With that matter settled, he beckoned to Nate and Maisie. “Come on over, you two.”
Nate’s face turned a darker shade of tan, and Maisie glanced up at Dr. Henshaw with nothing short of bewilderment. They slowly approached the Colonel, and he took his place between them, imprisoning them with his long arms around their shoulders.
“I’m sure this young couple has been hiding their good news so as not to overshadow tonight’s little celebration.”
His face now a deep red, Nate tried to pull back from his father, but the Colonel held on tight. “Ever since George and I settled this land side by side, we’ve looked forward to the day when we could expand our holdings to benefit both of us. Now that Maisie is all grown up—” he gave her a tighter hug “—it’s time to announce the joining of our properties through her marriage to Nate. As my eldest son, he will inherit...”
He continued talking, but Susanna no longer heard his words. Wide-eyed, she stared at Daddy while her heart twisted inside her chest. So all this time, Nate had only been flirting with her. He’d never intended to court her. Never intended to do anything other than play with her emotions with all of his sweet talk and outward courtesies. He was just like the rest of his family. A Yankee through and through, with every bad quality that name indicated.
“Well, that settles that.” Daddy squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, daughter. In spite of everything, I hoped you and Nate—”
She couldn’t listen to another word. She hastily wended her way through the crowd and up the stairs to the parlor. There she collided with Dr. Henshaw, who was claiming his hat from Pedro.
“It seems I’m not the only one shocked by the news.” He tipped the hat to her and strode toward the front hall and out the door.
Turning the other way, Susanna ran up the stairs to Rosamond’s room, where she slammed and locked the door. Facedown on the bed, she sobbed bitterly. To think this very afternoon Nate had tried to steal a kiss from her. He was more like his father than she’d ever imagined.
* * *
“But, Colonel.” Maisie twisted free of his hold and almost shouted her protest. “I don’t want to marry Nate. He’s like a brother to me.” She fisted her hands at her waist. “Didn’t you know I’m sweet on the doc? And he’s sweet on me?” She cast a look of exasperation toward the door he’d just exited.
Even as relief flooded Nate, he saw the color rising up the Colonel’s neck. Maisie’s short speech may have set him free from his father’s plan, but it also threatened to shame the Colonel before the entire community, maybe beyond repair. No matter how angry his father had made him, he couldn’t let that happen. “Yep, Colonel, I should have told you.” He let his posture droop with apparent disappointment. “Once you brought that Harvard-educated doctor to the community, I lost out.”
The Colonel’s confusion quickly cleared, and he grasped the lifeline Nate offered. “Well, I’ll be a Christmas goose. How’s a man supposed to keep up with such goings-on?”
Maisie seemed to catch on, because she patted the Colonel’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. “It’s not your fault, sir. You know how fickle we women can be. I took one look at Doc, and all these cowpokes disappeared.” She cast an apologetic grin over the assembly, and everyone laughed.
At that moment, Nate wanted to give her a big, brotherly kiss, but that would ruin everything. Across the room, George Eberly scratched his head in confusion. For the first time, Nate doubted Maisie’s father had even been aware of the Colonel’s plans.
“Well, time’s a-wasting.” Maisie strode toward the steps. “I got me a doctor to catch.” More boisterous laughter rang throughout the room.
Nate made a split-second decision, not caring how it looked. “Hang on, Maisie. I’ll help you catch him.” Behind him, the good-natured laughter continued in the ballroom as he followed her all the way to the front door. “Do you need me?”
“Naw.” She thumped her fist against his shoulder. “I expect you need to do some catching yourself.” With that, she dashed outside.
“Señor, if it is the other young lady you seek.” Pedro pointed toward the staircase.
“Gracias.” Nate took the steps three at a time. Hearing Susanna’s sobs through the door of Rosamond’s room, he knocked softly. “Susanna, open up. Please let me explain.” How he ached to comfort her and explain it all away. Yet in an odd way, he also felt a bit encouraged. She wouldn’t be crying about his supposed engagement if she didn’t care for him.
