Wild Western Women Boxed Set Page 38

  They reached the ranch to find gates unguarded and wide open. When the Army bugler sounded, men on the ground scurried in every direction. Leaving two U.S. Army men guarding the gate, the rest rode inside.

  At the main building, the soldiers dismounted.

  Sergeant Bailey commanded, “Round up this lot.”

  Matt and Tom accompanied the Sergeant and a squad of men into the building. Frenzied servants rushed away from them as they searched.

  Matt pulled one of them to a stop. “Warinsky?”

  The man looked ready to faint. “The Commandant is in his rooms.”

  “Where?”

  “T…Top of the stairs. Around the corner.” He gestured to the left.

  Matt released him and the man ran away from them. When they located Warinsky, he was shoving papers into a briefcase while a servant loaded clothes into a trunk.

  Warinsky waved them away. “Your soldiers are no good here. I have diplomatic immunity and this is a province of Bayergrovenia. I will go home now.”

  The sergeant didn’t blink. “We’ll just make sure of that, Commandant. In fact, we’ll give you an escort to keep you safe.”

  “My men will see to that.” He waved them away with a gesture of his hand. “You may go now.”

  Hand on his pistol, the sergeant said, “The hell I will. In case you haven’t noticed, Commandant, your men are disappearing fast. I’d say most don’t want any part of you or your home.”

  The commandant frowned, mouth agape. “They will be shot for desertion.”

  The sergeant laughed. “You’ve forgotten where you are. We’ll decide who’s shot and who leaves.”

  For the first time since they’d entered, fright skittered across Warinsky’s haughty expression. “I tell you, I have diplomatic immunity. I have papers.”

  “So have I. You can leave, but a protest will be filed by the United States ambassador. And you cannot force anyone to accompany you. You may not take any funds with you. This ranch and everything on it belongs to Ivan Romanovich. You will be allowed to take only your clothes.”

  “You have no right to do this to me!” Warinsky pulled himself up to his haughty best. “Don’t you know who I am?”

  Matt longed to break the man’s neck. “You’re the man who kept this ranch’s rightful owner prisoner against his will. You’re the man who kidnapped a small boy. You’re in collusion with the men who killed King Rudolph. You’re nothing more than the lowest, slimiest criminal. You are a traitor to your country.”

  Sergeant Bailey nodded at one of his men. “Empty that trunk and search it, then search each item thoroughly before you repack it. I’ll bet he’s hidden some gems or money in there somewhere.” He grabbed the briefcase and handed it to Matt. “Since you’re the only one of us who can read this man’s language, you go through this and make sure he’s not pulling a fast one on us.”

  Warinsky stamped his foot. “This is an outrage! I am a minister of King Gregorov of Bayergrovenia. I will not be treated in this way.”

  Bailey leaned in close as he nudged Warinsky into a chair. “Have a seat, sir.” Matt heard Bailey whisper, “You’d better quiet down or you’ll be handcuffed and gagged. How would you enjoy some of your own treatment?”

  During the exchange, the servant stood quietly. He edged around Warinsky until Matt and the sheriff were between him and his boss. “Please, sirs, I wish to remain here in this country. Ivan Romanovich is a great hero in Bayergrovenia. I would be honored to serve him.”

  “Traitor!” Warinsky shouted.

  When all those remaining were questioned, only three men wished to accompany Warinsky home.

  The servants remained. The so-called soldiers either professed allegiance to Ivan or had disappeared. Drovers who weren’t out with the cattle waited in a corner of the compound.

  Urged by his companions, one man removed his hat and stepped forward. “We’re owed wages and we figure if this new man is the one who rightfully owns the place, we’ll ride for him.” He nodded toward Warinsky. “Didn’t much cotton to that fella.”

  Matt walked over to the drover. “You’ll like the rightful owner. I’ll tell him you’re staying.”

  The sergeant mounted. “I’ll leave a squad of men here until things get sorted.”

  With Warinsky and his three minions in custody, they rode back toward Winton Crossing. At the livery, Matt and the sheriff peeled off and handed the reins to Tom’s son.

  Tom yawned and stretched. “Reckon I’ll go home and sleep about a week. That’s after I wash off some of this dust.”

