Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] (15 page)

Carissa felt Marietta’s hand on her arm and startled. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

Marietta nodded. “I wondered how your sister was doing. Hannah said she’s been quite ill.”

“She is and I must say I’m so frightened. She’s desperately weak, and it’s hard to get any kind of fluids into her, but the doctor says that’s critical.” She felt such a sense of dread. “I don’t know if I could bear it should Laura . . .”

“Hush, now,” Marietta told her. “You gain nothing by fretting over the matter. Give it to the Lord and let Him work.”

Carissa felt so hopeless. “I’m trying. I’m really trying.”

“That’s all the Lord asks of us. Now, you need to eat more than that to keep up your strength. And where is that little gal of yours? I understand she’s had a birthday and turned two.”

“She seems more like four or five,” Hannah interjected. “I’ve never seen anyone so smart and active. That child is everywhere at once and talks a blue streak.”

“It’s true,” Carissa replied. “But as for where the children are—they ate earlier and now Marty is putting them down for naps. She has been an absolute godsend. I know we would never have managed without her.”

Marietta bobbed her head. “My mother always said that there was never anyone too young to learn how to help. She had me shelling peas when I was just a little one. Life sometimes necessitates we grow up fast and out here—it’s a rule.”

“I hate seeing them grow up too fast,” Hannah said with a sigh. “I’ve been so worried about Andy. I never wanted him to go on the cattle drive, as you know. I received a message from William once the cattle were safely delivered to Abilene. Apparently everyone is fine, but I won’t really rest until they’re all back home.”

“I’m sure the boys feel the same way,” Ted said.

A knock was heard coming from the front door. Being closest to the hall, Carissa jumped to her feet. “I’ll get it.” She hurried, hoping the doctor had made another return visit. Instead she found Judge Peevy on the other side of the door.

“Well, well. Just the woman I wanted to see.”

She smiled. “Is this about the ranch, then?”

He nodded. “It is. Everything has gone quite well. The Atherton ranch will be yours, but not only that—our idea to purchase the piece outright was well received. I gave them your draft and the sale went through. The county will pocket the money, and that seemed to make everyone happy.”

She clapped her hands much like Gloria might have. “I’m so happy. This is wonderful news.”

“I agree. You do need to know, however, that you are under obligation to live there for five years.”

“But I thought . . . I mean we aren’t homesteading.”

“True, but that was a provision I had to agree to. They also made it clear that you could not sell the land back to Tyler.”

“Then what good does it do for me to have it? I’ve saved the place for nothing.”

The judge grinned. “Not exactly. To my way of thinking, you could still manage to get it back into his hands, if say . . . you were to marry him.”

Carissa felt her cheeks grow hot. “There’s no plan for that.”

“Well, I understood that you two were mutually interested in a future together. I’m just saying that there’s nothing in the contract that would keep Tyler from taking ownership if he’s married to you. After all, there wouldn’t be a sale involved.”

Instead of feeling pleased about the news, Carissa suddenly felt sick. What if Tyler had no interest in marrying her? What if his feelings for her . . . feelings he had never spoken of but that Hannah and Laura assured her existed . . . had changed?

“I suppose we will just have to wait and see,” she said in a barely audible voice.

“Judge, how nice to see you. Won’t you join us for dinner?” Hannah asked, coming to join them. She looked at Carissa. “You were gone so long, I feared something was wrong.”

“A bite to eat sounds just right to me,” Judge Peevy declared. “Is that fried chicken I smell?”

Hannah laughed. “It is indeed. I fried it myself. Now, come along. The Terrys are here, and you men can discuss the affairs of the world. Ted has been telling us about the Indian troubles.”

The two continued to talk as they walked away, leaving Carissa to close the door. She paused and leaned against the frame, wondering if she’d made a serious mistake. She wished she could have told Tyler about her plans prior to taking action. But that was the whole reason she had rushed to action—all the men who could have advised her were gone.

