Maggie's Valley (Strong Hearts, Open Spirits Book 1) Read online

  Mr. Vane, politely seated Maggie at a small table, then sat down across from her. “Have you just arrived in town then Miss…?” His question hung heavy between them as Maggie fully recognized that she had not in return introduced herself. For a long moment she considered not answering then, sweetly said;

  “Mrs. Mrs. Westen.”

  “Well pleased to meet you Mrs. Westen.” Mr. Vane intoned. “Will we be meeting Mr. Westen then tonight as well?”

  “No.” Was all Maggie would say.

  A few moments later their coffee arrived and since it was obvious that Mr. Vane had no intention of leaving she at least tried to be civil, after all the man had just assisted her in a rather awkward situation. Moments later, Chaz walked through the door, hat in hand, and started at the image of Maggie seated across from a very tall man, well-dressed man. Perhaps he was the lawyer Maggie had mentioned. Still Chaz approached with some caution, gazing around him in wonder at the simple but nicely appointed hotel dining room.

  He’d never been in a place like this in his whole life. Mr. Vane introduced himself as Maggie introduced Chaz, emphasizing that he was her brother and not batting an eye at the semi truth she was telling.

  They sat there for about a half hour, just talking about nothing it seemed when finally with a long exaggerated yawn Maggie announced that she was tired from her long ride and that she hoped they would excuse her. Both men stood and Mr. Vane said good night, as he left the table, Maggie lay her hand on Chaz’ arm, so he hung back while the big man walked across the lobby and then out into the street. Quickly she told him what had happened but that she didn’t want Mr. Van knowing she was a widow or that Chaz was staying in the barn and not in the hotel. Chaz scratched his head but agreed then telling her that he’d see her at breakfast the next morning donned his hat and left.

  Maggie dragged herself to bed exhausted after a long day in the saddle and happily dropped into the exquisitely soft bed. Although her whole body greedily sank deep into the mattress, her mind was wide awake. She was in fact thankful that Mr. Vane had come along when he did, but at the same time she thought he had been quite bold, almost arrogant in insisting he walk her to her hotel.

  Well, this was the West, perhaps things were different here. David never would have presumed so much. With a soft sigh she thought of him again for the first time in a long time. He had been a good man and she missed him. Their life together had been a good one even if so short. Closing her weary eyes, she lifted a prayer of thanks to God for bringing them to town safely, and for protecting her, even if she didn’t appreciate the means that were sent to do it. Then she drifted off to sleep.

  The next morning a warm, dry breeze blew across the town bringing the first true hint of summer. The street outside the hotel was dry and dusty as Maggie walked out into the bright day. She had allowed herself the luxury of sleeping late, with no animals to be fed and no work to be done, the extra few hours seemed to fill her with energy. She was just turning toward the livery when she spotted Chaz coming out, of the big doors brushing any remnants of straw or hay from his rather ragged clothes.

  Maggie wondered if they could afford something new for him, and maybe find a decent winter coat that would see him through the long snowy season that would be upon them in no time. Waving, she stepped out into the street and headed toward where the boy stood. "Good morning'" he called brightly to her as he met her halfway along the dusty board walk. "Where to first?" he asked, gazing around in wonder at the small western town.

  “I think the general store first. I have a long list of things I need and we need to stock up. It might be a long time before we come back to town."

  Together they strolled toward the dusky wooden building with the large bright sign that read 'General Mercantile' Entering Chaz looked about longingly, his eye being pulled to the neat row of new saddles and bridles. Slowly he gazed at them, then moved on to the dry goods table, where Maggie already stood looking at readymade clothing.

  "I've just given my list to the store clerk and he assures me he can get everything ready for us before Monday morning. Now I think we should see about a new pair of trousers for you, and a couple of shirts, don't you?"

  "No ma'am," the young man protested, "I can't let you go buying me none of that, it wouldn't be right."

  "Of course it will be alright. We'll just get two pair of each. You have to have something before your one outfit wears clear through. How are you supposed to keep working without a stitch to wear? Besides, I'll be sure you earn your keep."

