by Cyndi Raye
“I am hoping to help build up Coopers Ridge in the same way Wichita Falls and Mill’s Ridge has been developing.”
Nora wondered why she wanted to include Coopers Ridge since she didn’t have a monetary stake in the new town. Unless, she was planning to purchase some real estate.
She admired Miss Addie. The woman was a fine business woman with smarts. Not many women of her age were a success. She had started this town many years ago, helping to build it up with her investments and mail order brides to bring peace to an unruly area. It had worked.
“I’m sure Cooper is open to building up his town. It has been a pleasure, Miss Addie, but I have a need to be on my way. I’ve been away way too long.”
Her hostess stood, then gave her a hug. “Welcome back, Nora. I’m glad you found all the answers you needed.”
She turned one last time before leaving the boarding house. “Oh, I’ve found more answers than I’ll ever need,” she mentioned, heartbroken at the thought of the secret Rusty revealed. It didn’t upset as much as it did, but she knew when she got home there would be a private visit to Widow Young’s ranch.
Five miles from Wichita Falls Rusty ordered her to slow the wagon. Several men in the distance were riding their horses hard. When they saw the wagon, they slowed down. One of the men slowly moved his hand towards his holster.
Rusty rode along side the wagon, reaching in to pull out the shotgun under the bench. He laid it across his lap before riding in front of the now slowly moving wagon. He shielded Nora from the view but she wasn’t about to sit back on the bench and do nothing.
Reaching inside her boot, Nora grabbed her small pistol, hiding it inside the pocket of her dress where she’d have a better reach. She had more hiding in the wagon than anyone would ever know.
Nora knew the dangers of traveling away from the ranch and she was always prepared. “I got you covered, Rusty.”
“I know you do, Nora. Stay calm, they may mean no harm.”
Nora knew an outlaw when she saw one. The three men who rode up to their wagon were bad men. She had interviewed many ranch hands over the years, men who wanted to hide out on her ranch so the law wouldn’t find them. She had turned every one of them away, usually while holding a shotgun and warning them to never touch foot on her land again.
That’s one thing Nora never tolerated. Trouble. It looked as if these men were passing through, perhaps wanting to rob them blind. She wasn’t about to let them.
“Ho there!” Rusty called out. The men stopped in front of Rusty, a few feet back from the wagon. Nora stood in the wagon, pointing the pistol over Rusty’s shoulder.
“Be on your way,” she told the riders. “There’s nothing here you want.”
Rusty turned. “No need for that yet,” he told her, nodding to the shotgun in his lap, letting her know in no uncertain terms he had things under control.
She didn’t stand down for no one. Not any more. Since her husbands secrets all came out, she wasn’t about to have any bad men do terrible things in her presence any longer. Nor was she going to be shot in the back by a bandit or worse.
“We are passing by, ma’am,” the tall man in the saddle told her. “Your husband is right. No need to point that gun at us.”
He reached up to take off his wide-rimmed hat. The man was thin, his sandy hair greased down, a part on the side. A thick moustache rode over his upper lip, pointing upward at the tips.
“One can never be sure,” she told him, although she softened somewhat when he called Rusty her husband. He wasn’t quite yet, but she liked the way it sounded. Still, she wasn’t about to let her guard down.
He tipped his hat. “I can’t agree more. We’re in a hurry so if you don’t mind, can you point that gun in another direction so we may pass by peaceably?”
“Not on your life,” she told him, a sweet smile on her face. It didn’t reach her eyes and he gave her a long stare before nodding.
Rusty coughed. “Ride on, gentleman.”
The moustached man tipped his hat, dug in his heels and waved the others on. “Let’s go, men!”
Horse’s hooves stirred up the dirt as the three riders headed in the direction of Wichita Falls. Nora kept her hand on the trigger until they were far enough away she was able to relax.
Rusty touched her sleeve. “You did good, Nora. They’re gone.”
“Do you think we should go back to Wichita Falls and warn them?”
