Susan was more than happy to oblige and gaily chattered away. Telling Roxanne of their little whitewashed house with the porch all across the front and the roses her husband, Thomas Sr. had planted by the steps for her.
Roxanne leaned back and relaxed as she listened to Susan's happy voice. This trip will not be as bad as I had feared she thought and this time the train will take her all the way to Wild Rose, without having to switch to stage coach. Her eyes drifted shut and she slept for the first time since receiving the letter from Mr. Ramsdell.
* * * * *
It had been a long journey, but would soon be over. Roxanne was excited that they had finally entered the state of Texas and soon she'd be home. Black Rock Ranch…she wondered how it may have changed in the ten years since she'd last seen it.
She hoped the house would be the same as she remembered. It would be a sad and lonely thing to live there without her parents, but Roxanne knew it would also be a great comfort and she'd feel their presence in every room.
She wished the journey behind her and looked out the window at the new spring grass turning the low hills a lovely shade of pale green. Home was a wonderful thing and she'd been gone too long from hers.
Gunfire shattered her thoughts. All the passengers tried to see what was going on and she heard several people shout, "It's a hold up, they're about to rob the train!"
Susan took off her wedding ring and lifting her long skirt and petticoats; she stuffed the ring into her garter. "If you have anything of value, dear, you'd better hide it away."
Roxanne grabbed hold of the gold locket she'd worn her entire life and put it down inside the front of her bodice out of sight. The train was beginning to slow and everyone was muttering noisily to each other, fearful of what was happening and worried they might be hurt or killed.
As the trained slowed and came to a stop, two men entered the passenger car. They were dressed in the same manner as her father's ranch hands had always dressed. The wool pants they wore were covered with leather chaps, their shirts faded until you couldn't tell what color they had been. Looking even more faded because of the bright red kerchiefs that were tied about their necks. Roxanne was surprised they weren't covering their faces with them as she'd seen in the dime novels she and the other girls had hidden in their rooms to read at night.
Both outlaws were tall and muscular, one blonde, one dark. The blonde one stayed at the end of the passenger car with his rifle pointed at the passengers. The other made his way down the aisle demanding that all money and jewelry be put into his Stetson.
"Do you think its Tom Ketchum, Mama?" Thomas whispered to his mother.
"I don't know, Thomas, but you hush now." Susan was terrified and having a very hard time not showing that fear to her son.
Roxanne didn't care if it was the famous outlaw or some other gang, she only prayed that they'd take what they wanted and leave all the passengers unharmed. The dark outlaw stopped in front of Susan and she dropped her little beaded coin purse into the hat.
"I'll take them earbobs too." Susan jumped when the man spoke to her.
With trembling hands she removed the jewelry and dropped them into the hat. The man grabbed her hands and not seeing any other jewelry, he moved on to Roxanne.
She wasn't going to give the man the brown leather coin purse her papa had given her all those years ago when she'd left for Boston. Earlier when they'd stopped at a station, she had dropped a couple of paper bills into her silk drawstring bag. Now she removed the money and dropped it into the hat.
Looking up, she was caught and held by the blackest eyes she'd ever seen. Totally devoid of any emotion, they seemed to look straight into her soul. She had to bite her lip to still it's trembling.
Reaching with a rough hand, the man smoothed a stray curl from off her forehead. Unable to look away from his eyes, Roxanne began to tremble.
"We don't have time for that," the other man called out.
Ignoring the other robber, he moved his hand along her jaw line to cup her chin. Forcing her head up, he lowered his lips to hers.
Gasping, Roxanne's lips parted in shock as his warm dry lips settled firmly on hers. Taking advantage of her surprise, his tongue plunged into the warmth of her open mouth.
Roxanne began to struggle, raising her hand to push him away. Capturing her hand, he pushed it against the front of his pants. Bile rose in her throat and she felt faint.
Jumping wildly when the blast of a gun being discharged echoed through the passenger car, Roxanne pushed farther back into the seat. Releasing her, the man turned his cold eyes on his partner.
