Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] (16 page)

He looked across the table and saw William speaking to Brandon. The man’s face went white, and Tyler knew Will had just delivered the blow. He shook his head, unable to say anything. The look of shock on Brandon’s face and the worry on William’s was enough to finish off any thoughts of eating. Tyler pushed back from the table.

“I gotta get out of here,” he said, knocking the chair over backward as he pushed his way through the room.

W
ell, we certainly weren’t expecting to see you folks today,” Hannah declared as Ted Terry helped his wife down from the wagon.

“Kiowa are on the warpath,” he said in a matter-of-fact manner that still managed to shock Carissa to the bone.

She looked at the riders about him and noted they were well armed. “Are they headed this way?” she asked.

“Who can say?” Ted replied.

Marietta came to where Carissa and Hannah stood. “Now, we’re not gonna borrow trouble, girls. We’re just takin’ some precautions.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Ted told Hannah. “I was hopin’ Marietta could stay with you until this trouble blows over. I can keep my mind on other things if she’s here with you.”

“Of course she can stay,” Hannah declared. “You know that. All of you can stay. I think it would be safer than returning to the ranch.”

Ted shook his head. “I have to protect what’s mine. Won’t be the first time and probably won’t be the last. I just wanted to get Marietta to safety. I left some men on alert at the ranch, and now we’re headin’ into town to let the sheriff know what’s happening. I’m hopeful he’ll get the army notified and they can deal with the matter.”

“Do you think they will?” Hannah questioned.

“I do. There’s a strong push to round up the Indians. All of them, no matter the tribe. Phil Sheridan is in charge now, and he’s determined.”

“What’s got the Indians so stirred up?” Carissa asked.

“Mostly Sheridan’s demands they all head to reservations.” Ted shook his head. “Doesn’t seem to be any peaceable way to live side by side. The Indians hate us for being on their land and killing their game. The whites hate them for making war on ’em and stealing their livestock. It’s a vicious cycle that doesn’t look to stop anytime soon. Just when the army thinks they have a good hold on things, something happens and the war flares up again. I don’t know what it’ll take to put an end to it.”

“I read in the paper that Sheridan believes if they eliminate the buffalo, they will eliminate the Indians,” Hannah said.

“He did say that, and he has even encouraged buffalo hunters to come west,” Marietta added. “His plan is to wipe out the herds and leave the Indians hungry enough that they’ll have no choice but to return to the reservations.”

Hannah shook her head. “I don’t see this war ending anytime soon. I’m afraid we are just seeing the beginning of hard times.”

Carissa bit her lip to keep from saying anything. She thought of the children and how vulnerable they were here, so far from town. Not only that, but Laura remained gravely ill and tiny Lucas still fought to live. How could they ever get those two to safety if they needed to leave the ranch?

“I’d take precautions if I were you,” Ted instructed. “I’ll speak to Berto myself, but if I were you gals, I’d store up plenty of water and food in the house. And get the windows covered just in case.”

Carissa saw Hannah nod but didn’t hear her response. Her thoughts went to Tyler and his hatred of the entire Indian population. If she or the others were hurt in a raid, he would never get over it. His anger over the Indians’ murder of his father had eaten holes in his heart. What would this do?

She drew a deep breath and tried to force herself to be calm. Tyler had no way of knowing the peril they were in, but even so, Carissa couldn’t help but pray he and the other men would return soon. They were due back most anytime. William had sent a wire earlier when they’d reached Abilene. Surely it wouldn’t be all that long now.

“I just hope the men don’t run into any war parties on the way home,” Hannah said, immediately catching Carissa’s attention.

Looking at her hostess, Carissa felt all pretense of calm escape her. Ted’s serious expression told Carissa she’d find no comfort from him. He, too, was worried for the men.

Later that day as Carissa wiped Laura’s body with cool compresses, Marietta joined her to offer a hand.

“It’s a good sign she’s come this far,” Marietta said, taking up a pan of water and a cloth rag. “I think she’ll pull through this if we just keep getting fluids down her.”

