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  “What if she decides not to come back?”

  “I seriously doubt that will happen. According to Hank’s will, if Emmie chooses to stay back east, she and her mother will both be cut off. All funds will be denied them.”

  “Hank would leave them destitute?” Josh was shocked. The Hank he’d known always took care of his own.

  “Those are the terms he set out,” Les said grimly. “I tried to reason with him, but, stubborn man that he was, there was no changing his mind. So it looks like you’re going to have a new partner to work with.”

  “There’s no way I can just buy her out so she can stay back East?” Josh was frowning, his mood dark as he thought about trying to run the ranch with Hank’s daughter—a girl who’d been brought up to be a society lady, not a ranch owner.

  “No.”

  “What about the ranch hands? What should I tell them?”

  “For now, just tell them Hank wanted to keep things going exactly as they are.”

  “And you think the ranch will remain unchanged when a female who’s been raised back East takes over?”

  “That’s right.” Les looked up at Josh. “He trusted you, Josh, and he admired you.”

  “I felt the same way about him, but this isn’t going to be easy.” Josh knew it was going to be a challenge.

  “Nothing worth doing ever is,” Les assured him. “But remember, Emmie has spent every summer with her father here on the ranch. She may surprise you.”

  “I’ve heard the boys talk about her occasionally, but there’s a big difference between paying a visit every year and actually knowing the business and running things.”

  “You’re right about that,” the lawyer agreed. He paused and then added, “There is one other thing.”

  “What?”

  “Hank never told his wife or daughter about taking you on as a partner. He was going to tell Emmie when he introduced you to her, but now that won’t happen. I thought it would be best if we could let her know after she returns to the ranch.”

  “All right. Have you wired them about Hank yet?”

  “No, I’m not going to send a wire. I want to be there with them when I break the news, and then I have to explain the terms of Hank’s will. I’m leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow.”

  “What will happen if Emmie refuses to come back?”

  Les held up a sealed envelope. “Hank’s directions are here, and he gave strict instructions that this was to be opened only if Emmie didn’t agree to the terms and she and her mother ended up being disinherited.”

  Josh stood, ready to ride back to the ranch. “How long do you think the trip will take you?”

  “I’ll be gone for at least three weeks, possibly longer, depending on the trains. I’ll wire you from Philadelphia and let you know when I’ll be returning—hopefully with Emmie.”

  “I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

  “I’ll make arrangements with Fred Harris over at the bank so you can access Hank’s money in case you need anything on the Rocking R.”

  They shook hands again, then Josh left the office.

  After Josh walked through the door, he stood for a moment, just staring down the street at the saloon. He thought about stopping off for a drink, but decided to ride back to the ranch instead.

  There was a lot of work to be done.

  Philadelphia

  Ten days later

  The party at the Randolph mansion was well under way when the carriage carrying Sarah and Emmie Ryan arrived. They descended gracefully with the help of the doorman and were welcomed warmly by the Randolphs as they went inside to join the festivities.

  Mother and daughter were both looking forward to enjoying themselves this evening, but Sarah, in particular, was eager to see how the evening progressed. Kenneth St. James, a sophisticated young man from a wealthy family, had recently been showing interest in Emmie, and Sarah thought he would be the perfect match for her daughter. He had prestige, and his family was well established here in the East. The last thing she wanted was for Emmie even to consider returning to live in Texas. Her yearly visits to the ranch were troubling enough for Sarah. She wanted her daughter’s future to be safe and secure.

  For her part, Emmie was well aware of her mother’s interest in Kenneth as a possible suitor for her. She did enjoy his company, but at that particular moment she had only one thing on her mind: finding her best friend, Millie. Emmie immediately spotted her on the far side of the room.

  “There’s Millie, Mother,” she announced.

  “Go and have fun, dear,” Sarah said.

  “You, too,” Emmie replied, knowing how much her mother enjoyed socializing.

