A Moment in Time (16 page)

Alice looked at the letter Marty held. There was only one person who would be writing to her here in Texas. With shaking hands, Alice took the envelope. It was from her mother.

“She’s alive.”

Marty nodded. “Read it and see what she has to say.”

“Read it here?” Alice asked.

With a shrug, Marty looked around the camp. “Why wait? Nobody here will mind. There is still a little light, and if it’s not enough my sister hung lanterns by the cook wagon.”

Alice moved toward the wagon. “What if it’s . . . well . . . what if the news is bad?”

Marty was right beside her. “Then you’ll have friends to stand beside you. Now open it and read it or I will.” Marty’s determined look told Alice that she wasn’t joking.

Alice opened the letter and silently read the few words penned by her mother.

Dearest Alice,

I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear from you and know that you are alive and well. Simon and I are
packing to come immediately and be with you. We should arrive no later than the tenth of the month.

With greatest affection,
Mother

“She’s . . . she’s coming here.” Alice looked to Marty. “She’s coming with my brother.”

“That’s wonderful news! I know Hannah will be delighted to have them.”

Alice shook her head. “I . . . can’t . . . I don’t know why she’s doing this.” She dropped the letter and hurried away from Marty and the gathering of ranch workers. She had to be alone.

Moving just far enough away to be out of the main circle of light and noise, Alice dropped to her knees in the twilight shadows. The news had left her all but faint. She found it hard to breathe, and her vision seemed to swim.

“Are you all right?”

She looked up and found that Robert Barnett had followed her. She wanted to tell him to go away, but the words wouldn’t form in her mouth. Instead, she shook her head slowly.

He knelt down beside her. “What’s wrong, Alice?”

For several very long minutes she tried to think of what to say. She should be happy for the news, but instead she felt a sense of fear that she’d not known since dealing with Mr. Smith in Denver. Why should she be so unnerved?

“Alice, what is it? Talk to me.”

“Marty brought me a letter. My mother . . . she’s . . . alive.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful news.” He looked at her. “Isn’t it?”

The shadows fell across his face, and in the growing darkness, Alice could barely make out his features. She knew
instinctively, however, that his expression would be one of great compassion.

“I . . . think so. Yes.” She nodded. “But . . . well . . . she’s coming here.”

“Does that worry you?”

Tears formed in Alice’s eyes and blurred her vision even more. “I . . . I . . . don’t know.” She broke down and sobbed with her face in her hands. It was such a relief to know that her mother was alive—her brother, too.

Why am I acting like this? Why this sudden
sense of fear?

She didn’t look up when Robert moved closer and drew her into his arms. She continued to cry quietly against his shoulder. She could feel his gentle touch and the way he stroked her head like a parent might do for a small child.

“It’s the shock of the thing,” he whispered. “Shock and relief.”

“Well, what in the world is all this about?” The curt, suspicious words of Jessica Atherton caused Alice to snap to attention and all but jump to her feet. She struggled to put as much distance between her and Robert as she could, wiping furiously at her eyes. Tripping over her gown, she struggled to stand.

Robert seemed unfazed. He got to his feet and threw Alice a sad smile before giving Jessica a reply. “Alice had a letter about her mother and brother. You knew she thought they were dead, didn’t you? Well, they’re both alive and coming here to be with her.”

Jessica folded her arms, not looking at all convinced. “A letter? And just how does a person get a letter in the middle of roundup?”

Alice could hear the suspicion in Jessica’s voice. She felt bad that she had somehow caused this turn of events. Robert
had assured her the couple’s engagement wasn’t official, but still she didn’t like to come between sweethearts.

“Jess, if you must know, Aunt Marty brought it. If you need further proof, Alice would probably show it to you.”

“I’m sorry for breaking down,” Alice said before Jessica could reply. “I’m not usually given over to crying and such. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”

She didn’t want to hear any further exchange between Robert and Jessica. She felt terrible for what had happened. She hoped Robert would be able to set things right with Jessica and the two could go on being as close as ever.

