Alice looked away. “No. I suppose not.”
“Alice, why are we really leaving this way? I’m your mother, and I want you to be honest with me.”
A lie was on her lips, but one look back at her mother and Alice knew she had to confess her reasons. “I’m in love.”
“With?”
“With Robert.” She reached up and felt the scar on her face. “He has been so kind to me and never made me feel ugly. When I’m with him, I forget I even have this reminder of the attack.” She shook her head, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I let my heart get carried away.”
“And how does he feel about you?” Mother asked.
“I’m sure he feels nothing but friendship.” Alice paused, wondering if her mother hadn’t yet heard that he was engaged to Jessica Atherton. “He’s to be married. Do you remember at the birthday party that one girl about my age, very pretty, and most every man there sought to dance with her?”
“The Atherton girl?” Mother questioned.
“Yes. Jessica Atherton.”
“And Robert is supposed to marry her?”
Alice sighed and stopped rubbing her scar. “Yes. They’ve been promised to each other since they were young. Mama, I don’t want to do anything to come between them. I would feel terrible if I caused Robert and Jessica pain. They’ve been nothing but good to me.”
Mother took a seat on the side of the bed. “I see.”
“And I couldn’t explain that to Hannah and Will. They’ve taken me in and treated me like family, just as Marty and Jake have. I couldn’t tell any of them the real reason, because I’m ashamed of having let things get out of hand.”
Mother nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
Alice went to the dresser and pulled out the last of her things. “Hannah and Marty will be busy most of the afternoon. They’re going to measure for new curtains and figure out how they want to arrange things when the boys come from Denver. That should give us plenty of time to get to town before the train pulls out of Cedar Springs.”
“But how are we to get there?”
“I will ask one of the men to take us. There’s always a hand or two around here. I’ll tell them that something has happened and you need to return to Chicago immediately. I’m sure it will all work out.”
But she wasn’t. There were a great many things that could go wrong. The men could change their mind and come home early. Hannah and Marty might have forgotten something and need to return to the house.
I might not even be able to find someone to drive us to the train station. And then what?
The thoughts worried her, but Alice was determined to make things work.
“I’m glad we’re finished here,” Robert told his father. They walked past several Fort Worth storefronts and made their way to the jewelry store at the corner. Robert had already mentioned his plan.
“I’m gonna find the perfect ring for my bride.” Robert’s grin stretched almost from ear to ear.
“I think I just might pick out a little somethin’ for your mama. I didn’t have anything special for her birthday, and this will more than make up for that.”
“I’m glad Jake was willing to stay with the others and start the cows for home. I need the time,” he said as they approached the brick building, “to have a word or two with you in private.”
Robert paused before the jewelry store door. “You and Ma love each other a great deal. I’ve always admired that. Even when you argue, I can see the respect you hold for each other. It’s like you two were always meant to be together.”
Father laughed. “You wouldn’t have thought so in our early years. Your mama was the most stubborn woman I’d ever met. She would stand her ground over the silliest things.”
“Like when she went to help the Comanches?”
The older man nodded. “Took nearly ten years off my life. I thought for sure she’d get us both killed, but your mama has a way with folks—even Comanches. She’s stubborn, but she’s also the bravest woman I’ve ever known. Saw her crawl out on a tree limb to rescue a cat for Marty. And it wasn’t on some low-hangin’ branch, either. I’ve seen her kill rattlers with a hoe and face down tornadoes and wildfires like she already knew the outcome.”
Robert had seen it, too. He saw that same kind of bravery in Alice. Maybe that’s why he loved her so much. Despite the attack and all she’d lost, Alice faced life with great determination and strength.
“Alice is like that,” Robert said, meeting his father’s eyes. “I wanna do right by her, Pa. I wanna give her the things she deserves. I was hopin’ you could help me get to work building a house.”
“You wanna build right away? You know you two are welcome to live at the house as long as you like. In fact, I had thought about discussin’ a change of plans with you.”
Robert cocked his head to one side, looking at his father. “Change of plans?”
“Your ma was the one who got me to thinkin’.”
Robert almost hated to ask. His mother was well known for coming up with some of the zaniest ideas. “And what did she get you thinkin’ about?”
“Well, she reminded me that the ranch will one day be yours. Sooner, rather than later, since we’re both gettin’ older every day. It seems kind of senseless for you to build a new house elsewhere. She suggested that you two could take the whole east wing for yourselves—that would afford you some privacy. We could tear down a couple of walls in that wing to open things up a bit, remake it with your own sitting room and such.”
“But your rooms are in the east wing,” Robert said, as if his father didn’t already know this.
“Yup, but that’s where your mama has her plan. Since Marty and Jake will be heading back to Marty’s place and Alice’s ma will most likely head home before long, the house will be empty again. But you know your ma. She’s convinced there will be an abundance of little ones once you and Alice marry. So she thinks it’s time to add on again. I thought on it and I like the idea. I can put an addition on the west end of the house for us.”
Robert didn’t know what to say. He’d never really thought of his parents getting old and settling into an easier life.
