An Unexpected Family for the Lone Sheriff (Preview)

Chapter One

Richmond, Virginia, 1869

Beatrice Kingswell sat in the red velvet overstuffed chair by the fireplace in the formal parlor. She didn’t notice the splendor of the room, with the crystal chandelier, the piano, and the fine carpet. A portrait of her sister, Madelaine, Madelaine’s husband, Thomas, and their two children, Lily and Samuel, hung over the fireplace.

She focused on the man sitting on the sofa across from her. Beatrice had been expecting the attorney, Lawrence Caldwell, but now that he arrived, her stomach twisted. Suddenly, she didn’t want to hear the contents of Thomas’ will, but she couldn’t explain why.

Lily sat on her lap with her arms wrapped around Beatrice’s neck. Her head was pressed against Beatrice’s chest. Beatrice kissed the top of Lily’s head, patting her blonde hair. Although she was six, she was small for her age. She hadn’t had a chance to grieve over her mother before her father died. She clung to Beatrice as though she was terrified her aunt would disappear out of her arms.

Beatrice glanced at Samuel, who was stiffly perched on the chair next to her, his shoulders squared. He was trying to be the man of the house, although his pain was etched on his young face. His bright blue eyes, usually full of mischief, were somber and sad. His usually neat dark brown hair was messy. He clenched his hands in his lap, as though he was trying to hold himself together.

“I’m so sorry to be meeting you under these circumstances. Thomas’s death must have come as a shock to you, especially since your sister and the baby passed away only a month ago. Please accept my condolences.”

Samuel pressed his lips together, and Lily whimpered against Beatrice’s chest. Beatrice’s heart clenched, and she swallowed the sob that threatened to overwhelm her.

“Thank you, Mr. Caldwell.”

“Thomas rewrote his will a few days after Madelaine died. I don’t know if he had a premonition about the accident or if he was just being proactive.”

Beatrice sighed and nodded, but didn’t respond.

“As you might have expected, he provided for the children and designated you as their guardian.”

Inhaling deeply, Beatrice nodded, but remained silent.

Mr. Caldwell grimaced and peered at Beatrice intently. “There were two conditions in his will in order for the children to inherit. One is that you have to take the children to live near Thomas’ brother, Bram, in Baker City, Oregon. He’s a sheriff out there and owns a large cattle ranch. He said that he’d realized family was important and was sorry he hadn’t reconnected with his brother.”

Lily popped her head up and stared at the lawyer with large blue eyes. Her arms tightened around Beatrice’s neck.

Samuel gasped loudly and shook his head. “I don’t want to leave here. This is my home.” His voice was hard and fierce, that of a grown man instead of a scared boy.

“I’m afraid that there’s no choice,” Mr. Caldwell said matter-of-factly.

Beatrice got the feeling that he didn’t care one way or the other about the impact his words had on the children.

“Samuel, Lily, let’s go upstairs.” She glanced at the attorney. “Please wait for my return.”

Reluctantly, Samuel followed her up the stairs. “I’m not a baby, you know. I should stay downstairs with you.”

“Honey, I know you aren’t a baby. However, I need you to stay upstairs and take care of Lily. You know she’s a little girl, still. Since you’re her big brother, you have to take care of her. I don’t want her scared or worried about anything.”

Samuel stared at her as though he thought she was tricking him, but then he nodded. His father had always told him that it was his job to protect his sister, no matter what.

Beatrice set Lily down on the small couch in their playroom. “I promise, we’ll figure out what to do, together.” She looked at Katie, who helped take care of the children. “Will you get them some lemonade and a couple of cookies?”

Katie smiled. “Of course. Then, we can read some books together.”

“Can we read about the flying horses?” Lily asked in a small voice.

“You got it. Maybe Samuel can start the story, and I’ll be right back.” Katie smiled at Beatrice and went downstairs to the kitchen.

