Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] (2 page)

“Why don’t I have Laura come speak with you about Brandon.” She stepped back from the entryway. “You can wait for her in the front room.” Carissa motioned for him to follow.

“Why don’t I just sit here with you and visit while you sew?” he questioned, nodding to the shirt she still held in her hand. “I don’t need to bother Laura.”

Carissa looked at the shirt and then back to Tyler. “I suppose . . . for just . . . just a while,” she replied. “I plan to iron clothes as soon as the irons are hot. Now that the rain has stopped, I thought I’d do so on the porch, where the breeze after the storm might keep things cooler.”

“That’s fine.” He stepped past her into the room. “Where are you sitting?”

She hesitated. Visiting with Tyler Atherton wasn’t exactly what she’d expected, but she crossed the room and took her seat in a small but comfortable chair. Tyler wasn’t far behind. He grabbed a larger wing-backed chair and pulled it close.

“So . . . how are you?” she asked, trying hard to focus on her stitches rather than on Tyler’s tanned face.

“Well enough. I don’t know if you heard or not, but I’m stayin’ with Will Barnett and his family.” He paused, seeming to carefully weigh his words. “The government took away my ranch.”

“I had heard something to that effect. I think it’s wrong of them,” she added quickly. For some reason it felt important that he know her thoughts on the matter.

“I have some cattle that I’ve been running for a few years with Will’s, so at least they are still mine. William’s also fighting to get my ranch returned, but it isn’t looking great.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” And she was, even though it had nothing to do with her. “Can you sell some of the cows and buy new land?”

“The government isn’t all that inclined to help an ex-Reb. That’s why I’m dependent on William for help. If all else fails, he thinks he’ll buy the ranch, then sell it back to me.”

“That’s quite generous . . . and kind.” She looked up again and had a harder time looking away. “He must be a very dear friend.”

“He is. We’ve been working together since the war ended, and our cattle herds have grown considerably. This last year we moved them north on open range to avoid tick fever. Now our plans are coming together to drive them to sell in Kansas.”

“Why can’t you sell your cows here, Mr. Atherton?”

“Whoa, right there. You call me Tyler, and I’ll call you Carissa. We’ve gone through too much to start puttin’ on airs now.”

She nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”

“And second, cows are females and I have both males and females. My plan is to drive the fattened males—the steers—to market in Kansas because the prices are ten times what I can get here in Texas. William wants to do likewise, and we have another friend, Ted Terry, who also wants in on it. That’s why I came to talk to Brandon today. We’re going to need a good wrangler. Having someone to handle the horses is critical.”

“Well, Brandon would definitely be able to do that job. He has a way with horses that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before . . . unless, of course, it was my sister’s abilities. I’ve never seen anyone quite like Laura dealing with a horse.”

“And what of you? Do you also have a way with horses?”

Carissa shook her head. “I haven’t ridden in years.”

“We should rectify that,” Tyler said, grinning. “I’d be happy to take you out. This is some mighty fine land for riding.”

“I doubt you would be quite so happy after spending a day picking me up off the ground and listening to me complaining about all my aches and pains.” She shrugged. “But one can never tell.”

“Why, Tyler Atherton, I didn’t know you were here,” Laura said, entering the room.

“I only just arrived.” He got to his feet. “I came to see your husband, but I understand he’s out.”

“Yes, but he’s due back anytime. Won’t you stay and join us for supper? I’m not the best cook in the world, but I am learning. In fact, Carissa has taught me quite a few tricks.”

Embarrassed by her sister’s praise, Carissa put aside the sewing. “I’m going to gather the clothes for ironing.” She left before either could protest. She hated to admit it, but Tyler’s presence flooded her mind with painful longing. She had loved the attention of boys when she’d been younger. When Malcolm had paid her court, she felt like the belle of Corpus Christi. Men used to fall at her feet if she so much as gave them a second glance, and now she wanted nothing to do with them. But at the same time . . . she was lonely for a man’s attention.

“What in the world is wrong with me?” she asked as she made her way to the back porch. “Haven’t you been through enough, Carissa?”

She began sorting through a tableful of dried but wrinkled clothes.
I must be a glutton for punishment,
she thought.
To feel things I swore I’d never allow myself to feel again. What a troublesome woman I’ve become.

“Would you like some help?”

She looked up, feeling almost frantic at the sound of Tyler’s voice. “That isn’t necessary.”

“I know, but I’d like to help you if I can.”

