Lariats, Letters, and Lace

by Agnes Alexander

  “Oh?”

  “I think it will make Abby a perfect room. I know it’s fine for her to share a room with her brother now, but I’m sure they’d like their own place so they can store their toys the way they want to.”

  “I’m guessing Jamie will be staying in mine and Oliver’s old room.”

  “I thought he’d like to sleep in the room his father used as a boy.”

  Jamie nodded.

  “Are you asking me to clean out the room for Abby?”

  “If you don’t have time, you could let one of the hands help.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” He turned to Samantha. “How have you fared today?”

  “I’ve done fine.”

  “Good. I was afraid since you’ve never experienced anything except city living, it might have been hard for you.”

  Nellie laughed. “She might be a city woman, but she’s helped me today. She’s told me a lot about the children and their life back in Baltimore and about her relationship with Millicent and Oliver. She also told me about her aunt Vivian in Philadelphia.”

  “I don’t like her,” Jamie said with a mouthful of chicken.

  “You shouldn’t say that, Jamie,” Samantha admonished him.

  “Well, I don’t, Aunt Samantha. She’s not nice.”

  “She not let me play with dolly,” Abby looked at her grandmother. “You nice.”

  “Thank you, sweetie.”

  “I admit, Aunt Vivian didn’t understand children. She’s always been a little strict.”

  “Sounds more than strict if she wouldn’t let a little girl play with her doll.” Russ’s voice was stern. “How long did you live with her anyway?”

  “I went there when I was twelve. I was too old for toys.”

  “I’d think a twelve-year-old girl would still like to play with her dolls.”

  Samantha felt she should defend her aunt. “I had other things to do. She was good to me. She taught me all the things a lady should know, so I could take my rightful place in society.”

  Russ laughed. “I guess that’s all a woman like you would need to know.”

  Samantha bristled. “What do you mean by that?”

  “It’s simple. Only in the city could you survive. Out here, we like real women. Not some piece of—artificial fluff.”

  She didn’t understand why his words not only made her mad, but they hurt more than she ever thought they would. She bit her lip and looked down at her plate.

  “Russell! Can you at least try to be a gentleman while she’s here?”

  “Let’s just hope it won’t be much longer. That bunkhouse—”

  “Don’t you like Aunt Samantha, Uncle Russ?”

  Russ looked at his nephew. “Your aunt is a nice lady, Jamie. She’s just not the kind of woman who can live the kind of life we have to live on the ranch. She will be going back to Philadelphia, or Baltimore, or…wherever she fits in.”

  Jamie frowned. “I thought we were a family. Mama said Aunt Samantha and Grandma would always be with us. She didn’t say nothing about you on account of she didn’t know you.”

  Nellie reached over and patted his arm. “Now, don’t you go to worrying, Jamie. Your Aunt Samantha will love you no matter where she is. Your uncle Russ and I will, too.”

  “Good.” Jamie turned back to his food.

  Samantha didn’t say anything. She couldn’t. Though it angered her that Russ pointed out her faults, she knew he was almost right. She didn’t know anything about living in these primitive conditions, but she wasn’t completely helpless. Her determination would help her to survive anywhere. It just so happened she didn’t want to survive in a place like this. She wanted to go back to the comfort of her home in Philadelphia where she would marry Weldon Wheaton, III, and live out her life in comfort. But she didn’t understand why this last thought didn’t make her happy.

  “Well, guess what, children?”

  “What?” they said in unison as they looked at their grandmother.

  “Do you know what next Thursday is?”

  “What?” Jamie asked.

  “It’s Valentine’s Day. It’s a day everybody shows how much they love one another by doing something special.”

  “How, Grandma?”

  “Well, we can cut out paper hearts, and we can say nice things to each other. We can even write notes. I’ll probably bake some heart-shaped cookies and if the weather will permit, I bet Uncle Russ will let you go with him to give the horses a special treat.”

  Jamie’s eyes lit up. “I’ve been wanting to see a horse.”

