A Cowboy Of Convenience

Chapter Two

“McCall?”

West frowned, his arms resting against the door of the stall where the new mare stood eating. He couldn’t keep his focus on his work. Instead, he kept thinking about Vienna’s announcement earlier. Truth be told, he’d struggled to concentrate on anything the rest of the afternoon and evening.

“McCall? Did you hear me?” Edward asked in his slight British accent. “You look as lost in thought as Vienna tonight.”

At the mention of Vienna’s name, West straightened away from the stall and threw his employer a contrite smile. “Sorry, Boss. Where were we?”

“I asked after the new mare here.”

West dipped his head in a quick nod. “Right. She seems to have settled in well. And I don’t think she’ll give us much trouble with breaking her in.”

“Excellent.” Edward moved away from the mare toward the open doors of the ranch’s main barn. “What about the south pasture fence?”

“Nearly all fixed. We’ll finish tomorrow.”

He joined his employer outside where the first stars had begun to glitter overhead. The unimpeded view of their brightness in the vast stretch of sky never ceased to amaze him. It was one in a long list of things he cherished about living out west.

“How did Thurston do overseeing the fence project today?” Edward asked next.

The wrangler had been working at the ranch longer than any of the other young men, and West had been recently tasked with giving him more opportunities to lead. “Did real well. You gunnin’ for him to replace me?” he half teased.

“Not right away.” Edward chuckled. “But I know you still want to run a dude ranch of your own someday.”

West had confided that dream to Edward about a year after coming to work at the Running W. His visits to a dude ranch in North Dakota as a young man had inspired his future plans as well as the pivotal decision to fully embrace a life out west. He’d been relieved and grateful when Edward, a man he fully respected, hadn’t scoffed as some ranchers did at the notion of building a career helping wealthy guests experience Western life.

“Which is why,” Edward added, “when the time comes, I want to be sure Thurston will be ready to take over as the next ranch foreman.”

West expected Edward to head to the house right then as the man usually did. Not that he could blame him. If West had a wife and a baby on the way, he’d probably wish to spend every possible moment with his family, too. But while a family meant potential for great joy, as Edward had clearly discovered, they could also be the means of immense heartache. West had learned that sad, hard fact years ago—one was loved and important as long as they were doing what everyone wanted. Once the usefulness wore out, so did the strength of familial ties.

Rather than go inside, though, Edward loosely folded his arms and regarded West curiously. “You want to share what was on your mind earlier?”

“Just thinking,” he hedged.

Edward glanced in the direction of the house. “Did you hear Chance Howe is dead?”

“Yep, Vienna told me earlier.” West kicked at a clump of grass with the toe of his boot. “Did she tell you what she’ll do now?” He didn’t want to share her plan to leave the ranch if she hadn’t yet told the Kents.

“She and Hattie will be moving back to the HC Bar.”

West felt Edward’s gaze on him as he stared hard at the ground. “I suppose that makes sense.”

“Then what’s the reason for your scowl?” the other man asked with a laugh.

Crossing his arms, West lifted his chin and did his best to school his expression into his usual relaxed one. “Just surprised. Vienna seems to really like working and living here. Hattie, too.”

“I believe they did, that they do. However, Vienna wants a home of her own.” Edward looked out across the ranch and pastures. “Now that Howe’s gone, she can return to her home without any fear of him interfering.”

West swallowed back an uncharacteristically sarcastic remark about the Running W being her and Hattie’s home. Still, he wasn’t surprised by Vienna’s desire to have her own home. He’d known nearly from their first meeting, seven years ago, how important home was to her and how much she missed the one she’d had to sell after her parents had both passed away.

He’d wanted to tell her that earlier, but after revealing her shocking news, she’d retreated into the house. West had seen her later when she’d served dinner to the ranch staff, but there hadn’t been a chance to talk privately with her again.

“You can still look out for them, you know.” Edward’s words intruded into West’s thoughts. “They won’t be far away.”

