Tracie Peterson - [Land of the Lone Star 03]

by Taming the Wind

  Hannah scooped Daniel up, but he started to cry. This caused Laura to open her eyes again. She whispered his name and to Carissa’s surprise the boy heard it and calmed.

  “Be a good boy,” Laura told him. “Watch for Papa.”

  Marietta came with the soup and took a seat beside the bed. She looked at Carissa. “Why don’t you tend to Lucas, and I’ll get your sister to eat some of this rich beef broth. Smelled so good I was tempted to eat some myself.” She smiled down at Laura as if she, too, were a small child. “Now, if you eat all of this, I’ll see to it that you get some applesauce for dessert.”

  Carissa took Lucas in her arms and stared back at her sister. Already Marietta was getting her to take a spoonful of the aromatic liquid. Maybe Marietta’s mothering skills would cause Laura to fight harder. Looking down at the still sleeping babe in her arms, Carissa could only pray that it would be so.

  That evening as she put Gloria to bed, Carissa couldn’t help but worry about Tyler. She wondered if he and the other men were safe or if Indians had somehow managed to attack them. She tried not to think morbid thoughts of the men being killed, but those fears kept creeping in to haunt her.

  “I want Papa,” Gloria said, startling Carissa.

  “You need to sleep.” Carissa reached out to stroke her daughter’s hair. “It’s getting very late.”

  “I want my papa Tyer.”

  Carissa felt her breath catch. Gloria had decided that Tyler was her father. At least that was how Carissa interpreted her words. Should she correct her? After all, Tyler might return and decide to part company forever. There was no sense in getting the little girl’s hopes up. Carissa shook her head.

  “Darlin’, Tyler took the cows . . . the steers away to Kansas. Remember?” Her mind raced to think of how she could get Gloria’s thoughts going in another direction. “Do you remember all those steers we saw?”

  “Big ones,” Gloria said, nodding.

  “Yes, they were very big, and there were a lot of them. Tyler and Uncle Brandon took them away to sell. They are working hard and can’t come home just yet.”

  “Maybe when I get up?”

  Carissa smiled, feeling a bit relieved. “Yes. Maybe. We’ll just have to keep watching for them. One of these days they’ll be home. Now you be a good girl and go to sleep. I need to help Hannah and Juanita in the kitchen.”

  Gloria didn’t say anything more about Tyler, so Carissa took the opportunity to direct her in prayers before leaving to join the women. She wondered if she should say something to Hannah or Marietta. Perhaps they might have some idea of what she should say to Gloria regarding Tyler. Clearly the child had attached herself to him.

  “Marietta is staying with Laura and the baby,” Carissa announced, pulling on an apron. “I thought I’d help you here.”

  “We’re getting beans snapped for cooking and canning tomorrow. Tomatoes and carrots and beets need cleaning for the same,” Hannah said. “Take your pick.”

  Carissa took up a bowl of green beans. “I’ll see to these.”

  She glanced to the window and relished the breeze that trickled in. They did most of the preparation work inside these days, due to the possibility of Indian attack. The summer kitchen outside would still serve as the place to cook and can so as not to overheat the house, but simple work like this could be handled inside.

  “The men haven’t been able to get over to your sister’s place,” Hannah said as they worked. “I am sorry about that. I know you’re probably anxious about it.”

  “Not so much as wondering where the men are,” Carissa answered honestly. She and Hannah had grown quite close since Laura fell ill.

  “Me too,” Hannah admitted. She looked at Juanita. “You can bring me another basket of beets when you have time. I’m nearly done with these.” The Mexican woman nodded and went to retrieve the vegetables.

  Carissa snapped the ends off the green beans and then broke them in two-inch-long pieces and put them in a clean bowl. “Something happened with Gloria tonight. Something that I’m not sure how to deal with.”

  “What was it?”

  She looked up to find Hannah’s gaze still fixed on her work. “She asked for her papa.”

  “Well, that seems normal,” Hannah replied. “After all, she hears the other children asking for theirs. She’s probably just imitating them.”

