My Heart Will Find Yours

by Linda LaRoque

  “Thought you’d like it.” He stowed a box of cartridges in her saddlebag and helped her mount Josie. “You can wear it in a holster to Matthew’s, but never in Waco.”

  “Okay. I’ll remember that.”

  Texanna enjoyed the ride into town. The morning sun beat down on them, warming as it moved higher into the sky. Garrett rode in front of his father, and chattered nonstop. Royce stopped in front of the livery stable. He helped Texanna down and turned to Garrett. “Stay here with the horses, Son. I want to show Texanna something in the stable.”

  With his hand at the small of her back, Royce took her to a stall in the far back. Inside stood a pretty sorrel mare, her mane and tail slightly lighter in color than her coat. The horse stuck her head, with its white blaze, over the rail and whinnied as they approached.

  Texanna couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the horse’s neck and mane. The mare liked her touch and smell and proceeded to sniff her shirt pocket looking for a sweet. Texanna laughed and moved back. “Sorry, girl, I didn’t bring anything.”

  Royce laughed. “I think she likes you.”

  “She’s beautiful. Whose horse is she?”

  “She’s yours.”

  Texanna was stunned. “Mine?”

  “Yes, yours. You’re a good horsewoman, Texanna. You deserve a good mount.”

  “Oh, my gosh.” She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you.” His arm circled her waist.

  “You’re welcome. Her name is Strawberry.” Royce kept his arm around her as they turned back to the stall. “We’ll let Garrett ride Josie. When he’s better in the saddle, I’ll buy him a good horse.”

  “How on earth did she get the name Strawberry?” asked Texanna.

  Royce laughed, and his voice grew husky. “I don’t know, but when I saw her coloring, she reminded me of you. Then, when I learned her name, I had to buy her.” He leaned in to smell her hair. “That first night you were home, your hair smelled like strawberries.”

  The gesture pleased Texanna immensely. “Royce Dyson, you’re a romantic.”

  “Guilty as charged.” He opened the door, stepped inside, and quickly saddled the mare.

  “A new saddle, too?”

  “Figured we needed one. Don’t want you or Garrett riding bareback.” Clicking his tongue, he said, “Come on, girl.” One hand on the reins, the other at Texanna’s waist, he ushered them from the stable.

  At the sight of the mare, Garrett whistled. “Ooh-we, she’s pretty, Pa. Whose horse is she anyway?”

  “She’s Texanna’s.”

  “Who’s gonna ride Josie then?”

  “Figured you could until I think you’re ready for a more spirited horse.” Royce couldn’t resist grinning at the excited boy. He jumped a foot into the air.

  “Do you mean it?” Before he could answer, Garrett had his arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Royce patted his back and ruffled his dark head of hair. “Thank you, Pa. I’ll take good care of her.”

  “I know you will, Son.” He gathered both Samson and Josie’s reins. “Now, you go on to the store with Texanna. I’ll take the horses with me to the jail. You can pick them up there.”

  Texanna grinned up at him. “We won’t be long.”

  In the general store, they purchased two ten-pound sacks of sugar, a twenty-pound bag of flour, and extra canning jar lids. While the clerk totaled up their bill, Edna Murphy marched into the store.

  “I declare, Texanna. What’re you going to do with all that sugar?” Texanna was surprised the older woman was so dressed up. Her outfit was grey serge with navy trim, similar to the dress she’d worn to church last Sunday. She even had on a hat with feathers stuck out at various angles.

  Garrett piped up. “We’re making jelly the day after the July Fourth doings.”

  Edna patted Garrett’s shoulder. “Is that a fact? Well, I’ll be out first thing that morning to help. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Oh, Edna, there is no need. It’s a long way out from town, and Aggie will be over to help me.” She wasn’t sure why, but the thought of the two women in the same kitchen made her uncomfortable. Both were strong personality types and would probably mix like oil and water.

  Edna sniffed and looked piqued. From the expression on her face, the woman considered herself superior to Aggie in the cooking department. “Just never you mind. It’s not that far. I’ll see you then.” Oh dear, Texanna’s assumption was correct. With both women helping, it would be a long day.