Beatrice smoothed her skirt and ran her fingers over her honey-blonde hair. She took a deep breath before she returned to the parlor, trying to steel herself for the other stipulation Thomas might have included. She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to like it.

She was surprised to see that the lawyer had a tumbler of amber liquid and a bottle of Thomas’s good scotch was sitting on the side table.

He raised the glass to her. “I hope you don’t mind. I helped myself. It’s been a long day.”

Beatrice’s jaw tightened. This was her sister’s house. It had been, anyway. Mr. Caldwell’s familiarity irritated her.

She pressed her lips together and sat in the same chair she had previously occupied. “Please continue with the contents of Thomas’s will.”

His brow lifted, and an amused expression flitted across his face. “As I said earlier, the first condition is that the children live closer to their uncle. I’m sure that the foreman of this estate can manage the ranch until the second condition is met, or it isn’t.”

A sense of dread washed over her. “What condition is that?”

“You must marry within six months to maintain guardianship over the children, as well as power over the ranch and finances. Otherwise, guardianship and the assets will be awarded to Bram.”

Fury exploded inside of her, and her face turned bright red. She jumped to her feet, her body shaking, and her fists clenched. “That’s ridiculous. He doesn’t know these children. He hasn’t been with them since they were born.”

“I’m sorry. Those were the wishes of Mr. Mercer. As I mentioned, Bram Mercer is very respectable.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and Beatrice got the idea that the attorney was enjoying himself a little too much. He shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows. You might find someone who’s suitable in Baker City. There are a lot of men who traveled west chasing gold or just to build a life on a ranch.”

“You’re asking me to uproot two grieving children and take them across the entire United States on a long trip and then quickly find a husband so I can retain control of the assets for them until they’re old enough and to keep custody of them.”

Beatrice sucked in a huge breath, doing her best to control her temper. Normally, she had a calm disposition and didn’t get ruffled easily, but this man was testing her patience.

“It’s what Mr. Mercer wanted.” He set the glass on the table and picked up his jacket and hat. “Please let me know if I can help you with any of the arrangements. I’ll show myself out.”

“Goodbye, Mr. Caldwell,” she said as pleasantly as she could manage.

He’s probably leaving because he knows that I’m about to toss him out on his ear.

Beatrice looked at the bottle of scotch and thought that she might need a small glass to steady her nerves. She wasn’t looking forward to the conversation she was about to have with the children, but it wouldn’t be fair just to spring the move on them.

“At least Thomas didn’t say how long we had to stay,” she muttered to herself. “We can live there for a couple of months and come back to Virginia. I’m sure I’ll be able to find someone suitable here to marry if I have to.”

With a heavy sigh, she used the arms of the chair to push herself up and slowly walked up the stairs.

Lily was snuggled next to Samuel when she stepped into their playroom. They both looked up at her, and Samuel’s face immediately fell.

“We have to go, don’t we?”

She nodded. “Unfortunately, we do. If I don’t take you, you’d have to go anyway, and you’d be placed in your uncle’s custody. That’s a stipulation in your father’s will.”

Lily stood up, stomped her feet, and crossed her arms. “I don’t want to go. I want to stay here.”

Beatrice gathered her up in her arms. “I know, sweetheart. Unfortunately, we have no choice. I’m sure your uncle is a very nice man.”

Samuel narrowed his eyes. “Why would Papa say we had to go to Oregon?”

“I think that he missed his brother and wished that he’d connected with him before…He wants you and Lily to have a chance to know him.”

She knew that Samuel wanted to argue the way Lily did, but he realized there was nothing they could do. If the will said they had to go, then there was no choice.

Beatrice chose not to tell them about the second requirement of the will. She’d figure out a way to find a husband. There was no need to worry them even more.

She rubbed her aching forehead that let her know a migraine was coming. Beatrice didn’t care one whit about the inheritance for the kids, although it was born from her father’s money. She had more than plenty to take care of herself and the children for the rest of her life. However, she loved Lily and Samuel as though they were her own.