Chapter Twenty-One
“That was some party.” Nate lingered in the kitchen after breakfast in hopes of seeing Susanna, but only Rosamond joined him at the kitchen table. It was still dark outside, but he’d already done his early chores, then came back for some of Angela’s griddle cakes.
“Yes, it was.” Rosamond wore an uncharacteristic frown, which put Nate on alert. “Mother’s sleeping. When she gets up, we’re going to take some of the leftover food from last night to needy folks in the neighborhood.”
“Good.” Nate took a sip of coffee. “Maybe Susanna can go with you.” If he didn’t have work to do that couldn’t be postponed, including helping Tolley break his first mustang, he’d spend the day wooing her like a lovesick Romeo. Restless all night, he’d fallen asleep only after deciding to tell the Colonel of his feelings for her and face whatever came after that.
But life on a ranch didn’t wait on either courting or confrontation, so he’d have to bide his time and wait until he was free to take care of both matters. He assumed Rosamond’s downcast mood concerned Susanna. If she’d just come downstairs, he could at least see whether he had a chance with her or whether he should resign himself to being miserable for the rest of his life.
He finished his griddle cakes and carried his empty plate to Rita, who was up to her elbows in the dishpan. “That was some fine music last night, Rita. I hope you’ll keep up your playing.”
“Sí, Señor Nate. Señor Colonel says I must learn everything Mrs. Foster can teach me.” Beside her, Angela beamed with maternal pride.
He headed toward the back door, considering his strategy for teaching his youngest brother the fine art of taming a wild horse. Before he could put his hand on the doorknob, the Colonel burst in looking oddly wild-eyed. Nate hadn’t spoken with him since the embarrassing incident at the party, so a wave of apprehension surged through him.
“Where’s Rand?” Desperation colored his father’s tone, something Nate had only seen once before when his middle brother had suffered a bad fall from the roof.
“Rand? I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” This was the old Colonel, worried about his favorite son.
“I mean—” Nate forced the rancor from his voice “—well, he was up before me, so I assumed he rode out with the boys to cut the calves for branding.” He couldn’t keep from adding, “Like you ordered him to do.”
“Did you see him after the party last night? See him in bed?”
Nate frowned. “Now that you mention it, no, sir. I didn’t see him. Maybe he slept in the bunkhouse.”
The Colonel slammed his hand against the doorjamb. “Just as I suspected. He and that no-good Seamus have ridden over to Del Norte on a gambling binge. Saddle up. We’re going after him.”
An odd feeling washed through Nate. The Colonel usually let Rand get over his binges himself, after which his brother, like the biblical Prodigal Son, dragged himself home, where his sins were never even mentioned. Never before had the Colonel chased after him. Maybe he’d shake some sense into Rand. Maybe Nate’s prayers were getting through at last.
* * *
Susanna stayed in bed as long as she could, but hunger finally drove her to get up and dress. After checking on Daddy, she descended the back stairs fully aware that she would have to face Rosamond. She’d rebuffed the younger girl’s attempts at conversation
both at bedtime and early this morning. Rosamond’s wounded tone of voice had revealed her hurt, and now Susanna tried without success to dismiss her guilty feelings. It wasn’t Rosamond’s fault her parents had stolen Mama’s valuables. Not Rand’s nor Tolley’s and certainly not Nate’s. She constantly had to remind herself that Nate had saved Daddy’s life, and hers, too. Of course, that didn’t obligate him to love her, not when he’d been promised to Maisie.
Mama always said there was no excuse for bad manners, and Susanna wouldn’t excuse herself this time. The only way to apologize would be to put on a cheerful face and continue to help around the house. Only now she would assume the attitude of a servant, maybe even stop taking meals with the family so she didn’t have to sit down with the Colonel and Mrs. Northam. If Daddy still wanted to eat with them, that was his business.
“Good morning.” She entered the kitchen only to find Rosamond wasn’t there. Nevertheless, she gave the room’s sole occupant a bright smile, despite the disturbance it caused in her stomach.