She closed her eyes and tried to imagine telling Tyler the news that she’d just bought the ranch. Worse still, she had spent every cent in her bank account to do so. If Tyler asked her to marry him, there would be no problem. But if he didn’t . . .

Carissa tried to push the thought from her mind, but it wouldn’t go. Tyler might hate her for what she’d done. The long months away could have given him a new direction for his life. What if he didn’t even return to Texas?

She shook her head. “I’m borrowing trouble, and I already have plenty.” She opened her eyes and pushed off the doorframe. “There’s no sense in fretting about this now.” But even speaking the words aloud didn’t help her to let the matter go.

L
ooks like they’re setting up for quite the Fourth of July celebration,” William said after he and Tyler concluded business at the bank. All around Abilene streamers and banners were being hung in red, white, and blue.

“You won’t see them celebrating as much in Texas,” Tyler countered. He pointed to a mercantile. “I’m going over there to pick up some presents for Gloria and Carissa. You ought to come and get Hannah and Robert something.”

William glanced toward the store and then back to the building just ahead. “I’ll probably do that, but first I’m going to send a wire. With all the newspaper stories about Indian attacks and such, I’d like to hear from the sheriff in Cedar Springs.”

“That would be wise,” Tyler said, bothered that he’d not thought of it himself. “How fast do you reckon we can start back?”

“Hard to tell,” William replied. “The horses are in decent shape, but the new stock Brandon’s picking up might not be as cooperative. I’d like to think we could push hard and be back in two weeks or less. Now you go ahead to the mercantile, and I’ll get this wire sent, then join you.”

Tyler nodded and headed out across the busy street. They’d been in Abilene for two days and finally business had been concluded. They’d received top dollar for their steers and had managed to make it to market with 2,442 head. The loss was far less than they’d anticipated, especially with the storm, and the profit was a good one. Tonight they would pay the men, and tomorrow they would head home. At least Tyler hoped that’s what they’d do.

He entered the brightly decorated store and grinned at a display of red, white, and blue hair ribbons with a sign that read,
Show your patriotic spirit with the colors of Old Glory!

An older man stepped forward from behind the counter. “Morning, mister. Can I help you?”

“I hope so,” Tyler replied. “I’m here to get a couple of presents. One for my sweetheart and one for a two-year-old girl.”

The man led the way. “Over here we have a nice selection of toys and doodads to please the children. I think you will find our selection the best west of the Mississippi.”

Tyler didn’t bother to say that he had no way to compare. Instead he studied a stack of books, marionettes, puzzles, blocks, and stick horses. Nothing seemed quite right. He continued glancing through the merchandise until his gaze fell upon a beautiful china doll. He supposed that Gloria was really too small for such a present, but the doll was enchanting.

“I see you’ve spied our finest doll,” the store clerk said, reaching out to pick up the elegant doll. “The dress is a replica of one worn by President Lincoln’s wife. Note the care given to the doll’s hair. That’s real human hair. I like the gold color, don’t you?”

Tyler didn’t give the details much attention. “I’ll take it.” It didn’t even matter what the price was; he knew it would impress Gloria, and if she were too little for it, Carissa could save it until she was older.

“And for your sweetheart . . . did you have anything in mind?”

“Well, I had thought maybe a new gown, but now I’m inclined to consider a ring.”

The man grinned. “Ah, so it’s quite serious?”

“I suppose it is,” Tyler said, knowing that his heart was doing all his thinking.

“I have a selection of rings that I keep in the safe. Let me take you back to my private office.” The man went to where a woman and another man were working to serve additional customers. He whispered something to the woman, who nodded with a glance Tyler’s way. She smiled and said something to the man.

“Right this way,” the man announced, returning to Tyler. He took them down several aisles until they reached the back of the store.

Tyler felt awkward and a bit out of place as the man led him to the office and pulled a tray of rings from the safe.

“Now, some of these I have bought off widowers and widows. Some are brand-new. All are of the finest quality.”

