Cate Corrals a Cattleman

by Linda K. Hubalek

  “Ya…you…think so? I’m so nervous to be walking into a church. I haven’t been in one since I lived with Grandma, and then it was such a stuffy old place filled with uppity women. I didn’t like going.”

  “You’ve already met Pastor Reagan, so I think you’ll like his service. There will be lots of people to meet, but all of our extended family will be there around you, to help make introductions.”

  “But they’re going to make cracks about my being Sarah’s sister, with a baby and no husband. I still wish we could’ve said we’re cousins instead of sisters,” Faye whispered.

  “You did nothing wrong, Faye, so please keep your shoulders straight and a smile on your face. You and Sarah talked to the pastor about it, and it is best to tell the truth from the beginning. A person can never keep all their lies straight for very long. There will always be nosy people in the world, but we rehearsed what you felt most comfortable saying.”

  “I know, but, it’s hard to say it and look people in the eye at the same time.”

  “Pastor Reagan will introduce you and Violet to the congregation, and his sermon today will be about circumstances one must face and decide what is best to do about them.” Cate wasn’t looking forward to the stares and questions she was going to get either, but she was better equipped, knowing the townspeople, and being older than the teenaged Faye.

  “Brace yourself,” Isaac said out of the side of his mouth. “Mrs. Paulson just saw Faye and is heading this way.”

  “Here, take Micah,” Sarah pushed the baby into Isaac’s arms. “I get the privilege of introducing my sister to the battleax…”

  Cate and Isaac looked at each other and tried not to smile or snicker. Sarah had come a long way from being the doormat Esther Paulson wiped her feet on a few months ago. Faye gasped as Sarah took her arm and started pulling her toward the woman. Faye looked back at Cate in panic. “Don’t worry, Faye, your big sister will take care of you today,” Cate called to Faye.

  Sarah’s introduction drifted loud and clear to all nearby. “Mrs. Paulson, I’d like to introduce you to my long-lost sister, Faye. Don’t we look identical?” Sarah said excitedly.

  Mrs. Paulson was speechless for a change, looking back and forth between Sarah and Faye.

  “Um, nice to meet you, Mrs. Paulson, I’ve heard so much about you,” Faye said while holding out to hand for Mrs. Paulson to shake, but the woman ignored Faye’s gesture.

  “Doesn’t Faye look lovely today?” Sarah continued brightly. “I finally found a use for the green dress you insisted I buy for your arranged marriage between Ethan and me.”

  “It is the same dress, but you’ve altered it,” Mrs. Paulson said while putting a finger to her cheek and studying the dress. “You know it does look better on your sister than it did on you,” Mrs. Paulson smugly answered, knowing she’d come back with a good retort to Sarah’s remark.

  Sarah pinched her lips a moment, and then answered back sweetly. “Well, I’m glad you approve of Faye. My sister and her baby need a home and a husband. Since Ethan liked my looks, I’m sure he’ll be in love with Faye soon and move her and her baby into his hotel suite.”

  Mrs. Paulson’s eyes flashed back and forth between Sarah and Faye again, widening with the realization Ethan could very easily be drawn to Faye.

  “I’ll be sure that will never happen. Ethan always listens to me,” Mrs. Paulson spat out before turning on her heels to walk into church.

  Well, Sarah introduced Faye to the first person in the congregation. Cate wondering how it would go with the next fifty or more curious people.

  Cate’s family sat around her in church, beside and behind, giving moral support for which they knew would be a very hard day for her. The secret of Sarah’s parentage would be out and the gossip would start. No one knew what happened two decades ago, but as Cate had told Faye, secrets and lies usually have a way of coming out sometime in the future.

  Even though they each had a baby in their laps, Isaac held Cate’s hand as Pastor introduced Faye and Violet and told a short version of why they were living at the Cross C now. There were murmurs in the congregation and some looked back to get a glance of the newcomers, and Cate. She noticed Sarah set her arm on the pew back and around Faye’s shoulders. At least today the sisters were getting along. Her sons were acting like big brothers to both girls, so Cate was confident that Faye would get through the first meeting with the townspeople.

