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A contrary bark came from the opposite table. Prescott threw the man a grin before continuing his introductions. “Over there is George, Rupert and Dale. They’ve been with the ranch longest. Some of them hired on when father still ran the Circle H. They’ve been wrangling much the same time or even longer than Wade.”
She wondered who Wade was and unconsciously her eyes drifted to his brother.
“I suppose you haven’t been properly introduced,” Prescott said, following her gaze. “Wade Haddock. Big brother, owner of the Circle H, and your benevolent host.”
Wade Haddock looked up from his meal and caught her looking at him. She quickly drew her attention back to her bowl of stew. For some reason, she found those piercing blue eyes of his far too intimidating.
Glancing down at the mush in front of her, she felt her stomach give off a small growl. Contrary to what Wade Haddock implied, she did not recall eating any chicken and was indeed very hungry. The stew wasn’t the best tasting, but she devoured it with relish. It was a good thing the men thought her a boy, because she couldn’t be bothered with etiquette.
Behind her the door to the bunkhouse opened and she heard the sound of shuffling but paid no mind as she was entirely focused on her food. It wasn’t until she felt someone breathing on her neck that she leaped out of her seat, startled by the close proximity of an unknown person standing directly behind her chair. Her swift movement caught the attention of the men at her table.
“Damnation, Chuck, get the hell out of here.” The ranch hand Prescott introduced as Neil, shouted.
She spun around to see an old withered man bent over her chair, his wrinkled chin tilted slightly as if he was smelling something.
Prescott grabbed the old man by the arm and led him toward the bunks. “Don’t mind old Chuck Rhodes. He’s a little slow in the mind but harmless.”
After they disappeared to the back bunks, some of the wranglers exchanged a few offensive words in regards to the old man, but soon the subject was dropped and turned instead toward work.
The woman, however, did not return to her meal. Instead, she sat still as stone, her unwavering eyes fixed straight ahead while her heart pounded furiously in her chest.
Chapter 4
Wade tightened the harness on the horses, securing them to the chuck wagon. Beside him, the boy chucked bales of hay into the back of the wagon. He was a small little guy and didn’t have a muscle on any inch of his body. If anything he would only be a burden to the ranch hands. Wade thought it best to put him to work where he would be better suited and decided to bring him along into town.
“Another beautiful morning.” Prescott had exited the main house and stood on the wooden porch, hands hooked around his suspenders, chin tilted up to enjoy the warm sunshine.
Over the years he had become accustomed to his brother’s cheery outlook and learned no reply was the best reply. Not that Prescott needed one. He seemed far too satisfied with his own company to acknowledge anyone else’s opinion.
“Good morning, Peter.”
The boy did not respond, intent on the task of loading the wagon.
“I say, good morning, young Peter.” Prescott was not dissuaded, raising his voice a notch higher in order to be heard.
Once again, he received no reply. Wade could not resist the urge to smirk before taking pity on his brother’s attempt at friendly decor. Nudging the boy on the shoulder, he caught his attention. “Haven’t gotten deaf on us as well, have you?”
He frowned, puzzled, and then followed the direction in which Wade gestured. Prescott raised his hand and waved. “I was wishing you a good morning, Peter.”
The boy gave a short nod in response then immediately returned to his work.
“I hope you found the sleeping quarters comfortable?” Prescott had come down off the porch and over to where the duo were loading the wagon. Wade didn’t have to look at the boy to see his response. The dark circles around his eyes told a different story then the nod he offered Prescott. He figured it was probably the new surroundings that caused his sleepless night. He, himself, had experienced the very same many evenings in the bed above the saloon.
“We’re ready to take off, Prescott.” Wade wrapped the reins around the bench of the wagon. “Boy, you can ride in the back.”
The two brothers took their seats on the bench, then pulled the overloaded chuck wagon onto the dirt road that led away from the ranch toward the town of Lantern. As usual, the ride consisted of Prescott doing most of the talking, while Wade sat quietly driving the team up and down the winding road. At one point, so tired of listening to his brother’s ramblings, he half wished the boy and his silence were sitting next to him instead.
Sometime later, he drove the team onto the main road in Lantern and pulled up alongside the restaurant where he was only too happy to unload Prescott. He really hadn’t gotten to know Elizabeth King, so it was hard for him to comprehend his brother’s delight in seeing her. Moreover, it was the reverse that truly had him puzzled.
Pulling the chuck wagon away from the restaurant he turned it instead toward the mill on the far end. As usual, the place was humming with activity. Loud machinery could be heard coming from the compound while the large wheel that stood nearly as tall as the building turned at a slow grinding pace in the creek that ran from the Centralia River. Bending to fit through the low entry, Wade had to blink to adjust his eyes from the bright exterior.
“Morning, Mr. Haddock.” The mill keeper greeted his new arrival, wiping his hands on the apron covering his clothing.
Wade reached out and took the offered hand, then followed the curious mill keeper’s gaze. “This here is the new ranch hand.”
“Kinda small, ain’t he?” Though he smiled when he looked down at the boy.
Wade decided to ignore the comment and got straight to business. “I’ll leave you to unload the wagon. I’ve got a few things to do in town.” When he was finished, he turned and headed for the exit.
