No Place for a Lady (36 page)

Luke saw April's large blue eyes look on from the edge of the
lake, where she stood talking to Beth and Reverend Alden, but
he turned away.

Women, who needs them?

The ride back to the ranch was a quiet one. Everyone was spent
from the skating activity and the cold. Luke was glad because he
didn't want to have to talk. He kept a good distance between him
and Crystal, making certain that his side in no way touched hers.
Once they arrived home, he brooded at the table, picked at the
delicious soup Rusty had made, and contributed to the conversation with only minimal words. He did not stay for the usual after-dinner coffee but pulled his coat and gloves on and stepped
out into the frigid night air. Out here he could breathe.

The moonlight played with the shadows created on the stark
snow from the swaying boughs of the ponderosa pines. Luke
took a deep breath and sighed. He walked over to the barn and
strolled into the tack room, looking at nothing in particular. He
lifted a bridle from its perch and felt the smooth leather under
his fingers. He guessed he was a lot like a horse without a bridle.
Without it, a horse didn't know which way a cowboy wanted him
to go, but with the bit between the horse's jaws, the rider was the
master and could direct the horse with a slight tug on the reins
to go right or left.

Lord, I guess I lost my temper. I'm new at asking for Your help,
but where Crystal's concerned... Iguess I let my stubborn pride get
in the way. I reckon I rushed her. I need another chance to make it
up to her, cause I just went and made a fool of myself and clammed
up instead of talking to her on the way home tonight. I guess what
I'm asking for is Your direction, like Buck needs from me. Id be
grateful, Lord. I don't want to lose her. Amen.

Peace filled Luke's heart, and he smiled and placed the bridle
back on its peg. He realized that his feet were growing numb, and
the bitter cold was seeping into his layered clothing. As he stepped
out into the cold night air to make his way to the bunkhouse, the
solitary cry of a coyote stretched across the countryside, echoing
the tranquility he felt in his heart.

The next morning passed in a hurry, and after lunch Crystal helped
Carmen pack for a couple of months to visit her family. Carmen
promised to return in the spring. The two hugged good-bye, and
Crystal stood in the sharp wind and waved as Carmen drove the
wagon across the snow-packed drive. Kurt had volunteered to
follow on his horse for part of the way to make sure she had no
problem finding the road that led to the valley into Stillwater,
where her folks still lived.

Entering the house, Crystal realized how lonely she would be
without her friend. She put on a fresh apron and started measuring
out the ingredients for biscuits that would go with the beef stew
Carmen had left simmering on the stove. Once Crystal mixed the
ingredients, she dumped the lump onto the counter, kneaded it
a few times, and formed the biscuits. She placed them on a pan
and set them aside until right before supper. Wiping the flour off
her hands, she wandered into the living room, at odds on what
chore she should attend to next.

Crystal glanced over to the closed door that used to be her
aunt's bedroom. She had not entered the room since her death, but now she felt drawn to open the door and step inside. Perhaps
she could move her things into her aunt's larger room now.

Months of dust had collected on the bureau and nightstand.
Kate's once-shiny, black Sunday boots, now dull, sat in front of a
comfortable armchair. Across the bed, an everyday housedress
lay as if waiting for the moment it would be worn. A lump caught
in her throat, and Crystal almost retreated, but instead she willed
herself to walk farther and stand before the wardrobe door. Easing the handle, she pulled the door open and peered inside. Tears
sprang to her eyes. The scent of cedar and rose water floated into
the air and hung there.

An exquisite sadness enveloped her. Crystal fingered the pale
blue gown Kate had worn the night of the party given in Crystal's
honor. Her aunt hadn't owned too many dresses and had preferred
simple things to the extravagant. Weeping, Crystal clung to the
dress and slid down to the floor in a heap. She wrapped her arms
around her legs, and her sobbing shook her slight frame. The longing for her aunt was strong, but it also brought back memories of
her parents, now gone on to heaven, and the thought made her
sob all the more, the sorrow coming from deep within her soul.

"Igo to prepare a place for you ... that where I am, there ye may
be also." The sound of Reverend Alden's voice reading Scripture
next to the grave at Kate's funeral reverberated in her mind. The
verse penetrated her heart and brought her sweet comfort. She
knew the Lord cared about all her hurts, big and small.

Minutes passed, and Crystal wiped her eyes on the edge of her
apron. She dragged herself up, thoroughly spent from sobbing,
and the toe of her shoe caught on something. She looked down
and spied a shoe box tied with an old rag and lying on its side. Carefully she lifted the box and untied the clumsy knot. She felt
as though she were looking into someone's private life. Inside the
box were two envelopes, one addressed to her. The other one had
the return address of a Denver attorney in the upper left-hand
corner.

Her heart skipped a beat as she unfolded the letter written to
her and recognized her aunt's handwriting.

