A Moment in Time (26 page)

“The house is nearly ready,” he told her. “Once I hang
those curtains for you, we’ll be ready for the boys. I hope goin’ back there won’t be too hard on you.”

Marty shook her head. “I thought a great deal about that. When I went there with Hannah, I took some time to just walk around the place. I have to admit I was worried that I’d only be able to think of Thomas, but it wasn’t that way.

“We had a good life there and I know you and I can have a good one there, too.” She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of Jake’s skillful hands. The tension drained away and made her all the more sleepy, but she wanted to assure Jake that all was well.

“I realized something as I walked around the yard.”

“What was that?”

“I missed the place. I missed my flower beds and garden. I missed the trees we’d planted. I felt a sense of coming home. It took me completely by surprise, but it comforted me in a way I hadn’t expected.”

“That’s how I felt in comin’ back to Texas. At least in the beginning.” He stopped and came around to the front to kneel down beside her chair. “Texas was my home, and I spent the last few years longing to return. When I got down here, I thought that I could finally be happy. But I wasn’t.”

Marty hadn’t expected this declaration. “Why not?”

He gave her a hint of a smile. “Because you weren’t here. That’s when I realized that my home wasn’t really Texas anymore—it is with you. I’ve given it a lot of thought, Marty, and if you don’t want to stay here, we won’t. After the boys and the baby come, if you’re of a mind for us to move elsewhere, we will. But I wanna be ranchin’ no matter where we go.”

Marty touched his cheek, and love for her husband swelled within her heart. “You would do that for me?”

“Yes. That and so much more. I want you to be happy, Marty.”

She pulled him close and hugged him as best she could. “I am happy, Jacob Wythe. I’m happy with you, and I’m happy to remain in Texas.”

June 1894

“The train is late,” Marty declared. She had argued with her sister and husband, insisting that she accompany them to Cedar Springs. Neither thought her in any condition to take the long ride, but Marty wouldn’t hear of not going.

“Those are my boys, and I will be there to welcome them! If you won’t take me with you, I’ll saddle a horse and ride there.” She had stood her ground, and finally everyone gave in and let her accompany them to town. Marty knew they understood she would do exactly as she had threatened.

Now, as she paced the depot waiting area, Marty could only focus on the clock. “Why are they late? You don’t suppose there was trouble on the line, do you?” She looked to Jake for an answer. “Should we inquire?”

“Marty, you’ve got to settle down. You promised you’d take it easy,” Jake reminded her.

“I’m just walking back and forth,” she said. “It’s warm in here. I think I’d be more comfortable out on the platform.”

“So long as you stay out of the sun,” Hannah commanded. “I won’t have you overheating and getting sunstroke just as you’re about to gain three sons.”

Marty nodded and started toward the door. Jake was instantly at her side, helping her. “You really should have stayed home. I don’t know what got into me lettin’ you come along.”

“Well, it’s not like you could’ve stopped me,” Marty said, giving him a stern look. “I still know how to hitch a buggy or ride a horse, and I truly would have done it.”

Jake laughed. “I can just see you and your expanding middle up atop a horse. But I know how stubborn you can be, and I doubt it would surprise me if you tried it. But if you try it before you safely deliver my son or daughter, I’ll put you over my knee.”

It was Marty’s turn to laugh. “With all this extra weight I’m carrying, you’d be sorry for it.”

“You’re still no bigger than a mite,” he replied, shaking his head. “And I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite so beautiful.”

Just then the train whistle could be heard off in the distance. Marty ran to the edge of the platform to look down the track. She might have fallen over if it hadn’t been for Jake’s quick thinking.

“Marty, you seem bound and determined to get yourself hurt. Now, step back here. The train will be here soon enough.”

The air was heavy and damp with humidity, and the sun made everything seem unbearable. Marty wasn’t about to say as much, however. The last thing she wanted was Jake ordering her back into the depot. She allowed her husband to lead her away from the edge of the platform.

“I hope they’re all right. I hope the trip hasn’t been too hard on them.”

“I’m sure they’re fine, Marty. Mr. Brentwood found that woman who was willing to travel with them, and I’m sure she managed quite well.”

The locomotive engine came into view, chugging and puffing thick black smoke. The whistle sounded again, and Marty could barely keep herself standing still. She had thought about the boys since Jake had agreed to adopt the constantly m. She knew the boys would be half out of their minds with excitement to take the trip and to gain a mother and a father.

The train approached the station. The engine and coal car passed by, as well as the mail car and several baggage cars. It seemed to take forever to stop the behemoth, but finally it came to a rest with the passenger cars neatly positioned beside the platform.