“The sheriff can’t do anything unless they committed a crime. They may skirt around the town. It doesn’t look like they’ll be stopping there, look.”
He pointed as the riders took a left away from town. Nora was relieved. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt and those men didn’t look as if they were there to visit. They were up to no good. The only reason they didn’t try to rob or hurt Rusty and herself was because they were well armed. That didn’t mean they wouldn’t circle around to try to steal their provisions later.
“We should keep an eye out. I’ll ride behind again, Nora. You be careful.”
Rusty turned around, leaned down to give her a swift kiss and fell behind, taking up the rear again. Just as he did so, a group of riders came over the hill. They stopped once again. Nora stood, prepared to produce her pistol one more time.
“Rusty!”
“I see them, slow down, Nora. It looks like the law.”
It was the law. Several men produced badges claiming to be Texas Rangers. “Junius Peak, Texas Ranger here, sir. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat, aware of the rifle sitting across Rusty’s lap.
Nora relaxed. She sat back down on the bench to let Rusty take care of this. Her interest was in getting back home. They were only about a half hour away.
“Did you happen to see any of these men pass by?” He held out a wanted poster. When Rusty nodded Nora peeked to see the face of the man who had just crossed their path less than five minutes ago.
“Sure did,” Rusty told him. “And the one in your other hand was with him, too. They headed east instead of going into the town of Wichita Falls.”
“How long ago?”
“Approximately less than five minutes or so.”
The Texas Ranger tipped his hat, waving to the others. “Let’s ride, boys!”
They watched the group of riders head the same way. “Wonder what that was all about?”
Rusty shrugged. “Outlaws.”
Nora sat down, ready to keep moving. “I wasn’t able to read the poster. You were closer, Rusty, did you see who they are?”
He nodded. “Sure did. Sam Bass, wanted for robbing a train was all I seen. The other wanted man was Jim Murphy. Didn’t catch why he was wanted. I’d say we got lucky back there.”
Nora agreed. “Let’s go home, Rusty. This has been quite the exhilarating experience.”
“Sure has,” he told her, replacing the shotgun under the seat. When he leaned in he gave her another kiss.
Nora grinned. “You going to keep kissing me like this when we are married?”
“Even more so. I’m going to woo you like you ain’t never been, Nora White. You wait and see.”
Chapter 9
Rusty was glad to see the old battered wooden sign ahead. It had been quite the journey even though so many things had happened. In his own way, he was glad they had this opportunity to spend time together away from the ranch, now it felt better to be home.
The wagon turned down the lane towards the White Ranch. There was a slight breeze moving the large wooden sign back and forth. Rusty made a note of getting the sign re-painted.
This time of day everyone would be out working on the ranch. Rusty looked out over the land and took in a deep breath.
“We’re home,” he said, his voice so low he didn’t think Nora heard over the clip-clop of the horses.
She pulled back on the reins, stopping the wagon, gazing over the hundreds of acres of ranch land they called home. “Yes, we are. Isn’t it beautiful? I’m glad we got away, Rusty, but here is where my heart belongs
. Here on this land, with you. I swear it’s always been the two of us. I didn’t allow myself to believe we belonged together.”
It was a moment in time he’d never forget. The slight wind stirred up, rustling a few nearby branches from the trees lining the path that would lead them home. She reached out a hand as he worked his way to her side. Looking down at her sitting so proud, he leaned in the wagon and kissed her cheek.
No words were spoken after that kiss. They looked out over the land, holding hands for the longest time.
Three riders came over the horizon riding hell-bent for leather towards the front yard. Something was wrong! Nora straigthened, moving the wagon forward, pushing the horses as fast as she could. “Go ahead of me, Rusty! Find out what’s happened.”
He took off down the road without hesitation, cutting across the yard, racing towards the three men on horseback. The riders stopped at Luke’s cabin, jumping from their mounts. The sun was in his eyes even though the wide brimmed hat shaded the rays, his vision was blurred. It did look as if Nora’s sons were standing on the front porch of Luke’s cabin pacing back and forth.