Carissa glanced at her sister’s pale face. She seemed so small and childlike in the large bed. “I’m so afraid.” She glanced over at Marietta. “For her, for us. I know it might sound foolish to stew and fret over things for which I have no control, but I can’t seem to help myself.”

“I understand. Our men are in danger. We’re in danger. It’s just a part of life here on the Texas frontier,” Marietta said. She offered Carissa a bit of a smile. “But you know, it’s the life we’ve chosen. Maybe not you so much, but the rest of us.”

“I’ve chosen it, as well. I just bought Tyler’s ranch.” Carissa continued ministering to her sister. “I signed an obligation to live there for five years.”

“Whatever caused you to do that?”

“He would have lost it otherwise. The decision had been made to sell it. Judge Peevy told me it was to be sold off right away. I couldn’t just let it go.” She looked at Marietta. “Do you think I was wrong to do it?”

Marietta shrugged. “Who can say? Frankly, I’m glad you did it. Keeps a chance for Tyler to get it back. Still, I’m not so sure he’ll see it that way.”

Carissa shook her head and stopped wiping her sister’s arm. “What do you mean?”

“Well, a man likes to do things for himself,” Marietta began. “Tyler might resent you taking charge of the matter.”

“But if I hadn’t, the property would have gone to strangers. Surely he would prefer I buy it. At least this way he can run the place.”

Marietta smiled in a motherly fashion. “Carissa, if all these years of marriage have taught me anything, it’s that you can never tell how a man is going to see a matter. Tyler might be grateful for what you did, but he also might feel grouchy that a woman had to pull his bacon from the fire. That’s hard for a man. Believe me. I’ve had to do similar things for Ted from time to time, and it’s always been a subject of irritation between us.”

“That’s silly,” Carissa said, dipping her cloth in the cool water. She put the rag to her sister’s head and was surprised when Laura opened her eyes.

“How do you feel?” Carissa asked.

Laura tried to lick her lips. “Water, please.”

Carissa quickly complied. She had worked tirelessly to get fluids into her sister, and for Laura to request them herself was nigh onto a miracle. She helped Laura drink from a small tin cup.

“The doctor says that the more you drink, the quicker you’ll rally.”

Laura shook her head. “I’m so tired.”

“Do you think you could eat a little soup?” Marietta questioned. “It will help you regain your strength.”

“I’ll try.” Laura’s voice was weak and barely audible. “Where are my . . . boys? I want to see them.”

Carissa went to the bed box and retrieved the sleeping infant. “Lucas is right here,” she said placing the baby beside Laura on the bed. “I’ll get Daniel.”

“No, I’ll get him,” Marietta said, getting to her feet. “And the soup.”

Laura tried to reach up and touch her son’s face, but she appeared too weak. Carissa took hold of her sister’s hand and helped her. “He’s a fighter, Laura. Just like you.”

“Will he live?”

“I determined a long time ago that both of you would,” Carissa replied. “Laura, you’ve come through the worst of it, and now it’s time to put all of your energy into getting well. Your sons need you . . . Brandon needs you.”

“Is he here?” Laura asked, her voice a little stronger.

“Not yet, but they are on their way. The men should be home any day now.” She knew there was no way of telling whether this was the truth of the matter, but it was what they all anticipated. Hopefully they would see it come true in a short time.

Just then Daniel came into the room with Hannah. “So she’s awake,” Hannah said, lifting Daniel to the bed.

“Mama.” He fell upon her breast and clutched her tight. “Mama.”

“I’m here, Daniel,” Laura whispered. She looked to Carissa. “If I don’t make it, please . . . promise me you’ll help Brandon and the boys.”

“You’re going to make it.” Carissa refused to think otherwise.

“She’s right, you know,” Hannah interjected. “The worst is over. Your fever is down and now you can start building your strength. Your boys need you, Laura.”

Laura looked briefly to Hannah and then back to her sons. She closed her eyes. “I know.”

Hannah scooped Daniel up, but he started to cry. This caused Laura to open her eyes again. She whispered his name and to Carissa’s surprise the boy heard it and calmed.

“Be a good boy,” Laura told him. “Watch for Papa.”

