by Cyndi Raye
Nora threw her napkin on the table. “I think you already know we were pretending to like each other to make you jealous.”
Rusty slid his chair back. “I guess that means we can forget the picnic and be on our way.”
Nora shook her head. “Oh, no you don’t. We are going to honor our plans today, Rusty.”
Miguel cleared his throat. “If I may suggest a solution I would be honored to go to the park to meet Millie in your place.”
“That’s kind of you but haven’t you already rented a carriage for our ride today?”
“Yes, and now that our plans have changed, the carriage is at your service for the next few hours. Enjoy a ride around the city with your fiancé.” He bowed and disappeared as if he hadn’t really been there.
“Well now, this is quite the turn of events.”
“A carriage ride? What do we want to do that for? Jeez, Nora, we’ll be riding for the next four hours or so to get back to the ranch.”
Nora placed her hands on her hips. “Rusty! This is my adventure and we are going on a carriage ride around the city.”
“Over my dead body! I ain’t gonna be out there for every Tom, Dick and Harry to stare me down riding around like a fancy man!”
Ten minutes later the two were being carted down Main Street in a Prairie Concord buggy with leather seats and dash, led by a beautiful white horse. The driver wore a neat, black suit with matching boots and hat.
Small children turned to stare at the buggy with a white horse. A few small children clapped their hands, staring at the pretty ribbons the carriage company strewn through the horse’s mane. Nora watched Rusty’s face as he gritted his teeth. He sure didn’t like to be put on display but she wasn’t going to refuse a wonderful ride through the city.
Once they turned from Main Street towards the river, Rusty calmed down. He had been clutching his fists together for the last ten minutes. Nora leaned towards him, whispering in his ear so the driver didn’t hear. “This is so romantic, Rusty.”
His jaw slackened a bit when she snuggled up to him. In another second, his arm was around her shoulder. “This is nice,” he admitted. “Now that we are away from prodding eyeballs.”
“I tend to agree. The river is a nice change of pace.” They rode along for some time, watching as a slow moving barge stopped to load up passengers and supplies to take them across the Trinity.
“This is a nice place to have a picnic of our own,” Nora said out of the blue.
The moment she spoke the words, the buggy came to a stop.
The driver turned and tipped his hat. “Forgive me for interrupting but I overhead your words. There is a basket and blanket on the bench here overflowing with food. If you would like I can set up a picnic area right under the shaded tree down yonder.”
Nora looked at Rusty. “Shall we?”
He nodded. “Why not? If it is here, we may as well eat. Was Miguel going to bring you down here to woo you, Nora?”
She laughed, nodding to the driver to carry on and set them up. “It no longer matters, now, does it? We get to enjoy the afternoon at the river.”
The carriage driver escorted them to the shade tree. He placed the blanket on the ground and set the basket in the corner. “I’ll be back in approximately one hour,” he told them.
Rusty sat on the corner of the blanket while Nora dug in to see what food was in the basket.
He watched the driver take off in the carriage. “The carriage driver is leaving? He said he’d come back in one hour! Was this what Miguel had planned? He wanted to be alone with you here by the river?”
Nora shook her head. Rusty was still jealous of Miguel. “If Miguel had plans for anything inappropriate I would not have stood for it, you should know that. But, don’t worry, Rusty, the driver will be back before you know it. You won’t be alone with me for too long!”
“Now, Nora! That is not what I meant. It’s just that -”
Nora shook her head and pointed a finger at him. “Rusty Rivers, you stop right now! I know exactly what you meant. You are still harboring jealousy over a man who is probably enjoying the day with his theatre friends. Here, have some food.”
Rusty did as told. He took off his hat, ruffling his hair. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me, Nora. My apologies. He was nice enough to let us have this afternoon and I am enjoying the day with you. I’m sorry, I don’t belong here in this city. It aggravates me too much.”
“Oh, Rusty, it’s fine. It is time to go home but this afternoon is nice.”
“I guess we’ll head out tomorrow for the ranch.”
She agreed. “Yes, let’s get a fresh start first thing in the morning.”
They spent the remainder of the hour eating and talking. The sound of the flowing water of the river drowned out the noise from the city.
“This is living, ain’t it?” Rusty mentioned.
“Yes, it is. I want to get married at the ranch, so if you are thinking of springing a surprise wedding on me tonight, don’t.”
He smiled. Picked up her hand, leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I had thought of doing just that but I’d rather stand proud in front of your boys.”
Nora dropped her gaze to stare at his hand in hers. “You know, Rusty. Those boys are just as much yours as mine. You helped me raise them. You were always there for me every step of the way. Thank you for a lifetime of caring.”
Rusty blushed. Nora tilted her head and smiled. “I do love you, Rusty. More than I ever loved Robert. Thank you for being honest and telling me how horrible of a man he was. Do the boys know about his treatment of Widow Young?”
Rusty shook his head. “No, I kept it to myself.”
“I only ask one thing of you.”
“Anything for you, my love.”