The baby! Luke’s wife was in labor! He gazed back to see Nora running across the yard, her wagon already being taken care of by one of the ranch hands.
“What a welcome, Nora! I think the baby is about to make its way into the world.” He got down from his horse, waiting for her to catch up. She brushed right by him but not before turning and giving him one of those lovely smiles of hers.
It was back to business for Nora. She took charge of the situation, hugging each of her sons, reassuring Luke everything would be alright and let herself into the cabin to help with the delivery.
Rusty made his way to the boys. “Luke, you’ll wear a hole in the floorboards pacing back and forth.”
A clump of hair fell over Luke’s brow. He tried to push it away from his face. “I knew she was feeling bad this morning and I left anyway. We had to check on some cattle so we rode out earlier than usual. Callie said she tripped and fell in the yard on the way to the kitchen. I think it brought on the labor pains.” Luke’s face was filled with remorse.
Rusty had to do something. “Come on, now, boy! It’s not your fault, snap out of it! She’s going to have the baby whether you are here to keep an eye on her or not.”
Samuel and Adam agreed even though neither one knew anything about having a child.
Luke sighed. “I guess you’re right. Welcome home, Rusty! I’m glad you’re back. And Ma, too!”
He went back to pacing back and forth again as if his life depended on it. Rusty had to smile. “Looks like we made it back just in time! Ain’t nothing I can do about your nerves, so I’m going to put away my horse and come sit with you.”
“I’ll take care of your horse, Rusty.” Samuel patted him on the back. “Why don’t you have a seat and rest. I’m sure it’s been a long ride.”
Rusty gave Samuel a nod. It had been a long morning. With the chance of those outlaws circling back and the long ride home, he didn’t realize how tired he was. He wasn’t getting any younger. Ten years ago a journey like he’d been on was nothing to him. He guessed times had changed.
An hour later, Luke knocked on the door of the cabin. The women locked him out earlier when he heard his wife scream and he tried to bust in. Rusty grinned when he heard a chorus of women tell Luke to calm down and wait.
He sat on the rocker on the porch watching Nora’s son wait for the birth of his first born child. Luke was always the serious one, probably because he had to be. Rusty remembered how Robert would put a lot more on the oldest than the other two. It was no wonder he had the type of personality he did. Luke tended to be over dramatic at times but Rusty didn’t care. He was a fine man and Rusty was glad he got to watch him grow over the years. Was this how a father felt about a son?
Rusty had a brief marriage many years ago and produced a daughter, who now lived a wonderful life with her husband in Montana. She wrote now and again but was settled and didn’t travel much to see him any more. He had always wanted sons but his wife had died in child birth. He had raised his daughter up to be a fine woman and when she married, he was never more proud of her.
The years he spent on this ranch helping Nora’s boys grow and teaching them the things they’d need made him feel as if he did have sons of his own.
That’s why when Nora flung open the door and announced there was a healthy baby boy he held his breath until she reassured everyone Abigail was fine, too.
Rusty slowly made his way to Nora’s side. She watched him for a moment. “You look a little pale, Rusty. Are you thinking about your first wife?”
“For a moment or two.” He placed a hand on her cheek. “I’m glad everything is alright. I’m going to check on the barn.”
Adam was rocking back and forth. “The barn’s fine, Rusty. What’s gotten into you?”
“Hush, Adam,” Nora told her middle son.
He ignored Adam’s words and headed toward the barn. A little time with his animals would make him feel better. Rusty hadn’t realized all these emotions would arise again after so many years squashing them inside.
Before he went in the barn, he gazed back to see Nora watching him from the porch, concern on her face. He lifted a hand to wave to let her know he was okay. She nodded but still continued to stare.
He needed a few moments alone. Rehashing the past was a terrible thing that needed to be dealt with and move on from. It was better to do alone.
