Twelve Days by Margaret P.

(Many thanks to my betas, Terri Derr and Cristy Wyndham-Shaw)

Monday, October 7th (2019: Words-1,930)

"A penny for them." Katie hugged Scott's arm and drew his thoughts back to her soft brown eyes.

"Not worth that much." He smiled, wishing he could stay lost in their depths forever. Sadly, there was no chance of that. The three o'clock stage was already twenty minutes late; their time alone must be almost over. "Grandfather will be tired when he gets here. Don't take it personally if he's a little crotchety."

"Never fear, I'm used to soothing the weary spirits of aged gentlemen. Mamma always gave me the job of making Grandfather Eliot family-friendly whenever he came to dine."

"Indeed?" Well, Scott couldn't argue with her experience. He'd met the late senator a few times as Grandfather did a lot of business with him. Lowell Eliot certainly wasn't the easiest of men.

"I'm sure your grandfather won't be too grumpy. He must be used to traveling. Doesn't Garrett Enterprises have investments all over the world?"

"Not quite. It has interests in one or two South and Central American countries and in several states as far west as St Louis, but Grandfather doesn't like long journeys. He usually sends representatives to do business in any place not accessible by first class rail. The Trans-Pacific to San Francisco might be an acceptable mode of transport by now, but the local railroad and stagecoach definitely won't be."

"We'll take him for some refreshments before we go back to the ranch."

Scott nodded. He doubted anything a Morro Coyo café could offer would make up for three hours' drive from the railhead over sun-baked, potholed roads, but he didn't want to sound too gloomy. "If we're lucky your company and the prospect of covering the last few miles to the ranch in the comfort and grandeur of a Landau might improve his temper."

"Scott, this is the third time your grandfather has visited California. Either he doesn't dislike travelling as much as you think or he must love you a great deal."

"Yes, I suppose he must." Scott looked down at Katie and the knot in his stomach unravelled a little. He placed his hand over hers and felt the diamond and ruby engagement ring on her finger. Soon a plain gold band would join it, and Katie would be his; forever by his side to remind him there is a bright side to every situation—even one involving Grandfather.

He glanced back down the street. Their regular chaperone-guard was polishing the brass lamps on the Landau and dusting down its black leather upholstery. Don Baldermero and a number of other curious Morro Coyo residents were asking him questions while he worked. It was probably the first carriage of its type they'd ever seen.

"I'm sure your grandfather will be fine." Katie straightened Scott's tie and stole a quick kiss. "This will be a fresh start for you both."

He kissed her back more slowly. Be damned who was looking. Even though he hadn't told her everything about Grandfather's last visit, she'd still got to the crux of the matter, and he loved her for it. "I hope you're right. Grandfather and I didn't part on the best of terms."

A lot had been said the year before after the Deegan affair, not least about what must and must not happen when it came to Julie and her father. Katie knew Grandfather had tried to use Julie to get Scott back to Boston, but Scott could hardly tell the woman he was about to marry that he'd been badly hurt by Julie's involvement. Damn it, he wouldn't have minded so much if Julie had really thought herself still in love with him. But she didn't. She admitted it. Her feelings for him had dwindled to affection and fond memories. He was grateful for the truth, but she left him feeling heart-sore and stupid.

Scott gritted his teeth and frowned into the warm, early afternoon air as he gazed up the street. Pull yourself together, man.

He had forgiven Julie—maybe not entirely at first, but it had gotten easier as his feelings for Katie grew. Neither he nor Julie had ever truly been in love—he knew that now—and if he were honest, the misery of the previous year had been as much his fault as hers. He should never have rushed into proposing to her a second time. With hindsight, it was ridiculous.

Likewise, it was ridiculous if Grandfather thought Scott would ever fully trust him again. "I have forgiven Grandfather, but things will never be the same between us."

"Understandable, but who knows, now everything is out in the open, you might build a new and better relationship."

"Maybe." Scott sensed Katie's concern, but he kept his eyes fixed on the road. She stood next to him on the boardwalk, looking northwest, patiently waiting for the stagecoach to come and for him to free himself of troubled thoughts. The problem was undertones of tension and ill-feeling still lingered between him and Grandfather in their letters. Scott had insisted that Grandfather give Julie's father time to pay off his loan. Would Katie get the wrong idea if he told her about those arrangements? Possibly not, but he'd have to explain too much, and perhaps she would think it was a kindness Julie didn't deserve. Grandfather certainly thought it was a kindness George Dennison didn't deserve. But Dennison was Julie's father, and her love for her father was as real as Scott's love for Murdoch. Maybe he was a gullible fool, but Scott couldn't stand by and let her suffer. He understood why she'd done what she did, and in the end she hadn't gone through with the plan.

He sighed. Julie had been manipulated by the master accountant, and Scott knew what that felt like. Under the circumstances, if anyone got a second chance they didn't deserve, it was Grandfather. In spite of everything, Scott still loved him.