  “I tell you what, Jamie. After supper I have to go put some liniment on a colt named Sadie. How would you like to go meet her?”

  “Great.” He threw down his fork. “Let’s go.”

  Russ chuckled. “I think we can finish our supper, first.”

  “I go,” Abby looked at him.

  Russ looked a little doubtful, but said, “If Grandma will come with us, I don’t see why you can’t come, too.”

  Nellie laughed. “We’ll see. Grandma needs to wash the dishes. Maybe Aunt Samantha will go with you.”

  ****

  Russ helped Jamie into his coat, and Samantha bundled up Abby. He wondered if the child would suffocate, the way she was wrapping the scarf around her neck. “It’s a little messy out there in the snow. I think since Abby is so small, I’ll carry her,” Russ said.

  “I walk.”

  “Do you really want to?” Samantha looked at her. “Uncle Russ is big and strong and you’ll be safe in his arms.”

  “Will he carry Jamie?”

  “I’m too big to be carried, Abby. I’ll walk.”

  “I walk, too.”

  Russ couldn’t help remembering Oliver had been the same way when they were young. He always wanted to do whatever his big brother did. Shaking the thought away, he opened the back door. “If everyone is ready, we’ll go.”

  They stepped out on the porch and started down the steps. Russ and Jamie went first, “To make sure there aren’t any hidden objects the women would step on,” he explained.

  On the second step Abby balked and jerked Samantha’s hand. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “Carry me, Uncle Russ,” Abby’s voice sounded near tears. “It scary.”

  Russ turned around and walked back to the step. He scooped Abby up in his arm. “It is a little scary, Abby, but we’ll light a lantern as soon as we get in the barn, and it won’t be so dark.”

  She flung her arm around his neck. “You ’tect me?”

  “Yes, I’ll protect you.” He smiled at her, and hugged her close.

  “Don’t be such a baby, Abby.” Jamie sounded disgusted.

  “She’s just a girl, Jamie. Everything’s new to her here, and it’ll take her a little while to get used to it. She’s young, so maybe you could help her adjust.”

  “I’ll try, Uncle Russ.”

  “Good. She’s not so citified yet. She’s not like some women. She’s still young enough to learn.” He glanced at Samantha to see if she heard his barb, but she was busy trying to hold her skirt high enough to keep it from dragging in the snow and seemed not to be paying him any attention. He shook his head, turned and put his free his hand on Jamie’s shoulder, and headed to the barn, leaving Samantha to get there on her own.

  In the barn, Russ stood Abby on a bale of hay. “Let me make us some light and I’ll pick you back up, if you like.”

  “Uh-uh.”

  He lit the lantern and saw Abby holding her hands out to him. He picked her up and walked to the stall in the corner. “See the little horse? That’s Sadie.”

  Abby grinned. “Her pretty.”

  “She is pretty, Uncle Russ. Could I touch her?” Jamie looked up at him.

  “Sure. I’ll open the stall, and you can rub her nose. She’ll like that.”

  “I touch her, too.” Abby wiggled and he let her down.

  “Are you sure they’re safe, touching a horse?”

  “Of course they are.
I’m watching them.” Russ lifted an eyebrow. “Would you like to come over here and see Sadie?”

  “No, thanks. I’ll just wait here.” She looked around. “It’s a little smelly in here. Is it always this bad?”

  “It’s a barn, Miss Whitener. What do you expect it to smell like? Some fancy Philadelphia business?”

  “Of course not.” She lifted her chin and looked at the hayloft above.

  Russ was glad she now showed her true thoughts about the ranch and about the family who lived there. Now, he could put the stupid thoughts he’d had about her being in his life out of his mind. He decided then and there he was going to make sure the children felt at home as soon as he could. That way, she could get her shapely little butt on a stage and get away from them before he did something stupid…like ask her to stay longer…or worse, take her in his arms and kiss her and never let her leave.

