by Danni Roan
The river came into view and the men let their horses have their heads as they rushed to the water that sparkled with golden light. A light breeze stirred the water, and a dark snake undulated across the cool water.
Mindful of the viper, Dan swung down and moved away from the horses to fill his canteen in the surprisingly cold water.
“Looks like it’s spring fed,” Dozer Yokes called filling his own canteen. “I reckon the springs upstream a bit based on the flow.” The older man grinned, his sleepy looking eyes that had garnered his name, blinking lazily.
“You willing to scout it?” Dan asked.
“Give the word Cap’n.”
Dan groaned. “I’m not your captain anymore,” he grumbled. “It’s ridiculous for a man your age to be deferring to me.”
The other man chuckled, peeking out from under heavy lids. “Far as I’m concerned you’re still in charge,” he grinned.
“See if you can find the spring.” Dan shook his head. One way or another, he would get his men to stop looking to him to lead. They were all free men and could do whatever they wanted. At the moment they seemed inclined to go along with this mad dream of his, so he’d just have to deal with it.
Sunlight sparkled off the water, and Dan motioned for the men to let the horses graze while they waited for Dozer to report. It would be good to stop for a while, and though they hadn’t been pushing hard as they had so often done in the past, he was hoping their long march was almost over.
The sound of cattle bawling somewhere on the other side of the river made everyone look up as they eased saddle cinches and slipped bridles from their horses.
“You think them’s the wild ones?” a younger man called trying to look across the water.
“Reckon we’ll know soon enough,” another man called out.
“I’ve never chased cows,” the younger man said. “Are they dangerous?” he swallowed, trying to catch a glimpse of the animals they could now hear.
As the men settled in the dust of the prairie, holding loosely to their horses’ leads, they watched as first one then more of the long-horned cattle approach. Even across the small river they could see the depth and breadth of the beasts. The lead cow stood a good sixteen hands at the shoulder, and the long pointed horns that spanned a good six feet from tip to tip glinted like steel.
“That’s what we’re here for?” the younger man Teddy said swallowing hard as the lead cow huffed as it approached the water.
“That’s them,” Dan nodded. “We’ll have to be smart and work hard, but this is a chance at a new beginning.” He lifted his eyes, watching as the cattle shuffled down the banks of the small river and began to drink, keeping a wary eye on the men on the other shore.
“They look dangerous,” Teddy whispered.
“They are dangerous,” another soldier drawled. “They’ll kill ya soon as look at ya, but they got sense too. Cow’s ain’t especially smart, but they have a sense of self-preservation. You point ‘em in the direction you want and hold ‘em together, they’ll move.”
“Greg, stop scaring the boy,” Dozer rode up watching the cattle gathering on the far shore. “I found the spring,” he reported. “About a mile upstream there’s a big pool fair grazing and no sign of nobody else.”
“Mount up boys,” Dan called noting the way the cows swung as one away from the water and back toward the prairie before stopping and watching the men mount up and ride out. “We might have just found home.”
As a group, the men topped out on a low hill that rolled away from the river and sprawled out into grass lands. A shimmering pool glistened gold and orange in the fading rays of the sun. Turning in his saddle Dan gazed back along their trail catching glimpses of the large herd spreading out along the water way. It was good land, good grazing, and plenty of water. Pulling a map from his saddle bags he studied the terrain noting the nearest towns and undesignated wild areas.
“Doesn’t look like anyone has staked a claim,” he said lifting his eyes once more. “We’ll make camp and explore more tomorrow. If this is the river I see on the map, it flows into a larger one about forty miles south and leads further toward the gulf from there.”
“What do we do now?” Teddy asked, his thin face serious as his dark eyes, far too serious and haunted, scanned the open land.
“Make camp!” Dan yelled.
***
Dan pushed himself up from his solid kitchen chair and grabbed his hat. If dinner wasn’t coming to him, he would go to dinner.
“Dozer!” He shouted, striding out the door and across the yard. “Get me a horse.”
