Angus: Cowboy Bewildered: The Kavanagh Brothers Book 8 Read online

  Angus: Cowboy Bewildered

  The Kavanagh Brothers Book 8

  Kathleen Ball

  Copyright © 2020 by Kathleen Ball

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Thank You

  Free Download

  Rafferty Book 9

  Cora’s Courage

  About the Author

  Other Books by Kathleen

  Chapter One

  Angus’ hand twitched, ready to grab his gun.

  For about a week now, he’d had the particular feeling he was being watched. Every time he turned, though, no one was there. His brothers enjoyed making fun of the “ghost” following him. A prickly sensation crept along his arms and up to his neck.

  “Know-it-all, brothers,” he muttered as he swept his gaze along the tree line. A branch moved, and he smiled. He’d catch his prey and prove he wasn’t crazy.

  Slowly he rounded up and pushed a few steers to the tree line monitoring the area where the tree stood. “Yaw!” He spurred Captain his paint on and drew his gun on the boy on a horse. He blinked.

  A boy? Tarnation! He’d still be the mule’s end of jokes.

  The boy’s brown eyes grew wide. “I-I wasn’t spying. I was just l-learning is all,” the boy stammered.

  Angus holstered his gun. “Learning what?” He made sure his voice was extra gruff. This boy had to learn not to watch people. That kind of behavior would bring him harm someday.

  The boy’s bay sure had seen better days. It was an old horse with a swayed back. There was no saddle, but at least there was a bridle. The brown hat he wore was too big, as were his clothes. He’d rolled up his trousers and sleeves. Who was this boy?

  “How to be a cowboy,” the boy whispered. His gaze never wavered, and that impressed Angus.

  “Where you from, boy?”

  The boy swallowed hard. “Name is Julian Field, sir. I live on a ranch close to here. My pa is ill, and I work the ranch with him, but I wanted to be sure I was doing everything right. I work there most of the day and then head here to see what you’re doing. I didn’t mean any harm, sir.”

  “Name’s Angus Kavanagh.” He studied the boy. “You don’t have any help over there? No one has worked that ranch in a long while. Is the barn still standing?”

  “You know the place?”

  Angus nodded. “More rock than pasture. What happened to your pa?”

  Julian looked as though he’d missed too many meals.

  “He was chopping wood and he got his leg sliced open. I took a needle to it and closed it up real good, but it’s been smelling worse and worse. I’d best get back and check on him. He has fevers, some real bad.” Julian glanced over his shoulder and started to turn the bay, but then he paused. “Sorry I watched you. I should have asked permission.”

  “I’ll bring Sheila by this afternoon,” called Angus. “She’s a healer, she can help. I’ll stop by in the morning and see what I can do to help too.”

  Julian’s smile was bright. “Thank you, sir!”

  “See you in the morning.”

  Julian aimed his horse for the woods and rode off, and after a few seconds, Angus turned Captain and rode for Sullivan’s house to talk with Sheila, who was Sullivan’s wife. It sounded like maybe Julian and his pa could use all the help they could get.

  * * *

  Julian’s heart was still beating hard when she returned home. Angus was much bigger up close. She’d learned a lot from watching him, but she wouldn’t take the chance to do that again. She’d have to figure things out on her own.

  First, though, she had to check on her father, and then she still had a couple more hours of ranch work to do. She tied her old bay horse to the hitching post, deep in thought. Would Sheila really come? Most times people said nice, hopeful things, but they didn’t mean them. She hoped Angus meant the offer. As intimidating as he was, he did seem kind.

  If he showed up in the morning, she’d give him a quick look at the ranch. He knew the place, he’d said, called it more rock than pasture; unfortunately, that was true. Perhaps he’d have a few suggestions to make the ranch better.

  As she stepped through the door, she wrinkled her nose as her stomach pitched. The putrid smell in the cabin got worse by the day. There was hot water on the stove. It didn’t seem to be helping, but she had to try something. After filling the basin, she grabbed a cloth and sat in the wooden chair next to her father’s bed. She pulled up the sheet to expose his leg. As gently as she could, she washed his wound. His entire calf area was fiery red and though it wasn’t bleeding, there was always yellow stuff dried on top of the stitches. She washed it off before it became dry if she could.

  “Julian…” His voice was scratchy. “I can tell I’m done for. Listen to me. The deed is buried in a metal box under the back left corner of the house. There are papers of ownership for the animals. I love you. Perhaps I was wrong to allow you to grow up more cowboy than woman. Someday I hope you find love… I wish you to marry. Sell the cattle to pay for the taxes, then use the rest of the money for food. You know how.” He coughed. His handsome face was now gaunt, and his eye sockets were prevalent.

  “I know how, Pa.” She kissed his forehead before she took the basin and threw the dirty water out the back. She needed to clean him up. There was only one clean sheet left. She’d be scrubbing sheets long into the night. He’d refused to allow her to get help. It was out of his hands now.