“Just think about it this way, we’ll be going on a grand adventure. You’ll get to ride the train, and probably a stagecoach. I’m sure your uncle will have horses. You know your horses will be very well taken care of here.”

Samuel crossed his arms and pursed his lips. He wasn’t giving her story any credit and knew that she was simply trying to make them feel better. Instead of arguing with her, though, he smiled at his sister. “I think it’ll be fun. We’ll have lots of time to read, draw, and play games. We might even get to see the bison that Old Man Joe was talking about at the general store.”

Lily’s eyes lit up. “I want to see the bison.”

Sitting in one of the small chairs, Beatrice let out a breath of relief. Samuel had an old soul. He was a lot wiser and more mature than most adults, let alone a nine-year-old child.

She stared at a picture of Madelaine, Thomas, and the children. Thomas had truly loved Madelaine and had been heartbroken when the baby was born, took a breath, and died in the doctor’s arms. Madelaine had died a few minutes later.

Thomas loved the children, but he’d been so upset after he lost his wife. He’d been drinking and was riding one of his more spirited horses. It shied away from a snake, and Thomas had been bucked off, breaking his neck.

***

The next morning, Beatrice asked Katie to watch over the kids while she went to the train station. She paid for three first-class tickets for the train from Richmond, Virginia, to Omaha, Nebraska, and then from Omaha to Sacramento, California. She’d buy the tickets for the steamer from Sacramento to Portland, Oregon, and the stagecoach from Portland to Baker City.

When she returned, she sat at her desk and stared at the blank paper while she tried to figure out how to tell Bram Mercer that his brother had died and that he was going to have unexpected visitors. She decided to be direct.

Dear Mr. Mercer,

I regret to inform you that your brother, Thomas, passed away a week ago in an accident. His wife, my sister, Madelaine, preceded him in death two weeks prior.

In his will, Thomas expressed his wish that his children, Lily, age six, and Samuel, age nine, should get to know their family and directed me, their guardian, to bring them to Oregon to live near you.

We should arrive in Baker City, via stagecoach, twenty-two days from the date of this letter. We’ll depart from Richmond, Virginia, in two days. I’ll send a telegram when we reach Portland.

Respectfully,

Beatrice Kingswell

She folded the letter and carefully addressed the envelope, wishing she didn’t have to send it.

After stopping by the post office, the three of them spent the next day shopping. Beatrice didn’t know much about the West, but she was certain that their clothes wouldn’t be appropriate for ranch life. She bought a couple of calico and cotton dresses, night clothes, and underthings for her and Lily. Samuel picked out a couple of cotton shirts and denim trousers, and his underclothes.

Each of them packed a trunk with clothes and important keepsakes. The children packed toys, books, and a few treasures from their parents. Beatrice packed clothes, her Bible, books, and a picture of the family, as well as her sister’s and mother’s jewelry. She hoped that they wouldn’t be living in Baker City for very long.

Trudie, the housekeeper, helped Beatrice sew money into the seams of her cloak and the lining of her pocketbook. She only kept a small amount out to be used for food and drinks along the way.

Lily and Samuel were quiet and subdued during the two days they were preparing to leave. Lily cried as they hugged Trudie, Katie, and Ben, the butler, as they walked out the door for the final time. Beatrice was sure she saw Samuel’s bottom lip quivering. She bit her lip to keep from crying, since she was trying to be brave for the children.

If I can travel from England to Virginia, I can do this. The only difference is that instead of being on a boat for several weeks traveling over the ocean, we’ll be on a train crossing land for most of it.

The other difference, and the one that terrified her, was that when she traveled from England to Virginia, she was going to live with her sister to help out with the children. She’d enjoyed time on the deck, read, and relaxed during the journey.

This time, she had two children to look after. They were traveling across the country, on a train, which she knew wouldn’t be as comfortable as the ship. The children would be cramped when they were used to having a couple hundred acres to run around on.