Chapter 6
The sun was low on the horizon by the time Dan reached the cow camp in the wide rolling plains of his ranch land.
Cattle grazed across the late summer grass and calves frolicked near their watchful mothers.
A sense of peace washed over the Mayor of Needful as he trotted to the battered chuck wagon and called to the cook. The old man with the wispy beard barked an insult at him making him laugh as he stepped from the saddle and swaggered to the fire.
Grabbing a heavy leather pad, Dan reached for the coffee pot pouring the acidic black brew into a mug and taking a swig. “I see your coffee is just as foul as always Cookie,” he laughed letting the hot beverage cool lightly in the soft breeze.
“What you doin’ out here?” the old man asked, his Rheumy eyes studying Dan suspiciously. “I figured you’d be in town eatin’ at that fancy boarding house.”
Dan shook his head sipping his coffee then shaking his head. “Things there are too hot for me Cookie,” he drawled. “I figured I’d be safer with your bland, tasteless stew.” Dan’s blue eyes twinkled as the skinny cook turned shaking a wooden spoon in his face.
“Tasteless!” the old man bellowed working his bearded jaw. “Why you no good scaly-wag,” he continued stomping his feet in the sand and glaring at his boss. “You’re lucky I don’t poison you for that insult.”
Dan’s eyes twinkled with delight as the old man groused and stormed, banging pots and pans into the boxes of his wagon. Cookie never really changed. His old blue pants were tucked into battered boots that looked too big for his thin frame. Bright yellow suspenders stood out in contrast to his navy blue wool shirt.
“You know I’m just teasing,” Dan laughed as the old man settled, casting him one last glare. “I’m afraid I’m not having any luck with cooks today.” Dan shook his dark head hoping Cookie wouldn’t throw a pot at him the way Rosa had.
“That bad, huh?” the old man asked walking over to peer into Dan’s face. “You look like somethin’s troublin’ you fierce like.”
Dan nodded staring into his cup at the dark depths of coffee. The brown-black brew shimmered in the setting sun making him think of the light in Rosa’s dark eyes.
The old cook moved to the heavy iron pot sitting over the fire and gave it a stir then twisted a large skillet of biscuits sitting on a rack slung below the pot. “Must be a woman,” the old man whispered then cackled as Dan’s head snapped up. “That’s what I thought. Why don’t you tell me what’s goin’ on, and maybe my years of worldly experience can he’p you figure out what to do next.”
Dan raised a dark brow at the old cook. He’d hired the man to cook for the crew shortly after they had set to gathering a herd on this very patch of land. The old man had wondered into camp half starved and staggering from a wound to his leg. He’d asked for food but promised to pay in the only way he knew how, telling a hair-raising tale of his escape from desperadoes to the south. Since that day the man everyone called Cookie had cooked and entertained them with tall tales from places far and wide.
“Cookie, I don’t know if you have a story that can help with this problem. I just want to make up for my own mistakes and fix a problem. The woman is incidental to the whole issue.”
The loud harrumph from the old man made Dan scowl, staring with his mouth half open.
“No woman is ever incidental, to no tale” the old man growled.
“Women make a mess of everythin’,” he continued. “You mark my words; things will get worse before they get better. Now spill or you’ll be eatin’ burnt beef and blackened beans.”
Dan chuckled, but tried to explain how he wanted to help Rosa and Christine since he hadn’t been able to help Raul. He felt responsible for the family who had lost their guardian and provider. It felt good to pour it all out to someone. Spencer had been no help at all. With his own worries about the town’s safety and a family of his own, half the time Dan was pretty sure his older brother had been secretly laughing at him behind his back. At least the men who had ridden in the posse had agreed to keep quiet about his stupid mistake when they had discovered Ruth and Rosa safe.
Old Cookie slapped his knee as Dan finished his story. “Son, you got more trouble than you even know,” he cackled. “Why you got so much trouble, you don’t even know what trouble you got.”
