Chasing the Sun (24 page)

With that, the two warriors gave a cry and raced back across the field to where the rest of the mounted Indians waited. Hannah watched Night Bear and Red Dog rejoin the men and head out in pursuit of their enemies. She looked at the leather shield for a moment, then hung it off the side of the wagon seat to be prominently displayed for all to see.

“They won’t kill us now?” Andy asked.

Hannah turned in the seat to find both children had come out from cover and were sitting on their knees. She offered them a smile. “No. They won’t kill us, because we’re their friends.”

Andy seemed to consider this for a moment, then climbed back over the seat to take his place. “That’s good,” he said, almost too quietly to be understood. His expression seemed torn between the sorrow he still carried and a look of pride. “You sure are brave, Hannah.”

“I was brave, too,” Marty said, climbing between them.

Hannah laughed, feeling the tension finally begin to slip away. “You were both very brave. I’m proud of you, and Pa would have been proud, too.”

Andy glanced heavenward. “Do you think he saw us?”

Marty gazed upward, as did Hannah. “I wouldn’t be surprised,” Hannah replied.

In town, Hannah arranged for them to take a room at the hotel. Mr. Englewood was surprised by her arrival, but offered the best he had to see to their comfort.

“Room eight has the biggest bed,” he told her. “You can all sleep there quite well.” He nodded to her bags. “Why don’t you just leave those right there and go on into the dining room for something to eat. The missus has been cooking most of the morning, and if the aroma is any indication, I’d say she’s made a batch of chicken and dumplings. You go on and eat. I can take your bags up for you.”

“Would you also be willing to have someone take the wagon and horse to the livery?” Hannah asked. She pushed a coin across to the man. “I’m happy to pay.”

“No, ma’am. I’m glad to do it as a personal favor to you and your family. Your pa was a good man and a friend to me.”

Hannah smiled and took the coin back. “Thank you. You are very good to say so. I won’t forget your kindness.”

She herded the children into the dining room and allowed Mrs. Englewood to fuss over them. The woman seemed almost starved for female company and began talking nonstop while helping them to take seats.

“We have some delicious chicken and dumplings, if I do say so myself. The recipe has been in my family for a long, long while.” She reached down and rubbed Andy’s head. “I swear you grow taller by the minute.”

“I’m tall, too,” Marty pointed out.

“Yes, you are and quite pretty. Why you’re very nearly as pretty as your sister.” Mrs. Englewood turned back to Hannah and frowned. “I was sure sorry to hear about your father. When Mr. Englewood told me the news I was just about as sad as I could be. I said, ‘Rusty, just imagine what it will be like for those poor children without him to provide. Why, they won’t have a place to live or food to eat.’ I knew you had no other living relatives to go to.”

Hannah cringed at the look of worry that passed over Andy’s face. She didn’t want her siblings to worry and hurried to interrupt the woman’s chatter. “Mrs. Englewood, the chicken and dumplings sounds wonderful. We’re very hungry. Could we maybe have a bit of corn bread, too?”

The woman didn’t seem to mind in the least that Hannah had interjected the request. “Why, of course. I’ll fetch it right away. I’ll bring milk for the children to drink. Would you like some coffee? I have some nice and strong.”

“No, I will be fine without anything. The food will suit me perfectly.”

The woman hurried away to the kitchen, leaving Hannah to figure out what to say to Andy. She didn’t want to make too much of the woman’s statement, but neither did she wish for her brother to feel he couldn’t speak on the matter.

“You know,” Hannah began, “Father left us some money and so we will be just fine. I’m trying to figure out what we should do next, but you needn’t be afraid. Just remember, God directs our steps and He always will.”

“I didn’t believe it when I heard you were in town,” Herbert Lockhart announced as he crossed the room to join them.

Hannah closed her eyes and uttered a silent prayer that the man might disappear, but when she opened her eyes again, there he stood.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

She gave a patient smile. “I had some news that I thought you should hear.”

“We’re going to Dallas,” Marty chimed in.

Lockhart looked at the child with a scowl and then back to Hannah. “What is she talking about?”

Hannah drew a deep breath and let it out. “There is a judge there who is handling the matter of the ranch ownership for Mr. Barnett. He sent a letter requesting Mr. Barnett appear on the eleventh of the month. We are journeying there to meet with him on Mr. Barnett’s behalf.”

