red hair braided and wound around her head in a fetching way. Strands of it had escaped to hang down in little curls that brushed her neck.

His hands curled with an urge to lean across the aisle, capture a strand and let it drift through his fingers.

She turned and caught him staring. Her eyes widened.

He jerked his attention to the front and pretended he hadn’t been looking at her.

But as soon as she turned forward again, his gaze returned to her. Why had he never before noticed her slender neck and her high cheekbones?

Pastor Rawley stepped up to the pulpit and called them to worship.

It took every ounce of Duke’s self-control to concentrate on the service. As soon as it ended, he stood and waited for Rose to acknowledge him.

The two Sundays he’d attended since his return he’d been with his parents and they’d always avoided the Bells. Duke had no intention of doing so today.

Lilly approached first, introducing her husband, Caleb, and the little boy, Teddy. Then Cora introduced her husband, Wyatt, and his brother Lonnie. Mrs. Bell welcomed him home.

Mr. Bell, moving slowly as if in pain, shook his hand and greeted him pleasantly enough.

Only Rose passed by him without a greeting. She met his eyes steadily, pink blushing her cheeks as if she saw him through the eyes of a woman and not the eyes of an adversary. He hugged the knowledge to him.

Wouldn’t she be pleased when he told her that the Bells need no longer fear being hurt or having their property damaged by the Caldwells?

Other worshippers stopped to greet him.

Pastor Rawley spoke to him and asked about his parents.

Slowly he made his way down the aisle and reached the yard in time to see the Bells leave in three wagons. It appeared the whole family gathered together after church.

He considered riding over later, so eager was he to see Rose’s response to his announcement. But no, he’d delay until the next day when he could see her alone.

The rest of Sunday passed slowly, though Billy enjoyed it. They rode into the hills, where Duke showed the other man some of his favorite places—a grove of trees where he’d camped out several times, the buffalo wallow where he’d found several buffalo bones, the pond where he used to swim.

It was good to be home. It would be even better when Rose knew the feud was over and done with. How would she show her gratitude? He realized he stared into space, lost in dreams of possibilities, and forced his attention back to the here and now...

Finally, Monday arrived. He decided to wait until early afternoon, when she’d have her chores done.

“Billy, how about we go pay Rose and her family a visit?”

“Oh, I’d like that.”

“Let’s go saddle up.”

Billy rushed ahead of him. The young man loved animals and the horses responded to his entrance into the barn with welcoming nickers.

A few minutes later they rode across the prairie toward the Bell place. Duke took in a deep breath, full of fresh air the likes of which he had not breathed the whole time he was in Philadelphia. He pulled his horse to a halt so he could drink in the surroundings. The mountains were draped in white. The pine and spruce were almost black in the distance. Nearer at hand, the snow-dusted hills rolled to the river where the willow and poplar had shed their leaves and stood like quiet skeletons waiting the renewal of spring.

His gaze returned to the mountains. “You never saw anything like that back in the city, did you, Billy?”

“No.” Billy stared at the mountains. “Can we go there someday?” His words were round with awe.

“We sure can. But maybe we’ll wait until spring.”

“Okay. Are we almost to where Rose lives?”

Duke chuckled. “Are you anxious to see her?”

Billy ducked his head. “She’s pretty and nice.”

“How can you tell she’s nice?”

“I could tell by her voice when she talked to me.”

“I suppose you could.” The young man likely had more experience than most with hearing different tones in voices. As Duke well knew, people often mocked him. A kind voice would be refreshingly different.

“We’re almost there.” They crested a hill and looked down on the Bell farm. There was a new barn since he’d seen the place last year. The fruit trees had grown some and, if he wasn’t mistaken, there were more of them.

Pigs grunted in one pen, sheep milled about in another. He smiled as he recalled helping Rose chase them in. She’d made him laugh. He liked that.

Three milk cows chewed their cuds in another pen and a horse drowsed in the afternoon sun. It jerked awake and neighed at their approach.