Drying her eyes again on the hem of her apron, Alice went directly to the tubs of hot water and began washing dishes. Roundup would last only another few days, and then they’d return to the Barnett Ranch, and she’d be able to think more clearly about what was to be done.

Robert had always liked his father’s brand. The Bar NT was one folks in the area recognized. The small line over the letters
NT
had been his grandfather’s idea—a casual way of putting the Barnett name on each head. For Robert’s cattle they had added a small pigtail onto the
T
. It wasn’t much, but it definitely distinguished between his head and those belonging to his father.

“Looks like you’ve got a good increase, son,” his father said as they turned the last of the cattle out to pasture.

“I’m pleased,” Robert said. “How about you? You gonna get that Angus bull out there breeding right away?”

“That’s the plan. Of course our biggest task is going to be working with the other ranchers to get fencing up.”

“If Mr. Terry were still alive, he’d tell you it was all a lot of bother for no good reason,” Robert said, remembering their former neighbor. His father had bought the Terry ranch when Ted had passed away. Mrs. Terry had moved east to be with her children, but she had died shortly there
after. Folks had always said the two couldn’t be separated for long.

“He would,” Pa said, nodding. “I doubt he’d much like the way things have changed. Fencing, registrations, and restrictions—it’d be enough to make him swear, and I never heard that man ever utter a single bad word.”

“So I guess you know about Alice’s ma and brother comin’,” Robert threw out casually.

“Sure. Your ma told me right after the letter came. I’m glad for the gal. It’s only right that she have a chance to be with her family. Hannah told her they could stay in the Montoyas’ old house for as long as they needed. The gals are all over there cleanin’ today.”

The Montoyas had been a part of the ranch since the beginning. As his father’s foreman and mother’s housekeeper, the Montoyas were considered to be a part of the family. His mother and father had always treated them with respect and kindness and taught Robert to never look down on a workingman—no matter his station. When they made the decision to move back to Mexico to be near family, it had nearly broken Robert’s mother’s heart.

“That’s generous of you. I know Alice appreciates your kindness.”

His father eyed him curiously. “You and Alice seem to be gettin’ along well.”

He wasn’t sure if his father approved or disapproved by his tone. “Well, I’ve been teachin’ her to ride and showin’ her some of the duties I have here at the ranch. Thought I’d ride her over to my land and show her where I hope to build a house.”

“And what does Jessica think about that?”

Robert shrugged. “I don’t know that Jess thinks anything about it. Why should she?”

Will Barnett’s eyes narrowed. “Robert, you aren’t toyin’ with those two gals, are you? I raised you better than that.”

“I’m not toyin’ with anybody. Jess is my friend and so is Alice. I can’t help it if everybody has a notion that Jess and I are supposed to marry. I’ve never proposed.”

“Maybe not, but neither have you really denied the possibility. I think you’d better be decidin’ what it is you want before someone gets hurt.”

Robert knew his father to be a man of wisdom. “Well, I’ve been prayin’ about it, Pa. I just don’t know exactly what I’m supposed to do. Like I’ve said before, I love Jess like a little sister. I know her as well as I know my own sisters. But there’s something about Alice that intrigues me. I want to know everything about her. I want to spend all my free time with her.”

Pa smiled and looked out across the field where the longhorn were happily grazing. “That’s how I feel about your ma.”

“So what do I do?”

His father took a long moment before answering. “I think you have to let Jessica know that you aren’t going to marry her. Then you’ll be free to actually court Alice and see if this is the woman God has for you.”

Alice waited nervously with Marty and Jake at the train station. They had decided just the three of them would come to welcome Ravinia Chesterfield and her son, Simon. As Marty had put it, “There’s no sense scarin’ ’em off with a herd of folks piling in around them.”