“You will do no such thing,” Lockhart declared. He pulled up a chair and plopped down between Hannah and Marty. “You are not going to drive all the way to Dallas alone.”

“She’s got us,” Andy said, frowning.

“And she talked to the Indians,” Marty threw in. “They like Hannah and so we don’t have to be afraid.”

Holding her breath, Hannah waited for Lockhart to question her on this, but instead he rolled his eyes.

“Does that child never tire of telling lies?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I won’t allow for it, Miss Dandridge. Your father would never approve, and as his partner, you must heed me in this.”

Hannah was barely containing her anger by this point. “First of all, Mr. Lockhart, you have no say over what I will or will not do. My father felt me fully capable of raising my brother and sister and of handling the affairs of our living in his absence. Second, Marty isn’t telling lies.” She looked at the pouting face of her sister and winked. “The Comanche have honored me for my kindness to them. I have been given a shield that will be a sign to other members that we are not to be harmed.”

Lockhart’s eyes widened at this. “And when did this happen?”

“On the way here. There was a war party heading off to search for the soldiers who destroyed the Comanche village.” Hannah saw no reason to lie. “They are long gone.”

“But you should have told me this immediately. We should get word to the authorities.”

Hannah shrugged. “Do what you will, but I intend to head to Dallas in the morning. You are welcome to accompany us if you are that concerned for our safety. I figure since you believe the ranch to be in your possession now, it would serve you well to be there for the judge’s decision. But whether you come or stay is of no concern to me. I will not be dictated to by you or any other man. This is my decision. I am an adult and fully capable of making such choices.”

For a moment Lockhart seemed to battle with himself. Then without warning, he got to his feet. “I will ride along with you. As you say, this matter involves me.” He looked as if he wanted to say something more, but refrained. “What time do you intend to head out?”

“Daybreak,” she replied, satisfied that she had put him in his place. Perhaps he would leave her alone after this. “And Mr. Lockhart, I would like my father’s things. I know he had a great many books and other items that he kept in the office. If you would be so kind as to gather those pieces and bring them tomorrow, I would appreciate it.”

His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he gave her a curt nod and turned to walk away. Hannah had no way of telling if he understood the finality of the moment. As far as she was concerned, getting her father’s possessions was the final act of severing all ties to Herbert Lockhart.

T
he next morning Herbert Lockhart stood waiting for Hannah at the livery. When she walked in with Marty and Andy, he tried once again to convince her to stay in Cedar Springs.

“I’ve thought about it all night,” he said as she paid the liveryman. “I can go to Dallas on your behalf.” He paused and reluctantly added, “And that of Mr. Barnett. I am, after all, a lawyer.” He gave a nervous laugh. “I can surely see to this matter more effectively if not distracted, and by that I mean if my mind is not consumed with worrying for your welfare and that of your siblings.”

Hannah all but ignored the man and helped Marty into the wagon before she climbed up beside her sister. Andy looked at Lockhart for a moment, then moved past him and scampered up to the wagon seat. Once her siblings were settled, Hannah adjusted her bonnet and picked up the reins.

“Mr. Lockhart, I thought I’d made myself clear yesterday. I am driving to Dallas to meet with the judge. You are more than welcome to accompany us, but I have no intention of remaining here. Nor do I need for you to concern yourself with our welfare. Now, if you’ll put my father’s things in the back of the wagon, we can be on our way.”

“About that . . . well . . . I’m afraid there wasn’t time to gather everything,” Lockhart said. “I figure you can get them when you come back to town. We’ll have plenty of time then to discuss the future and what we must do.”

She hadn’t any intention of returning to Cedar Springs, but she wasn’t about to tell Mr. Lockhart her plans. Why could the man not simply do as she had asked? Fighting her anger, Hannah shook her head. She didn’t want to give away her hand and let him know that she was taking the children and leaving the area. “I suppose you leave me little choice.”

Without waiting to see what Lockhart would do, Hannah maneuvered the horse and wagon out of town and onto the main road to Dallas. It wasn’t long, however, before Lockhart had caught up to her. He was rather breathless and more than a little out of sorts. Nevertheless, Hannah noted that he had a small carpetbag hung over the saddle, so apparently he’d known better than to figure on her willingness to stay in Cedar Springs.

Good,
Hannah thought.
It’s better that he realize here and now that I’m a woman of determination. I won’t be ordered about anymore. From now on, the children are my only concern.

