Drina’s Choice

by Agnes Alexander

  * * * *

  Drina stepped into the room and looked at Aaron. “Did I wake you?”

  “No. I dozed a little this morning after Salty left, and I talked to Gus, but I’m awake now.”

  “Good. Beulah has a nice dinner cooked and I thought you might want to come in the dining room to eat. Of course, if you don’t, I’ll bring you a tray.”

  “I’d like to come in there.” He smiled at her.

  “Good. I’ve already set a place for you.”

  He winked at her. “Sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “I’m getting there.” She moved to hand him his crutches.

  “Wait a minute.”

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I figure you’re going to make me put on some pants before I leave this room.”

  She laughed. “You’re right. Where are your britches?”

  “Over there on your couch.”

  She retrieved the pants and handed them to him.

  “Aren’t you going to help me get them on?”

  She blushed. “I think you’re capable of dressing yourself.”

  “Yes, but it’s not near as much fun.”

  Drina grew redder. “Just get them on and let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  After dressing, he reached for the crutches. “I’m decent now. Lead the way.”

  * * * *

  Milly didn’t know what to say when she entered the bedroom on the second floor. It was furnished in dark wood furniture. The wardrobe had a lovely pleated material on the front of the doors and the dresser had drawers with glass knobs. The bed had four posters and a canapé top covered with a heavy lace material. The bedspread matched the top as did the curtain on the window in the end of the room. The chair at the dressing table had a padded seat of blue and there were blue pillows on the small couch under the window.

  “Do you think you’ll be comfortable in this room, Milly?”

  “Oh, Mrs. Wilcox, I’ve never had anything as beautiful as this! But are you sure you want me to stay in here?”

  “Yes, Milly, but there’s one thing I want you to do. Please call me Drina.”

  “Oh, Mrs. Wilcox, I couldn’t do that.”

  “Oh, yes you can. If you’re going to marry Gus, we’ll be friends.”

  “Of course, we will, but I still think of you as Mrs. Wilcox.”

  “Then I guess I’ll have to call you Mrs. Turner.”

  Milly smiled and giggled. “That sounds so funny.”

  “Well, it’ll be your name when you marry.”

  Milly still smiled when she said, “I guess if you really want me to call you Drina, I’ll try.”

  “Good. Now that’s settled, let’s see about getting you some different clothes.” Drina glanced at her. “Do you sew?”

  “I used to sew, and I think I still can.”

  “Good. I bought material to sew two dresses the other day. I’ve already cut out one, but I’ll give you the green checked one to make yourself a dress.”

  “I couldn’t take your cloth, Mrs.—I mean, Drina.”

  “Do you have any material you can use?”

  “No, but—”

  “Then I’ll go get it so you can start your new dress today. Maybe you can get it cut out before we sit down for the midday meal.” Drina went out the door before Milly could say anything.

  Milly stood there, stunned. She had the same feeling she’d had ever since she and Lottie came to the Wilcox ranch. How could a lady like Drina Wilcox be this nice to her? There was no doubt the woman knew what Milly’s life would become as soon as Brit Vance demanded she begin to work upstairs at The Swinging Door. She figured after that happened, the only friends she’d have were the other girls in the business. Things had certainly changed in a short time Now, she found herself in this lovely room and it looked as if she was going to have a wonderful future. She couldn’t believe she was soon to become a wife to a gentle man like Gus Turner, and they were going to make a home together. She wasn’t sure where, but she didn’t care. It’d be their home and where they’d raise children. Not only that, but Drina was making plans for them to be friends. Who would’ve ever thought that could be possible? Milly closed her eyes and told the Good Lord that if she was having a dream, she didn’t want to ever wake up.

  * * * *

  “Where have you been, Brit? You know how I insist meal times start on time. I had to begin eating my lunch alone.” Adeline Vance’s voice was sarcastic as he came into the dining room.

  “I had a meeting with the sheriff. He’s going to the Wilcox place.”

  “I see. I suppose it’s more important to discuss the sheriff’s plans than to have a civilized meal with your wife.”

  Brit gritted his teeth. “I’m sorry, Adeline.”

  “You should be. Now, have a seat and Fanny will serve you.” She wiped her mouth using delicate dabs with the linen napkin. “I was bored, and decided to go to that horrible emporium this morning.”

  “Oh?” He slipped into the chair opposite her.

  She folded the napkin and placed it beside her plate. “I heard some interesting news.”

  “And what was that, my dear?” He tried to sound pleasant, though as often happened when they talked, he wanted to reach across the table and slap her pouty mouth.

  “Geneva Ragsdale told me Aaron Wilcox sent one of his men to the store to buy several items for his new wife.” She reached up and patted her perfectly arranged thick auburn hair..

  Brit frowned. “I suppose it had to be things she needed.”

  “But you said they weren’t going to stay married, and he’d have to sell his home soon. You know if we have to stay in this horrible place until the railroad comes through I want my father to come out here and live. Daddy thinks the Wilcox place is the prettiest place in Hatchet Springs, and I’ve told you before, he always dreamed of having a ranch where he could have cows and horses.”

