Rivers of water ran off the stranger’s hat. “Miss Scott? I’m Major Garret Ramsey. Perhaps Mr. McKenzie mentioned me?”
“Yes.” She opened the door wide. “Come in.” Her swallow stuck in her throat. Had something happened to Ben?
He stomped his boots on the rug, then removed his hat and shook it on the porch. Charlie crept back down the stairs and up to her side as Major Ramsey disposed of his poncho on the floor by the door.
“I’ll put some coffee on, Major, and I have some stew simmering. But first, I have to know if you’ve heard from Ben. Is he all right?”
The major ran a hand over his damp hair. “Ben didn’t mention anything about himself, but I’m sure he’s as well as can be expected considering he’s missing the ones dear to him in Texas.” His hazel eyes twinkled.
“Us. He means us.” Charlie beamed. “When’s he coming back?”
Ramsey directed his gaze at her. “I’d greatly appreciate a cup of coffee. Perhaps Charlie could fetch it for me?”
“Grownup talk again?” Charlie groaned.
Ramsey chuckled.
“Go fetch him a cupful and walk back carefully so you don’t spill a drop.” Cora scooted him down the hall, then turned to the major. “What’s wrong?”
“Ben’s worried about the two of you here on your own. He asked me to check on you.”
A full day’s ride each way, and it couldn’t wait for the rain to end? “Did he say what the concern was?”
“Not specifically.” He avoided her gaze. “Said something about the potential for Indian trouble.”
Indian trouble? She blinked wide. Wolf Heart? Was that what this was about? She’d gotten Ben’s attention, all right. She swallowed back a smile. “I don’t suppose there’s any hope Mr. McKenzie will be able to return by spring to help us out withthat, is there?” Stupid question. Of course not, but she could hope.
Ramsey stomped his boots again. “I couldn’t say, but he expressed interest in seeing you move to safety for the winter. And as soon as I read his telegram?—”
“He sent a telegram? Not a letter?”
“I’m sure a letter will follow, but he felt the case needed immediate attention. And as soon as I read it, I had an idea. My wife, Sky, could use help with the children. We’d love to have you stay with us at least until spring. Not much ranching to be done before then. Mr. Reynolds and I could drive our wagon here, haul a load of whatever you wanted to take with you, and lock the rest up tight. And we could bring your few farm animals along.”
She gnawed her lip. Pack up and leave? With no assurance that Ben would return. Surely, this couldn’t be the Lord’s answer to her prayers. But the Lord didn’t always answer prayers the way one might imagine.
Leave the ranch behind for the whole winter and more than likely for the spring, as well, if Ben had anything to do with it. Trade her independence for safety and company. A guest in someone else’s home. Either that or risk Wolf Heart not being able to take no for an answer. And even if he accepted it in her case, there was Charlie to be worried about.
Her chest tightened. “Not a matter to be settled in an hour, Major.”
“I understand.”
“Here’s the coffee.” Charlie came down the hall carrying the porcelain cup with both hands.
“Thank you, young man.” Ramsey tugged off his gauntlets and wrapped his hands around the steaming brew.
“Pardon my manners, Major. Please have a seat in the parlor.” She motioned toward the room.
Ramsey reached inside his coat pocket. “One more item for you to consider. As I passed through Weatherford, Mr. Miller heard I was headed this way and asked me to deliver this.”
He pulled out a damp envelope, butMcKenzieandPhiladelphiawere still plainly evident.
She clutched it. “Charlie, please take the major into the parlor. If you ask nicely, he might tell you a story.” Without waiting for a reply, she hurried to her room. Maybe this letter would show her what to do.
Her hands trembled as she opened the envelope.
Miss Scott,
We’re not acquainted, but I feel as if I know you from the way my brother talks about you all the time. I look forward to meeting you someday. I know it’s not my place to say anything, but my brother needs to see you. My mother and father are treating him horridly, expecting him to carry on generations of legacy at a paper our father helped start only twenty-five years ago. Ben completely cut all ties to his former fiancée, but that has only landed him in more trouble with our parents and my father’s business partners. The hope of you is his only bright spot. He is homesick for you but cannot travel to you right now. If there was a way that you could see clear to come…