  ****

  As the next few days passed, the children grew more accustomed to their new home. Jamie now went to the barn almost every night with his uncle. Occasionally, Abby would join them. She was also following her grandmother around and having a good time learning to help in the kitchen, even if it were only putting the napkins on the table.

  Samantha knew it was time she began thinking about going home. There was no question but what the children would be fine without her, and the Jensons certainly didn’t need her around. Her feeble attempts of helping had consisted of keeping Russ’s room somewhat tidy, setting the table, and gathering the eggs. She had only washed dishes twice, and Nellie told her not to bother again. She knew it was because the first time she broke a cup, and the second time, she broke one plate and cracked another.

  Sure, the kids would miss her for a little while. Their lives were here now, and they’d soon almost forget the way they lived in Baltimore. She would miss them more than they’d ever miss her, but she’d never forget the life she lived in Philadelphia. She was bred for that type of life, not for living the almost primitive life women married to ranchers lived.

  ****

  It was February twelfth, two days before Valentine’s Day, and Samantha had put the children to bed. She kissed each of them goodnight, then went to the room she slept in. Changing into her nightgown, she decided she didn’t want to go to bed. Instead, she’d go downstairs and have a cup of tea. The water in the kettle should still be hot, and though Nellie had probably banked the fire in the fireplace, it would still be warm enough to sit there and drink her tea.

  She grabbed her robe, slipped her feet into her slippers, and headed down the stairs. She was halfway to the bottom when the voices below floated to her.

  “I know she’s a pretty woman, Ma, but she’s useless.”

  “Now, Russ, you shouldn’t talk about Samantha in that way.”

  “Well, it’s the truth. She’s as out of place here as you or I would be in her world.”

  “Oliver didn’t have any trouble fitting into Millicent’s world.”

  “That’s different. While we were in college, he knew right away he wanted to live the rest of his life in the east. He began integrating himself in their ways and their society, but I hated the place. I couldn’t wait until I got back home. That’s why I only stayed for one year.”

  “You’re right about Oliver. He wrote that Millicent loved him enough to overlook his bumbles, at first. You know, love covers a lot of mistakes.”

  “Look, Ma. If you’re insinuating that I’m in love with Miss Whitener, you’re dead wrong. As I said, the woman looks alright, but if and when I ever marry, I want a woman who will come to this ranch ready and willing to work alongside us. And I’m including Abby and Jamie in that. Since Oliver is gone, I intend to be the best substitute father they could ever find.”

  “You will be, Russ. Then, when you have children, they’ll all be like brothers and sisters.”

  “That’s what I plan.”

  “Have you given any thought to who the mother of those children will be?”

  “Sure, I’ve thought about it, especially since the kids arrived.” He sighed. “Megan at the diner in town has let me know she could be interested in me. Our neighbor, Shad, keeps telling me his daughter has reached the marriageable stage. There are a couple of others.”

  “Oh, Russ, I hate to think you’d pick out a wife the way you would a new horse for the ranch. A man should fall in love with a woman before he thinks of marriage; or, at least, he should think he’ll fall in love with her someday. I can’t see you falling in love with either of those women.”

  “Maybe love isn’t that important.”

  “Oh, Russ, don’t say that. I’m going to say it right out plain. I know you’re falling in love with Samantha, but you’re fighting it as hard as you can.”

  He chuckled. “You couldn’t be more wrong, Ma. That woman’s looks would turn any man’s head, but hell, she’s sure not wife material for a man like me. She’ll go back to Philadelphia, and marry some slimy tenderfoot, and let him pat her on the head like a trained puppy instead of really loving her. She’ll then have teas and gossip sessions with her snooty friends and brag about having the most wonderful husband in the world. As far as I’m concerned, she’s worthless.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t say such things. Samantha is a wonderful girl.”

  “I’ve heard all I want to hear about Samantha Whitener, Ma. She’s going back east. And the faster she gets her butt out of her and goes, the better it will be for all of us. Now, I’m going to get out to the bunkhouse. I’ve got a lot of work to do in the morning. We have some fences down. Good-night, Ma.”