  Together they found two pair of denim pants, buying them a little large so that the boy would have a chance to grow into them, and two bright, plaid flannel shirts, she would have liked to have gotten a new pair of boots for him as well but that would put just too much strain on the budget. Instead they agreed on buying a good sturdy leather belt that would see him through many hours of hard work.

  Chaz was embarrassed at Maggie's generosity and tried to push his precious few dollars into her hand as they approached the front desk

  . "No." Maggie stated gently but firmly. "You should see about some proper tack for that mare of yours now that you’re settled. We can't have you falling off her skinny back when there's work to be done now can we?"

  "No ma'am." Chaz chuckled "But there ain't nothin' here that I can afford. The clerk who was just wrapping Chaz's new clothes in brown paper overheard and grinned at the boy.

  "I think Charlie over at the livery, has some used tack he'd sell ya reasonable if that's what you're looking for." Seems some cowboys in here every few weeks, down on his luck, and desperate to sell his rig. One of the fellas from the Bar T was in just last week. Seems he got the sack and wasn't given his pay so he had to sell up."

  "Thanks," Chaz blurted cheerfully and turned to Maggie excitement blazing in his eyes. "Will you come a long and look with me? I know you know horses more than you like to say and it would make me feel good to know you approve of what I find."

  "I'd be delighted." Maggie said then settling their bill, she took Chaz’s free arm and together they walked back to the livery.

  Charlie, the old hostler, was sitting in a battered chair that he’d rocked back to lean against the front wall of the stable. His dusty gray hat was tilted over his eyes to shade them from the midmorning glare and he seemed to be napping. Horses milled quietly in the corral eating hay, or dozing in the lazy heat. At the sound of their footsteps, Charlies chair legs hit the dirt.

  "Well, look who the cat done dragged in." He spouted gleefully.

  "If it ain't the horse lady." He chuckled softly to himself then rose to greet them. "I ain't got no more ornery old nags today for ya. Is there something else you'd be needin'?"

  Chaz explained that he was looking for a set of sturdy tack for his mare and that Maggie had come along to advise him. Charlie, scratched his weathered chin, then turned toward the shadowy interior of the barn.

  "I got a couple pieces that might do. You got a pretty rangy mare, an' I reckon she'll keep growin' for a bit yet. Lookey here at this." He said pointing toward a battered brown saddle. It was worn, but well cared for and only had the simplest adornments on it but nothing was broken or damaged. "I got a bridle, come with it too." Charlie added, lifting the large wide sided bridle from the saddle horn. "Reckon, I'd let it go for twenty dollars, if you like it."

  Chaz looked the gear over critically then turned to Maggie, not sure if this was a fair price or not.

  "Let's see what Clara thinks of it all first, shall we?" She said nodding toward the mare nibbling hay in her stall. Charlie gave a bit of a start looking first to Maggie then following her eyes to the horse.

  "Oh, I see, well, I suppose they'll be her dudds..."He said with a chuckle and handed the gear to Chaz. First Chaz checked the size of the bridle; it had just enough room left in it to fit the big horse’s large head. He would change the long handled, curb bit preferred by cowboys for the old snaffle on the driving bridle he already had and it should work just fine. Ne
xt he tossed a blanket on to Clara's rust colored back then threw the saddle over.

  The mare sighed as if it was a terrible burden but didn't fuss as he buckled both the main and the back girth. Finally, he stepped back and took a look. The saddles two-toned brown and tan leather fittings looked nice on the big animal’s bony frame and he smiled. Maggie moved up and checked to see that the saddle wasn't pinching Clara anywhere and then grinned.

  "It looks wonderful." She finally proclaimed.

  "Well then it's a deal," said Chaz beaming. Carefully he pulled his few crumpled bills from his pocket then handed them to Charlie before extending his hand in gentlemanly fashion. Charlie, shook hands with the boy and grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat tucked the bills into his pocket. Chaz untacked the mare, and lovely slung his new rig over a saddle rack.

  "I even have two dollars left." He whispered conspiratorially to Maggie who grinned and took his arm in hers.

