“Yep. Wouldn’t be surprised. It’s a wonder how things fall into place sometimes when two folks meet. Both of ‘em discover gifts they never knew they had.”
“Yes,” Emilia agreed. “As Charles would say, it’s a holy wonder.”
The dance finished and another round of applause and cheers went up for the newlyweds. “God bless y’all, James n’ Georgia! Okay, folks, let’s pick up the pace a bit,” the caller said. His strong, high-register voice carried to the rafters at the back of the barn as he broke into acapella song:
“Keep your pretty feet close to the ground,
and don’t you dance your partner down,
partners to the puncheons, take ‘em by the hand,
Sheriff got married, ain’t it grand?”
The band kicked in behind him and they were off:
“Barbed wire fence and great big gate;
Promenade that gal and don’t be late.
Tighten up the bellybands, loosen up the traces;
All join hands and get to your places.
Throw your loop and jerk your slack;
Meet your honey and turn right back.”
“This is absolutely wonderful dance music,” Charles exclaimed as the couples twirled away out on the floor. “It’s so joyful and free – totally different than our stiff old steps back east.”
Martha nodded. “Your toes start a-tappin’ when ya hear it and pretty soon you just can’t help but wanna dance. Of course, it don’t hurt to have the best band in the county neither.”
“Yes, those are excellent musicians. There seems to be far more men than women here, Martha. I hope they won’t be left out of the fun.”
“No worries, Charles, they won’t get left out none,” she assured him. “They’ll keep the womenfolks busy all night switchin’ dance partners. You’ll see. But at some dances there’s so many men they got to heifer-brand themselves.”
“What is ‘heifer-branding’? I hope there’s no red-hot irons involved,” he joked.
“If there’s too many men to get a dance with a gal, some of the cowboys will tie a scarf around their arm and dance the ladies’ part. That way everybody gets to shake a leg,” Martha grinned.
“That’s outrageous,” Charles grinned back, “and I love it.”
“Swing the bay filly on your right,
And now the sorrel, now the white.
Twist her tail ‘til the old cow bawls;
Swing your opposite across the hall.
Whoa, whoa, rope that steer;
Bring him back to his little dear.”
“Howdy, Reverend,” David said as he sat down next to Wilkinson on one of the benches against the wall. The man was twelve years his senior: forty-four years old, a road-weary Methodist preacher who travelled a monthly circuit around West Texas in all weather and for little pay. His black suit and white clerical collar was frayed and worn.
“Hello David,” he said, “a wonderful square dance you’re having here tonight.”
“Thank you, sir. Yeah, folks is havin’ a good time, ain’t they?” he replied, looking around at the festivities.
“Please call me Zack; much less of a mouthful than ‘Zechariah’. It’s a good biblical name but four syllables gets tiresome all the time.”
“Zack it is then, Reverend. Thanks for conductin’ the weddin’ today and the fine prayer before the meal.”
“My pleasure, young man. I must say that of all the wedding meals I’ve ever attended this one was an epic feast, even for Texas!”
“Thanks. I’d have to agree,” David smiled, patting his ample belly. “That there French chef from the Sutton has got him a gift.”
“Agreed,” Wilkinson laughed, patting his own distended stomach.
“You know, Zack,” David said, “Honestly I’m surprised to see you here tonight. Seems like most Methodist preachers are against square dancin’ and think it’s plumb sinful. But you seem to be havin’ a good time.”
Zack smiled wearily. “Yes...I do apologize for my over-zealous colleagues. Sometimes in life it seems we just can’t see the forest for the trees.”
“Are you sayin’ that they’re makin’ mountains out of mole hills when it comes to square dancin’?” David asked with a twinkle in his eye.
“Yes. It’s unfortunate, isn’t it? They have their ‘play parties’ at the church – dances like tonight but with no fiddles or waist-swings. I don’t see anything evil about fiddles or waist-swings, David. They seem like blessings of the Lord to me.”
“You need to come preach in Sonora, Zack,” David laughed. “Shucks, I’ll take up a collection myself for your call.”
“Well, thank you kindly. I do appreciate that.”
“I’m serious, Reverend. If you’re tired of all that circuit-ridin’ you got a congregation right here: me and my family for starters. I’m sure there’s also plenty others that are tired of mole hills being blown up into mountains.” David shook his hand. “Please think about it.”
“Shorty! Shed that old sombrero,
Bronco, douse that ciragette.
Stop that cussin’, Casimero, ‘Fore the ladies,
Now, all set!
Salute your ladies, all together,
Ladies opposite, the same –
Hit the lumber with your leathers,
Balance all, and swing your dame!
The band played a slow waltz next and the newlyweds got out onto the floor again. “Oh James, our wedding day is going just wonderfully, don’t you think?” Georgia said as they danced close together.