  Lord, I’m pleading for healing for my father. I hope it’s not his time. I’m not sure what will happen if he leaves me. Please hear my prayer, Lord.

  A lone tear trailed down her face. It was hard work getting him cleaned and putting a fresh sheet beneath him. She tried to spoon broth into his mouth, but he only took about half of it. Cool water for his fever was next. She wiped down his arms and face before she left him to sleep.

  As soon as she was outside, she made a fire near the well. Next, she put up the huge tripod and lifted the copper washtub onto the hook. It was easier to put the water into the pot near the well. Bucket after bucket she poured into it. Extra lye soap flakes went in and then the sheets from the last few days. They’d been soaking in cool water.

  As strong as she was, just getting it all set up exhausted her. Then it was back into the house for her, Pa needed wiping down again. She grabbed the washboard on her way out. More water was needed for the tub. Women did this all the time. Why her back and shoulders hurt so puzzled her. And she still had the scrubbing to do.

  By the time she was ready to hang the sheets on the line, the sun had passed midday. The sound of a buggy approaching truly surprised her. She had held out little hope. As it drew closer, she saw Angus and a woman she assumed was the healer, Sheila.

  Thank You, Lord…

  Angus stepped out of the buggy first and then hurried to the o
ther side to help Sheila. He had amiable manners.

  “Sheila, this is Julian,” he introduced.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Julian.” Sheila had such kind eyes. “Where is your father?”

  “He’s inside. Come.” She expected some comment about the smell, but no one said a word about it. “Pa,” she said, eliciting a moan. “Pa, these folks came to help.” She looked at Sheila and Angus. “This is my pa, Jack Field.”

  Sheila sat on the wooden chair and pulled back the sheet. She nodded. Next, she took the wet cloth, wet it again before she laid it on his forehead. “I have some plants I need to grind. May I use your table?”

  “Do you need help?” Julian offered.

  Sheila stared at her for a moment then gave a gentle smile. “I’m fine in here. Angus can give you a hand with those sheets you’re washing. I know it’s backbreaking work.”

  * * *

  Angus wanted to ask how old Julian was, but he didn’t want to insult the boy. His voice hadn’t changed yet, and his face didn’t need a razor. It was hard to tell his age, but he sure did a lot of work for a youngster.

  They finished hanging the last clean sheet. Sheila hadn’t come out to talk to Julian yet. Did that mean the news was grim? Angus had smelled the putrid smell of limbs dying in the war. That leg would probably have to come off.

  “Julian, is there anything else you need doing tonight?”

  Julian glanced at Angus with a surprised expression on his face. “I chop wood until I’m too tired to move and then fall into bed. The sun comes up and I’m at it again. It’s hard work, but I want to make a go of this place. All my pa wanted was his own land. We were sharecroppers for as long as I can remember. But our share grew smaller each year. Finally, when it was just me and Pa, we left. So, I’m used to working from sunup to sundown.” He shrugged his small shoulders then sent an anxious glance toward the cabin. “What do you think is happening?”

  After trying to make his face expressionless, Angus caught Julian’s gaze. “If anyone can help, it’s Sheila. She knows about roots and plants. In fact, at one time she had to hide because people thought she was a witch. She’s married to my brother Sullivan.”

  The boy’s eyes grew wide. “A witch? What a sticky situation to be in.”

  Angus nodded. Julian was well educated for a sharecropper’s child. All in all, he was impressive.

  The door to the cabin opened, and Julian shoved his hands in his pockets, fixing a stoic expression on his face.

  “He will need much care,” Sheila announced with a sigh, “but I’m not willing to give up on him just yet. His fever has gone down a bit and I had to cut away a lot of dead and infected skin. Right now, I have a bandage around his leg. When you change it, it might be horrific to see. What you will see is uncovered muscle. I want the bandage changed twice a day and I left a bottle of oil I want you to rub onto the skin surrounding the wound. I left plenty of willow bark tea, but if the pain is too much, I’ll need to bring laudanum.”

  “Why can’t you leave some here?” Angus asked.

  “Adults overdose on it, and I’m not comfortable allowing a younger person administer it.” She smiled at Julian. “I’ll stop by in a few days. I have a baby at home and can’t be gone for too long.”

  “Leave the bottle,” Angus said. “I’ll stay and help around here. Then when you come, I can hold Lorna and watch Rachel too.”

  She sighed again and a smile spread across her face. “I can do that. I’ll take the buggy home and send someone with clothes and things you’ll need.” She nodded.

  Angus readied the buggy and Sheila climbed in and took the lines.

  “This is genuinely nice of you, Angus.” She waved to the two of them as she urged the horse forward.

  He frowned. Wasn’t he usually nice? She’d said it as though it was something out of the ordinary. His frown deepened as he watched her drive off.

