Logan scowled. The man was clearly a troublemaker, trying to win him as an ally against Webb. There was a lot of that power game going on in this new home of his—choosing sides, taking sides, lining up support for the next conflict whenever it came. But he wasn’t going to be taken in.
“I’ll take your advice for what it’s worth, O’Rourke,” he said. “But I’ve no cause to believe Webb would cheat me, especially for fifty head, when he’s got thousands of animals.”
O’Rourke gave him a sly look. “I can’t force you to believe me. But when it happens, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Let’s get back to work.” Logan turned and walked away. Common sense told him that the man was lying. But the words had soured his day. What if it wasn’t safe to trust anyone? Webb might not cheat him. But he’d tried to manipulate him. Blake Dollarhide resented him for buying the ranch and would move to take it if given a chance. And Lars was firmly allied with Blake’s family. Even Kristin—the image of her smiling up at Webb flashed in his memory. She had saved his life. But he couldn’t trust her—not anymore. In this hostile land he had no real family and no true friends. He could depend on no one but himself.
* * *
Gerda hummed a lively polka as she tidied the surgery, wiping down the exam table, arranging the instruments, and laying out clean towels before the next patient arrived. What a fool she’d been to weep over a boy like Ezra. Let him go to California. She had found herself a man.
Only yesterday, as she was walking home after work, Mason had come by in his auto and offered her a ride. They’d ended up on a quiet lane, exchanging kisses that made her heart gallop and her head spin. Beyond that, nothing had happened. But she could tell he’d wanted more. So had she.
Everything was going as she’d hoped. If Hanna could catch herself a rich, handsome Dollarhide husband, by heaven, so could she.
“Goodness, but you’re cheerful today.” Kristin had walked into the room. “Is there some special reason?”
“Yes!” Gerda knew it would be wise to keep quiet, but she couldn’t help herself. She spun like a dancer, making her skirt flare prettily around her. “I’m in love! Really, truly in love!”
Kristin’s dark brows came together in a frown. “Isn’t this a little sudden?”
“Perhaps. But when you know, you know. And he loves me, too. He hasn’t said so, but I can tell.”
Kristin’s frown deepened, although she looked more worried than angry. “So who is the lucky boy?” she asked.
“He’s not a boy. He’s a man.”
Dismay flashed across Kristin’s face. She shook her head, muttering something under her breath. Too late, Gerda realized she should have kept her secret.
“Gerda, is it Mason you’re seeing?”
Gerda didn’t answer, but Kristin clearly took her silence as a yes.
“Listen to me.” She seized Gerda’s arm, gripping hard. “Mason is my brother. I know him. He has a terrible reputation with women.”
“But he’s not like that with me,” Gerda said. “He loves me. And I love him.”
Kristin took a sharp breath. “Hasn’t anybody told you what he did to your family? Ask your mother, or Hanna, or Britta.”
Gerda squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I already know what he did to Hanna. I remember hearing people talk about it. But that was a long time ago. He didn’t really love her. But he loves me.”
“Mason only loves Mason,” Kristin said. “But if you really care for him, you’ll break this off. When your father finds out—and he will—you know what will happen. This could end with one of them dead, and it would be your fault.”
Before Gerda could reply, a rap on the front door signaled the arrival of the next patient—young Lester, who was here to have the stitches in his scalp taken out.
“Think about what could happen—think hard.” Kristin’s words followed Gerda as she hurried to the front door.
* * *
At the end of a busy afternoon, Kristin sank onto the front room sofa. She’d been too busy for more talk with Gerda. But the girl had left promising to weigh the consequences of her involvement with Mason. Kristin, in turn, had agreed not to tell her family for now—but only if Gerda ended the relationship. Had she made the best decision? Right now, she was too tired to think about it. Blast Mason. He deserved to be horsewhipped for taking advantage of yet another vulnerable young girl.
A fresh bouquet of Lorna Calder’s pink roses sat on the coffee table in their glass vase. A peace offering from Webb, delivered this morning by a rider from the ranch. She hadn’t seen him since their tense parting on the front porch. But the flowers were a clear message that she could expect him soon. For now, she would let matters run their course. Soon the season for roses would be over. What would happen then?
She had promised to join Blake’s family for dinner tonight at the big log house on the bluff. They’d be celebrating little Elsa’s sixth birthday. The occasion was a happy one, but Kristin had mixed feelings about what might be said—or not said—at the table. As the promised keeper of secrets, first Joseph’s and now Gerda’s, she would need to watch her words. And how would she respond if Blake, ever the dutiful big brother, were to lecture her about seeing Webb?
Never mind—a glance at the clock told her that she barely had time to clean up and change before making the journey through town, down the south road, across the pastures, and up the hill to the house. She would leave the noisy, unreliable Model T in the shed and take the neighbors’ horse and chaise. At least the ride, with the sun fading in the west, might calm her nerves and settle her mind.
Blake’s family welcomed her as warmly as ever—although Blake’s narrow-eyed glance told her he’d heard the rumors about her keeping company with Webb Calder. And Joseph seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her. Was there more going on than he’d told her when they’d last talked in private? And did it have anything to do with Mason?
Hanna had set the table with a linen cloth and Sarah’s good china, crystal, and silver. She’d even picked a bouquet of wildflowers for a centerpiece. Clearly, she’d wanted to make tonight a happy occasion for her family, and especially for little Elsa.
Kristin would not have spoiled the celebration for the world. She kept silent about the things she knew. Still, she could sense the specter of Mason’s return hanging over them all. Her half-brother had the power to destroy two families. And he was capable of doing it without a thought for anyone but himself.
After dinner, birthday cake, and the opening of a few gifts, including the little sailor dress Kristin had ordered from Sears Roebuck, the children went to their rooms to get ready for bed. Hanna followed Elsa to help her get undressed and tuck her in.
When Blake beckoned her out onto the porch and closed the door behind them, Kristin felt like a naughty child being taken to the woodshed. She was a grown woman and not answerable to her brother, even as head of the family. Still, she wasn’t looking forward to facing him.
“I suppose you’ve heard the reports,” she said, breaking the silence first.
“The whole town is talking,” he said. “You and Webb Calder. What are you thinking?”