Sam's Legacy Page 5

  Gripping Heather’s arm, Jinny started to rise. “Let me introduce you.”

  Groaning, she shook her head. “Nae. You know I’m not good at talking with men the way you and Emma are. I’d rather sit here and watch. Actually, I’d rather not be here at all.”

  “Well, you’re here and ought to make the most of all the time spent getting ready. I’m so glad Mrs. Evanston asked you to come.”

  Heather’s face scrunched into a frown. “You’ll not be fooling me, Jinny. The widow forced me to come. She said I spent too much time alone…as if I don’t have a huge enough family.”

  “Who you rarely see.”

  “Ach. I’m there for Sunday supper.” Heather looked at her mother, Audrey, who sat at another table with Kyla, Colin’s mother. She felt a rush of guilt. Audrey would never voice it out loud, yet Heather knew she’d let her mother, and the rest of the family, down when she took the job with Widow Evanston.

  At first, she’d enjoyed being away from the boisterous, often overbearing MacLaren clan. After more than a year, it surprised her how much she missed her family and those they’d brought into the fold, such as Caleb. As much as she wished it wasn’t so, she missed his superior attitude, much like her brothers and male cousins. She also missed the smoldering glances he tried to hide.

  Jinny linked an arm through hers. “You need to come home more, Heather. Everyone misses you.”

  Her gaze wandered again to Caleb, who hadn’t left the dance floor. By her count, this was his third dance with the redhead. “Who is Caleb dancing with?”

  “From what I’ve heard, she’s related to August Fielder. Her family is visiting from back east. I can’t remember her name, but I’m sure Caleb can tell you once he comes back to the table.” Jinny’s voice held enough humor to let Heather know she wasn’t fooling her cousin. “The lad’s been an eejit about you since traveling here from Oregon. You’ll dance with him if he asks, won’t you?”

  Always one to know her own mind, and all too quick to voice her thoughts, Heather hesitated, insecurity clear on her face as she bit her lower lip. “I’d hoped no one would ask me.”

  Slapping a hand over her mouth, Jinny held back a laugh. “Then why get all dressed up, lass? You must’ve known the lads would be asking you for a dance.”

  Shaking her head, Heather straightened. She couldn’t let anyone think of her as weak or unsure. “I came as a duty to the widow. The rest wasn’t important.”

  Jinny didn’t believe a word of it. “How long since you’ve been to a dance?”

  Heather’s shoulders slumped a slight bit, enough for Jinny to notice. “Not since I was a lassie.”

  “Then I have just the fix for you.” Standing, Jinny marched to the other side of the room. Getting Deke’s attention, she whispered in his ear, then slipped her arm through his, walking back to the table. “Heather, I’d like to introduce Mr. Deke Arrington, Mr. Ferguson’s nephew. Mr. Arrington, this is my cousin, Miss Heather MacLaren.”

  Deke bowed slightly. “It’s a pleasure, Miss MacLaren.”

  Her gaze moved between Jinny and Deke before she nodded. “The same, Mr. Arrington.”

  Deke held out his hand. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?” When he saw the panic on her face, he leaned closer. “We’ll take it slow. I promise not to embarrass you.”

  Heaving a sigh, Heather took his hand and stood. “You’ve no idea what you’ve let yourself in for, Mr. Arrington.”

  “How bad can it be?” Deke smiled, escorting her to the dance floor.

  “Who’s Heather dancing with?” Caleb stood between Brodie and Quinn, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of fortified punch.

  “Deke Arrington.” Brodie explained about him working at the saddlery for his uncle. “Why don’t you ask her to dance?”

  Caleb choked out a laugh. “You know as well as I do she’d turn me down.”

  Quinn clasped him on the shoulder. “Is that all that’s stopping you? Where’s your spirit, lad?”

  “About where yours was when you were trying to stay away from Emma.”

  Brodie threw his head back and laughed. “He has you there, Quinn.”

  “True.” Quinn touched the rim of his glass to Brodie’s and drank. “At least you could ask Jinny for a dance.”

  Caleb’s eyes widened. “Jinny?”

  “Aye. You know…my cousin.”

