“Angela will skin me alive if you just up and leave.”
“Then I won’t tell her. I’ll slip away when you all least expect it.
“And how do you think that would make us feel?”
“Then tell me what to do.”
“Be honest with her, Gracie. She wants what’s best for you, even if she had to be bullheaded to get it. She only does what she knows Gracie and that isn’t a bad thing. It just isn’t right for you is all. With that said, if you give me a week, I will ensure that you have the money to get you there safely. I’m also sending Claudette with you. She can act as your chaperone and help you with the little girl as well.”
“Thank you, Rupert.”
Taking his advice to heart, Gracie went in search of Angela, finding her in her sewing room. She knocked lightly. “Come in.”
“Hi, momma.”
“You only call me that when you want something.”
“I want you to have an open and honest dialogue with me, please.”
“Alright,” Angela said, sitting her sewing down.
“I’m not going to find a husband among your friends, simply because you want me to,” Gracie started, getting straight to the point. “It’s not that they aren’t nice, wealthy gentlemen. It’s that none of them attract me as more than a friend. Regardless of how you and daddy met, I just…I want more than that. I’ve talked to daddy and he’s agreed to give me my inheritance so that Claudette and I can travel to Texas. A rancher there needs a teacher for his daughter,” Gracie explained, feeling an instant pang of guilt.
“So that’s your decision?”
“Yes,” Gracie said, straightening her spine.
“When will you leave?”
“A week from today. Rupert said he needed time to get my inheritance ready.”
“And you’ll remain out there?”
“For as long as he little girl needs me, yes.”
“Alright,” Angela said, tossing up her hands. “I can’t keep you prisoner in this house, nor can I forbid you to go. All I ask is that you keep in touch with us.”
“Of course,” Gracie said, feeling the first stirrings of emotion. She would miss her odd family greatly. She couldn’t imagine how bad it would be if she wasn’t taking Claudette with her. “Thank you, momma.” Gracie hugged Angela tightly before retreating to her room to write a reply to the rancher.
The letter she posted that afternoon read:
May 1859
Dear Mr. Baxter,
I was incredibly touched by your obviously love for your daughter. To advertise for a wife in hopes of finding a good mother for your child. Let me first say that I am terribly sorry about the loss of your wife. I can’t imagine how much she must have loved you.
Just so you know, I am a qualified teacher and can start in that capacity in order to build a bond with your little girl. I have no delusions about love and would both embrace it or even just a friend, should you find me worthy of teaching and love your daughter. I figure if we can be friends, we’re pretty well off.
I will make prior arrangements at Midland’s finest hotel so that my room is ready when I arrive, should you find my reply satisfactory. I await your speedy reply kind sir.
Your friend in Massachusetts,
Gracie Madden
***
By the time Gracie’s letter reached Trent he’d poured over hundreds of responses. Apparently the surplus of single women in the east wasn’t to be exaggerated. Sitting down at his kitchen table over breakfast, Trent tore open a letter with a Massachusetts stamp on it. He folded open the letter, already looking for a second or even third page.
Apparently Gracie Madden liked to get straight to the point. Still, her letter, though short and sweet, had touched his hear. She was the only one to put the focus on what she could give to his daughter. She’d barely even mentioned an impending marriage, but had given attributes that would help his little girl.
Before he even knew what he was doing, Trent was writing out a reply to her. Grabbing the rest of his biscuit, he headed into town and sent it by telegram. Then he came home to talk to his little girl.
“Andrea,” Trent called.
“Yes, daddy?” she said, coming around the corner of the house, her dress already dirty.
“I have something to talk to you about.”
“Okay,” she said, sitting down at his feet. At four she was already the most patient child he knew. Lately though she’d started to act more like a boy, rummaging through the dirt for buried treasure. Hopefully Gracie Madden could come quickly and save him from drowning in failure.
“You know that your momma loves you very much. But she couldn’t stay with us,” Trent started.