The conductor descended from the steps of the car and placed a little step stool on the ground. “All off for Cedar Springs. Next stop Dallas.”

Marty pressed forward despite Jake’s hold. “Do you see them?”

“Not yet,” he replied.

She craned her neck to see around several people who had come to board the train. “I can’t see anything. Maybe we should get closer.” She knew that there would most likely be more passengers getting on the train than debarking, but even so, she wasn’t about to be pushed aside.

“Excuse me,” she told one stocky older man. “My children are coming off that train.”

And then she finally saw them. Wyatt stepped down first, aided by a porter. Next came Samuel and finally Benjamin, who was being carried by a middle-aged woman.

Wyatt saw her first and came running. “Mama!”

That single word hit Marty like a ton of bricks. She was his mother now. Wrapping her arms around the little boy, Marty began to cry. “I’m so happy to see you.”

Samuel and Benjamin followed suit until Marty was being hugged from every side. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. Oh, how I’ve missed you. And look, you’ve all grown so much since I left.”

Wyatt patted her stomach. “You growed, too, Mama.”

She laughed but tears welled in her eyes. “I’m going to have a baby.”

“Do we really get to ride a horse?” Samuel asked, pulling away. He frowned. “Why are you crying?” Wyatt and Benjamin stepped back, as well, and awaited an answer.

Marty smiled. “These are tears of happiness.”

“Are you really going to have a baby?” Wyatt asked.

She nodded. “I am, and it will be your little brother or sister. I’m going to depend on each of you to be good big brothers.”

Benjamin hugged her again. “I’ll be good,” he promised.

“Ahem.” Jake cleared his throat. “I’d kind of like to meet my sons.”

Marty regained control and wiped her eyes. “Boys, this is your new papa. He’s a good and fair man, and he already loves each of you dearly.”

The boys were shy in meeting Jake. Wyatt was the first to step closer. “I’m Wyatt,” he told Jake. “I used to have another papa but not anymore.”

Jake squatted down and offered Wyatt a smile. “I’m mighty glad to meet you, Wyatt. I’ve always wanted a son.”

“I’m Sam, and this is my brother Benjamin,” Samuel introduced.

Jake nodded to each of them. “I hope you all know how
much we want you to be part of our family. You boys are mighty special, and I’m gonna do my best to be a good pa to all of you.”

“I’m Sarah Mitchell,” a woman declared from behind the boys. “Mr. Brentwood paid my way to Dallas if I would accompany the boys here.” She smiled, and Marty went immediately to the woman.

“Thank you so much for bringing them. I’ve missed them more than I can even tell. Would you like to join us for lunch?”

“All aboard for Dallas,” the conductor called.

The woman glanced over her shoulder. “I’ve got to return to the train. My mother lives in Dallas, and she’s not been well. Mr. Brentwood’s advertisement for a companion to these children was an answer to our prayers.” She handed Marty a small traveling case. “This is all they have, but I’m sure you knew they’d arrive with very little.”

Nodding, Marty took the case, only to have Jake quickly retrieve it from her. “Thank you, Miss Mitchell,” he said.

“It was my pleasure. They were quite excited about the trip, but they are good children.” She smiled at the trio. “Boys, I hope you enjoy your new home.”

With a little wave she turned toward the train. Marty watched the woman climb the steps and disappear into the train car. How strange to be so grateful to a complete stranger who shared only a few moments in her life.

“Well, I’m bettin’ you boys are hungry,” Jake said. “We’ve got plans to have a meal at a little place around the corner. I’ll put your case in the wagon, and then if you like, we can walk there while Marty and her sister, Hannah, bring the wagon.”

This met with everyone’s approval, and Jake led the way back through the depot and out a door on the opposite side. Marty followed close behind and saw her sister waiting near
the exit. Jake paused and introduced the boys to their new aunt. Hannah embraced each of them. She didn’t seem in the least concerned that her action would put anyone off.

“I’m very happy to meet all of you. I’m your aunt Hannah.”

“Do you have horses?” Samuel asked.

Hannah laughed. “I do, and I’ll be happy to show them to you when we get back to the ranch.”

The warmth of the day started to overwhelm Marty. She felt flushed and then dizzy. “Jake, I think I need to sit down.”

He handed the case over to Hannah and quickly took hold of Marty. “I told you comin’ here was too much for you, but you wouldn’t listen.” He helped her to a chair. “Next time I’m not takin’ no for an answer.”

