Capturing the Cook

  Capturing the Cook

  Cowboys and Angels Book 20

  Kirsten Osbourne

  Unlimited Dreams

  Copyright © 2018 by Kirsten Osbourne

  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.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Also by Kirsten Osbourne

  About the Author

  Prologue

  “Argh!” Ashleigh Steepleton shuddered as her uncle’s anguished cries rang out across the dim bedroom. She fought back tears as she set the fresh linens down by his bedside. Ashleigh placed her palm on the back of Uncle William’s forehead. His fever hadn’t diminished since the morning. In fact, he felt even hotter than the last time she’d checked. Please, God, Ashleigh begged. Please save Uncle William from this wretched illness!

  Only two months before, Ashleigh had lived a quiet, simple life in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Ashleigh and her parents lived in a cabin right next door to her triplet cousins and their parents. Ashleigh’s father, Benjamin, and her uncle, William, were brothers who had married their respective wives and began families in Boston, always living on the same street. A year earlier, they’d left Boston and moved to a ranch on the Oklahoma plains, continuing to live side by side. Now, everything the family had worked for was threatened.

  While Ashleigh was an only child, William and his wife, Nancy, had been blessed with three thriving babies. William Junior was tall, brooding, and solemn, a man of few words. Philip was a peacekeeper, sensitive and quiet, always wanting everyone to get along. The third triplet, Gilbert, was Ashleigh’s favorite. He was silly and always cracking jokes that made Ashleigh laugh, even when she shouldn’t. Even through the heartache of the past two months, Gilbert somehow found a way to brighten Ashleigh’s day or make her smile.

  Ashleigh’s mother, Sarah, had been the first to fall ill. She had complained of dizziness and chills one morning at breakfast, and by dinner, she had developed a fever. Ashleigh brought her cool cloths and encouraged her to eat and drink, but she had grown worse in a matter of days. On the third day of her illness, Ashleigh’s father had fetched the town doctor. But upon his return to the house with the doctor, he, too, had fallen ill.

  As both of her parents had gotten sicker and sicker, Gilbert had paid a visit next door and confided that he was worried about his parents as well. His mother had a rash and seemed hot to touch. The following day, his fears were confirmed—the doctor diagnosed all three of the Steepleton adults with pneumonia. Only Uncle William had remained strong, reassuring Ashleigh and her cousins that their parents were healthy and would most likely make a full recovery.

  Now, Ashleigh watched as Uncle William tossed and turned in his sickbed. She hated to see such a generous and powerful man struck down by illness. Only a few weeks before, he had predicted that the worst was over. And then, Sarah Steepleton had died, and nothing had been the same since.

  After Sarah had died, Aunt Nancy had gone downhill quickly. She had passed within a week of Ashleigh’s mother. Ashleigh’s brave father had clung to life for two more weeks, but even his strength was no match for the dreaded strain of disease that had claimed his wife.

  Now, Uncle William was the only one left. Ashleigh and her cousins had done everything they could to help him recover, but nothing seemed to work. Ashleigh knew that God had a plan for her family, but she struggled to accept the losses fate had dealt her. She didn’t know what she or her cousins would do without her uncle, but the doctor had told them they should be prepared for William to pass as well.

  Ashleigh prayed that Uncle William would live, but she saw how sallow his skin was and knew a full recovery was out of the question. She went to the pail of water she kept near the bed and dipped a fresh cloth in it.

  She walked back to her uncle’s bedside and laid the cloth across his forehead. She hoped she could offer some relief, however small, to the suffering man.

  “How is he?” Gilbert slipped into the room quietly. Of the three Steepleton brothers, Gilbert had spent the most time taking care of his parents throughout their illness. William hated being around people who were fragile or frail, so he avoided his sick relatives whenever possible. Philip tried to spend time helping, but he was so sensitive that being around people who were suffering caused him pain.

  Ashleigh shook her head. “I’m sorry. Can we step outside?”

  Gilbert nodded and followed Ashleigh out of the bedroom. They stood in the hallway of the second floor of William Steepleton’s home. She remembered how lovingly Aunt Nancy had decorated every room of the house. She would trade all of the furniture, fabrics, and clothes in the world for another day with her parents and her aunt. Now, she feared that her uncle would soon join them in death.

  Ashleigh looked down at the floor. She hated to be the bearer of bad news, but she had never lied to Gilbert and was not about to start. “He’s taken a turn, Gil. He’s not responding to my voice anymore, only shouting out in pain.”

  Gilbert’s face fell. Ashleigh could tell he had been hoping, like her, for a miraculous recovery. “And there’s nothing the doctor can do?”

  “Dr. Brown stopped by this morning. He said there’s no medicine that will make a difference. He said—” Ashleigh fought back a fresh wave of tears. “He said we should prepare for the worst.”

  Gilbert let out a heavy sigh. “It’s hard to believe this is truly happening.”

  Ashleigh knew exactly what her cousin meant. Their parents had set the course for them—they’d taught them right from wrong, sheltered them, provided everything they’d ever needed. It didn’t make sense that they were suddenly gone.

