Land of My Heart (33 page)

“What in the world are you doing out this way?” the big man questioned.

Cole dismounted and shook the man’s gloved hand. “I was looking to have a word with you.”

“Well, it’s almost lunchtime,” Bram said, turning to the other man. “You remember Cole Selby, don’t you, Gus?”

“Sure do.” The man reached out to shake Cole’s hand.

Gus Yegen was Vandyke’s right-hand man. Years of working as a cowboy, wrangler, and foreman on a large ranch in Texas made him a valuable companion for the big Dutchman who hoped to build a ranch for himself in Montana.

“Good to see you, Gus,” Cole said.

“I’d imagine Koko has lunch about ready. Why don’t we make our way to the house and we can talk about whatever it is that brought you all this way.”

Cole noted a few changes had been made since he’d been there last fall. Several corrals were in place and a barn had been built out of logs and stripped planks.

“I see you’re noticing our handiwork,” Bram said proudly. “We barely got that put together before the first big snow.”

“It looks good. Solid.” Cole thought it looked sturdier than the log cabin they were making their way to just now. He wondered if Dianne had any idea of her uncle’s living conditions. Would she find it abominable to be stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, a good twenty-five or thirty miles from any real town?

Cole’s senses were assaulted with the inviting aroma of food as soon as Bram opened the door, and concern about Dianne fled his thoughts. He remembered Bram’s wife being a good cook, and his stomach rumbled loudly as they made their way into the house. After eating a cold breakfast on the trail, he was more than ready for hot grub.

“Koko, look who’s here,” Bram announced. “It’s Cole Selby. He helped us last year with the cattle drive.”

The dark-haired woman smiled and came to meet him. She was dressed as any other pioneering woman might be—simple skirt and blouse, apron to cover both—but her Indian features stood out in a marked way. Her hair was fixed in two black braids, and her high cheekbones and honey-brown skin gave her a rather exotic look. She was a handsome woman, Cole thought, closer to his own age than Bram Vandyke’s. He knew a lot of men living in the wilderness were given to marrying native women, sometimes much younger women, but he still found it rather shocking. Back East the mixed marriage wouldn’t have been acceptable, but here in the West it seemed almost a common occurrence.

“It’s good to see you again, Mr. Selby,” Koko Vandyke greeted.

Cole yanked his hat off in respect. “You too, ma’am. I remember your good cooking.”

Bram laughed and pulled off his gloves and hat. “Cole, you and Gus can hang your things on the back of the door.” Koko came to her husband and took his hat and gloves, then waited for him to get out of his heavy coat.

Gus and Cole did as instructed, then made their way to the table. By this time Bram had taken a seat and Koko was already working to set another place.

“Hope you like elk steak,” Bram said.

“I can’t imagine anything more welcome after a long ride,” Cole replied.

Koko plopped a thick steak down on the plate in front of each man.

After this she brought a huge cast-iron skillet of fried potatoes. Bram took the pan from her and began helping himself to the food, while Koko retrieved a platter of sliced bread and a bowl of sweet peas. After each of them had filled their plates, Bram offered thanks and then instructed them to dig in. There would be no conversation until their hunger was somewhat abated.

Cole watched as Koko lovingly tended to each of them in between eating her own share of food. She poured coffee into their mugs at the first sign of need and went to retrieve more bread when Gus took the last slice from the platter. She was a kind and gentle woman. Cole had never seen such a servant’s heart in any person. He remembered from his earlier time with the Vandykes that Koko had never seemed to care whether there were two men or ten to feed and care for. She seemed only to enjoy being needed. How different from his mother, who while happy to take the financial support of her boarders, was less than content in having to actually deal with the people themselves.

As the meal wound down, Bram pushed back and lit a cigar. “So tell me why you rode all this way. Do you need a job?”

Cole put his fork down and shook his head. “Actually, I was hired by your niece, Dianne Chadwick. I have a letter for you.” He pulled the letter out of his pocket and handed it across the table to Bram.

“Do you know what’s in this letter?” Bram asked, eyeing Cole curiously.