  The maid came in and brought a filled plate for him. He nodded when she sat it down and left the room.

  It kept Brit from asking if her father had any idea how much work it took to keep a ranch going and to tell her if her dear daddy didn’t have the hands to do the hard work, a ranch often failed. Of course, you didn’t explain things to the Chesterfields. They knew everything; or, at least, they thought they did.

  After the maid left, he turned back to his wife. “Don’t worry, Adeline. Wilcox will be selling soon.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am. His wife will be leaving him in a few days, and then he’ll have to sell.”

  “Why?”

  “His uncle says he has to stay married to keep the ranch. With her gone, his uncle will sell to me.”

  “How do you know she’ll leave?”

  “For heaven’s sake, Adeline, you seem to be more interested in your father getting that ranch than he is.”

  “Of course I’m more interested. If he doesn’t get the place, he won’t move to Hatchet Springs. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

  Lord, this woman could ask more questions than an inquisitive child. He sighed and said, “I heard there were two missing women from The Swinging Door. As everyone knows, Aaron Wilcox spends a lot of time at the saloon, so the sheriff thinks the women will show up at his ranch.”

  “What does that have to do with him selling?”

  “I’m sure there’s no way his wife will put up with him if they show up; especially after she learns he spent his wedding night in the saloon with one of the women.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “I heard something about that, but I think it’d take a terrible person to treat a new wife like that. What kind of man is he, anyway?”

  “Most people around here like him, but he lost a lot of respect when he pulled the wedding night stunt.”

  “I would think so.”

  “I’ve also heard that not too many people think she’s so great, either. Some say she wouldn’t give him what he needed, s
o he had to turn to the saloon woman.”

  “I don’t believe that. Geneva Ragsdale said she was a lovely woman, though she was poorly dressed and seemed a little timid. I think most people would pity her.”

  Brit frowned. Was Adeline right? Was the town beginning to sympathize with Drina Wilcox? If this was the case, how could he convince her that her only chance to survive was to work in the bordello? Why did everyone and everything have to mess up his plans?

  Adeline turned her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “Why are you frowning, Brit? Don’t you think the woman should be pitied?”

  He realized he had to be careful about what he said. He didn’t want her to suspect he had plans for the woman. He smiled. “My dear, I don’t know the woman well enough to know whether she should be pitied or not.”

  She arose. “I think I’ll go write Father and tell him the ranch will be his soon. Join me in the parlor when you finish.”

  “I will, Adeline.” He knew he’d follow her like a puppy, though the last thing he wanted to do was sit in the parlor with his wife. His mind floated to The Swinging Door. Maybe he could convince Adeline he needed to go back to his office. Then, he could go to the saloon and relax a bit. It wouldn’t be the same with Lottie gone, but he’d noticed the little blonde who’d worked there a few months. One of the other girls had brought her in, and he hadn’t had a chance to get to know her. He wondered what her name was—though it really didn’t matter. Her name wasn’t what he was interested in.

  * * * *

  “Miz Drina, stop worrying. He’ll be fine.”

  Drina turned from the kitchen door and glanced at Beulah. She couldn’t help being irritated at Aaron. “But he needs to rest. I know when the doctor was here yesterday he told him he could get out some, but he hasn’t been back to bed since breakfast.”

  “He did rest a little after he eat dinner.”

  “But it’s almost supper time now.” Drina again turned toward the door. “He’s out there leaning on the corral fence and he isn’t even using his crutches. I should go out there and make him come inside.”

  “Now, you don’t want to do that, Miz Drina.”

  “Why not? If he’s not going to take care of himself, somebody has to tell him what to do—and that somebody might as well be me.”

  “I never want you to think I’m telling you how you should act, but in this case, you don’t need to do that.”

  “Why not, Beulah?”

  “’Cause it would embarrass him in front of his men. These Arizona cowboys don’t like for a woman to tell them what to do. Especially when she tries to boss him when there’s other men around.”

  Drina sighed. “You may be right, but at the moment, I don’t care if I do embarrass him. He should know I’m only doing it for his own good.”

  “But he’s a man. He’ll never believe you’re doing it because you have his best interest at heart.”

  “Then I’ll set him straight about it.”

  Beulah chuckled. “Why don’t you calm down? He’ll come in when I signal him to come to supper.”

  “Well, you better signal soon. I can’t help if I have the instinct to look after people, and Aaron’s no exception. I guess it’s because I’m used to having to tell Pa what to do because he never used his common sense. He was usually too drunk to argue with me. Of course, most of the time, he ignored what I said anyway.”

  “Well, if you want to tell somebody what to do at the moment, go tell Miz Milly supper is about ready. Where is she, anyway?”

  “I guess she’s still in her room. I gave her one of my pieces of cloth and she’s making herself a dress.”

  “I’m sorry you had to give your material away, but I guess it’s a good thing you did. That thing she was wearing ain’t proper.”

  Drina laughed. “You’re so right, Beulah, but I think she’ll make an acceptable one.”

  Milly came into the room with an unfinished dress over her arm. “Drina, I’m having a hard time getting the bodice fitted to the skirt. Do you think you could show me what to do?”