  Chapter Two

  “If we move your father into the smaller bed, we can both have a piece of the bigger bed to get some shuteye,” suggested Angus. “Don’t worry, I have nine brothers and we’ve all shared at some point. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but we might as well be comfortable.” He stepped over to the smaller bed and took the comforter off. “Do you have clean sheets for this bed?”

  She nodded. “I can do it.”

  “Honestly, you look as though you’re about to fall over. Where are the sheets?”

  Julian pointed under the bed. “There is a crate full of them. But I’m fine, really.”

  “After we move your pa, I want you to get to bed. I’m a light sleeper and I’ll hear if your pa needs us.” Angus got on his knees and looked under the bed. He pulled out the crate, picked up the sheet on top, and quickly made the bed. After he smoothed the last wrinkle, he turned to Julian. “Help me move him.”

  Her pa was like dead weight. They took hold of the corners of the cloth he was on and carried him. He screamed from the pain and she felt his cries go right through her. It was too much, and her eyes grew wet. She lowered her gaze, trying to hide her tears.

  Once they got him onto the bed, she made him as comfortable as possible. “You’ll be fine, Pa. We have help now, so I don’t want you to worry about a thing.” The brightness of his eyes concerned her. His forehead wasn’t nearly as hot as earlier in the day, but he was still in a lot of pain.

  “Angus, what about the laudanum? Could you give him some?” she practically pleaded.

  Angus gave her a long look. “Sure, let me get it. I should have given it to him before we moved him. I’m sorry.”

  Angus administered the laudanum by mixing it in water and having her father drink it. “I think hunting might be on the list soon,” he said as he tidied up.

  “I’ve been trying as hard as I know. I can shoot, but I don’t have great aim. I wish I could have done better.” She sighed. Looking at the large bed, her heart pounded, and her mouth grew dry. “It might be best if I sleep on the floor.”

  “No need as long as you don’t kick me all night.” Angus grinned.

  “I am a known kicker—”

  He shot her an easy grin. “Get some sleep. I’ll pick up a bit.”

  She wanted to protest, but what if he grew suspicious? Maybe she’d best sleep in her clothes. She took off her boots and got into bed. She had her back to him and held on to the edge of the mattress.

  Lord, I don’t know what to do. If I tell him the truth, he’s bound to leave. I have to do what’s necessary for my pa. Please bring Pa’s health back. I need him. Don’t let his time with me be over. Forgive me for pretending to be a boy. It’s not honest, but I don’t know what else to do. Almighty God, I beseech You to help me. Hear my prayer, Lord. Amen.

  She closed her eyes and listened to each sound Angus made. Finally, the bed dipped, and his boots dropped. She almost screeched when she heard him undress. He’d better have a union suit on. The mattress bounced some and then it sounded like he flopped onto his back. Soon his loud snores filled the room.

  After a near sleepless night, the first gray light of dawn filtered into the cabin. Julian slowly snuck out of bed and went to check on her pa. How was she going to change his bandage? It had been all she could do to sew him up. She’d been so sick afterward. She was used to the blood of butchering, but this was vastly different.

  His head wasn’t nearly as fiery as yesterday, though, so things were looking better. She lifted his head to see if she could get him to take more water.

  His eyes flickered, and he gave her a small smile. “Hi sweetheart.” He drank a swallow before she gently put his head back on the pillow.

  “Pa,” she whispered. “They think I’m a boy. I think it will keep me safe, just like before.”

  “You always were smart. I’ll try to remember.” He groaned. “Who is that man?”

  “Angus Kavanagh. He brought his sister-in-law here yesterday. She’s a healer, and Angus said he’ll help me with the ranch.”

  He nodded. “Good, goo
d. It’s not right… the bed.”

  “Pa, I will be safe. Don’t fuss. Do you think you could eat?”

  “If there is any bread? I might like a hunk.” The pain on his face tore at her. He looked to be anguished by each breath he took.

  While her back was turned, Angus dressed, and she was forever grateful she didn’t see a thing. Did she still look boyish enough? Everything had happened so quickly with Angus and Sheila. She hadn’t expected him to stay, so she’d had no time to prepare. The mirror on the wall didn’t tell her much. Her hair was much shorter than a girl’s and without it combed it reminded her of a scarecrow. Her face was red from the sun and her lips were chapped. Her body was more like a boy’s too. She wasn’t curvy at all. She was simply fine-boned with a thin boy body.

  “Angus, after we eat, do you want to change the bandage? I can do it, but well…I can stand blood but not on someone I care about.” Let Angus think her weak. Hopefully, he’d simply see it as a sign of immaturity.

  Angus frowned. “What did you do before we bandaged him?”

  “It wasn’t easy and obviously I’m not good at healing.” She stared at her boots. “If you must know, I was sick and had to run out of the cabin a time or two.”

  “Glad to help. I get the same way when a woman is in labor.” Angus’ face turned a slight shade of red.

  “Lots of babies at the ranch?” she asked while she put a skillet on the stove.

  “Every time I turn around there’s more.” He came beside her and sliced the bacon.