  “She wanted her ‘papa Tyer.’ ”

  This time Hannah stopped cutting beet tops and looked up. She didn’t try to hide her smile. “I guess Gloria knows full well what’s good for her.”

  “I didn’t know what to say. I don’t want to give her false hopes.”

  Hannah nodded. “I can understand that.”

  “She told him she loved him before he left on the cattle drive.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  Carissa felt a lump in her throat. “No. I didn’t.”

  “But you wish you had?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know that it would have made a difference, what with Ava there, laying her claim.”

  “Ava has no claim on Tyler, silly. She’s just a lonely woman who thinks she can have whatever she wants. Tyler is a sensible man, however. He will listen to his heart, and I’ve no doubt his heart is telling him that you’re the one.”

  “But what if he comes back and hates me for buying the ranch?”

  Hannah put down her knife and placed the last of her beets in a box. “You did the right thing, Carissa. I would have done it myself if I could have. If Tyler is angry at first, it will be because he feels his country has turned against him.”

  “They have,” Carissa countered.

  “Be that as it may, Tyler is a smart man. In the long run he will see the sense in what you did. When he proposes marriage, it will all come together in a neat package.”

  “If he proposes marriage,” Carissa muttered.

  Hannah laughed. “You know, sometimes I think being in love makes us a little dim-witted. Of course he’ll propose. You’ll see. He loves you—of that I’m certain. Now it’s just a matter of his returning with the proper funds to support a family. This will be a new start for the both of you.”

  A knock at the back door drew their attention. Hannah started to get up, but caught her foot in the box of beets.

  “I’ll get it. It’s probably Juanita needing help with the beets.”

  Carissa jumped to her feet and hurried to help. Opening the back door, Carissa started to say something about the beets and instead screamed. There, standing in the doorway, was a large Indian warrior.

  Tyler knew he should try to sleep, but he didn’t think it’d do any good. All day long as they rode he’d tried to occupy his mind with thoughts other than the ranch and how it was lost to him. Sitting here at the campfire while the others snored around him, Tyler could think of nothing else.

  What do I do now? I have no home for Carissa and Gloria. I have no place to go. He shook his head and stared into the flames.

  “Sleep comin’ hard?” Osage asked, sitting up.

  “I thought you were asleep.”

  The older man chuckled. “I couldn’t sleep for all that loud thinkin’ you were doin’.”

  Tyler shook his head. “I’m trying to figure out what to do with my life now that the ranch is gone.”

  “Weren’t the only ranch in the world,” Osage countered. “You need to strike out for yourself. Maybe Mr. Terry and William would sell you a chunk of their land. You could put together a decent spread—maybe even buy Mr. Terry out when he’s ready to sell.” Osage checked his watch by the fire’s light. “Nearly ten. If we’re getting up at four, you’d best get some sleep.”

  “I know,” Tyler said, feeling no sense of peace. “Sleep doesn’t seem to want to come. I keep asking God what the answer is, and I feel like He’s not speakin’ to me. I feel like maybe He’s forsaken me altogether.” He eased down on his bedroll and yawned.

  “Don’t reckon I know the mind of God one way or the other, e
xceptin’ that He’s always showin’ himself faithful in the Bible. Don’t recall a time when a man of God called out to Him and was ignored.”

  Tyler nodded. “I know what you’re saying makes sense, I just don’t know how to apply it to my situation.”

  “Maybe you worry too much. Bible does say we ain’t suppose to be worryin’ about tomorrow ’cause it has enough worry of its own. Maybe God wants you to stop frettin’ and start trustin’.”

  Closing his eyes, Tyler said nothing for a moment. Finally he let go a heavy breath. “Maybe so, Osage.”

  “No maybe about it, Tyler. You know it, and I do, too.”

  “Guess I do.” Tyler had just begun to relax when several bloodcurdling screams cut through the silence. Every man in the camp jumped to his feet—all reaching for their rifles at the same time.

