by India Heath
Abilene, Texas, 1883.
"I assure you, Miss Meredith, the content of your stepfather's will is quite clear and incontestable: both you and your younger brother have been bequeathed equal shares in the Red Rock ranch in Fort Griffin, which you will inherit upon reaching your respective twenty-first birthdays. But until you both come of age, a guardian has been appointed to oversee your moral and financial welfare. I thought I'd explained all this to you quite sufficiently three days ago?"
Angel Meredith tossed her riotous mane of red curls back over her shoulder and subjected her late stepfather's attorney to a narrow-eyed glare. Clearly the man thought she was simple. "Mr Croft, I know what you told me three days ago and I have since been home and searched the house for evidence that Daddy had kin in Fort Griffin. There isn't one single letter, telegram or document to support that theory. Neither Billy nor I can ever recall him mentioning family there. I think you have us mixed up with someone else."
The attorney took off his little round spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose wearily. "Miss Meredith, I am not in the habit of making such fundamental errors when dealing with my client's estate. Both you and young Billy are the beneficiaries of William Meredith's will. That is a fact, not a theory. It is also indisputable that William's cousin, Mr Jordan Nash, has been appointed your legal guardian until you reach maturity."
"I'm already mature," Angel snapped, a petulant stamp of her dainty foot belying her words. "I certainly don't need a guardian bossing me around for the next couple of years."
Mr Croft studied the pretty girl sat opposite him with disapproval. In his opinion, a firm hand was exactly what the Titian-haired little minx needed, preferably applied to her impudent bare bottom. During their brief acquaintance she had done nothing but question his professionalism and pout over the measures her stepfather had put in place regarding her future. If anyone needed a strict guardian, it was Miss Angel Meredith.
"I've been taking care of myself and Billy for a long time now - ever since Daddy got a job on the railways in fact and was gone for weeks on end." Angel stood up and tried to look as grown up as her five foot two inches would allow. "I'm not a little girl any more."
"Well that's as maybe, Angel," the attorney stated gruffly, "but I'm afraid you don't get a say in the matter. Your stepfather's cousin has already been notified of William's unfortunate demise and the stipulations in the will. Mr Nash has agreed to abide by your father's wishes, and a letter outlining his plans for your future should already be on its way. Everything is settled."
Angel fought the impulse to squeal in frustration. There was no way she would stand idly by and let some stranger interfere in her life. "Nothing is settled with me. What if I refuse to accept the terms of the will? I don't want shares in some silly ranch anyway. Billy can have them all."
"Angel, listen to me," Mr Croft sighed. "You are only nineteen-years-old. In the eyes of the law that makes you a child still. You do not have a choice here. The terms of the will clearly state that both you and your brother inherit, or neither of you do. You should be pleased. You will be a very wealthy woman one day."
Angel pouted and folded her arms. "I don't care. It's not fair."
Mr Croft resisted the urge to laugh at her infantile declaration. "No my dear, life often isn't. But if you're through arguing with me about it, I have work to do. Now run along home."
Angel walked out of the attorney's office and onto the busy Abilene street. The west central Texan community had been established by cattlemen only two years previously, when the Texas and Pacific railway completed its tracks to the then tiny town. In years previously it had been Indian territory until the cattleman had driven them out and began to graze their herds in the area. The rail road company promoted it as the 'Future Great City of West Texas' and churches, businesses and saloons had sprung up virtually overnight
William Meredith had found work with the Texas & Pacific railway and, for the first time that Angel could remember in years, seemed settled and happy. His unexpected death from a stroke had left her truly bereft and taken away the only father she had ever known. Her natural father had never been a part of her life at all, having run out on her mother, Melanie, before Angel was even born. William, God bless him, had taken on a heavily pregnant woman, more than fifteen years his junior and then accepted Angel as his own child, even giving her his name. When Melanie became pregnant with Billy several years later, it seemed that finally their happiness was complete. Only the happiness didn't last long, as her mother passed away less than a year later from fever.
William never really got over his wife's death. Raising his children became a chore and he was happy to let Angel run wild rather than curb her behaviour. This resulted in a little girl who often played up just to get her father to notice her. It wasn't that William ever neglected her or Billy. They were clothed and fed adequately, but he seemed to have stopped enjoying them, preferring his own company to theirs. That didn't make Angel love him any less though. If anything she became more protective of her little family, cherishing the occasions they spent together.
There was sadness in her hazel eyes as she approached the small, wooden house William had built for them, just two miles outside town. Now the only thing she had left was Billy and an uncertain future. A complete stranger had been given authority over them both and there didn't seem to be a darn thing she could do about it, except fight, she decided, her small chin jutting out defiantly. A red curl dropped across her pretty face and she pushed it away irritably.
