Chapter Twenty-Six

From the top of a tall, wobbly orchard ladder, Francis stretched his arm to grasp the greenish apple with crimson stripes. He was used to seeing plain red, so when they’d first arrived at the small two-acre grove and the first trees they’d picked, he’d thought they were harvesting too soon. The sweet, tangy scent of the fruit tickled his nose, and the warm morning sun already had him sweating. Insects hummed and chirps of birds filled the air. On the walk out, he’d kept an eye out for tracks in the dirt in case the killer who’d left a print in the cabin was prowling around. If the man had been carrying on with Blanche before, reasoning said he’d seek her out again.

He looked over to the tree next to him as he placed the apple into the satchel he wore around his shoulder. “What did you call these again? Some fancy-pants name, to be sure.” Soon he’d look like a lopsided camel.

Her laugher gave him a dizzy, light-headed feeling that he’d better cast away if he didn’t want to end up on his head and embarrass himself.

“Duchess of Oldenburg. They’re one of the oldest breeds in the Montana Territory. They came from Russia and ripen earlier than most. Mother and I were blessed to find this quaint house that came along with the original orchard, all planted and bearing fruit each year. We even have twenty good-sized saplings started. A small stream runs all year, just over that rise.” She pointed. “Can you see?”

Francis searched through the branches and nodded. “From my bird’s-eye view, quite well.”

“The harvest helps us get by. And now that I have the teacher’s job in town, we’re humming right along.”

Francis liked the picture she made in her overalls with a red bandanna wrapped around her pretty chestnut hair and tied at her nape. The majority of her thick waves were woven into a braid that tumbled down her back in an enticing picture. Her face was shiny from the exertion and warmth. When he’d first met her, she seemed so prim and proper he’d felt beneath her. But now her suntanned arms, lean and strong, were perfect in his mind. He liked that she was tough and hardworking and still pretty as a picture. Her smile was as playful as a spring breeze.

She laughed again. “What’re you thinking, Francis? I can’t figure out that look on your face. I’m just a farmer’s daughter, and nothing more.” With raised brows, she glanced at the ladder beneath his feet. “You better be careful or you’ll fall and hurt yourself.”

She was more than all the girls he’d ever known wrapped up in one. She was a princess in disguise. He’d once overheard Faith telling Dawn and Holly a bedtime story about a little girl raised by the gypsies who turned out to be a long-lost princess. She was fair to behold and had a musical voice. All the swains fell at her feet each time she was near.

That’s how Ashley looked today, just like a long-lost princess in her blue jean overalls and short-sleeved shirt. He couldn’t look at her enough.

Ashley yelped and batted at something in her face.

“What?”

“A bee. Won’t leave me alone.”

Francis was mesmerized by her beauty. Even though she’d never said so, she must have a suitor. They were little more than acquaintances, he reminded himself. He shouldn’t let his imagination run wild. She needed his help, and he was lending a hand while he waited to speak with Mrs. Van Gleek. Who, by now, must be up and dressed.

He looked once more at the stream. “Do you carry water buckets from over the hill?”

She flexed her arm while holding a large piece of fruit. “That’s how I’ve gotten so strong. We moved here nine years ago, when I was nine. These apple trees are like my family. The brothers and sisters I never had. I love each and every tree, as does my mother. I get a lot of enjoyment seeing to their needs.”

Francis took a moment to wipe his arm across his sweaty brow. “Hasn’t anyone ever dug you an outlet to bring some water closer?”

Her eyes brightened.

“I can do that. Just like we do at the ranch. Won’t take long, especially if I corral Nick and Pedro to help.”

“I could never ask that of you. But thank you, anyway.”

Nonsense. When he got back to town, he’d ask Roady. Maybe the request would be out of line, but he’d ask anyway. If they said no, he’d find time to dig the ditch himself.

He pulled away his gaze and glanced down at his basket of apples on the ground by the tree trunk. The container would need to be emptied soon. He’d finish this branch and then carry both baskets to the back porch where he’d dump them into several large barrels.

