“I’d be honored, Drina, and of course, you’ll return the favor and call me Brit.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“Well, Brit, Salty was in here earlier and said the weather had turned raw. What brings you out on such a terrible day?”
“I wanted to check on you. I heard you had a rough time after you were shot.”
Aaron reached for Drina’s hand. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve had a good nurse. She’s taken good care of me.”
Drina smiled. “I figured we hadn’t been married long enough for him to die on me.”
“I understand.”
Beulah came back with the coffee. She handed Drina a cup of tea first, then served Brit, leaving Aaron to last. “If you need anything else, just let me know, Mrs. Wilcox.”
“I will, Beulah.”
Aaron took a drink of his coffee. “Well, Brit what’s going on in Hatchet Springs? I’ve lost out since I’ve been laid up.”
“You know our little town, Aaron. Very little excitement happens. Looks like there has been more excitement here.”
“We’ve had all the excitement we can handle,” Drina said. “We lost one of the hands to a snake bite, then Aaron was shot. We’ve decided we didn’t want anything else to happen for a long time.”
“I can’t say as I blame you.” He felt things had changed since he’d last seen Aaron. For some reason, the man had accepted his wife. At first, he thought they weren’t sleeping together, but now he was beginning to wonder. They sure seemed to care about each other today.
“Everything is going good here, except I’m a little concerned about getting my herd down to the winter pasture.”
Drina patted his good shoulder. “Oh, Aaron, I forgot to tell you. Beulah told me that Salty and the hands decided to go ahead and move the herd. He didn’t tell you because he was afraid you’d try to get out of bed to help them.”
“I should be helping them.” He started to sit up.
Drina shook her head. “Now, dear, don’t be foolish. The men have been gone a while. You can’t help them now.”
He fell back on the bed. “Damn this gunshot wound. Whenever I get out of bed, I’m going to hunt the son…I mean, I’m going to hunt the man down who did this to me.”
“So, you don’t know who it was?” Brit asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but I have an idea it was Cleg Keller. He hates me.”
“Why, Aaron?”
“It’s a long story, Brit. Just rest assured I know what I’m talking about.”
Brit looked at Drina. “Do you agree with Aaron?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know this Keller person, but if Aaron says it was him, I’m sure it was.”
“Keller did cause a disturbance at The Swinging Door a night or two ago.”
“Really?”Aaron eyed him. “What happened?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t say anything in front of your wife.”
“Would you like me to leave?” Drina asked.
“No, honey. You stay here unless I stop his story and ask you to leave.” He looked at Brit. “Just watch your language.”
“I’ll do my best.” He smiled at Drina. “Keller came to the Swinging Door and he beat one of the women pretty badly.”
“Why would he do that?” Drina asked.
“A man like Keller doesn’t have to have a reason to hurt somebody, sweetheart.”
“I see.”
“Did anybody do anything about the woman who was hurt?” Aaron asked.
“She saw the doctor.” He took a deep breath. “I guess she was afraid Keller would come back, because she ran away from the saloon sometime last night or early this morning.”
“Good for her,” Drina said. “I don’t hold with a man beating a woman.”
“I thought she might head out here.” He looked directly at Aaron.
“Why would she?”
“You knew her, Aaron. It was Lottie.” Brit felt he had Aaron cornered. The man wouldn’t want to admit in front of his wife he knew the whore. But, he would have no choice now. He couldn’t have planned it better himself. This was sure to cause trouble between them.
Aaron glanced at Drina, then reached out and took her hand. “Yes, I knew her, but that was before I was a married man.”
Brit couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. He couldn’t stop himself. He blurted, “What about your wedding night? I saw you in The Swinging Door myself. We even cut cards for Lottie, and you won.” He stopped when he saw the horror on Drina’s face. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m afraid your husband hasn’t been honest with you. I guess you don’t know him as well as you think you do.”
Drina stood and stiffened her back. “This visit is over, Brit Vance. I want you to leave my home immediately.”
Aaron tried to move to the side of the bed, but only managed to turn to his side. “You heard my wife, Vance. Get out!”
“Drina don’t you understand that your husband has cheated on you?”
“My name is Mrs. Wilcox to you. And don’t let me tell you again. Leave now.” She moved to the door and opened it. “Beulah,” she called down the hall.
The housekeeper appeared immediately. “Yes, Miz Drina.”
“Show this man out, and if he ever returns, don’t let him in my home again.”
Brit was furious. “You’re making a mistake, lady. Aaron Wilcox will never be a good husband to you. He likes the whores at The Swinging Door too much. One day, you’re going to regret throwing me out. When your husband loses this ranch and turns his back on you, you’ll find yourself out in the cold.” He grabbed his hat from Beulah, slapped it on his head. “When that happens, come see me. You’d look pretty, working in my saloon.”
Before anyone could say anything, he went out the door and stomped down the hall.
Drina herd Beulah slam the front door behind him.
She looked back to Aaron and their eyes met. His seemed to plead with her to try to erase the things Brit Vance had said. But she knew she never could. What woman could forget the fact her husband had spent his wedding night with a prostitute, and that she’d not only welcomed the woman into her home, but had protected her from the man who wanted to kill her?