  17

  Goodness, you put a scare into us for sure,” Hannah said, moving past Carissa. “Night Bear! Come in. You are very welcome here.”

  She embraced the warrior and cocked her head to one side. “You must have known I’d baked sweet rolls this morning.”

  He smiled. “You make me glad with such talk. I am hungry.”

  “Come on in, and I’ll get you some.” Hannah looked to Carissa. “This is my friend Night Bear.”

  Carissa felt like her feet were nailed to the floor. She looked at the man and gave a brief nod. “Sorry I screamed.”

  He smiled. “Hannah never screams.”

  Hannah laughed. “Oh, I do if the occasion calls for it.” She led the way back to the kitchen, and Carissa reluctantly followed after the warrior.

  Juanita came back about that time, as well. “I heard someone scream.” She dropped a box of beets beside the table and noticed Night Bear. “I see why now.”

  “He startled Carissa.”

  “Nearly scared me to death,” Carissa admitted and settled back down to snap beans. Her back ached and she was more than ready to go to bed, but they’d already agreed a nap could be had during the warmer parts of the day so that work could be done in the cool of the night.

  “Would you like to stay with us tonight?” Hannah asked Night Bear as casually as if he were her long-lost brother. She put two large rolls on a plate.

  His expression grew serious. “I cannot. I came here at great risk. My people have joined with other tribes to attack and burn out the settlers in this area. I feared for you and wanted to warn you.”

  “But why should they attack us? We’ve done them no harm,” Hannah said, putting the plate and glass of milk in front of the man.

  “Times are hard for my people. They hate the whites for what they are doing—killing the buffalo and killing the people. We have nowhere to go but those places the whites tell us to go. The people are angry. Why should the white man tell the Numunuu where to live?”

  Hannah didn’t even attempt to answer his question. “But the Numunuu have always shown us kindness. You have told them of my helping your people. You have made peace between us.”

  “I cannot make it any longer,” he replied. “There will be war.”

  “What should we do?” Carissa asked, putting aside her fears.

  He looked at her for a moment. “You should go.” He got to his feet after wolfing down one roll and most of another. “I go, too. I shouldn’t be here.”

  “Wait, I’ll send some more rolls with you,” Hannah told him.

  Night Bear seemed as though he might refuse, but then he beamed her a smile and nodded.

  “I can tell the warriors that I took them.” He laughed and looked at Carissa. “I can tell them that I gave much fear to a white woman. It will all be truth.”

  Hannah went quickly to work stuffing an old flour sack with several rolls and some cookies. While she did this, Night Bear tossed down the rest of his roll and drank the milk Hannah had brought.

  “I’ll let William know as soon as he gets back,” she told Night Bear.

  He frowned. “Your man, he is not here?”

  “They drove cattle to the North,” Hannah explained. “We have a few men here, but not many.”

  “Then you should go to the town. It is not safe here for you and the little ones.” His eyes narrowed. “I cannot save you, Hannah, even though you saved me.”

  “I understand.” She handed him the sack. “Please be careful. I hate to think of harm coming to you.” She reached out to hug him, and Carissa could see it made the young man quite uncomfortable. Nevertheless, he allowed her affection.

  “I will do what I must,” he said, finally pulling away. With a nod, he took the flour sack and left by way of the back door.

  For several moments no one said or did anything. Carissa held a string bean in her hand but couldn’t quite bring herself to snap it.

  “Are we being foolish by staying?” Hannah asked to no one in particular.

  “How can we possibly leave?” Carissa asked. “Laura and the baby can’t travel.” She thought of her meager skills with a rifle. “I suppose I could stay here with them. I can shoot if need be.”

  “No,” Hannah said. “We either all go, or we all stay. There’s no compromise on this. It would be foolishness to leave you here alone without at least some semblance of protection.” She looked around the room. “We can continue to make arrangements for our safety.” She was silent then, deep in thought for several minutes.

  Carissa couldn’t suppress a yawn, yet the thought of trying to sleep with the threat of Indian attack at any given moment kept her from seeking the comfort of her bed.

