Читать книгу Follow Your Heart - Gail Odom - Страница 11

Chapter 7

Some folks looked down their noses at a woman working in a saloon. It was unusual when one would change their profession. It took courage. Della had no choice in her situation. Now she had one. She made her choice, and she chose to change.

Cowhands aren’t saints either. They respected anyone who would make a stand for what is right. They admired Della for having the guts to make a change. They believed that everyone should have a fair shake of things. Man or woman—you do right by a person. Stand by what you believe in. They would stand by Della, and there were others that would too.

Things had been stirred up in Rosewood. Everyone was waiting for Stewart Granger to make his move. He had lots of money and spent it well. Talk that he was looking to hire. For what reason? To scare Della before she even stepped foot on the place?

Stewart Granger was no fool. He had shown his hand when he stormed out of Rosewood. He had to now play his cards right. His mind was reeling with thoughts on what to do. Della kept coming to his mind. She was like a ghost from his past—a past he wanted to forget, but she always brought it back. He took another gulp of whiskey from his glass and poured another. There was something about Della that he wanted though. She was different and not like Julia. He threw back his head and downed another glass.

Julia was wild, and she did him wrong. She was a saloon girl that stole his heart. He was a young cowhand, just starting out. He fell in love and gave her the world. Julia played in his heart. He gave her everything, but it was never enough. She never loved him, only his money. The day that she left the Triple S, she was laughing, calling him a fool. She had her whiskey peddler by her side, and she had flaunted it in his face. Granger wiped his brow and looked out the window. He took another gulp from his glass and swung the empty whiskey bottle into the fireplace. He should have killed them both where they stood, but he didn’t. Next time, he wasn’t going to be the fool.

He knew he had to be careful. Dealing with a woman was a tricky matter. He wanted the Bagwell place and was bound and determined to get it. Granger would take his time and plan his next move. He paid a high price for waiting to buy, and he wasn’t going to wait this time.

Granger rose and staggered to the stairway leading up to his room. His thoughts were jumbled from all the whiskey that he had drunk. At the top of the stairs, he came to the landing and thought he saw someone looking at him. He turned to the window, and for an instant, he saw Julia. He wiped his eyes, but it was gone. He finally made it to his bed and crashed.

Della and Nellie had been busy all afternoon. They spoke of dreams and plans as they packed. It wasn’t long before they turned in. Della went to her room for the last time. There were boxes stacked to one side. She went to her window and pulled back the curtain. She saw the light on in the livery for a moment, then it was dark. The night was quiet with the sounds of crickets and the breeze blowing through the trees. Della sighed against the windowsill. Her thoughts went to Travis. She never had any feelings for any man in her life except her daddy, and, of course, that was different. She knew that she liked Travis and that he wasn’t like the other men that had darkened her door. She smiled and turned toward her bed. Tomorrow was a new day and a new beginning. She was ready.

Travis was turning over in his bunk, restless thoughts running through his mind. He heard the talk going around. He felt trapped. On one side, he could mind his own business, and on the other, he cared for Della. Yes, he cared. Maybe his mind was already made up. He was just stubborn. Question was “Now what to do about it?” He tried to close his eyes, but he just lay there and thought.

Dr. Baker was thinking too. He was finishing up some paperwork before he called it a day. He knew the Bagwell place was in shambles after sitting for a while. It would need a heap of fixing up. Della and Nellie would only be able to do so much. Now what could he do? He heard a cough coming from the back where Travis slept. Then he knew…Travis Reed. That was the answer, and Travis would be able to keep an eye on the women.

The doctor got up from his chair and made his way into the livery to the back room, where Travis lived. He tapped lightly on the door. Travis jumped out of bed and opened the door. He was surprised to see the doctor there. Travis asked if everything was okay. The doctor told him that he needed to talk to him if he didn’t mind to come on up to the office.

Travis grabbed his shirt and followed him to the office. Both men found their chairs, and Dr. Baker got to the point. He told Travis that he needed his help. He was concerned about Della and Nellie trying to get the Bagwell place in order. Travis nodded his head and told him that he figured that all types of critters might have moved in. Dr. Baker said that was what he was thinking. He asked Travis if he would mind taking on the job. Travis said that he would without a second thought. The doctor leaned in toward Travis and told him that he also wanted Travis to protect the women as much as possible. Dr. Baker said that he didn’t know what Granger would do. He knew that Granger had always wanted the Bagwell place and that it got his goat when Tom wouldn’t sell.

Travis sat back at that point, then he slowly rose to his feet. He looked at Dr. Baker and said that he would protect them with his life. The doctor nodded.

Since the women were going to pick up the wagon come morning, Dr. Baker told Travis to get a head start in the morning. Travis said he could take care of the team and wagon. The doctor laughed and told Travis he might be able to delay them some. Dr. Baker slapped Travis on the back as he stepped into the darkness.

Travis had a restless night ahead of him. He knew what he had to do and would give all he had. He would leave out before morning light. He wanted to get as much done before the women got there.

Gracie lay in her new bed over at the boardinghouse. She needed a plan. Her head was reeling with thoughts of revenge. So Della thinks she can start a new life! Will see about that! Gracie suddenly thought…Stewart Granger. She would have to be careful. Maybe through him, she would get even. She might be able to help Granger and herself at the same time. Gracie rolled over and finally decided to go to sleep. Tomorrow was another day…revenge!

Miss Nancy had a feeling of despair. She was sitting at her dressing table, taking down her hair. She was losing two people that she dearly loved. She was happy that Della was finally taking charge of her life. She didn’t want to fire Gracie, but it happened. Now Miss Nancy was worried about the business with Stewart Granger. She remembered the way he would look at Della. Miss Nancy looked into the mirror, thinking when she remembered Julia Granger. Now this put a whole different light on things, and it wasn’t good. Della could almost be a sister to Julia because they looked so much alike, but Della had a calmer spirit. That was why Granger would stare at Della. He was thinking of Julia. The man was crazy!

Miss Nancy shook her head and prayed that Stewart Granger wasn’t in love with Della, thinking she was Julia. She had to talk to Dr. Baker about it. He would know what to do. She would see him before Della and Nellie left. She rose and went to her bed. As she lay down, she sighed. Her sleep would be restless.

Rosewood was trying to settle down for the night. The Desert Rose finally sent their last customer home. Soon darkness had settled in, and the night crickets sang their song. The wind blew gently through the streets.