An Uninvited Bride on his Doorstep by Ava Winters
Chapter Nineteen
Winona checked the roast for perhaps the hundredth time. Just like the last ninety-nine times, the roast was still a long way from being done. She sighed and nearly ran her hands through her hair, preventing herself at the last second from ruining her hairdo, and by extension her outfit.
She’d chosen a white cotton-dress with a floral print that was both modest and flattering. She’d spent the morning starching it, polishing her boots and doing her hair until every part of her outfit was perfect. She had no idea if charming Logan with her appearance would make him more receptive to Jay’s plan for the ranch, but it couldn’t hurt.
She spent the afternoon preparing supper. She’d peeled and chopped potatoes and carrots to roast with the pork and baked a fresh loaf of bread with it. The bread finished hours ago and now rested on the counter. It had long since cooled and Winona made a note to put bread in the oven much closer to supper next time.
She paced the kitchen for a few minutes then checked the roast again. Shockingly, it still had a long way to go. She sat down heavily and sighed in exasperation. She hadn’t felt this anxious in a while. She was nervous about her and Jay’s conversation with Logan tonight. Logan was a caring man with a big heart and Winona knew he wanted only what was best for the family, but he could be so stubborn sometimes that he couldn’t be made to listen to reason by anyone or anything. If he was in such a mood tonight, Winona could eat in front of him naked and it wouldn’t make a difference.
She blushed crimson with embarrassment at the thought of being naked in front of Logan but only had to suffer for a moment because an instant later Jay walked into the kitchen.
He smiled at her and the anxiety in his face told her he shared her fear about tonight’s conversation. “Hi, Winona,” he said.
“Hi, Jay.”
Jay sat across from her and breathed a sigh. Winona felt compassion override her worry and she placed a hand over his. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll listen.”
Jay chuckled bitterly. “Why? Why should tonight be any different?”
“Because,” Winona said. “Tonight, you have me.”
“Oh, so you’re the key to his reason?”
“Don’t be fooled by my demure behavior,” Winona replied. “I can make myself irresistible if I want to.” She batted her eyelashes coquettishly, eliciting a laugh from Jay.
“I sure hope you’re right,” Jay said. “Sometimes I feel like Logan wouldn’t see daylight if he woke up on the sun.”
This prompted Winona to laugh. “Don’t worry. I can be very persuasive when I need to be.”
Jay nodded. “Irresistible and persuasive. Good. We’ll need both.”
The door opened and a moment later, Gregory joined them in the kitchen. He sniffed the air and closed his eyes, smiling. “Mmm-mmm, whatever you’re cooking, Winona, it smells delightful.” He pinched his thumb and forefinger together and brought them to his lips as he said this.
Winona and Jay laughed, and Gregory grinned. “Seriously, though, what are you cooking? I’m starving.”
“Well, you’ll just have to be patient. I’m cooking a pork roast and it’s not done yet.”
Gregory rolled his eyes with pleasure and rubbed his stomach. “Oh, that sounds heavenly.”
Jay laughed again. “You’ve been spending too much time with Louise. You’re starting to sound like her.”
“That’s not true!” Gregory protested. “I haven’t even seen her since the dance.”
Jay stared at Gregory, nonplussed. “In that case, you haven’t spent nearly enough time with her. Confound it man, why are you here and not courting her right now?”
“I know, I know,” Gregory replied, lifting his hands defensively. “Winona already chewed me out about it. I’m going to call on her tomorrow.”
“You better or I will,” Jay said.
“Sounds good,” Gregory replied cheerfully. “She’s always wanted a pet. You’re not nearly as adorable as a puppy but I’m sure you’ll follow her around like one.”
“Oh, like you don’t?” Jay said. “Oh wait, that’s right. You didn’t have the guts to talk to her until Winona and I made you.”
Gregory grinned and swung playfully at his brother. Jay dodged the slap and launched at Gregory. The two boys laughed and tussled while Winona tried frantically to keep them away from the stove.
“Boys! Boys!” she shouted through laughter. “If you’re going to wrestle, do it outside and for heaven’s sake, change before dinner!”