The end of the journey was more frightening. Instead of Beatrice living with her sister, she and the children were going to live near a man they’d never met. She’d heard Thomas speak of him before, but Beatrice couldn’t imagine what kind of man Bram must be to have turned his back on his brother.

***

The station was louder than she’d imagined. Steamed hissed out of the giant beasts. Porters shouted directions, people were saying their farewells, and metal clanged sharply against metal.

Coal smoke hung in the air, making her eyes water and her lungs tighten painfully. The scent of fresh bread wafted on the slight breeze from the stationhouse, causing Beatrice’s stomach to clench painfully. She was afraid she was going to be ill in front of all the people on the platform.

Lily held Beatrice’s gloved hand tightly as she stared at the large black engine. She pressed against Beatrice’s skirts until it was almost impossible for Beatrice to walk. Her doll was clutched tightly in her other arm.

Samuel looked around with interest. He stood rigidly on Beatrice’s other side, his chin up, and his lips pressed together.

“We’ll have our own sleeping compartment and private rooms, although you can explore the drawing room and other cars, as long as you don’t go too far and you always go together.” Beatrice tried to sound upbeat, masking the fear that gripped her heart.

The porter called out, “All aboard, westbound to Omaha, Nebraska.”

“Alright, it’s time.”

Beatrice showed the porter their tickets, and he directed them to the train car that contained the compartment they’d been assigned to. Lily stepped up the steps, slowly, clasping Beatrice’s hand tightly. Samuel was so close behind Beatrice that he almost tripped on her skirt.

They found their spot, and she sat on the cushioned bench, wrapping her arms around both children. She didn’t look back as the train pulled out of the station. Closing her eyes, she kissed the top of Lily’s head and squeezed Samuel’s shoulder.

Whatever waited for them in Baker City, she’d meet it head-on.

Chapter Two

Baker City, Oregon, 1869

“Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man. Warshed his face in a frying pan.” A loud hiccup echoed through the room. “Combed his hair with a wagon wheel, and died with a toothache in his heel.” A loud belch nearly shook the windows. It was followed by another hiccup. “Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker, you’re too late to get your supper.”

Sheriff Bram Mercer glared at the tall, lanky man lying on the cot in the jail cell, one foot and one arm dangling off the edge. He gritted his teeth and shook his head. Billy had been singing for the better part of the hour. It was only noon, and Bram was already developing a massive headache.

“Billy, I swear on everything that is holy, that if you don’t shut up, I’m going to strangle you myself.” Bram ran his fingers through his dark brown hair and growled in the back of his throat.

“You wouldn’t have ter listen ter my fine singin’ ifin you let me outta here. Jest let me git on home, and you won’t hear nuttin’.”

Deputy Owen Hart looked up from his desk and snickered.

Bram crossed his arms over his chest and sighed heavily. “I can’t do that unless Hiram decides to drop the charges against you.”

Billy slowly sat up and groaned, putting his hand on his head. “You go talk ter ‘im. I got ter money ter fix the winda.”

“It wasn’t just the window. You broke some of his glasses over Joe’s head, busted up a couple of chairs, and started screaming, ‘Go Yankee Soldiers. Burn the place down.’”

Running his fingers through his hair, Billy grinned. “Joe was lippin’ off about the war. You know his folks were from South Carolina. I took offense.”

Bram sighed and rubbed his face. “Just because you don’t like what someone has to say doesn’t give you the right to break glasses and chairs over them.”

Owen chuckled, and Bram shot him a dirty look.

“I’ll go talk to Hiram and see what he says.” Owen picked up his hat and headed outside.

“Will you please be quiet while he’s gone?” Bram asked, clearly exasperated.

Billy narrowed his eyes and looked at the wall. Thankfully, he was silent.

Bram stared at the paperwork in front of him. Even if Hiram dropped the charges, he still had to fill out the forms regarding Billy’s actions and arrest. He’d add it to the other forms in Billy’s file.