“This is where Rose and her sisters lived with their ma and pa,” he told Billy. “I guess only Rose lives with her parents now.”

“How many sisters she got?”

“Two. You met them yesterday. Both of them are married and moved to their own places.”

“Aww. So Rose is all alone.”

“She’s still got her ma and pa.” He’d never considered that she might feel alone with her sisters gone. “She and Lilly are twins.”

“I never knowed any twins before. It makes her extra special.” He hesitated a moment. “I guess she misses Lilly.”

“I suppose so.”

“She’ll be glad you’ve come to visit.”

“We’ll see.” They continued toward the buildings.

Rose stepped from the barn and shielded her eyes to watch them approach.

As they passed the pigpen, his horse, King, snorted and sidestepped. “Settle down.”

He rode up to Rose and she looked at King as he pranced nervously. “Your horse looks like it belongs on a closed racetrack, not out on the prairie.”

“He’s a great horse.” Though a little high-spirited. Duke gripped the reins firmly. “I can handle him.” He waited for her to invite him to step down but when she didn’t, he swung off his horse and landed in front of her.

“Rose, I have good news for you.”

Her eyebrows rose.

“The feud is over. You won’t be bothered again.”

Her look went on and on, unblinking, steady and full of doubts.

“Believe me. It’s over.”

She nodded once, quickly, as if she meant only to acknowledge his words, not agree with them. “I’ll believe it when I see the evidence.”

Chapter Two

Rose sighed as Grub, their not-so-fine watchdog, suddenly realized there was company and let out a woof. Johnny-come-lately, as Caleb described him.

At the doggie intrusion Duke’s horse reared and backed away, dragging Duke after him. “Whoa, there. Settle down.” Duke spoke firmly but the animal’s nostrils flared and he had his hands full controlling him.

Rose watched, amused and at the same time annoyed because he chose to ride a horse that was so headstrong.

Billy led his horse forward and caught her attention to him. He laughed as the floppy-eared dog trotted up, tripping over himself on the way. “What’s your doggie’s name?” He reached down to pat Grub and earned himself undying devotion.

She’d been so distracted by Duke’s presence the other day that she’d neglected to inform Billy. “Grub.”

Billy rubbed behind Grub’s ears. “You’re a good dog, ain’t ya? I can tell.” He straightened and sighed. “I wish I had a dog.”

Three cats wandered from the barn, curious as to the disturbance.

Billy cooed and scooped one up in his arms. “I wish I had a cat, too.”

“You’re welcome to play with ours anytime.” She’d suggest he take one of them home with him but she had no idea if the Caldwells would take kindly to the idea. She wouldn’t let a cat go where she couldn’t be sure it would be treated properly.

Billy studied Rose, his brown eyes wide. “You’re a nice person.”

She smiled. “Thank you.” It was nice to be appreciated. “How’d you get to be friends with Duke?” It puzzled her no end that Duke would pick Billy for a sidekick. She’d expect a Caldwell to choose someone big and brawny. Perhaps Billy had done the choosing.

Billy’s chest puffed out. “He saved me from drowning.”

Rose stared. “He did?” She squinted at Duke a few feet away, his horse now reasonably calm.

Billy hung his head. “I jumped in deep water.” He gulped. “On purpose.”

His comments didn’t make sense, unless— “Can you swim?”

“No, I can’t.”

“Then why did you jump in?”

Billy hung his head and kicked at a lump on the ground until it dislodged and skittered away. “I wanted to die,” he whispered. “People always call me bad names.”

“Oh, Billy.” She squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry people say unkind things and I’m glad you’re okay.”

Billy’s eyes were awash with joy. “Me, too, ’cause now I get to meet you, and Duke is my best friend.”

Duke led his horse back to them and Rose studied him out of the corner of her eye. He’d saved Billy’s life, which made him a good man. So could she believe him when he said the feud was over? But no matter what, he was still a Caldwell. If she didn’t remain cautious and alert as to the goings-on of the Caldwell cowboys, someone might get hurt. Worse than last time. She wasn’t about to let down her guard.