“Cat got your tongue?” his father asked.
“I can’t imagine you and Ma not livin’ in the east wing. I mean, that’s all I’ve ever known. And I sure haven’t thought much about the two of you gettin’ old.”
“Well, it’s time you did. I’ll be fifty-nine come June. You know as well as I do that I’m slowin’ down. I can’t ride as long as I used to without causin’ my back a world of hurt. The time is comin’, maybe earlier than either of us would like to see, when you’ll be takin’ over.”
It took some joy out of the moment to consider his parents unable to do the things they loved. He couldn’t imagine his father not sitting on a horse or his mother not gardening.
“Well, we gonna just stand here?” Father asked.
“No, sir.” He reached for the door handle, and Father put his hand on Robert’s arm.
“Don’t go broodin’ over this. Your mama and I like to plan ahead. You talk to your little gal about it, and then we can all sit down and have a discussion.”
Robert nodded. “I will, Pa. I’ll do that first thing.”
Just then gunshots rang out. Robert and his father glanced up to see an armed man on horseback holding two other mounts. The man had his neckerchief tied around his face.
The bank’s being held up.
Robert looked around to see people scurrying out of the way, taking cover wherever they could.
“Get back,” his father said, pushing him around the side of the building. “Stay down. We need to figure out what we can do.”
“We don’t have any weapons,” Robert said. “Our rifles are back with the horses.”
“I know.” Father looked more than a little irritated at the reminder.
Another gunshot sounded, and shortly after that came the bellowing voice of one of the robbers. “Le
t’s get outta here!”
The man on horseback waited with rifle cocked as his two confederates mounted. Robert could see his father edging closer to the front of the building.
“Pa, we can’t do anything.” The helplessness of the moment only served to make both men more determined.
But from out of nowhere came rifle fire. Three shots in a row, fast and precise. Each one hit its mark and the men fell from their horses like leaves from a tree. Seeing that, Robert’s father bounded out into the street and took hold of one of the thieves’ guns before he could shoulder it.
“Thanks for the help,” a familiar voice called out.
Austin Todd, the field inspector they’d spent time with earlier in the day, came striding up the street. He wore a determined look and quickly disarmed the other men, who were no match for him. Several armed police officers arrived just then, guns drawn and pointed at Austin.
“Texas Ranger,” he told the first officer. The man seemed to relax at this.
“What happened?” the officer asked, looking at the three who were roiling in pain on the street.
“Bank robbery. I think you’ll find the money in that bag over there.” Austin pointed to the farthest man. Beside him was what looked to be a pillowcase with something in it.
“Anyone else involved?” the man asked.
“I’m guessing the bank personnel. You take over here, and I’ll go check out the bank.” Austin headed for the building, Robert and his father following after him.
“We saw them but had no weapons. Felt like a fool just crouchin’ down there in the alleyway,” Robert’s father told the ranger.
“It was the right thing to do. If you’d been out there, you could’ve been shot.”
“How did you come to be here?” Robert asked, remembering something Austin had said earlier. “I thought you were headin’ to the railroad station, and by the way, when did you become a Texas Ranger?”
“Last year. They incorporated all of us field inspectors into the Rangers. Makes it a whole lot easier.” Austin paused at the door.
Robert figured he was making sure there was no one pointing a gun at them.
“Texas Ranger!” he called out. “I’m comin’ in, so if you have weapons, put ’em down.”
There was no response. The trio made their way into the bank only to find the bodies of the bank manager and his teller on the floor. They were both dead.
“I was headed for my train,” Austin said, “then I realized I had forgotten to tend to some other business. Guess God just put me in the right place at the right time.” He shook his head at the bloody scene. The look on his face suggested an anger that burned deep and hot. “I should have aimed to kill those murderers.”
Two hours later the Barnett men rejoined Jake and the cowhands as they made their way back to the ranch. Jake threw Robert a grin and moved his mount closer.
“Did you get it?”
With the ruckus of the bank robbery, Robert had nearly forgotten what he’d come to town for in the first place. New cows weren’t the only thing they had on hand.
“I did,” he admitted.
“Then you can ‘I do’ right away,” Jake teased. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you and Alice gettin’ married.”
“Well, she has to say yes first.”
Robert kept reaching inside his vest pocket to feel for the box. He’d spent a pretty penny on the ring, but he knew Alice would love it, and she was certainly worth it. He smiled to himself and made his plans.
When we get back, I’m gonna find her and tell her that we need to talk. I’ll make it sound all serious. Then once we’re alone, I’ll tell her how much she means to me. I’ll get down on one knee and hold up the ring in the box. No, maybe I’ll just hold up the ring.
Thankful for the time to figure it all out, Robert said very little as his father related the events at the bank.
Jake seemed more than a little disturbed by the turn of events. “And Marty worries about me ranchin’. I don’t suppose she ever thought that bankin’ could be just as dangerous. I hope you tell her about the robbery when we get home. Maybe it’ll settle her down a bit.”
