by Ally Nelson
“I wrote to him.” He admitted.
“You what?” Her voice echoed through the house as she grew furious with her brother. “You wrote him behind my back?”
“What choice did I have? We are sinking here. The farm will be taken from us soon, we are broke, and neither of us have found work. Where will you and your son go? How will you feed him? What will you do when the bank seizes this home from us?”
“I will figure it out.” She shook her head. “I do not need to move to another state with a man I do not know. He will expect me to marry him, cook, clean, and bed him.”
The thought of sleeping with a stranger overwhelmed her. William was the only man she had ever known in bed. How could she ever know another man like that?
“Sister.” Dave stood up and cupped her cheeks with his hands. “You must consider this as your last choice. The rancher has accepted your hand in marriage and willing to take your son in as well. He sent tickets for you both. This is our last chance.”
“Our?” She pushed his hands away. “It is me that is sacrificing everything, not you!”
Her son’s cry interrupted their heated conversation. The three-year-old cried from his bed for her.
“Go to your son.” Dave told her. “And please think about this.”
“Goodnight brother.” She nodded before leaving the kitchen.
A thousand thoughts were going through her head as she laid down next to her young son and comforted him back to sleep. How could she ever marry another man, yet how could she go on without one? Times would only get tougher and she was about to throw in the towel and give up the fight. Perhaps her brother was right; the Texas rancher was their only realistic option. As she closed her eyes and thought of her late husband’s face, she knew love had already been lost, now she would marry for money to save her son’s future.
Chapter Two
“I will do it.” Ruth stared out the window of her kitchen and overlooked the farm she would be letting go. Only memories of her husband and the life they never had existed in the dirt and dried up fields now. “I will go to Texas and marry the rancher, as long as he will accept me upon my arrival.”
“That is great news!” Dave embraced her with excitement and then kissed her forehead. “I am glad you came around. This will change your life, your son’s life. This will change things for all of us.”
Nothing was ever selfless for her dear brother. His moves were always calculated to benefit himself as well, but he did care about her son and wanted to make sure she was taken care of, so she knew that he thought about them as a whole.
“You will leave in two days.” Dave smiled at her.
“Two days?” She felt sick to her stomach as she imagined leaving so soon. “That is not much time to get ready. I need to talk to the banks and let my friends know where I am going. How will I pack everything in that small amount of time?”
“You only need a small luggage with some clothes for you and Billy. The rancher has agreed to pay all expenses and any items you may need to start a new life with him.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “You do not need any of these inexpensive materials or cheap belongings. Let him buy you luscious new dresses and blankets made from the finest European clothes. He can afford it.”
“It does not seem fair to do that when I have perfectly good attire.” She suddenly felt self-conscious about her dress that had been made by her mother before she Ruth had even married William. The old dress always seemed to fit just right and have a special meaning to her. It was the last dress her mother had made her before her death. “It feels like I am using him.”
“Just let the man spend his money on you. He has plenty, and being used for his money will not break him.”
Ruth knew that tone in her brother’s voice. It was like Dave was resentful of the rancher. He was holding something back.
“Brother.” Ruth looked into his eyes to read his reaction. “Is there something you are not telling me?”
“No, I have told you everything. Now, I will help you pack some clothes for Billy while he plays with his toys.” He was lying. She knew her brother too well for him to deceive her. But she also knew that he would never put her in harm’s way or have his nephew go into a dangerous situation, so she ignored his strange behavior and followed him to begin packing.
“Do you think this man will be anything like my William was?” Ruth sighed as she watched her brother dig the only suitcase they owned out from under her bed.
“We can only hope so.” Dave threw the suitcase on the bed and opened it up. “William was a good man.”
That much was true. William and Ruth had met when she was only a girl. They had been teenage sweethearts and married at not long after she had turned eighteen. Her father had always told her that he wanted more for her than a struggling farmer or an overworked and underpaid man like himself, but Ruth did not care. She loved William and nothing would stop them from being together. Even when her father set up arrangements for her to meet young men with education from high society families, it did not matter, she turned them all away. Love would be enough to live a life of happiness; love would get them through anything. That might have been true, if William had never had fell off of his horse and not survived.
“Do you believe love only comes once in a lifetime?” She asked Dave.
“Ruth.” He shook his head and exhaled loudly. “You do not have to love this man. You don’t even have to like him. Just go to him, marry him, and make a better life for your son.”
“You make it sound so easy. My son and I know nothing of a life outside of this town.” She sat down on the bed and looked up at her brother. “I don’t think I can be a good wife to another man. William will always have my heart.”
“Sister, your heart is still with him.” He smiled, but it did nothing to comfort her. “This man is our way out, nothing but that. You do not have to give him your heart, just wed him and entertain the man, only for a little while. After that you can live the rest of your life without ever having to rely on anyone but yourself.”
“What does that mean?” Ruth knew he had more up his sleeve. “Tell me what you are planning.”