  “Tom, I’m going after Oslo as soon as I rest a bit.”

  “I hadn’t forgotten about him, but I’d as soon let you take care of that one. I’m getting too old for this shit. I want my nice, quiet town back.”

  Inside the boarding house, Matt paused. He didn’t have a room. Lena Mae hurried up to him. “Davey’s been watching for you. We moved your things into Bessie Pounds old room. You go on and wash up. I’ve got supper waiting for you.”

  “Thank you. I don’t mind if I do. Don’t think I could make it all the way to the saloon to see if they have a vacant room.”

  Matt was so tired he hardly remembered eating. He climbed the stairs and pulled off his boots, then fell across the bed without undressing. When he waked, he smelled breakfast. Someone had covered him with a quilt. Lord, what a way great to wake up.

  He remembered the night he’d spent with Beth. Only thing better would be waking up next to her and both of them naked. Fool! When she hears what you have to tell her, she’ll never speak to you again. You don’t deserve her anyway.

  Heart heavy in his chest, Matt trod down the stairs.

  Davey bounced from one foot to the other. “Hey, Matt. Everyone’s fine. I did like you asked.”

  In spite of his inner turmoil, Matt smiled. “I knew I could count on you, Davey.”

  In the dining room, Matt received accolades from everyone.

  Mr. Harvey was back in town and offered his congratulations. “We couldn’t get along without our boy here. We’re all in your debt.”

  “And for dear Ivan, too,” said The Widow Nehmier.

  “That’s right, Agnes.” Mrs. Tabor nodded. “We missed Ivan and, of course, we depend on Davey.”

  Lena Mae stood in the door with a tray. “I’ll just take this up and check on Ivan.”

  Matt stood, “I’ll take it for you.”

  “No, thank you. I want to. You go ahead and eat while your food’s hot for a change.”

  “Guess she told you,” Beth said as she set a platter on the table. “Don’t think I didn’t try earlier.” She sat down. “Mr. Findley, would you say grace for us today?”

  After the meal, the other boarders went into the parlor or out on the porch. Matt followed Beth into the kitchen.

  “Can we go to your mother’s suite so I can talk to your privately before I ride out?”

  “Y…you’re leaving?”

  “Gotta bring in Oslo. He’s the low down skunk who tore up Ivan’s room and reported every move to Warinsky at the ranch.” He took her hand and led her to her mother’s private rooms. “I have to explain some things to you.” How could he offer any excuses to her?

  She sat in her mother’s armchair. Her beautiful blue eyes were wide and questioning. “You don’t owe me an explanation for anything.”

  He’d give a year of his life if he didn’t have to explain. He owed her the truth, though, no matter what happened afterward. “Wait until I’ve talked, then you can judge. Please just wait until I’m finished.” He pulled up a chair and faced her with sadness weighing him down.

  She frowned. “All right. Say what you have to.”

  Taking her hand in his, he sought strength to say what he had to. “When you knew me before, I was running from myself. I’d married unwisely, the daughter of a wealthy man. A judge. She hadn’t wanted to live on our little ranch away from her parents and friends in town, but I’m a rancher. Leastwise, I was, and she knew
that when we married.”

  He closed his eyes, fighting to keep from bawling like a baby. “She didn’t want children, but I did and she conceived a couple of months after we married. As her time grew near, she was afraid, but I said I’d keep her safe and take her into town closer to her time. I…I didn’t. In spite of all I could do, the baby came a month early and she died giving birth to a boy. The baby was born dead.”

  Beth squeezed his hand. “Oh, Matt.”

  He held up a hand to stop her. “Her parents blamed me because I took her so far from town. I couldn’t help but agree. After her death, I lost myself in alcohol trying to forget the guilt. It didn’t work because as soon as I sobered, the memories came rushing at me.”

  “That’s why you drank? Matt, you weren’t responsible for her death or that of your son. It happens to women in town, too.”

  “That’s only part of what I have to say.” He exhaled. “When you left Jeffers, he framed me for counterfeiting. When I was on trial, my father-in-law was judge. Even though the evidence was flimsy, I went to prison for three years.”

  “But Ivan said you’re a Federal Marshall.”

