replied. “He’s free to share them with you at his convenience.”
Spring noted how gracefully her brother avoided Hiram’s trap. Garrett was a grown man, yet his father acted as though his son had no say in his own future. Did the man always ride roughshod over the lives of his children? Did they object? Her thoughts were interrupted by her brother saying, “Spring. Odell had to leave. He’s asked if you could take Garrett’s visitors back to town when they’re ready. They’re staying at the boardinghouse.”
The request caught her off guard because she’d planned to help Ed with the mustangs all day, but she answered, “Of course.”
“Good. Thanks. You folks enjoy your stay. Nice meeting you.” With that, he departed.
Watching him walk away, Melody asked, “How many doctors are there here?”
“He’s the only one in Paradise,” Spring replied.
“The whites don’t mind him treating them?”
“Some do, but most don’t. He’s held in pretty high regard.”
Hiram said, “That’s good to hear.”
They’d just finished their meal when an unhappy-looking Ed rode up on his white stallion, Snow. Behind him were Cheyenne and Paint on a lead.
Spring stood. “What’s wrong?”
“Take your children home.”
“Jesus and three fishes,” she snarled with frustration. “What did they do?”
“Cheyenne keeps challenging the young stallions and Paint is running amok. As always. Between them they have the whole herd riled up.”
She dropped her head. “I’m so sorry.”
“We probably won’t need you for the rest of the day anyway. Helping Cass and her mare was my biggest concern. Thanks for working with them.”
“You’re welcome.”
Spring saw the visitors eyeing him. “Have you met Garrett’s family?”
“No. But I heard they were here. I’m Ed Prescott.”
Garrett introduced them, and Ed nodded in response. “I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.”
They nodded and stared, but Ed didn’t seem bothered by it. “Spring, if I need your help tomorrow I’ll send one of the hands over to let you know. Here are the ledgers.” He handed her the leather pouch he’d placed them in.
“I’ll check the numbers tonight.”
“Thanks. Nice meeting you folks.” He touched his hat and rode away.
Hiram said, “Not to be disrespectful, but is he a foreigner?”
“No. He’s a member of the Bannock tribe.”
Melody asked, sounding confused, “Tribe?”
“He’s what people back East call an Indian,” Garrett replied.
Vernon smirked. “What’s he call himself?”
“Ed,” Spring said coolly.
He seemed startled by the tone of her reply and the harshness in her glare.
Garrett added, “This is his land. That beautiful house on the hill? He built it. He’s an engineer.”
Vernon scoffed. “You don’t actually believe that, do you? Everyone knows they’re savages.”
Garrett snapped, “Some people view our race the same way. Are they correct?”
“Of course not.”
Spring wanted to rip out his heart. “My grandmother was Shoshone. How about you walk back to town? I’m sure you don’t want to ride in the wagon of a savage.”
Seeing all the angry eyes trained his way, he swallowed visibly. “My apologies for speaking out of turn.”
“Keep your bigotry to yourself.” She turned to the others. “I’ll be back with the wagon.”
She stalked off and her horses followed.
Chapter Fifteen
Spring’s temper was still simmering when she ushered her visitors inside her cabin. She’d stopped there first to change clothes before driving into town. They glanced around the cabin’s small interior and silently took seats. Hiram stared at the stuffed head above the fireplace and asked. “What is that?”
“A mountain goat,” she said. “There are herds of them here. This one had been caught in a rockslide and was buried from the shoulders down when I came across it. I dug it out hoping it could get back on its feet but the back legs were broken. The bleating was terrible.”
“Poor thing,” Fannie whispered.
“It was in a lot of pain, and wasn’t going to survive, so I showed it the mercy it deserved and took the carcass back to town—”
“You killed it?” Hiram asked, interrupting.
“Yes. Otherwise, it would’ve taken days for it to starve to death, and no animal or person should endure that.”
He studied her for a long moment before saying, “I suppose you’re right.”
Spring knew she was right, and because he was Garrett’s father she didn’t allow her irritation to rise and take hold. She was already mad enough at Vernon. “We respect life here in the mountains, Mr. McCray. Anyone coming across an injured animal beyond help will do just as I did. You don’t do them a favor by allowing them to die in pain or from starvation.”
He nodded tersely. “I understand. It’s just women back East wouldn’t consider doing such