Heat rose up his neck at the realization that his need to protect Vienna and her daughter hadn’t gone unnoticed by his good friend. “I’ve never acted in a way that wasn’t aboveboard, Boss. I promise.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute, McCall. And I apologize if you think I was implying something to the contrary.” Edward maintained West’s gaze as he added, “You’ve been the perfect gentleman in honoring your past and present friendship with her.”

The relief he felt at Edward’s reassurance was short-lived. More than friendship had motivated West to watch out for Vienna since the night he had helped rescue her from Chance. It had only been a few days prior to that when he’d learned, to his shock and dismay, the kind of husband the man had been to Vienna.

But he couldn’t share his true motive with Edward for wanting to protect Vienna—not yet, maybe never. To do so would mean giving voice to his ever-present guilt. Guilt that told him Vienna’s unhappy marriage to Chance was all West’s fault. After all, he’d been the one to encourage the match in the first place, and he’d be the one to make things right by her now, even if no one, including Vienna, understood why.

“It’ll be strange, won’t it, not having them here anymore?” he said as much in truth as to steer the conversation away from himself.

Vienna might have only been on the ranch for three years, but West could hardly remember what things had been like prior to that. He wasn’t sure he wanted to imagine what it would be like not having her around anymore. Nodding, Edward looked toward the house again. “It’ll be an adjustment, no question about that. And not simply because we’ll need to find a new cook to help Mrs. Harvey. Maggy and I will miss them both.” He shot West a sad smile. “Maggy, in particular, is having a hard time of it, though she understands Vienna’s reasons for going.”

West wasn’t surprised to hear Edward’s wife was struggling with the news. Anyone could see that the bond between Maggy and Vienna ran as close and deep as sisters. Which meant West wouldn’t be the only one to grieve Vienna’s departure when the time came, no matter how close the Howes’ ranch might be to the Running W.

He hoped to visit there as often as he could, but it wouldn’t be the same as seeing Vienna’s soft smile every day or having the chance to teach Hattie something new about the horses and the ranch.

The reality of their leaving sunk deep inside him with that last thought, leaving West feeling hollow with loss in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

* * *

The Kents’ wagon rattled along the road from Sheridan to the ranch. Vienna sat in back, along with West who had been oddly somber since yesterday. She missed his usual smiles and laughter. Still, she’d been relieved when he, Edward and Maggy had asked if they could accompany her to the graveside service at the cemetery today. Mrs. Harvey had volunteered to watch Hattie, so the four adults had set off in the wagon shortly after breakfast.

The sunshine seemed to mock the reality of seeing Chance’s coffin and listening to the pastor’s short speech. The only other people present besides Vienna, the Kents and West were Sheriff Tweed and Chance’s friend Gunther Bertram.

Not knowing the circumstances, the pastor likely hoped his words would bring all of them, especially Vienna, solace—but she wasn’t a typical grieving widow. She needed comfort, yes, but more from the shock of how drastically life could change from one moment to the next than from sorrow over losing a husband she hadn’t seen in three years—a husband she had left, hoping to never see again.

After the short service, as the other guests had visited quietly, she’d remained beside the open hole. “I’m sorry, Chance,” she whispered, “that you were so troubled and broken. I realized shortly after befriending Maggy that I couldn’t fix that for you. Only you could do that.”

Tears blurred the freshly turned earth beside the grave as old memories and remembered pain filled her thoughts. She wrestled them back with the reminder that she was now forever free of Chance’s mistreatment.

“I wish we’d both known that you were responsible for yourself. Maybe then things would have been different. Or maybe not.” She sniffed back the salty moisture. “Either way, I’ve forgiven you and I’m grateful for the gift of our daughter that you gave me. She’s beautiful and smart...and best of all...she isn’t afraid or timid.” Not like Vienna used to be. Not like she still felt sometimes. “Goodbye, Chance.”

She’d felt sapped of all energy even before Bertram had approached her with condolences and news about her horses, which he’d apparently been caring for at Chance’s request. West had thankfully interrupted, cutting the conversation short, and led her to the wagon. Once inside, she’d slumped onto the boards and had been lost in her thoughts ever since.