“Susanna.” Mrs. Northam rose from the table and embraced her. “Good morning. I’m so glad to see you. Did you sleep well?”
Susanna couldn’t keep from stiffening, but she kept her artificial smile in place. “Why, yes, indeed, I did, thank you. Did you sleep well after all that celebrating last night?” She almost gagged on the question. After the plantation house burned, had Mama lain awake at night fearing the Yankees would return?
Mrs. Northam laughed as she returned to her seat. “After all the months of planning, I have to confess it’s a relief to have it all over and done with.”
“My, my.” Susanna knew she needed to keep her mouth shut before some of her bitterness leaked out. With no choice but to sit down with this woman, she went to the stove and served herself some bacon, eggs and griddle cakes. What she wouldn’t give for a bowl of grits and molasses right about now.
“I will confess, however,” Mrs. Northam said, “it will be hard to get back to normal, whatever normal is on a ranch. Seems like something out of the ordinary is always happening.”
“Mmm.” Now seated, Susanna busied herself with devouring her breakfast. Once she convinced Daddy they needed to leave, she would cut several five-dollar gold pieces from her old petticoat to pay for the food they’d eaten and the two animals Nate had sold her. Of course, they’d need horses, too, so maybe Nate would sell them a team. She hadn’t worn the petticoat since arriving, hiding it in the back of a drawer and using Rosamond’s outgrown clothes instead. Maybe she would buy some of those to wear until she could make her own.
Biting into a crisp piece of bacon, she looked up to see Mrs. Northam watching her thoughtfully. She questioned the woman with a single raised eyebrow, although Mama would not approve of such a gesture, especially when Susanna’s mouth was full.
“Is something wrong, dear?”
Susanna swallowed. “No, ma’am. Everything’s fine.” A wild thought crossed her mind. “I heard you tell Colonel Northam you’re working on a new shirt for him. Can I help you do that today?”
“Why, thank you. You’re a gifted seamstress. Rosamond tells me you made the ballroom drapes. I’ve never had success sewing with velvet. You must teach us how to do it.”
“I’d be pleased to. Why don’t we start right after breakfast?”
“Oh, didn’t Rosamond tell you? Today we wanted you to go with us while we take some leftover food to our needy neighbors.”
Susanna scrambled for a reason to stay home and settled on Daddy. “My father didn’t look particularly well this morning, so I’d best stay home with him. I’d love to make use of my time and work on that shirt while you’re gone.”
Mrs. Northam opened her mouth, probably to object, then nodded. “That would be lovely. After you finish eating, we’ll go up to my room and I’ll show you what I’ve done so far.”
“Oh, my.” Susanna almost laughed. Going to the master bedroom was exactly what she’d hoped to do. Only one problem presented itself. “Why, Miz Northam—” she poured on her thickest Southern pronunciations “—I would be mortified if the Colonel showed up and I was in your bedroom. Why, what would he think of me?” Not that she cared.
Mrs. Northam had the grace to look abashed. “You’re right, of course. I hadn’t thought of that. But my husband isn’t home today. He and Nate had to...” She frowned and released a weary sigh. “They had to ride over to Del Norte.” She tilted her head toward the west. “Rand and his friend Seamus may have gotten into a little mischief. They may need some help getting out of it.” She let out another sigh. “In any event, they won’t be home until late this afternoon.”
Susanna could see the woman’s embarrassment, and her heart softened. From what she’d seen, Rand wasn’t wicked, just prone to tomfoolery. “I’ll pray they bring him safely home.” The words were out before she could stop them, but she would keep the promise for Rand’s and Nate’s sakes.
Mrs. Northam’s eyes reddened. “Thank you, Susanna. I pray without ceasing for each of my children, but Rand’s always needed a double dose.” She laughed softly. “We mothers want only to see our children happy and healthy.” After dabbing her eyes with her napkin, she stood. “Shall we go up?”
“I should wash my dishes first.”