  They stopped by the marshal’s office as they’d planned. Their horses were tied out front. Inside, Royce’s door was closed, but Pete manned the front office. As usual, his big-booted feet were propped on the desktop. He unfolded his long length and stood as they walked in the room.

  “Howdy, Miz Dyson.” He rushed over and found her a chair. “The boss will be out in a minute.” Pete grabbed Garrett and swung him into the air. “What’s this I hear about you ridin’ a horse, tadpole?”

  Garrett yelled with glee and when on his feet again, pulled Pete outside to see Josie.

  Texanna grinned at the child’s joy. The iron door to the cells opened, and a young man close to Jason’s age froze when he saw her. A smile grew on his face as he looked her over from her heels to the top of her head. His eyes flicked around the empty room, to Royce’s closed door, then back to her. She watched him with caution as he stepped through the iron door. It closed behind him with a clang.

  Texanna studied him as he locked the door. Tall and muscular, he bordered on being stocky, but that didn’t detract from his good looks. His hair was almost as dark as Royce’s, and though handsome, his smile made her uncomfortable.

  He approached her chair and was almost toe-to-toe with her when he stopped. “Hello, ma’am, my name is Ross.” He emphasized the ‘hello’ with a slow drawl.

  Texanna leaned back to distance herself. Noticing her discomfort, he leaned in, dropped his eyes to her breasts, and then flicked them up to her face. “You are one fine-looking woman.” She was ready to wipe the gleam from the man’s face with a punch to his nose when a bellow sounded from the doorway.

  “Ross! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  Ross straightened but didn’t move away from her. Before Texanna could open her mouth, Pete had Ross pinned against the wall. The jolt to the wood knocked a picture down. It hit the floor with a bang shattering the glass. “The lady is Miz Dyson, you fool. If Royce doesn’t beat the tar out of you for showing disrespect, I will.”

  Royce’s office door flew open. “What in thunderation is going on out here?” His eyes, dark with anger, lit on Texanna and moved to Pete and Ross.

  Pete shook Ross. “Speak up, man.”

  Ross’s face was a deep red, his jaw clenched in anger, but he finally nodded in Texanna’s direction. “My apologies, ma’am.” Pete turned him loose and without looking at her or Royce, the chastised deputy headed for the door.

  Texanna turned to watch him. Garrett stood just inside, his eyes big and round. “Come here, Garrett.” He hurried to her side and slid his arm around her neck.

  She pulled him close and whispered in his ear. “You’re not frightened, are you? Everything is just fine. Pete is here and so is your Pa.”

  Royce turned and said something to whoever was in his office. Seconds later a man left. Royce motioned with his head for them to enter. With her hands on Garrett’s shoulders, they went inside.

  Royce’s brow was furrowed, and a muscle jumped in his cheek. “What happened out there?” She didn’t know exactly what to tell him. The man didn’t touch her. It was the way he’d looked at her. “You can tell me or Pete will.”

  “He got too close. His look was suggestive.”

  “Pa, he was lookin’ at her bosoms. That’s what he did.”

  Texanna felt the heat rise to her face. Royce nailed her with a stare. “Did he, Texanna?”

  She nodded.

  Royce looked like he’d explode, but he glanced at Garrett and worked to get his a
nger under control. “I promise you it won’t happen again.” The tension left his face, and he smiled. His expression may have fooled Garrett, but Texanna knew he was fighting to keep his rage under control. “Did you two get your shopping done?” Texanna assumed he was just making small talk.

  “We—”

  Excited, Garrett rushed ahead. “We got the groceries, Pa, and Mrs. Murphy is coming out the day after the picnic to help Texanna and Aunt Aggie make apricot jelly.”

  A grin stretched his lips. “Is that so? Ought to make for an interesting day.”

  She snorted. “Would you like to join us?”

  “Afraid I’ll be busy.”

  Royce walked them outside. The errand boy from the store had tied the bags of sugar with a small piece of rope and secured them to Josie’s saddle. He made sure they were secure, transferred the Winchester to Strawberry, and then helped them mount. It took a few minutes to adjust the stirrups on Josie for Garrett. “You mind Texanna, Son. Don’t be trying to kick Josie into a gallop or do anything foolish.”

