Chapter One

      June 1885

      San Luis Valley, Colorado

      At last!

      Tolley Northam struggled to keep from laughing with unfettered happiness as the Denver and Rio Grande train descended onto the vast San Luis Valley plains, picking up speed after its laborious climb over La Veta Pass. After wiping what must be a foolish grin off his face, Tolley glanced around the Pullman car at his fellow passengers, especially the couple who’d sat across from him since the train left Walsenburg early this morning.

      “Almost home.” The middle-aged woman gave him a maternal smile, reminding him of Mother.

      “Yes, ma’am.” When they’d asked about his travels, he’d told them about attending college in Boston to become a lawyer and how he now headed home to open his practice and help run the family ranch. “My whole family will be at the train station. They always come out in force to welcome home family members who’ve traveled.”

      “As it should be.” The husband nodded his approval. “We expect our son and his family to be waiting for us in Alamosa.”

      The two years in Boston had seemed like an eternity, but at last Tolley would be back on the family’s ranch doing the work he loved. Of course he’d honor his father’s wishes and set up a law practice, as befitted his Harvard law studies. He’d even purchased a shingle that should please the Colonel, as everyone called his formidable father. Gone was the mischievous boy who’d caused more than his share of trouble. Tolley vowed to be the perfect son so maybe, just maybe, the Colonel would at last approve of him.

      He’d pictured this day in his mind for the entire two years. He’d kiss Mother first, of course. Shake hands with his brothers and brother-in-law. Kiss his sister and sisters-in-law on the cheek. Embrace his nieces and nephews, some of whom he’d never met. But his imaginings always stalled over how he’d greet the Colonel. Maybe the old man would reach out to shake his hand and Tolley wouldn’t have to decide. But then, their bitter parting had been fueled by anger on both sides. He could only pray the Colonel had mellowed.

      Tolley gulped back the fear that always tried to consume him when he recalled the night his father ordered him to leave, ordered him to Boston to become a lawyer and finally make something useful of his sorry self. After all he’d done as a boy and youth, Tolley couldn’t deny he’d needed correction, but if he ever had a son, he’d guide him with a loving hand, something he’d learned about from an elderly Boston pastor. Yet all of old Reverend Harris’s paternal kindness didn’t change Tolley’s desperate need for his own father’s approval.

      He shook away his thoughts. If nothing else, the rest of the family would welcome him home, and Tolley could get back to Thor, his Thoroughbred stallion he’d raised himself.

      The train chugged to a stop, and the conductor called out, “Alamosa, Colorado.”

      “Here we are.” The couple stood and gathered their belongings, and Tolley stood in deference to their age.

      “Best wishes for your homecoming.” The man shook Tolley’s hand.

      The woman reached up and patted his cheek. “Blessings, dear boy.”

      Touched by their kind wishes, Tolley reclaimed his seat and watched through the window as they disembarked. Sure enough, a young family greeted them with hugs and kisses, all the things Tolley looked forward to upon his own imminent arrival at home.

      “All aboard!”

      The conductor waved his white signal flag to the engineer and then hopped up into the passenger car. The train picked up speed and chugged over the seventeen miles to Esperanza. With every mile, Tolley’s heart seemed to inch closer to his throat. In spite of his pleasant conversation with the couple, by the time the engine screeched to a halt at the yellow-and-brown depot building, Tolley could barely control his shaking, inside and out. He grabbed his carpetbag, followed the other five passengers to the door and descended the three steps to the platform.

      The empty platform.

      And all the emptier as the other passengers gathered their baggage and went about their business, leaving him alone.

      Tolley swallowed hard. He’d written Mother to let her know when he’d arrive. If his father and brothers weren’t eager to see him, she, at least, should’ve come. Perhaps he should get back on the train and keep traveling. But where would he go? This town, this community, held everything he knew and loved. Apparently his love wasn’t returned. Perhaps his youthful mistakes were too much even for these kindhearted people to forgive.

      * * *

      Laurie Eberly drove the box wagon through the dusty streets of Esperanza as fast as she dared, being out of practice driving the two-horse conveyance. She dreaded the chore ahead of her. Knowing Tolley, he’d pout and bluster over no one being at the station to meet him, and it would all fall on her shoulders to soothe his crossness. Well, it wasn’t Laurie’s fault. She wouldn’t have chosen to take on this responsibility if it weren’t for her love for the rest of the Northam family.

      The thick leather reins tugged against her cotton-gloved hands, causing her fingers to ache. In the past two years while she studied at the Denver Music Conservatory, a friend or beau always drove her around so she could protect her hands from strain that might interfere with her piano playing. Now she must reclaim her former skills learned on her family’s cattle ranch.

      The windy day sent dust whipping up around her, soiling her yellow gown. She hadn’t had time to change clothes after Nate Northam asked her to fetch his spoiled youngest brother from the train station while the entire Northam family tended a more important matter.

      As she’d feared, the moment she turned off Main Street into the depot yard, the Denver and Rio Grande train pulled out of the station and headed west toward Del Norte. After the last car sped past her, she could see Tolley standing alone beside two trunks and a carpetbag. The hunched-up look of his shoulders made him seem angry, just as she’d expected.

      Or was it something else? The word forlorn came to mind, but she quickly dismissed it. Brash, know-it-all Tolley Northam could never be accused of having such a wounded disposition. He’d always done most of the wounding.

      She set the brake and climbed down from the wagon, taking care that her new high-topped white shoes didn’t slip on the narrow step. As she walked toward Tolley, remembering to take small, ladylike steps as she’d learned at the conservatory, he caught sight of her and gave her a smile of recognition.

      Something slammed into her chest. She stopped walking and reached up to see what had struck her. Nothing. Not even a stray rock whipped up by the train wheels or blown by the wind. It was his smile, the one that sent all the girls into a swoon. Even Laurie fell for it as a young girl. But no more. She’d known Tolley all her life, and she’d never let him have her heart, no matter how devastating his smile. She exhaled crossly. A troublemaking young man simply shouldn’t be that handsome.

      Continuing her walk toward him, she hurried to mend her attitude. No matter what he’d done in the past, even Tolley Northam didn’t deserve to hear bad news delivered in an unkindly manner.

      * * *

      Tolley’s heart began to race. He could hardly believe the beautiful vision gliding toward him with the grace of a skilled ice skater on a frozen pond. Little Laurie Eberly. My, how her gait had changed from the stride of a cowhand to that of an elegant lady. How she’d grown into a lovely young woman in two years. Her face had the slender lines of a Greek sculpture. Her