The very top of the tree had numerous plump pieces of fruit. If he picked those now, this tree would be done. He went up a step, then one more to the second to the top of the ladder. It didn’t feel steady. Sweat broke out on his back, and he gripped a sturdy nearby branch for balance.

“You needn’t go that high, Francis! We usually leave those at the top. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

He dared to glance her way causing a shiver of apprehension to run down his spine. He tightened his grip on the tree branch. “What? This isn’t high. You should see me on the bunkhouse ro—”

Suddenly the ladder quaked violently, forcing him to grasp for the top step, as he swayed back and forth. That hard ground is going to hurt!

Ashley gasped, and even though she was ten feet away, her arm shot toward him as if she could steady his position.

Laughter rang out.

A moment passed before Francis’s footing was steady enough to look down.

Still holding the ladder, Nick grinned up innocently. His eyes twinkled with mischief causing a hot anger to burn in Francis’s chest.

Nick planted his fists on his hips, looking much like a swashbuckling pirate. “Francis, we’ve been waiting on you. Roady sent me to make sure you didn’t get lost somewhere along the way.” He turned and eyed Ashley longer than he should.

Resentment shot through Francis. “Petty! I’m gonna—”

Ashley beat him to the ground, a scowl planted on her pretty lips. She marched to Nick’s side. “What on earth were you doing!” She pointed an accusing finger at Nick’s chest.

On the ground, Francis stepped in front of Ashley, happy the time had finally arrived to give Nick his due. A few fists to his own face would be worth punching out his aggravation on Nick.

Ashley grasped his arm just as he heaved a punch, throwing off his aim and landing her on her backside. Shocked, he reached down, grasped her hand, and pulled her to her feet.

“Don’t fight him, Francis. Please. It’s not worth it.” She scowled at Nick. “And you can just wipe that smile right off your face. I’ve never seen anything so irresponsible! So stupid! Ladders are not playthings. They’re dangerous! Francis could have broken his neck or his back.”

Nick laughed. “Or his skull? Naw, the bones are too thick.”

“You should be ashamed of yourself!”

By the contrite grin on Nick’s face, he was enjoying the dressing down more than he should.

“I’m sorry, Miss Adair,” Nick finally said. “Francis and I have this ongoing competition, you know, between friends. By the way, my name is Nick Petty, and I ride for the Heart of the Mountains, just like Francis here.”

Yeah, but you’re a newcomer. Who knows how long you’ll last?

“Let’s be friends.” Nick stuck out his hand, but she just stared. When she didn’t take it, he shrugged and turned his attention back to Francis. “So did you make that appointment yet?”

“Which one of you is the young man who came asking to see me?”

Francis turned, as did Ashley and Nick. A woman with just the shadow of a black eye stood in the bright sunlight not twenty feet away. She was of average height and looked about thirty years old. A few strands of gray glittered in her black hair.

Ashley’s mother stood a few steps behind.

Francis walked forward and put out one hand. “That’d be me, ma’am. I’m…” He glanced at Nick. “We’re from the McCutcheon ranch, and our foreman is asking for the privilege to speak with you for a few minutes.” The way she held herself was surprising. He’d expected someone timid, especially after what had happened to her and her husband. Not Mrs. Van Gleek. Her stance was challenging, if not confrontational. “Today, if you could.”

Mrs. Van Gleek’s gaze strayed over to Ashley and then returned to him.

“Won’t take long.” If you have nothing to hide, you’ll accept.

“Today will be fine. Tell him to come here at two. I don’t have anything more to say that I didn’t already tell the sheriff.”

Ashley’s mother nodded.

The words she’d said about Luke kept pricking his mind. Luke never seemed to outlive the stigma of being a half-breed. Well, Francis didn’t care, and neither did the other fellas. They were loyal to him and the brand. Nothing could change that—ever. “Thank you, ma’am.” He glanced back at Ashley. “I’ll take these apples to your porch, and then I best get back to town. The morning is long past.”

She nodded, her eyes sparkling. “Thank you for your help, Francis. You’ve already taken a big bite out of the chore. I appreciate your kindness.”

“I’ll be back again to help finish the job, but that might not be today.” And I’ll come without Nick Petty to poke fun at me every chance he gets.