* * * *
Gus rode on the left of the herd and pushed them along as fast as he could. He was like the rest of the hands, he didn’t mind moving these cows for his boss, but he sure wished the wind would calm down. He was cold and his right leg, the one he was shot in a couple of years ago, was aching something fierce. He figured it was because he was pushing forty. He’d learned when a man turned this age he often had aches and pains they didn’t suffer when they were young. Especially if they’d always worked on a ranch and been thrown around by horses, cows and other cowboys. Was it about time for him to slow down? But if he did, what was he supposed to do? Being a wrangler was all he knew. If he lost this job, he didn’t know what would happen to him. He had no family to turn to and this was the best job he’d ever had. Aaron Wilcox was a fair boss and he never asked his men to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. No matter how bad his leg hurt, he wouldn’t say anything. He’d just keep moving.
It was then he thought he saw a movement off to his left, but some distance away. Was it a deer or some other animal? His eyes had been giving him trouble lately, too. Whatever it was, it kept moving slowly. Or was it stalking? Maybe he better make sure it wasn’t a cougar or a renegade Indian.
When he drew closer, he could see it was man. The old fellow was almost bent double and he as he struggled to walk, he staggered. Gus urged his horse into a trot and in a matter of seconds came to a halt in front of the stranger.
He saw the man was advanced in age and he didn’t have a coat. The poor fellow must be almost frozen. There was the hint of a few frozen particles in his scruffy beard.
Gus dismounted and moved to him. “What you up to, old man?”
In a stammering voice the old man said, “Gotta … get …to Beulah.”
Gus frowned. Wha
t would this old codger have to do with Beulah? “Where’s your coat?”
“Don’t have ...” Watery eyes looked at Gus. “Help me.”
“How?”
But the old man collapsed at Gus’s feet.
Gus looked down at him. “What am I supposed to do now? I can’t just leave him here to freeze to death, but I can’t leave the herd and take him to Beulah. I don’t think she’d want him in this condition anyway.”
After a few seconds of silent deliberation, Gus removed his bedroll from his horse. He took out the blanket. He put it around the old man and lifted him to the saddle. He was surprised to see how light the man was. He sure hadn’t spent his life gobbling food.
Mounting behind the old fellow, Gus turned his hose back to the herd. He had to look for Salty. As he always did, Salty would know what to do.
* * * *
Aaron still hadn’t spoken when Milly scrambled out from under the bed and Lottie piled out of the wardrobe.
In an excited voice, Lottie said, “Mrs. Wilcox you were magnificent. I never dreamed a woman like you would be able to handle a man like Brit Vance.”
“Yes, you were wonderful,” Milly added. “All the time he was here, I was afraid he’d hear my heart pounding.”
Aaron watched Drina’s face. It looked as if she was trying hard to contain herself. At this moment, all he wanted was for her to lose the haunted look in her eyes. If I could get my hands on that man I’d wring his neck. He had no right to hurt Drina this way.
But although Brit had hurt Drina with his words, the worse hurt had been dealt on the sweet woman by her stupid husband. How could I have been so thoughtless? Will she ever be able to forgive me?
Clearing his throat, he said, “Would you women please leave me alone with my wife for a few minutes? We need to talk. Go to the kitchen and get some coffee, or something.”
“Sure, Aaron.” Lottie put her arm around her middle and held herself tightly. “Come on, Milly.”
In a calm voice, Drina butted in. “Don’t leave yet. Mr. Vance might come back just to see if you’re really not here.” She moved toward the door. “I’ll check.”
“Don’t leave, Drina,” Aaron whispered.
She ignored him. “I’ll let the women know if he’s gone.”
Before he could say anything else, she slipped out the door, and he felt his heart go with her. He looked at Lottie and muttered, “I wish you’d never come here.”
Lottie’s face fell, then, as if it dawned on her what had happened. She sighed. “Oh, Aaron I’m sorry. She’s upset because of what Brit said about your wedding night, isn’t she?”
“Of course she’s upset, Lottie. She’s not like you. She doesn’t think like a woman who’s used to going from one man to another.”
Lottie nodded. “I understand. She didn’t know you came to me after you were married. It must have cut into her heart when Brit told her where you spent your wedding night.”
“She’ll forgive you, won’t she, Aaron?” Milly almost whispered.
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, I hope she will. She’s such a nice lady and she’s treated me and Lottie kindly. No other so-called upstanding woman in town has ever done that before. They all act as if we’re worse than the horse manure they get on their boots in the streets.”
Aaron almost smiled at Milly’s analogy, but his heart was hurting too much. “I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what she decides to do.”
“No, Aaron. You can’t do that.”
He looked at Lottie. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t lay here and feel sorry for yourself. Take control, like she did when we needed protecting.”
He frowned. “How do I do that? I can’t get out of this bed and go running after her.”
“No, you can’t, but you can talk to her when she comes back.”
“What if she doesn’t come back?”
“She will.”
