LITMIR.BIZ

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mind to change her life. She had just bought the Bagwell place and was putting her past behind her.

      The doctor was very surprised but pleased. He told her that she was strong-willed and would make that change. He was even more pleased when he found out Nellie was going with her.

      Dr. Baker was also thinking about Granger. Now he knew why he was so mad. He knew that Della could be in danger with Granger on the warpath. It was going to be rough enough getting settled in a new place.

      He told Della that she might have bitten off more than she could chew. He told her how bad Stewart Granger had wanted the Bagwell place. She had to be careful—no telling what Granger would do. Della got quiet and told him that she would be okay and not to worry.

      Della was ready for hard work. No matter what, she was going to make a go of it and do the best she could. Della knew the place had been unattended for quite a while. She asked the doctor if he knew of anyone who could help her get the place in order. He said he would check around.

      Della needed a wagon and a team of horses for the coming morning. They wanted to get an early start. Dr. Baker asked if she ever drove a team of horses. Della laughed and said no, but that Nellie would be the one to drive the team. He laughed too and gave a shout up to Travis. He told Della that he had hired Travis a while back and that he was a good hand.

      Travis was making his way down the ladder from the loft. Their eyes met for a brief instant like shy strangers, not knowing what to say. Dr. Baker introduced them and told Travis that he needed to have a wagon and team ready for Della for in the morning. Travis said that he would take care of it. Travis was relieved when the doctor told him to go and check out a wagon that was out back. Travis nodded to Della and went straight to work.

      Della was taken for a moment. She had seen Travis from time to time and often wondered why he never came into the saloon. She could tell there was more to him—something that she knew was good. Dr. Baker was asking her if she needed anything else. Della collected her thoughts and said no—that Nellie would be over to pick up the wagon early in the morning.

      Travis watched Della as she crossed the street going into the Desert Rose. He knew that it took a lot of courage to change your life—to be able to put your past behind you and never look back. Yes, he knew Della had grit. He started looking at her in a whole new light.

      The day was going by quickly. Della made her way back across the street. She went into the saloon by way of the kitchen. Nellie had been busy. She had every pot on the stove and boxes all over. She looked a sight with her hair all disarrayed. Nellie was happy, more than happy. She was thrilled! It had been a long time since she had a real home. The noise of the saloon got the best of her at times. She needed fresh air and freedom. She felt like a young girl again.

      Della plopped down in the nearest chair she could find. Nellie brought her a covered plate and a cup of coffee. Nellie wanted to know if she was all right. Della wanted to know what brought on all the concerns. Nellie started telling what she heard from Sam. She went to do some shopping, and he couldn’t wait to tell her about Stewart Granger and how angry he was about Della buying the Bagwell place out from under him.

      Della ate quietly. She told Nellie that Dr. Baker told her the same thing and to be careful. She knew that Granger was an evil person. She had heard talk around the saloon how he deals with those who go against him. She also remembered the looks that he would give her, and now she was his target. This sure put a damper on her day. Della took a sip of coffee. She would have to be careful.

      Nellie had been telling Della how nice Sam had been helping her gather up supplies for their new home—how Sam offered to visit on a regular basis to make sure they didn’t have need of anything. Nellie giggled. She knew that Sam was smitten with her. It made her love him more. Della smiled and agreed. She was happy for Nellie. Time would tell for both of them.

      Rosewood was buzzing. Everyone knew what had happened. The Desert Rose saloon was crowded that evening. The air had a tense feel about it. Everyone was waiting for something to happen. Triple S’s hands were throwing a few slurs around, saying that a woman had no business owning land. She needed a man to put her in her place. As the night wore on, the talk got worse. Most of the girls stayed away from the cowhands except for Gracie. She made it known on which side she was on. Jed was taking it all in.

      Some hands from the Double Bar Ranch that is owned by Ritz Weston were trying to play a hand of cards. The talk put a damper on the game. Chester Wilkes, the line foreman, liked Della and respected her gumption to try to make a better life for herself. Shucks truth be known if he had been a few years younger, he would have taken Della away from Rosewood. Most of the cowboys sitting at the table would have done the same thing.

      Jed was staying close to his shotgun that was hidden just under the bar. He never once had to use it, and he was hoping tonight wasn’t going to be the first. Jed was an old mountain man. He had to leave his mountain years before when a grizzly took a bite out of his leg. He had come to Rosewood when he caught a fever. Miss Nancy took him in and nursed him back to health. As payback for her kindness, Jed started working in the Desert Rose. He never left and owed his life to Miss Nancy and would protect her no matter what.

      Miss Nancy came into the saloon and made her way around the tables. She gave a sharp eye to Gracie, who was all over the Triple S’s hands. Miss Nancy walked toward their table. Gracie and the cowhands were unaware of her being in earshot. Gracie was in the middle of making a rude comment about Della and how Miss Nancy always favored her and how Gracie always got the scraps. This made even more remarks from the Triple S’s hands until Miss Nancy hit the side of the table with her cane.

      Gracie jumped up out of the lap of Cheekman, knowing she was caught. Miss Nancy looked right into her eyes and said in a calm voice that she would not tolerate any more talk about Della. If they wanted to stay and drink, that was fine. If they couldn’t control their talk, they could leave.

      Cheekman stood up and said, “Fine! We are leaving!” and with a few choice words, they stormed. Miss Nancy put a lid on the powder keg, but she wasn’t finished yet. She looked straight at Gracie and told her to pack her bags—that she was finished there at the Desert Rose. Miss Nancy told her that she never wanted her to step foot in the saloon again.

      Gracie was furious! She was already fired up with all the talk. Gracie stormed out of the room. Once again, Gracie had been put in her place because of Della. In Gracie’s mind, it wasn’t over yet. She was going to be on top, and Della was going to pay. Miss Nancy was close behind.

      Jed breathed a sigh of relief. The atmosphere had changed. As the evening drew to a close, you could tell the lines had been drawn.

      Gracie had left in a fury. When she hit the stairs that led up to the girl’s room, she was cursing. She went into her room and started grabbing all her belongings. Miss Nancy was right behind her. She made sure that Gracie got everything and showed her the back door and locked it behind her. Gracie went straight to see Dustin Monroe at the boardinghouse. Dustin loved trouble. He was more than happy to have Gracie. He had plans of his own. He knew that business would be booming soon. The Triple S’s hands already started making their way to his bar.

      Chapter 7

      Some folks looked down their noses at a woman working in a saloon. It was unusual when one would change their profession. It took courage. Della had no choice in her situation. Now she had one. She made her choice, and she chose to change.

      Cowhands aren’t saints either. They respected anyone who would make a stand for what is right. They admired Della for having the guts to make a change. They believed that everyone should have a fair shake of things. Man or woman—you do right by a person. Stand by what you believe in. They would stand by Della, and there were others that would too.

      Things had been stirred up in Rosewood. Everyone was waiting for Stewart Granger to make his move. He had lots of money and spent it well. Talk that he was looking to hire. For what reason? To scare Della before she even stepped foot on the place?

      Stewart Granger was no fool. He had shown his hand when he stormed out of Rosewood. He had to now play his cards right. His

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