The comment made Alice smile even now as she watched for her mother and brother to disembark the train. Marty squeezed her arm in support, but Alice found herself feeling
strangely displaced. No doubt Marty knew that a part of Alice’s thoughts were back in Denver on that horrible morning when she’d learned her mother had taken Simon and gone.

Can I forgive her? Can I put aside my own
pain to give true understanding to her reasons for leaving?

“Is that them?” Marty asked. “It must be,” she quickly continued. “There aren’t any other women and young boys getting off the train.”

Alice looked ahead and saw her mother. She recognized her immediately, despite her memories being so foggy over the long years.

Ravinia Chesterfield was a small woman with hair just a little darker than Alice’s blond. The boy at her side had thick, fairly long hair the same shade as his sister’s, but it was the blue eyes that Alice recognized. It was rather like looking into a mirror.

“Alice!” the boy yelled and disengaged himself from his mother’s side. He came running down the wooden platform and threw himself into Alice’s arms. “Alice! It’s me, Simon. I’m your brother. Do you remember me?” He hugged her close and then pulled back to look her in the eye as if for an answer.

Tears came to Alice’s eyes. “I do now.”

“Mama told me all about you, and we have your picture. You don’t look so different now,” he said. “Do I look different?”

Alice nodded. “All grown up.” She looked past Simon to her mother.

Ravinia Chesterfield stood in uncertain hesitation. Despite the questions and pain of the past, Alice longed to hold her mother close once again. She moved from Simon and went to her mother’s open arms. For several minutes the two women embraced, weeping softly and saying nothing.
Finally Alice’s mother stepped back and took a closer look at Alice. She ran her gloved finger along the line of Alice’s scarred face.

“Oh, my poor sweet child. What did they do to you?”

Alice hadn’t thought of what a shock her face might be. She bit her lip and tucked her right cheek to her shoulder, as she often did. Her mother would have no part of that, however. She lifted Alice’s face very gently.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of. Hold your head high.”

Alice met her mother’s gaze and felt a rush of emotions. Pushing them aside, Alice dried her eyes and motioned to Marty and Jake. “These are the Wythes, the people who took me in and gave me work after I got out of the hospital.”

“But now we’re all just good friends,” Marty said, stepping forward. “I’m Martha Wythe, but folks call me Marty. This is my husband, Jake.”

The older woman nodded. “Thank you for being so good to my daughter.”

“I’m Simon,” the boy announced, positioning himself between Marty and his mother.

Marty smiled. “I suspected as much. You look just like your sister.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “But she’s a girl.”

Marty chuckled at this, as did Jake. Alice remained sober, studying her little brother’s features. Simon did look just like her. The same cheekbones and nose. Definitely the same eyes. Alice bent down. “They don’t mean you look like a girl, Simon. They mean we have similarities in our appearance—our eyes and mouth and so forth.”

The boy reached up a hand to feel his face. “But I don’t got a scar.”

Alice knew he meant no harm by the comment, but it hurt
nevertheless. She reached out to touch his face. “And I pray you never will.”

“Does it hurt?” he asked her.

“Not anymore,” Alice replied. “It was very painful at first—something I’ll never forget.”

“Did the police kill the bad guys who did it—the ones who killed our pa?”

Alice shook her head. “No.”

“Why not?”

Looking around her at the questioning faces, Alice straightened. “I don’t know, Simon. I guess because they never found out exactly who they were.”

“That’s enough talk about it, Simon,” their mother interjected. “I’m sure your sister would rather not speak on something so sad just now. Why don’t you go see if you can find our bags?”

“I’ll go with you,” Jake said, and he and the boy headed off toward the baggage car.

“Are you and Simon hungry?” Marty asked, taking charge.

“No, we ate the food we’d brought along,” Mother replied. “Of course Simon thinks he’s always hungry.”

“I spent time working at an orphanage in Denver, and I know exactly how little boys can think themselves starving to death.” The two exchanged a smile at this.