  “I won’t, Pa, I promise.” He watched as they rode down the street toward home, then spun on his heel and strode to his office. “Pete, come in here a minute, would you?” He’d had it with Ross. This wasn’t the first time his behavior was less than honorable.

  “What you need, Royce?”

  “Find Ross and bring him in here. I want his badge.”

  Thirty minutes later, Ross sat in the chair across from Royce. His look was defiant and cocky. Royce wanted to beat some sense into the kid.

  “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  Ross grinned and shrugged. “I didn’t know she was your wife. Anyhow, you should be glad other men find your woman attractive.”

  Royce struggled to hold his temper.

  “It’s one thing to find a woman attractive and another to boldly insult her.”

  “I didn’t insult her. All I did was look.”

  Royce stood so fast his chair hit the back wall. Ross was on his feet by the time Royce rounded his desk. He stood nose to nose with the younger man. “You damn well better learn to keep your eyes above a woman’s neck.” Royce shook his head. “You just don’t understand, do you? What kind of manners did your mother teach you?”

  Ross bristled. “My mother was a whore. All I learned from her was how to survive.”

  It was no wonder the kid didn’t know how to act around decent women. Despite his faults, he had some good qualities Royce would like to see developed. Royce was tempted to give him another warning but decided against it. He’d already talked with him because of his over friendliness with ladies on the street. Some irate husband or boyfriend was going to shoot him if he didn’t change his ways.

  “I want your badge, Ross. This isn’t the first time you’ve offended one of the ladies in this town. You have a lot of potential, but you’ve got some growing up to do before you’ll be worth anything as a deputy.”

  The younger man’s face turned red. Royce expected him to take a swing, but instead he ripped the badge from his shirt and slammed it on the desk.

  “If you so much as look at my wife wrong again, you’ll regret it.”

  Ross clenched his fists and walked from the room.

  ****

  Texanna and Garrett had just finished putting the horses out to graze when Jason and Sally rode up. Garrett ran to his uncle to help him put Sally’s horse in the pasture.

  “Good morning. Come in and have a cup of coffee.”

  Sally set a basket filled with apples on the table. “Coffee sounds great. I brought some apples, so we can make pies today.”

  Wouldn’t Royce be surprised if he came home and found a fresh pie? Texanna grinned at the thought. “I’d like that.”

  When Jason came in, Sally got him a cup of coffee and he sat down at the table. “I expect you ladies will have a fine meal fixed for me and Royce when I come pick Sally up tonight.”

  Sally fixed him with a cocky stare. “And who said you were invited?”

  “My brother, the lord of this here manor.”

  Texanna snorted. “Lord, my as…of course, you’re both invited to dinner.” She needed to watch her mouth and no need to get Jason in a debate about women’s rights. “You’ve not forgotten Sally and I will be taking the guns out back for a session after my cooking lesson?”

  “No, just remember Royce said no ammunition.”

  “Just how do you expect her to learn to load a gun then?”

  “All right, load and that’s all. No firing.” He got up to go and took Sally’s hand. “Walk me out.”

  Garrett got up to follow.

  “Hey, sport. Stay inside with me.” Texanna leaned over and whispered. “Jason might want to kiss Sally goodbye.”

  Garrett looked like he’d swallowed a worm. “Really?” At her nod, he added, “Yuck!”

  By late afternoon, they had two apple pies cooling on the table. One Texanna made by herself. The crust wasn’t as pretty or flaky as Sally’s, but it tasted good, and Sally showed her how to use biscuit dough to make dumplings. She was proud of her new skills and anxious for Royce to taste her pie.

  Texanna went upstairs to collect the Winchester. She dropped several cartridges in her apron pocket. They stood in the shade of the barn, and Texanna showed Sally how to hold the rifle when not in use, how to load and unload the firearm, and finally, how to aim.

  “Whew, that’s heavy.” Sally lowered the gun, pointing it at the ground.

  “Yes, it is. Remember, keep it pointed skyward whether it’s loaded or not.”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry.” She sighed. “Sure wish I could fire it to see what it feels like.”