“Yeah, it’s goin’ great. And I’ve never seen you look so beautiful as in that dress.”
“Thank you, my love. Did you notice that I’m not wearing a corset?” she asked mischievously.
“How could I not?” he smiled, “when I put my hand on your back like this as we’re dancin’ I can tell it’s your soft body underneath, not some starchy canvas.”
She giggled. “Do you like it that way?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, kissing her on the lips, “I like it a lot.”
“Good,” she replied, kissing him back. “I like it too. A woman can hardly breathe in a corset, you know? I much prefer it when it’s you taking my breath away instead.”
“Me too, darlin’. Why don’t we leave now and work on that?”
“Mmm, I’d like to but...” he interrupted her with a kiss, “...you make a very persuasive case,” she kissed him back, “but..um...you’ve got to dance with Martha and Mama yet. I’ve got to dance with Daddy and...”
“Yep, I know,” he chuckled. “the traditions must be observed.”
“Besides haven’t you heard that good things come to those who wait,” she teased.
“Oh, don’t I know it,” he teased back, kissing her gently on the forehead.
After an hour or so William came to the dance. He had been busy supervising and helping the staff clean up after the dinner; although he did pop in earlier to watch Georgia and James’s Texas two-step. Now he got himself a beverage and sat down with the wedding party.
“Whew! What a busy day,” he said, plopping into a chair.
“You did an excellent job of the dinner, son. Everyone thought it was great,” Charles said, shaking his hand in congratulations.
“Yes, dear,” Emilia added, “it was superbly done.”
“Thanks, Mama, Papa,” William replied. “The Sutton staff are great to work with too.” He took a sip of cider and gazed around the room. “Hey! Is that Elias out on the dance floor?” They all stared at the figures on the puncheons. Sure enough, Elias had found a partner and the two of them were bowing, twirling, and promenading about having a great time.
“Ha! That’s wonderful,” Charles grinned. “Good for him.”
“Go laddy, go!” Martha said happily.
“We haven’t had a dance yet, Auntie,” James said, offering his hand. “C’mon let’s have a go.” He led her out to the floor and soon they were in the midst of the other couples, smiling a
nd laughing, kicking up their heels. When they returned to the table, James led Georgia out onto the floor. She was hesitant at first, not having practiced this kind of step, but quickly relaxed and joined right in, enjoying the lively movements and music.
“That was wonderful, James,” she beamed when they got back to the table and sat down. “Such fun. It’s your turn next, Mama.”
“Oh, no dear; I’m not so steady on my feet these days.”
“Well, I hope you’ll join me for an old-time waltz then, Emilia,” James said as the band eased into a slow number, giving everybody a chance to catch their breath. “C’mon, ‘Ma,’ I’ll hold you steady so you won’t fall.”
She hesitated for a moment then took his hand and they walked out onto the floor. Soon Emilia was smiling with delight as James led her in a graceful waltz. He eased her backward into a gentle dip as the song finished. “That was lovely, James. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure, Ma, you’re a fine dancer.”
She giggled like a young woman. “No, I’m really not; but thank you for the compliment all the same.”
As the hours flew by, everyone had a turn on the puncheons. The Warton boys danced with their sister. Charles with Emilia and Martha. David waltzed with all the women. Generous amounts of snacks and leftovers from the dinner were served midway through. And as Martha had predicted, every cowboy who attended the event got their turn to swing a partner out on the floor.
At midnight the dance was still going strong. James and Georgia decided to take their leave and retire to the honeymoon suite that had been offered them by a neighboring rancher. It was a small cabin set on a ridge in the nearby hills. Originally a ‘line’ cabin used by cowhands, it now served as a guest house and was furnished quite comfortably. They left the barn without fanfare, saying a quick ‘good night’ and ‘see you soon’ to the family.
A GL hand brought a one-horse carriage to the front of the ranch house. Though it was a bright night, an oil lamp hung on a post in the carriage. James loaded a couple small pieces of luggage and helped Georgia climb up onto the seat. Then he got in, flicked the reins, and they were off into the moonlit night.
30
The day after the wedding, while James and Georgia were still honeymooning up in the hills, David made good his offer to provide the Warton brothers a chance to brand some calves.
They had all slept late – even Aunt Martha – after being up dancing into the wee hours of the morning. So they had a long, leisurely brunch of leftovers from the wedding dinner. Then the new in-laws went over to the corral where Francisco was waiting with the ranch hands and a pen of boisterous calves.
“What kind of calves are they?” Elias asked.
“Texas longhorns,” Fran said, “the fiercest cows to ever roam the hills. But do not worry, Señor Elias, these are only the babies.”
The Warton boys had donned full range-outfits – like their father and sister before them – in anticipation of branding the cows. Now David had an additional offer for them: “Boys, you know that Charles n’ Georgia branded some calves a few weeks ago. But you fellers is a lot stronger and full o’ vinegar. What do you think about doin’ the tie-down too?”