Duke stood in front of her, his eyes watchful, as if he expected something from her.

Perhaps he expected her to greet his announcement with unbridled joy. She studied him, his strong features and his blue, blue eyes that seemed to see clear through her.

He smiled and his eyes danced with crystal light. “Have you decided you like what you see?”

Heat rushed up her neck and she jerked away to stare toward the river, hoping he wouldn’t see her cheeks coloring. Never would she admit she thought him handsome and considered the blue in his eyes as vivid as any sunny Montana day.

She shook her head. “I’m trying to decide if you truly believe the feud has ended or if you have some particular reason why you want me to believe it.” For years the Bells had hoped and prayed for this dispute to stop. She couldn’t believe it could end so easily—simply with his say-so. The doubts twisted through her thoughts.

“What do you hope to gain by saying it’s over?” she asked him. Would he make such a claim if he simply wanted to spend time with her?

Why would he?

All he had to do was ask. Would she agree if he did? Her head said no. He was a Caldwell and, as such, not to be trusted on the Bell farm. In fact—her eyes narrowed—it seemed likely he was looking for a weakness, an opportunity to drive them off.

But her heart pushed forward a protest. There was something about Duke that drew her like a moth to a flame. She’d always been attracted by his power, his energy, his happy spirit. Now, seeing Billy’s devotion, she was drawn even closer.

Moths got burned if they got too close to the flames, she reminded herself.

“Maybe I just want us to be friends and neighbors.” His voice carried a harsh note, as if her doubts offended him.

“We’ve been neighbors for eight years,” she pointed out. “But the Caldwells have never wanted to be friends.”

“Not all the Caldwells.” He spoke softly, but there was no mistaking the firmness in his words.

They considered each other, neither blinking. The air between them shifted and shimmered like a summer mirage. It seemed full of possibility.

With a great deal of effort she pulled her gaze away and stared into the distance. For the life of her she couldn’t explain what was happening between them. Nor could she pull a single word from her confused brain.

After a minute Duke turned with a muffled sound. “We better go.” He swung up into his saddle.

“Can I come and visit you again?” Billy asked.

Her voice returned, though somewhat croaky. “You’re welcome anytime, Billy.”

He cheered as if he’d won a goal as he trotted away on his horse.

She continued toward the house, which had been her initial intention before Duke and Billy had ridden into the yard.

He’d said the feud was over.

She hoped it was so, but she meant to wait and see. In the meantime she’d keep her emotions firmly under control.

She stepped inside to the welcome warmth, hung her coat on the nearest hook and turned to face her parents.

Pa was curled up on the cot across the room. She watched the covers rise and fall rhythmically. Her own breathing eased with relief.

“He’s fine,” Ma said. “I wish you’d stop worrying.”

But he hadn’t been fine since he’d caught a cold shortly after Lilly’s wedding. Ma figured his ribs had been hurt when the cows ran over him, which made it hard for him to cough and clear his lungs. Plumb wore him out, it did.

Rose crossed to the cupboard where Ma prepared vegetables to add to the pot of meat stewing on the stove. She draped her arm across Ma’s shoulders. “I’ll never stop worrying about both of you. After all, you’re all I’ve got.”

Ma patted Rose’s arm. “You’ve got Cora and Wyatt and Lilly and Caleb and a host of friends and neighbors.”

Rose gave a laugh, half teasing, half serious. “And yet here you are, stuck with me.”

“Not stuck, my dear. Blessed.” The look Ma gave her was so full of love that Rose had to blink back a sting of tears.

“Speaking of neighbors...” Ma continued. “Wasn’t that young Caldwell I saw you with?”

“It was.”

“His parents will no doubt be pleased to have him back.”

“Not so pleased they didn’t take the first train to Helena.”