My dear Crystal, what a joy it is to have you come live with me.
God chose not to bless me with children, but He did bless me with
a precious niece, and with Luke, whom I consider like my own
son. To that effect, I hope you will understand what I have done
in regards to the ranch in the event of my death, which hopefully
is years from now.

I have had my attorney in Denver, whom I have known for
years, draw up the necessary papers to document that I am leaving Aspengold to Luke Weber. Any income from the sale of cattle,
though it won't be much, should go to you upon my death. In
addition, I would like you to have this columbine pin that your
uncle had made for me, because of the flower's beauty everywhere
on the ranch. I hope you will wear it proudly.

I am asking that Luke allow Rusty to live as long as he likes at
Aspengold. Nothing could please me more than to have you and
Luke marry and find complete happiness filling this big house
with children. He loves you. I know by the talks we've had, and
how he looks at you when you enter the room.

An instant thrill slid down her spine when she read those words.
Her aunt and Carmen were right. Luke did love her. She let that
thought sink in for a moment and savored the sweetness of its
possibilities. She remembered how he had kissed her, and his tenderness to her the night they had buried Curly. Her trembling
lips formed a half smile as she continued reading the letter.

May God be your guide for the best future possible. I love you.

Aunt Kate

Crystal bit her lip, stifled the tears that threatened again, and
held the beautiful flower pin close to her heart. Oh, how she
wished Kate were here. The letter had been dated just two days
before her death.

What a shock-Luke owned the ranch! Crystal just assumed
the ranch was hers to inherit, because Kate had no other living
relatives. Why wasn't she told? Maybe no one knew ...

She must collect her thoughts. What a hot-tempered little fool
she had been, accusing Luke of wanting to marry her to get the
ranch. This was one of her bad habits that she needed to overcome,
jumping to conclusions before she had all the facts. This changed
things. She would have to tell Luke.

Crystal opened the other envelope, which revealed pretty much
what Kate had stated in her letter, but in legal terms, with the
Colorado seal affixed at the bottom. But where was the deed? It
seemed the attorney should have sent it by now. Maybe the snow
had delayed the mail in Steamboat. No matter. Her next step would
be to see if she could straighten things out with Luke.

But where could she go? Back to Georgia? And see Drew with
his new wife? Hardly. But she couldn't stay here now that the
ranch wasn't hers. Maybe she could find some kind of work in
Steamboat at the general store. The Franklins seemed to like her.
And she would have to let Carmen go ... Crystal could feel her
neck muscles becoming tight and her head throbbing.

It was almost suppertime. She must hurry to set the table and
stick the biscuits in the oven. But how was she going to face Luke?
Crystal's appetite suddenly vanished and was replaced with a knot
in her stomach.

All through supper, Crystal watched Luke for a sign that
there could be a truce. By the look on his face, that was the
farthest thing from his mind. He avoided Crystal's eyes and ate
his dinner in silence. She barely picked at her food and kept
quiet for most of the meal. Rusty was in the middle of one of
his yarns in an effort to entertain them, but neither of them
were paying attention.

Rusty dipped himself another bowl of stew and said, "I can't
let Carmen's portion go to waste, now can I? Can I refill yours,
Luke?"

"I think I've had all I can handle:' Luke pushed his chair back
to leave when there was a loud pounding on the front door.

Rusty dropped the soup ladle. "Who can that be?"

"I'll get it:" Luke left the dining room and opened the front
door, Crystal on his heels.

No sooner than he'd swung the door open, Jube burst in, exclaiming, "Crystal-you've got to come quick. It's Em ... she's in
a bad way." He paused to catch his breath.

"Jube, what is it?"

"She's been having terrible pains all afternoon, and I think the
baby's coming too early. She's just five months. Please, can you
come, and can someone send for the doc over in Stillwater?" Jube's
eyes were wide and pleading.

"Of course I will. Now, get yourself some water to drink
while I gather a few things. Luke, would you saddle a horse
for me while I fetch Aunt Kate's medicine bag and some warm
clothes?" Crystal made her way to the pantry and pictured
how competently her aunt would have handled all this. The
letter was still fresh in her mind, and Crystal knew that Kate
believed she would be able to do whatever she put her mind to.
Crystal wanted to show Luke that she could handle whatever
crisis came her way.

"I'll do that, but I'm coming with you. You might need some
help." Luke sprang into action and in two strides hurried out to
saddle the horses.

"What's all the commotion?" Rusty scratched his red beard
and met Crystal at the pantry.

"It's Emily. She may be in labor. Could you go for the doc in
Stillwater-I think he's closer-and then send word over to Sara
to come as quickly as she can? It's a long way out to their place"
Crystal headed to the door and struggled into her warm coat
and gloves.

"You can count on me. You know that"

By the time Crystal stepped outside, Luke was waiting for her.
He was leading Bess and had readied a fresh mount for Jube. The
three of them quickly left for the line cabin, heedless of the new
snow that had begun to fall.