  Shoving Quinn lightly, he shook his head. “I know who you mean.” Finishing his punch, he set the glass on the table. “Fine. I’ll ask her.” Taking several quick strides, he stood before her, extending his hand. “May I have this dance, Jinny?”

  Jinny’s eyes grew wide before a smile curved up the corners of her mouth. “Of course. I’d love a dance with you, Caleb.”

  He found the perfect spot next to Heather and Deke. Placing a hand on Jinny’s back, they finished the dance before the band changed songs.

  Jinny’s eyes lit up. “Oh, a reel. Can we dance this one, Caleb?” Next to them, they could hear Heather asking Deke the same question.

  “If I can remember how it’s done.”

  Jinny took Caleb’s hand. “Ach, you’ll remember.”

  Within seconds, the floor vibrated with couples dancing a lively Scottish reel, changing partners, moving in circles. When it was over, the four of them stood next to each other, laughing.

  Deke looked at Jinny. “If they play another, we should switch partners.”

  Caleb’s face stilled. He glanced at Heather, surprised when she nodded in agreement. They didn’t have to wait long. The band began another reel, keeping most everyone on the floor. Lacing his fingers through hers, Caleb led Heather back to the center of the floor. Within moments, they were laughing, ignoring the fact that when they saw each other again, they’d be at odds, the same as always.

  “You were right, Emma. I did have a wonderful time.” Jinny sat in the wagon on the other side of Quinn, leaning over him to talk to his wife.

  “What do you think of Deke Arrington?”

  Quinn straightened at Emma’s question, looking over at Jinny. “Are you interested in Deke?”

  “I think he’s a very charming man, and no, I’m not interested in him.”

  “What if Sam doesn’t come back? Would Deke interest you then?”

  “Ach. I don’t want to talk about Sam not returning…or Deke. Besides, I think he may have formed an interest in Heather."

  “Heather?” Quinn choked out. “What could the lad possibly see in my sister?”

  Emma shoved him from one side as Jinny did the same on the other.

  Quinn frowned at his wife. “It’s a fair question.”

  Emma glared at him. “No, it’s not. Heather is a beautiful woman. Smart, funny—”

  “Ach,” Quinn interrupted. “The lass is opinionated, arrogant, and intolerant, seeing no value in anyone’s opinion but her own. Heather is a pain in the arse.”

  Jinny folded her arms over her chest. “Caleb doesn’t seem to think so.”

  “Don’t be daft. Just because the lad finds her attractive doesn’t mean he doesn’t see her faults. And the lass has many.” He looked between the two of them. “You know I’m right.”

  Chuckling, Emma slid an arm through his. “Heather does have her opinions. I do understand them, though.”

  Quinn leaned over, kissing her cheek. “Because you enjoy ranch life the same as she does. The difference is Heather angers people with her sass, acting like she’d rather be a man. You can ride, shoot, and handle chores around the ranch, the same as her, but you like being a woman. She’s my sister and I love her, but I’ll not be denying her faults because of it.”

  Jinny listened to them go back and forth, her mind on Sam. She’d wanted to ask Brodie if he’d heard from him, knowing her brother would be honest. When the opportunity arose, she’d hesitated, then lost her chance when Colin and Quinn walked up.

  “You’re quiet, lass.” Quinn nudged her with his shoulder. “Are you thinking of Sam?”

&nbs
p; Jinny kept her gaze on the trail ahead. “Aye. Wondering if Brodie has heard from him.”

  “Nae, he hasn’t.”

  She shot a look at him. “You asked him?”

  Quinn shrugged. “Colin asked him at the dance. Brodie still hopes he comes back. It’s hard not knowing why the lad had to return home.”

  She drew in a slow breath. “Sam wanted to explain the night he told me he had to leave. I, um…didn’t handle the news well. He might have explained if I’d given him a chance.”

  “You can’t blame yourself, Jinny.” Emma reached across Quinn, placing a hand on her arm and squeezing. “He didn’t say he wouldn’t return.”

  “Nae, he didn’t. As each day passes without any word, I lose hope. Somehow, I always thought we’d be together.” She looked at Emma, a grim smile turning up the corners of her mouth. “I hoped maybe he’d stop being an eejit, the way Quinn was with you.”