“I know the intent of the letter,” Cole admitted. “Dianne spoke with me at length about the situation.”

“I see. So why don’t you just tell me what’s in here.” He spoke in such a way that it almost seemed a command.

Cole nodded. “I’m afraid the news isn’t good. Your sister passed away just before Christmas. She wandered out in a snowstorm, apparently lost her way, and wasn’t found until the next day.”

Bram lowered his head and looked at the table. Koko came to stand beside him. She gently touched his shoulder, and he reached up to take hold of her hand. “I thought she would be all right there. I thought she had better sense than to risk her life that way.”

“She probably would have, but she was heavily drugged from the laudanum and wasn’t in her right mind.”

“And the baby?” Bram asked, looking back to Cole.

Cole shook his head. “She hadn’t yet delivered.”

Bram nodded knowingly. “I suppose it’s just as well. Those children would have been hard-pressed to care for an infant.”

Cole admired his strength but could see that his eyes had dampened. “Dianne wants to come live with you. Her brothers have a mind to be independent by summer and she’s all alone. It’s not a good situation for a woman by herself, if I do say so. I had to come to her rescue just last week when she was … ah … confronted by three men.” Cole didn’t bother to explain the situation further. He knew Vandyke understood the potential for such an event.

“I’m glad you were there to help. How is it you know my family?”

“I was assistant to the wagon master on the train that brought them west. I was there when Dianne’s sisters died. We never did find the older of the two. She was swept downriver. The youngest was kicked in the head by a mule. It appeared she spooked the animal. I was there when Dianne found her.”

“That girl has had her share of miseries to be sure,” Bram murmured. “Still, I don’t have room to have her and her brothers here. Look around for yourself. We have this room and a bedroom. That’s it.”

“I could help you build on,” Gus offered.

“I’d be glad to help as well,” Cole replied. “And surely Dianne’s brothers would give some time if they knew it meant seeing Dianne well cared for. They might even want to live here themselves. It’s a heap prettier here than in Virginia City. Maybe they’d find a heart for ranching.”

“I could use their help for sure. I just have a couple of men working for me besides Gus. They’re out north of here with the cattle. Come spring thaw, there’ll be plenty of work around here and I’ll definitely need more hands.” Bram sat and sucked on his cigar for several minutes.

Koko moved around to retake her seat. “Bram, you can hardly leave her there to fend for herself. She’s from the East. She doesn’t know how to live out here. People will take advantage of her. You know this is true.”

Bram met her gaze. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He turned his attention to Cole. “It’s not that I don’t want her here. You have to understand. It’s just that I know she’s probably not cut out for the life we’re living. Her mother wasn’t cut out for it—I knew that. It’s one of the reasons I told her she couldn’t come here. She would have perished after a month without shops to visit and people to talk to. The other reason … well … she was prejudiced. I knew she could never have lived in the same house with Koko.”

“Well, forgive me for being blunt,” Cole began, “but you won’t find Dianne to be either prejudiced or weak. She’s been the backbone of that family ever since I met her. Her best friend on the wagon train was a former slave. Not only that, but no matter what you decide, Dianne has no idea of returning to Missouri. She made that clear to me.”

Bram chuckled. “She did, now? Well, she sounds like quite a gal.”

Cole started to affirm this, then thought better of it. “She’s determined.”

“I’ll tell you what. If you can get them here, say in May, then I’ll have the trees cut and ready to build. Gus and I will have to help fetch the cattle from where they’re wintering come later this month or April— that’s providing it’s not a lengthy winter. We should have the herd settled by May and then we can devote our time to getting those additions put on. Eh, Gus?”

“Sounds about right.”

Cole looked to the foreman. He liked Gus Yegen. He was a grizzled, weather-worn man in his forties who had done a lot of living. Even so, he was a friendly sort who had no problem with speaking his mind when the occasion called for it.

“We have those cows to pick up come June,” Gus added.

“Right, and it would be good to have Morgan and Zane to help out,” Bram replied. “How about you, Cole? Would you consider hiring on?”

