Katie: Book One: The Cattleman's Daughters Read online

  Katie’s face was radiant in the soft light of a rising moon.

  Joshua James stood to his full and impressive height looking Will directly in the eye then extended his hand.

  “Welcome home.” He said shaking his soon to be son-in-law’s hand.

  Chapter 13

  The last two weeks of August were a whirlwind of activity and excitement as preparations for a fall wedding were in full swing. Katie and Will were more than happy to just have a simple ceremony right away but Nona was having none of that. She was beside herself with excitement and was determined to see everything done right for her Katie. She insisted on a ‘real’ wedding and nagged Joshua until he agreed to send one of the men to Casper for the preacher. She then threw herself into planning and preparation, even going so far as to send someone to Brion to invite him down for the festive event.

  Katie and her sisters were put to work sewing a wedding dress, which Katie insisted that she didn’t need, but that secretly she delighted in. Even Cathleen, who turned out to be a wizard with needle and thread, joined in and in no time a beautiful gown of pale gold was complete. “Nona.” Katie said one afternoon leaning over to kiss her grandmother’s soft plump cheek. “You’d think you were the one getting married.” Katie laughed. Nona’s face lit up with delight.

  “I love weddings.” The matron said with a brilliant smile. “I always cry.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked around the room at each of the girls. “Maybe this will be the first of many.” Her smile was significant.

  “Oh Nona.” Fiona said with a grimace. “How in the world are we to meet any young men all the way out here?”

  The twins tittered. “Well Katie did.” Issy said with a gleam of delight in her eyes.

  “I suppose we could talk Pa into shipping us all back East to find husbands.” Lexi added mischievously and winked at her twin.

  “You are not going anywhere.” Nona’s voice was grim and at the horrified look on her face the girls stopped there teasing and ran to her.

  “We won’t leave you Nona.” Fiona said from among the throng wrapping an arm around her grandmother’s shoulders. "I for one am perfectly content right here.”

  All the girls took their turns reassuring the woman who had loved and nurtured them all of their lives as if they were her own, managing to stem the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Nona patted each girl on the cheek and kissed them.

  Now with a bright smile on her face she rose from her chair and walked to where Katie’s wedding dress lay draped across a chair; running he hand across it and admiring the work her granddaughter’s had done.

  Will took full advantage of the time afforded him to court Katie properly. Each evening after supper he would collect Katie and together they would walk around the ranch talking quietly arm in arm, or sit on the porch swing and discuss ideas for their future.

  Katie like her father was full of ideas about how the ranch should progress and together they discussed how to diversify and move away from a total dependency on cows for their income. The ranch was already self-sufficient but if they wanted it to be so down the road and for future generations decisions would have to be made now.

  Will reveled in her quick mind and how he could share his thoughts with her so easily. He also enjoyed stealing a kiss at every opportunity. When she wasn’t busy working with Nona on wedding plans Katie would occasionally ride out with Will, checking cattle or just looking at the ranch, but mostly just to be with him.

  Will had taken to riding the ornery bay again and the horse had settled down fairly well under his steady hand. The weather was getting cooler now and in the high reaches of the mountains the peaks were dusted with snow.

  It was only two days until the wedding and the soon to be weds were riding along the valley keeping an eye out for any problems when a few whiffs of dust across a gulley caught their eye. Laying heels to their mounts they galloped toward the area to discover Katie’s uncle and his family riding along. They had several animals with them, a few ewes and lambs and even a small string of ponies.

  “Uncle Brion!” Katie called, excitedly waving as she drew up alongside her uncle and greeted her aunt and cousins.

  Her petite aunt sat on a stout brown mare and looked at her knowingly, a smile playing across her dark features. Will smiled at the woman’s expression remembering the conversation from just a few weeks ago.

  “I tell you.” Wynonna Blakey said smugly.

  Katie giggled, while Winny kicked her mare into a trot. The rotund animal stepped up its pace revealing a spindly legged blaze faced foal that had been walking at her side. The creature was obviously only a few months old; its fuzzy coat was a deep liver brown with fluffy white mane and tail. The blaze that ran from just beneath the forelock to the end of his nose was wide, and he had one blue eye with a white rim. Will smiled at the little creature, noting the good legs and wide rump.

  “You like him?” Brion’s question caught him by surprise and he turned toward the Irishman a question in his eye.

  “That colt? Do ya like him lad?” Brion asked pointing toward the animal as it trotted along beside its mother once again.

  “Yes, sir. That’s a fine looking colt.” Will replied with admiration in his voice.

  “Good.” Katie’s uncle replied gruffly, “Because he’s a wedding present.”