I guess I should be glad that it’s just a drunk charge. At least it wasn’t a knifing or shooting.

He took pride in the fact that violence had decreased since he took office, although it hadn’t disappeared completely. Bram was well-respected and even outsiders seemed to know that the sheriff didn’t brook any nonsense from anyone.

Owen returned a half hour later. “Hiram said he’d drop the charges if you brought the money today and stayed out of the saloon for six months. He’ll have people standing at the door ready to toss you out on your ear if you get close.”

“Six months?” Billy sounded as though he’d been handed a death sentence. “I guess I’ll have to go to Bart’s when I get a powerful thirst.”

Bram cocked his head to one side and raised his eyebrows. “Didn’t Bart threaten to shoot you if you stepped foot in his place again?”

Billy nodded. “I don’t think he meant it, though. Alice said I can’t drink at home anymore.” He stood up and walked to the door. “Aren’t you going to let me out?”

Owen shook his head. “I sent Chester to fetch Alice. She’s going to have to pay for the window before we let you out.” Billy started to protest, but Owen held up his hand to stop him. “That was Hiram’s requirements. I think he’s being mighty decent by deciding not to press charges against you.”

Billy grunted and sat heavily on his bed. “Fine. That’s just plain mean, though.”

Bram fixed him with a hard look. “Would you prefer staying here for the next two weeks until the circuit judge passes through?”

Pressing his lips together, Billy sat heavily on the cot. An hour later, his wife Alice arrived and read him the riot act, chewing like a dog on a bone.

“Listen to me good, Billy Wagner. Yer going to go home, and you ain’t leaving the ranch again ‘til I say so. I’m done with yer drinkin’ and fightin’. If you even think about leaving the ranch, I’ll lock you up in the barn.”

Billy looked at her as though she had just threatened to shoot him, and meant it.

“Yes, Alice.”

“I’ve been to see Hiram. Everythin’ is taken care of. Git yer carcass out o’ that jail cell and into the wagon.”

She took a deep breath and whirled around to face Bram and Owen. She was a slight woman, about five feet tall and as big around as a twig. Her fire-red hair bespoke her temper, and Bram was certain that he wouldn’t want to tangle with her.

“Much obliged, Sheriff Mercer, Deputy Hart. You shouldn’t be seein’ much of him fer a while.”

While her voice was harsh with Billy, it was soft and sweet with them. It was as though there was a completely different Alice. She turned and flounced out the door as though she were a queen dismissing her court.

Bram and Owen looked at each other and laughed.

“I almost feel sorry for Billy. I wouldn’t be surprised if she took him out back behind the barn and thrashed him.” Bram glanced at the door as though he expected her to walk back in and give them a piece of her mind as well. “Her mama had a reputation for running a tight ship, too.”

A couple of hours later, Susan, the feedstore owner’s daughter, who worked at the post office, stepped into the sheriff’s office. “I brought you some mail, sheriff.” She gave him a shy smile as she handed him a couple of letters. Bram knew that she fancied him, although he didn’t share her feelings.

“Thank you,” Bram smiled as he took the letters.

She smoothed her skirts and stood by his desk for a moment. Owen cast him a knowing glance.

“You saved me a trip. Best not linger in this drafty office. I know George will miss you at the post office.”

Her smile faltered a little. She nodded at Owen and then slowly made her way to the door.

“She’s sure sweet on you.”

“I made the mistake of having supper at her Ma’s and Pa’s a few weeks ago.” Bram sighed heavily. “I think that Susan took it as a sign that I was interested in her.”

“That’s too bad. She’s a sweet girl.”

Bram nodded as he went through the envelopes. A cream-colored envelope with fine, even handwriting caught his attention. He studied the name, not recognizing it—Beatrice Kingswell.

He slit the envelope carefully, not sure why a woman from Richmond, Virginia, would be writing to him.