  “I wasn’t an eejit,” he protested. “There were reasons it took me so long to figure out what I wanted.”

  Jinny laughed. “Ach, you always wanted Emma. You were too much of a dunderhead to admit it.”

  “She’s right, Quinn.” Emma leaned into him, a sweet smile on her face.

  He frowned, slapping the lines. “A lad will never win an argument with you two.”

  Emma rose off the seat to kiss his cheek, then sat back down. “I’m afraid you won’t win with any of the MacLaren women.”

  Quinn shook his head. “Aye. It’s the way of it.”

  Chapter Six

  Baltimore, Maryland

  “Papa?” Robbie pushed open the door to where Sam studied documents to purchase a house a few blocks away.

  Hearing his son’s voice, Sam’s mood improved in an instant. Standing, he moved around the desk, crouching with his arms spread. “Come in, Robbie.”

  Running, he jumped into his father’s arms, giggling. “Read me a story.” It wasn’t a question. A week after moving into Sam’s parents’ home, they already had a routine, which included at least one chapter each night. Lifting Robbie into his arms, he settled him on one side as they left the study and walked up the stairs.

  “Shall we read Rip Van Winkle?” Sam asked.

  Robbie shook his head. “No.”

  “All right. How about Swiss Family Robinson?”

  “Nooo.” Robbie giggled, again shaking his head.

  Sam sighed, pretending to consider the options. “Hmmm, let me see. I suppose we could read Ivanhoe.”

  “Yes.” Robbie nodded his head vigorously, then laughed when Sam tossed him onto the middle of his bed.

  “Let’s say a prayer, then I’ll read the story.”

  Hustling to climb under the covers, Robbie laid his head on the pillow, clasping his hands together. “God watch over Mama.”

  His son said the same prayer every night, and each time, Sam felt his throat tighten. Vera may have been a traitor to the Union cause, but she was still Robbie’s mother, and Sam vowed he’d never say a negative word about her. Few in Baltimore were so generous.

  It had been a few short months since the war ended, and anger still ran deep on both sides. Where Sam grew up, most sided with President Lincoln and the Union. Vera had done all she could to thwart the cause of keeping the country intact, choosing to spy for the South. In the end, she’d paid for it with her life. Many who’d been friends with her and her family had cut them off, bitter at her defection. As Robbie grew up, Sam feared his son would suffer the consequences of his mother’s decisions.

  “Story now, Papa?”

  “Yes, son.” Picking up the book and turning to the page where they’d left off the night before, Sam began to read, recalling how his father had read to him from the same book when he was Robbie’s age. He could almost recite the chapters by heart, which meant his mind often wandered during this quiet time each night.

  He’d selected a house, securing the funds, but couldn’t bring himself to sign the document declaring the property his. There were so many reasons to stay. Robbie would be near both sets of grandparents—one set who’d raised him, and the other who’d become attached within days. He’d have the advantages of a large city on the Atlantic, with an education system not yet available out west. The exposure to people from all walks of life would be invaluable as he got older, and he’d make contacts that could serve him well in whatever he chose to do. Sam had all the same advantages, and he’d still ended up in California.

  Perhaps because of this, Sam still had a difficult time finding any joy in staying.

  His parents made it clear they wanted them close. They never said it had to be in Baltimore. The longer Sam rolled this over in his mind, the more a plan began to develop. One that could satisfy them, and give him the life he wanted for Robbie.

  Finishing the chapter, he glanced at his son, who’d fallen into a deep sleep. Setting the book aside, he leaned down to brush a strand of hair from Robbie’s face before kissing his forehead.

  Sam figured he had a few days to finalize the transaction on the house. If he allowed the sale to go through, he would never again leave Baltimore. He’d accept one of several job offers and build a life in the same neighborhood where he’d grown up. His stomach knotted, knowing the choice he made now would define the rest of his life…and Robbie’s.

  Conviction, California

  “Jinny, what do you think of this fabric?” Sarah McLaren, Colin’s wife, placed her hand on a blue silk taffeta at Maloney’s general store. Sarah, her sister, Geneen, Jinny, and Emma had met Brodie’s wife, Maggie, for lunch, then walked across the street for supplies before heading back to Circle M.