Looking over the selection of rings, Tyler picked up first one and then another. There were several gold bands, simple yet purposeful. A silver ring with a small blue stone seemed particularly pretty, but not exactly right. He held each ring up to the light and imagined it on Carissa’s finger. Finally, in the corner of the tray, Tyler spied a small, wide gold band. He’d almost overlooked it. Picking the piece up, he noticed beautiful etching on the band. Someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to create a beautiful piece of art in a wedding band.

“This ring is new, never worn before,” the store clerk explained. “We had a young man in town who was to be wed. He was a jeweler and created this ring himself.”

“What happened?” Tyler asked.

“His young lady ran off. He was heartbroken, but said this ring deserved to fit the finger of a woman in love.” The man smiled. “Might it work for you?”

Tyler nodded. “I believe it would.” He thought the small ring would be a perfect fit for Carissa. “I’ll take it.”

The man took the ring. “I have a lovely little box we can put it in.” He went to his desk and rummaged in a drawer, then produced a small velvet-lined leather box. The piece itself was a work of art.

Though Tyler left the store considerably poorer than when he’d entered, he felt a great sense of satisfaction. He patted the box in his pocket and clutched the paper-wrapped doll. Now he had a purpose and a direction to his life. Now his future was about more than fighting to get his ranch back. It was about a family.

The weeks on the trail had changed him. There’d been a shift, where God worked within his heart to show him what truly mattered. He thought of his father for a moment. Tyler’s anger over his death seemed lessened by the love he felt for Carissa and Gloria. He couldn’t bring his father back by acting on his rage, but he could bring new life for Carissa and her daughter by allowing love to grow.

William was heading toward him. “I got the wire sent,” he announced. Two very dirty cattlemen pushed past him as they headed toward the nearest saloon. William ignored their rudeness and looked to Tyler. “We probably won’t hear anything for a day or so. I hate to delay the return, but I’d really like to know what we’re heading into.”

Tyler nodded. “Knowin’ the sheriff, he’ll get right back to us. Maybe even today.”

“Either way, the earliest we can leave is in the morning, at this rate. Osage is securing the wagon with the provisions we’ll need and anything else we want to take back. I see you have a package under your arm, so your shopping must have gone well.”

Tyler smiled and reached into his pocket. “I found a pretty doll for Gloria and this for Carissa.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out the leather box.

William looked at it for a moment and frowned. “What is it?”

“Open it and see.”

He took the box and carefully unhooked the tiny latch. William’s eyebrows rose considerably at the sight of the ring. “This mean what I think it does?”

Tyler drew a deep breath. “I’m gonna marry her.”

William grinned. “I hope you know what you’re gettin’ yourself into.” He handed the box back to Tyler and nodded his approval. “Seems like we ought to celebrate. How about I buy you the best steak in town?”

“I think I’d like that. I’ve worked up quite an appetite shoppin’.”

Tyler woke early the next morning and found William had already left the room. For a moment he stretched in the bed, relishing the feel of the clean sheets. It sure beat sleeping on the ground. He smiled and thought again of the gifts he had purchased for Carissa and Gloria. Would they like them? Would Carissa say yes to his proposal of marriage?

When they had first met, Tyler had been more interested in her sister Laura, and prior to that it had been Hannah. But he came to realize that Hannah and Laura reminded him of his mother in certain ways. They were sensible, matter-of-fact women who saw a need and took care of it. Carissa, on the other hand, needed someone to take care of her, and Tyler liked that idea. Of course, when they’d first met, Carissa was already married to Malcolm Lowe, and though Tyler thought her quite pretty, he respected the sanctity of marriage and went no further in his thoughts.

Now Lowe was dead, leaving Carissa a widow with a child, and Tyler was certain he was in love. He knew there would be obstacles to overcome. Carissa was reluctant to trust anyone. He knew that she feared men and preferred to keep to her own company or that of her sister. But he hoped that the time she spent at the Barnett ranch would help her to come out of her shell a bit.

Getting up, Tyler stretched again and thought of the long ride home. How he wished there were a railroad that ran the full length of Kansas to Texas. How pleasant it would be to just board a train and be home in a matter of days instead of weeks.