The day warmed only slightly and by the time they were drawing closer to Dallas, an hour and a half later, Hannah took pity on the children. She drew up on the reins and looked to Andy and Marty. “Why don’t you two walk and run a bit. You can climb back up before we get into town and have to deal with the busy streets.”

They didn’t have to be told twice. Andy practically leaped from the wagon, while Marty was a little more cautious in her dismount. Together, they ran ahead of the wagon, challenging each other as to who could run faster.

“I didn’t want to speak in front of the children,” Lockhart said, drawing up alongside Hannah’s wagon, “but I think it would serve us well to marry in Dallas.”

Hannah looked at him in mute surprise. Lockhart quickly continued. “You have to be thoughtful of providing for the children. I believe the judge will see that Barnett was a traitor to the Confederacy and rule in my favor. Even so, as my wife, you will have a good home in Cedar Springs.”

“Mr. Lockhart, I have not considered your proposal with any degree of seriousness. I’m afraid I have been much taken with grief over the loss of my father, and my concerns with the children’s best interests.” She flicked the reins and started the horses for town.

Lockhart was quick to catch up. “But that is just my point. You are not in a place to handle such decisions. Your sorrow will mar your good sense, and choices might be made that will be to your detriment.”

“I believe God will keep me in His care,” Hannah said, not bothering to look at the man. “I am trusting Him to guide my steps and show me the path He has chosen for me.”

“Well, the Bible says that it isn’t good for man to be alone,” he said with a tone of amusement.

Hannah didn’t wait even a heartbeat to reply. “Yes, but I am not a man, Mr. Lockhart. And with Andy and Marty in my care, I am certainly not alone.”

After that, he said very little. Hannah drove in grateful silence, and when the time came for the children to reclaim their seats on the wagon, Hannah felt fairly confident that Mr. Lockhart would put aside his thoughts of matrimony.

She was wrong, however.

After securing a decent hotel room, Hannah found herself once again forced to endure Mr. Lockhart’s attentions and thoughts for their future. She wasn’t at all happy that he’d chosen the supper table to continue speaking of such matters, and hoped that with the children present, he would refrain from making a complete idiot of himself.

“So you see, my dear, the house is nicely suited for you and the children. I have had the servants make ready the extra bedrooms.”

“Hannah,” Andy interrupted. “What’s he talking about?”

Marty looked up and nodded. “I thought we were going on a trip.”

She put her finger to her lips to hush the little girl, but made it seem as though it was the interruption that was a problem. “Mr. Lockhart is sharing his ideas.”

Lockhart got a silly look on his face. Hannah thought perhaps he was suffering indigestion, since the pork they’d just dined on was quite fatty. Instead, Lockhart shocked her when he reached for her hand.

“I know we thought to keep this to ourselves, but I feel the children should know my intentions. I want to marry your sister. I want for us to be a family.”

“You’re too old,” Andy blurted out. “Besides, I want her to marry William. He knows how to take care of the ranch and break horses, and he’s not old.”

“Or fat,” Marty declared.

Lockhart turned beet red, while Hannah coughed nervously into her napkin. She had no idea why Andy would suggest marriage to William Barnett, but it had definitely irritated Mr. Lockhart. She wanted to say something, but Andy piped up again quickly.

“Hannah needs to marry somebody like William who can work hard.” Her brother turned to look at her. “She works too hard and so she needs a man who can help her with the work.”

“And who isn’t fat,” Marty added in a most solemn manner.

“Martha Dandridge, mind your manners,” Hannah managed before turning to her brother. “And you . . . finish your dessert so that we might retire to our room.”

Lockhart, however, was not to be put aside. “Miss Dandridge, am I to understand that Mr. Barnett has become a rival in winning your affections?”

Hannah shook her head. “There is no rivalry, Mr. Lockhart.”

He smiled rather smugly and leaned back to tuck his thumbs in his vest pockets. “I could not imagine that there would be.”

She didn’t wait to continue. “There is no rivalry, because I have no affections for you.” His expression fell. “Furthermore, I am not of a mind to consider matrimony at this time.”

Marty leaned closer to her sister. “He’s losin’ all his hair, Hannah. You can’t marry a man who doesn’t have any hair.”

Her sister’s serious consideration of a beau very nearly sent Hannah into peals of laughter, but she held herself in check. “Marty, it doesn’t matter as much what a fella looks like, but rather what’s in their heart—if they love Jesus and if they are trustworthy.”

