Desperate In Delaware

by Caroline Clemmons

  “I see Bert talking to the sheriff.” Austin stared at the two who stood with Mr. Jenkins and a couple of other men whose names she couldn’t remember.

  She gently pushed against his arm. “Go ahead and see what they’re saying. I’ll get a plate of goodies then drift around the room.”

  His expression was a mixture of gratitude and anxiety. “Sure you don’t mind?”

  She appreciated his asking. “It’s undoubtedly our future being discussed. How could I mind?”

  He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “You’re a treasure.”

  Cindy sidled up to Mina at the refreshment table. “You’ve been deserted, too? Austin does remember he has a wife now, doesn’t he?”

  “Bert is talking to the sheriff and others. Austin needed to find out what, if anything, can be done to stop that mining venture.”

  “I hope whatever they’re cooking up works. Bert explained to me last night how bad it would be for ranchers, farmers, and the wildlife.”

  “Austin is really worried.” She filled a plate with food. “I don’t want the mine problem overshadowing our wedding day.”

  “I certainly understand that so let’s talk about something pleasant. Did you notice the dress Mrs. Jenkins is wearing? It was made for her by Flossie Cornelius, the sheriff’s wife. Isn’t it lovely? She copied a design from the latest Harper’s Bazar magazine and created her own pattern.”

  The dress in question was light green foulard silk with dark green shamrocks. The trim appeared to be ecru oriental lace. The sleeves stopped with a cuff halfway between the elbow and the wrist. The Marie Antoinette overskirt was anchored at points with dark green bows.

  Mina studied the lovely dress. “We sew but I don’t think I’d have the patience to make something that intricate, would you?

  “If I did I’d need a long time to work on the project. That’s not something I have with the twins and this house, even with a wonder like Mrs. Brown here.”

  Mina swallowed a bite of sandwich. “Now we know who to consult if we need something fancy in a hurry.”

  Looking solemn, Austin came toward her. When his gaze met hers, his eyes lit up and he smiled. Seeing the change in him warmed her heart. Perhaps he would love her someday.

  He leaned near her ear. “Do you think we can slip away soon?”

  She turned her head to smile at him. “I’m sure we can.” Her heart sped because their lips almost brushed. What would he have thought if she had kissed him?

  “My hands have gone ahead home. They’re not real comfortable with what they call ‘society folks’. They didn’t mind attending church, but would prefer to come into town for supplies and maybe a drink at the saloon and then head home.”

  “Some sent disapproving glances at Chico and Buck. Mean-spirited people are what they are and it’s a shame we can’t change them. I’m sorry the men who work for you were embarrassed on our account.”

  “Thank you for saying so. I’m sure relieved we agree on that.”

  “Let’s tell Cindy and Bert goodbye and thanks.”

  Mina didn’t know who had found time, but someone had brought Mina’s valise down and set it by the door. Austin grabbed it as they left. People lined up and cheered or gave out cat calls as Austin helped her into the buggy and they drove away. She turned to wave briefly. Then, lest she should be like Lot’s wife, she turned around and faced the future.

  Chapter Eight

  Austin drove the buggy, happy to be alone with his bride. “Well, Mrs. Wright, ours was a nice wedding and reception. All the same I’m glad to be on the way to our home.”

  “I’m eager to see the ranch and the house.”

  “You can make all the changes you see fit to the house. Later we can build on if you think we need more room.”

  “Point out things to me on the way. Tell me about the land and vegetation—anything that comes to mind.” Mina jumped. “What was that odd creature?”

  He chuckled. “A roadrunner, real name is chaparral. They eat snakes, lizards, and I don’t know what else. Never have seen one fly more than up to a tree limb.”

  “I’m in favor of anything that kills snakes.” She shuddered.

  “In a day or two I’ll teach you to shoot. To live on a ranch you need to know how. In addition to four-legged and slithering critters, there are two-legged ones sometimes that need to be shot or scared off.”