  “I am, temporarily. At the trial, I gave my name as Peters to spare my family the shame. At least the judge allowed me that. When I was released, I became a bounty hunter. I went by the name Wolf Peters because I worked alone. The first person I went after was Lionel Jeffers.”

  “You?” Her word was an accusation. He saw the realization in her eyes.

  He wanted to duck his head, but he faced her. “Yes, I tried to capture him, but he resisted arrest and shot at me. Winged me in the arm. I killed him.”

  She leaped up and walked to the window.

  He stood, but didn’t chase her. “Beth, I didn’t want to tell you I was the one who killed him, but I had to. I love you. I loved you almost from the minute I met you. I even wondered if you’d known he was framing me.”

  She whirled to face him. “You thought I would do that?”

  “I…I hoped not. Then when I saw you again, I knew you hadn’t, that you hadn’t known anything about it or that he was in with a bunch of counterfeiters.”

  She stared at him, condemnation in her eyes. “You shot Lionel. You killed Davey’s father.”

  Straightening, he defended himself. “He was never a father and never would have been. You know that. Lucky for Davey and you he wanted no part of a kid.” He started toward her, but she turned away. An icy wedge pierced his heart. “I see. I’ll go speak to Ivan before I go.”

  He couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. He took the stairs two at a time and hurried to Ivan’s room. Lena Mae sat nearby the bed while Davey played with Tiger on the floor.

  Ivan stretched his hands toward Matt. “Matt, my boy. Thank you for saving my life.”

  “Good to see you awake. And you’re in good hands.”

  “How can I thank you? Tell me all that’s happened. Here, sit on the bed and don’t leave out anything.”

  Matt had finished the adventures of the day before. “Deed’s filed and you’re all set to take full possession of your ranch. The papers proving King Rudolph was murdered are on their way to Washington, D.C. by special envoy.”

  Lena Mae leaned forward. “Do you think that the wrong king will be replaced?”

  Ivan nodded, “Yes, but it’s a shame such a fine man as Rudolph was murdered. His son Matthias will no doubt take the crown.” He smiled at Matt. “Named after your good grandfather, who was his godfather. In fact, his name is Matthias Ivan Mischa Rhonesburg.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned. Beg pardon, ma’am.”

  “No need.” She looked at her grandson. “You don’t be using that word, though, young man.”

  Davey glanced up. “Grandma, I know not to say that. Mama washed my mouth out with soap when I forgot.”

  “I’m going after Henry Oslo. He’s the man who kept watch for Warinsky, plus he’s the one tore up your room.”

  Lena Mae’s eyes sparked with anger. “I never did like that man. Wouldn’t even consider having him as a boarder here. I hope you catch him and send him to jail.”

  “I’m sure gonna try.” Matt walked slowly down the hall and out the door.

  No point telling Beth goodbye again. She’d let him know what she thought. He should have known his life had been too soft of late. Didn’t do to go letting himself hope for more than he had. Looked like Jezebel was the only female who’d ever like him for long.

  He tipped the Carpenter boy, saddled his horse, and rode out. He tried not to look at Phifer’s Boarding House, but he couldn’t help himself. Mr. Harvey and Mr. Findley waved from the front porch and he waved back. He thought he saw the office curtain move. Probably Beth making sure he was leaving.

  Beth wanted to call Matt back. She didn’t want them to part with her accusations. What could she say to him, though? What would she tell Davey when he found out his hero was the one who shot his father? She was foolish ever to hope. Love and the Phifer women never got along. Look what happened with her father and with Lionel. No, she and Mama were doomed to live alone.

  She busied herself getting dinner ready so Mama could sit with Ivan. She rang the bell and was surprised when Ivan slowly descended the stairs.

  Ivan took his customary seat, and Beth’s heart cracked in two. Matt should be here to celebrate.

  After dessert, Ivan tapped his glass with his spoon. “Friends, in two days I wish all of you to go with us to see my ranch. Davey, who has been busy as my emissary, arranged for us to borrow the undertaker’s buggies. We’ll leave after breakfast. Dejeuner will be at the ranch.”

  Beth brightened. “A picnic?”

  Ivan shook his head. “Nothing for you to prepare, my dear. You shall see.” He winked at her mother, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Nothing for her to do? Well, for heaven’s sake. What was going on?