"But you can't go into town tonight," twelve-year-old Billy insisted. "Our guardian is due to arrive any time now." As though needing proof, he rushed to fetch the letter that had arrived two days previously and thrust it under Angel's small, freckled nose. "See? It says here, we are to expect him by sunset today. You have to be here."
Even at just twelve, Billy already topped his sister's height by four inches and seemed to be growing taller by the day. Angel pushed the letter away and turned to finish making his supper. "You have to be here because he's your kin." Her eyes sparkled in temper. "But I don't."
"That's silly! You're a Meredith too, just like me."
"By name, Billy, but not by birth. Jordan Nash is nothing to do with me whatsoever."
"But he's still your guardian until you're twenty-one, right? Isn't that what Pa's will said?"
Angel put a plate of stew on the table and motioned for her brother to sit and eat. "I don't care what Daddy's will said," she huffed. "He's not my family and he's not my guardian. I'm a grown woman and I'll do what I want."
"And what about me?" Billy asked, his voice becoming nervous. "I kinda like the idea that we have other family to look out for us. Don't you miss Pa?"
Angel sighed and gave Billy a hug. "Of course I miss pa. But Jordan Nash isn't pa, is he? He's a stranger." She pushed Billy gently down into the chair. "Eat your supper. I'm glad that you're looking forward to meeting Daddy's cousin. I want you to be happy. But I don't want or need looking after any more. If I stay in this evening I will only end up arguing with Mr Nash and that will spoil it for you. It's best if I get out the way."
Billy began eating his stew with all the gusto of a growing lad. "Where will you go?" he asked between huge mouthfuls.
"To see Becky at the saloon."
Billy waved a fork in her direction. "Pa didn't like you mixing with the likes of Becky or going in the saloon."
Angel's lips thinned. "Daddy never much cared what I did. And there's nothing wrong with me being friends with Becky. She's a nice girl. She dances at the saloon and helps behind the bar, that's all."
Billy shrugged sceptically, his marmalade thatch of hair catching the fading light from the window. "What if cousin Jordan is mad that you're not here to meet him?"
Cousin Jordan can go boil his head! "I'm sure Mr Nash is only really interested in meeting you, Billy. You're related to him and still young enough to need his help. Now I have to go. I'd like to reach town before it gets dark." Angel kissed the top of her brother's head. "Be polite to Mr Nash and I'll see you later."
Angel walked into the busy saloon and immediately saw Becky carrying a tray of drinks towards the poker table. "Angel, where have you been?" Becky flashed a smile. "It's been ages since I last saw you." She served the beer, ignoring the slap on the bottom and lewd comment she received for her efforts and then rushed over to hug the tiny redhead. "I've missed you."
Angel hugged Becky back. "I've missed you too but since Daddy died I've been busy looking after Billy."
Becky gave her friend a sympathetic smile. "How are you both coping on your own?"
Angel's expression became rueful. "That's just it. As of today we're not on our own any more."
Becky looked intrigued but at that moment Dan, the bartender, hollered for her to come fetch another tray of drinks. "I can't talk just yet. Go find a seat in the corner and I'll come over as soon as I get my break."
The bartender scowled at Becky as she approached the bar. "What is that girl doing in my bar, Becky? You know the rules about women drinking in here."
"She ain't here to drink, Dan. She's come to see me, is all. She ain't here to cause trouble."
The bartender looked over at the Angel's curvy little body and riotous copper curls before growling, "That little Miss was born trouble. Her hair is like a red rag to a bull. But I'm warning you, girl, if she causes a fight in my saloon, I'll take any damages out on your hide with my belt."
Becky instinctively clutched her bottom before nodding and picking up the tray of whiskies. "She'll stay sittin' quietly in the corner, I promise."
It was nearly an hour before Becky finally joined her at the table, bringing them both a tall glass of lemonade. Angel had kept herself entertained, surreptitiously watching the cowboys playing dice, billiards and poker. It was hard to stay inconspicuous though, when her hair attracted so much unwanted attention. But she had steadfastly avoided any eye contact and had thankfully been left alone. "Is it always like this?" she asked as Becky sat down.
"Yup," Becky grinned. "Chaos huh? I forgot you usually come by during the day. Dan was spittin' feathers when he saw you walk in. Said he'd spank me with his belt if you started a fight."
Angel looked affronted. "How could I start a fight?"
Becky shook her head in weary despair. "Don't you ever look in the mirror, honey? You're young, gorgeous and ripe for the pickin'. Most of these varmints would shoot their own grandma to get a piece of you." Angel shuddered at the very idea if being mauled or groped by the dirty looking rabble around her.
Becky frowned at Angel's horrified expression.
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