Ellie's Legacy (10 page)

He stepped off the elevated platform and walked over to his
horse. The stallion tossed his head, nickering and dancing in place. He still
showed signs of nervousness, but the first outing proved all the time spent
breaking him had been well worth it. He was a fine looking animal with good
bloodlines.

Ty grasped the bridle, securing the black’s head, and gently
stroked his muzzle. “We’ll have to find you a filly as spirited as Ellie.” He
laughed aloud at the lively union that would be.

Ty leaned against the hitching rail and doffed his hat to a
passing lady. “Hmm, not nearly as pretty as Ellie,” he muttered when she was
out of range.

His horse nudged his shoulder, but Ty paid him no heed. His
thoughts were on Ellie. She did crazy things to his innards and played with his
mind. One minute she acted like she hated him and the next, she kissed him. It
was too confusing.

Lord knows, he wanted to kiss her back, to feel those full
lips pressing against his. But that probably wouldn’t set well with Ben. He had
enough on his mind right now, worrying about the Bryants and what other
underhanded tricks they might pull.

Ellie sauntered out of the mercantile and paused to smile
down at Ty. His heart quickened at the sight of her. The sun reflected in the
tresses grazing her shoulders, and blazed like a campfire. Her eyes twinkled
with the mischief of a child.

What he wouldn’t give to kiss her right now.

“I’m ready.” She dangled her parcel. Despite a light mood,
her gaze roamed the street. A hint of apprehension lingered in her eyes.

He’d protect her at all costs, but if she knew what was on
his mind, he’d be in big trouble. He was ready, too, but not for the same
thing. His lust strained against his denims and his breath was ragged. He
forced himself to inhale deeply to compose himself.

“It’s about time,” he said, relieved to find the right
words. “You women take forever when you shop.”

He winked and walked around the rail to help her down.

“You’ll appreciate the time I spent when you see my dress.
It’s beautiful.”

He’d appreciate her if she wore only a flour sack, but he
shouldn’t think of her in that way. She was the boss’s daughter and nothing
more. Why did he have to keep reminding himself of that?

She took his hand, descended the steps down to Chessie, and
then took care in putting the parcel in her saddlebag. “Is there anything else
you need in town,” she asked, pulling herself astride.

“No, I’m done.
How about you?”
Ty
mounted the black and adjusted his hat, allowing him a better view of his
beautiful companion. Hell, no dress could make her any prettier than she was at
that very moment.

Aroused by his thoughts again, he quickly stood in the
stirrups and yanked at the confining material of his britches. Luckily her
attention was focused toward the church.

“I’m done, too.” She glanced at him just as he sat. “I
certainly hope we don’t have another encounter with those Bryant boys. I’ve
seen enough of Jeb to last me a lifetime.”

Good, something to deter Ty’s lusty thoughts. He’d much
rather renew his anger at Jeb for the bold way he manhandled Ellie.

“Don’t you worry,
Ellie.
I’m sure
he’s on his way home to nurse his face, and I don’t think we have to worry
about Joshua. He seems to be the only one with the good sense to mind his own
business.”

She nodded. “He always stays in the background and never
speaks unkindly to anyone. If I was him I’d hightail it out of here, change my
name and deny any kin to his family.”

Ty laughed. “You probably would, Ellie, you probably would.
Let’s go home.”

“Oh, by the way,” Ty said, as they rode slowly down the
street, “the Sheriff didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Before he
can do anything about the Bryant’s involvement with the cattle, we need proof.”

Ellie spurred Chessie into a gallop. “Then we’ll get it,”
she called back over her shoulder.

* * * * *

Ellie searched through her mother’s old chest, looking for
the undergarments she knew were there.

Until now, she hadn’t paid much attention to the folded,
stiff petticoats and the corset, but suddenly they were essential to her
perfect night.

Thank goodness Pa had been sentimental enough to hang onto
them.

She held up the corset, inspecting the hanging laces. Now if
she only could only figure out how to wear them. Surely, Cook must know.

Sifting through the contents for anything else that might be
useful, Ellie moved a stack of Ma’s dresses to one side and noticed an envelope
on the cedar bottom. There was no writing on it, just a plain faded envelope.
Dare she be nosy enough to open it? What a silly question. There was no way she
could ignore it.

