Red Rose (4 page)

CHAPTER TEN

The next day around noon, Roscoe came riding into the yard, pulling a cow behind his horse. It was the most pitiful looking cow, I had ever seen. We were supposed to get milk from this swayback broken down cow?

I walked out into the yard as he dismounted.

“Is that the best you could do?”

“She’s the only one Sam was willing to part with. He claims she was one of his best milkers at one time.”

“She can hardly stand on her own. She looks as if she’s ready to die.”

“She just needs rest and good feed. She’ll be fine. He said her name is Florence.” He pulled the rope and she followed him into the barn.

I followed behind and watched as he put her in a stall and poured a couple of cups of oats into the trough.

He looked at the cow and then at me, “She’ll be fine, just wait and see. Have you got something for dinner? Or is it too early?”

“Yes, it’s ready. Are you going hunting afterwards? And how soon before you think we can milk Florence?”

“I think she should be ready in about a week. Yes, I’m going hunting as soon as I finish eating. Sam’s wife sent over some canned goods in this sack. She said she was looking forward to meeting you. There’s going to be a Fall Festival first of September. She asked if we were gonna be there. I told her we would be. You do wanna go, don’t you?”

“Of course I want to go. You’re the only person I’ve seen since I came to Texas. Not that I’m complaining. I like looking at you.”

He reached and pulled me into his body, leaning down to kiss my lips. “How about you and me have desert before we eat?”

If I had known how wonderful being married could be when I was younger, I would have found a way to have gotten married years ago.

He rode off towards the woods after he ate. I finished cleaning up and started a fire to do the wash. I had pulled up extra each time I had to get water, so I had enough for today. It was a never ending battle to get caught up with all the work around here.

Rosco returned with four rabbits, four squirrels and a pheasant. No turkey this time. The fresh meat was a real treat along with the canned goods that Mrs. Jarrod had sent. They were just what we needed to help through the lean times.

The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. Before I knew it, it was the end of August and the weather began to cool a bit. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I might be going to have a baby. I needed to check with the doctor before I told Roscoe. Oh no. The doctor is Chet Wainsworth. I’ll have to let him examine me.

The days, has I said were full of hard work and sweat, but the nights were heaven. The nights spent with my husband made all the hard work seem worth the effort. To be a part of something that was going to grow into something bigger and better. I also learned that it was a lot more fun in the little creek with the two of us.

The morning of September first, we had to get up at one o’clock to get to town by the time the festivities began. I could see it was going to be a long day.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Our rickety wagon ran over every rock, bounced in every hole in the dusty road. I was surprised the wagon held together, it was such a rough ride. Each time it bounced, it jarred my teeth and a little light flashed in my eyes so I was glad when the sight of town came into view.

There were banners hanging across the street. Flags and ribbons decorated all the businesses along Main Street. The excitement was contagious. It had been a while since I had seen so many people milling about. The sight of all the people caused a thought to go through my head. It really was no different than Lewiston. People are people no matter where you’re at. Of course they dressed differently. There were no stripped suits with bowlers on their heads. Here it was blue dungarees, wide brimmed hats and boots. No high top button down shoes here.  I was almost two thousand miles from home. No, that's not true. Pennsylvania isn't my home anymore. This is my home now. Bufford Texas.

Roscoe pulled the wagon under a big oak tree beside the livery stable. He jumped down, walked around and grabbed me around the waist and lifted me down as if I didn’t weigh anything. How could I have ever been afraid of his size? As I looked at him, I was so proud of my big teddy bear.

“Let’s go look around and see what all this hubbub is about.”

“Look, there’s tables of food. We didn’t bring anything to eat with us.”

“I think I can scrape up enough to buy us a meal.”

"I've got to check at the feed store for some feed they were supposed to order for me. It's just through this alley next to the freight office.

We walked through the alley and he said, “You wait here, I'll be right back.” He crossed the street and went into the feed store. When he came out, he looked across the street at me and his gaze was like a gentle loving touch. I could hardly contain myself from shouting across the street to him. I never knew one person could feel for another person the way I felt about Roscoe.

He started across the street to me and didn't see the loaded freight wagon, come barreling around the corner. Before he could jump out of the way it had run him down. The rear wheel ran over his chest. I screamed and ran to him. His breath was labored. Blood was seeping from his lips. He tried to speak and couldn't.

"Stay still, don't try to speak. Someone get a doctor.”

"I'm here, Rose. Please move aside so I can see." I looked up and saw Dr. Chester Wainsworth, Chet. The Chet I had met on the train. The Chet, who had told me he loved me. That Chet was the doctor who was to take care of my husband.

Chet pushed gently on Roscoe’s ribs.

"Oh!” He cried.

Chet looked at me and shook his head.

“I'm afraid his chest is crushed. I can't help him. The best I can do is get him to the office and try to make him comfortable. I'll give him laudanum for the pain. I'm so sorry, Rose.”

"No, no this can't be happening. I can't lose him now. I just found him.”

I knelt down and prayed, “Dear Lord, please don't take him from me. Please Lord, please.”

Some men carried him to the doctor's office and laid him on the examination table. Chet poured a big spoonful of laudanum and gave it to him. He could hardly swallow it. I sat beside him until he breathed his final breath. My tears had stopped by then. I don't think I had any more to shed.

"You have to let him go, Rose. He's gone. I'm so sorry. Let me help you. I think you need to get a room at the hotel tonight. Tomorrow, I'll help you plan the funeral. You need to think about what you're going to do. You can't stay out on your place alone. Let's go to the hotel now.”

  I don’t think I slept a wink all night long. I couldn’t believe this was happening. My wonderful sweet, lovable giant of a man was gone. Forever. I would never hear his booming voice again. I would never taste his sweet lips again. How was I going to survive without him?

