LITMIR.BIZ

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Edward looked toward the house again. “It’ll be an adjustment, no question about that. And not simply because we’ll need to find a new cook to help Mrs. Harvey. Maggy and I will miss them both.” He shot West a sad smile. “Maggy, in particular, is having a hard time of it, though she understands Vienna’s reasons for going.”

      West wasn’t surprised to hear Edward’s wife was struggling with the news. Anyone could see that the bond between Maggy and Vienna ran as close and deep as sisters. Which meant West wouldn’t be the only one to grieve Vienna’s departure when the time came, no matter how close the Howes’ ranch might be to the Running W.

      He hoped to visit there as often as he could, but it wouldn’t be the same as seeing Vienna’s soft smile every day or having the chance to teach Hattie something new about the horses and the ranch.

      The reality of their leaving sunk deep inside him with that last thought, leaving West feeling hollow with loss in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

      * * *

      The Kents’ wagon rattled along the road from Sheridan to the ranch. Vienna sat in back, along with West who had been oddly somber since yesterday. She missed his usual smiles and laughter. Still, she’d been relieved when he, Edward and Maggy had asked if they could accompany her to the graveside service at the cemetery today. Mrs. Harvey had volunteered to watch Hattie, so the four adults had set off in the wagon shortly after breakfast.

      The sunshine seemed to mock the reality of seeing Chance’s coffin and listening to the pastor’s short speech. The only other people present besides Vienna, the Kents and West were Sheriff Tweed and Chance’s friend Gunther Bertram.

      Not knowing the circumstances, the pastor likely hoped his words would bring all of them, especially Vienna, solace—but she wasn’t a typical grieving widow. She needed comfort, yes, but more from the shock of how drastically life could change from one moment to the next than from sorrow over losing a husband she hadn’t seen in three years—a husband she had left, hoping to never see again.

      After the short service, as the other guests had visited quietly, she’d remained beside the open hole. “I’m sorry, Chance,” she whispered, “that you were so troubled and broken. I realized shortly after befriending Maggy that I couldn’t fix that for you. Only you could do that.”

      Tears blurred the freshly turned earth beside the grave as old memories and remembered pain filled her thoughts. She wrestled them back with the reminder that she was now forever free of Chance’s mistreatment.

      “I wish we’d both known that you were responsible for yourself. Maybe then things would have been different. Or maybe not.” She sniffed back the salty moisture. “Either way, I’ve forgiven you and I’m grateful for the gift of our daughter that you gave me. She’s beautiful and smart...and best of all...she isn’t afraid or timid.” Not like Vienna used to be. Not like she still felt sometimes. “Goodbye, Chance.”

      She’d felt sapped of all energy even before Bertram had approached her with condolences and news about her horses, which he’d apparently been caring for at Chance’s request. West had thankfully interrupted, cutting the conversation short, and led her to the wagon. Once inside, she’d slumped onto the boards and had been lost in her thoughts ever since.

      “Have you given any more thought to your idea about opening a café or restaurant?” Maggy asked, turning on the wagon seat to look at Vienna.

      She shook her head. “No, not really.”

      “You want to open a café?” West’s question sounded genuinely curious, but the look in his brown eyes told her that he was surprised and possibly hurt that she hadn’t shared the idea with him sooner.

      Vienna hurried to explain. “It’s only something I thought of yesterday.”

      “I’d definitely come eat at any place you run, Vienna.” Maggy smiled as she massaged the small of her back. Vienna could readily identify with the discomfort that came with being eight months pregnant. “I didn’t think anyone could bake or cook as well as Mrs. Harvey, but you’re now as competent in the kitchen as she is.”

      Vienna’s cheeks heated with a blush, though she appreciated the sincere compliment. “Thank you. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to love making food.”

      “So you’d sell the HC Bar and buy a place in town?” West lifted his knee and rested his arm on top. The casual pose belied the tension she noticed in the lines of his shoulders and jaw. Was he upset with her?

      The thought brought remembered fear and an instant need to smooth things over, as she had so often done with Chance. But West wasn’t a threat, she reminded herself.

      She met his level gaze with one of her own and swallowed back her fear. “Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do yet. I like the idea of running my own business, but I’m not sure I can picture me and Hattie living in town.”

      “If you open something in Big Horn rather than Sheridan, you’d be closer to the Running W,” Maggy pointed out.

      Having a café or restaurant in the small town a few miles from the ranch sounded more attractive to Vienna, too, though a larger town like Sheridan would likely mean more visitors. Either way, did she want to raise her daughter among the hubbub of town, large or small? Or would they both miss the sprawling openness of the prairie? They would certainly miss the people, especially the ones right here.

      A lump filled her throat at the thought of leaving them and the Running W behind. And yet...it was past time she proved to herself and to everyone else that she was capable of being on her own.

      While she’d been grateful for a roof overhead and food to eat after she’d lost her parents, Vienna had often felt frustrated at being beholden and dependent upon first her aunt and uncle and then her husband for nearly everything in her life. She’d greatly appreciated the opportunity to earn her keep with the Kents, but she still wished to live in and manage a home that was entirely hers.

      “How much work does your ranch need?” The question came from Edward.

      Vienna frowned. “I’m hoping not much, beyond some cleaning inside the house and a few repairs outside.” If the ranch needed significant work to get it up and operating again, or at least in a fit state to sell it, that would likely require more money than she had.

      “We’d like to help how we can, Vienna.” Edward turned far enough around on the seat to send her a genuine smile. “Whether that’s with getting settled in or assisting with repairs.”

      A fresh swell of gratitude rose inside her at all that he and Maggy had done for her. “I appreciate the offer. I thought I’d drive over to the ranch later today, when Hattie takes her nap, to see what the place looks like.”

      “I can drive you in the wagon if you’d like,” West volunteered.

      His earlier tension had seemed to drain away, to Vienna’s relief. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, West.”

      He nodded. “I can help with any repairs, too—if the boss is all right with that.”

      “Certainly,” Edward answered. “It’ll be good practice for Thurston to manage things without you hovering over his shoulder.”

      Vienna offered West a thankful smile. “I’d appreciate the help.”

      When he smiled back, she felt her lingering shock and regret over Chance’s death fade away. She was grateful for West’s friendship—his presence had been a steady and welcome one to both her and Hattie the last few years. And she hoped it would remain so, wherever she ended up.

      * * *

      As she viewed the wooden arch of the HC Bar for the first time in three years, Vienna felt a clammy sweat collect beneath the collar of her blouse. She shifted on the wagon seat, causing West to glance her way. Not able to muster up a smile, she kept her face trained forward, toward the ranch in the near distance.

      The last time she’d been here it had been summer,

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