“You go,” Rita said. “As you can see, I am washing dishes again. The Colonel, he says it is permissible after the anniversary playing.”
With that, Susanna and her hostess made their way to the upstairs chamber. The room was grandly decorated with wallpaper, brass sconces, draperies, a stone fireplace with brass andirons and elegant mahogany furniture. Under the west window sat the sewing machine.
“You can work right here. Then, if you see the men returning up the lane, you can leave.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “In fact, why don’t we bring your father in to keep you company, maybe read you the latest newspaper from back east as you work? He’ll be comfortable on the chaise longue, don’t you think?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Everything was working out just as Susanna had hoped. Beside the tall mahogany wardrobe stood a matching dressing table. On it, next to the usual hand mirror and brush, lay a black velvet jewel box, maybe containing Mama’s sapphires. Her heart skipped a beat. “That will be just fine.”
After Mrs. Northam showed her the half-completed shirt, she sat comfortably before the Singer and began to pin and sew the sleeves to the rest of the shirt. When Rosamond entered the room, Susanna managed a cheery greeting she really meant. It would be nothing short of wickedness to blame the children for their father’s sins. Besides, sewing always relaxed her, so this would be a good day.
Before leaving on their charitable mission, the two ladies escorted Daddy from Nate’s room and settled him on the chaise, a blanket, a newspaper and Bleak House on his lap.
“Angela or Rita will be up to check on you from time to time,” Mrs. Northam said as they exited the bedroom.
When Susanna saw their carriage driving up the lane, she huffed out a sigh. “I thought they’d never leave.” She dashed to the dressing table and picked up the faded black velvet box. Although it had been brushed to clean the fabric, she could still see some deeply embedded gray soil. Her heart ached to think of Mama having to bury this box, only to have those Yankees dig it up and steal it.
“What do you have there, daughter?” Daddy peered at her over the edge of the Boston Globe.
Not opening the box, she moved to the edge of the chaise. “What do you think?”
He took it reverently in hand as though he, too, noticed the imbedded soil from home. Slowly lifting the lid to reveal the glimmering silver and sparkling sapphires, he blinked as tears rolled down his cheeks. “Oh, Belle,” he choked out. “What I wouldn’t give to see you wear these again.”
Susanna swallowed her own tears. Mama had never desired jewels or fancy clothes. Despite her frightening expe
riences during the war, or maybe because of them, all she’d ever wanted was for her family to be happy and healthy. Like Mrs. Northam. The thought came unbidden, and Susanna thrust it away, along with the guilt that tried to seize her. This was Mama’s necklace, and it was high time to reclaim it and the other valuables. “I know where the tea service is kept.”
Daddy’s eyes brightened. “And?”
“We need to take our belongings and leave. Today.” She studied his face and reassured herself that his color was good. He could travel without a relapse. “The Northams are away and won’t be home until evening. We can buy another team of horses right here. Nate’s told me they always have some for sale, and Wes or one of the other hands would know which ones are best for pulling the prairie schooner.” Mentioning Nate’s name brought a sharp pain to her heart, but she would not dwell on it. “The wagon is in the barn, and when I checked the other day, no one had opened the secret compartment. Our gold is still there.”
“Today?” Daddy stared off thoughtfully, but she could see he liked the idea.
“Yes, today.” As her excitement mounted, she laughed and cried at the same time. “This is what you came for.” She took the open jewel box in hand, seeing for the first time the countless number of tiny diamonds circling each sapphire. “Forget living in this community. Now we can go back home to Marietta.”
He drew back with a frown. “Marietta?”
She stared at him. “What ails you, Daddy? Yes, Marietta. You know, that finest of Southern cities in the state where we were both born and bred? Where our family and friends will welcome us back with open arms and scold us for ever leaving?” She punctuated her speech with a laugh, but when he continued to frown, she closed and set down the jewel box and gripped his hands. “What is it, Daddy?”
His expression was a study in cautious happiness. “I can’t go back to Marietta. Can’t go back to anyplace in Georgia.”
Cowboy to the Rescue Page 20