  They gradually went back to their work, and when the clock struck midnight, Hannah called a halt to it. “We should get some sleep. Marietta said she would get up with Pepita in the morning and see to everything. Marty said she’d check on the children and see to them so we don’t need to get up until seven.”

  “The men will see to the chores,” Juanita offered. “I will speak to Berto and make sure. It will be better if we do not have to go far from the house.”

  Hannah nodded her approval. “Then I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Carissa made her way to her room, lamp in hand. She turned the flame low before entering. Gloria slept soundly, thumb in her mouth. Carissa put the lamp on the nightstand and sat down beside her daughter. She thought of the savages who waited to attack. Would they kill them outright or sell them into slavery? She shook her head in horror at the thoughts running through her head.

  “What have I done in bringing you here?”

  “It looks to be about fifty or so braves,” Osage said.

  Tyler and William were flat on their stomachs looking over the ridge. Mounted soldiers had surprised a renegade band of warriors and now had them in custody. The screams had been the war cries of the Indians as they attempted to fight, but now they were silent.

  “Glad to see the army out here,” one of Will’s men said, crawling over to where William observed the affair.

  “They must be bringing Indians to Fort Arbuckle,” Osage declared. “We ain’t that far off. Maybe they caught ’em causin’ trouble.”

  “Could be,” William said, easing back from the ridge. “I don’t suppose any of us will sleep all that well tonight.”

  But they did sleep. It was restless and troubled as Tyler recalled the next morning, but when he went to the ridge to once again observe the army camp, he felt a sense of relief to find them gone.

  “They must have moved out before first light,” he told William.

  Pouring himself a cup of coffee, William nodded. “They did. I was on watch. They bound ’em and tied ’em together in a line.” He paused a moment. “I reckon it won’t hurt us time-wise to make a stop at the fort. You have a problem with that?”

  Tyler knew he was mainly speaking to him. William would be concerned about Tyler having to deal with the captive warriors or even the friendlies who hung around the fort.

  “I say we go and figure out what the ruckus was all about,” Tyler said with a shrug. “Better to know what we’re up again
st, and it isn’t that far out of the way.”

  William met his gaze and nodded. “That’s my way of thinking.”

  “I say we go to the fort,” Osage agreed. The other men murmured their approval. Only Brandon seemed reluctant.

  “We won’t stay long,” William told him. “We’ve pushed hard and fast to get home, and we will continue to do so. Believe me, I know how you feel about wanting to get back to your family.”

  Brandon’s jaw tightened, but he gave the slightest nod. Tyler could see he wasn’t at all satisfied with such a comment.

  “Good. Let’s break camp then and head on down. Shouldn’t take us too long.” The men dispersed to gather their things, but William reached out to stop Tyler. “You sure you’re gonna be all right with this?”

  “I reckon I’ll survive,” Tyler said, forcing a smile. “We’re just a few days from . . .” He fell silent. He’d started to say home, but the truth was, he didn’t have a home.

  “You’ll always have a place with us,” William said, seeming to understand. “You’re like a brother to me.”

  Tyler drew a deep breath. “I know, and I appreciate that more than you’ll know. I just wish I knew what it was I’m supposed to do now. I have money from the sale, but no land to buy. I have a ring in my pocket, but no woman to wed.”

  “You have Carissa waiting at the ranch. I doubt she’s gone anywhere.”

  “I can’t take a wife without a home to keep her in.” Tyler shook his head and walked away. “Even if you’re giving me a place to stay—it isn’t the same.”

  18

  Tyler kept thinking about Carissa as they rode into the fort. Was she safe? All along the way they’d heard tales of tragedy from other drovers. Indians all over the prairie seemed to be uprising. The army was pursuing any and all renegade bands, and it didn’t sound as if much mercy was being shown.

  With each report, Tyler felt a growing uneasiness. Why were they making this stop? It really wasn’t necessary. Sure, it would be nice to know what was going on in the area and whether there was news about the raids, but it’d be better to get back to the ranch and see that everyone was safe.