“Then what am I going to say to her? Yes, Drina, Brit was right I left you as soon as we were married and went to The Swinging Door to spend our wedding night with a whore?” He saw Lottie flinch and was immediately sorry he’d spoken so harshly. “I’m sorry,” he added. “I don’t mean to degrade you, but…”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s the truth.” She gave him a smile. “As I was saying, you have to take control. When she comes back, and I’m sure she will, you take her in your arms and tell her you acted like a pig or a spoiled child or a bastard, anything you want to call yourself. Then tell her you love her and what you did will never happen again.”
“What if she doesn’t believe me?”
“Will you quit throwing up obstacles? She’ll believe you.”
“How can you be sure?”
“She’ll believe you because she wants to.”
There was a minute of silence which Milly broke.
“Lottie’s right, Aaron. Your wife is a special woman. You’re a lucky man to have her. So don’t mess up and let her go. Just be honest and fair with her and she’ll forgive you.”
Lottie laughed. “Listen to her, Aaron. I make my living by enticing men to be unfaithful to their wives and Milly will soon be doing the same, but here we are, encouraging you to leave the whores alone and give your wife the kind of husband she deserves. The kind who has no reason to ever turn to women like us.”
Aaron simply stared at her.
Chapter 14
Drina went out on the back porch to get a breath of fresh air. She had to be alone for a minute. Though she’d badgered Aaron to tell her where he went on their wedding night, she was sorry now that she knew. Yes, she had fallen in love with her husband and yes, she had made the choice to live with him here and raise the children that she hoped to give him someday, but this was a hard thing for her to accept and to get over. She knew it was going to take time. Time she wasn’t sure would ever permit her to trust him again.
How could she? What kind of man would turn to a bordello on the same day he married a woman, whether it was a forced marriage or not? And the question that kept running through her mind was, did Aaron still prefer Lottie to her?
She figured he probably did. At least he’d not said so in front of her. Was he trying to keep from hurting her feelings and say that everything he’d said before was a lie? Did he really think she wasn’t too small to be a wife? Did he only let her hold his hand because she was convenient and he liked the fact she was female? Did he really think she was beautiful, or was he only telling her this? She looked nothing like Lottie, who was tall and had dark hair and painted her face with color. Would Aaron like her better if she painted her face in this way?
Taking a deep breath in the cold of the day, she realized she was getting a chill standing out here with nothing but the light shawl she’d thrown over her shoulders. She shrugged and looked across the field. There was a horse and rider coming toward the house. She frowned. Who could be invading their home now? Hadn’t they had enough company for one day?
As the rider grew closer, she realized it was one of Aaron’s hands and he had another man on the horse with him. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but she hoped none of the cowhands had been hurt.
She jerked open the kitchen door and shouted. “Beulah, come quick. One of our hands is coming and somebody has been injured.”
Beulah ran out and joined her. “I can’t tell who it is from here, can you?”
“I don’t know the men, Beulah.”
Beulah squinted her eyes. “It looks like Gus, but I can’t tell who that is on the horse with him. He’s got the man covered with a blanket.”
They waited until Gus reined his horse up near the back steps. “I found this old man out on the range and he asked for you, Beulah. Salty told me to bring him here.”
“Who is it?” She asked as Gus slid off the saddle, then reached up to take the man down.
“He didn’t say who he was, but he wanted you. Where do you want me to put him?”
“Bring him in th
e house,” Drina said and motioned for him to follow her to the parlor.
As soon as he got the man inside and deposited him on the couch, the blanket slipped away. Beulah took one look at the old gentleman, grabbed her face and gasped, “Papa Win!”
She raced to him and threw her arms around him. “Oh, my Papa Win. What happened? Why are you in this shape?”
Drina gently put her hand on Beulah’s shoulder. “I don’t think he can hear you. He’s unconscious.”
Beulah looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “We’ve got to help him. He’s my Papa Win.”
Drina didn’t know who Papa Win was, but she knew the man was important to Beulah.
“Try to calm down and let’s see what his problem is so we can help him.”
“All he said to me is that he had to get to Beulah, then he keeled over. I think he ’bout near froze to death, ma’am.”
Drina nodded and placed her hand on the man’s head. “He’s still very cold.” She turned to Beulah. “I’m going to gather more blankets. We need to get him warmed up.”
Beulah looked at her with tears in her eyes, but she seemed to be coming out of her shock. “Thank you, Miz Drina.” She turned to Gus. “Stoke up the fire in the fireplace and bring in some more wood before you go.”
Gus looked relieved to have something to do. “Yes, ma’am.” He hurried to the fireplace.
Drina ran to the room where Aaron was.
“You did come back.” Aaron looked relieved.
“Gus brought a man in who is almost frozen to death. I’ve got to get some blankets.” She went to the chest of drawers and pulled the bottom one open. She grabbed two blankets and three quilts.
“Who was it, Drina?” Aaron asked.
“I don’t know, but Beulah called him Papa Win.”
“Oh, my God. Win Knolls is like a father to her. He saved her life when she was a young girl.”
“Maybe we could be of help.” Lottie offered.
Drina started to refuse. She didn’t want to be in the same room with Lottie, much less have her help. But she couldn’t think of her own feelings now. She had to think of the poor man who could be dying. “Follow me.”
Drina’s Choice Page 15
