The animal stayed distracted long enough for her to place her hand over his back, securing him in place. He jerked at the unfamiliar touch, but she locked her arm behind him, just like she’d done so many times with the foals on their ranch. This calf was still small enough she could handle him easily as he fought.
But he didn’t struggle long, and she crooned soft words as he settled into her hold. “That’s right, fella. I know you’re sad, but I’ll take care of you. I’ll make sure you have a chance to grow big and strong, with plenty of food and a safe place to roam. You’ll miss your mama for a little while, but I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you.”
And she would fulfill that promise. First, though, she had to find a way to get him up on her horse and back to the ranch.
two
That must be the ranch.” Tanner Mason stared down from the mountain pass at the wide valley before them. Two structures had been built halfway across the open land, with several corrals attached to the one that appeared to be the barn. Beyond, a large herd of horses grazed peacefully.
“Pretty place to live.” Wallace Burke, his partner in this venture, sounded a bit too wistful.
Tanner cut a sideways look at him. Wally met his gaze with a twitch of his mouth that looked almost embarrassed. “Kinda makes a man think about settling down out here.”
A spurt of panic slipped through Tanner, but he worked for a casual grin. “You wouldn’t be happy tied down to a farm and chores.”
Wally turned back to the picturesque scene before them and breathed a long sigh. “You’re right.” Then he straightened and nudged his horse down the slope. “Let’s go meet these neighbors and see their setup so I can remind myself all the reasons I don’t want this.”
Tanner nudged Domino to follow his friend and workedto loosen the tension Wally’s words had created in his shoulders. They’d just spent two months building a small fort and trading post. This business they were establishing on the western frontier would only work if he had someone keeping steady travel back and forth to the East to replenish their supplies. The traveling itch Wally carried in his veins made him the perfect person, but if he ever chose to settle down, Tanner would have to find another partner.
They were already down one man in their business threesome. George had taken ill right before they left St. Louis, but he hoped to come with Wally’s next supply delivery. Until then, Tanner would be on his own manning the fort and trade room.
He could do it, though. Hewoulddo it.
No matter how much this endeavor required of him, he would make the business a success. As they reached the flat prairie land of the valley, they nudged their horses into a lope. This stretch would be perfect for a horse race. Or just a long hard run to release the frustrations of life.
As they drew near the ranch buildings, they slowed the horses back to walk. The structure on the right must be the house, for it had a slightly lower roof and a longer overhang across the front. It faced the barn and corrals, where a group of people stood beside the rails. They all turned toward Tanner and Wally as they approached.
Three men, and one of them . . . an Indian. Though they’d met several Natives since coming west to build the trading post, the sight of them still jarred him a little, as it probably did most newcomers to this area. Their dress and appearance were so different from the people back east. He would never show his surprise, of course.
His gaze caught on another figure inside the pen, and his breathing hitched. A woman. Her dark red dress seemed so unusual in this land that it should have jumped out at him first thing. She must be the rancher’s wife. Perhaps she could be persuaded to bake a few treats he could sell at the post, especially if he supplied the flour and molasses. Homesick trappers would pay well for such goods.
One fellow stepped away from the fence as he and Wally rode into the ranch yard. Tanner studied the fellow, and his gaze tripped once more.
Not a man.
Another woman, but she wore men’s clothing. The garments did little to disguise her form, though.
“I’ll be.” Those words mumbled under Wally’s breath meant he’d realized that same truth.
Tanner looked back at the two by the fence to see if he’d missed any details there. Yup. The other one he’d thought to be a white man also appeared to be a woman wearing trousers and a man’s felt hat.
The Indian?Hewas definitely a man. What in the great states of America was going on here?
He and Wally halted a respectable distance from the woman approaching them, who now stood with her hands braced at that narrow waist. After they dismounted, Tanner removed his hat. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Tanner Mason, and this is Wallace Burke. We’re opening a trading post just two passes over, so I guess we’ll be your new neighbors.” The Indian and the other woman in trousers came to stand with her, and the lady in the dress now stood at the fence, arms on the rail.
The first woman spoke. “I’m Rosemary Collins. Theseare my sisters, Faith and Lorelei”—she motioned first to the one beside her, then to the brown-haired beauty in the dress—“and this is our friend and business partner, White Horse.” She nodded to the brave.
Tanner dipped his chin in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
Her hand went back to her waist, a position that gave him the feeling she was accustomed to being in charge. Must be the oldest of the sisters. “We’d heard a trading post was being built. What sort of supplies will you have on hand? Will you trade for furs only? Will you accept special orders?”
He bit the inside of his lip to keep a sober face. No small talk with this one, just directness. But he’d long appreciated forthrightness of every kind.
He nodded to acknowledge the questions. “We plan to stock the necessary items the trappers need as well as trade goods for the Indians. And we’d be happy to special order anything you request.” He glanced at Wally. “Mr. Burke will be traveling back and forth to St. Louis for supplies. As you can imagine, the trips won’t be quick, but he’ll be happy to bring back anything specific you need.”
Her sharp stare swung from his face to Wally’s, then back. He let his own focus shift to the woman and Indian beside her. Then a brief glance at the pretty one still inside the fence. She had an animal at her side. A light-colored calf.
The elder Miss Collins spoke again, forcing his attention back to her. “And what of payment? Will you only accept furs, or coin also?”