  “I’ve never held a gun so you’ll need to be patient. My father didn’t own one of any kind. A lot of our neighbors did, though. Even in town there are snakes and rats and the occasional prowler to scare. I don’t think anyone I knew had ever shot a person.”

  “You never can tell.” He gestured to the right. “You see that big tree there? That’s a live oak and about my favorite type of tree.”

  She nudged his arm. “I can see it’s alive.”

  “No, the name of it is live oak. Although its sheds leaves, there are always plenty of green ones so it stays green all year. You can tell the leaves are different from that red oak over there.”

  Mina laughed. “I guess I sounded pretty silly.”

  “No way could you have known. I’m real glad you have a sense of humor and don’t get riled up easy.”

  “I am slow to anger but when I do get ‘riled up’ you’d better stay clear of me. Even though I don’t get mad easily, I’m a fire-breathing dragon when I finally get angry enough to boil over or explode.”

  “Then I hope you don’t get mad at me. I’ll consider you my secret weapon.”

  She laughed again.

  After a half hour they arrived at a wide gate with a wooden sign stretched between two tall posts. The words said “Wright’s Flying W Ranch” and the W before the word ranch had little curves like tiny wings at the top.

  She clasped her hands to her chest. “I love the name of your ranch. The Flying W is perfect. I feel as if I’m floating on air and that’s kind of like flying.”

  He chuckled and urged the horses to go faster. “I planned on a place like this a long time. For the past five years I’ve worked my tail off, if you’ll pardon my language. And, don’t forget that now it’s our ranch.”

  “I won’t forget, but I won’t feel like this is part mine until I feel I’ve earned it. However, you have no idea how pleased I am to hear you say that. This will be a grand place to live—and you don’t have as much snow as Delaware.”

  “Some years hardly any but we always get some even when several of the counties east and south of us don’t. The roads become impassable due to the slopes. After living in Delaware, I figure you have warm clothes for winter.”

  “I included a few things but honestly I didn’t go out much in the worst weather. Sometimes we’d let mail go for a week without collecting it. Usually, I went every day in spite of the fact that I disliked the man who operated the post office.”

  Austin worried if she thought a week without mail was severe. “We sometimes go a month with no trip to town. In fall, we stock up with supplies in case we have bad weather. If it’s bad for long, we have to take hay to the cattle and make sure the ice on the water holes is broken so the cows can get water.”

  “Sounds like cold work. What am I supposed to do around the ranch?”

  “Nothing outside unless you want to help with the garden. We grow most of our own produce. Spuds doesn’t know how to can food but he dries some. We have a cellar for root vegetables and fruit.”

  “Lily and I learned to can food from a neighbor. We had a big garden to save money and because we liked fresh produce.”

  He glanced her way with a broad smile. “That’s impressive and good news.”

  “How long until we reach the house?”

  “Not long. You can see it when we round this next bend.”

  She focused ahead and leaned forward as if that would help her see her new home sooner. Soon she leaned back against the tufted leather seat.

  “Wasn’t it nice of Cindy and Bert to let us use this buggy?”

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sp; He was embarrassed at what he had to answer. “More than nice, Mina. Bert gave it to us as a wedding gift.”

  She gasped and did what his mother called “clutching her pearls” and put a hand near her throat. “But, they gave me a party and then two days later gave us a reception. This is too much.”

  “That’s what I told him. He joked that he’d make it back in legal fees. He won’t, of course, but he’s ordered a fancier new buggy for Cindy as a surprise. He’d hoped it would be delivered before now but it’ll be ready this week.”

  “I’m so glad she has Bert. Our fathers were both very cold, stingy men. Cindy and Lily and I were determined to marry kind men.”

  He gave her a diffident glance. “I hope to make you glad you married me. I’m not anything like Bert but I try to be a good person.”

  “You’re a lot more like him than you realize.” She gasped. “Oh, is that the house?”

  “For a fact. Must seem tiny compared to your cousins’. I’ve built on to the place that was here when I came.”