Billy dropped his toys and came rushing up to tug on her leg.
“Your son is hungry and needs a nap. Go take care of him.” He shut the suitcase and started to leave the room. “I have some business to take care of. I may not be back until tomorrow or the next day.”
“But I leave in two days.”
“I will be back in time to take you to the train station. Gather your things and be ready for my return.” He nodded. “The future is promising. We will only rise from here on.”
Her brother was gone before she could pester him more on the issue, but she knew that he had a scheme brewing in his head. As she picked up her son and held him close, it was only his future that she cared about, and if whatever her brother had in store for them ensured Billy’s future was good, she would go through with it. Billy was all that was left of her heart.
Chapter Three
“If we are late it will be your fault.” Ruth scolded her older brother. “The train station is two hours from our house and you disappeared for two days.”
“We are almost there.” He made a silly face at her son and acted as though the situation was not serious. “You will make it on time.”
“Where were you? Why did you not return until last minute?” She tried not to sound angry as her son listened to their conversation.
“I sold the animals and some of the tools in the barn.” Dave told her. “I also have a few people stopping by tomorrow to look at the farm. It will have to be sold cheap, and barely cover the debt your husband left behind, but since you no longer need the house, we can get rid of it for a lower price.”
“How much did you sell the animals for? Do you have money to send with me?”
“No, you do not need the money. I told you that the rancher is wealthy and will take care of anything you should need.” He steadied th
e horse to slow the carriage down as they got closer to the station. “I need the money to survive while you are gone.”
“Did you gamble while you were gone?” Her brother had already lost so much of their money to the saloons and card tables.
“Sister, no need to worry. I told you that we are good now.” He stopped the carriage and got out to the dirt below. “Now, come, you have a train to catch.”
Ruth took her brother’s hand and stepped out of the carriage. Before she turned to get her son out, she stopped Dave and pulled him aside.
“I need to know what you have going on up your sleeve.” She talked low so that her young son would not hear. “You need to level with me. This is my life, my son, that you are sending to live with a stranger. Level with me, tell me the truth.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” He started to walk away, but she pulled him back.
“You are my brother and I know you more than you even know yourself.” She looked directly into his eyes. “Tell me the truth.”
“The truth is…” He took a moment to speak. “The truth is I sold our belongings so I could join you in Texas. I just don’t think I can live alone, not after having you and Billy in my life so long. I am selling everything so I have enough money to get on a train to Texas and rent a hotel near the ranch until I can find a job and a place of my own.”
Ruth felt sorrow for her brother. She had never considered how lonesome life had been for him as well.
“I am sorry, brother.” She put her hand on his arm. “I will wait for you in Texas, perhaps my new husband may have room for you on the ranch.”
“Maybe.” He sighed. “Now, let’s get you and my nephew to Texas.”
The boy giggled as Dave grabbed him from the carriage and swung him playfully in the air. This would be hard to take away from her brother, she knew that now. It would be nice if he could join them in their new life.
“Sell everything you can and join us in Texas.” Ruth kissed her brother’s cheek. “I will write you as soon as I get there. Now, Billy, give your Uncle Dave a hug goodbye.”
She watched as her young son squeezed her brother in an embrace. The two had bonded lately and she knew the boy would miss him as much as her when they parted.
“This will work out.” Dave told his sister. “I promise you that everything will get better.”
“I hope you are correct.” She stepped onto the train before turning back one last time. “Never goodbye.”
Ruth crossed her heart with her fingers.
“Never goodbye.” He crossed his heart the same as she had. It was something they had done since they were kids, whenever they had parted ways. Now, as adults separating to be states apart seemed much more emotional.
Never saying goodbye would not mean never parting, and she knew that crossing her heart would not mean keep it from breaking.
Chapter Four
It took three days for the train to get from Kansas to Texas. Each hour felt like an eternity to Ruth. The ride was bumpy and rough, making her long to reach her new unknown home.
“He has been such a good boy this whole trip.” The woman next to her, who had introduced herself as Mary Grant, tucked a small knitted blanket around Billy. “It shouldn’t be too much longer.
The two women had talked about a lot since boarding the train three days before. Mary was from the same town that Ruth was heading to and had told her all about the area. It turned out that Mary had been recently been married to a man she was deeply in love with. She had talked about him for most of the ride. Ruth didn’t mind, it helped the time past, and the woman had a way with words that kept one intrigued. Mary had traveled recently to an aunt’s house in another state to help with a sick relative. Now, she couldn’t wait to get home to see her devoted husband.
When the woman had asked Ruth why she was moving to Texas, Ruth only said to start a new life. She did not mention details. After hearing about Mary’s wonderful marriage, she could not speak about her own upcoming wedding to the Texas man. Mary hadn’t pressed for more information, people kept to themselves in those times, and the woman loved to talk about her own life instead.
“Did you leave the boy’s father behind?” Mary asked as Billy slept.