  Then again, perhaps there was hope for Uncle William. “Let’s go back inside,” she urged Gilbert. He pushed the door to the bedroom open, and they heard a wrenching cry, even louder and more pained than before. Ashleigh’s eyes filled with tears.

  “What is the meaning of this?” a deep voice thundered from the stairs. Ashleigh frowned. She did not know if she had the patience to deal with William that day. He burst into the bedroom. “Why are you torturing Father?”

  “I’m not—” Ashleigh tried to explain.

  At a strapping six-feet tall, William Steepleton, Jr., was the spitting image of his father, William, Sr., before he’d fallen ill. He had piercing green eyes and flowing golden hair. He had exacting standards for everyone in his life, including himself. And at the moment, Ashleigh was not living up to his standards.

  William busied himself, fluffing his father’s pillow and bringing the glass of water closer to the man’s mouth. He tried to get his father to drink, but his father only flailed around. Ashleigh had to look away. It was too hard to watch.

  “A word?” William motioned out into the hallway. Gilbert stayed in the room with his father, holding another cloth to his forehead as Uncle William jerked and moaned.

  “I’ve been working all day to keep the ranch running. If I don’t, we’ll lose everything. Do you understand? And what have you done all day?” William demanded.

  Ashleigh tried to have compassion for her cousin. He was very upset, and she couldn’t blame him for that. But he hadn’t been there, hour after hour, day after day, taking care of their sick relatives. He didn’t understand. “I’ve been makin
g him as comfortable as possible. That’s all we can do.”

  “Do I have to do everything myself?” William roared.

  Just then, Ashleigh heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

  “What’s going on?” Philip asked calmly.

  “I don’t believe anyone’s really taking care of Father,” William said crossly.

  “William, I’m sure Ashleigh is doing everything she can. This is a difficult time for all of us,” Philip said reasonably. He had a lifetime of making peace between his brothers and his cousin.

  Suddenly, Gilbert shouted. “Come here, now!”

  Ashleigh, William, and Philip flew into the bedroom. Gilbert clutched at his father’s hand. Uncle William’s eyes were focused for the first time all day. He looked at his sons and niece.

  “Take care of each other,” Uncle William whispered. Ashleigh had to strain to hear him. Uncle William closed his eyes and took another labored, shallow breath. After a few more moments, he was gone.

  Ashleigh squeezed her own eyes shut. All of the adults she’d ever known and loved were gone. How was she supposed to go on?

  Chapter One

  “Let’s stop here for the night! We’re all exhausted, and there seems to be room,” Gilbert called out as they drove over the rural roads of Colorado.

  “No, we’ll push on a bit further,” William insisted, at the reins as usual.

  Ashleigh didn’t care where they decided to stay. She was sore, exhausted, and devastated. Although her cousins had convinced her to come along on this journey west, she had been plagued by doubts ever since they had left Oklahoma.

  “I have a compromise. Let’s continue driving for an hour more. At that point, we’ll either stop for the night or keep going, but only if we all agree,” Philip offered.

  After their parents had died, the family business had caused problem after problem. Without her father and uncle to contribute to the work, William, Gilbert, and Philip had struggled to keep up. One day, William had read an article about a town in California with booming opportunity. It was rare that all three Steepleton men agreed on something, but the move to California was unanimous. Although Ashleigh hadn’t wanted to leave the town her parents had loved so well, she also wasn’t keen on staying in the place that had brought her family so much tragedy. On a lark, she had agreed to go with her cousins, though she hadn’t really had a choice.

  Now, they were in the second week of their journey, and Ashleigh was having second thoughts about her decision. It was true that she didn’t have many options as an orphaned, unmarried young woman of only eighteen. But after so much time in close quarters, she was sick of traveling with her cousins and ready to settle anywhere. Ashleigh sighed as she looked out the window. Colorado seemed to be a land of lush green forests and the blazing setting sun. She wouldn’t mind staying for a few days. Although money was limited, they could surely spare some to stay at an inn. She could wash her face and arms and rest instead of being cooped up in a wagon all day.

  Ashleigh sighed. She knew her wishes were just that—wishes. She was probably going to be stuck in this wagon for at least a few more weeks. She only hoped that once they arrived in California, there would be something there waiting for her. She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, but California seemed exotic and exciting. She had always thought that one day, she’d meet a man near her home, marry him, and have his children. It was what her mother had done, and her mother’s mother before her. Now, she had no idea what to make of her future. Without her parents or the family business, her prospects seemed limited.

  Ashleigh’s cousins had been popular with the women back home. She knew that no matter where they settled, her cousins would have no trouble finding good women to settle down and start families with. Maybe she’d become their spinster aunt, living with Gilbert and his future family until the end of her days. That wouldn’t be so bad, Ashleigh thought to herself.

  Suddenly, the wagon stopped abruptly. Ashleigh found herself clinging to the side of the carriage.

  “What on earth?” William muttered. He exited the wagon to investigate.