Marietta came with the soup and took a seat beside the bed. She looked at Carissa. “Why don’t you tend to Lucas, and I’ll get your sister to eat some of this rich beef broth. Smelled so good I was tempted to eat some myself.” She smiled down at Laura as if she, too, were a small child. “Now, if you eat all of this, I’ll see to it that you get some applesauce for dessert.”

Carissa took Lucas in her arms and stared back at her sister. Already Marietta was getting her to take a spoonful of the aromatic liquid. Maybe Marietta’s mothering skills would cause Laura to fight harder. Looking down at the still sleeping babe in her arms, Carissa could only pray that it would be so.

That evening as she put Gloria to bed, Carissa couldn’t help but worry about Tyler. She wondered if he and the other men were safe or if Indians had somehow managed to attack them. She tried not to think morbid thoughts of the men being killed, but those fears kept creeping in to haunt her.

“I want Papa,” Gloria said, startling Carissa.

“You need to sleep.” Carissa reached out to stroke her daughter’s hair. “It’s getting very late.”

“I want my papa Tyer.”

Carissa felt her breath catch. Gloria had decided that Tyler was her father. At least that was how Carissa interpreted her words. Should she correct her? After all, Tyler might return and decide to part company forever. There was no sense in getting the little girl’s hopes up. Carissa shook her head.

“Darlin’, Tyler took the cows . . . the steers away to Kansas. Remember?” Her mind raced to think of how she could get Gloria’s thoughts going in another direction. “Do you remember all those steers we saw?”

“Big ones,” Gloria said, nodding.

“Yes, they were very big, and there were a lot of them. Tyler and Uncle Brandon took them away to sell. They are working hard and can’t come home just yet.”

“Maybe when I get up?”

Carissa smiled, feeling a bit relieved. “Yes. Maybe. We’ll just have to keep watching for them. One of these days they’ll be home. Now you be a good girl and go to sleep. I need to help Hannah and Juanita in the kitchen.”

Gloria didn’t say anything more about Tyler, so Carissa took the opportunity to direct her in prayers before leaving to join the women. She wondered if she should say something to Hannah or Marietta. Perhaps they might have some idea of what she should say to Gloria regarding Tyler. Clearly the child had attached herself to him.

“Marietta is staying with Laura and the baby,” Carissa announced, pulling on an apron. “I thought I’d help you here.”

“We’re getting beans snapped for cooking and canning tomorrow. Tomatoes and carrots and beets need cleaning for the same,” Hannah said. “Take your pick.”

Carissa took up a bowl of green beans. “I’ll see to these.”

She glanced to the window and relished the breeze that trickled in. They did most of the preparation work inside these days, due to the possibility of Indian attack. The summer kitchen outside would still serve as the place to cook and can so as not to overheat the house, but simple work like this could be handled inside.

“The men haven’t been able to get over to your sister’s place,” Hannah said as they worked. “I am sorry about that. I know you’re probably anxious about it.”

“Not so much as wondering where the men are,” Carissa answered honestly. She and Hannah had grown quite close since Laura fell ill.

“Me too,” Hannah admitted. She looked at Juanita. “You can bring me another basket of beets when you have time. I’m nearly done with these.” The Mexican woman nodded and went to retrieve the vegetables.

Carissa snapped the ends off the green beans and then broke them in two-inch-long pieces and put them in a clean bowl. “Something happened with Gloria tonight. Something that I’m not sure how to deal with.”

“What was it?”

She looked up to find Hannah’s gaze still fixed on her work. “She asked for her papa.”

“Well, that seems normal,” Hannah replied. “After all, she hears the other children asking for theirs. She’s probably just imitating them.”

“She wanted her ‘papa Tyer.’ ”

This time Hannah stopped cutting beet tops and looked up. She didn’t try to hide her smile. “I guess Gloria knows full well what’s good for her.”

“I didn’t know what to say. I don’t want to give her false hopes.”

Hannah nodded. “I can understand that.”

“She told him she loved him before he left on the cattle drive.”

“But you didn’t.”

Carissa felt a lump in her throat. “No. I didn’t.”

“But you wish you had?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know that it would have made a difference, what with Ava there, laying her claim.”