  They were just making their way back toward the hotel for lunch when a loud clomping caught their attention and Mr. Vane, stepped between them.

  "Well good morning." He greeted Maggie warmly, tipping his hat. I was just coming to see if you would have lunch with me."

  "Well thank you." Maggie replied sweetly "but I don't think that would be a good idea. My brother and I have a good deal of business to discuss and I'm sure it would bore you to tears." She didn't know why but this man's bold manner annoyed her. She tried to move on, but he stepped in front of them.

  "No I insist." He said, a big smile spreading over his wide, handsome, featured face. It wouldn't be neighborly to not have lunch with you now would it?" and with that he stuck out his elbow clearly expecting Maggie to take it.

  Together the three of them entered the dining room at the hotel. Mr. Vane seating her as a gentleman should. She noticed how the wait staff quickly hustled over to their table and how attentive they were to Mr. Vane.

  She wondered if he were well known in the town or if he had some influence in Saw Brush. She wracked her brain trying to remember the name, but it did not seem to ring a bell. He was a tall man, probably in his early thirties, handsome in his own way with wide dark features; dark eyes, a long straight nose, and even white teeth. He seemed to understand that by most standards he was considered handsome and had no doubts about it himself. His confidence struck Maggie as something more akin to arrogance but she pushed these unkind thoughts to the side trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  Before she or Chaz even had a chance to order she found that the stranger across from her had ordered for all of them and was just ordering a bottle of wine when she stopped him.

  "I'm sorry Mr. Vane, but we do not drink alcohol so I must insist on just water. Besides I will not over tax my budget on frivolities."

  "Well, excuse me, ma’am. I didn't mean to offend, and I thought it was understood that I'm taking you to lunch. Don't your worry your pretty little self about the cost."

  "Oh, no, Mr. Vane, I'm sorry but I cannot accept." Maggie indicated to the bewildered waiter that she would indeed be paying for her and Chaz' meal, however, he looked to Mr. Vane instead, and smiled at the man's wink. Maggie quickly grasped that there would be no way her money would be accepted for this meal. Well she would see to it that this did not happen again.

  Eventually their meals arrived and Mr. Vane engaged them in small talk. First speaking of the warm weather, and the lack of rain.

  "... It isn't too dry yet, but I'm worried if it stays like this the hay will be ready far too soon and we won't have enough of it for winter. With my spread being the largest in the area I have to make sure I get in plenty of hay before snow fall you know."

  Chaz seemed enthralled with the talk of Mr. Vane's ranch and asked several questions which were answered somewhat shortly. They discovered that Mr. Vane ran some ten thousand head of cattle both on fenced land and on common grass lands. He proudly described his house and out buildings as if speaking of his own small fiefdom, which Maggie guessed in its own way it was.

  "... and what about you?" He finally asked interrupting her thoughts. "Is your place far from here?" Chaz opened his mouth to reply but with a glance Maggie silenced him.

  "It's a good pace out of town." She replied "you know just a small place to keep us all happy and fed. Nothing like the magnificent place you run."

  Mr. Vane seemed pleased with what he perceived as her praise of his ranch and didn't seem to recognize her evasion. "Well." He continued " The Bar T is a pretty good place if I say so myself." At the mention of the name of the ranch Chaz once more spoke up. "Oh, I just bought me a set of gear over ta' livery from a fella that used to work there." He said proudly.

  "Well son, sometimes we get some no account drifters come looking for work. I had to fire a fella just the other week. His pony went and broke its leg in a goffer hole and he expected me to replace it. Can you imagine? Wanting me to pay for his own mistake. Well I fired him on the spot. With a ranch the size of mine you can't take any chances with these types you know."

  For some reason these words made Maggie feel uncomfortable. A strange uneasiness crept into her chest and she found herself silently praying for God to watch over her and young Chaz. Quickly then she finished her meal and excused herself, indicating that Chaz should come with her.

  "Thank you very much for your hospitality Mr. Vane. You have been too kind." she said extending her hand. "Unfortunately Chaz and I have to leave tomorrow and I'm sure you understand there is much to be done." With that she took Chaz by the arm and pulled him toward the stairs leading up to her room.

