Colin's Quest by Shirleen Davies

days, her optimism faltered.
    “So, tell me, are you ready to start school?”
    Sarah’s meeting with the town council had gone well. She’d walked away with a job and a place to live, as soon as the house received needed repairs. The wage would allow her to be independent, and if she were careful, the means to start saving for her wedding to Colin.
    “Next week. I’ve met with the previous teacher and looked at the books she used. Although there aren’t many supplies, I’ll manage.” Sighing, she thought of all her books at home and what she could do if they were with her.
    “What is it?”
    “Nothing. I just wondered how I could get my books from home without Da knowing.”
    Bessie’s mouth quirked up at the corners. She liked nothing more than a challenge. “Let me think about it a few days, dear. I’m certain we’ll figure out a way.”

    “Deal me out, Wes. Your luck is too strong tonight.” The ranch hand tossed down his cards and stood, providing an opening for Caleb to sit down.
    He’d been at the Bell Ranch a few days. It hadn’t taken him long to form opinions on many of the men, including Wes Bell. Within a day of being at the ranch, Caleb had heard about the betrothal announcement and how Sarah had turned it down. Although Wes didn’t speak of it, Caleb knew the rejection must have stung.
    “Deal me in.” Caleb sat across from Wes, giving him a good view of the man’s expressions and how he reacted to his cards.
    They’d played several hands before one of the men mentioned the betrothal. “She is quite the beauty, Wes. Heard she’s living in town, going to be the new school teacher.”
    Wes looked up, his eyes slits. “No wife of mine will work.”
    “You may have forgotten, but she turned you down in front of a roomful of witnesses.”
    “Given the way MacGregor handled it, any woman would have. The man’s a fool. Once I’m able to speak with her in private, it won’t be long before she accepts my proposal.” Wes tossed his cards on the table, pinning the man with a hard stare. “Sarah MacGregor will be mine, and any man who says different will deal with me.”
    Caleb listened to the exchange, saw the doubt on several of the men’s faces. Sarah had already confessed to him her love for Colin, showing him the brooch. He’d let her talk, already knowing of the incident on the journey west. It had almost escalated into a brawl between the MacGregors and MacLarens until Angus MacLaren pulled Colin away. Caleb had stood not twenty feet from them with many of the other settlers, watching the altercation and feeling sympathy for two young people who were close to his age. It seemed Dougal hadn’t changed in all these years.
    The man sitting next to Wes leaned toward him. “And your pa’s wife? What will you do about her?”
    Although spoken in a whisper, Caleb had clearly heard.
    Without warning, Wes stood, tipping over the table, and lunged at the man he’d known for years, grown up with, and called a friend. Grabbing Walt by the throat and wrestling him to the ground, Wes pounded his fists into his face, not letting up until being pulled away.
    “What the hell are you doing, Wes? You’ll kill him.” One of the older men shoved him against a wall.
    “Let go of me,” Wes growled, pushing away. He pointed to Walt who stood several feet away, his face swollen and bloody. “You and I will talk outside.” Propelling him out the door, he turned to the others. “We’re doing this alone.”
    Stumbling outside, Walt used an old bandanna to wipe the blood from his face. “What was that about? No one heard me ‘cept you.” He gingerly touched his face. “I think you broke my nose.”
    Wes paced back and forth, hands on his hips, cursing as he walked. “What were you thinking, saying something like that? Anyone could have heard you.”
    “Hell, it’s no secret about you and your stepma going behind your pa’s back. If you’re gonna be such a damn fool, you’d better hide