Texas Gold
Page 30
They spent the last of the daylight loading the wagon. Wolf readied his and Calvin’s meager possessions to be tied onto Smoke in the morning. The gray gelding would make a good packhorse for them. And on the way into town, Jake had offered Wolf the young mare William Harrison had ridden as a saddle horse for Calvin.
“I still can’t believe she’s mine, Pa.” Calvin stroked the horse’s nose, letting her get used to him.
“You take good care of her, son.” Jake patted the horse’s neck. “She’s going to be a very special lady when she grows up.”
“I will, sir.” He stuck out his right hand to Jake. “You have my word.”
Jake shook the boy’s hand. “That’s good enough for me.”
Rachel spent the evening hours packing their few remaining belongings. The photograph of her mother was tucked safely away in the sea chest. Jake had found it in Harrison’s saddlebag. She also sewed a cushion for the wagon seat from the old wool dress and stuffed it with hay. She still vividly remembered the bouncing, punishing ride she’d endured with the Hudsons, and hoped a little padding would make the trip a bit more bearable. Then she slept for a few hours, wrapped in Jake’s arms.
“Rachel? Jake?”
Jake stirred first, then prodded Rachel awake. “Open your eyes, honey. We’ve got company.”
They dressed quickly and met Abby and Hank Gerard on the porch. Abby handed Rachel a basket full of food.
“Do I smell cookies?” Nathan crowded close, trying to peek under the cloth and see what goodies Abby had included.
“Stop that, Nathan.” Rachel shooed him away and hugged the older woman. “Thank you for everything, Abby. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Well, I don’t know about that, but there is one thing you can do for me.”
“Anything, Abby.” Jake joined them. “Name it.”
She put her hands on her ample hips and faced Jake. “Marry this girl, right now.”
Rachel laughed at the look on Jake’s face. “Don’t look so panicked, Ranger McCain. I already said yes, and I’m not letting you back out of your promise.”
Jake pulled her close. “I don’t want to back out, but we still don’t have a preacher.”
“Don’t let that stop you,” Abby boomed. “All you really need to do is exchange vows in front of witnesses.”
So they made their promises to each other in front of Nathan, Abby, Wolf, Hank, and Calvin, all those who meant so much to Rachel.
“Congratulations, Miss Rachel.” Hank bowed over her fingers. “I am very happy for you both.”
“Merci, Monsieur Gerard.” Rachel laughed at the utter delight on his face. If she’d known it would make him so happy, she would’ve learned a few words of French a long time ago. “Before you go, I have something to give you.” She handed him two letters and a heavy cloth-wrapped object. “The night Nathan was trapped in the mine, he found that.” Rachel waited while he unwrapped the fist-sized rock. Gold flecks glittered in the sun.
“Mon dieu,” Hank breathed. “It is beautiful.”
Rachel glanced at the crystal and gold. “The title to the mine is there, and the letter gives you ownership.”
Hank stared at her. “I cannot accept this.”
“We want you to have it. Nathan never wants to go back inside that hole in the ground again.” She took Hank’s hand in hers. “And there’s nothing in there I need. I have Jake.”
Hank turned to Jake for help, but he held up both hands. “This is her decision, Gerard. Hers and Nathan’s. And they agreed you should have the mine.”
Hank brushed a kiss on Rachel’s cheek. “You are too generous, but I will accept it. I have reason to stay in Lucinda now, and the mine will keep me busy.” When he held out a hand to Abby, Rachel was surprised to see the woman blush.
“Why, Abby Winston,” Jake teased. “You’ve been holding out on us.”
The woman blushed again, then burst into laughter. “He’s finally going to make an honest woman of me.”
Hank sputtered. “I have asked you many times over the years. It is you who will make me an honest man.”
Even Wolf had to laugh at the couple’s obvious joy. “Congratulations, Abby. Hank, I’m happy for you both.”
Rachel bid a tearful good-bye to Abby before Hank Gerard escorted the older woman back to town. Nathan and Calvin were still chasing chickens around the yard when a small figure appeared on the path. Matthew Parker ran toward the house, glancing over his shoulder every five steps. The boys raced to greet their friend.
“What are you doing here?” Nathan shook his friend’s hand and slapped him on the back in greeting.
