High Plains Bargain

By Patricia Collier

Martie Evans assumed she would inherit their Wyoming ranch upon her father’s death. His will changed everything. Clay Thomas, a man she has never met, is given the ranch, leaving her the house.

Clay, a former peace officer and jack-of-all-trades, is shocked to learn that he has inherited the ranch. When Martie turns her anger upon him, he determines to win her approval and to give her the protection that her father obviously desired for her.

But who really needs the protection?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Feb 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662937392

Book preview

Chapter 1

Late September, 1872

Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory

Clay Thomas watched as Martie Evans hugged her cousins goodbye. Her black veil was lifted; her red-rimmed eyes evidence of her sorrow. She stood watching as the train moved away.

Please walk with me, Mr. Thomas, she said as she turned to face him. I would appreciate your company on our walk to Mr. Myers’ office.

He noticed that she lowered her veil once again as he offered his arm to her.

Thank you, Mr. Thomas, she said. I miss my cousins already, but they are needed on their ranch.

Yes, ma’am, they are, he responded. The Matthews brothers and their cousin, Zac, had a very large spread in Laramie, not to mention Owen’s wife and their young children for which to care. Then there was Libby, their housekeeper and Owen’s wife’s aunt. He continued, I can’t imagine why I am to be at the reading of the will.

He thought he caught a glimpse of a smile upon her lips through the fabric of her veil. My father held you in high esteem. Perhaps he has left you a favorite possession.

He could have done that at the same time that your cousins received theirs.

Well, we will know soon, Miss Evans stated as they climbed the steps before Mr. Myers’ law office.

Please be seated, the lawyer instructed with a wave of his hand toward the brown leather chairs that faced his desk.

Once again Miss Evans lifted her veil, exposing a strand of red hair that she quickly tucked behind her ear. Even in mourning she is a lovely, young woman.

Mr. Myers cleared his throat, causing Clay to turn his way. There was a tiny smile upon the man’s lips, but only for a moment.

Miss Evans, I will address you first, the man said as he opened the center drawer of his large desk and removed a file. He opened it and handed Miss Evans a sealed envelope. You may read that later at your leisure.

Your father has left you the house and lot that it occupies, Mr. Myers stated with a nod of his gray head. Also, your horse may be stabled in the barn. You will also receive a portion of the ranch’s profits as long as you remain there. Should you leave, your portion ends. It also ends if the ranch is sold. The house will be included. Whatever the house and lot are worth, you will receive.

Clay frowned at the curious wording of the will. He was still frowning when the lawyer turned to him and announced, Everything else your father willed to Mr. Thomas.

Clay and Miss Evans sat stunned in their leather chairs. Then suddenly she asked, Did I hear you correctly? My father left our ranch to a man that I hardly know, and he expects me to live in the house while Mr. Thomas owns everything else.

You heard me correctly, Miss Evans, the lawyer answered.

Why did John leave me his ranch? I’m no kin of his, Clay interjected.

John had no son. He thought highly of you, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Myers responded. He knew you were an orphan. John wanted you to have the ranch.

He insisted that I come here, yet he gives what is rightly mine to someone else, Miss Evans fumed, making no attempt to hide her anger.

I must refuse John’s kindness, Clay stated, turning to Miss Evans. I will return the ranch to you.

The lawyer sighed, his concern evident. I tried to talk John out of this, but he insisted. He glanced down at the open file. If you refuse the ranch, Mr. Thomas, it will be given to the Matthews brothers and their cousin Zachary.

Clay glanced at Miss Evans, whose mouth dropped open in shock and remained that way for several seconds before recovering. She rose suddenly and walked to the closed door.

Her hand resting on the glass doorknob, she turned to face them. My presence is no longer required, gentlemen. Good day!

She exited the room gracefully as she pulled the door closed, but ruined her angry departure when she opened it to free her skirt that was caught between the door and its frame. She kept her eyes averted as she exited once again, slamming the door after her.

That went well, Mr. Myers quipped as he faced Clay with a shake of his head. Who can blame her?

I will be returning to Laramie tomorrow, Clay said. I will discuss this with Owen, Wes, and Zac.

I understand, Mr. Thomas, the lawyer responded as Clay rose to shake his hand.

There was little sleep that night for Clay. He didn’t stop to eat breakfast, but headed for the train station. Everything in his life had changed.

When he reached Laramie, he immediately rode out to the Matthews’ ranch, arriving to find Owen, Wes, and Zac working near the ranch house. He was greeted by Owen’s little daughter, Kittie, her blonde braids flying out behind her as a red and cream-colored dog followed closely.

Good morning! she said as she grabbed his large hand.

Hello, Kittie! He lifted her into his arms and kissed her cheek.

That was a scratchy kiss, she stated, rubbing her cheek. You forgot to shave.

I apologize. I was in a hurry. I need to talk to your father, Wes, and Zac.

Let’s go inside, Owen said. You look like you haven’t had any sleep.

By the way, what did John leave you in his will? Wes asked as he walked over to them.

His ranch, Clay responded.

What? both men said at the same time.

John left me his ranch, Clay stated. If I refuse it, it goes to the three of you.

What about Martie? Zac asked, a frown on his lips.

She gets the house and lot, use of the barn to stable her horse, and a portion of the ranch’s profits.

We have enough land here for each of us, Wes interjected. At least, I don’t want anymore.