She looked back to Lockhart and found him frowning. Apparently her words did not agree with him. Yet another reason to avoid marriage to this man, she figured. She pulled open the purse that hung at her waist and began to get coins to pay for the meal.

“My dear, I will not have you paying for this supper,” Lockhart said, holding up his hand to halt her.

Hannah considered refusing his offer but thought better of it. She would need all the money they had just to get them somewhere to start anew. Nodding, she closed her purse and smiled. “That is very kind of you, Mr. Lockhart. However, before we conclude our meal, I would like to speak a little business.” She turned to the children. “Please sit quietly while Mr. Lockhart and I speak. I promise it won’t take long.”

“Certainly you could send the children to their room,” Lockhart suggested. “They needn’t be bored with our affairs.”

“Mr. Lockhart, this is a big city, and while it has been considerably depopulated because of the war and Indian conflicts, I would not begin to consider having the children fend for themselves—even in a hotel of this quality. Now, I wish to discuss my father’s business. I know that you two were partners and that he invested a considerable sum to set up the offices in Cedar Springs. I wish to know how we might dissolve his interests and have you buy us out.”

Lockhart had been in the middle of sipping his coffee. He all but spewed the liquid out across the table. “Please excuse my surprise,” he said, dabbing the napkin to his lips. “I supposed you to know the truth of our arrangement.”

Hannah eyed him seriously. “Which is what?”

The man put down the napkin and folded his hands. “The truth is, your father wasn’t doing all that well financially. What with the war and the ranch not making money and having to provide for so many mouths to feed . . . Well . . . the truth is, I bought him out some time ago.”

By the expression on his face, Hannah was certain he was lying. Lockhart watched her, as if to determine whether she’d accept his comments or protest them.

Hannah chose her words very carefully. “I think perhaps it would benefit us both if you and I discussed this matter with the judge in Dallas. It seems to me that Father did quite a bit of business without informing anyone else . . . but you.” She smiled. “That must have been a tremendous burden. However, I believe the judge will be useful to us both.”

“There’s no need for that, I assure you. Your father and I were both capable lawyers. We drew up contracts and had witnesses. I have all of the papers back in Cedar Springs. You see, it was always your father’s intention that you marry me.” He looked rather uncomfortably at the children and then back to Hannah. “I even assured your father that I would adopt your brother and sister. You see, I care deeply about your welfare.”

“Be that as it may,” Hannah countered, “I have no intention of marrying you. If that was my father’s wish, then he kept it well hidden from me. As for the children, I have raised them and they are as much my own as they were Father’s.”

“Still, a single woman cannot be responsible for herself, much less two vulnerable children. I would not feel comfortable allowing you to attempt such a feat on your own. Given your father’s wishes for their well-being . . . if you are to indeed refuse my love, I cannot say that I could ignore my responsibility to them.”

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

Lockhart’s expression grew almost dour. “It would be a legal matter for the court to decide, of course, but I believe it would be my duty to your dear father to take on the guardianship of the children.”

He couldn’t have shocked her more had he punched her in the face. Hannah leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of panic begin to creep over her. “You would force me into marriage in order that I might not be separated from Andy and Marty? Is that what you are saying?”

“My dear, I would never force anything upon you. I am simply saying that I have a responsibility to your father to oversee the welfare of his minor children. You are within your rights to ignore your father’s wishes that we marry. I would never dream of imposing such a thing on an unwilling partner.”

“I’m not going to live with you,” Andy suddenly interrupted. “You aren’t my pa, and I won’t let you have Marty, either.”

Lockhart pointed a finger at the boy. “You are out of line to speak in such a manner to your elders.”

“Do not think to correct him, Mr. Lockhart,” Hannah declared. “He is as shocked as I am at your harsh treatment. You cannot suppose that any of us would willingly participate in this scheme of yours to control our lives.”

For a moment Hannah wasn’t sure how Lockhart would take her comment. His face contorted, revealing emotions that suggested anger, fear, and finally deep sadness. “I am greatly wounded that you consider this harsh or a scheme. This is a hard land to live in, and your father was merely concerned for you. I don’t suppose I should expect you, as a woman, to understand all of the dangers that could await you in the world. We do try to keep our women innocent of such matters.” He gave a smile that suggested it was a heavy burden to bear. “This is the duty that falls upon the shoulders of all men, and I take that task quite seriously.”