Carissa wadded a calico gown into a roll and stuffed it in the basket. “I’m perfectly capable. I might not be able to ride horses, but I can keep a house. You might as well rest and wait for Brandon. I’m sure Laura will fix you some refreshments.”

“She’s already offered,” Tyler said, reaching out to take hold of one of Brandon’s shirts. “I told her I can wait until supper and that I’d just as soon come out here and talk with you. She seemed relieved.”

Like I would be if you’d leave.

“So I was thinking we might go riding on Saturday. Would that be acceptable to you?”

Carissa mashed another gown into the basket and frowned. “I . . . well . . . it is hard for me to make plans. With Gloria, I’m never certain what I’ll be able to do.”

“So you named her Gloria? That’s an unusual name.” He placed the carefully folded shirt in the basket atop the wrinkled gowns.

“I suppose it is,” Carissa replied. “I wanted something that sounded pretty, and happy. You probably think me silly, and I couldn’t blame you if you did, but it’s from the Bible when the angels were praising God. Carlita, our maid, was singing a song one day, and I kept hearing her say, ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo.’ I asked her what it meant, and she said, ‘Glory to God in the highest.’ Only in the Latin, they say
Gloria
. I thought it made a sweet-sounding name.”

Tyler nodded. “I think so, too.”

Carissa didn’t know what to say after that, so instead went to pick up the laundry basket. But Tyler wouldn’t allow her to carry it.

“I plan to talk with you while you iron, so I might as well carry this for you.”

She bit her lip, wondering how she could tell him that she didn’t want to talk to him. All that they shared between them was in the past, where she wanted it to remain.

“The world feels new after a rain, doesn’t it?” he asked, looking at her intently. Then, as if he knew her thoughts, he continued. “Makes me want to leave the past firmly behind me, and concentrate only on what’s ahead. To a brighter future.”

Carissa gave a brief nod, then tried to ignore the way his glance seemed to steal a look all the way into her soul.

T
yler looked up as Brandon finished the supper prayer. “Thanks for having me. I hope it’s not too much of an inconvenience.”

“No inconvenience at all.” Brandon smiled and handed Tyler a platter with fried chicken. “Always room for one more.”

He helped himself to the crispy chicken and held the platter while Carissa took a portion, as well. “I hope you’ll still feel that way after I explain why I’ve come.”

Carissa took the platter and passed it to Laura. “I think he will. My brother-in-law always seems to enjoy a challenge.”

Laura looked at Carissa with a strange expression. “A challenge?”

Tyler intervened. “Yes, I have to say this will be a challenge. William Barnett and I are putting together a cattle drive with another rancher. We’d like to ask you to come along as our wrangler and handle all the horses. We’ll probably have at least fifteen men for the drive, and with the cook wagon and reserve mounts, there will probably be some seventy to eighty horses.”

“A cattle drive to where?” Brandon asked.

“Kansas.” Tyler took a bowl of grits and helped himself to a healthy portion. He followed that up with thick chicken gravy and waited for Brandon to digest the news.

“How long would a drive like that take?” Laura asked before Brandon could speak. “We are due to have another baby in August, in case you were unaware.”

Tyler smiled. “The drive . . . if we can get everything in order, will start the first or so of April and we should be back by July at the latest, maybe even sooner. We’ve heard good reports from the forts along the way, and rivers are crossable for the most part. Those that are still running high will be down considerably by the time we reach them. The boys have already rounded up most of the herd for branding and such, so we’re well on our way to bein’ ready.”

“What about Indians? I presume we’ll have to travel through Indian Territory,” Brandon said, still not looking at his wife.

Tyler frowned. “Well, that’s the worst of it as far as I’m concerned. Comanche killed my father and some of his men. I’m none too inclined to want anything to do with them; however, there are new rail pens in a town called Abilene in Kansas. That’s pert near straight north of here, not quite five hundred miles. So in order to take the shortest route, we’ll have to deal with the Indians.”

“Five hundred miles in the saddle, eh?” Brandon asked, shaking his head. “Not sure I’m ready for that kind of riding.”

“We take it slow. The cattle graze along the way. We don’t want to run the meat off of them.”

Carissa looked at Tyler. “How many miles would you travel each day?”

“Anywhere from ten to twelve. We don’t push for more than that usually,” Tyler said, meeting her worried expression. “It’s already becomin’ a well-established trail and shouldn’t be all that rough. The hardest part will be finding good grazing if there’s already been a lot of other drives through the area.”

“So we’re looking at about fifty days, more or less,” Brandon said.

