A Cheyenne Celebration Read online

  The exchange set the mood for the meal. Once Agatha bustled down from her room upstairs, where she very emphatically announced that she hadn’t been napping, the three ladies had a lovely time entertaining their guest. Serena’s suspicion that Agnes hadn’t been sleeping was born out by the fact that the aunt in question must have let her twin know about Cam’s request. After that, the always-bossy Agatha quickly took control of the conversation, bringing up Serena’s endowments—physical and otherwise—again and again. It would have been downright embarrassing, had the twinkle in Cam’s eyes not told her that he was perfectly aware of her aunts’ scheming. So she smiled too, and went along with the fun.

  And it was fun, to her surprise. Since they’d moved back to the Double-S from Cheyenne, she’d dearly missed the chance for socialization, and she knew that her aunts did as well. It was one of the worst parts of the ranch; its loneliness. But having Cam here—a charming, handsome guest—almost made it seem like they were back home in Cheyenne. He certainly knew how to make an afternoon exciting! Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to be married to him after all.

  Serena was still debating with herself when the meal was over, and Cam was ready to return to the Open Skye. Marriage to a man like him wouldn’t be entirely a sacrifice, but was it worth living out here forever? She was so deep in thought that she almost didn’t notice when her aunts said their goodbyes and hustled into the parlor with surprising speed, leaving her on the porch to bid farewell to Cam alone.

  He stood there, his hat in one hand, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, while she tried not to wring her hands and glare at the parlor door that hadn’t quite swung shut the entire way. Those nosy busy-bodies were probably eavesdropping right now!

  “I had a real nice time, Miss Serena. Your aunts sure are characters.”

  She smiled up at Cam. Goodness, he was tremendous. She was getting a crick in her neck just looking at him. Serena wanted to step back, to put some distance between them so that she didn’t have to crane her neck so far, but she knew that it would be rude.

  Instead, she just said, “They really are, and I appreciate you putting up with their antics. They can be sweethearts when they want to be.” That last was said a bit louder, in the hopes the two ‘sweethearts’ would get the point.

  “Yeah, you too.”

  Serena’s lips formed a little “O” of confusion right before Cam’s met them. Her first kiss! It was quite warm, and his lips were chapped from the sun. She could feel his scratchy stubble against her cheek, and didn’t quite care for the way his kiss seemed to completely overwhelm her. Why, he had to bend almost double to reach her, and she felt like she was in danger of being swallowed. Still, she closed her eyes and tried to appreciate it.

  It was over soon enough, when he drew back and placed his hat on his head with a wince. She didn’t understand his expression, but tried to smile politely anyhow. Isn’t that what one did, after her first kiss?

  “Goodbye, Serena. I hope to see you next week.”

  She thought that she mumbled her agreement, but wasn’t sure. He seemed in a hurry to leave, judging by the length of his stride on the way to the barns where he’d left his horse. He didn’t look back, and she sighed, pulling the door behind her. She went to find her aunts and fill them in, before they each positively expired from curiosity.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Well, that kiss had been… interesting.

  Serena was still thinking about it a few days later. Well, she hadn’t stopped thinking about it, truthfully. Her first kiss, and it had been… nice. Very nice, she supposed. It’s just that… well, she’d been expecting more. The heroines in Wendy’s gothic novels always had pounding hearts and shortness of breath, which the girls had interpreted to mean that the kisses must have been truly remarkable.

  But she hadn’t experienced any of that from Cam’s kiss. It was just two sets of lips, pressed against each other. His had been scratchy, which distracted her from whatever she was sure she was supposed to have been feeling.

  On the other hand, she could hardly fault him if she hadn’t gotten light-headed from his kiss, could she? Maybe there was something wrong with her? Maybe Cam’s kisses were spectacular, but she just couldn’t appreciate them. Maybe she needed another few tries?