“Mama, are you sick?” Wyatt asked. The boys crowded around her in worry.

“Your mama is gonna be fine,” Jake assured them. “She’s too stubborn to be sick.”

“Come on, boys, let’s bring the wagon up close so your mama doesn’t have far to walk.” Marty was grateful that Hannah took charge. She hated that Jake was right and the trip had proved more than she should have undertaken. She knew it would only worry him if she mentioned the pains she had started to have.

Alice busied herself with laundry while awaiting the return of the others. Her mother was otherwise occupied with entertaining Mr. James, who had just stopped by on his way back to Dallas. He laughingly had told them it wasn’t out of his way and seemed only right, but Alice knew better. She couldn’t help but smile to herself. Her mother and Mr. James had become quite close, and even Simon seemed to like the man.

She may very well get hitched before I do
. And wouldn’t that be something?

Alice and Robert had set the date of their wedding for the twenty-third of June, and that day was fast approaching. Of course there had been so much work to do in preparation that Alice didn’t have time to be bored and worry over such matters.

With Hannah and Marty’s help, she and her mother had designed and sewn Alice’s wedding dress. Being a practical woman, Alice hadn’t wanted to worry about an elaborate white gown and instead settled on a sensible gown that could be used again and again.

After all, the country was still suffering, and even here at the ranch they needed to tighten the belt. Hannah and Marty had insisted there be a big wedding celebration at the ranch, but Alice would have been just as happy to marry Robert in a small family ceremony.

“Alice, come see what Robert’s doing,” Simon called from a pen near the barn.

“I’m busy hanging the laundry. Can’t it wait?”

“Nope. He’s riding one of those new horses, and it’s throwing him all around.”

Alice felt her heart jump to her throat. Leaving the basket of clothes, she hurried to where her brother waited. “Where?”

“Over behind the barn,” he said, pointing. “In that big pen they use for working with the horses.” He looked at her as if she should know this already. “He’s just started riding the new bay.”

She didn’t wait to hear any more. Making her way to the pen, Alice whispered a silent prayer for Robert’s safety. She didn’t want to be a widow before she got the chance to be a bride.

Clasping her hand to her mouth, Alice caught sight of the event. Several of the ranch hands were standing at the sides of the pen. A few were sitting atop the fence, and all were cheering Robert on in his endeavors.

Alice could hardly bear to watch. The gelding was not happy to have a rider and was doing his best to eliminate him.

“Isn’t it great!” Simon declared more than asked.

“I thought Robert said they were already saddle broke.” Alice didn’t see a thing about this horse that spoke of being trained in any way.

“Mr. Reid taught them to wear a saddle, and now Robert’s going to teach them to allow a rider,” Simon told her. “He said it’s always hard to get horses used to having someone on their backs, and they have to do this to get them trained. Sometimes it takes a long time, and sometimes just a short time.” Simon grinned up at his sister. “Robert’s teaching me all about horses.”

The bay bucked a few more times, but Robert held fast. Alice found it hard to breathe as she continued to watch. Was this what it would be like to be a rancher’s wife—always worrying about the dangers her husband faced? No wonder Marty had been wary of returning.

Finally the horse seemed to realize who was in charge and settled down. Robert walked it around the pen several times and then encouraged it to speed up to a trot. The bay responded well, and the ranch hands nodded their approval as Robert passed by.

After another fifteen minutes of working with the animal, Robert finally halted the bay and climbed down. “He’s a good one,” he declared. “I think he’s gonna make a fine cow horse. He learns fast.” Robert relinquished the reins to Nate, who in turn led the horse off to another pen.

“Where’s the roan?” Robert asked.

Alice swallowed the lump in her throat. Was he going to do this again? She shuddered and moved away from where she’d watched the affair. She didn’t care to see it again.

She finished hanging the laundry, all the while thinking of the dangers her beloved had to face. Robert loved this life. She knew that full well, and it would not suit either of them if she were to voice a complaint.

“Lord, I don’t mean to be afraid,” she whispered as she headed into the house. “It’s just that I’m not at all familiar with living on a ranch. Help me not to be afraid. Help me to leave Robert in your hands.”

She felt tears come to her eyes and chided herself. “You’re being silly, Alice. You don’t want anyone to see you like this, so you have to get a hold of yourself.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Alice paused at the back door and gazed around the yard. Despite the dry conditions, recent rains had caused most everything to green up. There was still a considerable amount of dry, brown vegetation strewn across the landscape, but it was the refreshed grass that caught her eye. She let out her breath in a slow steady manner and felt a sense of peace settle on her.