The words jumped off the paper and screamed at him. His brother, Thomas, was dead. Not only that, his children would be coming out to stay with him.

Bram reread the neat words on the page and then dropped the paper onto his desk. He blinked hard, trying to suppress the overwhelming guilt and sadness that threatened to overcome him. He’d purposely kept his brother’s departure pushed back into the recesses of his mind, not thinking about the last time he’d seen Thomas.

He rubbed his eyes as he thought back to the moment in the barn. He’d been twenty-one when Thomas had saddled his horse and put a few belongings into the saddlebags. Thomas and their father had just battled loudly in the house a few moments earlier, each screaming harsh words at the other. Their father had disowned Thomas and ordered him to get out of his sight.

Bram had to watch his father sink further into depression as the ranch he’d built up had been taken away and run by a stranger. His father had died a few years after that. He’d been a bitter, broken man who’d never spoken Thomas’s name again.

He lifted his gaze and saw Owen studying him.

“Are you alright? You don’t look well at all.”

Exhaling harshly, he leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. “I got a letter from someone who I never knew existed.”

“Who’s that?”

“A woman named Beatrice Kingswell. She apparently was my brother’s sister-in-law.” He sucked in a huge breath. “Unfortunately, my brother, Thomas, has died.”

Owen’s eyes widened. “I didn’t even know you had a brother.”

“Most people don’t. I left that life and my brother behind years ago. He gambled away the family ranch, and my father disowned him. I should have stood up for my brother, but I never did.” He rubbed his face. “I don’t know if I was too afraid to stand up to my father, or what, but I watched Thomas leave and never look back.”

Sitting back in his chair, the look on Owen’s face softened. He knew enough about Bram to realize that he was carrying a lot of sadness and guilt just by the look on his face and the tone of his voice. “What does the letter say?”

Bram hesitated a moment before he told Owen about the visit. The idea that his brother was dead and Thomas’s two children were coming for a visit had slammed into him and taken his breath away.

“She said that Thomas had stated in his will that she is to bring the children out here to live near me to get to know me. She says they were leaving in two days after the date of the letter, and would be here in about twenty days. That was twelve days ago, so they’ll be here in about a couple of weeks.”

“What are you going to do?”

Bram ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, making it even messier than it usually was. “I guess I owe it to Thomas to accept them and help raise them the best I can.”

Owen nodded. “I’ll help in any way you need. I’ll stand by you and support you in any way possible.

For a long moment, Bram sat still, trying to process the abrupt change in his life. Nothing would be the same. In the back of his mind, he’d always hoped that maybe he and Thomas could reconcile. For whatever reason, he’d never reached out to Thomas. He understood why Thomas wouldn’t reach out to him.

“I have a niece and a nephew. They are all that remains of my brother.”

“Then you’ll make it right. You’ll form a relationship with them and get to know your brother again through them.”

He carefully refolded the letter and slid it back inside the envelope before tucking it into his jacket pocket. “I’d heard, from an aunt who lived back East, that he’d married a wealthy woman from England. Her father bought him a ranch, and Thomas was doing well.” He pressed his lips together and clenched his eyes tightly shut. “I should have reached out to him.”

Owen put his hand on Bram’s shoulder. “You have a chance to make amends through his children, just as he wanted.”

Bram nodded and stood. “I guess I’d better get out to the ranch and tell Mrs. Bowman to expect company.”

“I’ll hold down the fort here.”

A thousand “what-ifs” rolled through his mind as he rode for an hour back to his ranch. What if I had reached out to him? What if I could have had a relationship with him before he died? What if I’d asked him to come home? Would he still be alive?

Bram wondered what Beatrice would be like and was jealous that she’d gotten a chance to get to know Thomas in a way he hadn’t. Thomas was just eighteen when he left.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t see the gently rolling hills and the golden and green prairie grass waving in the breeze. The late summer wildflowers had popped up everywhere, and a herd of bison grazed off in the distance.