Dan stood to his feet anger burning through him as he tossed his coffee into the dirt and glared. “What’s the point of telling you if all you’re going to do is make fun of me?” He snarled leaning over and hissing when the old man grabbed his own knees falling back onto the ground in peals of laughter. “I didn’t come here to have you poke fun at me.”
“Calm down,” the old man laughed trying to get himself back under control as he climbed back to his feet dusting his britches. “I ain’t gonna tell no one about this. ‘sides sounds like enough already know even if they ain’t talkin’.” Again, a chuckle rolled through him, and he wiped his eyes as tears of mirth raced down his dusty cheeks. “You young folks is always in a hurry. Impatient and such. Some things take time Dan. There are things in this life that can’t be rushed.” Cookie laid his hand on the younger man’s shoulder as Dan sank back on the stool by the fire while other riders approached.
“I hope you have some idea what to do,” he finally whispered. “I’m at my wit’s end.”
The old man’s chuckle did nothing to quell the nerves jumping in Dan’s stomach, but it was too late now. He’d poured out everything to the old fellow who had earned every man’s trust over the years. He only hoped it was worth it. One way or another, he was determined to help the young widow. If he had been a better friend to her husband, she wouldn’t be in this situation.
“I just want to help,” Dan whispered, hanging his head. “Raul was my friend.” The lean rancher squirmed uncomfortably on his seat as the old man studied his face.
“I understand,” Cookie chuckled. “Maybe more than you do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dan sprang to his feet once more, his blue eyes glinting. “What are you trying to say old man?”
“Simmer down,” the cook said. “I ain’t sayin’ nothin’. You young folks sure are skittish nowadays.” Cookie chuckled his eyes twinkling as he watched his boss fidget. “One thing I will tell ya though is plain as the nose on your face. If you ain’t willin’ to do this God’s way, you and Rosa and even little Christina may be in for a world of hurt.”
Dan scuffed the toe of his boot in the sand but avoided the old man’s eyes as something cold crept up his spine. He knew he was partly responsible for what had happened to his onetime wrangler and friend. Taking care of Raul’s wife and daughter was the least he could do.
A vision of Rosa’s warm brown eyes swam before him, and Dan shoved it away. He couldn’t deny that she was a beautiful woman, but she was his friend’s wife. “I’m willing to pay whatever it takes to see she’s cared for,” he whispered.
Chapter 7
Dawn broke and Rosa hurried to the kitchen tying an apron around her slim waist. She was tired and still angry about what had happened to her and Ruth only a few short weeks ago. At least that is what she kept telling herself, but the truth was she had been less frightened in Rivera’s clutches than she was of the feelings in her own heart.
“Ellen!” Rosa gasped as she stepped into the already warm cooking area of the Hampton House. “What are you doing?”
“I’m cooking,” the pretty blonde wife of Joe Hampton, grinned. “Olive thinks you need a couple of days off.”
“But I am the one who cooks.” Rosa stared at Ellen in shock. “Miss Olive hired me for this job.” Her hands began to shake as fear gripped her heart. Was she being dismissed?
“You are still the cook of the Hampton House.” Ellen turned, offering an understanding smile as Olive Hampton strode into the kitchen her skirts swishing with her long strides.
“You need a break Rosa,” Olive said softly placing an empty tray on a bare work space. “I’m not replacing you, and even if you didn’t cook, you would have a home here.” Olive laid a warm hand on Rosa’s arm. “You are part of this family, but you need time to get over what happened.”
“No.” Rosa said, but there was no real conviction in her word. “I cook.”
“Not today,” Olive stared the younger woman down. “Today you need to do something different. Take Christina and go for a walk. Hire a buggy and get out of town. Whatever you need, but please rest and deal with whatever it is that is eating you up. You’re no good to anyone in your current state.”
Rosa lifted her chin stubbornly as fear squirmed in her belly. “I do not wish to go anywhere.”
“Then stay in your room all day and play with your little girl. Read a book, take a nap, rest.”