  Unfortunately, her aunts hadn’t been much help. Oh, they’d seen the kiss, but since neither of them had been married, they couldn’t give her any sort of insight into kissing, and she didn’t dare ask them anything, for fear of the giggles. As it was, she’d had to spend the last two days listening to them debate between themselves the pros and cons of marrying Cam, as if they were the ones tying the knot! It was funny to listen to them argue, because neither could keep the same opinion for very long, jumping back and forth between “she should marry him” and “she doesn’t want to live out here for the rest of her life!” As soon as one twin would admit that the opposing point had some validity, the other twin would immediately switch opinions to argue. If they hadn’t been articulating exactly what Serena was debating with herself, she might have laughed at the absurdity.

  They were at it again, sitting behind her in the buggy. Had they been driving into Cheyenne for one of their weekly visits, Brixley would have been driving, as was proper. But since they were just going to Mr. Barker’s spread for the noon meal, she’d had one of the hands hitch up the buggy for her and she was driving, protected by leather gloves and a wide-brimmed sun hat.

  Serena was listening to the debate—interspersed with inane chatter about fashion and accusations of ancient wrong-doings—while she guided the horse around a small stand of pines. When she was a child, her father would have a tree fetched from this bend in the creek for their Christmas tree, and on two occasions she’d been allowed to go along. It had been a wonderful memory. It was also a convenient half-way mark between the two houses.

  Ash Barker had owned the stretch north of the Double-S since before she was born, but he’d always been solitary, even after his younger brother came to live with him. It wasn’t until he married Molly that he became more sociable, particularly towards a little neighbor girl who’d recently lost her mother. Their home had always been a safe haven of acceptance and laughter…. And of course, the most wonderful food imaginable.

  Molly always made a point of cooking each person’s favorite foods on their birthdays, and once Serena had come into their lives, the older woman included her in the tradition. Serena always cherished her birthday visit. Her aunts had a standing invitation as well, and she knew that Agnes and Agatha would rather cut off a finger than miss a chance at Molly Murray Barker’s cooking. Which is why they were perched behind her, happily bickering all the way to the Barkers’ spread.

  Like the Double-S, the Barker home sat in the middle of a small rise, with gorgeous views in every direction. There were three large barns, and several corrals, a testament to Ash and Nate’s success with their horses. Ash heard them coming—he seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to horses—and was standing ready when she pulled hard on the reins to slow the animal.

  “Miss Selkirk.” He wore one of those new Stetson hats that Molly had purchased for him for Christmas last year, and tipped it politely to her. She couldn’t help the smile that crept across her lips at his attempt at formality. Ash Barker was just as coarse as the rest of the cowboys out here on the Wyoming range, but his roughness made him somehow endearing. He was the biggest man she’d ever seen—bigger than Cam MacLeod, even!—but she’d never been intimidated by him. Perhaps it was because she saw how loving and kind he could be to his brother and the women in his life. She tied off the reins, stretched out her arms in a childish impression of wanting to be picked up, and he lifted her down from the buggy. But before putting her on the ground, he spun her around and squeezed her tightly, like he used to do when she was a girl. “Happy birthday, Serena.”

  She laughed out loud and hugged him back. “I’ve missed you all so much!”

  “Ash Barker! You put that poor
young lady down before you break her in half, and come help me down!”

  “Help us down, I think you mean, Agatha.”

  “I’m older, so if that fine example of manhood is going to be helping anyone down, it will be me. You he may help after.”

  “Perhaps, but since I am ever so much lighter than you are, I should be the one—”

  Serena heard her aunt gasp in outrage. “Agnes Elizabeth Selkirk! You ought to be ashamed!”

  A giggle escaped once more when Ash sighed and put her down. “Annie’s in the barn. She’s excited to see you.” He raised his voice and turned towards the buggy. “Miss Selkirk! And Miss Selkirk. You’re both looking even prettier than the last time we were in town, if that’s possible. Can I help you down?”

  Serena left them bickering over who would go first, and ducked into the barn.