"I told you we don't have time for that, damn it. Now come on before I have to shoot the little lady."
Looking at Roxanne one last time, the man hesitated and then moved on down the aisle.
The passengers gave a collective sigh of relief that none of them had been harmed, as they watched the four horsemen riding fast away from the train.
The other two robbers had been in the engine keeping the men there at gunpoint. The conductor had been hit over the head, but was coming around. No one was killed and everyone was thankful for that fact. The train was moving again and they would have a longer stop at the next station so a doctor could see to the conductor's head wound.
Reaching across the seat, Susan placed her hand on Roxanne's and squeezed gently.
"I'm so sorry, my dear. Are you all right?"
"Yes, of course. I'm just grateful his partner was in a hurry and glad it's over. I'm more anxious than ever to be home."
"Yes, I think we'll all be glad to see the end of this trip."
Two
Wild Rose, Texas
1898
Wild Rose, Texas was nothing like she remembered. Roxanne climbed down the steps of the train, looking around and trying to find something familiar. There were buildings where there had not been before and it was noisy and busy. Still very small and quiet compared to Boston, but not the sleepy little town Roxanne remembered. She walked away from the station, taking note of all the changes.
There were boardwalks running along the front of the buildings to walk on. She recalled her mother had often remarked how nice it would be to have wooden boardwalks to prevent their shoes and hems from collecting so much dust.
"Miss Ingram, Miss Ingram!"
Roxanne turned as the man came hurrying toward her. He wasn't any taller than her five feet six inches and almost as wide as he was tall. Dressed in a dark suit and hat, the sun glinted on his spectacles and his mouth smiled widely at her from under a dark bushy mustache.
"I thought I'd missed you. We heard about the holdup and knew the train would be late. I went to have a cold drink while waiting for you. Henry Ramsdell at your service, Miss." Removing his hat, he gave a slight bow.
Roxanne smiled, "I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Ramsdell. I hope I haven't caused you too much worry."
"Oh no, of course not. I feel dreadful about what you had to go through with all that nastiness of the heist. I was worried you may have been harmed, but can see now that you are well and that puts my mind at ease. I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your father and as his solicitor and now yours, I feel it's my responsibility to see you properly settled in and taken care of."
"That's very kind of you, sir. I appreciate your endeavors on my behalf."
Mr. Ramsdell assured her it was no trouble at all. "I've arranged for your bags to be taken on to the ranch and thought you might like to have lunch at the hotel before I escort you to your home."
Although Roxanne was anxious to be home, she knew it would be selfish to keep Mr. Ramsdell from his lunch any longer. "That would be very nice, thank you."
The hotel was a newer building with a false front that gave the impression that it was a three-story building when it was only two. On the false top was written in bold red letters, Wild Rose Hotel, and there was a wild rose bush painted next to the lettering. The dining room was immaculate and the delicious smells made Roxanne realize that it had
been a long time since she had last eaten.
Mr. Ramsdell recommended the Chili. "It's a Texas favorite and only five cents a bowl with all the crackers you can eat. It is hot and spicy, so if you have a very delicate stomach, I wouldn't recommend it."
Having always had a hearty appetite and loving spices, she decided to try the Chili. When the steaming bowl arrived, she was surprised to find that it was like a beef and bean stew. It smelled delicious and she took her first taste.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed as she took a large drink of the milk she'd ordered. "It's absolutely wonderful and very hot."
Mr. Ramsdell smiled as he crumbled some crackers into his bowl. Roxanne watched him for a second and then did the same.
Later as they were driving out to the ranch in Mr. Ramsdell's buggy Roxanne thanked him for such a lovely lunch. "That Chili was good, I'll have to learn to make it."
"Well it's a simple enough dish and I'm glad you liked it. You're a true Texan at heart. We're getting close to the ranch, do you remember any of the landmarks?"
As Roxanne glanced around, to the east she saw the large black outcropping of rock. It was magnificent as it gleamed in the afternoon sun. "I remember the black rock," she whispered, almost afraid to speak aloud in the presence of such magnificence.
