Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03] (8 page)

“I had thought maybe we could accompany them when they went to check on the place,” Laura said.

Hannah shook her head. “I don’t think that would be wise for several reasons. First of all, most of the folks in the area are going to know the men have gone on this drive. That’s why it was important for us to come together for protection. There are often renegades other than Indians who would seek to cause problems. This is the wild frontier, and you have to keep in mind that the laws and restrictions that might be observed in the city are often overlooked out here. Not only that, but the war has changed folks. It’s made criminals out of men who might otherwise have been upstanding citizens. William doesn’t even want us driving into town. He thinks we’ll be safer to just sit tight.”

“For three months?” Carissa asked. “That seems a bit much. Why would we not be safe enough with some of the men accompanying us to town?”

“We could, but it is just more prudent to remain here.” Hannah drew a deep breath. “It wasn’t really to my liking either, but it puts our men’s minds at ease to know we’ll be safe here. Giving the men one less thing to worry about on the trail makes staying here seem a small sacrifice.”

“She’s right,” Laura said. “Besides, in my condition, I’m going to feel less and less inclined to travel very far. It’s just not that comfortable.”

Juanita spoke up. “The men will go to town once every two weeks for news and supplies, but if we need the doctor or the sheriff, they will ride for them.”

Carissa looked around the room. So this was to become her prison in a sense. Maybe it would have been better to remain in Corpus Christi. She felt her sister’s gaze on her and forced a smile. There was no sense starting this with complaints.

“What shall we do about church?” Laura asked.

Hannah was ready for this, as well. “We will hold our own service. Marietta Terry said she might even join us. I love to hear her stories about how the Lord has worked in her life.”

“Well, it would seem that you’ve thought of everything,” Laura said, nodding at the list. “I think we can accomplish a great deal working together like this.”

“I think so, too,” Hannah replied. “Like I mentioned before, as the gardens produce more and more, we will cook and can. We will share the bounty so that when the men return, you will take home food for your family.”

Carissa had never known women to work together like this. In the city, her family and their friends had servants for such things. Joining Laura at the farm had given Carissa quite a shock at the amount of work that was required just to keep up with daily operations. She was glad that Hannah Barnett seemed to have a good understanding of what was expected of each of them. Her admiration of the woman continued to grow, and she couldn’t help but hope that in time, Hannah would become a good friend. God knew that Carissa needed one.

“So if we’re all agreed,” Hannah said, interrupting her thoughts, “I’d like to pray and ask God’s blessings on our time together and on the travels our men will soon endure.”

Carissa watched as the other women bowed their heads, then lowered her own.
God,
she prayed silently
, please keep us safe. Please keep Tyler and the others safe.
She paused for a moment to hear the words Hannah prayed, and then continued with her own prayer.

And, Father, help us both to learn to forgive and let go of the past. There’s a lot that hurts me still, and I know it won’t go away without your help.

G
uess we’re headin’ out tomorrow,” Tyler told Osage.

The older man nodded. “’Bout time.”

Tyler leaned back against the fence rail. “I agree.” But his heart wasn’t nearly so fixed on the idea as it had been before Carissa Lowe had come to the area.

“You have everything ready?”

Osage gave him a look of disgust. “Have you ever known me not to be ready for a job? Your pa always knew he could count on me to have my work under control.”

“I wasn’t really questionin’ your abilities, Osage—just makin’ conversation.”

The old man grinned. “I knowed it. Couldn’t help givin’ you a bad time of it since your pa ain’t here to do the job.”

“I miss him,” Tyler said, looking off across the ranch. “I know he would have wanted to go on this drive. He always dreamed of bein’ a big Texas rancher.”

“You can carry on that dream.”

Tyler looked at the older man. “I’d like to, but that’s hard to do without a ranch. Doesn’t look too favorable, either. Will’s doin’ all he can, but you know how folks feel about us Rebels.”

“What I know is that folks are wrong. You deserve to have your land back. The boys and me are behind you on that. In fact, I’ll do what I can to help you. I didn’t bear arms against anyone, so maybe I can help you get the ranch back.”

“Will says the same thing, but in truth it ain’t the same. I shouldn’t have to rely on someone else to get back what is rightfully mine.”

“Oh, so now you’re too good to have help, is that it?”

Tyler shook his head. “That’s not it at all. I just . . . well . . . I want to have what’s mine returned. I shouldn’t need anyone’s help to have that happen. It’s Atherton land. It ought to be returned to an Atherton.”

“Say, ain’t that the judge hisself?” Osage asked, pointing.