The two brothers separated, grinning. “No need to fear, milady,” Gregory said. “We will both be in pristine condition for this evening’s soiree.”
Winona rolled her eyes. “I swear you boys will be the death of me.”
“I feel like you say that a lot,” Jay interjected.
“I feel like I mean it even more,” Winona shot back. “Now get out of my kitchen, both of you, or I’ll have Darrell tan both your hides.”
Jay scoffed. “I’d mop the floor with that old man.”
Winona smiled brightly and waved toward the doorway. “Oh, hi Darrell. I didn’t see you there.”
Jay quickly looked toward the door, eyes wide with fear. No one was there and when Gregory and Winona burst out laughing, Jay realized he’d been duped. He glared at Winona, who smiled sweetly at him. After a second, he too started laughing. “All right, Gregory. Let’s give Winona some space before she tans our hides herself.”
“You better believe I will,” Winona assured him.
The two boys left, and Winona sat and shook her head. She was grateful for the distraction, even more so when she checked the roast and found it was noticeably closer to finished. She looked out the window toward the west field where Logan and Darrell were checking for any sign of wild animals that might pose a danger to the herd. Though not common, rattlesnakes, coyotes and cougars did occasionally wander into Westridge, and it was prudent to check frequently for unwanted visitors.
“Please be in a good mood tonight,” she whispered.
***
An hour later, the four of them sat around the dinner table, chatting amiably as they feasted on the perfectly tender roast pork, steamed vegetables and the fresh bread Winona had warmed just prior to dinner. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, including Logan, who happily informed them they had just gone through the herd and confirmed there were no more sick animals. It would take a few months for them to recover from their losses, but the mystery illness seemed to have moved on.
Winona looked at Jay. He met her eyes, worry etched all over his features. She smiled and nodded for him to go on. He took a deep breath, cleared his throat and called to his brother. “Logan?”
Logan looked at him and chuckled. “What’s going on, Jay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Jay swallowed and squared his shoulders. “Logan, I’d like to talk to you about my plan to grow the cattle herd and recoup some of the ranch’s financial losses over the past few years.”
Logan’s smile faded. He stared wordlessly at his brother for several moments. Jay met his gaze and waited for his reply. Gregory glanced nervously between the two of them.
Winona reached out and laid a hand over Logan’s arm. He glanced at her, and she smiled. “Just listen to him, Logan. He’s just asking for a chance to be heard.”
Logan didn’t respond for several seconds. Finally, he sighed and nodded at Jay.
Jay’s shoulders relaxed and he grinned excitedly at Winona before turning back to Logan. He pulled the ledger out from under the table and opened it to the page he and Winona had worked on when discussing the plan. Logan’s eyes narrowed when he recognized Winona’s handwriting, but he didn’t say anything.
“So, this page here is the ranch’s projected revenue and expenses if we focus entirely on the horse herd,” Jay began. “Assuming we’re able to sell the horses at market value and assuming we’ll need to replenish our brood stock at the typical frequency then, factoring in the cost of feed for the winter months as well as supplies, tack, and typical odds and ends, the best we can hope for is to break even. Mind you, this is the best-case scenario and doesn’t account for the likelihood that buyers would prefer Ross horses—”
“Likelihood?” Logan snapped.
“Possibility,” Jay quickly corrected. “The possibility that buyers might purchase from Heath Ross instead of from us. In any case, it’s more likely we lose money if we focus entirely on horses to the exclusion of the cattle. If things continue that way for another year, we’ll be forced to sell the herd just to pay our debts. We’ll have to let go of the hands and eventually sell the ranch itself. It’s just too much risk.”
Logan glared at Jay but said nothing, so Jay continued. “This page here,” he said pointing to the opposite leaf, “shows our projected expenses and revenue if we invest in the cattle herd. If we increase our herd size to a thousand head and ensure consistent care, the herd should maintain a stable population without replenishment. Then we only have to replace what we sell or purchase more if we want to expand. Now, assuming current market prices for beef cattle, we stand to make a substantial profit, even if we only sell fifty percent of what I project.”