  Sarah watched proudly as Emmie made her way across the room to join her friend. Emmie had grown into a beautiful young woman, and to night, in a new shimmering satin gown and with her dark hair styled up in a sophisticated arrangement, she looked absolutely lovely. It was Sarah’s hope that Kenneth St. James would be smitten and ultimately propose. The thought left Sarah smiling even more brightly as she moved off to join her own circle of friends.

  Emmie was smiling, too, as she watched Millie openly flirting with the young men who were hovering around her. Her pale pink gown was elegant, and she was wearing her blond hair down around her shoulders in a tumble of fashionable curls. Millie might appear to be the perfect lady, but Emmie knew she had a wild side to her. In fact, the last time they were together, Millie had mentioned that she wanted to go to Texas with her when she went for her next visit. Emmie had been truly surprised by the notion, but the more she’d thought about it lately, the more she wanted her friend to go. Emmie loved being with her father, but there were times when she did get lonely, and Millie would certainly liven the ranch up.

  “I was wondering when you were going to show up,” Millie teased as she greeted Emmie. “Did you come late just so you could make a grand entrance?”

  “Hardly, although I’m sure my mother enjoyed it.” Emmie laughed. “The truth is, she insisted on styling my hair up this way, and it took longer than we expected.”

  Millie eyed her, smiling. “You look lovely.”

  “Why, thank you, and so do you,” Emmie responded. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Yes, and soon you will be too,” Millie said with confidence, adding, “Kenneth is here.”

  “Oh, good.”

  Millie didn’t think Emmie sounded too excited, but she had no chance to say more as the music started up again and one of her own suitors claimed her for the next dance. As she was whisked away onto the dance floor, Millie spotted Kenneth on his way to join Emmie.

  “Good evening, Emmie,” Kenneth said, his gaze warm upon her.

  “Hello, Kenneth.” She smiled up at him. He was a handsome young man with his brown hair and blue eyes, and he was certainly a gentleman.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  Kenneth took her into his arms to squire her about the room.

  On the far side of the dance floor, Sarah was looking on with delight. The evening couldn’t have been working out more perfectly. Perhaps Kenneth would even propose to night.

  The party passed in a whirlwind.

  Kenneth spent most of the time with Emmie, and it was past midnight when he managed to slip out onto the balcony with her.

  The night sky was a canopy of stars, and the moon was a mere sliver of light low on the horizon. The distant sound of the music indoors just added to the romantic feel of the evening.

  “It’s a beautiful night,” Emmie said, enjoying being away from the crowd for a moment.

  “Not as beautiful as you,” Kenneth said in a deep, suggestive voice as he drew her over to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. “I’ve been wanting to do this all evening.”

  “What?” She looked up at him questioningly “Come outside?”

  “No. This.” He answered her with a kiss, pulling her into his arms and holding her close.

  Kenneth had kisse
d her before, but never quite so boldly or so passionately. She was surprised by the heat of his ardor, and a little relieved when they heard someone coming and had to move apart.

  “We’d better go back inside,” she said, knowing how her mother would feel if someone started gossiping about her and Kenneth being out on the balcony unchaperoned.

  “I’d like to call on you tomorrow, if that would be all right. Say around three in the afternoon?” he asked as they started indoors.

  “I’ll be looking forward to it,” she answered as they went in to join the others who’d gathered near the refreshment table to partake of the punch that was being served.

  “Millie tells me she’s planning to travel to Texas with you,” commented Charles Hill, one of the men who was courting Millie. “How soon will you be leaving?”

  “I visit my father every summer, and I can’t wait to go again.”

  “You really enjoy it there?” Kenneth asked, sounding a little surprised. “I can’t imagine living so far from civilization.”

  “I love the ranch,” Emmie answered. “I miss it when I’m away.”

  “But it’s dangerous, isn’t it? We’ve all heard the story of why your mother moved back,” Charles put in.