“I know,” she said, her sweet face taking on all the hurt they both felt. “She got sick and had to go to heaven.”
“That’s right,” Trent said, clearing his throat. “However, God has given us a special blessing. Her name is Gracie Madden and she’s going to be on her way here very soon. Would you like a new teacher?”
“I don’t want to go to school,” Andrea pouted, her dark hair, so much like Trent’s.
“Not just school honey. Miss Gracie is going to teach you lots of cool things, like how to do your hair, how to keep your good dresses clean. How to cook and do the chores that daddy just can’t get to.”
“Oh,” she said, sounding slightly more enthusiastic. “Will she teach me how to ride a horse?”
“I suppose we can let you ride sidesaddle,” he smiled. That night after he’d tucked her into bed, Trent prayed that Gracie would be the answer to his prayers.
Chapter Three: Condolences and Confusion
Gracie said goodbye to the caretakers at the orphanage where she’d been helping out since aging out of the system. Most women her age were already married, hoping to have the sense of security they’d never been given growing up. Gracie didn’t mind being different. She’d learned the hard way that being yourself meant friends could become as close as family. Grabbing her bags and standing by the trunk she’d packed, she waited for a buggy to pick her up.
By the time she made it to the train station she was already running behind. She checked her trunk and larger bag, hoping they’d make it to her cabin. Then she hopped on the train for a ride to the Lone Star State. “I can’t believe we’re going to Texas,” her best friend, Claudette said, bouncing excitedly.
“You’re telling me,” she smiled. “I’ve never been far beyond the orphanage and now I’m going to move clear out west. I don’t know whether to think I’m crazy or just eccentric.”
“Both,” Claudette laughed. She fell asleep almost as soon as the train pulled out of the station, neither woman having slept much the week before. Still, Gracie found it hard to rest. Her mind was going a mile a minute, wondering if Trent would like the style of teaching she used for his daughter. She wondered what they looked like, what had happened to his wife, what his home looked like. She wondered what her hotel room would be like. Having shared a room with Claudette since the young woman had come to the orphanage five years before, it wasn’t an unusual thing and so she’d only arranged for one room. Having money left to her or not, it wasn’t a common practice of hers to be anything but frugal with the funds, especially considering she wasn’t sure if she’d be teaching long, or if marriage would settle her down some. She didn’t want to take any chances just in case. Plus, she had Claudette to think of as well.
After visiting the food car for some warm milk and a cookie, Gracie finally curled up in their sleeping cabin and fell asleep. She dreamed of a handsome man and a sweet-faced little girl, all smiles to see her. Floating down to them, she could feel their embrace, the pressure of the man’s lips against her cheek. Then the picture changed to a beautiful ranch that seemed like a place she’d only read about in her romance novels. Bordered by a pretty, brown fencing, the massive acreage had horses and cattle, as well as, a spacious place for crops. She could see corn nearly as tall as she was, wavin
g in the wind.
Finally, Gracie drifted off into oblivion and dreamlessness, only coming to when the train conductor announced their first and only stop before reaching Midland, Texas. “Fort Leavenworth!” he called as he passed through the sleeping cars and moved on toward the food car.
Both Gracie and Claudette took leave of the train to stretch their legs and exploring the fort, where civilians were allowed anyways. When the conductor called for, “All aboard!” the two women made their way back to the train, enjoying a nice lunch before retiring to their cabin to read.
After an hour or so, Claudette asked. “What do you think he’ll be like?”
“Mr. Baxter?”
“No, President Buchanan. Yes, Mr. Baxter.”
“I’m sure I don’t know,” Gracie answered, blushing despite no romantic entanglements with the gentleman. “There’s a part of me that hopes he looks something like George Bancroft, only younger, of course. Then my imagination runs away with me and I start to wonder. I’ve found it’s much easier to ignore my thoughts and just wait.”
“I don’t envy you, my friend.”
