“A single gallon for five dollars, but if we buy two gallons and three quarts every day, we expect a discount. We’ll pay ten dollars for that amount.”
He just barely bit back a sigh. Only a female would be as stubborn as this.
Clearly not every female, for Miss Lorelei’s voice rang out with as much frustration as he felt. “I’ll pay the difference, Rosie. Leave it be.” Then she turned to him, and the ire leaked from her tone. “Thank you, Mr. Mason. Would you mind if one of us accompanies you back to your trading post now to purchase what you have?”
The calf bawled again, this time louder and more desperate. The sound touched his awareness, but not as much as the care in her voice and the tenderness in her expression when she stared down at the pitiful calf.
The quicker he got out of here, the better. He couldn’t allow his emotions any more rein. He turned and mountedhis horse. “I’ll go get what I have and bring it back for you. Sounds like he needs it right away.”
She smiled at him, and that sunray made all the effort seem worth it. Maybe if he was lucky, he would even get to help feed the little guy.
But after that, he couldn’t let her distract him anymore. He had to get the trading post fully stocked so they could be ready for customers. He would make a success of the place or die trying.
three
She had food for the babe.
For the first time, it seemed Lorelei might be able to keep this calf alive and thriving without exhausting every resource she had. She’d been preparing to go back out to the mother buffalo and milk its lifeless body when these new neighbors rode up. Since the mother’s body had still been warm, the milk wouldn’t have spoiled yet.
But now she didn’t have to.
Thank you, Lord. His love toward these innocent creatures never ceased to overwhelm her. He’d certainly made this little fellow unique, according to White Horse.
Lorelei turned to the calf, who’d begun rooting in her skirts. “Patience, boy. Food will be here soon.” She stepped sideways so she could stroke its neck without getting plastered with that slimy tongue. She’d have to wash this dress before she wore it again. Good thing she’d been wearing her best outfit to meet Mr. Mason. And Mr. Burke too, but it sounded like they wouldn’t be seeing much of him.
“Now who’s that coming?” Rosie’s muttered words brought Lorelei’s head up.
Her sister stared off in the direction their new neighbors had just ridden. Two horses descended the pass, riding toward them, different animals this time. They looked familiar ... didn’t they?
She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun. Yes. That was Dragoon’s bay mare, Bessie, with him riding. And Ol’ Henry beside him. She grinned wide. These were some of their first friends when she and her sisters had arrived at the rendezvous last summer. Ol’ Henry and Dragoon had been lodge mates of Riley, who’d helped them with the search that brought them so far west.
And Riley was now her brother-in-law, married to her sister Juniper. The two of them had set off a month before to ride the backbone of the Rockies. Too bad he wasn’t here now to see his friends, but he and June were probably having too much fun to miss them.
She glanced at her other two sisters. Their group didn’t seem complete without Juniper—the four of them together. White Horse made a great friend and partner on the ranch, but not such a wonderful sister. She flicked a glance at him, his tall form and dark features, and allowed herself a small smile at her joke.
As the two men reached the level ground of the valley, Dragoon gave a whoop and pushed his mare into a gallop across the flatland. That little girl could run too. She’d proven her speed in the races at the rendezvous, and Dragoon had even allowed Lorelei to run her privately later on, since her sisters wouldn’t let her ride in any of the official matches.
He reined in to let Bessie cool off at a walk before she reached them, which allowed Ol’ Henry to catch up too.Didn’t Aesop write a fable about slow and steady winning the race?
Faith met the men first, showing as much excitement at the reunion as Dragoon. “Where did you guys come from? Did you see the men who’re opening a trading post? Riley’s not here. He and Juniper are off riding the mountains all summer.”
Dragoon reined in his horse beside her with a chuckle and plopped his hat on her head, then dismounted. Ol’ Henry moved a little slower as he climbed off his buckskin gelding.
Lorelei would have liked to slip through the fence rails and greet the men up close too, but this little fellow seemed calmer when she stayed with him. Surely these old friends would come say hello to her as part of their greetings.
Ol’ Henry stood for a moment with his horse’s reins in hand and swept his gaze around them all. “Woowee. If you gals ain’t a sight for sore eyes. You too, White Horse.” He gave the motion forhelloin the sign language most of the tribes used. Though he knew White Horse understood English, it was a nice gesture of respect. “I sure am glad you’ve been here to keep these ladies out of trouble.” His grin flashed against skin so deeply tanned it held a bluish tint.
Faith piped up again. “Where did you go all winter? Did you get lots of furs? Did you join a big group of trappers?”
Ol’ Henry’s grin deepened, and he walked to her, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they strolled toward Rosie and White Horse. Just like a grandpa taking an exuberant lad to his side. “The two of us found a nice little lake north of Lolo Pass that was chock-full o’ beaveran’ otter. We tucked furs away in a cache till rendezvous. Then, wouldn’t you know it, we just met up with the fellows starting up a trading post. Looks like I won’t have to wait for the meetup to get me some decent coffee.” He chuckled as he released Faith’s shoulders and gave her a pat on the back.
Even with the dozen strides separating Lorelei from the group, it wasn’t hard to see how enamored her sister was with the life of adventure they led.
Dragoon propped his hands at his waist as he scanned the ranch yard, house first, then the barn. “Looks like you folks are settling in well.” As his focus roamed the corral, it landed on her. “Miss Lorelei, I see you got another critter. Hope this one behaves better than that—” His words clipped short as the calf stepped into full view. His eyes widened, and he moved around the others to approach her, his jaw slackening as he came near.
Ol’ Henry too had caught sight of the buffalo and followed behind Dragoon. He was the most seasoned mountain man she’d ever met, having lived more than two decades in this land, but evenhelooked in awe of the youngster beside her. The calf let out another bawl, as though realizing he was now the center of attention and taking the chance to voice his need for food.
“Bright stars in the sky,” Dragoon breathed. “Miss Lorelei, is that what I think it is? Have you gone and found a white buffalo?”