“I’m not sure. I’m hesitant to commit because I may well be joining up with another wagon train. I’m to talk to Daniel Keefer next week.”

Bram took a draw on the cigar. “I wish you’d consider signing on with me. I intend to build this place into a first-rate operation. I could use a man like you.”

“I’ll think about it,” Cole replied, but he wondered if he could ever take on a position that would put him around Dianne on a daily basis. Then again, maybe he’d be much too busy with the job to concern himself with the boss’s niece.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Faith declared as Dianne entered their small shack.

“I can’t believe I finally found you! I’ve looked for you everywhere. I figured because the day was so nice, I’d do whatever it took to find you,” Dianne said as she studied Faith’s thin face. “Why didn’t you come see me?”

“Malachi was so sick for a long time. I couldn’t leave him. Then when he started making a turn for the better, there was just so much we had to tend to.” Faith pressed a worn red handkerchief against her face. She looked sickly and worn out.

“I brought a few things, just on the hope that I would find you,” Dianne said, taking up the flour sack. “I had a lot of scrap material and thought you might be able to use it for rag rugs. Also I have a fresh loaf of bread, some sugar, and a pound of coffee. I remembered how you said Malachi enjoyed a cup in the morning.”

“We haven’t had coffee in so long, I don’t know what Malachi will think,” Faith said, sitting on a small crate.

Dianne looked around the room and found very little of any kind of furniture. There was a sleeping pallet against one wall, a couple of crates, and the tiniest of woodstoves. She returned her gaze to Faith, who only shrugged.

“I guess we have it pretty bad,” Faith began, “but at least we’re free. Malachi says he’d rather live on top of a dung pile in Montana than go back to the way things were before Mr. Lincoln set us free.”

Dianne felt bad because she knew she and her brothers had it so much better. “I’m sorry, Faith. I really wanted this to be a new start for you.”

“I know. But God has a plan and I trust Him for it.”

Dianne noticed that Faith brought the handkerchief once again to her face. “Are you sick, Faith?”

“I’m gonna have a baby.” She smiled, but there was no joy in her words.

Dianne returned the smile. “That’s wonderful news. I know Malachi must be pleased.”

“Yes, he is, but he’s also worried. He’s out right now trying to find a better place to live. Most folks don’t want to rent to people of color, so it’s hard to get something.”

“A great many people cleared out when the gold strike at Last Chance was announced. There ought to be something better,” Dianne said, shaking her head.

Just then the door flew open and Malachi entered. “I swear there be no justice in this—” He paused in midsentence when he spied Dianne. “Why, howdy, Miz Dianne. How you be?” He offered her a broad smile.

An idea came quickly to Dianne. “I’m doing fine, Malachi. But I could do better.” Both Malachi and Faith looked at her oddly, but before they could question her Dianne hurried on. “I live in a cabin, most of the time by myself. I get really lonely, but not only that—I need help with the animals and such.”

“What happened to your brothers and ma?” Faith asked.

“Mama died around Christmastime. Zane and Morgan are working with one of the freight companies and they’re gone more than they’re here. I have a small cabin, just two rooms and a mud porch, but you could have the bedroom and I’d sleep in the front room.”

“Miz Dianne, folks would talk iffen we was to live under one roof. They wouldn’t take kindly to white and black folks livin’ together,” Malachi told her.

Dianne squared her shoulders, knowing she’d probably have a fight on her hands. “I’ve never cared what folks thought. You’re my friends, and I’d like you to move in.”

“We can’t be takin’ charity, Miz Dianne.”

“I’m not asking you to, Malachi. I need the help. I can hardly keep up with splitting wood for the stove. It wears me out something fierce. And then there’s the animals. Most of the time the boys take the oxen, but sometimes they don’t and I’m left mucking out stalls. Not to mention seeing to the feeding. Added to that, I could use Faith’s help with the quilt I’m making. You wouldn’t have to stay long if you didn’t want to, but I really could use the help. Come summer I’m hoping to go live with my uncle, and then I won’t be in this fix.”