She liked him saying those words. It made her feel as if she meant the world to him. “I ask that you forget what my dead husband did all those years ago. I never want my sons or my grandchildren to know what kind of awful things he was capable of. My sons already know too much about his character and most likely harbor ill feelings. However, I don’t want the sins of the father to taunt them.”
Rusty nodded. “I promise.”
“Thank you. Now, there’s our carriage. Are you ready to finish our ride?”
Rusty groaned. “I suppose so. Would you care to take a ride through the park?”
Nora looked up. “Why Rusty, I believe you want to make sure Miguel sees us together.”
He shrugged then smiled. “I suppose so.”
<><>
The evening turned out to be so romantic. Rusty tried his hardest to give her a last night to remember. He spent the latter part of the afternoon making sure the hotel set up a quiet table for them to enjoy a late dinner. Rusty even took her for a long walk down Main Street afterwards.
The stores were closed by now except there was a small light burning in one small shop on the corner beside the First Methodist Church. Rusty asked her to wait while he went inside. She gazed at the necklaces in the picture window until he returned a few minutes later. Was he going to buy her a present? He had given her so much. She didn’t want him to spend any more money.
“Rusty. I must request you stop buying things for me.”
He took her arm, steering her back down the street past the Dallas Hook and Ladder Company and the brick building that was the Sanger Brothers Department Store. “What makes you think I bought you something?” His eyes sparkled when he looked at her.
“Because you went inside that jewelery shop without me. I want you to stop, Rusty. You’ve bought me enough things in the last few days.”
He frowned. “I guess you are right but we have to have a ring for your finger. I want everyone to know you are my bride.”
Nora was touched. Perhaps it was time to tell him he was much richer than he realized. He had spent a lot of money in the city these past few days. She knew now was the time to disclose her secret.
She stopped in the middle of the
street. “May we sit down somewhere, please. I want to speak to you.”
Rusty had a panicked look on his face. “I’m sorry, Nora. If buying a ring upsets you I can take it back. The light is still on.” She followed his gaze towards the shop to see the light flickering in the window.
“No, Rusty. Let’s take a seat on this bench.” They were in Courthouse Square where a few benches were scattered here and there in front of some of the buildings. A few couples were taking a stroll, while a lone man sat on one of the benches.
“Rusty. I am watching you spend money left and right on me the whole time we are in the city. I don’t mind gifts. Actually, I love the gifts you bought me. I don’t want you to spend all of your hard earned money on me.”
Rusty touched her cheek with his hand, running his fingers across her cheek. “I don’t mind. I’ve plenty of money, Nora. I’ve saved over the years.”
“You also loaned me quite a chunk of money when my husband died. Do you remember?”
He nodded. “Yes, and it wasn’t a loan. It was a gift. I don’t regret doing so.”
She took a deep breath. “I tried to pay you back over the years but you refused.”
“I still refuse. I told you how I felt the day I gave it to you. A rambler like me found a home after years of wandering from ranch to ranch. It was an investment for me, Nora. For you. Don’t insult me by offering to pay it back. We were on the brink of losing every single thing we worked hard for. There was no way I wanted to see you lose the ranch. The boys needed a home. It has been forgotten.”
“Thank you, Rusty. That money saved our lives.”
Rusty grinned. “Want to know where that money came from? My parents were well off, can you believe this? When they died, I cashed in all their stock in the railroad, split the profits between my siblings and me and headed west. It wasn’t as if I was losing something by giving you the money to keep the ranch going, Nora. I want you to understand this.”
She took his hands. “I do. Being a widowed woman, it was hard to raise a family. I had to learn the ways of ranching and you taught me most of what I know besides the few things Robert taught me when I insisted on learning. He was never too thrilled at the idea of me knowing as much as him.”
“So why are we having this conversation?” Rusty was always to the point. It was what she loved about him.
“Because you have owned a part of the White Ranch for the last ten years.”
He blinked. “I, what?”
“You are a lot richer than you realize.”
“I am?”
“Yes, Rusty. I had a new deed written up in Wichita Falls back then. I’ll show you when we get home.”
He guffawed. “I’ll be darned!”
“We all own the White Ranch equally. You, me, Luke, Adam and Samuel.”
“Not necessarily.”
It was Nora’s turn to blink. “What do you mean?”
He puffed out his chest. “Seems to me once I marry you, then I’ll be the man in charge. I believe I’ll own your share by making you my wife.”
Nora laughed out loud. “Try that, Rusty Rivers and you’ll be buried in the grave next to my departed husband.”
He gave her a hug. “I’m joshing with you, Nora. The idea that you had part of the land put in my name so long ago shows me how much you trusted me. I am honored and do not deserve this.”
“Of course you do.” She stood up. “Now that we have those things out of the way, I’m thinking about the sweets counter I saw in the hotel lobby. Perhaps a late night snack may be in order.”
“Well, then, my love, let’s get you some sweet confections.”
They spent the next ten minutes talking and laughing as they made their way back to the hotel. “Rusty, I never told the boys your name is on the deed.”
“It doesn’t much matter now, does it? We’ll be married and it won’t make a big difference.”
“You are probably right. Perhaps I’ll tell them down the road, but, you know what? I kind of like having my own secret.”