“Have you given any more thought to your idea about opening a café or restaurant?” Maggy asked, turning on the wagon seat to look at Vienna.

She shook her head. “No, not really.”

“You want to open a café?” West’s question sounded genuinely curious, but the look in his brown eyes told her that he was surprised and possibly hurt that she hadn’t shared the idea with him sooner.

Vienna hurried to explain. “It’s only something I thought of yesterday.”

“I’d definitely come eat at any place you run, Vienna.” Maggy smiled as she massaged the small of her back. Vienna could readily identify with the discomfort that came with being eight months pregnant. “I didn’t think anyone could bake or cook as well as Mrs. Harvey, but you’re now as competent in the kitchen as she is.”

Vienna’s cheeks heated with a blush, though she appreciated the sincere compliment. “Thank you. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to love making food.”

“So you’d sell the HC Bar and buy a place in town?” West lifted his knee and rested his arm on top. The casual pose belied the tension she noticed in the lines of his shoulders and jaw. Was he upset with her?

The thought brought remembered fear and an instant need to smooth things over, as she had so often done with Chance. But West wasn’t a threat, she reminded herself.

She met his level gaze with one of her own and swallowed back her fear. “Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do yet. I like the idea of running my own business, but I’m not sure I can picture me and Hattie living in town.”

“If you open something in Big Horn rather than Sheridan, you’d be closer to the Running W,” Maggy pointed out.

Having a café or restaurant in the small town a few miles from the ranch sounded more attractive to Vienna, too, though a larger town like Sheridan would likely mean more visitors. Either way, did she want to raise her daughter among the hubbub of town, large or small? Or would they both miss the sprawling openness of the prairie? They would certainly miss the people, especially the ones right here.

A lump filled her throat at the thought of leaving them and the Running W behind. And yet...it was past time she proved to herself and to everyone else that she was capable of being on her own.

While she’d been grateful for a roof overhead and food to eat after she’d lost her parents, Vienna had often felt frustrated at being beholden and dependent upon first her aunt and uncle and then her husband for nearly everything in her life. She’d greatly appreciated the opportunity to earn her keep with the Kents, but she still wished to live in and manage a home that was entirely hers.

“How much work does your ranch need?” The question came from Edward.

Vienna frowned. “I’m hoping not much, beyond some cleaning inside the house and a few repairs outside.” If the ranch needed significant work to get it up and operating again, or at least in a fit state to sell it, that would likely require more money than she had.

“We’d like to help how we can, Vienna.” Edward turned far enough around on the seat to send her a genuine smile. “Whether that’s with getting settled in or assisting with repairs.”

A fresh swell of gratitude rose inside her at all that he and Maggy had done for her. “I appreciate the offer. I thought I’d drive over to the ranch later today, when Hattie takes her nap, to see what the place looks like.”

“I can drive you in the wagon if you’d like,” West volunteered.

His earlier tension had seemed to drain away, to Vienna’s relief. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, West.”

He nodded. “I can help with any repairs, too—if the boss is all right with that.”

“Certainly,” Edward answered. “It’ll be good practice for Thurston to manage things without you hovering over his shoulder.”

Vienna offered West a thankful smile. “I’d appreciate the help.”

When he smiled back, she felt her lingering shock and regret over Chance’s death fade away. She was grateful for West’s friendship—his presence had been a steady and welcome one to both her and Hattie the last few years. And she hoped it would remain so, wherever she ended up.

* * *

As she viewed the wooden arch of the HC Bar for the first time in three years, Vienna felt a clammy sweat collect beneath the collar of her blouse. She shifted on the wagon seat, causing West to glance her way. Not able to muster up a smile, she kept her face trained forward, toward the ranch in the near distance.

The last time she’d been here it had been summer, too. Chance had been drunk—again—and hurling insults and curse words at her like bullets. During the midst of the barrage, words from her new friend Maggy about worth and strength had pierced Vienna’s mind and wouldn’t let go. So, for the first time in the two years she’d been married, she finally stood up for herself. She told Chance that she was through, that she would no longer stay in a house with someone who treated her as less valuable than his precious horses.