Rosa twisted her hands nervously in her apron. If she wasn’t working, she would go mad. Too much had happened over the last year and a half, and her emotions were raw. Her heart had been stolen, her world rearranged and the joy that was supposed to last a lifetime had evaporated. “I.” She opened her mouth to protest once more, but Shililaih and Arabela joined Olive and all eyes turned on Rosa. There was no anger, not condemnation in those eyes only determination and compassion.
“Rosa, we all need time to ourselves once in a while. Please rest. We’ll take care of everything.” Ellen’s words were so kind and full of understanding, soothing like a healing balm.
Rosa studied each woman. All were strong, capable, and part of the Hampton family. With these women here, she wasn’t needed anymore and fear gnawed at her belly with the thought. If Olive dismissed her how would she care for Christina? How would she feed and shelter her baby girl? She trembled and Olive wrapped an arm around her pulling her close.
“Go,” the older woman said. “We’ll manage without you for one day. You need this.” She held Rosa a moment longer. “Your job is safe,” she whispered. “I promise.”
Rosa turned stumbling back toward her room on the back side of the kitchen. She didn’t need this. She needed to work. She needed to continue to save the money she had hoarded over the past few months. Without the Hamptons and her job, without the security of work, she would be lost. Olive said her job was safe, but perhaps money was tight with so many mouths to feed. What if she changed her mind or had no choice but to let Rosa go.
An icy shiver rolled down Rosa’s spine as she thought back to her own mother. Always dependent, always held a hostage in the hands of a deceitful man. Again Rosa shivered as hot tears stung her face. Slipping silently into her room she fell onto the bed burying her face in the pillow and crying with fear, doubt, anger, and despair.
As Rosa silently sobbed out her deepest fears her daughter’s soft giggle pulled her from the bed and toward the small crib.
“Oh my sweet girl,” Rosa said sitting up and drying her eyes on the hem of her dress. “You will not live the way I did. You will not know the shame, the sorrow of that life.”
Rosa stood walking to her daughter’s crib and pulling her only child close. Christina rested her still sleepy head on her mother’s shoulder and patted Rosa’s back with a pudgy hand sending a shock wave of love through the tiny woman.
“My heart,” Rosa whispered relishing the feeling of her daughter in her arms. “Perhaps you will be always alone with no brothers or sisters,” she sniffed, “but one day you will grow into a beautiful woman, and from now until then, I will do everything to ke
ep you safe.”
Christina leaned back placing her little hands on her mother’s face and smiling sweetly as she kissed her mother then threw her arms around her once more in a tight hug.
Rosa felt the laughter, long forgotten bubble up inside her and a sense of wonder filled her. She who had been so unworthy of love had this precious gift. This perfect soul who loved her unconditionally. “Oh, Raul,” Rosa sniffed holding her daughter close. “You saw me. You saw past where I had come from and took me to be your wife. I loved you for that, but why, why did you have to get yourself killed?” She felt her heart crumble again. No one would ever know where she had come from, or how Raul had saved her from certain doom with his cheerful nature and big heart.
The big man had made her laugh, promised undying love, and an honorable future and she had grasped it with both hands. Now he was gone, destroyed by his evil brother, and Rosa was alone in a world that treated woman as trade goods. She would make Olive understand that she would not lose her temper again. She would not give her a reason to dismiss her. Rosa would not let her daughter suffer the shame and humiliation she had grown up with.
Dressing carefully Rosa prepared Christina and together they walked outside into the cool fresh air of an early Texas morning.
Chapter 8
Dan let his leggy roan amble into town his mind full of thoughts and worries. Needful had been growing steadily, and what had once been a collection of ramshackle shacks and tents now resembled a real cow town.
He smiled as the steady buzz of the sawmill near the creek met his ears and gazed around him at the solid buildings that had sprung up over the past two years.
The Hampton House stood stark, straight and respectable, the heavy timbers of the facade only beginning to darken and weather under the hot Texas sun.