“My husband passed away last fall.” Ruth told her.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Mary smiled at her with pity. “I just assumed that you had left him and that’s why you didn’t talk much about your life. Some woman like to leave the past in the past for good reason.”
“No, my husband was a good man.” Ruth looked down at her son who had his father’s brown hair and blue eyes. “It was us that got left behind.”
“Did you love him?” Mary’s question caught Ruth off guard, but she answered anyway.
“I did.” She looked out the window at the never ending blue sky above. “I still do.”
Mary stopped speaking, most likely feeling she had asked enough. Ruth did not mind talking about her late husband. He was the only life she had none for so long. But since Mary grew silent, Ruth thought she would try to get some sleep while Billy napped. Sleeping seemed close to impossible, but she closed her eyes and nodded off while her young son sat on her lap and napped.
Life with William hadn’t always been easy. They struggled on the farm, they argued over money and work undone, and some days they did not even speak a word to each other between the dirty looks and irritated sighs. But every night they held each other tight, no matter what the day had brought. He was the love of her life. William was the only man she could ever love. How would she carry on with someone new? How could she hold tight onto another man at night?
“Mama.” Billy leaned up from her chest and pointed out the window. “Horses.”
“Yes, horses.” They had seen many horses along the way and her eyes were too heavy to open.
“Thank the Lord.” Someone called out from a few seats ahead of her. “We finally made it.”
Ruth opened her eyes and saw from the window that the horses Billy had pointed to belonged to townspeople and they were trotting to the very large town nearby with a train station ahead.
“This is it?” Ruth asked Mary. “This is Wadesville, Texas?”
“It sure is.” Mary smiled as his curly red hair bounced with the jerking of the train. “This is Wadesville, your new home!”
The nervousness began to flutter through Ruth. They were there and now she had to meet the rancher. There was no turning back now that they were three days from Kansas.
“My Robert will be here to get me.” Mary began to run her fingers through her hair and push up the cleavage from her dress. “Who will be here to get you?”
Ruth started to answer, but the trains extremely loud horn went off and stopped her form speaking.
“Choo. Choo!” Billy called out.
“Yes, Billy. Choo choo train.” Ruth smiled at her sweet son. “We are getting of this train, baby.”
“About time, huh?” Mary applied pink to her lips as she looked in a small powder mirror. “Let’s get off this horrid train.”
The sound of the wheels halting to a stop on the track let Ruth know that she had arrived in her new town. Mary jumped up from her seat as she squealed with excitement.
“Come on, Billy.” Ruth stood up and grabbed their only suitcase from above them on the luggage rack. “We are here.”
Mary practically danced down the aisle as she rushed to get to her husband. In contrast, Ruth walked slowly, hesitant to meet the man she would soon marry. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she held her breath and waited for the worst.
“Robert!” Mary jumped off the train steps and into her husband’s arms. The man scooped her up and spun her around in a circle. He seemed as smitten with her as his wife was with him.
Not having a loving man waiting with open arms for her, Ruth walked down the train steps and stood clueless next to all the other passengers that were reuniting with loved one.
“Ruth, Ruth Campbell?” A ma
n with a strong southern accent said form behind her.
Weakened by anxiety and nerves, Ruth felt as though she may faint, but she fought the apprehension and turned to face the man that would soon be her husband. Unprepared for what she saw, she almost gasped as she looked up at the gorgeously handsome man. A cowboy hat sat on his head, but she could still see him well. His hair was golden blonde and in need of a trim, but only so it did not hide his beautiful masculine face. With intriguing grey eyes, it was like looking into thunderstorm brewing on the horizon; beautiful but alarming.
“Are you Ruth, mam?” He asked again.
“Yes.” She spoke softly. “I am Ruth Campbell.”
“I am Tom, Tom Franklin.” Taking his hat off, he gave Ruth a better view of his good looking face. “I am pleased to meet you.”
He reached out to shake her hand. She took his in hers, feeling his rough skin on hers. Something unexpected happened when he let go of her hand; she longed for more of his touch.
“Mama.” Billy clung to her leg.
“And you must be William Jr.” Tom leaned down and patted her son on the shoulder. “I have something for you.”
Pulling a lollypop out from his pocket, he handed it to the eager boy.
“What do you tell Mr. Franklin?” Ruth raised a brow at her son.
“Thank you Mr. Franklin.” His sweet smile warmed her heart.
“Tom, please call me Tom.” The rancher told them.
“Mr. Franklin, do you need me to carry her luggage?” Robert, Mary’s husband asked.
“Please, Robert.” Tom looked at Ruth. “Where is your luggage?”
“I only have this one suitcase, and I perfectly capable of carrying it.”
“Nonsense.” Tom took the suitcase from her. “Go ahead and get the carriage ready, Robert.”
“Yes, sir.” Robert went off into the crowd.
“Robert works for you?” Ruth asked as she looked for Mary in the crowd but did not see the woman.
“Yes, you know him?”