  It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but even after they did she didn’t see her friend anywhere. She knew better than to call, though, so she took a few cautious steps towards the center of the building, and jumped when one of the horses turned his head towards her and blew, hard. Having grown up here in the Territory, she’d known how to ride since she was a young girl. But she’d always thought of horses as a necessary evil, preferring the convenience of a buggy when possible, and rarely having to saddle or care for a horse herself.

  So she’d never understood little Annie’s affiliation with the big beasts. The girl loved horses, and even Ash admitted that she’d been a tremendous help in building their stock. Nate called her a centaur, after Wendy had read them all a story about those mythical half-horse creatures, and Annie loved the comparison.

  And Serena should have known better than to think that Annie didn’t know she was there in the barn. Annie seemed to know everything that went on in ‘her’ barn; the horses’ interest in this interloper must have communicated to her, because soon enough Serena saw her friend’s face peering around the corner. When Annie realized who it was, she launched herself at the young woman, and Serena hugged her back just as fiercely.

  “Ahbee bah-day, Seea!”

  “Thank you, Annie!” It was rare to hear the girl speak, so Serena knew it was a special occasion. “My aunts are outside, and we are excited to see you all again.” As always, Serena spoke slowly to the deaf girl, knowing that she could understand much just from the shapes lips made when they spoke. Annie had been left without hearing after fighting German Measles at age three, so she was able to understand words and even speak a little. But the best way to communicate had been a sort of sign ‘language’ Wendy had developed over the years. And she’d been reading and writing from a very young age. Serena fondly recalled perfectly silent afternoons in the sisters’ room, the three girls communicating only in writing and sign.

  “I can’t wait to see Molly and the boys, but first….” She smiled down at the thirteen-year-old, “How are your foals? Do you have any more?”

  Annie’s smile grew even wider, if such a thing were possible, and nodded excitedly. “Six!” she happily signed. When Ash took Nate’s advice about breeding their mustangs, it didn’t take long for them to realize that Annie had a special way with the baby horses. They were her own private domain, and she adored caring for them, and helping to train them. Over the last years, she was often the first one to ride the horses, and she took great pride in knowing that she was helping her brothers-in-law.

  The girl was excited to show off the latest additions to their herd, and lingered over a beautiful pale foal, hardly taller than her. She told Serena that this one had been born late.

  “But she’s your favorite? I can tell.” Annie nodded happily. “She’s lovely, prettier than the others, definitely.” Serena might not love horses, but she couldn’t resist stroking this one’s velvety nose. She really was adorable. “But I’ve lingered too long in here already. My aunts are certainly making life difficult for Molly. I’m a poor guest if I ask her to cook for me, and then leave two nosy old ladies in her house!”

  Annie giggled, and hurried to lead the foal back to her mother. Then the girl linked her arm through Serena’s, and they strolled towards the house.

  The welcome was warm, and the meal delicious, as always. Serena loved visiting the Barkers, because of all the laughter. Even Annie joined in the teasing, with Molly translating for Aunt Agnes and Aunt Agatha.

  As Serena had hoped, the meal was almost entirely baked goods, since Molly knew of her sweet tooth. The older woman had once wanted to open a bakery, and her desserts were still phenomenal; Serena adored them, and always looked forward to her one meal a year of cookies, cakes, pastries and pies. And as he did every year, Nate moaned and groaned about missing meat and potatoes… and then ate everything with gusto. The rest of them might not have such a big sweet tooth, but they all loved Molly’s desserts just the same.

  And just like in years past, Serena was the last one eating. Molly laughed, as Ash pushed his plate away with a groan and patted his stomach, and Serena reached for one more cookie. “I swear, Serena, I don’t know where you put all of this! You’d think you’d be my size, the way you eat my pastries, but you’re still as tiny as Annie!”

  Serena blushed, but finished the cookie anyway. Primly wiping her mouth with a napkin, she stood up to help Molly clear the dishes. “I only get to do this once a year, and it’s worth it!”

  “Well, I’m sending the rest of the cookies and that cake home with you, so you can enjoy them again tomorrow at least.”

  Nate and the boys started to protest, but Molly shook a spoon in their direction. “You get whatever you want on your birthday, and just a while ago you were complaining about all these sweets.”