“I don’t even envy myself,” Gracie laughed. The following morning the train finally pulled into Midland and Gracie got her first good look at her new home. She hadn’t written or notified Trent Baxter that she was coming. She wanted a chance to see Midland for herself. To see if this new frontier would agree with her disposition. If it didn’t, she’d simply write and tell him things hadn’t worked out as she’d planned.
“It’s not terrible,” Claudette said, stepping over a mud puddle in the street as she carried the other end of their trunk.
“No, but it’s certainly not Massachusetts either.”
“Give it fifty years,” Claudette chuckled. Gracie couldn’t help, but join her friend in the joke. Thankfully they found that their hotel was across the street from the depot and Gracie checked them in. “Room 245, please.”
“Miss Gracie Madden?”
“That’s me,” she smiled. “Is there anyone who might help me with my trunk?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the clerk replied. “Billy, would you be so kind, as to help the young lady with her trunk?”
“Sure, boss.”
Gracie turned to see a handsome young man approach and lift her trunk as if it weighed nothing. “Thank you,” she smiled.
“Certainly ma’am,” he replied, leading the way to her room. “If you’ll just follow me, I’ll have you settled in a jiffy.” Grabbing Claudette’s hand, Gracie followed the man with her trunk. He graciously took her key and slid it into the lock on the door, then picked up her trunk and set it at the end of the bed. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No. Thank you, sir.” Gracie took out her change purse and gave the man a tip. After he left, she unpacked her bag and hung up her good dresses. Then she turned to Claudette. “Should we look around Midland, or pay Mr. Baxter a visit?”
“Can’t we do both?” she grinned.
“I suppose so. Perhaps we should let Mr. Baxter know we’ve arrived before heading his way?”
“It would delay your meeting his daughter and getting things set up. I’m sure he’s home as it’s a Sunday afternoon.”
***
Trent sat down at the table with Andrea and her nanny, Felicia. He asked the blessing over the meal and they began to eat, enjoying the light conversation and Andrea’s antics with her chicken strips. “Thank you, Felicia, these are wonderful.”
“You’re welcome,” the older woman smiled, her thick accent flowing out with her speech. “Andrea loves them.”
“Thank goodness. Who knew toddlers were so picky.”
“My son used to only eat enchiladas. Weeks and weeks went by before I could get him to try anything else.”
Just after finishing their meal, Trent saw his foreman coming up the porch steps. “There is a couple of young women here to see you.”
“Do you recognize them?”
“No, sir.”
“Alright,” Trent said, tossing down his napkin. “Thank you, Felicia. Andrea, you be good for Felicia. Daddy has to go take care of some business.”
“Okay, daddy.”
Trent stepped out onto his front porch and squinted into the sun, just as Felix had said, there were two women approaching his ranch. “May I help you?” he said when they stopped at the bottom of his stairs.
“Are you Trent Baxter by chance? We took our directions from the post office clerk as to where your ranch was.”
“I am,” he said, surveying the women. They were both beautiful. One was tall and slender, her dark hair pinned up nicely, although the wind was picking long tendrils of curly hair away as it willed. The other was shorter, but not so much so that it affected her overmuch. She had red hair and a splay of noticeable freckles.
“Thank goodness,” the tall one exclaimed. “Forgive the suddenness of our visit, but we arrived yesterday and were anxious to make your acquaintance.”
“And you are?”
“Oh,” the tall one blushed. “My name is Gracie Madden and this is my best friend Claudette Goins.”
Trent searched his memory and it suddenly came to him. Here stood the young woman he’d asked to come west. The woman he was sorely afraid would require more upkeep than his ranch. “It’s lovely to meet you Miss Madden, Miss Goins.”
“I hope we’re not inconveniencing you, Mr. Baxter. To be honest, I wanted to see what Midland, Texas was like before I committed myself to staying in a place I couldn’t settle in.”
“Please, call me Trent. And what’s your impression so far?”