  Two mornings later as they finished breakfast, Ivan stood. “I propose that each of us carry his or her plate and silver to the kitchen. Then we can return for the rest of the dishes on the table.”

  “Well, I never.” The Widow Nehmier said.

  Ivan smiled at her. “My dear Agnes, surely you can do this one thing to humor an old man.”

  She gave him a smile nearer a coquette than Beth would have believed. “Well, since you ask so nicely, I suppose this one time will be all right.”

  When they’d cleared the table, Davey announced the buggies waited out front. Ladies hurried to get their parasols and reticules while the men grabbed their hats. Both vehicles each had two seats, with covered tops to keep the bright sun away.

  Neighbors on their porches or walks strained their necks to peer at the goings on. Beth knew others watched from windows. This time she didn’t mind being gossiped about.

  She couldn’t suppress her own excitement. An outing she didn’t have to prepare for. Davey acted as if he were in charge, directing them where to sit.

  She remembered she was a mother and not a giddy girl. “Davey, climb up here by me and quit bossing people around.”

  “Mama-a-a, I’m Grandpa Ivan’s emissary, don’t you remember?”

  Ivan laughed. “That you are, Davey. You’ve done a fine job of it, too. Climb aboard now, so we can be off on our adventure.”

  Davey sat beside her. “Wait ‘till you see, Mama. It’s a big place. Well, it seemed big until they shut me in the room with Grandpa Ivan.”

  “Ah, no more grim thoughts.” Ivan smiled over his shoulder. “We’re going to have a fine day.”

  Beth had never ridden in this kind of buggy before. She leaned back against the padded black leather seat. Much nicer than Mama’s old wagon with a hard bench. The funeral home kept these buggies for fancy funerals, and she’d had no idea they could be rented. “How did you manage this, young man?”

  “Grandpa Ivan gave me letters to carry to people. I don’t know what they said, but I took them just like he asked.”

  “You did a fine job.” Ivan drove the
team of matched grays as if he’d never been ill.

  Beth turned to look behind them, where Mr. Harvey drove an identical team of horses with Mr. Findley, Mrs. Tabor, and The Widow Nehmier as passengers. The other vehicle was far enough behind so the occupants weren’t eating the first vehicle’s dust. Just the same, Beth would bet The Widow Nehmier complained.

  They made a grand parade as they rode along. A light breeze cooled the procession. Beth and Davey looked at the scenery, commenting on everything.

  “I wanted to bring Tiger, but Grandpa Ivan said I have to wait until next time.”

  Ivan turned to shoot a warning look at Davey.

  “What next time?” Beth asked.

  “Nothing. Oh, look, Mama, there’s a rabbit.”

  Ivan said, “Right you are, lad. Let’s keep our eyes peeled for more animals, shall we?”

  Beth wasn’t fooled by her son’s attempt to distract her or Ivan’s part in the sham. Something was going on, and Ivan and Davey were in cahoots.

  She recognized a grove of trees and pointed it out to Davey. “Oh, look, there’s where Grandma and I waited while Matt and Sheriff Carpenter rescued you and Ivan.”

  Ivan shook his head. “I’m afraid I was totally unaware, my dears. I doubt I’d have lasted much longer if Matt hadn’t arrived.”

  “I was scared, Mama. Matt said it’s okay to be afraid if you do the right thing anyway. That’s being brave.”

  Beth hated talking about Matt. He was gone. If he ever came back, he wouldn’t want to see her after the way she’d acted.

  She hated thinking of him in prison because of Lionel. She’d known Lionel’s friends were ruffians, but she had no idea he kept company with counterfeiters. Thank heavens she never had to see Lionel again or worry that he’d show up to claim Davey. With regret, she realized she had Matt to thank for that fact.

  “Here you see the coat of arms of the royal house of Bayergrovenia.” Ivan pointed to a shield on the fence. “Soon I shall replace it with my own.”

  Lena Mae looked at Ivan. “Why, Ivan. You never told me you have your own shield.”

  “Not shield, lovely one. Coat of arms. Mine is similar to the one of the royal house, but not the same since I am merely related and not in the royal line.”