  "But," Chaz began to protest. "I thought..." Maggie cut him off with a look and together they left the dining room as the waiter returned to clear away the table. Once securely in her room she turned toward Chaz.

  "I'm sorry about that Chaz. I know we said we'd leave on Monday but I just feel we need to head back. Who knows what the weather will bring and ...” She hesitated for a long moment. “Well you see I have a strange feeling about Mr. Vane. I can't explain it. He just seems far too interested in me and… I just don't know but I feel we need to get going tomorrow."

  With this statement she walked to her widow facing the street and watched as Mr. Vane swung up on a magnificent sorrel horse, and wheeled into the street, cutting straight across the path of a young boy chasing a hoop without even a backward glance. Once she was sure he had gone she told Chaz to go and speak with Charlie to let him know they would be wanting their horses early the next morning. Then together they walked back down the stairs. Maggie settled her bill and asked the clerk to make a note to wake her at four in the morning. Then she went to the general store where the clerk assured her the order would be packed and delivered to the stables that very night.

  "Oh thank you so much." She said smiling at the man who indicated his name was Jack. "And just one more thing. Do you know of anyone who would be willing to sell me a few chickens and a rooster? I'll even take chicks if that is all that is available but I'd love to have just two chickens." Jack smiled at her.

  "That's the easiest thing in the world, my missus has a whole mess of chickens and I know she'd be right pleased to sell you a few. Just give me a few minutes to speak to her and then she can take you out back and find you a crate for them."

  Ten minutes later, Maggie stood holding a small wooden crate with four fat hens and a small and rather scrawny rooster, which she suspected by all of his missing feathers, was at the bottom of the pecking order. She exchanged a few coins with Jack's wife and then happily turned toward the livery. There she deposited her little stash, throwing them a handful of corn and turned to greet Charlie.

  "Charlie?" She asked “What can you tell me about Mr. Donavan Vane?" Charlie rubbed his whiskered chin, for what seemed to be a long time, studying her closely and then replied. "Well, he's got the biggest spread around."

  "I see, and do you like him?”

  "Well, I don't see much of him. I'll tell you though he drives a hard bargain when it
comes to horse flesh."

  Maggie could sense Charlie’s reluctance to say anything more but she suspected that he didn't really care much for Mr. Vane. "one last thing Charlie if you don't mind my asking, where, besides the hotel, can one find a good meal for a good price?" to this question Charlie quickly replied.

  "Well I'd try the widow Meeks' place if I was you. She sure can serve up a dandy chicken dinner. She's just down the street there on the left. The little house with the blue shutters."

  "Thank you Charlie. Maggie said with a smile and calling Chaz, started down the street for the place indicated. The widow Meeks could indeed cook up a delicious chicken dinner and that is just what she had for her new guests. Crisp fried chicken with fried potatoes and onions and a side of greens. It was one of the best meals Maggie had had since leaving Philadelphia and judging by the way Chaz dug into his portion he agreed.

  After lunch they went to see the lawyer and with a light heart Maggie added Chaz Sullivan to the deed of her little spread. She was not surprised that the young man indicated the he could neither read nor write but silently decided something would be done about that as soon as possible. After supper as the sun slipped behind the horizon. Chaz walked Maggie back to the hotel and told her he would be ready to get on the move in the morning then bade her goodnight. As she approached the stairs the clerk called out to her indicating he had a message for her. It was from the infuriating Mr. Vane. He had called by to offer her dinner but having missed her he hoped he would see her in the morning at breakfast.

  "Did you tell Mr. Vane, that I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning?" she asked the clerk.

  "No ma’am, we don't give personal details out to anyone about our visitors." He replied solemnly.

  "Thank you, and goodnight."

  Arriving in her room, Maggie did not turn up the oil lamp that sat glowing softly on her dressing table. Instead she undressed carefully and changed into her night gown. Hanging her clothes neatly she looked at her black traveling dress she had brought along in anticipation of going to church the next day.