Moose nodded. “Guess you felt pretty good you could feed them.”
Davie pulled a face. “Only until we got home. See, we figured she was going to fix us a big supper. Instead, she set out crackers and cheese and glasses of water and told us since we didn’t want what she’d cooked for us and the Wilsons did then we could eat what the Wilson family would have had if we hadn’t given them our food.”
Bret laughed. “I can see her doing that. What did you do?”
“What do you think? We ate crackers and cheese and washed it down with water with no complaints.” Davie waved as he left.
Moose laughed even louder. “Don’t have to remind me not to gripe about the food here.”
Bret said, “You won’t have any reason to complain. She’s a good cook and generous with portions.”
He sat down on his bed lost in thought. Moose insisted he was being a fool to consider leaving. Pondering his actions, he figured he’d been a lot like the kids questioning a filling dinner. Except for losing his folks, he’d had good fortune all his life. He wasn’t satisfied, though, and had to get away at any cost to his sister and aunt and the business.
No, that wasn’t true. People were taking care of the company. He’d made sure his sister had everything she needed financially. But he’d criticized her for believing the myth about the treasure. What if it was true? Hadn’t he almost died?
Shoving that thought aside, he glanced around the bunkhouse. It was well constructed, had a fireplace for winter and wide windows for summer. He could be comfortable here.
Yet he’d hated to leave Charlotte’s home? He’d become used to seeing her throughout the day and evening. Yep, he was still a fool. He had no business mooning over her. She was too fine a woman for a spoiled idiot like him.
Chapter Thirteen
Several days later, Charlotte wore her overalls. After breakfast they were riding to check on cattle and fences. She was worried about whether or not she should let the children out of the house. Her instinct was to pull them into her arms and protect them.
That wasn’t possible. They couldn’t live like prisoners. Besides, there were chores that had to be done.
Moose set down his coffee cup. “Miz Dunn, I can check on things on my lonesome. No need for you or the children to go.”
Davie reached for another biscuit. “Papa said I’m the man of the family and I have to take care of things. Besides, the ranch is supposed to come to me one day—if we don’t lose it.”
How it hurt to hear her son say that. Somehow, they had to hold on to this ranch. They owed Ike that much plus it belonged to Davie’s future.
Charlotte looked at each person around the table. “I simply can’t cower here afraid to leave the house any longer. If Bret would stay here,” she glared at him, “then I could let Susie and Jimmy stay home.”
Susie shook her head. “Mama, I need to go help. You said we were a team. We have to defend our home.”
Jimmy spoke around a mouthful of ham. “Me, too. We’re ranchers and we hafta check on cattle and fences.”
Bret met her gaze. “You heard Doctor Ross say I can ride now. I really want to learn about ranching. Besides, time I earned my keep.”
She sighed and capitulated. “All right. Davie and Susie packed up our lunch. Supper is cooking slowly in the oven. Everyone carry his plate and cup to the dishpan. Then we can go check cattle.”
“Yay, I wanna ride by Moose.” Jimmy dashed to be first for the sink and lost his fork and knife on the way.
Susie almost tripped on the cutlery but kept her wits about her and stepped over them.
Davie stumbled on Jimmy when the younger boy bent to the floor to recover his knife and fork. Jimmy’s plate went scooting across the floor.
“Children, stop.” The three youngsters froze. “Jimmy get your things into the sink and be careful.” When Jimmy had done his chore and stepped away, she motioned the other two to do the same. Charlotte hoped this wasn’t an indication of how the day would go.
Once the horses were saddled and they were ready to ride, she felt more composed. “Remember, children, you are to pay close attention to instructions. Stay with me unless I say otherwise. Do you understand?”
All three answered they did as the group rode toward where the herd was grazing. Both dogs dashed around as happy as they could be. The sunlight, bright blue sky, and light breeze brightened her outlook. Riding with her family and new ranch hands further raised her mood. The rain several days ago had resulted in greener grass and the appearance of additional wildflowers.
Bret dropped back to speak with her. “Are we still on your land?”
“Yes, our ranch extends to that peak you see in the distance. Not huge by some standards but all we can manage.”
“How many acres?”
“Ike had a league. Then the land he bought and mortgaged our ranch for is half a league more.”
A slight frown appeared on his forehead. “I’ve heard the term but don’t know exactly what it means. How much land is a league?”
“Just over 4,400 acres. You can see why Winfield wants this property. We have direct access to the Brazos River as well as numerous creeks and springs.”
“Almost seven thousand acres is impressive but the water makes it even more valuable.”