  But would Cate get through today without crumpling? Hold your head high and breathe, Cate. She’d been having flashbacks of the attack at odd times of the day and night since Faye arrived, and facing people today was a real challenge for her nerves. Jacob sat on the other side of Cate, and she felt his arm reach around the back of the pew and give her shoulder a squeeze, reminding Cate of her family’s love and support.

  She looked at Isaac and he gave her a small, encouraging smile. He supported her, but why had he withdrawn his marriage proposal? And how long before he came to his senses and asked her again?

  The organist started playing the opening to the last hymn and everyone rose from their seats to sing. Yes it was about time to “face the music”, so to speak, because she could imagine how many times she’d have to repeat the story of Sarah’s conception to certain women in the congregation. And it would be spread all over town by the time stores opened in the morning.

  Maybe Faye was the wisest of them all. Why didn’t they just introduce her as Sarah’s cousin?

  ***

  He felt like a cow trying to protect her newborn calf against a pack of wolves—well maybe a bull instead—and maybe a group of women, but still, Isaac was ready to carry Cate to the wagon and take off for the ranch. Unless it was bad weather, people stood outside the church and talked longer than the service lasted. Often, it may be the only time a family comes to town, so this was when news was passed around. Too bad the sky hadn’t opened up and given the earth a good downpour after church.

  “Boss, is it okay if I go stand by Faye? I don’t like how some of these young yahoos are looking at her,” Rusty growled low from behind Isaac’s back.

  Isaac looked around and saw every woman in their group had a Wilerson, Hamner or Brenner man standing behind them. So much for being the only one protective of his women today. It hadn’t crossed his mind to go over and exchange news with the men’s group after church today.

  “Fine by me, Rusty, but be sure you ask Faye, or better yet Sarah, if it’s okay. Both know how to knock a man down, so to speak,” Isaac said over his shoulder.

  Isaac watched Rusty move through the crowd, arriving beside Sarah to bend down and speak to her. She nodded, and Rusty moved over to Faye’s side, touching her arm and smiling when Faye looked up at him.

  Interesting. Was Rusty interested in Faye or just watching over her because he was the ranch foreman? Isaac had noticed Rusty watching Faye last Friday night when they were all together, too.

  Besides his problem with Cate, Faye’s situation had also plagued Isaac’s mind. Faye had been with the family less than a week, so they didn’t know her well. Isaac guessed her story was true, but she still might clean out his safe and take off for who knows where, leaving her baby behind.

  Isaac felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned around to see Pastor Reagan motioning him to join him elsewhere. “How’s Cate doing?” was the pastor’s question.

  “She’ll handle everything fine while she’s here in town, but I imagine there will be some crying after she’s home and finds time alone later. I wish there was something I could do to help her through this bad situation, but…”

  “Please tell Cate she’s welcome to come in to talk to me or Kaitlyn if she wants to talk to someone besides a family member. And…are you ready to set your wedding date?”

  How did he tell his pastor he’d lost his temper and thrown an expensive ring away? Would that be an insult to the pastor, considering the ring probably cost more than his yearly salary? “I thought it would be best to get Faye settled in bef
ore we get married and leave on our honeymoon.”

  “You can always get married now, and take your trip later,” Pastor said while gripping Isaac’s shoulder to squeeze it before walking back to his parishioners. “I’d advise you not to delay it too long.”

  Chapter 7

  “Change into your riding skirt, Cate, we’re going for a ride.” Cate didn’t look back at Isaac when he gave his command.

  “I’m not done with the dishes.”

  “Yes you are. You’re only at the sink because you’ve been staring out the window for the last five minutes.”

  “Then I better go help with the children.”

  “There are three adults in the house this evening, so that’s only three children each. They can manage without you.”

  Cate turned to face Isaac, arms crossed, leaning against the dry sink. “What if I don’t want to? I’m not in the mood to talk.”