  Emma nudged Jinny’s arm, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Sarah asked you a question.”

  Blinking to clear her mind, which had wandered to Sam once again, she walked toward Sarah. “I’m sorry. What did you ask me?”

  “I wondered what you thought of this fabric.”

  “I suppose it depends on what you’d be needing it for.” Jinny drew her hand along what she knew to be expensive material.

  “I’m being silly. Dreaming of what I could do with this.” Sarah smiled when she spoke. No one had ever heard one word of complaint from her since Colin brought her to Circle M.

  “There’s nothing wrong with dreaming, Sarah. I do it all the time.”

  Sarah moved down the aisle, picking up a couple items on her list. “Has anyone heard from Sam?” Her gaze moved to Maggie.

  “Brodie’s said nothing to me, but I know how much he hopes Sam will return.” Placing a hand on her stomach, she used her other to steady herself against a table filled with kitchenware.

  Jinny placed her arm around Maggie’s waist. “Are you all right, lass?”

  “A little dizzy, and my stomach bothers me a bit. It’s happened a few times in the last two weeks.”

  Sarah looked at Emma, then Jinny. “Have you seen either Doc Vickery or Doc Tilden?” Sarah asked, glancing at Maggie’s stomach. She’d described the same symptoms Sarah had during her first months of being pregnant with Grant.

  Maggie shook her head. “No. It’s never seemed bad enough to bother either of them…until today.”

  “Let’s finish with the supplies, then see if one of the doctors can see you.” Sarah placed what she had on the counter, waiting until Mrs. Maloney totaled everything up. “Can you have everything loaded into our wagon? We have one more place to go.”

  “Of course, dear. It will all be ready when you return.”

  As the women turned to leave, the front door burst open. Four men, looking like they hadn’t bathed in months, walked inside, glancing around before grabbing items off the shelves and stuffing them into saddlebags swung over their shoulders.

  Mrs. Maloney came around the counter, crossing her arms. “Young men, you need to bring those items to me so I can add them up.”

  As the men got closer, their features became more menacing. The one in the lead rested a hand on the butt of his gun, giving them a frightening smile. “
The truth is, ma’am, you don’t need to add up anything. Now, if you’ll leave us be, we’ll finish our business and get out of your way.”

  Mrs. Maloney took another step forward, stopping when Jinny grabbed her arm. “Let them take what they want and leave. My family will take care of it.”

  The older woman shrugged off Jinny’s hand. “I can’t let them steal from me, and I won’t have the MacLarens pay for it.”

  The man who’d spoken moved closer to Mrs. Maloney. “You’d best do as the lady says.” This time, he drew his gun, holding it at his side. “We wouldn’t want to harm any of you ladies.” His tone told them the men would have no reservations about hurting them if it meant getting what they wanted.

  Jinny moved in front of Mrs. Maloney, blocking her from confronting the man again. “Please, Mrs. Maloney. Don’t argue with him.”

  Sarah moved next to them. “Jinny’s right. It isn’t worth any of us getting hurt.”

  Mrs. Maloney glared at the men, then stepped around the women. “Take what you need. Just remember, there are families who also need what we have.”

  “Take whatever you can, boys.” The leader took three long strides to stand inches away from the older woman, his gaze roaming over the others until they locked on Jinny. “You. Come with me.”

  Narrowing her gaze, Jinny moved away from him. “Nae. I won’t be going anywhere with you.”

  His voice hardening, he moved quickly, grabbing her arm. “You’ll do what I say.”

  Wrenching herself away, instinct took over. Jinny reached back, swinging her fist, missing his face by an inch as he leaned away. “Are you daft? I’ll be going nowhere with you.”

  The women formed a circle around Jinny, Emma stepping forward. “Get what you want and leave.” No one had noticed her reach into her coat, her hand gripping the six-gun she always carried.

  The other three men stopped from stuffing their saddlebags, one drawing his gun. “You need help, Captain?” The other two pulled out their weapons, pointing them at the women.

  “I don’t need help with one feisty woman,” he ground out. Storming past Emma, pushing her away before she had a chance to draw her six-shooter, he grabbed Jinny by the hair. “You’re coming with us.”