  “Of course, Milly. Let’s go into the parlor.” She turned to Beulah. "Please call us when Aaron comes in.”

  “I will, Miz Drina.”

  * * * *

  Salty looked at Aaron with a frown. His boss had leaned one shoulder against the corral fence and the other supported by one of the crutches. “Boss, are you shore you ought’a be on your feet so long? You been out here most all day.”

  “Drina told me at dinner she wanted me to come in, but I felt I needed to see what was going on with these horses. I think we need to get them broken before bad winter sets in.”

  “I ain’t saying I don’t agree with you, but how’re you gonna break a horse when you can’t hardly stand up? The men can get the job done without you watching.”

  Aaron chuckled. He knew Salty was right. He also knew he’d probably overdone it, because he felt exhausted. Why was he so stubborn? When Drina said at dinner he should rest before going back outside, he’d told her he was fine; and at the time, he was. He was anxious to get back out with the hands who were busting the broncos because they had made it clear they were glad to see him, but they didn’t need him here to do their job. He could’ve gone in the house hours ago, and probably should have.

  Glancing at Salty, he said, “You’re right. They’re doing a fine job without me. It’s getting close to supper time, so I think I’ll go in.”

  “Now, you’re making sense.”

  Aaron nodded and turned toward the men on the fence and the one who was dusting off his clothes after tumbling from the wild horse. “Fellows, you’re doing a good job, but I think you can handle it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The three men around the corral nodded and muttered things like, “Glad you made it out, Boss” and “See you tomorrow” and “Glad to see you up and around.”

  He nodded back, took his second crutch, tucked it under his arm and started toward the house.

  As soon as he opened the back door and stepped into the kitchen, he knew Drina wasn’t pleased, though she didn’t say a word. Only raised an eyebrow at him, picked up two bowls of vegetables and headed into the dining room. He started to say something, but changed his mind and glanced at Beulah. She didn’t look too happy, either.

  He shrugged and hobbled toward the dining room behind Drina.

  Milly came into the room from the other end. “Is there anything I can help with?”

  Drina nodded toward the kitchen door. “Check with Beulah. She had several more things to bring in.” Moving to her usual chair, she pulled it out and sat.

  Biting his lip, Aaron moved to his seat. He struggled a little to pull out the chair, then he sat and held his crutches by one hand. “Aren’t you going to put these against the wall for me?”

  Drina stood, grabbed the crutches, propped them against the wall and returned to her chair. “I didn’t figure you’d want my help with anything. After all, you’ve been taking care of yourself all day without me.”

  So that was what had her in a snit? She was concerned because he’d stayed out too long? He hadn’t meant to upset her, but it had felt good to be out with the hands. Though the way his body now ached, he realized she was right.

  “I’m sorry, Drina. I should have listened to you and rested after dinner. I can’t wait to eat and go to bed.”

  Her face softened. “Aaron, I know you’re a strong man, but you must take care of yourself.”

  Beulah entered with a platter of fried chicken and a bowl of gravy. Milly followed with a basket of biscuits and the coffee pot.

  Aaron was pleased that after the meal, Beulah and Milly said they were going to do the dishes and Drina should help him get settled. Though he’d have liked to sit with her in the parlor for a while, he didn’t refuse when Drina led him to the bedroom.

  She put her hands on her hips and looked at him. “I changed your sheets today, and I insist you take a bath before you go to bed. I brought some hot water in here
before supper and it should be at the right temperature to bathe now. ”

  “I don’t see a tub.”

  She took a breath. “There’s no way you can get in or out of a tub with your bum leg. A sponge bath will have to do.”

  “You could help me.”

  She frowned at him and her voice was sharp. “You’re a big boy. You can bathe yourself.”

  Aaron reached out and took her arm. “Drina, please don’t be mad. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She jerked her arm away. “I’m not upset.”

  He wanted to make things right. But how could he if he didn’t know what was eating her? “Then why have you acted like you would rather be anywhere than near me this evening?”

  “I’ve been near you. Now, get ready to wash yourself. I’ll be back in a little while.”

  He couldn’t let her go without setting things right with her. “Wait, Drina.”

  She whirled around. “What now?”

  He gave her a small smile. “I don’t think I can bend to get my boots off. Will you help me?”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Aaron. Sit on the bed.”

  He sat and she knelt at his feet. He bent over to help her, but groaned with pain. “Sorry, honey. You’re going to have to do it alone.”

  He watched as her small hands grasped his left boot and began to wiggle it off his foot. Her hair shone in the light of the lamp she’d lit and put on the table beside the bed. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers through the blonde mass as it spread across her back. But he didn’t dare.

  Suddenly, his boot came off, and she almost fell backward. He reached out and grabbed her shoulders. He wasn’t prepared for the feeling running through him as his hands felt her warm skin beneath her blouse.

  She looked up and gave him a shy smile. “Thanks for catching me. I’ll be prepared for the other one.”

  “I don’t mind catching you. In fact, I hope I’ll always be there to catch you if you start to fall.” Though his words surprised even him, he meant them.

  She dropped her gaze and reached for his other boot.