  “Fine, we’ll just ride and enjoy the sunset. Which horse shall I saddle for you, Scooter or Penny?”

  “You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you,” Cate stubbornly asked, although she was starting to like the idea of getting far, far away from this house and the other twelve people who lived here.

  “Nope. We both need some time to ourselves. Now which horse? Or should I saddle my choice for you?”

  “Penny. I’m not in the mood for Scooter. I love him when I’m cutting cows from the herd, but he gets bored if he doesn’t have something to do, and starts side–hopping and misbehaving.”

  “Meet me in the barn then. I already told Marcus we were going out.” Cate watched Isaac turn on his heel, grab his hat from the peg by the door and push through the screen door. She didn’t have the energy to move. It had been exhausting to keep her composure in church today. Cate rubbed her forehead, wishing she could forget people’s comments, and looks of pity and disdain. Why did some people take pleasure in rubbing salt into another’s painful wound? She couldn’t believe the questions people asked her after church—wanting details, probably happy they could knock her down a notch in her status within the community. At least it took the heat off of Sarah and Faye.

  Cate sighed and went to change her clothes. Maybe a ride would do her good. Too bad she couldn’t ride away from her problems and memories.

  Actually, Isaac was right to suggest they take a ride across the prairie. Just to take off her dress and corset and put on a comfortable shirtwaist and split skirt made her feel better. As did the warm breeze, the occasional calls of meadowlarks and the unique swishing sound of the horses walking through the knee–high grass. Isaac hadn’t said a word yet in the fifteen or so minutes they’d been riding side by side.

  They were riding to the top of the hill, toward the cloudless sky. The ranch buildings were nestled beside the creek at the bottom of a group of hills. In another hour or so, the sky would change colors as the sun set. It’ll be a nice sunset tonight. When was the last time she’d been in a place where she could quietly watch it happen?

  Isaac reined in his gelding, Chester, when they got to the top of the hill. “I always feel so small and insignificant when I’m on this spot. The world is so huge, and does what it wants. The days and nights continue on their cycle, I can’t make it rain to help the grass grow, or stop a blizzard drift from suffocating a young calf. But I can enjoy the simple goldenrod and purple ironweed which are starting to bloom in the grass around us. Good and bad things will continue to happen, whether I’m living or dead.” Cate knew Isaac looked her way, but she didn’t return his gaze.

  “I’ve often thought of riding off, leaving everything behind here, just disappearing… Would it really matter whether I’m here or not?”

  Cate kept quiet, shifting in her saddle as Penny twitched her ears and flicked her tail against the few flies that had found them. Isaac needed to talk as much as she needed to listen.

  Isaac sighed. “For many years I felt remorse over owning and running a gun factory. My guns killed or crippled so many people during the Civil War. I would change the direction I was walking if I saw a man with a wooden peg for a leg coming toward me. Did one of the guns I manufactured cause the suffering he’d endure for the rest of his life?” Cate wanted to reach across the space between them, but Isaac’s horse was standing too far away.

  “But I finally concluded that the issues which started the Civil War—slavery of other human beings, the Confederate states pulling out of the union and attacking innocent people—were the reason my guns were needed, and were justified in my mind; anyway enough to give my mind a little peace. Battles turned out to be the only way the nation could be put back together.”

  “If you’re trying to make me feel better about Sarah’s parentage…yes, maybe your guilt trumps mine, but you weren’t criticized for making the guns, but rather lauded and paid for doing so. A woman gets attacked by a man and she’s blamed instead of him.”

  Isaac moved Chester next to Penny so he could grasp and squeeze Cate’s hand. “Yes, it’s unfair, and I still feel guilty because it was Felix who... But we have to look ahead. Slaves are now free citizens, and you have a beautiful daughter. Sometimes it’s best to keep the facts simple rather than to keep mulling them over and over in our minds. We can’t go back to change it, so that means we move forward.” Isaac released Cate’s hand when the horses swayed in opposite directions.

