Amelia C. Adams [Adams - The Turn of a Wheel (Kansas Crossroads Book 17)

The Turn of a Wheel

Kansas Crossroads Book Seventeen

by Amelia C. Adams

With thanks to my beta readersAmy, Becky, Bonnie, Cheryl, Cindy, Dorothy, Jessy, Joseph, Karilyn, Lara, Lisa, Mary, Meisje, Melissa, Renee G., Renee L., Rita, Robin, Sandy, Shelby, Suzy, Teresa, Theresa, and Trudy.

Cover design by Steven Novak at Novak Illustration

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Table of Contents:

Chapter One

Topeka, Kansas

1877

Ruth?

Ruth Barnes glanced up from the pie she was cutting and saw that Emma was motioning to her. Yes?

Theres a man in the dining room who said hed like to speak with the cook.

Ruth sighed and set down her knife. At times like this, she missed Sarah, who always handled the customer complaintsnot that they received a lot of them. They actually did better along those lines than most restaurants. Be that as it may, she still missed Sarah, who was now retired from the Brody Hotel and raising her baby boy, a pink-cheeked cherub theyd named Peter.

Did he say why? she asked Emma as she wiped her hands.

No, just that hed like to see you.

And Mr. Brodys out there with his pistol, right?

Adam Brody, the owner of the hotel where they worked, took the safety of his waitresses very seriously, and he often supervised the dining room during mealtimes. If he felt anything was amiss, hed open his jacket and show the Colt he kept holstered there at all times, and that was usually enough to keep ill tempers from flaring up.

Hes out there, but I dont think anything will go wrong, Emma replied. This man doesnt seem the type.

Well, I hope not. Im a bit out of sorts today myself, and the combination might not be a good one. She didnt have time for thisnot only were they in the middle of a busy meal service, but she had a wedding cake to make as soon as the dishes were washed and the kitchen was put back to rights.

Ruth pushed through the door into the dining room and stopped in her tracks when she saw Wade Watkins, her old friend from the Lazy Q ranch, standing there, a grin on his face. His wife, Margaret, stood just behind him, also smiling.

Gracious. You could have thought of a less frightening way to say hello. Ruth gave each of them a quick hug. I thought I was coming out here to do battle with someone who didnt like my chicken and dumplings.

Impossible. Everyone likes your chicken and dumplings, Margaret said. She motioned over to their table. In fact, thats what we were just telling Mr. Barker.

Mr. Barker? The owner of the Lazy Q? Ruth looked over at the table, but the man sitting there wasnt the Mr. Barker who had hired her to cook out at the ranch two years previously. He stood up when he saw that they had turned his way and came forward with his hand extended.

Ruth, this is Alex Barker, Wade said. Hes Jeb Barkers brother, and hes been in town on business for the last week or so. Alex, this is Ruth Barnes.

Ruth accepted Mr. Barkers handshake. Now she could see the resemblance between this Mr. Barker and her former boss. They had the same eyes, although Alexs were much softer, and they were about the same height. Beyond that, the similarities stoppedthe owner of the Lazy Q was not an attractive man, but his brother most definitely was.

Miss Barnes, its a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Barker said as he released her hand. Margarets told me what an exceptional friend and a good cook you are.

Thank you, Mr. Barker, Ruth replied. Have the three of you decided what youd like for dinner?

Now that youve mentioned chicken and dumplings, I think thats what I want, Margaret replied, and the two men nodded that theyd take the same. Oh, and will you have a minute to talk after the meal? Margaret added, her voice much quieter. Her eyes seemed serious, like this was more than just a friendly visit.

Ill make sure theres time, Ruth said.

Thank you.

Ruth went back into the kitchen, glad to see that Kate had kept up with the orders while shed been in the other room. Ruth hardly ever stepped away from her spot by the stove during mealtime, and truthfully, it was kind of nice to have that momentary break. Shed been thinking a lot about breaks over the last few months, and shed nearly turned in her resignation half a dozen times. But she didnt have anywhere else to go as of yet, and she didnt want to quit this job before she knew there was something else waiting for her on the other side.

Once all their customers had been served, Ruth asked Kate to take over in the kitchen, and she went back out into the dining room. Both Wade and Mr. Barker stood at her approach, and she sat down next to Margaret with a little sigh, glad to be off her feet.

Have you had your own dinner, Miss Barnes? Mr. Barker asked.

Yes, I ate just before the service started. Thank you for being concerned.

Mr. Barker smiled at her, and she noticed a dimple in his cheek. His brother most definitely didnt have one.

You say youre here on business, Mr. Barker? she asked, trying to ignore the dimple. Dimples were distracting.

Yes, I am. I came to convince my brother to sell his ranch, and I was quite successful.

Ruth couldnt hide her surprise. He sold the Lazy Q? I didnt think hed ever sell that place. She turned to Wade. What does that mean for you? Did you lose your job?

Wade grinned. Well now, theres a happy ending to this story. Seems the new owner of the Lazy Q is me.

Ruth blinked a few times, then held up a hand. I think we should start at the beginning. Whats going on?

Mr. Barker chuckled. I imagine this is all quite startling, Miss Barnes. You see, a few years back, I met a man who dealt with real estate and land sales, and he brought me on as an apprentice of sorts. Ive worked with him ever since to help match up sellers and buyers, and Ive enjoyed itIm not the rancher my brother is.

Ruth didnt think the elder Mr. Barker was much of a rancherhed always relied on his employees to make things run like they shouldbut she decided it was best to keep her mouth shut for the time being.

A gentleman came to see me about a month ago, Mr. Barker continued after taking a sip of water. Hes getting ready to retire, and doesnt have a child to inherit his property. Its a large place, about three times the size of the Lazy Q, with twice as many animals. He said hed make a good deal for the right buyer, and I just happened to know someone who was interested.

So, you brokered the deal between this man and your brother, and he in turn sold the Lazy Q to Wade? Ruth asked.

Thats right. Im now a full-fledged rancher and not just a foreman anymore, Wade said with a chuckle. Im also in a wagonload of debt, but we dont need to talk about that when we should be celebrating.

You wont be in debt for long, Margaret said, a gentle smile on her face. Youve made the Lazy Q more successful than its ever been, and it wont be more than a few years before youre turning a profit.

Wade squeezed her hand, then turned back to Ruth. Im making Big Mike the foreman in my place, he continued. Hes the one whos always caught my vision and understood what I wanted the best.

Oh, Im so glad, Ruth replied. He deserves it. Sullys still out there, isnt he?

Wade laughed. Yes, he is. Theres no getting rid of Old Sully. He cant ride anymore, so weve got him in charge of breeding the stock. Thats a task he can oversee without hurting his leg too badly.

Ruth couldnt help but grin as she thought about the men out on the Lazy Q. There were some true gems out there mixed in with the snakes.

Miss Barnes, I wonder if I could turn our conversation back to my brothers new investment for a moment, Mr. Barker said. Shed all but forgotten he was there.

Of course. Im not sure what any of this has to do with me, however, she replied.