  Will was so shocked he pulled his own mount up short, only to then kick the bay into a trot to catch up, with Brion who continued laughing the whole time.

  “His mothers the last of my blood stock I brought along here with me and she’s too old to stay up in those mountains, not to mention this colt came late, so Winny and I agreed we’d bring them down here where they’d both have a better chance of survival and this youngster would be a fittin’ present for ya.”

  Will’s voice constricted in his throat and he couldn’t speak. The little liver chestnut was probably the best stock Brion had and he was giving him to Will.

  Katie seeing the emotion on his face moved her palomino to his side and took his hand.

  “It’s what family does.” She whispered softly smiling up at him.

  The wedding day broke clear and bright with a bustle of activity. Nona and Chen Lou laid out a breakfast fit for a king then began chivying everyone on the ranch into various jobs in preparations for the ceremony.

  Katie didn’t have a moment to herself as all five of her sisters fussed about helping her dress and do her hair. She wasn’t even afforded any privacy in her bath. Meg, was beside herself spouting every kind of romantic nonsense she could think of until all of the girls collapsed in peals of laughter.

  Finally dressed and ready for the big moment Katie stood and took a deep breath, her sisters all gathered around her. A soft knock on the door announced her father and with a quick kiss from each her sisters dashed from the room.

  “You look like yer’ ma.” Joshua said “absolutely beautiful.” His smile was bright but his eyes held subtle shadows; a fathers memories of his little girl.

  Katie ran into his arms.

  “Oh, Pa! I’m so happy. I never dreamed it could ever happen but here it is my wedding day.”

  With a chuckle he offered her his arm and together they walked down the stairs and out onto the long back porch and into the yard.

  Will stood in his best suit of clothes under a large cotton wood tree. Isadore had built a small arbor which the girls had decorated with flowers and ribbons.

  At the sound of the screen door opening he looked up to see Katie descending from the porch on her father’s arm. The sight of her took his breath away. She wore a gown of pale gold with soft white lace at her collar and cuffs. Her hair, the color of rose gold, shimmered in the late morning sun and her whole being seemed to glow. Their eyes met and as he watched her walk toward him all of the other people seemed to fade away like wraiths.

  Moments later Joshua was laying Katie’s hand in his. Will watched as the most beautiful woman on earth received a kiss on the cheek from her fath
er, then turned toward the parson who had begun speaking. Will wasn’t sure what the man said but somehow he was able to give the right responses then his heart was thundering in his chest as Katie said the words to him. Katie’s soft words faded as he gazed into her eyes until finally the words he’d been waiting for came from the preacher.

  “You may now kiss the bride.” The wiry little man said and Will reached for Katie, wrapping his arms tight around her slim waist and pulling her to him he lowered his head pressing his lips to hers willing his kiss to show her that she was his everything. She was his home.

  Nona, had out done herself with the wedding supper. She’d had the men working for days to set up the arbor and tables. She, Billy, Chen Lou and the other girls had cooked and baked and sewed until everything was perfect.

  A side of beef roasted whole on a heavy spit over a banked fire and dishes of all kinds covered the tables as everyone bowed there head for the grace. Joshua looked down the long table at each smiling face. He noted the sweet smiles of his daughters and the joy of every man of the Broken J. His eyes lingered on his oldest child as she sat next to her new husband and he smiled, then bowed his head.

  “Dear Lord.” His voice was soft but clear; reverent. “Thank you for this fine day and the many blessings you’ve given to each of us. Thank you for bringing these to young people together and for sharing your love with each of us here today. I ask your blessing on this union today and pray that you will grant them love, patience and understanding for the years ahead. Amen.”

  He lifted his eyes to the hushed table. Nona sniffed and everyone broke into laughter once more. At the end of the meal Nona and Chen Lou brought out a beautiful cake and then the men started tuning up their instruments. Soon the sound of laughter and music filled the whole space as the sun began to sink toward the horizon setting the sky ablaze in glorious reds, roses and gold.

  Epilogue

  Leaving the noise and laughter of the wedding supper behind him Joshua James silently slipped away and glided under the heavy branches of the sprawling shelter of the old cotton wood tree. Removing his hat he laid a dark hand on the pale gray head stone.

  “I guess that’s one down, darlin’.” He said, a soft smile playing along his lips. “I’m afraid things didn’t go exactly to plan but in the end it all worked out. I’ve never seen Katie look more beautiful or happy. I reckon you knew what you were doing when you made me promise.”

  He smiled again and patted his breast pocket causing it to crackle. “I guess it’s time to get started again.” Easing himself down into the deep green grass he removed the letter that he’d been carrying with him since he’d left Casper and ripped off the end. The crisp white velour page slid into his hand and unfolding it carefully he began to read.