The boys looked at each other and nodded. “Sure,” William said, “how do we do it?”
“Have a gander at this,” David replied. They watched as a calf was let loose into the corral and Fran roped, tied, and branded it. The brothers looked at each other again, this time as if to say, ‘what have we gotten ourselves into?’
David saw their concern and said, “No worries, boys, these calves ain’t as dangerous as their parents.” He held up a piece of rope a couple feet long. “This here’s called a piggin’ string. You seen how Fran wrapped it around three legs of the calf. Throw the critter to the ground, grab the string out of your pocket, and tie up their legs with this knot.” He demonstrated the technique on a fence rail. “Eezee-peezee. Then smoke ‘em on the hip with the brandin’ iron and climb out of there. Think y’all can handle it?”
“No problemo, amigo,” Elias said confidently. “Let me go first so little brother can see how it’s done.”
“You got it, partner; here’s some gloves. Let me know when you’re ready,” David said. Elias put on the leather gloves and nodded. At a signal the pen gate was opened and a calf came bounding out, kicking up its heels.
“Oh, my goodness,” Emilia said as she watched, “I hope he doesn’t get hurt in there.” Elias scrambled onto the fence and waited as Fran lassoed the animal. Then he jumped into the arena, grasped the calf with both arms and threw it onto the ground in a cloud of dust.
“Yeee-hoo!” Martha shouted. “That a boy, Elias!”
He had some trouble grabbing the animal’s flailing, kicking legs but finally was able to collect three ankles and hold them tight. He wrapped the pigging string around them a few times, tied it off, then ran to the fence and got a branding iron.
“That’s it son,” Charles yelled, “you’re almost there.”
Elias pressed the brand onto the calf’s hip until smoke rose up, then ran back to the fence, handed over the iron and climbed out of the corral. Applause and cheers erupted from his family as the young man hopped down to safety with a beatific grin on his face. “Whoo-hoo!” he exclaimed, wiping the sweat off his brow with a forearm. “That was something else. Your turn, little Willy.”
William put the gloves on, swallowed hard, and climbed slowly onto the fence. “Okay, David, let ‘er fly.” The next calf bolted out of the pen. It was smaller but faster, running around the arena at breakneck speed and changing direction every few dozen strides. Even Fran – that most skilled of vaqueros – took two throws to get a loop on him.
When the animal jerked to a stop at the end of Fran’s rope, William ran towards it. But the calf was so agile and quick he couldn’t grab it. Whenever he did get his hands on the beast it wriggled away. Elias jumped over the fence and called out, “Hold on, little Willy, we’ll get that critter on the ground!”
“Looks like we got us a Warton tag-team rodeo goin’ on,” David chuckled. “Get him, boys, he’s a tricky one!”
Elias ran at top speed and tackled the calf like a football linebacker, knocking it to the ground. Then he threw his body on the squirming animal, holding it steady. “He’s all yours, brother, tie him off and smoke him.”
“Yee-hooo!” Martha called out again. She turned toward Charles and Emilia, “I aint’ never seen a calf taken down quite like that before. That Elias of yours has got him some spunk.”
“My goodness,” Charles said as if to himself. “I do believe he does.”
William quickly tied the calf’s legs together and branded it. Then his brother loosened the pigging string, threw it to Fran, and both boys hopped nimbly over the fence side-by-side. Emilia hugged Elias tightly with tears in her eyes. Charles pumped William’s hand. “Great teamwork out there, son.”
The boys shook hands and grinned at each other. “Thanks, Elias, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Likewise, little Willy. If you know what I mean.” They embraced for a moment, slapping each other’s backs happily, their parents standing next to them and trying to hold back tears.
* * *
That afternoon James and Georgia sat outside of their honeymoon cabin, enjoying the view from the hilltop. A few clouds drifted across the Sonoran sky and a light breeze cooled their skin.
“My goodness, the view is almost as beautiful up here as from the lookout,” she said.
He put his arm around her. “I think it’s even better, darlin’. After all this is gonna be our new ranch.”
“What? James, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise and to tell you up here where we can see the land in front of us,” he grinned. “What do you think?”
“It’s absolutely gorgeous! I love it,” Georgia said, looking at the fields and hills before them. “Does it have a house?”
“Yes, you’ll like tha
t too. Lots of room for the bambinos to play,” he said, kissing her softly on the neck.
“How many bambinos?” she asked, closing her eyes and letting her head fall sensuously to the side for him.
“I dunno. How many would you like, Mrs. McCloud?”
She thought about it for a moment. “Let’s start with a few and take it from there,” she giggled as he kissed her again.
“Okay, it’s a deal,” James whispered. “Let’s go back inside and get to work.”
Caught Between Love And Duty Page 27