“Pa’s sleeping, so I sneaked out the back.”
Rachel heard the exchange. “Matthew, you should know better. Your father will be worried.”
“I don’t care,” he shot back. “He told me I couldn’t come, but I just had to say good-bye.” He looked so forlorn, her heart nearly broke. “Nathan is my best friend and I’ll never see him again.”
“Sure you will.” Nathan and Calvin flanked Matthew in support. “You can come visit us in Abilene.”
Matthew scuffed his toe into the dirt. “Pa would never let me.”
“Well, you won’t always have to do what he says.”
“Nathan Joseph,” Rachel warned.
“I mean, when he’s grown up.” He considered the problem in silence, concentration creasing his brow. “I know. I’ll write to you, but I’ll send it to Ms. Winston. She’ll keep the letter until you come over and read it. You can always tell your Pa you’re going for cookies.”
“Matthew, don’t lie to your father,” Rachel said softly. He wanted to argue. Rachel could read it in his eyes.
“I won’t lie to him, Miss Hudson. But I’ll find a way to get to Ms. Winston,” he assured Nathan. “I promise.”
Satisfied they had a working plan, the friends said good-bye. Nathan waved to Matthew until he was out of sight, then joined Calvin to finish rounding up the chickens. When they were safely in their cages, the goat was lifted into the wagon and secured where it couldn’t reach anything.
“You’ll have to keep an eye on him,” Rachel reminded Nathan. “He’ll eat everything in sight, given a chance.”
“I will, Sis. Don’t worry.”
The morning was half gone by the time she was ready to leave. The house was clean and ready for whoever needed it next. Jake had made arrangements with Abby to sell it and send the money to Rachel in Abilene.
He was actually looking forward to seeing his mother and introducing her to Rachel. There was time enough later to decide where they wanted to settle.
Rachel emerged from the house for the last time and closed the door on all the unpleasant memories of her time in Lucinda. The good ones she took with her, safe in her heart.
Wolf and Calvin climbed into the saddle. Rachel wiped away a tear and wished them a safe journey. She would miss them both.
Jake offered a hand to Wolf. “Take care, friend. If you ever need anything...”
“I’ll let you know once we’re settled.” He tipped his hat to Rachel. “Take care, ma’am. You’ve made our lives better for knowing you.”
That did it. Tears spilled over. “Go with God, Cain Richards.” She hugged Calvin and touched his cheek. “Be happy.”
Wolf touched his heels to his horse and they rode away, side by side. Nathan clambered onto Duchess and paced them for a short distance, before stopping to wait on Jake and Rachel.
“You ready to go, pretty girl?”
She accepted Jake’s help up onto the seat. “Are you sorry we gave Hank the mine?”
Jake took her hand and kissed it. “What do I need with a few shiny rocks? I found the purest gold in Texas and she’s sitting beside me right now.”
Rachel snuggled close as he snapped the reins to get the mule moving. She took one last look at the house, bathed in the golden light of a new day. Then she turned her back on the past and faced her future. Jake w
as right. She had him. What more could she ask for?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Tracy Garrett has always loved to disappear into the worlds created within the pages of a book. An accomplished musician, Tracy merged her need for creativity, her love of history, and her passion for reading when she began writing western historical romance. An active member of Romance Writers of America and her local romance writers chapter, Tracy now resides in Missouri with her husband and their furry kid, Wrigley.
HER SANCTUARY by Tracy Garrett
Abandoned in River’s Bend, Missouri, by the members of an uncharitable wagon train headed west, Maggie Flanaghan finds herself in trouble with nowhere to turn. But in the citizens of the small town, she discovers friends and acceptance upon the death of her dear father—and catches the attention of the town’s most eligible bachelor. When her past threatens to destroy her happiness, she must choose to flee or fight for the sanctuary of a good man’s love.
Kristoph Oltmann hadn’t planned on still being alone with no wife and partner to share his life. He thought Maggie Flanaghan was the answer to his prayers, but her secret past makes her unsuitable as a preacher’s wife. Can he believe Maggie has been heaven-sent in spite of her predicament? Can he be HER SANCTUARY, even as she is exactly what he longs for—a haven for his heart?
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