Tyler’s attention was drawn to the men coming from around the house. William was crossing the yard with a man that Tyler knew to be Judge Peevy from Dallas. “It is. Maybe he has news.” Tyler pushed off the fence to go meet them.

“I’ll get back to work, but you let me know what you find out, ya hear?”

“I will,” Tyler said over his shoulder. He kept walking toward the two men. “Have you had some word about my claim to the ranch?”

“It’s not good news, I’m afraid.” Peevy rubbed his white beard. “I’ve met with resistance from every direction. Your service for the Confederacy is the biggest obstacle we’re up against. The Republicans are not easily swayed to do anything that resembles aiding the enemy.”

“The enemy, eh?” Tyler shook his head. “I could have figured that’d be the way of it. My grandfather might have wanted me to serve in support of the South, but my father didn’t fight against the Union.”

“Well, we aren’t giving up just yet,” William interjected. “Judge Peevy is working to tie this up as long as possible. He thought he might be able to work out something to at least get the property returned to your mother.”

“It won’t be easy,” Peevy added, “but we’re trying to fight this from every angle. But it hasn’t helped that your mother moved away to live with her cousin or that your sister married a former Confederate major. Had they remained on the property, it might be a different story now. There might have been some sympathy for a widow. Even if she is a Southerner.”

Peevy’s comment only served to anger Tyler. “I thought the country was supposed to be unified now. I thought we were supposed to put aside the past and move forward.”

“If you were on the right side of the war, that’s true enough,” Judge Peevy replied. “I’m sure life in the North goes on as it did before, except for the fact that they want to make the South suffer and pay for the war. I’d like to believe the past issues can be put aside, but frankly, there’s too much bad blood to wash away.”

“Perhaps if Lincoln had lived,” Will began, “he might have been able to change the hearts and minds of the people. Especially those in Washington. His death has left a bitterness between the North and South that might never heal.”

“William is right. Even those of us who supported the Union are looked upon as the enemy for simply living here.”

“They don’t understand the heart of the Texas people,” Tyler muttered. “It never really was our war. We stood in support of our Southern brothers, but mostly we would have been content to reform our own country. Now we want to put the war behind us, and they won’t let us.”

“Be that as it may,” Peevy countered, “there are those in control who can hopefully be counted on to help.” He reached out and put his hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “I want you to know that I will be working faithfully on this matter while you’re away, but I cannot promise anything.”

“In other words,” Tyler said, balling his hands, “I could return to find the place sold and forever out of my reach.”

William and Judge Peevy exchanged a glance, and then turned back to Tyler. Peevy nodded. “That’s the truth of it, son. I’m sorry.”

Carissa watched as a man of some means spoke with William and Tyler. “Who is that?” she asked as she and Hannah made their way back from the smokehouse.

“That’s Judge Peevy. He’s trying to help Tyler get his ranch back.”

“It seems so unfair that he should have lost his home. Especially after his father died trying to defend it,” Carissa replied.

Hannah paused and fixed Carissa with a smile. “You care about him—don’t you?”

Carissa’s hand went to her throat. “I . . . well . . .” She licked her lips and forced her nerves to steady. “I care about everyone here.”

“But Tyler is special. I can see that.”

Carissa didn’t know what to say. The idea of admitting her growing feelings was something she wasn’t at all comfortable with. Over and over she’d told herself that it wasn’t sensible to care about another man. But at the same time, she feared for Gloria.

Hannah reached out to touch Carissa’s arm. “He’s a good man, and he cares about you and Gloria. I’ve not seen him show this much affection for anyone else. I think you should know that.”

“But why?” Carissa questioned.

“The men are leaving tomorrow. It might be wise to tell him how you feel.”

Carissa shook her head. “I’m not even sure I know how I feel—except for overwhelmed. So much has happened. Tyler saved my life, and in essence, Gloria’s too. I will always feel a special connection to him because of that. But my husband was cruel. He’s made it so that I don’t feel . . . safe . . . with other men.”

“Don’t give him any more power over you, Carissa. The past can be put behind you. It’s not easy, nor can I say that you’ll never have to face certain fears. But for Gloria’s sake, I’d encourage you to try. A woman without a mate has a hard enough time in this world. A woman with a child . . . well, I can tell you from the experience of raising my brother and sister that it only gets harder. I fell in love with William but had already decided I’d have to marry in order to see to their needs.”

“But that’s not a good reason to marry,” Carissa said, shaking her head. “What about love?”

“I agree that love is important. It was very important to me, but many a marriage has started because of something other than love.” Hannah paused as the men moved off toward the pens. “I know he cares about you. And, Carissa, I can’t help but believe you care about him. I think love is growing between the two of you. I just want to encourage you not to let fear kill that love.”