  Texanna bit her lip, thinking. Royce wouldn’t find out. Of course, Garrett was sure to tell him, and she wouldn’t ask him to lie to his father. Oh hell, she could handle his anger. “Okay, I’ll let you shoot two rounds.”

  Garrett looked indignant. “Ahem, Pa said not to. He’s gonna be mighty mad.”

  Guilt rushed over her. Here she was being a bad role model for the boy, but Royce was unbending. They weren’t going to hurt anything. He’d let her shoot out here, so what was the difference?

  “We’ll just fire two cartridges to let her feel the rifle’s kick, and then I promise we’ll put the gun away.”

  He wasn’t mollified, just stuck his hands in his pockets and shuffled his feet.

  Texanna made sure the horses and cow were out of the way. She collected a couple of cans from the back porch, and set them a short distance from where Royce had set them up before.

  “Pa don’t ever shoot that direction.”

  “How come? What’s over there?”

  “Don’t know.”

  Texanna shielded her eyes with her hand and looked out across the field. A small hill rose about a mile away and made a good backdrop from both positions as far as she could see. Moving their target position just a tad from Royce’s kept them from looking into the sun. “I think we’ll be just fine here, Garrett.”

  ****

  Texanna expected Jason to come in the house with Royce, but he didn’t. Royce stalked in, favored her with a glare, and turned to Sally. “Jason has your horse saddled. Do you need any help carrying your things?”

  “Royce, they’re staying—”

  He whirled on her, face rigid with anger. She clamped her mouth shut.

  “Sally?”

  She glanced at Texanna with concern. “No, I don’t have much to carry. Just this basket.” She lifted it across her arm.

  “Thank you, Sally. I appreciate your help today.”

  The younger woman hugged her. “I had a good time. I hope I see you again soon.”

  Royce muttered, “You can count on it.” As soon as she was out the door, he turned to Garrett. “Son, go do your chores.”

  The boy shot Texanna a sympathetic look as he walked out the door. “I tried to tell her, Pa.”

  Hands on his hips, Royce glared at Texanna. “What the hell did I tell you about fir
ing that rifle today?” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, woman. You disobeyed my orders. I ought to blister your butt.”

  “Blister my…how dare you? You’re not my boss. I don’t take orders from you.”

  “You think not?” He removed his gun belt and hung it on the peg by the back door. Next came his hat and coat. “You’ll learn when I give an order, I expect it to be obeyed.”

  “Well, get ready to be disappointed, Mister.”

  “Texanna, you’re stubborn and think you know it all. I’m here to tell you different. Your impulsiveness could get you or someone else killed.”

  She started backing away toward the stairs. “No need to run. I won’t lift a hand to you. I’ve got a much better punishment for you and Sally.”

  She relaxed and a small smile curled her lips. “Look, I’m sorry we went against your directive, but we didn’t hurt anything. It won’t happen again.”

  “Didn’t hurt anything, huh? Don’t think Mr. Thompson’s sow thinks so. As a matter of fact, Mr. Thompson is hopping mad, and the only way I could pacify him was to tell him you two gun-toting ladies would be out tomorrow to help him slaughter and dress his hog.”

  ****

  Royce cast sideways glances at Texanna as they returned home from the Thompson’s. His first reaction upon seeing her had been to laugh, but then she’d turned, and he’d seen her face. All humor died a quick death. Her damp hair was plastered to her pale face. Bloodstains marred her dress. She slumped in the saddle and looked ready to collapse any minute.

  “Pa, you shouldda seen her. She’d work awhile and then run puke. Work, puke, work—”

  “Okay, Son. I get the picture.”

  “Mrs. Thompson tried to get her to lie down but, no, she kept on aworkin’ and pukin’.”

  Before they’d left, Texanna had apologized again to Ed Thompson, she wouldn’t let Sally take the blame. Sally may have fired the rifle, but Texanna was the one who bore responsibility for the incident. Royce was proud of her for owning up to her mistake.

  The minute they stopped inside the barn, Texanna started struggling with Strawberry’s saddle. Royce stilled her hand. “I’ll take care of her. You go on and get cleaned up. Don’t worry about dinner, we’ll eat something cold.”