by Nan O'Berry
When she didn’t answer, he called out again, “Callie?”
Silence met his ears.
Max pushed away from the door and with one last glance, headed back down the stairs.
* * *
Callie leaned against the door, her forehead touching the wood, her palms against the smooth surface. The tightness in her chest seemed to squeeze the emotions from her heart as a tear trickled down her cheek. From beyond the barrier, the sounds of his boots padding against the carpet grew distant with each passing second. Slowly, her hands balled into fist as she resisted the urge to grasp the doorknob and throw open the door to see the one thing that made her feel safe.
All too soon the sounds of silence drifted from the hallway. Turning, she pressed the back against the wood in the hopes of drawing strength. Her right hand brushed away the moisture from her cheeks and she pushed away. Three steps took her to the bed where the letters Seth had written were strewn across.
“I’m here to marry Seth Nolan. I must remember that. When I meet him, all this silliness will be forgotten.”
The statement did little to sweep away the sadness that tempted her soul. Leaning, she reached out and gathered the letters she’d spent all afternoon reading.
“I must remember why I am here.”
She sat on the edge of the bed and retied the letters with the ribbon. Holding them close to her heart, she stared at the chest she’d brought all the way from Virginia. From where she sat, she could see the embroidered pillowcases, the toweling with the crocheted lace, the beautiful quilt she pieced by hand, all waiting for his call.
“And yet, here I am nearly a week in Rattlesnake Ridge and not a sign of my intended.”
Her brow furrowed as the tension built. “Why hasn’t he come?” she murmured and clutched the letters tighter. “Has he gotten cold feet?”
Her arms grew heavy and they slid to her lap.
“What am I going to do if he doesn’t want to marry me?”
The quiet gave her mind time to mull over the idea.
“I could talk to Mr. Winthrop. Perhaps, there is a clause in the contract about alienation of affection.”
The dread of the unknown invaded her heart and the shadow of humiliation threw a blanket about her shoulders.
“I cannot think about this. I need to focus on the positive.” She moaned and placed a hand to her throbbing temple.
“I will go to town tomorrow. I will make a purchase at the General Store and check out where Mr. Winthrop’s offices are located. Perhaps, there is a posting of jobs that are suitable for a lady. I will not return to Virginia. I will not.”
Her last statement took on purpose. Callie rose from the bed and placed the letters back into her trunk. She closed the lid and refastened the buckles. With a sigh, she moved toward the dresser and picked up her hair brush. Sitting down in front of the mirror, she carefully removed each hair pin and shook free the mass of blonde hair. She brought the brush up and pulled it down. The image across from her dissolved into a blurred reflection. Her chin began to wobble. The brush fell to the floor and Callie dropped her head into her folded arm as a sob tore from her throat.
Ten minutes later, somehow, Callie managed to drag herself from the dresser to her bed. Sleep took a long time to come. Her dreams were filled with going to the door after hearing a knock but her hand never seemed to be able to reach the knob. She could hear a voice call out to her, then another. The tortured dreams caused her toss and turn. Finally, beyond exhaustion, she fell into a deep slumber.
The sounds of birds chirping drew her back to the present. Opening her eyes, she pushed back the tangle of hair that lay over her face and drew a deep breath.
“It’s not early,” she murmured, looking at the shaft of light that pierced the window and drew its long finger across the wall.
She lay still and listened to the sounds out in the barnyard. A few chickens, yet no sounds of the wranglers saddling their mounts to head out. Pushing back the covers, she rose and padded to the window and looked out.
“Vacant.”
She glanced at the corral and made note that Max’s horse was not in sight. Stepping back, she pulled her hair to the nape of her neck and glanced around. “I need to get dressed. I should not keep Mrs. Barringer waiting.”
With quiet efficiency, she drew her clothing on and fixed her hair into a loose bun on top of her head. Satisfied with her appearance, she opened the door and moved toward the staircase.