Mr. Ramsdell drew her attention with his next words. "And here we are, my dear, Black Rock Ranch."
Roxanne turned her eyes forward, as the buggy entered the gates with the wooden sign hung above them and the words BR Ranch burned into the wood. Up the lane she could see the large two-story ranch house. It had been freshly white washed and the two upstairs dormer windows seemed to look out at her with a warm welcome.
Roxanne remembered as a child running back and forth around the large open porch that wrapped around three sides of the house. Yes, she thought, I am finally home.
As they pulled to a stop in front of the house a man came forward and held up his hand to assist Roxanne from the buggy.
Once she was standing in front of him, he removed his Stetson and said, "How do, Ma'am, I'm Jim Smith, your foreman."
"How do you do, Mr. Smith? I'm very pleased to meet you." Roxanne replied with a smile. "I'm afraid I know nothing of ranching, so I will have a lot to learn."
"Have no fear, Miss Ingram." Mr. Ramsdell said, coming around the side of the buggy. "The ranch is in very capable hands with Mr. Smith. He was your father's foreman for the past six years and has done a fine job."
"Thank you, sir." Jim seemed embarrassed by the praise. "Ma'am, I want to tell you how sorry I am about your pa. He was one of the finest men I ever met."
Roxanne was touched by his kind words. She could feel the dampness of tears in her eyes and tried to blink them away. She didn't want to embarrass him anymore.
"Thank you, Mr. Smith. That was a very kind thing to say."
"No, Ma'am, just the truth and please call me Jim. I'm not used to being called Mr. Smith. I'll be out in the bunkhouse if you should happen to need anything."
"Thank you, Jim," she replied. "I appreciate that."
"No problem and welcome home," he said before turning to walk towards the bunkhouse.
Mr. Ramsdell had explained over lunch that he'd hired a neighbor, Mrs. Kennedy, to come out and clean the house and make it fresh for her return. He'd also hired a local girl, Lucy Alden, to come and stay at the ranch with Roxanne as a housekeeper and cook.
"It just wouldn't be proper for a young lady like yourself to stay out here on your own," he explained.
Roxanne was grateful as she entered the house. Everything was so clean and shiny. There was also a heavenly smell of cinnamon and apples coming from the kitchen.
"Lucy, this is Miss Ingram," Mr. Ramsdell introduced Roxanne to the young girl standing shyly in the kitchen doorway. The girl wasn't any older than 16 and had the palest blonde hair, like golden sunlight. Her eyes were a rich warm brown and she had freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks. She smiled shyly at Roxanne.
"How do, Miss." Lucy said softly.
"Lucy, how wonderful to meet you. The house looks wonderful. Did you pick the Bluebells?" Roxanne smiled as she looked towards the beautiful bouquet of flowers in her Mother's crystal vase.
"Yes, Miss, I put them on the table by the window so you'd see them as you come in. I thought they'd make a nice welcome for you."
"You were right, Lucy, they're just lovely."
Lucy blushed and said she had to see to dinner before hurrying back to the kitchen.
"Lucy is a shy girl, but has a very kind heart and she's not afraid of hard work. She'll do right by you. I told her to take the room off the kitchen for her own and to make up the main bedroom for you. Now, I'm going to leave and give you some time to get reacquainted with your home."
"Thank you so kindly for the things you have done to make my homecoming so pleasant and for looking after me by hiring Lucy." Roxanne said as she walked him to the door.
"It was no trouble. I'll be by tomorrow with the papers you need to sign. Try to get some rest, Miss Ingram. Good day to you."
After he left, Roxanne walked through the rooms that still contained all the things from her childhood. Feeling her parent's presence in every corner of the old house, it brought tears to her eyes and offered tremendous comfort. Going to the main bedroom to unpack she found Lucy had already done the chore for her.