  “Son…”

  The back door slammed, and Samantha wiped the tears off her cheek. She knew she had to hurry, or Nellie would catch her sitting on the steps. As quietly as she could, she turned and slipped back into Russ’s room. She fell across the bed and sobbed. So, she’d been right. He thought she was worthless. Just a trained puppy for some man in Philadelphia. The sad thing was, she knew he was right.

  After a good cry, Samantha sat up. She knew what she had to do. She moved across the room to his desk. Taking out a piece of paper, she began to write. When she finished the letter, she placed it in an envelope, wrote his name on the back, and propped it on the table beside the bed. She then packed her valise. She didn’t bother with her trunk. After all, she had plenty of clothes in Philadelphia. Getting dressed, took a seat in the chair by the window, and waited for the first signs of daylight.

  Chapter 5

  Nellie was worried, but she knew she couldn’t let the children see her concern. It was getting close to supper time, and Russ would be in to eat. This would take their mind off their aunt. How was she going to tell them Samantha got up sick and in pain and asked if somebody could take her into town to the doctor? Maybe she was sicker than anyone thought she was to be staying so long. And where was the bunkhouse cook, Gabby? Of course, he wouldn’t leave Samantha in town, but they both should be home by now.

  Abby walked around the table throwing napkins on each plate. “Where Aunt Samantha?”

  “I told you earlier, honey. She had to go to town this morning. She’ll be back later.” Nellie smiled at her.

  “Do you want me to get some wood, Grandma?” Jamie offered.

  “That would be good. I’m sure Uncle Russ would appreciate that.” Nellie knew he could only carry in a few sticks of wood at a time, but it would keep him busy and not thinking of his aunt.

  Jamie went for his coat, buttoned it up, and stepped out on the porch. In a matter of minutes, he returned, followed by Russ. They both had an armful of wood. “Found this boy out here working and thought I’d give him a hand.”

  “Great. Go ahead and fill the wood boxes then wash your hands and let’s eat. It’s going to get cold.”

  When they sat at the table, Russ frowned. “Where’s Samantha?”

  “Doctor,” Abby said with her mouth full of roast.

  “Doctor?”

  “She got up sick this morning. Would you like some mo
re gravy for your potatoes, Russ?”

  She knew he got the idea she didn’t want to talk about Samantha’s absence when he lifted an eyebrow and said, “Sure, Ma.”

  After supper, Russ spent some time in the parlor with the children while Nellie did the dishes. She smiled to see how he was relating to them. They were beginning to love their uncle, and she knew it wouldn’t be long until they would think of him as their second daddy.

  But what about Russ? He needed a woman in his life. One who would love the children as much as he did. One who would love him for the rest of his life, and would eventually give him his own children. He needed Samantha Whitener.

  After putting the children to bed and promising she’d have their aunt come kiss them good night as soon as she got home, she joined her son in front of the fireplace. “Alright, Russ, ask your questions.”

  He frowned. “Who took her to the doctor?”

  “She asked Gabby to take her. They should be home soon.”

  “But, Ma, the wagon was in the barn when I rode in. Gabby had to bring it back.”

  “Then, where’s Samantha?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” He stood and rushed to the back door. He slammed his hat on his head, shrugged into his coat, and hurried out.

  ****

  The men looked up when Russ came into the bunkhouse and let the door bang against the wall. “Is Gabby here?”

  “Right here, Boss. What you need?”

  “Did you take Miss Whitener to town this morning?”

  “Shor did. Poor little thing was as sick as she could be. I was afeared she was gonna die afore we got to town.”

  “But she didn’t.”

  “No, sir. I put her valise in the wagon and drove as fast as I dared on the snowy roads.” He shook his head. “Strange, though, as soon as we got to town she seemed to get better.”

  “Did she go to the doctor?”

  “I let her out there, and she told me to wait. She came back a while later and said for me to go on home ’cause she was gonna stay in town.”

  “Did you take her to the hotel?”

  “Nope. She told me to go on. Said she’d walk to the hotel.”