The clink of utensils against china signaled someone was still in the dining room. At the landing, she peeked around the corner and saw Melinda and her mother sitting alone. Relief flowed through her; she was not ready to come face to face with Max or his brother.
She plastered a smile on her face. “Good morning.”
Bethany glanced up from the head of the table. A soft smile settled on her face. “I’m so glad to see you; I hope you are feeling better?”
“I am,” Callie replied as she moved to her place and pulled the chair back. “I must apologize; I was feeling a bit melancholy yesterday.” She took her seat and pulled her napkin into her lap.
“It’s quite alright,” Bethany replied. “Pass the platter to our guest, Melinda.”
Max’s sister picked up the platter containing bacon and eggs and handed it to her.
“Thank you. I guess Max and Augustus have left for today?”
Bethany gave a nod. “Left hours ago.”
Callie’s sighed. “I was afraid of that.”
Bethany folded her hands above her plate and gave her a curious glance. “Is there something we can do?”
Callie slid some of the food onto her empty plate. Setting it back in the center of the table, she glanced to Bethany. “I want to go into town.”
The table grew quiet.
Out of the corner of her eye, Callie noted Melinda’s quick glance to her mother. “Did I say something wrong?” she inquired.
Bethany blinked. “No. No, nothing wrong, it’s just….”
When she didn’t finish, Callie spoke again, “I’ve been here for almost a whole week.” She picked up her glass of water. “I’ve yet to see anything of Rattlesnake Ridge.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, I think it’s time I did, don’t you?”
There was a momentary look of panic on Bethany’s face before she hid it behind her smile. “I agree,” she paused. “But I’ve got no one to drive you.”
Callie nodded as she figured that out already. “I think I can ride down, but I had hoped to stop by the general store and pick up a few things for my wedding. I’m sure Mr. Nolan will be coming for me soon.”
“Oh, um indeed.” Bethany picked up her cup.
“I thought I’d pick up some things for a little needlework project.”
Bethany brightened. “I’ve got plenty of scraps.”
Callie sliced a warm biscuit and smeared butter onto it. “I know you do. But I want something special.”
Bethany’s eyes widened. “Oh, I see.”
Silence seemed to grow as they concentrated on their meal.
Melinda piped up, “I could take her.”
Callie paused. “Oh, could you? I’d love to have you come along.”
Again, Bethany’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, Melinda, dear, I don’t know. Two young ladies going into town alone?”
Melinda blinked.
Callie watched the exchange with interest. “Why don’t you come with us?”
“Me? Oh, I can’t,” Bethany stammered. “I – I have some linen to change.”
Melinda’s face filled with confusion. “Momma, you did that last week.”
“Oh? Did I, imagine that. I must be getting old and forgetful.” She gave a laugh. “It must be the rugs that need beating.”
Callie caught Melinda opening her mouth to object, however a sharp glare from her mother snapped her lips shut much like a turtle latching on to a fly.
“It’s not safe.” Bethany noted, this time with more force.
<
br /> Callie wiped her fingers on the napkin. “Oh, but you have an excellent sheriff, don’t you? I mean, Mr. Nolan wrote to me about what a safe little town it was.”
“Oh, it is safe, for the most part,” Bethany added. “Sheriff McCullough is wonderful.”
Callie smiled. “Well then, I will be perfectly safe.”
* * *
After Callie got up to go and change, Bethany turned to her daughter. “Go tell Red what’s going on,” Bethany hissed to her as she took the stack of plates from Melinda’s hands. “Tell him to stall her. Then, you get on your pony and hightail it to Max.”
“Yes, Momma.” Melinda hurried to the kitchen door and paused. “Momma?”
“Yes, Melinda.”
“Momma, why is it a problem for Callie to go to town?”
Bethany took a deep breath. “I don’t have time to explain this to you right now. We’ll sit down later. Go.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The young girl turned and hurried out the open door.