  “I think I’ll stretch my legs,” Gilbert said, stepping down onto the ground. He offered his hand to Ashleigh, and she accepted gratefully. They seemed to be in the middle of a forest. No buildings or lights from the town they’d passed earlier were visible.

  On the ground, William saw that one of the axles had broken. “Now we’ll have to stop for the night!” William looked dejected.

  “That’s perfectly fine with me. We’re less than a mile from the next town—Creede,” Gilbert explained, pointing at a map that a man from a neighboring ranch had drawn for them.

  “That’s fine with me as well. I could use a good night’s rest,” Ashleigh said honestly. She didn’t add that after several weeks in the wagon together, her cousins were starting to develop a rather unpleasant odor. For some reason they didn’t want to bathe in the rivers and lakes they’d passed as she did.

  “How are we going to get there with a broken axle?” William huffed.

  “If it’s less than a mile, I’ll go,” Philip volunteered.

  “I’ll stay here with the wagon,” Gilbert said quickly. He grinned at Ashleigh, his upper lip twitching.

  “I’ll keep you company,” Ashleigh offered, trying to hide her own smile.

  William sighed. “Fine. I’ll go with Philip for safety, in case there are thieves or pickpockets nearby.”

  Once William and Philip had disappeared from earshot, Gilbert and Ashleigh broke into laughter.

  “Thank goodness we stopped!” Ashleigh exclaimed. “I don’t think I would have lasted another hour more!”

  “I know exactly what you mean. I wasn’t sure what was bothering me more—William’s insufferable attitude or his overwhelming odor!” Gilbert wore a wicked grin on his face.

  Ashleigh laughed even harder. It felt wonderful to smile and joke again with her cousin, just as they had in the days before illness had forever altered the course of their lives.

  Suddenly, her face grew serious as she thought about her future. Everything was so uncertain. “Gilbert, what are we going to do?”

  Gilbert stopped laughing. His face, normally lined with laughter, took on a solemn expression. “I don’t know, Ashleigh. I don’t know.”

  It was rare for Gilbert to say something that wasn’t a joke, and Ashleigh found herself feeling uncomfortable. In the cool Colorado evening, she felt a shiver run through her body. What sort of fate awaited her in California? Would she even make it there? The past few months had shown her that nothing in life was guaranteed.

  Ashleigh and Gilbert sat down on the dry land as they waited for William and Philip to return. Ashleigh admired the tall grasses and thick fir trees. Some of the greenery looked similar to what she had seen in Oklahoma, but other parts of it were completely different. She found herself wishing they could stay a bit longer in Colorado, but she knew that once it was light out and they had the axle fixed, William would insist on pushing forward.

  The sound of voices rang out against the night sky, and Ashleigh saw William and Philip come into view, hanging onto the back of a wagon driven by a handsome, smiling young man.

  As they pulled up in front of Ashleigh and Gilbert, William hopped down. “We were lucky enough to run into Mr. Jackson, who’s offered to help us fix the axle and be on our way.”

  “I’m John,” the stranger said with a friendly wave.

  “Pleased to meet you.” Ashleigh already felt better about the situation.

  “I have a feeling you’ll get along well with my wife, Patience. She was new here a little while back, but now Creede is her home,” John explained.

  “Oh, we’re only passing through Creede. We don’t plan on staying.” William bent down, trying to get a good look at the axle despite the darkness.

  “Where are you headed?” John asked cheerily.

  “California,” Gilbert said.

  John pulled some tools out of the back of the wa
gon and climbed down to help William. He lit a match so they could see more clearly.

  Ashleigh wasn’t cold, but she wrapped her sweater tightly around her body. “Do you think we’re safe out here?”

  In the candlelight, she saw a dark shadow pass across John’s face. “We should be fine now, but you all should be on your way as soon as possible. We’ve had some trouble in Creede . . .”

  Ashleigh wanted to ask what John meant by that, but she didn’t want to interfere with him fixing the wagon. She also hoped they’d be on their way soon. She didn’t know what kind of danger might be lurking in the woods, and she didn’t want to find out.

  Chapter Two

  A few hours later, Ashleigh was nestled by the fire inside a cozy boarding house in Creede, sipping a mug of hot tea. She felt better than she had in months. Somehow, William had agreed to Philip’s logical proposal that they spend the night in Creede even after the axle was fixed. It was already late at night, and they were all exhausted.

  Becky Bowen, the woman who seemed to run things at the boardinghouse, had been more than welcoming to the four strangers from Oklahoma. Ashleigh had immediately taken a liking to Becky. Ned Ekstrom, one of their fellow guests, explained that a woman named Mrs. Franklin owned and ran the boardinghouse. Becky, who had worked at the boardinghouse before she’d married and had a child, was simply helping out while Mrs. Franklin visited her son, who was sick. Her husband and new daughter had moved in with her, and the three of them were taking care of things.

  After Ashleigh finished her tea, she would sleep in an inviting bed with clean white sheets. She could hardly wait. Gilbert warmed his hands by the fire, his face showing the same relief that Ashleigh felt. In a corner, William examined a map by candlelight. Philip talked with Ned about the town of Creede and its surroundings.