  Emmie looked at Charles and knew he wouldn’t last long on the Rocking R. As she tried to imagine him spending the whole day in the saddle, working stock, she had to struggle to keep from smiling. “It’s a different way of life, that’s for sure, but I love it.”

  “And I can’t wait to go. It’s going to be such an adventure,” Millie put in excitedly. “Emmie’s told me so many fascinating stories. I can’t wait to see the real Wild West for myself.”

  “And your parents are letting you go?” Charles asked incredulously. “I guess you’re just too headstrong to keep at home.”

  Millie didn’t mention that she hadn’t told her parents of her adventurous plan yet. There would be time for that later.

  The conversation turned to other things, and before long it was time to say their good-byes.

  Sarah was quite pleased with the attention Kenneth had paid to her daughter. She’d kept an eye on Emmie and was eager to speak with her about her beau.

  “Did you enjoy yourself to night?” Sarah asked as they settled into their carriage for the short ride home. “I noticed Kenneth spent quite a bit of time with you.”

  “Yes, he did, and he’s coming to the house tomorrow for a visit,” Emmie told her.

  “That’s wonderful. We’ll have to be ready for him. What time is he stopping by?”

  “Midafternoon.” Emmie glanced over at her mother and saw her delight at the news.

  “Good. That gives me time to get everything prepared.”

  Emmie had to hide a smile, for her mother seemed to be more excited about Kenneth coming to call than she was. “Mother, Millie mentioned to night that she’d like to travel with me when I go to visit Papa again.”

  “What?” Sarah was horrified by the thought. “Her parents will never allow her to do that.”

  “Well, we’re hoping they will. She’s very excited about visiting the ranch. I can’t wait to show her around. It will be fun.”

  “I would hardly call ranch life fun,” Sarah said bitterly, and her comment evoked a frown from Emmie.

  “Some of us enjoy it, and I think Millie will be one.”

  Sarah had had this argument with her daughter many times and knew there was no point in trying to change her mind. Though she’d grown into a lady, underneath she was still a lot like Hank.

  “We’ll have to see. We still have a while before we have to make the plans for your trip.” Sarah couldn’t understand why anyone would want to go out west. Haunted by memories of the bloody Comanche raid she’d survived, Sarah still found it painful to let Emmie go every year.

  Chapter Three

  The following afternoon Emmie was in her room getting ready for Kenneth’s visit when she heard a carriage pull up in front of the house. She assumed it was Kenneth, arriving a bit early. So she quickly finished dressing, gave herself one last look in the mirror, and started from her room to go downstairs to greet him.

  Emmie was surprised when she got halfway down the staircase and found it wasn’t Kenneth at all, but an elderly gentleman who looked vaguely familiar, and was speaking in very serious tones to her mother in the foyer. Her mother’s expression was most troubled as she listened to the man, and Emmie immediately grew worried.

  “What is it, Mother?” Emmie asked, glancing between them as she approached.

  Sarah looked over at her daughter. “Let’s go into the sitting room, shall we?” She led the way into the elegantly appointed room. “Please, Mr. Gallagher, have a seat.”

  Les waited until both ladies were settled on the sofa and then sat in the chair facing them. He hadn’t seen Emmie in several years and couldn’t help admiring what a lovely young woman she’d grown into.

  “Emmie, this is Mr. Gallagher. He’s from Shotgun—he’s your father’s attorney” Sarah explained.

  Emmie realized then that she had met the attorney on one of her trips to the ranch and that was why he looked familiar. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Gallagher.”

  Les inwardly grimaced at her polite welcome. He doubted she would feel it was good to see him after he broke the news of her father’s death. He’d known how close Hank had been to his daughter. “I’m glad to see you, too, Emmie. I just wish it were under different circumstances.”

  “I don’t understand.” Emmie tensed at his words, realizing something must be wrong for him to have traveled all this way to see her and her mother.

  “Mr. Gallagher has brought us some news from your father,” Sarah explained. Ever since she’d answered the door, she’d been feeling most uneasy about the attorney’s reason for coming to Philadelphia. “What is it? Is Hank having some kind of trouble at the ranch?”