It wasn’t sealed. The flap was just tucked inside and easy
to open and replace with no one the wiser. Despite hearing Pa leave the house,
she glanced over her shoulder to assure she was alone. He was out somewhere on
the ranch with Ty and rest of the hands

Ellie’s fingers trembled with anticipation as she pulled out
a piece of paper. Her eyes widened when she unfolded it and focused on the
words, “Deed of Trust”.

Deed for what?

She scanned the document, but it made absolutely no sense to
her. There were only block numbers and a description of what could be any piece
of land on the mountain, or in the valley for that matter. She chewed her lip.
What exactly was this for?

She folded the paper and put it back in its envelope. She
knew Pa valued his privacy and hated pilfering, so she tucked the deed back in
its approximate hiding place.

Curiosity niggled at her and she considered asking Pa about
it, but thought better. Maybe she’d question Cook first.

Ellie carried her mother’s trappings into her own room and
dumped them on the bed. Thoughts of the dance were lost to the deed. She
hurried back to the kitchen.

“Cook, can I ask you something? It’s kinda secret.”

“Of course, you can.” The woman stopped chopping vegetables
and dried her hands on her apron, her full attention devoted to Ellie.

Cook’s face was flushed from standing near the pot of water
boiling on the stove. She tilted her head. “Well?”

Ellie pulled out a chair and sat. “I-I was looking through
Ma’s cedar chest and found something that puzzles me. It might not be any of my
business, but I wondered if you know anything about a deed.
A
land deed?
Have you seen it before, or do you remember Ma saying
something in passing?”

“Hmmm, not really.”
Cook frowned,
and returned to slicing. “It’s nothing I’ve actually seen, but I do think I
recall your Ma mentioning it.” She paused, her knife suspended midair. “Wait a
minute. Yes, there was something she shared with me, a long time ago.” Cook
turned, pointing the knife.
“A secret.
If memory
serves me, with the help of her father she bought some land as an anniversary
gift for your Pa, but…” Tears glazed her eyes.

Ellie’s heart seized at the sudden emotional display.
“But what?”

“Poor dear, your ma.
She took sick,
and I reckon she never got the chance to give it to him. God rest her soul, and
her dear father’s, too.”

Could it be Pa had no idea the deed existed? Ellie’s mind
spun. Should she tell him? Oh Lordy, what a dilemma. He was such a private
person, but so sentimental when it came to Ma’s things.

Ellie dared not bring it up until she found out what the
deed was for. If she was going to get into trouble for taking one bite, she
might as well eat the whole pie. The deed had kept all this time; it’d keep
until after the dance.

* * * * *

Ellie held her dress to her body and waltzed around the
room. She tried to imagine what it would be like to be held in Ty’s muscular
arms, to rest her hand on his broad shoulder and clasp hands with him. Her
heart fluttered at the thought.

She stopped and gazed at her image in the mirror. Her face
was flushed from dancing…or was it thoughts of the upcoming dance and her
evening with Ty?

Gracious, what had happened to her? She cupped her chin,
pondering the drastic change in her behavior of late, and spoke to her
reflection. “What has happened to you, Ellie Fountain? Just a few days ago you
virtually hated the sight of Ty, and now you can’t wait to see him. You’re like
a dying fire that’s had a log added, but why?”

She searched her image for an answer, and slowly shook her
head. “I don’t know either.”

Nothing had changed as far as she could see, except she
finally realized what an extremely handsome man he was. He’d taken notice of
her, too. But it wasn’t just that. There was a serious attraction…at least she
hoped. Maybe she’d been going about things all wrong.

Her smile broadened, bringing a sparkle to the green eyes
looking back at her. Still imagining Ty was her partner, she danced from the
mirror to her armoire to hang her new gown.

She hunched her shoulders to quell the shiver he stirred in
her and pushed her few remaining clothes to the side. With one last smoothing
swipe at the soft, cottony material, she closed the doors.

She’d made the perfect purchase and couldn’t wait to see the
expression on Ty’s face when she wore it. She wanted to take his breath away
like thoughts of him stole hers.