  “No I wasn’t!” Noah was three now, and very aware that he was the youngest. He tried his hardest to make sure that his brother got his share of the blame. “It was Peter!”

  Peter flicked a juicy pie blueberry to land on Noah’s cheek. “No it wasn’t, brat. It was Uncle Nate.”

  Noah howled and would have launched himself across the table towards the five-year-old, had Nate not grabbed him by his collar. “Sit down, Noah. Pete, apologize now. You’re giving Miss Agatha palpitations, and embarrassing your mother.”

  It was Agnes having the palpitations, but Serena saw no reason to correct Nate. Besides, she was pretty sure her aunt’s act was merely for show, to shame the boys. The warning did the trick, and both boys mumbled apologies. Serena shared a smile with Molly as they gathered up the dishes.

  “So, Serena.” Ash leaned back in his chair and accepted the cup of coffee she handed him with a smile. “Twenty now, and full owner of the Double-S. How does it feel?”

  She sat down with a sigh. “No different than I felt last month. I’m still floundering, although I appreciate all of the help and advice you’ve given me. I’m just no good at this sort of thing.”

  “Sounds to me,” Ash exchanged a look with Molly, “You could use someone there full-time with you. A partner?”

  “A husband, you mean!” Aunt Agatha chimed in. “Ranching is a dirty, rough job, and Serena is a lady. No business being involved in it in any way!”

  “But she could if she wants.” Of course Agnes had to take the opposing view, just to spite her sister. “She’s a smart girl and could do anything she wanted. Ranching is in her blood!”

  “I’m not saying she couldn’t, only that she shouldn’t have to. She should get married and let her husband do the work.”

  “And I’m saying that she doesn’t have to get married for such a silly reason. She can run the Double-S as well as any man.”

  “But she doesn’t want to!”

  As always, her aunts’ bickering left little room for any other opinion, but Molly managed to squeeze a word in edge-wise. “What do you plan to do with the ranch, Serena?”

  She sighed again. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t want to run it, but I don’t think I have any other options.”

  Noah climbed into his father’s lap, and Ash rested his chin on the small
head of brown curls. “Well, whatdya want to do instead, Aunt Serena?”

  She smiled at the cherub. “Honestly?” She sighed. “As much as I love being here with you, I really enjoyed the years I spent in Cheyenne at my aunts’ home.” When she’d turned fifteen, her aunts had convinced their brother that she needed a womanly influence, and she’d moved into their stately three-story home in the city. They were so devoted to her that they’d moved to the ranch upon Stanley Selkirk’s death, but they still made weekly trips to the city, staying in their old house on Saturday nights before church.

  “Why don’tcha move back?” Pete’s mouth was full; Serena suspected he’d pilfered another cookie.

  She gently corrected him. “Why don’t you.” He nodded, still looking expectant. “The Double-S supports us.” She glanced towards her aunts, smiling. “Someone has to run it, in order for it to make money. We can’t live in Cheyenne without any money.”

  Annie pounded on the table to get their attention, and then signed, “You could open a bakery.” They all chuckled at the reminder of how Molly had planned to do just that in Cheyenne, before Ash had hired her as a housekeeper. Annie continued, “There are plenty of other jobs for smart ladies in Cheyenne.”

  Serena smiled sadly. “I don’t have any experience, though. I can’t cook, I don’t like to clean, and I’m not very good at running the ranch, much less something less familiar. The only thing I’m good at is reading and daydreaming with you and Wendy!”

  The middle Murray sister had been gone for a little over a year now, since she turned nineteen, and everyone missed her terribly. They exchanged weekly letters, but it wasn’t the same as having her there with them. Serena noticed the look Molly and Annie exchanged, and was sorry she’d brought up Wendy’s name.

  But the person at the table that looked most haunted at the casual mention was Nate. Serena always thought he had lovely hazel eyes, but now she’d caught the positively tortured look in them before he turned away. She wondered if he missed Wendy more than he wanted the rest of his family to know.