  “You’re right. And over the years I’ve often thought of Moses’ mother and what she went through. I’ve been lucky compared to her—and every mother who lost a child. Mona Wilerson gave birth to one son, and lost two girls to diphtheria within ten days’ time.”

  “I clearly remember their funeral,” Isaac said as he kneed Chester to start walking again. “As a ten year old, I didn’t know how to help my best friend through his misery.”

  “Then her three other sons enlisted because of the war. Enoch and Abner died in separate battles and we never knew what happened to Cain.”

  “Probably lying in a mass grave somewhere back East.”

  “That’s why we moved to Kansas. Moses’ mother was beside herself thinking she’d lose her last son or grandsons in the war.”

  “I must confess, I was wondering this week whether your moving had anything to do with Sarah and Felix…” Isaac glanced over to Cate.

  “No, it was the war, so you can rest your mind about the past.”

  Isaac pulled Chester to a stop again. “Ah, now there’s a good sight to see. A large herd of contented cattle,” he turned to smile at Cate. They had descended the crest of the hill and they could see the herd spread out over the side of the next hillside.

  “Think how far these longhorns traveled before they finally settled on this part of the prairie. Just once, I’d like to travel from Texas to Kansas, or maybe going west, on a cattle drive.”

  “The Hamners got delayed on their way up here with their cattle, so you could probably take the train down and meet them along the way if you really wanted to go on a cattle drive.”

  “Not the right time to do that now, but I do need to think of something to keep me occupied now Marcus is in charge of the ranch.”

  Cate could see Isaac doing a cattle drive, or something, because the reality of him turning over the ranch to Marcus was starting to sink in.

  “As soon as things settle down with the family, we need to plan our wedding and honeymoon trip,” Isaac said looking sideways at Cate.

  “Oh, is there a possibility of a wedding? Between who?” Cate couldn’t resist giving Isaac a jab because of his unfinished proposal to her.

  “I’m sorry I said it wrong the other night. I meant ‘when we marry’, not ‘if we marry’, so please forgive my rattled brain. I think we need to wait until things settle down with Faye, and Sarah’s situation and all those kids before we tie the knot.”

  “If we’re still getting married, shouldn’t I wear my engagement ring until then?” Interestingly, she saw Isaac’s face flush, then turn pale before he turned his head. Why was that? There was d
efinitely something he wasn’t telling her.

  Isaac thought a minute before answering her. “No, you don’t get your ring yet. I want to surprise you with a new proposal, not one marred by the memory of Faye’s arrival.”

  “Well, my day just got brighter, Isaac, with your commitment.” Cate couldn’t help smiling now, pushing away some of the day’s anxiety.

  “Oh, yes, we’re getting married, Cate. You’re not getting away from me this time,” Isaac shook his head.

  “What do you mean, not getting away from me ‘this time’?”

  “Uh, I mean the last proposal. So where do you want to go on our trip, when we get married?”

  “How long can you stay away from the ranch?”

  “Probably longer than you can stay away from the grandchildren,” Isaac replied with a grin.

  “True,” Cate lightly kicked her boot heels into Penny’s side to follow Chester and Isaac. “Actually, because I’ve been thinking of Sarah and Faye, I’d like to travel to California to see my sister, Alma, and her family. We haven’t seen each other since they moved to San Francisco, oh my, eighteen years ago?”

  “They went by ship which took months, and now we can go by train. I like that idea for our honeymoon trip,” Isaac nodded. “And since I’ll have a traveling companion soon—in other words, a beautiful wife—I’d like to travel back East, Europe, wherever we decide to go.”

  “Well, now I’m really glad you talked me into taking a ride, since you’ve now promised we will be married in the near future.”

  “Sun’s starting to set, we’d better turn around and head home.”

  “Home… Where will we live, Isaac? Everything changed so fast this last week…”

  “Can you handle being a few miles away from the Cross C, until we get our own house built somewhere on the ranch?”