  The frame building that sprawled across the green landscape never failed to fill him with pride and pleasure. Painted pale yellow with white trim, a white picket fence surrounded the actual house. A wide covered porch wrapped across the front and around the sides. From this angle she couldn’t see many of the numerous other buildings that were spread behind the house. He’d offer her a tour tomorrow.

  “I expected a log cabin and that would have been fine. This is especially lovely.”

  “I admit I’m proud of the ranch. Like I said, I bought it five years ago. I still owe some on it but it’s close to paid for. If those two would-be miners don’t ruin me, I’ll pay it off this fall when I sell cattle.”

  “Did Bert give you any hope?”

  “Not much. Colin Bailey has the right to lease to anyone he wishes. I’m not the only rancher upset. There are about fifteen to twenty ranchers and farmers complaining. Sheriff Cornelius is going out to talk to the miners tomorrow.”

  “What can he say to convince them?”

  “I don’t know. They pulled a shotgun on me and told me to leave. I don’t think they’ll pull that with the sheriff. I doubt they’ll listen to reason, though. They’ve already built up in their mind that they’re going to be rich men.”

  He added, “They won’t be, of course. They’ll lose whatever they’ve paid Bailey and the cost of their equipment. They’ll sure be sore at Bailey. He got gold from somewhere and salted the mine site.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “He sprinkled it in this small cave and let Ferguson and Davis think it came from the cave walls. Then he offered to lease the mineral rights to them. It’s an old swindler’s game.”

  They pulled into the yard and he stopped at the gate and set the brake.

  Dusty ran from the barn still in the clothes he’d worn to the wedding. “I’ll take charge of the horses and buggy. Chico and Buck and I made a place for the rig and there are two stalls cleaned out for the horses.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take this valise and show Mina the house.”

  Dusty held open the gate. “Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Wright.”

  “Thank you, Dusty.”

  Austin escorted her to the porch. “We sit out here sometimes if the weather’s nice and the mosquitoes aren’t too bad.”

  She turned as if to see the view. “I imagine that’s pleasant, especially in hot weather.”

  Spuds opened the door and reached for the valise. “I’ll take that.”

  Austin hoped he didn’t stumble. He swept Mina into his arms and carried her across the threshold while Spuds held open the door.

  Mina squealed as if surprised but she laughed.

  He set her down gently but kept one arm around her. “I always figured I’d get to do that someday. This is the day.”

  Spuds set down the valise. “We ate a while ago. Your supper is waiting. I’ll set it out while you two get washed up.”

  Austin nodded and led her back outside from the kitchen door. “I’ll show you where the outhouse is and where Spuds keeps the water and soap for washing up before meals.”

  She blushed but let him escort her to the outhouse. He was glad now he’d painted the thing. He’d asked Spuds to throw some lime down the hole yesterday to cut the smell. While she was inside doing her business, he went behind the small structure and relieved himself.

  He was through and waiting by the door when she came out. “Spuds leaves a bar of soap, bucket of water, a pan, and a towel on the back porch. Of course in winter we have to clean up at the kitchen sink.”

  They washed their hands and then went into the kitchen. “Be careful or he’ll make you show him your hands are clean. I wouldn’t be surprised if he checked my ears.”

  Spuds held a meat fork in one hand and a skillet of steaks in the other. “I ought to stab you with this here fork for smartin’ off. Since you pay me, I reckon I’ll let it slip one more time.”

  Mina grinned at him before asking Spuds, “You mean he’s often that disrespectful?”

  Spuds set the now empty skillet on a back burner. “Disgraceful isn’t it? I reckon his mama didn’t swat him enough when he was growin’ up. Now look how he’s turned out.”

  Amused at his cook acting like an old codger, Austin shook his head. “Now don’t be trying to get her to side with you against me.”

  “Why would you accuse me of such a thing? All I did was make a statement that’s plain as the nose on your face.”

  Austin seated his wife at the table.