Ellie glimpsed the undergarments on the bed and her thoughts
turned to the deed hidden in the cedar chest. Was she doing the right thing
keeping it from Pa?

Raised voices outside drew her attention to the window. She
scampered to investigate, pushing the curtain aside only enough to allow her a
peek. Her mouth dropped.

Dude Bryant and his sons sat astride their horses in the
compound. It was apparent from Pa’s expression and a finger pointing toward the
gate that he wouldn’t be inviting them to stay for supper. Seeing Jeb again
made the hair on her neck bristle.

He had such nerve.

She scanned the yard for Ty. Where was he? Pa shouldn’t be
facing those ruffians alone. He needed back-up. She let the curtain drop back
into place and rushed to join her father.

The kitchen door creaked when Ellie opened it, and all eyes
focused on her. Of all the attention, Jeb Bryant’s lusting leer disturbed her
the most. Something about the way he always ogled her made her feel like she
just came from slopping the hogs. She found him despicable.

Ellie squared her shoulders and stepped out onto the porch,
trying to assume a casual, yet “in control” posture. She folded her arms.
Nope, too stern.
She placed her hands on her hips. No,
assuming too much authority. Hell, she felt like she had too many arms. She
hooked her thumbs in her pockets, leaned against the wall and listened.

“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested in
your offer,” Pa yelled. His face burned beet-red and his eyes bulged.

Ellie’s vision shifted from her father to Ty, and she
breathed a sigh of relief. Out of sight from her bedroom window, he stood
against the corner porch rail, his arms crossed and his eyes stone cold and
focused. On him, the crossed arms worked. The serious look on his face and his
cocky stance was a warning to the Bryants, but were they smart enough to see
it? She wanted to be just as threatening, but how?

She couldn’t even decide how to properly stand under stress,
and her gun remained tucked away in the barn. She cursed under her breath. How
could she ever compete if she had to hide her weapon all the time? She looked
around the yard and noticed several other ranch hands standing ready to fight
if things got uglier. There was no need for her to worry. Besides by the time
she crawled up in the loft and retrieved her Smith & Wesson, everything
would be over.
Just her luck.

“Get your sorry carcasses off my land,” Pa spat. “And don’t
come back again or you’ll be bitin’ off more than you can chew.”

Dude Bryant scowled and yanked hard on his reins, but paused
his mount mid-turn. He spat a stream of tobacco juice at Ben’s feet. “We’ll go,
but just remember I made you a fair offer and, by the way, I was real sorry to
hear about you losin’ some cattle. Let’s hope nothing else happens to your
animals…” His gaze turned directly to Ellie.
“Or your
family.”

His penetrating glare burned through her. From the corner of
her eye, she noticed Ty immediately drop his arms to his side. One hand rested
on the butt of his weapon. His closeness calmed her.

The three riders departed in a swirl of dust, leaving Ellie
to ponder Dude’s threat. As long as Ty and the others were around she needn’t
worry, but maybe this was the perfect time to reveal her secret to Pa.

She couldn’t always depend on others to take care of her. It
was high time to quit stowing her weapon and start wearing it. Yes, she
decided.
Time for the unveiling.

Pa stepped onto the porch, the veins in his neck clearly
bulging in anger. He plopped down in his rocker, removed his hat and wiped
perspiration from his brow. “If I didn’t think hangin’ would be my reward, I’d
rid the mountain of that whole family. They’re nothing but trouble.” He
wrestled to remove his boots then leaned back in his comfortable chair. Deep
lines creased his forehead.

Ellie knelt next to him and patted his arm. “Don’t let that
big bag of wind get to you, Pa. There’s no way he’s gonna get Fountainhead.”

He covered her hand with his. “Killin’ cattle is one thing,
but when he threatens my flesh and blood…I’m not so sure I want to wage a war
that might get your hurt. Besides, I’m gettin’ too old for this.” A loud sigh
escaped him.

Pa couldn’t give up. He’d worked too hard and long on this
ranch. Everything here was part of him, and some of it her mother. Besides,
someday, hopefully far in the future when Pa passed, this would be the legacy
he left behind.
Her birthright.