Except Nora would not allow him to squander his day feeling sorry for himself. An hour later, he felt her presence while he was in one of the stalls brushing down a mare. The brushing motion was calming, it always settled his nerves.
A small coo came from the little bundle Nora held in her arms. “I thought you would come back to see the little fellow but you didn’t.”
“Got busy in here, Nora.” He placed the brush on a shelf and left the stall, being drawn to the little baby bundled in her arms. He placed his hands on his knees as he bent over to get close to Luke’s son.
“He’s a fine looking specimen.”
“Specimen?” Nora shook her head. “Oh, Rusty, he’s a baby!”
Rusty looked up at her and grinned. “May I?”
“Of course. Why don’t you have a seat on the hay bale there first.”
“Oh, Nora, stop being so bossy. I know how to hold a tiny little one.” He placed his hands on the bundle and picked up the baby as if he had tons of experience doing so. His brow rose when he gazed at his bride to be. “See?”
She touched his arm. “I do see. You make a fine grandfather.”
Rusty held back a tear or two. He felt as if this little feller was his grand son. The love that tugged at his heart watching his tiny face sleep was overwhelming. Rusty wasn’t able to speak for several minutes.
Nora sighed. “The moment I held him, I had the same reaction. Can you believe we’ve come this far, Rusty? It’s always been you and I, hasn’t it? Robert was dead in my heart and soul a long, long time ago. I just didn’t want to let go of our dream to build this ranch up. But, you were the one there for me. He is truly your grand son.”
“Ah, Nora. Thank you for those words. It means the world to me to hear you say this.”
“I mean every single word. I haven’t spoken to the boys yet about our marriage ceremony. I didn’t want to overshadow their joy today. We’ll tell them tomorrow.”
Rusty shook his head. “I think we should tell them now, Nora. Because they’ll want to hear it from us and not find out when I am dancing you around the yard in the moonlight tonight!”
Nora giggled like a school girl. She held out her arms for the baby. “I think we better take the child back to its mother. He is probably getting hungry.”
Rusty looked down at the little feller before handing him back. “What did they name him?”
Nora headed out the barn. “I’ll let Luke and Abigail tell you. Come on, Rusty, let’s take this baby back and tell
our family the good news!”
<><>
Nora placed the little one beside his mother. Abigail was exhausted but Luke helped her position the baby so he was able to feed.
Rusty stood inside the cabin alongside Nora. They waited for some time before Adam, Melody, Samuel and Callie showed up.
When everyone was present, Abigail spoke up. “We wanted to tell you all at once what we decided to name our child and perhaps explain things so no one gets upset at our decision.”
Nora glanced at Rusty before speaking. “The child is yours alone to name, darling. We just want to hear what you’ve decided.”
Luke stood, his face so serious it worried Rusty. “I always thought when I’d have a child I would name him or her after one of my parents. Abigail and I have been talking for the last hour and I realized that not all parents are natural.”
Rusty frowned. “What the heck are you talking about?”
Nora nudged him with her elbow.
“Rusty, since I’ve been a kid, you’ve been like a father to me. I’m not going to tell you how my own father was because we all know he wasn’t worthy of his name. You replaced my own father when he died. Even before. My brothers and I feel as if you have taken the place of the man called Robert White and have done a better job than he ever could or would have if he hadn’t died. Therefore, I’d like to introduce you to my son, Russell White, named after his grandfather Rusty.”
This time a tear fell. Rusty never cried in front of anyone, this time he just didn’t care. “I am honored,” he said, his voice raspy, emotional.
Nora placed a hand on his arm. “I suppose it is time to tell you some more good news. We didn’t want to mention it today because of the child’s birth but Rusty felt as if you would want to know right away. I believe he is right.”
“Ma, I think we already know but we want to hear it from the two of you.” Luke was smiling. When Rusty glanced at Adam and Samuel they had that same grin on their faces. The women stood by their husband’s side watching the scene play out.
Rusty raised his hands in the air. “We’re getting hitched! Your Ma and I, a week from Sunday!”
