Promises Kept Read Online Free Page B

them,” Mrs. Wellington offered.
    If the boys didn’t go with her she would have a chance to see what Mr. Barlow was like before she introduced them. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “I don’t mind at all. They are such good boys.” Mrs. Wellington eyed Victoria. She had a feeling Victoria wasn’t telling her everything, but perhaps the news from her family had been upsetting. The young woman had never taken as much as one day off, so she could not in good conscience deny her request.
    “I will tell them to help you with chores while I’m gone,” Victoria promised.
    “They are always very helpful, dear, don’t you worry about that. It’s too bad you couldn’t leave this morning. I daresay that Mr. McBride would have made a perfect companion for the trip. You would certainly have been safe. Can you afford the fare? If not I can give you an advance on your pay.”
    Ignoring the comment about Mr. McBride, Victoria said, “Mr. Bar—My family sent me the money, but thank you. I haven’t mentioned this to the boys yet.”
    “I’ll not say a word to them. Why don’t you just tell them you are going for a short visit, so they don’t worry?” Those boys were mightily attached to Victoria, and Mrs. Wellington wasn’t sure how they were going to accept being away from her even for a short time. As far as she knew, they had never been apart.
    Victoria tried to think of an excuse to give the boys for her sudden decision. She was hesitant to tell them the real reason she was going to Wyoming, not wanting to risk getting their hopes up when the arrangement might not work out with Mr. Barlow. There was also the possibility they would forget and reveal the true nature of her trip to Mrs. Wellington. “Yes, that’s what I will say. Thank you so much, Mrs. Wellington. I don’t know what we would do without you.”
    “Nonsense. You and the boys have done so much for me. Ann Merriweather will probably have the time to help me while you are gone. Folks won’t be as happy with her cooking, but we’ll manage.”
    Mrs. Wellington was so kind about her leaving that Victoria was momentarily tempted to tell the truth. She quickly abandoned that notion, knowing the woman would try to talk her out of going by reiterating all the fears that she’d already considered. This might be the one opportunity to make a home for the boys, and no one was going to change her mind, however well-intentioned. “I’m beholding to you.” Victoria turned back to her task with tears in her eyes, her guilt piling on.

Chapter Three
    Wyoming Territory
     
    “Barlow, I’ve made you an offer that is more than fair.” Euan Wallace, flanked by four of his men, surprised Chet Barlow as he worked on a broken wheel in front of his barn.
    Chet had been so lost in his thoughts about Miss Victoria Eastman that he hadn’t been paying attention to what was going on around him. He hadn’t even heard the riders until they were on top of him, and his rifle was on the seat of the buckboard some fifteen feet away. His woolgathering could prove fatal, he thought. He tried to appear unconcerned, and continued working on the wheel when he responded, “You’re wasting your time and mine. I’ve told you before, my farm is not for sale.”
    “You’re not getting any younger, Barlow. You and that old man can’t work this farm by yourselves forever.” Wallace surveyed the old house and barn. While unimpressive in size, both buildings were well tended. It was obvious Barlow put in considerable hours keeping things in good order. The buildings didn’t interest him; he wanted Barlow’s prime piece of land.
    With that comment, Chet met Wallace’s eyes. “If you didn’t scare most folks around here I might be able to get me some help. As it is, I figure I get by just fine.”
    When Wallace came to Promise and got his hands on the Taggart ranch, he put the word out that he would hire every available man and pay more than any other rancher. If they