Ma nodded. “I suppose they’re anxious to take part in some of the celebrations of Montana achieving statehood. Perhaps Mr. Caldwell will become a politician.”

Rose stared at her mother. “Would that mean he would live in Helena?” Her brain raced. Would he leave Duke in charge? Would that truly mean the feud was over? She could barely contain the hope bubbling inside her.

“Why, I don’t know. I suppose it would depend on the sort of position he fills.” Ma turned her attention back to the simmering pot. “But who knows? It’s pure speculation on my part.”

“It does seem the sort of thing Mr. Caldwell would do.” He could rule an even bigger portion of the world. Maybe thinking of it made him realize how small and petty a feud with the Bells was. If only it could be so.

“Who was the young man with Duke?”

“Billy Taylor. A sweet young man who seems a little simpleminded. He says Douglas saved his life.” She repeated Billy’s story.

“What did they want?”

“Just being neighborly.” She didn’t see any point in repeating Duke’s proclamation that the feud was over. Not until she could be sure.

Pa stirred at that moment and sat up. “Smells good in here.”

Ma hurried to fill the kettle. “I’ll make you some tea.”

Pa rose and stretched.

Rose took note of the fact his arms barely rose above shoulder height and that he clenched his teeth as if holding back a groan.

She turned her back to stare out the window. If the harassment from the Caldwells ended, she would be most grateful. Please, God, make it so. Perhaps Duke would take it a step further. Hadn’t he said he wanted them to be friends?

Her cheeks warmed. She tried to dismiss the idea but it had developed tenacious roots. Seeing him on that big horse, hearing Billy talk of being rescued by Duke, recalling the way he’d teased her when they were kids—

Enough. He was a Caldwell. Even without the feud between them, they were a whole universe apart. A rich rancher and an adopted daughter of dirt farmers—no one would ever imagine them together. But the idea dogged her as she helped serve the meal and later as she went to her room.

Two empty beds stood side by side next to hers. Cora and Lilly were married. She still found it hard to believe. For some reason, she thought they’d always be together.

Her earliest memory was of the three of them standing on the dusty prairie watching a wagon drive away and waving bye-bye to their papa. Then she and Lilly had each clutched one of Cora’s hands, their big sister who had promised to take care of them.

That’s where Ma Bell had found them. Lilly had gone eagerly into Ma’s outstretched arms but Cora had hung back. Rose had stuck firmly to Cora’s side.

“My papa is coming back. He said to wait,” Cora had insisted.

“Your little sisters are tired and hungry,” Ma had said. “Come with me and let me feed all of you. We’ll be in town. Your papa will know to look for you there when he comes back.”

Thinking of that day, Rose smiled as she prepared for bed.

“Ise not tired ’n’ hungry,” she’d stoutly insisted, standing bravely at Cora’s side and knowing that if Ma Bell had mentioned milk or bread or cheese, she would have faltered. Instead, Cora had nodded and allowed Ma Bell to lead them home.

Fifteen years later and their birth father had never returned. Rose could remember nothing more about her father and nothing at all about her birth mother. Cora had told her that their mother had died and Cora had promised to take care of the twins.

Rose wished her sisters were still there. They could have discussed what Duke had said. Though she knew they were likely to trust his words. Her sisters had certainly mellowed since meeting their husbands. Was that what love did to a person?

Rose hadn’t changed. Except to finally accept that they would never learn anything more about their birth parents. She was happy enough, but inside, a hole remained. A lack. She knew Ma and Pa loved her and she loved them and was happy they had adopted the three little girls abandoned on the prairie, yet somehow, when Rose looked within, a hungry emptiness clawed at her insides. It wasn’t a large hole but it went deep and persistently made itself known. She had no family history. No knowledge of her real background. No assurance there wasn’t something mighty strange about a man who’d abandoned three little girls in the middle of nowhere. The few times she’d let a boy escort her someplace, they had acted as though her lack of background allowed them to take liberties with her. She’d soon set them straight on that score.