Chance’s retribution was swift, though not entirely unexpected. He landed a solid slap across her cheek before raging all over again. Vienna steeled herself for another blow, but it never came. Instead her husband marched out the door, disappeared into the barn and rode away a few minutes later.

Vienna waited by the window, her cheek smarting, certain Chance would be back at any moment. The moments stretched to minutes, though, before she realized the opportunity he’d unintentionally presented to her. If she saddled her own mount, she could make good on her vow to ride away from Chance and the HC Bar forever.

The lure of freedom propelled her into action. She went to the barn, which was thankfully devoid of any of their ranch hands, and prepared a horse, but dark thoughts threatened her progress. What if Chance returned before she could get away? What if she got away, but he tracked her down and dragged her back from wherever she went to finish his punishment?

Vienna froze beside the saddled horse. Her heart crashed so hard against her ribs that she could hardly breathe.

She shut her eyes and whispered a prayer. It wasn’t like the others she’d offered in hopes of softening Chance’s heart or becoming a better wife. No, this time she petitioned God for courage and any particle of strength she might possess in order to follow through with her plan—a plan that included providing her unborn baby with a safe and loving home. She also prayed she would make it away unharmed if possible.

With slightly calmer breaths but trembling hands, she’d mounted her horse and rode hard toward the one place she’d hoped she would be safe from Chance—the Running W Ranch, where Maggy was staying and West McCall worked as a foreman. She made it to the ranch without incident, and despite two other attempts by Chance to force her to come home, Vienna had been liberated both times. After that, she’d made a life for herself, and later for Hattie, at the Running W. A life of peace and happiness.

Did she really wish to leave that life now? she wondered as they passed by the HC Bar’s corral. Was she capable of being on her own? Of being strong? Could she live in this place that held so few happy memories?

Her heart sped up with dismay when she viewed the barn and house. Both buildings were in sore need of new paint, and tumbleweeds had taken up residence along their walls. Her once beloved garden was now a sea of weeds. The scene so accurately matched the bleak and lonely emptiness of her short marriage that her chest tightened, and she found herself flinching in preparation for some expected blow.

West’s hand settled on her arm, startling her from her panic. Looking from his strong fingers to his face, she vaguely noted that he’d parked the wagon. He hadn’t spoken much on the drive over, but then, neither had she.

“You’re safe, Vienna,” he said in a low voice, his brown eyes devoid of any levity.

They were the same words he’d murmured to her the night he’d helped rescue her after Chance’s kidnapping. As they had then, they soothed her agitation and fear now.

“Yes, you’re right.” She exhaled slowly and rested her hand on top of his for a moment. Beneath the solid comfort of the friendly gesture, a strange sensation flittered through her stomach—not so unlike the one she’d felt when they had first met.

Vienna twisted on the seat, breaking his hold and ending the bizarre butterflies in her middle. While their interactions were only that of friendly propriety, she’d long thought West McCall handsome with his black curly hair and warm brown eyes. He was thirty, which put him at only five years her senior, and his easygoing personality and kindness were as recommendable as his good looks. The girl who successfully won West’s heart would be blessed indeed.

A prick of regret followed such a thought, surprising Vienna. Setting aside the odd path her thoughts had taken, she waited as West climbed down from the wagon and circled around it to come help her. She could do this—she could make something of this place.

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear,” she reminded herself. It had become her favorite scripture.

“Let’s give the house a closer look first,” she said as West assisted her to the ground. “Then I can figure out what needs to be done to make this place livable again.”

Chapter Three

West had never been to the HC Bar Ranch before now. Yet even knowing what a scoundrel Chance Howe had turned out to be, he was impressed at the man’s extensive property. And to think, Vienna’s late husband had owned all of this outright.

Still, the signs of neglect and absence were everywhere. The moderate-sized house featured dusty, cobwebbed furniture, a roof in need of new shingles and a back porch with missing boards. Vienna’s earlier determined look lost more and more of its resolve as she led him through the house.