Marty motioned the women toward the depot. “Well then, we have a carriage waiting and a bit of a drive to get to the ranch. At least you picked a pretty day, although my brother-in-law has some concerns about the weather turning bad. Feels it in his bones.” She smiled and spoke as if she and Alice’s mother were old friends.

Alice felt slightly jealous at their ease. Already she was thinking of the things she would discuss with her mother—
things that had to be said and questions she desperately needed answered.

Marty crossed the depot and led them out the other side to the Barnett carriage. “Why don’t we go ahead and settle in while the fellas collect your things.”

Alice followed in silence. She wasn’t exactly sure what to say or feel. It all seemed very strange. That morning she’d had a million questions to ask, but at the moment not one came to mind. She waited as her mother settled into the backseat while Marty took her place in front. Her mother smiled and scooted to the far side of the carriage.

“There’s plenty of room,” Mother said, patting the leather upholstered seat. “We’ll just squeeze Simon in between us.”

Reluctantly, Alice climbed into the back with her mother. She wasn’t sure why, but she suddenly felt very awkward and out of place. There was no good reason for it, but the discomfort continued.

“So you live in Chicago?” Marty asked Ravinia.

Alice’s mother nodded. “We have two small rooms at a boardinghouse. It’s just across the street from where Simon attends school, so I don’t have to worry about his having a long walk.”

“And how does he like school?” Marty asked. “Is he a good student?”

Alice saw her mother’s hesitation. “Well, I can’t say that he really enjoys it. He hasn’t made good friends in our time there. Most of the neighborhood boys tend to bully him because he’s small.”

The thought of her little brother being hurt caused Alice anger. Why was it the big and mean folks of the world thought they had a right to cause the smaller, gentler people trouble? Was there no justice in this life at all?

“As for studies, I don’t think Simon has a head for it.” Mother looked to Alice and smiled. “Don’t get me wrong. He’s no dummy, that brother of yours. Rather, he’s a hard and cautious worker. He’ll do whatever I need him to, but book learning hasn’t ever appealed.”

She turned her attention back to Marty. “Not like it did with Alice.”

Marty had turned sidewise in the seat in order to talk to the women behind her. “I found school to be a bore, myself, but my sister insisted it was necessary. I know now that she was right.”

Alice’s mother gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m sure you continued your studies, didn’t you?”

Alice shook her head. “I finished eighth grade and . . . and . . .” She drew a deep breath. “I finished eighth grade. It was enough.” There was no sense in telling her mother that in her absence, Alice had felt it necessary to quit school and take care of the house and her father.

Mother seemed to understand her discomfort and changed the subject. “I had always thought Denver a large and dirty town, but Chicago exceeds her greatly. There is so much more activity there, and they are in a constant state of building something new—even with the country in such monetary hardship. The railroads coming through the city and the Great Lakes shipping traffic give Chicago a great many people and problems to handle.”

“I’ve never been to Chicago,” Marty said, glancing out the window.

“Then you were only one of a few who didn’t make it to the World’s Fair last year.” Mother clasped her gloved hands together. “It’s believed that nearly 27 million people came during the six months the fair was in operation.”

“We read all about the fair while in Denver,” Alice murmured.

Marty nodded. “Yes, we enjoyed the coverage given it by the newspapers. It sounded quite unusual.”

“Oh, it was. They built an entire city—the White City, they called it. A separate area for amusement provided rides and games and sideshows. Goodness, it was quite amazing.”

Marty seemed to consider this for a moment. “I take it you and Simon attended the fair?”

“I actually had a job helping to serve food. Simon was allowed to help me with cleanup when he wasn’t in school. It earned us a little extra money and allowed me to take Simon on the Ferris wheel. He didn’t stop talking about it for months afterward.”

Alice smiled at the thought of her little brother’s pleasure. She was glad he’d had the opportunity to do something so fun. He would never have known such a thing had he remained in Denver.

Marty motioned back toward the building. “Here they come.”