  “I’m gambling on the hope Austin turned out pretty well. Spuds, I’ve heard good things about you.”

  Mina smiled at Spuds. “This smells and looks delicious. I filled a plate at the reception, but with all the distractions I was only able to eat one tiny sandwich.”

  “Almost forgot there’s dessert.” Spuds brought a dish from the pie safe. “Apple pie baked this morning.”

  Mina appeared to admire the pie. “The crust is browned perfectly.”

  Spuds acted captivated by Mina at the same time he appeared embarrassed by her praise. “Well, you newlyweds don’t need a third wheel around. I’m gonna go put my feet up for a spell. I’ll do the dishes after you folks have eaten your fill.” He ambled toward his room.

  Mina mouthed to ask if they should ask him to stay. Austin shook his head.

  When Spuds was in his room and had closed the door, Austin explained, “I’m sure he ate with the others. He’s trying to be diplomatic and this is as good as it gets.”

  She cut into her steak. “He’s a sweet man who obviously thinks a lot of you.”

  “Yeah, he acts like both mother and father. I know he works hard to please.”

  “Why isn’t he a ranch hand like the others?”

  “He was hurt pretty bad when his horse was frightened by a rattler. Horse reared and Spuds fell on his back. It pains him quite a bit if he rides a horse. In the house, he can sit down if he has a muscle spasm.”

  “That sounds like a bad injury. I’ll bet it does pain him, especially when the weather changes. Does he mind being stuck inside after being on a horse all the time?”

  “I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me if he did. He’s sure been a lot of help. I’m a less than mediocre cook. I don’t know if the others can cook anything but beans.”

  “Many families get by on beans and bread. Cindy said here you eat cornbread with beans.”

  “That’s right, we do. Can you make corn bread?”

  “No, but I’ll learn. I can make rolls and loaves of bread.”

  “Now that sounds tasty.” He pushed back from the table. “Are you ready for your tour?”

  “Yes, but let’s do the dishes first. It won’t take us long.”

  He’d much prefer going to their room and to bed. He wanted to please his new wife, though. “All right. Spuds will be surprised.”

  She had been right and the dishes were soon washed, dried, and put away. That she had thought of cleani
ng up the kitchen surprised and pleased him. Inside Austin was laughing and wishing he could see Spuds’ face when he came into the kitchen.

  Chapter Nine

  Mina must be in a dream. After spending her life in a small New England house, she was now the mistress of this lovely home sprawling across the land.

  Austin carried her valise as he showed her the parlor, which lacked furniture. There were two chairs and a small table between them. They faced a beautiful stone fireplace. The windows had no curtains.

  “You saw the kitchen. I never go into Spuds’ room. This hall leads to the other rooms. This first is my office.”

  “I can see you sitting at that desk. I guess keeping track of your cattle requires a lot of record keeping.”

  He grinned and winked. “Mainly I just like having an office.” He guided her to the next room. “This is a guest room. Now don’t be upset. We’ll get furniture someday. The next one is also a guest room or children’s room if we have any, which I hope we will.”

  “I’d like several. I’m not sure I’d want twins like Cindy has. They’re precious but they must have been difficult when they were tiny.” She was impressed with the size of both rooms. They had much more room than her house in Delaware.

  He opened the last door. “This is our room. You can add things as you like and rearrange furniture.” He set the valise on the bed.

  She surveyed the large room. Her three trunks were there and pushed along the outside wall. The bed appeared to have fresh sheets on it. The furniture included a bedside table, a washstand, an armoire, a chair, and a large chest. She thought the light-colored wood was oak.

  “I don’t use much of the storage. People I bought the house from couldn’t take the furniture with them because it’s so heavy.”

  “It’s lovely but I can see why they had to leave it. The pieces look like they would cost a fortune to ship and would weigh down a wagon. Ah, this room has curtains on the windows.” She was glad to see them even though they were ugly.

  He looked at them as if surprised they were there. “You want me to wait in the parlor a few minutes while you get ready for bed?”