“Lord, of all the times for her to decide she needs to understand.” Bethany pressed her palms to her temples and closed her eyes composing herself. With a shake of her head, she reached behind her to undo the apron strings. “Maxwell Barringer, you owe me a new bonnet.”
She pulled the straps over her head and tossed the plain muslin across the back of a kitchen chair. Turning toward the archway that led into the dining room, she paused to smooth back the unruly tendrils that flowed around her face. Straightening her shoulders, she moved through to the dining room.
Overhead, she heard the sound of shoes on the floorboards and a door being closed. Her gaze followed the steps to the stairway. Bethany moved to intercept Callie. She positioned herself at the table behind the sofa and as Callie’s footsteps moved down the stairs, reaching out to straighten some books. The creak of the stairs grew loud. She shifted her gaze and saw Callie poised at the last stair. “Oh, you got ready so quickly.”
Callie stepped down to the floor and adjusted the reticule that hung from her wrist. “It didn’t take long.” She looked over and smiled. “Are you sure you won’t come?”
“Oh, yes, I’ve much, too much to do. But thank you.”
Callie gave a nod.
“Oh, the wind is picking up,” Bethany added.
“I saw. That’s why I brought my cape,” Callie referred to the cloth draped over her arm.
“I’m glad, you know, it is summer, but that wind can be cool.”
“Yes.”
She watched the young woman moved toward the front door.
Callie picked up her hat from the table and carefully placed it upon her head.
“Let me help you with that cape.” Bethany hurried over and took it from Callie. She placed it over her shoulders and smoothed the dark fabric down. “There we go.”
“Thank you.” Callie nodded as she looped the thick braid over the frog at her throat.
“I’ll walk out with you.” She held the front door open and allowed Callie to exit first.
“It’s a lovely day for a buggy ride.”
“Yes, it is,” Bethany agreed as they walked into the yard.
Neither spoke as they moved across the barnyard. Stepping into the shadow of the open barn door, both women heard the roar of a male voice.
“Dagnabbit!” Red’s hammer flipped from his hand and fell to the dirt.
“Red, what’s going on?” Bethany strode forward, her hands on her hips.
“This thing,” Red grumbled as he bent over to pick up the hammer. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Barringer, I know you asked me to get this wagon wheel done sooner, but we’ve had so much going on. Now that I’ve got it off, it looks as if the metal rim just wore clean out.”
“Is that the buggy I wanted to use?” Callie asked staring at the three wheeled black one seat carriage.
“Yeah, it’s the easiest one for lady’s to use,” Red said with a nod. “Sorry about this, Miss.”
“Oh, no.” Bethany shook her head. “Callie had her heart set on going into town today.”
The wrangler scratched his chin. “Might not be able to.”
Bethany noted Callie pressed her lips into a thin line. Thinking quickly, she hoped to divert her next question. “Will we need to get the rim to the blacksmith or can you fire up the forge and do it here on the ranch?”
“If we take it to the blacksmith, it will be at least two weeks before I can get down to Rattlesnake Ridge. Augustus has us heading out to look for strays starting next week. I can fire up the forge but it will take all day to heat and hammer it out.”
“Is there another wagon I could use?” Callie inquired.
“Nothing but that big ole buckboard over there.” Red jerked his thumb at a large wagon. “But if you ask my opinion, that’s way too much for a delicate woman, like yourself, to use.”
“I see.” Callie crossed her arms and gave the wheel a withering glance.
For a moment, Bethany thought she’d won.
“What about that small surrey there?” Callie pointed to the two seated vehicle with the fringe around the canopy.
The cowboy blinked. “That there is only used for Sunday or special occasions, Miss. If it was to go out today, I’d have to spend most of the night cleaning it up for another run to town.”
Callie stood her ground. “I’d think this is a special occasion, Mr. Red.”
The use of mister before his name put the cowboy on guard.
“It looks like I would only need one horse. I think I can safely drive that, Mr. Red, if you will hitch it up for me.” Callie walked over to where the lead lines hung and picked up a rope. “Please?”