Jay leaned forward, excited. “Here’s the thing. We’re the only cattle ranch within a hundred miles. In a few months, the railroad will pass through Westridge. We won’t have to pay cattle drivers to move the herd to the railroad because it will be right here. We can charge lower prices than our non-regional competitors and monopolize the local beef market! Logan, forget about being comfortable, we could be rich!”
Jay stopped, grinning in anticipation of Logan’s response. Logan didn’t say anything for a long moment. Jay’s grin faded and Winona glanced anxiously at Logan. Gregory cleared his throat nervously, the noise jarring in the tense silence.
Finally, Logan said, “Horse ranch.”
“What?” Jay blinked, confused.
“We’re a horse ranch. You said we’re a cattle ranch. We’re not a cattle ranch. We’re a horse ranch.”
Jay blinked again. “I know that, Logan. I mean if we become a cattle ranch.”
“We’re not going to become a cattle ranch,” Logan said. “We’ve been through this, Jay. Over, and over again. Our father didn’t found a cattle ranch, he founded a horse ranch. We’re the finest horse ranch in West Texas and we’re not going to allow a few years of hardship to force us out of the business that’s earned us our reputation.”
“Logan,” Jay said, trying to remain calm, “The horse business here is failing. We’ve been through that before. There’s just no way to remain profitable with the Rosses and the other large outfits encroaching on our business.”
Logan slammed his fist on the table. “Blast it, Jay, enough with this talk of cattle! The Foley Ranch is a horse ranch, end of story.”
Jay looked pleadingly at Winona. She turned to Logan, squeezing his arm. “Logan, please keep an open mind. I’ve looked at Jay’s projections. He has some really good ideas. If you’d just listen—”
“Oh yes, I saw your handwriting on those pages. How long have you and Jay been planning to gang up on me?”
Winona stared at Logan, dumbfounded. “We’re not ganging up on you, Logan! We’re trying to save your father’s ranch!”
“So now you’re taking his side?” Logan thundered. “That’s nice. My own wife and brother siding against me!”
“Logan, you’re not listening!” Winona insisted, her voice rising. “Blast it, will you shut up for one second and let someone else have a say? We’re trying to find a way to keep the ranch afloat so you don’t have to watch the bank auction it off to the highest bidder.”
Logan glared. He opened and closed his mouth several times without speaking. Finally, he angrily shook her hand off his arm and said, “I’ve had enough of this talk of cattle. We’re a horse ranch. Period. Jay, I’m selling the rest of the cattle. That buyer from Arizona is back in town and I’m giving him the rest of the herd.”
Jay’s eyes widened. “No!” he shouted in protest. “You can’t do that! Those aren’t your cattle!”
“Yes, they are,” Logan retorted.
“No,” Jay insisted. “They’re not! They belong to all of us! Pa left the ranch to all of us, not just you!”
“Well, since I’m the only one who cares about keeping the ranch focused on the business it was founded for, I’m the one who gets to make the decisions.”
“That’s not fair!” Jay shouted.
“Life’s not fair,” Logan replied.
“That’s enough!” Winona interjected. “Logan Foley, I’ve had enough of your stubbornness. Jay and I are only trying to help but you’re too stuck in your ways to see it. You’re a bitter old man before your time, Logan, and your family is suffering for it.”
Logan chuckled bitterly. He stood and tossed his fork onto the table. It clattered on his plate, then fell to the floor. Logan left it there and walked toward his room. “Great meal, Winona,” he called over his shoulder. “Thanks.”
The other three sat silently for several moments. Jay sighed and excused himself. “Thanks for trying,” he said to Winona as he left for his own room.
Gregory offered Winona a wan smile. “Looks like Logan’s back to his good old ways,” he joked half-heartedly.
Winona sighed. “He’ll come around,” she said. “He just needs time.”
Gregory didn’t respond right away. Eventually, he smiled. “You know something? You’re just as stubborn as he is. I think maybe he will come around yet.”
Winona smiled and squeezed his hand briefly. “Thank you for saying that, Gregory. It’s nice to know there’s one Foley brother who isn’t an utter fool.”
“Always happy to help.”