Tyler dressed and gathered his things and made his way downstairs. If he knew William, they would leave as soon as he had a reply to the telegram he’d sent yesterday. Brandon, too, was chomping at the bit to head back. He was uneasy about Laura and had been restless for days.

“If you’re lookin’ for your friend,” the hotel clerk said, “he’s in having breakfast. Said to tell you to join him if I saw you.”

Tyler nodded. “Thanks, mister.” He made his way across the hotel lobby to the adjoining dining area. Spotting William across the room, Tyler made his way through the crowd of other diners and pulled out a chair.

“Guess you’re savin’ this for me,” he said, grinning. Tyler sat down and nodded to William’s uneaten plate of food. “Not hungry? I feel like I could eat a buffalo.”

A young woman came to see what Tyler would have. “Coffee, to start,” he replied. “Then bring me a plate like his.” The thick beefsteak, fried eggs, and potatoes seemed to beckon to Tyler.

The woman nodded and quickly returned with a cup of coffee. The entire time William had said nothing, and Tyler chalked it off to his wanting to be on the road. “So how soon you reckon we can leave?”

William looked up just as Tyler took a long drink of the strong, black coffee. Tyler got a strange feeling that something wasn’t right. He put the cup down and looked hard at his friend. “What’s going on? Is there a problem?”

“I had a telegram.”

Tyler frowned and immediately the skin on the back of his neck tingled. “Guess the Indian troubles are worse than we expected?”

William slumped back in his chair. “They aren’t good, but that’s just a part of it.”

Tyler leaned forward. “So tell me what’s going on.” He eyed William’s plate with growing hunger. “I guess it’s bad enough you’ve lost your appetite.”

“You will, too,” William replied. “I’ve sent Osage to rally the men—at least those who are going back with us. I’m expecting Brandon to join me here anytime now. I sent the clerk to wake him.”

“William, you’ve never been one for beatin’ around the bush, so how about you just tell me what’s going on before I lose my mind tryin’ to guess.”

His friend nodded. “Brandon’s wife had the baby early. They’re both in a bad way, it sounds.”

Tyler shook his head. He’d never anticipated something so grave. “I am sorry. What happened?”

William shook his head. “I don’t know. The telegram was brief.”

“And now you have to tell Brandon.” Tyler sat back and crossed his arms. This was not going to be easy. Brandon would be anxious to get back to Laura, and there were nearly five hundred miles between them.

“Maybe you shouldn’t tell him, Will. Maybe we should get on our way first. I mean, if the worst happens there isn’t anything that he can do about it.”

“Would you want me to keep bad news from you?” William asked.

“Well, no. I guess I would want the truth, no matter how hard it was to hear.”

William leaned forward. “I’m glad to know it, because I have to tell you something as well.”

Tyler shook his head. He couldn’t imagine anything as bad as having a wife and baby sick. “Me?” Then he felt his chest tighten. “Has something happened to Carissa?”

“No. It’s nothing like that,” William replied, his voice tight. “I’m sorry, Tyler. There’s just no easy way to say this. You’ve lost the ranch. The county sold it out from under you.”

For just a moment the words didn’t register. Tyler looked at William, trying to make sense of it all. “Sold it to whom?” It was the only question he could think to ask.

“I don’t know. The sheriff didn’t say. He just put in that the county had sold it and wanted you to know in case . . . well . . . in case you preferred Kansas, I guess.”

Tyler felt like his legs had been kicked out from under him. Just then the waitress brought his breakfast. She set two plates down in front of him, one for the steak and one with everything else. She smiled and promised more coffee before leaving the two men.

“I’m a Texan,” Tyler said, staring at the food. “At least I used to be.”

“Look, I don’t know who bought the place, but maybe I can buy it from them. I know Judge Peevy has been doing everything he could to get the land back for you, but apparently it was out of his hands.”

Brandon joined them at that moment and the young woman brought more coffee. Tyler was just as glad for the diversion. He couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.
What is this all about, God? Why have you forsaken me?