“It’s a quaint town, to be certain. I like the close knit community that seems to be there, however, living a ways out from it doesn’t deter me either.”
“Did you find your accommodations to your liking?”
“We did,” she smiled. Trent nearly lost his breath when her pretty gray eyes met his. They seemed to sparkle from within and adding her smile left him with the impression that she was worth whatever effort it took to keep her happy.
“Great,” he smiled. “I’ll be that way later, if you’d like to stay here at the ranch and have a tour. I can drop you ladies off when I head into town later.”
“We’d love that,” she said, a frown creasing her brow. “I don’t mean to be forward Mr., Trent, but would it be possible for me to meet Andrea? I’m terribly curious as to the little girl who will for the most part be in my charge.”
Chapter Four: Unforeseen Blessings
“Absolutely,” Trent smiled. Gracie took a step back and grabbed Claudette’s hand when he turned to go inside.
“He’s so handsome,” she breathed, a note of obvious excitement in her voice.
Then he stepped through the door with a little girl in his arms and Gracie fell flat on her face in love for the toddler who’d already lost her mother at such a young age.
“Hello,” she cooed softly. “My name is Gracie. Can you tell me yours?”
As she’d expected, the little girl buried her face in her father’s neck. “She’s a mite shy around strangers.”
“Well then,” Gracie said, sitting on the step. “I guess I’ll have to visit often enough that I’m not a stranger. For now, though.” Gracie held out a licorice rope and silently asked Trent for permission before holding it out to Andrea. “I think I could eat a whole meal worth of licorice rope. What do you think, Andrea?”
Tentatively the little girl eyed the sweet treat and finally snatched it. A few minutes later she wiggled from his arms and took a seat next to Gracie.
“Andrea, it’s lovely to meet you,” Gracie smiled. “This is my best friend, Claudette. Do you have a best friend?” When the little girl sadly shook her head, Gracie grinned. “Did you know that big people can have more than one best friend? I can be yours as well, if you’d like.”
Pretty blue eyes stared up at her and a smile split the little girl’s face. “Okay! Do you want to see my pony?”
; “Absolutely,” Gracie said, taking the little girl’s hand when she held it out to her. Gracie and Claudette spent the afternoon and early evening at the Baxter ranch, seeing the horses and cattle. She was shocked by how much it looked like the ranch from her dreams. Even down to the corn that would one day wave in the wind.
Trent kindly drove them home, letting Andrea ride along with him. “Thank you for such a wonderful afternoon,” Gracie said when Trent deposited her on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.
“It was absolutely my pleasure, Gracie,” he grinned. Gracie blushed under his stare and cleared her throat. “May we come out tomorrow as well? I’d like to get a better lay of the house and find the most appropriate place to commence with Andrea’s schooling.”
“I don’t want to go to school,” the little girl pouted.
“Knowledge is power, sweet Andrea,” Gracie smiled. “We mustn’t let the men have all of it now shall we?” She gave Trent a wink and smiled when his pretty blue eyes, so much like his daughter’s went wide with surprise. “Goodnight Trent, Andrea. We shall see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight Gracie, Claudette.” Gracie watched Trent tip his hat before he climbed up in the wagon to drive Andrea back home.
“Oh you’ve got it bad,” Claudette said when they were in the privacy of their room.
“Oh I do not, not yet anyways. You can’t tell me that he isn’t handsome.”
“Well no, but he’s certainly not my type.”
“You have a type?” Gracie chuckled. “Do tell.”
“I like a man that’s tall and broad with a slim waist and dark eyes. Dark hair, dimples are always nice. His smile has to be warm, welcoming. I want to feel as if he truly wants to be in my company.”
Gracie watched her friend and sighed. That was exactly how she’d felt when Trent smiled at her. She’d felt as if he was saying, “What’s mine is yours, welcome home.”
“That’s a lovely sentiment, Claudette.”
[2016] Finding My Cowboy Page 4