"Enough." Katie gave a huff and pulled him around to face her again. "Mamma says Mr Garrett is overjoyed about our wedding."

"Hmm." Scott was sure it was true, just not necessarily for the best reasons.

"Oh, Scott, what am I to do with you?" She scolded and laughed at the same time. "I'm sure your grandfather is no worse than several men in my family. You have to learn to focus on their good points." She wrapped his arms around her waist and cocked her head to one side like a puppy with play-with-me eyes. She didn't seem to care if passers-by or their official chaperone thought they were standing too close.

He couldn't help but smile. "You're right, of course." He pulled her into a proper hug. Having made the decision not to break ties with Grandfather, he needed to accept him, warts and all, and look forward to his visit. It would be easier if it weren't for Murdoch and Johnny, but with marriage to Katie as the prize at the end of the week, Scott could cope with anything.

Decision made he was absolutely convinced of it for a full ten seconds.

Then the stagecoach clattered into town and the first words to spring to mind were, 'Here comes trouble'.

"Scotty, my boy!" Grandfather beamed as he climbed down from the carriage.

"Grandfather, good to see you again." Scott shook hands as though nothing bad had ever passed between them, amazed by his grandfather's good-humour. Two unwashed wranglers and a farmer's wife with a snivelling child disembarked at the same time, and Grandfather even raised his hat to the lady.

He then turned to Katie. "My dear, what can I say? You have made an old man very happy."

"You're too kind, Mr Garrett. Welcome." Katie hugged the old devil and kissed him on the cheek.

"'Grandfather', my dear; I insist you call me 'Grandfather'." He took her arm and patted her hand with affection.

Katie smiled. "We thought you might like a drink and a bite to eat before heading out to the ranch, Grandfather."

"A marvellous idea. It will give us a chance to get to know each other."

Scott helped the stagecoach driver lower Grandfather's trunk to the ground. "You two go ahead. I'll take the luggage to the Landau."

Grandfather followed Scott's gaze and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Then he beamed even more broadly than before, and escorted Katie along the boardwalk in the opposite direction, chatting and commenting on his surroundings as though nothing could be more pleasurable than an afternoon stroll in a small, largely-Mexican town in the middle of nowhere.

The fare at Scott and Katie's favourite café was modest but tasty. The owner offered a quirky mix of Mexican and Anglo food, seasoned to the strength of each customer's stomach. The coffee was particularly good, although Grandfather didn't drink much of it. He was too busy expressing his joy over the upcoming nuptials.

Finally, half an hour later, he declared he was ready to depart for the ranch, and Scott reached for his wallet.

"No, no, my boy. This is my treat. I insist." Grandfather signalled the proprietor and settled the bill, leaving a substantial tip. "That was most refreshing. My compliments, ma'am. Thank you for your excellent service."

Scott kept his mouth firmly shut, but he was blinking more from disbelief than the glare of the sun as they left the café.

The bonhomie lasted for the rest of the day, and by evening Scott was chiding himself for being such a pessimist. Grandfather was at his sociable best, and the signs were good that it would continue throughout his stay. He talked mainly to Katie and her family, but in no way snubbed the rest. He greeted Emily with pleasant courtesy. "I look forward to knowing you better, my dear. I believe you are from Ohio? I spent some time there as a boy."

Johnny kept out of his way until supper and managed to remain civil until bedtime.

Murdoch gave Grandfather a grim welcome at first, but a few drinks and the diplomacy of Katie's parents and grandparents gradually worked its magic. Murdoch was so thoroughly happy about the wedding that it seemed to be too hard for him to stay angry with anyone who shared his joy.

"To Catherine, wherever she may be." He raised a glass as the two old adversaries stood on the portico gazing up into the night sky.

"To Catherine. Dear, sweet girl."

Scott retreated back into the shadows. He had been checking on the night watch; once he was sure the conversation wasn't going to disintegrate into an argument, he'd slip around the back and go in through the kitchen.

"Scotty tells me he and Katie will visit Boston in March."

"For a few weeks. Then they will come home again to Lancer." Murdoch continued to gaze out into the darkness of the yard, but his message was clear.

Scott held his breath afraid Grandfather wouldn't take the hint, but Harlan Garrett stared placidly into his brandy. "Murdoch, I won't try to persuade them to stay. You have my word."

"Only because you know it wouldn't work."

"Perhaps, but at least now I have learned that lesson. Can we let bygones be bygones?" Grandfather offered his hand. "Let's make Scotty's wedding day a happy one."

Murdoch hesitated. He studied his father-in-law's eyes, and then to Scott's relief he shook hands.

Taking a few steps backwards first, Scott strode forward whistling as though he had just rounded the corner—prophetic in a way, because perhaps in that moment they all had.