Owen glanced at Zac, who shook his head. That settles it. It’s yours, Clay.

Before he could reply, Libby stuck her head out the door. Have you had breakfast?

No, ma’am, Clay answered, suddenly keenly aware of his desire for food.

Come on in, and I’ll make you something.

Once ushered inside by his friends, he was seated at the table. Coffee was already poured.

I just made that coffee, Ginny said with a wink at Clay.

He understood her signal: Libby hadn’t made it. The older woman made coffee so strong that you had to have cream and sugar to get it down.

As Libby made his breakfast, Ginny sat across from him. Before Jacob wakes again, tell me what has brought you here today?

John left the ranch to me, Clay said just before taking a sip of his coffee.

Did you say John left you his ranch? Libby asked as she poked her head around the wall that separated them from the kitchen.

I did, he responded.

What does Martie think of that? Ginny asked as she shook her head, a frown upon her lips.

Not much, he stated. I offered to give it back to her, but the lawyer said if I refused it, then the ranch went to Owen, Wes, and Zac. She didn’t like that either.

Why would John do such a thing? Ginny asked.

Because he didn’t have a son, Zac stated. And Martie isn’t up to the task as owner of the ranch. At least, John thought so.

Perhaps I should accompany you when you return to Cheyenne, Owen said. I know the foreman. That might soothe any hard feelings among the hands, I mean those who thought Martie should inherit everything.

I know the foreman, too, but I’d welcome your company.

Knowing that you have experience as a foreman, as well as a trail boss, would give them confidence in you, Wes added. Wait, how do you know Gil?

It’s a long story, Clay replied. I’ll tell you another time. I need to resign my job and get my belongings, as well as say my goodbyes.

I’ll meet you at the train station tomorrow for the first train out to Cheyenne,Owen stated.

You’ll eat breakfast before you leave for town, Libby ordered as she set a stack of pancakes before him."

Yes, ma’am, Clay responded as he picked up his fork with a grin.

******

I sent a telegram yesterday, Clay stated as Owen and he stood at the train station in Cheyenne waiting for his horse to be unloaded. I let Gil Adams know we were coming since he is the foreman. He ducked his head slightly before continuing. I wasn’t sure how Martie would feel if I seemed to be lording it over her, yet I am the new owner, so I need for the men to understand that.

Owen nodded agreement as the the doors of the railroad car slid open; then a ramp was set in place to allow Clay’s mount to be off-loaded. The dapple grey horse recognized him, whinnied, then almost pulled the railroad man off his feet as he hurried down the ramp toward his owner.

This is some kinda horse, mister, the man stated with a smile. What a beauty!

Thanks, I think so, Clay responded as he patted the neck of the grey.

Good morning, gentlemen!

Gil Adams approached them, a grin on his face as he nodded his head approvingly toward the grey. This your horse, Clay?

I’m proud to say he is, Clay answered as he held the animal in place while Owen saddled him.

I told Miss Evans to expect both of you, Gil stated with a side glance at Owen.

How is my cousin?

Well, I think her sorrow has turned to anger, Gil responded.

I expected that, Clay stated with a nod of his head.

Just be prepared, Gil added. I hadn’t stepped away from the porch before I heard something crash inside the house. I knocked on the door to find out if she was okay, but she told me to leave her alone.

Owen groaned. Her temper is showing.

She has a temper? Clay asked.

Oh, yes, Owen answered.

Gil ducked his head for a moment. Well, I guess we better be on our way. I brought the buckboard in case you had to transport some of your things.

Clay followed him, dread of what was waiting for him at the ranch slowing his step.

******

Martie watched as a man riding a dapple grey horse rode alongside the buckboard that Gil was driving. Owen sat next to him. She knew that the rider was Clay Thomas.

Clay Thomas! I’m sick of that name!

Her father had told her so much about him. He thought highly of him. But she never would have thought he would leave the ranch to him!

She glanced down at the dark blue skirt she wore. No more black mourning for her! Her father didn’t deserve it! She turned away from the window so no one would think she was interested. But she had to greet her cousin. Owen had done nothing wrong. He had not been interested in acquiring the ranch. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door and opened it.

I’ll take good care of him, Clay, Gil said as he led the grey away toward the barn. Before Owen or Mr. Thomas could unhitch the buckboard horses, a cowboy trotted their way. She stood at the door until Owen and Clay Thomas reached the porch. She made no move to step back so they could enter.

Hello, Owen, she said with a slight smile.

Hello, again, Martie, he replied. May we come in?

You are always welcome, Owen, she answered before adding, Mr. Thomas is not.

Martie, surely you don’t mean that?

The house is mine. The will stated that. I say who is welcome or not.

Chapter 2

Clay started to turn away, but Owen caught his arm.

I know you are bitter about the ranch not being left to you, but there are words that need to be said before I leave. I would like Clay to be present.

Clay met her gaze until she stepped aside, waving her arm in an effusive gesture of welcome. Her frown belied her gesture.

Please be seated, gentlemen, Martie said. May I get you some coffee? I’m afraid I made too much. Comes from years of always having it ready for my father.

Thank you, I would like a cup. Owen glanced at Clay. Please bring one for Mr. Thomas, as well.

Certainly, she replied stiffly, turning away.

Don’t push her too far, Clay whispered when she had disappeared. I have to live on this ranch from now on.

Owen