Carissa was momentarily offended by Hannah’s frankness, but then realized it was exactly what she wanted in a friend. “I think I’m afraid of everything,” she finally admitted.

“‘Perfect love casteth out fear,’” Hannah countered. “That’s from the Bible. God’s love is perfect, and when we turn to Him, He can set us free from fear through His love. Laura told me that you haven’t been long in seeking God’s direction. Maybe while the men are on the cattle drive, you can focus on growing closer to God.”

“I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Hannah smiled. “Maybe I can help. Would you like that?”

Carissa felt her chest tighten. “Yes, I think I would.”

“I don’t wanna sleep,” Gloria said in protest.

Carissa knew her daughter wouldn’t take a nap willingly, but she also knew that without the break, Gloria would be impossible at supper.

Taking a warm, wet cloth, Carissa began washing Gloria’s face. “I know you don’t want to sleep, but how about you just rest. You can talk to your dolly.”

“I want Rusty.”

“No, the dog has to stay outside.” Carissa put the cloth aside and unfastened Gloria’s pinafore. Gloria suppressed a yawn and danced around as Carissa worked to take off the apron and dress. Once this was done she pointed Gloria to the bed.

“You be with me.”

“No, I have work to do,” Carissa said, despite the fact that the idea was greatly appealing. She reached over to the nightstand and picked up Gloria’s doll. “Here’s your baby.”

To Carissa’s surprise, Gloria didn’t argue. As was often the case, if she could get Gloria to be still for a little while, she usually yielded to her exhaustion. The girl yawned again and took the doll to her chest. Carissa pulled a sheet up to cover her daughter.

“You get some rest and when you wake up, it will be time for supper.”

“I see Tyer, too?”

Carissa looked at her daughter for a moment, then sat down on the edge of the bed. “You like Tyler, don’t you?”

Gloria nodded. Her lids were growing heavy, and Carissa knew she should just leave her child to go to sleep. Something kept her there, however. She thought of what Hannah had said about Tyler caring for her and for Gloria.

Reaching out, Carissa smoothed back her daughter’s blond curls. To her surprise, Gloria spoke. “You like, Tyer, Mama.” It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement. Even so, Carissa felt that she could at least be honest with her child.

“I do like Tyler.”

Gloria nodded again and closed her eyes. Her peaceful expression left Carissa with a sense of well-being. Her daughter was safe and happy. She really couldn’t hope for more than that—could she?

Leaving Gloria to sleep, Carissa made her way to the kitchen. She spied Juanita and smiled. “I’m here to help you.”

Juanita nodded. “I have two pork roasts in the oven. We will make corn bread and grits, gravy, and something sweet.”

“Sounds delicious.” Carissa took down an apron and slipped it on. Securing the ties, she went to the sink and washed her hands. “I know how to make corn bread and grits, but I’m not too good with gravy.”

“Then I teach you,” Juanita said matter-of-factly.

Carissa smiled and nodded as she turned to face the Mexican woman. “I’m ready.”

They had barely started working when someone came in from the back. Carissa wasn’t surprised to see it was Tyler. Somehow she had almost expected it.

“We could use something to tide us over till supper,” he announced. “Would you happen to have any of your cinnamon sugar cookies, Juanita?”

“
Sí
, I have those and some of Miss Hannah’s gingerbread. You want both?”

“Absolutely. Me and Osage are pert near starvin’.” He looked at Carissa and winked. “We’re workin’ way harder than a man ought to work.”

She couldn’t help but grin. “You’d better hurry then, Juanita. We wouldn’t want them to expire.”

Tyler returned the smile and happily received a stack of cookies from Juanita. Next she went to a jar and pulled out pieces of gingerbread. Wrapping them in a dish towel, she admonished Tyler.

“You don’t lose my towel.” She brought him the bundle and handed it over.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Tyler promised. “In fact, if I had another set of hands, I wouldn’t even take it.”

Juanita shook her head. “If you had more hands, you’d just take more food.”

Tyler laughed and moved toward the door. “She knows me pretty well,” he said, meeting Carissa’s gaze. “You could learn a lot from her.”

“That’s the plan,” Carissa declared.

This caused Tyler to pause, and Carissa could tell he wanted to know exactly what she meant by her statement. With a shrug and a hint of a smile, Carissa went back to where Juanita had started her sifting flour for the gravy. “I hope she’ll teach me to make those cookies. They look delicious.”

She risked a quick glance at Tyler and saw that he looked momentarily confused. He didn’t let the expression linger, however.