  Dear Joshua, August 1, 1888

  It has taken some time but I believe I’ve found exactly what you’ve been looking for here in Illinois. The item is used and is rather special though perhaps somewhat the worse for wear. It does not come as a single piece but with additional baggage. Still it should fit well with the needs of the ranch. The packaging is perhaps a bit bulkier than you’d like but I’d place a high value on its worth. It should travel well and reach you sometime in October if all goes to plan. I hope that it is received happily by everyone as it is sent to you with love.

  Things are the same here in the city. I’m hoping with the elections coming up in November perhaps we will finally find some relief from the trials and corruption of this once great place. Give my love to each of the girls and keep well.

  Your loving brother,

  Jonas.

  ***

  Bianca Leone’ set the coffee pot back on the stove, placed a plate of molasses cookies on the table and took her seat next to her husband, who turned up the lamp. It was late. Everyone else had turned in hours ago. Katie and Will having retired early to the bedroom they would now share.

  Joshua James sat at the head of the kitchen table a crisp white sheet of paper in his hand as he gazed around the group assembled there. The white of the paper and envelope seeming brighter in the deep darkness of the night.

  “I received a letter from my brother Jonas.” Joshua said without preamble “He’s sending us a package.” He paused looking around the table significantly. “It should arrive sometime next month. He’s a little cryptic when it comes to details. I know we agreed there would be no specifics but that leaves something to be desired. Of course this last endeavor worked out for the best so I guess we’ll just have to have faith that the next one will go as well.”

  Billy’s chuckle from the other side of the table made everyone look up. “I reckon’ you can say it worked out alright but ya’ can’t say it went off without a hitch.” He chuckled again shaking his head. “Reckon, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.”

  “I’ll speak to the rest of the men before Cathleen and I leave for the cabin tomorrow.” Benji said reaching out and taking his wife’s hand. “If you need anything more, we won’t be far away.”

  Cathleen’s soft eyes and bright smile twinkled as she suppressed a giggle. The whole clandestine meeting was almost more than her cheerful disposition could bare but she understand the reasons that some secrets on the ranch were not shared equally.

  “I’d say you all know what to do, but for now all we can do is wait and watch.”

  “And pray.” Bianca added softly then stood and blew out the lamp.

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  For a sneak peek of the next book in The Cattleman’s Daughters series go to the next page.

  Sneak Peek

  Chapter 1

  Wrapping her heavy woolen shawl around her shoulders Fiona gently lowered the lamb back into its box and turned toward the barn door. The jingling sound of harness and the heavy clomp of hooves caught her ear and drew her toward the lowering skies outside. Her father hadn’t said anything about a delivery but the creak of wagon wheels could be heard clearly even from inside the barn. Stepping into the weak light of an autumn sky, she blinked up as large white flakes of the first snow of the year began to fall, and smiled.

  Shielding her eyes with her hand she waited for them to adjust to the brighter shade of gray and searched for the source of the noise. Across the barn yard, standing directly between the barn and the house, were two of the largest horses she’d ever seen. They were massive, standing at least six feet at the withers; their burnished coats of red, now speckled with falling snow. Long legs, feathered from knee to fetlock with thick white hair ended in massive hooves the size of dinner plates. Their high, heavily muscled, arched necks were decked in thick braids, and their jet black tails hung nearly to the ground ending in a precise square cut. Behind them a large wheeled freight cart, painted in garish red, with bright yellow spokes on its iron rimmed wheels creaked gently.

  Her eyes followed the lines of the traces all the way from the horses silver bits to the wagon seat where they ended in a man’s gloved hands. Through the softly falling snow she watched the form of a large man unfold himself from the seat, bend nearly double, and climb down on the barn side of the wagon. She wondered why he didn’t go straight to the house. Instead his feet hit the frosty earth and turned back to the wagon seat. He was a big man. Judging by the size of the wagon he was at least six foot four. His thick black winter coat added to his bulk even as it stretched tight against wide, thick shoulders.

  With his arms raised above his head the buttons of his winter gear strained across a barrel chest. This was no small man but one sized to match his team. Fiona looked up and up to where the man’s large, spade like hands had taken hold of the tiniest, tow-headed boy she had ever seen, if he was even fi
ve years old she’d be surprised. A soft gasp escaped her as the tike, dressed in winter wear and wrapped in a blanket, was lifted into the air onto the man’s shoulders with a giggle. Why in the world would this driver ever bring a child along with him? The weather at this time of year was at best unpredictable and there were no signs of any form of civilization with in a four days ride of the ranch. The big man turned toward the horses and on doing so noticed, for the first time, the young woman standing in the open doorway of the barn.