By the time he reached the ranch, he was mentally exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to sit on the porch, with a cup of coffee, and stare out over the vast wilderness.

Mrs. Tilda Bowman stepped out on the porch, drying her hands with a towel. Her steel gray hair was pulled tightly into a bun, and her brown eyes searched him curiously.

“Bram, I didn’t expect to see you home so soon.”

He dismounted and started to unsaddle Sampson. “I received a letter from a woman named Beatrice Kingswell. She was Thomas’s sister-in-law.”

She put two fingers to her mouth. “Was?” She blinked away the tears that glistened in her eyes.

“Yes. Thomas is gone. Apparently, he’d been killed in an accident. According to the letter, Thomas had put something in his will about having his children come to Oregon so they could get to know me. They’ll be here in a couple of weeks or so. She said that she’d send a telegram when they got to Portland.”

“We’ll need to make sure the spare rooms are cleaned and that the pantry is well stocked. The kids will need a place that feels like home where they can feel safe.”

Bram nodded, knowing that Mrs. Bowman would take care of everything. She’d been with the family since he was born and had mourned along with the rest of the family when Thomas had left.

“I remember your aunt Margaret said that he’d married an English woman several years ago, but I don’t think we’ve heard anything about him after that.”

Bram shook his head. “No, and she passed soon after she sent that letter. I wouldn’t even have known that much if I hadn’t fished the letter out of the trash can, where Pa had tossed it.”

“He was angry, and he had a right to be. Thomas had lost everything your pa had worked hard for.” She put her hand on Bram’s arm. “Don’t be angry with either of them or yourself. It has been a difficult situation for everyone.”

He nodded, putting the saddle in the tack room in the barn. He started brushing Sampson with a little more vigor than he should. The horse protested and side-stepped him.

“Don’t take your thoughts out on the horse. He’ll dump you somewhere in the middle of the prairie and leave you.”

Bram stroked Sampson’s nose. “You wouldn’t do that to me, would you, boy?”

Sampson tossed his head and neighed.

Mrs. Bowman laughed. “I’m pretty sure that he’s saying that he would.”

Bram smiled, but didn’t laugh. He didn’t feel up to it. After he finished with Sampson, he walked back into the barn with the horse on his heels. He stopped near one of the stalls and leaned against it. The familiar scents of leather and hay didn’t calm his jangled nerves.

He absently patted Sampson’s flank. The horse nuzzled his neck, trying to comfort him. Bram leaned against him, closed his eyes, and let the horse’s warmth flow over him.

Sighing heavily, Bram remembered the last time he’d seen Thomas. The image was as fresh in his mind as though it was yesterday. He could feel the anger emanating from both men.

Bram had stayed in the shadows, remaining silent, not sure what to say or do. He watched as their father had spit out the fateful words: “You are no longer my son or a part of the Mercer family.”

Neither Bram nor his father thought that Thomas would stay gone long. They figured that he’d go into town, drink away his anger, and return home. He never did. And now, Thomas was gone, and there wouldn’t be a chance to reconcile. His two young children were on their way with their aunt and guardian, who was a refined Englishwoman. He had no idea what she was like or what she would expect. He wondered if she was the type of person who expected servants to wait on her hand and foot, taking care of her every need.

If that’s the case, she has a huge surprise coming her way, he thought.

Sampson swished his tail and whinnied softly.

For that matter, he had no idea what the children would be like. Their mother was a wealthy Englishwoman, likely full of fancy ideas. They’d probably only brought their fine silk clothes, which wouldn’t do for the hard ranch life.

He sighed heavily. “I guess we all will have some adjusting to do as we get to know each other.”

Getting the ranch ready for the visitors would be the easy part. The children and their aunt would have a good home. He was sure that they’d be able to adjust to ranch life. In reality, they really didn’t have a choice.

Hopefully, he’d be able to find peace through the children, which he hadn’t felt in a very long time.