  “There’s no easy way for me to tell you this.…” He paused, looking pained. “Hank…” He looked at Emmie. “Your father…is dead.”

  Shock and horror radiated through Emmie. “What!”

  “No!” Sarah stared at him in disbelief. “There must be some mistake.…”

  “I’m sorry.” He’d known it was going to be hard to witness their pain.

  “Mother…” Emmie looked at her in complete devastation and then began to cry.

  Sickened by the news, Sarah reached out to Emmie and took her in her arms. She held her daughter close as they wept, her fury with her husband nearly uncontrollable. He should have come back east with her when she’d left. If he had, he would still have been alive. Her hatred of the ranch grew even deeper.

  Les waited in silence, for there was nothing he could say or do to make the loss of Hank any easier for them.

  “What happened?” Sarah finally asked as Emmie regained some of her composure and they moved slightly apart.

  “Hank was out working stock and there was a stampede,” he explained.

  “Oh, God…” Emmie sobbed, thinking of what her father must have suffered in his last minutes.

  Sarah held her again as she looked at the lawyer. Her relationship with Hank had been distant, both emotionally and physically. She had no idea what was going to happen to them now. “What are we going to do?”

  “That’s why I came here to see you and explain everything,” the lawyer continued.

  “I don’t understand—”

  “Your husband did have a will. It was drawn up several years ago, and there are certain…” He paused, trying to find the right words to explain what Hank had done. “Certain requirements that need to be met, so we can take care of the estate.”

  “What kind of requirements?” Emmie asked, suddenly afraid of what else the lawyer might have to tell them.

  Les looked at Sarah. “You know how much Hank loved the Rocking R. The ranch was his life.”

  “I know,” Sarah said bitterly. She had never forgiven him for choosing to stay on the ranch rather than save their marr
iage.

  “And because he worked so hard to make the Rocking R the successful ranch that it is, he was very clear about how he wanted things handled in the event of his passing.”

  “What is there to handle?” Sarah asked. “With Hank dead, we’ll sell the ranch and be done with it.” She wanted to sever any and all connections to the nightmare of the Rocking R.

  Emmie’s heart was breaking even more as she listened to her mother. She always looked forward to her annual trip to the ranch, and she loved the time she spent there with her father. The Rocking R was her second home, and now it was all lost to her.

  Les remembered Hank’s warning on the day they’d drawn up the will. He’d accurately predicted his wife’s reaction. “I’m afraid selling the ranch is not a possibility.”

  “What?” Sarah was taken aback by his declaration. “I don’t understand—”

  “Hank had other plans for the Rocking R, and he made certain they were spelled out in detail.”

  Sarah watched as the lawyer carefully took an envelope out of his coat pocket and opened it to remove the will. As he unfolded the document, she grew cold inside, fearing what she was about to hear.

  Les began to read her the terms her husband had set down. “‘I, Hank Ryan, being of sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath all my worldly belongings to my daughter, Emerson Ryan, on the one and only condition that she return to live at the Rocking R and take over running the ranch for a period of no less than two years.’”

  Emmie had been quiet until that time, but she was completely caught off guard by the news.

  “What?” She looked up at the lawyer in shock. “Papa wanted me to run the ranch?”

  Les looked at her proudly. “He most certainly did. He believed you loved the Rocking R as much as he did.”

  “I do, but…” The thought of going to live on the ranch permanently was startling to her. Her life was mainly in Philadelphia. Her mother and all her friends lived in the city.

  “I can’t let this happen.” Sarah was almost hysterical as she interrupted them. She knew her daughter was actually considering following the dictates of her father’s will, and she had to stop it. She looked at Emmie. “You are not going back there to live. I don’t know what your father was thinking.” She turned a cold-eyed glare on the lawyer. “Did Hank do this deliberately to hurt me? Was he still trying to get back at me for leaving?”