Joline's Redemption (40 page)

“I'll consider that, but I imagine things will go fine since Gabe donated the land and is building the church. Besides, staying there means I can also work some for him.”

Jack handed another table up to Luke, who loaded it on the wagon. Covering her eyes against the near-noon sun, Jo looked toward the start of the race as the eerie silence continued. For as far as she could see through the settling dust, people on horseback and in wagons and buggies of all kinds lined the horizon, stretching out for miles. “How much longer until noon?”

Jack pulled out his pocket watch and popped open the cover. “It's about five till.”

“We'd better be ready to hang on to the horse when the race starts.” Luke jumped down from the bed of the wagon, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Jack turned toward the tent. “Let's pull down the tent stakes real quick—”

The sound of gunfire erupted, and a thunderous cheer rang out. Jo jumped. “It's too soon!” she cried, but she doubted the men could hear her over the deafening roar of the crowd.

Luke spun and ran to the closest team while Jack rushed to the other one. The horses' heads jerked up and they pawed the ground, but neither team broke free.

Clouds of dust filled the air, making seeing difficult. Jo covered her face and hurried into the tent, thankful it was still standing. “Lord, please guide Baron and let him land a claim.”

Finally, after weeks of preparation, days of waiting in line, and several tense hours, Baron kicked his horse and yelled, charging forward with the rest of the horde. A gun had gone off early, but there was no stopping thousands of anxious people. He rode with the leaders, urging his horse as fast as he could go. He hoped he hadn't made a mistake by choosing to ride a horse rather than taking the train, but it was too late now to change his mind.

He held on as his horse jumped a small creek and then he angled the bay toward the east just a smidgeon as the leaders spread out. He hadn't ridden this fast since the day he searched for Jo. The wind whipped his face and clothing, blowing off the layers of dust that he'd collected. He hunkered down, leaning slightly forward, like he'd once seen a jockey ride a racehorse. The horse's mane slapped his face, but he kept the position.

The horse's hooves thudded against the ground as Baron searched for signs to let him know he hadn't veered too far off course. He'd started the race in Orlando, which was close to fourteen miles due south and a short way west of the Perry town site.

After a mile or so, he slowed his horse to a trot and looked over his shoulder. He could see several riders on either side of him, but thanks to the fine horse Gabe had loaned him, he was one of the leaders, best as he could tell. Riders coming from the north had to ride farther, so he should be in good shape.
Thank You, Lord.

Now, if only the town wasn't filled with Sooners who managed to slip past the army's guards and sneak into the Cherokee Outlet early, he might fare well.

Mile after mile passed by, and he knew he had to be getting close, but finding the town site on virgin prairie wasn't easy. A distant train whistle sounded, and Baron jerked his head to the right. He could see the smoke in the distance. “He-yah!” He kicked his horse from a lope to a gallop. He had to beat the train to have any chance to win a town lot.

Hooves thundered, matching the frantic beat of Baron's heart. The train whistled again as it drew closer. Never had he participated in anything so exhilarating.

Up ahead, he saw people milling about. He frowned. So the Sooners had made it to Perry before him—and they had already staked out their tents. He slowed his horse as he reached the first of the claims. Man after man waved him on, some with flagged stakes, others with rifles and guns. He rode on, continuing his search for an empty lot.

The hiss of the train as it slowed echoed across the plains, followed by the roar of the riders. He saw people jumping off the top of the train and the platforms and climbing out windows. Baron reined his horse away from those running toward him and encountered more men waving rifles and flags.

And then—praise God!—he saw the last man in line before the barren prairie opened up again. He clucked to the horse to increase his speed once again. “C'mon, boy. We're almost there.”

As he reached the last claimed lot, he drew the horse to a halt and slid off. He pulled his blue flagged stake from his saddlebags and surveyed his land. It wasn't much, just dirt and grass, but soon a new town would spring up where only nature had been. Baron couldn't stop grinning. He glanced at his neighbor and nodded.

“Howdy, friend. You're fortunate you made it before all them train folks got here.”

“Just barely did.” Baron walked his horse around his lot, both cooling the winded beast and surveying his land. If Jo, Jack, and Luke arrived tomorrow as planned, he'd have his store open in less than twenty-four hours. It boggled his mind to think of all the changes that would soon occur here.

As the train riders ran by, Baron held on to his horse with one hand and waved them on with the other one. It sure was a glorious day—one that dreams were made from.

All he needed was for Jo and Jamie to arrive to make things perfect.

The train whistled and slowed as it approached the Perry town site. Jo wiped the dust from the inside of the window with her handkerchief and tried to look out, but too much dust coated the outer glass for her to see details. All she could make out were the forms of people nearby but not faces.

She sat back, her handkerchief against her nose, waiting for the train to stop. Her car was filled with sweaty, smelly men, still hoping to get a claim, but she feared that by now they were too late and their hopes would soon be dashed. Jo understood their excitement—and even their disappointment. Once again, she'd been too young to ride in the land rush. Just another year, and she could have ridden at Baron's side, but it wasn't to be.

She laid her head against the seat as the train stopped and fanned herself as the eager men forgot their manners and battled one another to get to the door. Pushing, shoving, and curses filled the car. She was more than ready to get out in the fresh air again.

She prayed that Baron would be waiting. Getting a claim meant a new start for them—a start farther away from Badger's clients—and made it less likely she'd encounter one of those heinous men again.

Anxiety and excitement made her limbs quiver. Had Baron gotten a claim? Was he even here? What if his horse had stumbled and fallen? It might be days before they knew anything. “Please, God,” she murmured, “let him be safe.”

Finally, the last man rushed from the car. Jo stood, picked up her satchel, and made her way down the aisle. The late-afternoon sun shone in her eyes, and she could hardly see past the steps.

“Jo!”

Her heart jolted. “Baron!”

He reached up and tugged her from the last step, swinging her around in a circle. Jo laughed like a giddy schoolgirl. He must have gotten land, or he wouldn't be so happy.

But she had to know. She smacked his shoulder, creating a shower of dust. “Put me down this instant.”

Obviously surprised, he did as told, although his smile dipped. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing, except I have to know. Did you get a claim?”

He looked wounded for a moment, but his grin broke forth again. “You doubt me, fair wife?”

Jo stomped her foot. “Don't tease. I'm dying to know.”

“Yes, I got a claim. On the prettiest speck of prairie you ever did see.”

Jo smiled, more than a little relieved. Now they could build a store of their own, as well as a house that she hadn't shared with Mark. It was a fresh start in a brand-new town with the man she loved.

The road that led here had been scary and difficult, but she'd met God and He had washed her clean and given her a wonderful husband and a precious son to share her dreams.

She tugged on Baron's shirt. “Well, what are you waiting for? Kiss me, husband.”

Bestselling author Vickie McDonough grew up wanting to marry a rancher but instead married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams in her fictional stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie is the award-winning author of thirty-five published books and novellas. Her novels include the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, as well as
Gabriel's Atonement,
Book 1 in her Land Rush Dreams series.

Vickie has been married forty years to Robert. They have four grown sons, one of whom is married, and a precocious eight-year-old granddaughter. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, antiquing, watching movies, and traveling. To learn more about Vickie's books or to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website:
www.vickiemcdonough.com
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