Robert’s father shook his head. “There’s danger all around us. Marty knows that full well. She always blamed the ranch and Texas for killin’ Thomas, but the hard truth of it is that a man could die sittin’ at his desk or at the dinner table. Robert and I could have just as easily caught one of those stray bullets. Or the lookout man could have thought us a threat and shot us as a matter of business.” He paused.
“Apparently God’s not through with us just yet, eh Robert? One thing I know: When I get home I’m gonna kiss my wife for a good long time and then . . . I think I’ll clean my guns.”
Chapter 22
“What are you saying?” Alice asked the stationmaster at the train depot in Cedar Springs.
“I’m sayin’ there’s trouble on the line, and there won’t be any passenger service out today.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “However, there are other railroads. You could head on to Dallas and catch one of those.”
“We’ve hardly got the money for additional tickets,” Alice stated in worry. Biting her lip, she tried to figure out what they should do. By now Marty and Hannah might have returned to the house. She couldn’t very well go back to the ranch without creating an uproar.
“Well, I can refund the return passage cost on your mother and brother’s tickets. That should allow you to cover costs on another line.”
With a sigh, Alice realized this nightmare wasn’t going to go away. “All right. But how are we supposed to get to Dallas?”
The man grinned. “That one’s easy enough. One of the Dallas freighters arrived earlier. He won’t be takin’ anything much back with him. I’m thinkin’ you could hitch a ride for free.”
She thought about it for a moment. She certainly had no way to get the Barnett carriage to take them. The driver had been hard enough to convince to bring them here in the first place. “Very well. Where can we find the driver?”
After getting instructions on where to locate the man, Alice returned to where her mother and brother waited. Simon was in an ill temper. He was decidedly upset that they were leaving Texas. He had whined and complained all the way to the train station, reminding Alice that she couldn’t take her colt with her on the train nor could she take any more riding lessons from Robert. Now played out, Simon sulked beside their mother.
“There’s a problem, but I believe we have a solution.” Alice told them what had transpired. Her mother turned over the train tickets and received the money due her before they went in search of the freight man.
The trio approached just as the driver was ready to pull out. He was an older gentleman with gray at the temples. Alice summoned up her courage. “Excuse me.”
The man looked down from his seat and smiled. “What can I do for you, little gal?”
“Our train has been canceled because of problems on the line. The stationmaster said you might be willing to take us to the Dallas station. However, we don’t have any money.”
“Oh, that’s quite all right.” He set the brake and climbed down. “I’ll take you just for the company. Been a long time since I talked to a couple of pretty ladies.” He gave Alice’s mother a nod. “I’m Roy James—no relation to Jesse James.” He guffawed as if it were the most priceless of jokes.
“Mr. James, this is my mother, Mrs. Chesterfield, and my brother, Simon.”
He again nodded toward Alice’s mother and smiled. “You can call me Roy, ma’am. Let me help you up. You can sit with me while you young’uns ride in the back.”
Alice’s mother looked hesitant, but Alice gave her arm a pat. “That will work just fine for us.” Her only concern was managing to get out of Cedar Springs before someone from the Barnett ranch showed up to stop them.
Once they were settled, Mr. James put his team in motion. He smiled over at Alice’s mother. “So, headin’ home or goin’ to visit?”
>
“Home,” Mother replied.
The man looked straight ahead. “Got your man waitin’ for you to return, eh?”
“No. I’m widowed.”
Roy James beamed her a smile that could have brightened a dark room. “Widowed. That’s quite a coincidence. I’m a widower myself.”
And with that Mr. James began a nonstop conversation with Mother that made Alice smile, in spite of her worry. It seemed the man had taken an instant liking to her.
Robert didn’t like the way his mother looked when she greeted him at the door. He knew immediately that something was wrong.
“What’s going on?”
She glanced at his father before saying, “The Chesterfields have gone.”
“That must have been difficult for Alice. Is she all right? Should I go talk to her?”
“She’s gone, Robert. All of the Chesterfields have gone.”
He shook his head. “Why? When?”
His mother sighed. “Marty and I went over to her place after lunch to measure for curtains. While we were gone, they left. Joe said Alice came and got him and said it was imperative that they get to Cedar Springs right away.”
“But that doesn’t make sense. Why would they just leave like that without a word?”
Mother held out a folded piece of paper. “Alice left a letter for me and Marty and one for you.”
Robert took the paper with trembling hands. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not when he’d put everything right and even bought the ring.
He unfolded the note and read the lines to himself.
Robert,
By the time you read this letter I will be on a train to Chicago. I am sorry that I wasn’t able to say good-bye in person, but I couldn’t bear the thought. You see, I’ve fallen in love with you. I know that probably comes as a shock, and believe me I didn’t set out to do so. I wouldn’t come between you and Jessica for all the world, which is why I have to go. I’m so sorry. I feel just horrible about it all.
You are by far and away the best man I’ve ever known. You made me feel as if I weren’t damaged goods, and for that I thank you. I hope you will be happy in your marriage to Jessica. She’s a beautiful woman with much to give.
Moment in Time, A (Lone Star Brides Book #2) Page 21