Gazing about the large room her parents had shared, her heart ached. Everything looked as it had before she left for Boston on that day so many years before. The big bed was covered with the hand-sewn quilt her mother had received from her own mother on the day she married. The double wedding ring pattern in bright colors on a white background was as beautiful as ever. The old mahogany furniture gleamed from a rubbing with lemon oil and the fresh fragrance clung to the room. Lucy had added more Bluebells to the little table by the bed.
Lying on the bed, Roxanne allowed the tears she'd been holding back all day to flow unheeded down her face. She wanted her mama and papa to be there. Needed to feel their arms around her. Oh, how I miss them, she thought before falling into an exhausted sleep.
* * * * *
Gleaming silver in the light of the full moon, the massive black rock was beautiful. Roxanne approached and caressingly moved her hands over the smooth surface. Suddenly she was surrounded by fog so dense she couldn't see a thing. Startled by the sound of a woman's voice calling her name, she turned quickly, but could see no one.
"Roxanne, sweetheart, come to Mommy. Come on sweetie, Mommy can't find you. Please, Roxanne, where are you? Baby, please tell me where you are. Roxanne, Roxanne!"
Frantically trying to follow the voice that seemed to drift from place to place in the fog, Roxanne hurried forward. She needed to find the person that was calling so desperately to her, but the voice was becoming fainter.
"No, wait! Wait, I'm coming. Please don't go away."
Running desperately through the fog, Roxanne tried to follow the voice that she could now barely hear. All at once the voice was gone and she stopped. Lost, she began to panic, running unseeingly through the fog.
* * * * *
Awaking with a start, Roxanne could feel the sweat on her brow. She'd had the nightmare again. She'd not had one while in Boston, but as a child she'd had the nightmare over and over. Her mother had always told her it was just a dream and nothing bad came from dreams. Then she would sing to her until she fell asleep again. Roxanne wondered why after all these years the dream had returned.
Outside the sun was just beginning to set and Roxanne walked out onto the upstairs balcony to watch as the sun went down in a glorious ball of fire. Sitting down in one of the chairs, she caught her breath and watched in wonder as the sky became streaked with brilliant shades of red and orange. Memories swamped her of the many times the three of them had come here to watch the magnificent display of nature.
Roxanne felt at peace, "I'm home," she whispered.
She sat there until the sky turned dark, then went in and lit
the kerosene lamps, wishing that her papa had installed gaslights as they had in Boston. She'd heard that electricity was going to be the wave of the future and knew that in some places they were already using it to light up the darkness. She imagined it would probably be many years before such things ever reached Wild Rose.
Deciding to take a bath, she was thankful that Papa had put in the water closet with hot and cold water that ran directly into the tub. He had run the pipes from the deep well into the house and had installed one of new water heaters.
Mama could never understand how he made the water run uphill to the bedroom or how he made it hot by turning one handle and cold using the other. Papa had laughed and said, "It's magic, my darlin', magic just for you." And Mama had laughed with him. Roxanne allowed her mind to be flooded with happy memories as she slipped into the big tub of warm water.
* * * * *
Up early the next morning, Roxanne dressed in a burgundy riding habit that had once been her mother's. Looking in the mirror, she thought the older fashion suited her very well. She knew she would have to buy a black riding habit, but this one would do for now.
The burgundy color was still brilliant and went well with her pale skin and the long dark hair she'd pinned up and tied with a matching ribbon. She donned her mother's riding boots hoping they would fit. Perfect, she thought as she headed down the stairs. Lucy was just coming from the kitchen.
"Good morning, Miss, you look lovely, are you going for a ride or would you like me to fix some breakfast first?"
Roxanne smiled, "Good morning, Lucy, I'm going to ride out for a bit, don't worry about breakfast."
Most of the men had already gone out for the day but as Roxanne passed the bunkhouse she saw Jim just starting to mount his horse.
"Jim, good morning," she called.
He stopped and rode over to where she stood. "Mornin', Ma'am, thinkin' of goin' for a ride? I'll have one of the men go with you."
E. G. Parsons - Black Rock: Page 2