Red glared at Bethany.
She’d lost, her only hope was that Melinda could get to Max and let him know what was going on. Squaring her shoulders, Bethany Barringer gave a nod. “Red, get Poppy from the corral.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Callie took a seat on a bale of hay as she watched Red brush the red chestnut named Poppy. “Do you have to brush her so much?”
Red glanced over the horse’s withers. “Yes, ma’am, if you put the harness on a horse that hasn’t been groomed, they might get a blister where the leather rubs.” His brow furrowed. “They did teach you that in Virginia, didn’t they?”
Callie pressed her lips together. “Yes. Sorry.”
A sound of hoof beats coming into the yard caused her to turn her head. She recognized the bay horse and rider pulling to a halt in front of her.
“Whoa.” Max swung down from his horse and flipped the reins around the hitching post.
Her heart gave a leap. She balled her hands together and pressed them against her skirts. Unable to take her eyes of his slow saunter, she made a mental note of everything he wore from the deep red bibbed shirt, which he kept three of bib’s buttons undone just enough so the fabric flapped against his chest with each step. The chink of his spurs on his boots echoed with each pump of her heart. The dark leather chaps that protected his legs seemed like another layer of skin.
“Red, Melinda said you were having a little trouble?”
Red took a deep breath and paused. “Wagon rim wore clean through. But now that you’re here, maybe you can take it to the blacksmith?”
“I could.” He paused and turned his attention to Callie. “Morning.” Max nodded.
“Morning,” she began. “I didn’t expect to see you back so quickly.”
“Well, it’s not a good thing to get told to come back. What are you doing out here?”
Callie glanced at Poppy. “I was hoping to go to town, but it appears to be a losing battle.”
Red ignored the conversation and began brushing the horse again.
“Going into town?” The lines around his mouth deepened. “We’re going into town tomorrow for church.”
“But the stores won’t be open.” She pointed out. “I wanted to do a little bit of shopping.”
“Oh.” Max glanced at the surrey. “Don’t go to town.”
C
allie blinked. “Don’t?”
Max nodded. He glanced around and then gave a nod of his head toward the outside. “Walk with me, Callie.”
She glanced toward the sunlight and hesitated.
“Please.”
She wanted to tell him no, to stand up and demand to go into town. Instead, she gave in. “Very well.” She stood up and with Max’s gentle hand upon her elbow, they walked into the yard.
He led her over to the corral.
Callie placed her arms over the top rail and stared at the horses grazing on the deep green grass.
“Don’t go to town, Callie,” Max whispered.
“Why?” She looked over at him. “Why not go to town? What’s in town that has everyone so upset that I want to go?”
Max shifted his gaze to the pasture. “I-I don’t want you to go.”
Callie blinked. “I don’t understand, Max.”
Something in his face seemed raw and honest as he turned his head and stared straight into her eyes. “I don’t want to share you with the town.”
“You don’t….” Her words faded away.
His expression softened. “Change your clothes and come take a ride with me.”
Callie knew she should say no. She should walk away, grab a horse, and ride into town on her own. Yet, there was that unexplainable vulnerability in his eyes that made it impossible for her to refuse. “All right, Max. I’ll come with you.
Chapter 13
I must have lost all reason. The words echoed across Max’s mind as he led Callie through the timberline to a spot he knew by heart. The rounded a small rise and he brought his gelding to a halt. He placed a hand on the cantle of the saddle and looked back. “It’s just through here. Watch your head.”
Callie gave a nod.
Max bent low over his horse’s neck as the bay slipped quietly through the boughs of the pine and into a hidden meadow. He waited for Callie.
Princess’s head popped first, then he caught sight of her blonde head nearly laying flat over the horse. Her hat got pushed back by the green branches of the pine. A brush of excitement added the pink to her cheeks and a shine to her eyes.
He waited for her to ride up next to him.