I have to get back to the ranch. Someone has to look after the animals. Someone had to milk Florence. Feed the chickens and the hog. What if the cows break through the fence again? Oh my, even if I go back, I’ll never be able to do all that by myself.

Around the time the sun peeked through the window I had gotten maybe two hours of sleep, tossing and turning. I felt worn out. I got out of bed, I hadn’t bothered taking off my clothes last night. I dabbed some water on my face and neck and went downstairs.

“Good morning, Mrs. Brown, I’m terribly sorry about your husband. The doctor said for you to wait here until he came for you.”

“Please tell the doctor I have to make arrangements to bury my husband.”

“Yes ma’am, I’ll surely tell him. But he ain’t gonna like it. Not one bit.”

“What the doctor likes or doesn’t like is of no concern to me. Can you please tell me where the undertaker is located?”

“Yes ma’am, it’s over on Crockett Street. Just two streets over from here. Take a left, go to the end of the street, then turn left until you reach it.”

“Thank you.” I turned and walked out the door, followed his directions and there it was. I walked inside. There was a man in his sixties, a stout man with bushy red, brown hair and a short stride that made him waddle like a duck when he walked. He was wearing a pair of black pants with just his long johns top and was working on a casket.

“You must be Mrs. Brown. First of all, please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I’m just finishing up the coffin. I’ve been working all night so’s you could have it today. I hope it’s to your satisfaction.”

“I didn’t request you build a coffin.”

“No ma’am, Dr. Wainsworth gave me specific directions. I thought you’d asked him to.”

“I guess it doesn’t matter. Will it be ready by three o’clock today?”

“Yes ma’am, it’ll be ready. I understand there’s gonna be a lot of people there.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The preacher had a round face with a full beard. He was wearing a shabby black frock coat. With piercing blue eyes that looked as though they could see into the depths of your soul. His voice was loud and it seemed the tree limbs shook when he spoke. With an audible sigh, he said, "with love in our hearts, we lay Brother Roscoe Brown to rest. May the Lord give us strength to carry on without him?" 

Sam Jarrod and his family stepped in front of me. "Hello, Mrs. Brown, I'm Margaret Jarrod, Sam's wife. I've been wanting to meet you. I just wish it had been under different circumstances. I don't want you to worry about your place. These young seventeen year old men are my twin boys, Seth and Sam. They’re gonna be taking care of the animals and whatever needs to be done around your place."

I nodded.

"I'll talk to you later. If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Chet pulled me back as they tossed dirt on top of the plain wooden coffin. I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I’d never felt such pain. There was an earthy smell of fresh turned dirt as a breeze blew across the open grave. I stood away from the grave in a state of numbness. My eyes were dry. There were no more tears left to shed. I had cried constantly since I saw him lying in the street. Roscoe was very well known and liked. The whole town and surrounding counties had representatives there. They all filed in front of me offering their condolences. I barely responded to any of them. I was in a state of confusion. I couldn't, wouldn't accept that he was gone.

When everyone had left the cemetery, an elderly lady stopped in front of me.

"Come with me, my dear, you need some rest and something to eat. My name is Mildred Templeton. I've buried two husbands, so I know what you're going through. Come with me," as she took my hand and gently pulled. I followed not caring where she was taking me. She led me to a buggy and helped me up into the seat.

"You just relax, darling, it's not far." She picked up the reins, clicked to the horse and there was a slight jerk as the buggy started to move. Mrs. Templeton didn't say anything for the entire ride. It took probably an half an hour to get to her house. At the time I didn't pay any attention to what the place looked like. It was a little cracker box house, painted pink with light blue shutters. There was a small white picket fence surrounding it.

Mrs. Templeton came around and helped me out of the buggy. She led me through the gate, then through the front door. It was a cozy place inside. She guided me to a settee and gently pushed me down.

"You sit right here. I'm going to get you something to drink." She left, then returned with a cup of what looked like coffee. "Drink this, my dear, it’ll help you relax." I took a sip, wrinkled my nose at the taste.

"I know it doesn't taste very good, but it's what you need right down. Go ahead. Drink it down." I turned up the cup and drained it. I felt my muscles relax and a calmness came over my body. I suddenly felt drowsy.

"Lie back and take a little nap. That's what you need right now." She lifted my legs and covered me with a blanket. I let the blackness envelop me and I drifted off. My dreams were filled with images of my nights with Roscoe. I dreamed of an older Roscoe and an older me with three children. I remembered Roscoe’s words he had said just yesterday.

"When I'm away from you, I ache for you. I long to hear your voice. I can hardly wait to return to you." 

When I awoke, I felt more rested and relaxed than I had since the ordeal began. I set up as Mrs. Templeton entered carrying a tray covered with a cloth. Something smelled good. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast at home before we left for town.

“This will make you feel better.” She pushed a little table next to the settee and set the tray on it. She removed the cloth and my mouth watered looking at this feast. Mashed potatoes, smothered steak in gravy, little green peas and a tall glass of lemonade.

“Eat my dear. I know you’re hungry. That little tonic that you drank will allow you to function much better. No, it won’t take away the pain. But it will help you to better deal with it.”

I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I took that first bite. It was scrumptious.

“It’s delicious,” I said between bites. I cleaned the plate and wiped up the gravy with the bread.

“I think that’s enough for now. You can have a big breakfast in the morning. Come with me now and I’ll show you where you can sleep tonight.”

“I probably need to get back to town, pick up my wagon and go home.”

“There will be plenty of time for that later. Now follow me so you can get a good night’s rest.”

“I haven’t thought of Roscoe the entire time I was eating. Does that mean I’ve forgotten him already?”

“My dear, you will never forget your loved one, for as long as you live. The body has a way of healing when we hurt. It’s nothing to concern yourself with right now.”