Rusty held open the door to the hotel. “If it makes you happy, then I’ll keep your secret as long as needed.
Chapter 8
One last look at the big city made Nora smile as the dust from the wheels rose up behind her wagon. Nora was anxious to get back to her ranch. Or, their ranch as it would soon be known. Once they were married, she planned to use Nora White Rivers. She wanted to keep her name, she was proud of all they’d been through over the years. Even if her dead husband was a poor excuse of a man for a husband and human being.
When she first decided to take this journey, she wanted a grand adventure. Because she realized her husband was a cheat and liar, she thought by leaving for awhile to think things through would make her a better person. She even thought getting away would revive her spirit. Nora learned so much in the past few days. Even though she knew what was important, she also learned the grass was not as green on the opposite side of the fence. Her mother had always said so and now she had experienced it for herself.
Grand adventure or not, she was going home. Her life was as grand as she made it as far as Nora was concerned. The ranch was where she belonged. Rusty had been riding behind the wagon, humming a merry tune. She knew the moment he came alongside the wagon. “Are you sad to leave, Nora?” he asked.
“You know the answer to that, Rusty. You just want me to say it aloud.”
He took his hat off and slapped it on his thigh, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. Placing the hat back on, Rusty leaned down. “I had the hotel restaurant pack us a basket filled with sandwiches and some of those fancy sweets you were stuffing your mouth with last night.”
He sure had a way with words. She was so happy to be heading home she didn’t reprimand him for his use of language. “That’s sweet of you, Rusty. I’d rather go straight home but the horses will have to rest after awhile.”
“It’s what I figured, too.” He nodded to her and fell in behind the wagon, taking up the rear once again. She knew Rusty liked to watch his surroundings. He began to hum a lively tune again, his eyes on the road ahead.
Nora swayed to the sound of his voice. A few hours later, almost on the outskirts of Wichita Falls, there was a lovely waterfall before entering town. Nora pulled the wagon to a stop. “How about here?”
Rusty nodded. They could’ve gone to Jenna’s café to eat but they wanted to spend time together by the waterfall. She did want to invite Miss Addie to her wedding and made it a point to tell Rusty so. He suggested they discuss the details while eating their food.
Nora laid a blanket out on the bank by the water, listening to the flowing waters cascading into the creek. The sound was surreal, so relaxing after hours on a hard bench seat. The two ate in silence, listening to the moving water, enjoying just being together.
When she finished her meal, Nora began to pack up. Rusty reached over to take her hand. He leaned in, tasting her lips in a gentle, loving way. Nora almost blushed at his tender touch. “When would you like to have the ceremony?”
She sat back. “A week from Sunday?”
Rusty’s face dropped. “That far away? Why, what am I gonna do for a whole week and a half?”
“Same thing as always, Rusty. We have a ranch to run.”
He shook his head back and forth as if disappointed. “I’m not gonna like to have to sleep out in my old cot, waiting to come to the house for over a week.”
Nora sighed. “You never complained before about your sleeping quarters! Why, I made sure you had the best bed in the bunk house. I even sewed that calico print curtain to run across your area so you had your own space!”
Rusty guffawed when Nora got riled. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I like my bunk, Nora. It’s just going to be lonely because you won’t be there beside me.”
Nora blushed. In his own way, Rusty tried to be romantic. Except some of the things he said riled her to no end. Oh, well, no one understood him like she did.
She placed both her hands on his face and pulled him in for a long, sweet kiss. “Take that!” she said before turning away to gather up the picnic supplies.
Rusty whipped off his hat and threw it in the air. “Whoo! If you are gonna kiss me like that then I’m going to make sure you get riled up each and every day!”
Nora laughed so hard she almost doubled over, tears streaming down her cheeks.
After packing up, they went to town to pick up some supplies in Wichita Falls. Nora could not for the life of her hide the smile across her face.
She had that same silly smile on her face when Miss Addie let her in and directed her towards the table. A hot cup of tea was placed in front of her. As she added the sweetener, Nora wondered if Miss Addie had ever been in love. She didn’t have the heart to ask but it was on her mind. The woman who was responsible for bringing in many mail order brides to the territory had to have been in love at one time or other.
“How was your adventure, Miss Nora?”
“It was indeed an adventure. I’ve gotten engaged.”
Miss Addie’s brow rose. “Interesting! May I ask to whom?”
Nora smiled. “You know who. You were right all along.”
The older woman nodded in agreement. “Congratulations are in order. When will the wedding be?”
“A week from Sunday. You have my personal invitation.”
“Thank you, dear. I will be there. Will the pastor from Cooper’s Ridge be officiating the ceremony?”
“I certainly hope so. I plan to find out as soon as we get back to the ranch today. I can let you know.”
Miss Addie placed the tea cup on the table. Her fingers steepled. “Very good. I will want to speak with him after the ceremony. I have a proposition for the town of Cooper’s Ridge that may be of interest to him.”
“There is a lack of women there, if you are planning what I think you are,” Nora offered. When she had been there, the ratio of women to men was not good at all.