“That’s a good average,” Tyler admitted. “Then there’s the ride home. It goes quicker, but it’s still five hundred miles.” He grinned. “So we figure about ninety days.”

“And what benefits would there be for my brother-in-law?” Carissa asked.

Tyler laughed. “She would make a good businesswoman. The drovers are gettin’ about thirty-five dollars a month and can bring some of their own cattle if they have them. Your cut would be considerably more because a wrangler gets better pay. Of course, you’d have to be able to shoe and doctor up any animal that needed attention. The trails are hard on the mounts.”

“I’m sure they are. However, I am capable of doing both,” Brandon assured.

“We’d take care of feeding you and providing the equipment needed,” Tyler added. “The pay is one hundred dollars a month due to you after the beeves are sold in Abilene. And that includes payin’ you for the return trip. Will said, too, that if we get a really high price for the beeves there will be bonuses for everyone.”

Brandon’s eyes widened. “That’s a lot of money. Far more than I would have expected.”

Tyler laughed. “You’ll earn it. You’ll also need a couple of other men to help you with the horses. William’s got some good men who can help, but you’ll no doubt want to meet them and get to know them. That’s why I’m here. William was hoping that if you’re of a mind to join us, you might come on over next Saturday for a bit of a meeting. Bring the family. Hannah—that’s Will’s wife—plans to prepare a feast for everyone.”

“Sounds like a good excuse to get together,” Brandon said, glancing to Laura. “What do you think?”

“I don’t like the idea of you going away and traveling off through Indian land, but I realize we could use the money, with another baby on the way.” She looked at their son and smiled as he stuffed a piece of buttered corn bread in his mouth. He managed to mash more of the bread between his fingers than he actually got in his mouth.

Tyler couldn’t help but grin at the boy. He seemed so happy with his accomplishment. But it was Gloria Lowe who truly held his attention. He turned toward the little blond-haired girl. She sat very manageably on her mother’s lap while Daniel was in a feeding chair between his mother and father.

“I don’t think it would hurt to at least hear what William has to say,” Brandon finally replied.

Tyler nodded. “He’ll be glad to hear it. Ted Terry, too. They want to get under way as soon as possible. You’ll get a chance to meet Ted and his wife, Marietta, on Saturday. They own a large ranch to the west and north of Will’s. And here’s something else to interest you even more: You could buy additional horses for your farm in Abilene.”

“I was just thinking on that, but maybe not in the way you were,” Brandon admitted. “I was thinking that I could have my father ship some of his stock to Abilene. I could pick them up at the rail station and bring them back with us to Texas.”

“See there, already thinkin’ like a true Texan. Never make a trip for one purpose if you can do it for three or four.”

“You said there are forts along the way?” Laura questioned.

Tyler could hear the worry in her voice. “Yes, ma’am. The army is keeping a good eye on the Indian nations. The renegades are still likely to raid, but the army is working to keep them contained.”

“We’d heard that the Kiowa attacked earlier this year. We were told it happened just before we arrived in the area,” Laura replied.

“It did, and it wasn’t all that far north of here.” He couldn’t hide the anger in his voice. “It was much like when they killed my pa. Renegades attacked, robbed the place, burned everything, and killed those in their way. Only three men managed to survive the attack on our ranch. In the case of what happened in January, I’m told some of the women and children were taken hostage. No doubt to be traded.”

Laura shuddered. “To whom would they trade . . . people?”

“Other tribes. Mexican bandits.” Tyler shook his head. “Seems there are always those who are looking to take a slave no matter the color of their skin.”

“How awful,” Carissa said. “Do they always take hostages?”

“No, not usually. It’s more likely they kill everyone. That’s how it was at our place . . . at least that’s what they tried to do.” Tyler picked up his chicken and began to eat.

“But I thought you said your mother and sister were alive. At least I thought I remembered you telling me that once. Were they not on the ranch when the Indians attacked?” Carissa asked.

“They are alive. Thankfully they were in Dallas with me and my grandfather when the Comanche attacked the house. I thought eventually we’d all return to the ranch, but Mother decided to go east to live with her cousin after my grandfather passed on. She said Texas made her far too sad. My sister, Lenore, married and now lives in Georgia. I was sorry to see them go, but now I’m just as glad they did. Since the government took my land, I’m hardly in a position to support them, but I do try to send my mother a little money. Hopefully after this cattle drive, I can send her more than just a little.”

“Seems a complete injustice that they should rob you of your home,” Carissa said, shaking her head.

