No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan

Rusty. He knew that Rusty had been in love with her for a
long time. Things would never be the same for either of them.
A heavy knot formed in his chest, and he could hear his own
heartbeat thudding in his ears.
    "Boss," Jube whispered.
    Luke hadn't heard Jube come into the room. He looked up over
the rim of his coffee cup. The coffee's steam and heat were the only
warmth he was feeling at the moment. He wiped his nose on the
back of his shirt sleeve and noticed Jube's red-rimmed eyes. He
was so consumed with his own grief that he hadn't thought about
what the punchers must be feeling. After all, they had worked for
a mighty long time at Aspengold.
    "We placed Kate in her room. We figured Carmen will be needing some help, laying her out and all, so I sent Curly over to fetch
Mary Franklin" Jube took out a large handkerchief from his hip
pocket to wipe the tears that started to fall again.
    "'Preciate it. How's Rusty?"
    "He rode off somewhere. Should I go after him?"
    "Naw, just leave him be. He'll be back. How bad is the damage around here?" It was hard to consider the damage in light of Kate's
death, but Luke knew it must be done.

    "Not too bad, considering everything else. We'll know tomorrow when it gets lighter if we lost any cattle. Well ... I'll just be
going" Jube backed up to the kitchen door.
    Luke rose and took one last gulp of his coffee. "I gotta get out
of these clothes before the doc gets here:'
    "Reckon you're officially in charge here now, Luke:"
    "Maybe. I expect Crystal will go back to Georgia if she recovers. Ranch life is new to her, and she won't know how to run one."
That was the last thing he wanted to think about. A hard knot
formed in the center of his chest.

    Flowering dogwood and brilliant fuchsia-colored azaleas
crowded the pathway, leading Crystal farther toward a bright light.
Her father called out to her, and Kate whispered to her. Dressed in
white, her beloved mother stood near the path, her delicate face
smiling wistfully at her. On her head she wore Crystal's new cream
hat with its trailing ribbons. Crystal reached out to her, feeling so
happy and warm, but strong arms pulled her back. Drew guided
her back away from the light and peacefulness surrounding it. She
reluctantly followed, not wanting to leave her mother's beautiful,
sweet face. The path widened, and the fragrant smell of honeysuckle
surrounded her. Drew handed her a small bouquet, and Crystal
drank in its sweet fragrance. Honeysuckle had always been a favorite of hers. Then the brightness began to fade away ...

    After a careful examination of Crystal, Doc Gibbons told Luke
that she had a mild concussion and bruising, but fortunately no
broken bones. Luke took Mary's place to let her have a little rest.
She hadn't left Crystal's bedside in the last eight hours. A fire
burned in the drafty fireplace, its logs crackling and popping
in the quiet stillness. The candle sputtered and cast a soft glow
on her pale skin and her thick lashes that lay against her high
cheekbones.
    Luke bolted up in his chair when Crystal stirred. He moved
closer as she mumbled something. "Drew.. "
    He flinched. Who is that? He lifted one small hand, and her
fingers curled around his as her eyelids fluttered open. "Kate?"
she murmured.
    "Crystal," he said quietly. "It's me, Luke. You've hit your head.
Be still"
    She struggled to sit up, but then she moaned and lay back
against the pillow.
    "Where's Aunt Kate? I want to see her." Crystal's voice was
weak.
    The bedroom door opened, and a sleepy-eyed Mary came to
stand next to the bed, with Carmen close on her heels. Carmen
and Mary both had red, swollen eyes from crying. Mary had lost
her best friend in the world, and now this dear girl whom she had
become fond of was lying there without her aunt.
    "I heard her talking. Did you tell her?" Mary inquired with a
quaking voice.
    "No. I think you'd better do that. I'll be in the kitchen if you
need anything"
    Mary