“They figure me for a traitor,” Tyler replied. “Truth is, I never planned to go to war in the first place.”

“Then how was it you ended up in the Confederate cavalry?” Brandon asked.

Tyler shrugged. “It’s a long story. Even my pa wanted to stay out of the war. He was of a mind like Sam Houston—that Texas had no business goin’ to war. After Pa died, my grandfather and I fully planned to rebuild the ranch.” He fell silent. “The war put an end to that. First because it took me away from the ranch. Then because my participation took the ranch away from me.”

“But what about the Homestead Act?” Laura asked. “Couldn’t you get another place that way?”

Brandon shook his head and answered before Tyler could. “No, he fought against the United States. They won’t allow him to have land. At least not here. I don’t know for sure how they’re doing it elsewhere. You have to sign a paper stating that you never bore arms against the United States.”

“As I told Mr. Atherton . . . Tyler,” Carissa began, “I think it very unfair that he should be treated that way. I wish there was something we could do to help him.”

“Well, we will just have to put our heads together and see what can be accomplished,” Brandon replied. “I have good friends who served with the Union and some are in fairly high places now. Perhaps they might help.”

“William is doing his best to help me,” Tyler said, trying hard not to let the bitterness well up. First Indians had taken what he loved, and now the very government he was supposed to swear allegiance to had stolen his land.

“If Texas were to revert to being a republic again, you might easily be able to get your land back,” Laura suggested. “As I understand it, there are many who want exactly that. They feel slighted that Texas has not yet officially been allowed back in the Union.”

“We aren’t like other states,” Tyler admitted. “Never will be. This state is made up of folks who know what it is to have to fight for their very existence. Texas isn’t for the faint of heart. Even so, I doubt we’ll ever see a return to our republic days. I doubt Texas will ever be like it used to be.”

The next morning Tyler awoke in William’s house to the smell of side meat and coffee. He smiled and quickly dressed. Hannah was in the kitchen with Juanita, her housekeeper and cook, when Tyler strolled in. He made an exaggerated effort to draw in a long deep breath.

“Sure smells good in here.”

“Morning, Tyler,” Hannah said, motioning to the stove. “Coffee’s ready.”

He grabbed a mug. “I think this may well be my favorite time of day. I’d all but forgotten what it was like to have a woman in the house. Camping on the battlefield doesn’t exactly allow for the comforts of home.”

“No, I’m sure it doesn’t.” Hannah turned with a platter of scrambled eggs and grits. “If you take a seat, I’ll bring you some breakfast.”

Tyler quickly complied. He was happily focused on putting away a second helping when Will joined him. “Wondered if you were gonna sleep away the day.”

William rubbed his right leg, as he often did since taking a war bullet. Mornings seemed worse for him, and stiffness caused his limp to be more pronounced. “I wasn’t sure you’d be up this early. By the time I went to bed last night, you still weren’t home.”

There was a hint of disapproval in William’s voice and that only caused Tyler to laugh. “I wasn’t out whoopin’ it up, if that’s what you’re worried about. I had dinner at the Reid farm. I think Brandon is going to do the job for us.”

“He’ll come on the drive?”

Tyler nodded. “So long as you can have him back by August. He’s got another baby due then.”

Hannah joined them, bringing a plate of corn bread and one of side meat. Juanita followed behind with the coffeepot. She quickly refilled Tyler’s cup and then turned to William’s.

“So I’m not the only one expecting,” Hannah said with a smile.

This was news to Tyler. “You’re gonna have another baby, Hannah?”

She blushed and nodded. “Yes. As best I can figure the baby will come in October, possibly as early as September.”

“Well, congratulations. That’s mighty fine news.” Tyler reached over and gave William a slap on the back. “Mighty fine.”

“We’re pleased,” Hannah admitted. “And now we know there will be new young ones. I like having more and more children in the area. That’s how you settle a community. Families are the best way to civilize the land.”

The clock chimed six, and Tyler finished the last of his grits. “Guess I’d best get out there and make sure the boys are gettin’ those last few details ready for the drive.”

“I’ll be out shortly,” William replied. He rubbed his thigh again. “Need to get my leg limbered up.”

Tyler took up a piece of warm corn bread and cut it open. Without being prompted, Hannah forked a piece of side meat and held it out to Tyler. He grinned and grabbed the greasy piece with his fingers.

“You know me pretty well, don’t you?” He stuffed the meat between the pieces of corn bread. “Sometimes I’m mighty sorry Will got your attention first.”