“Oh, is that right?” she huffed Slamming her hands onto her hips, she narrowed her own eyes, eyes the same color as his. “Keep talkin’, boyo, and I’ll pull your black Irish hair out by the roots.” Of course it was an empty threat, as he very well knew. She loved her big brother far too much to ever do him harm. Although, she wouldn’t mind boxing his ears from time to time.
The wicked imp laughed and raised his hands, palms out. “Oooh, I’m quakin’ in me boots.! Don’t hurt me, mum!”
Making a disgusted noise, Jessie shook her head and batted her hand at him as if swatting away a fly. Then she marched across the courtyard, heels clicking on the flagstones, toward the cookhouse where Maria worked to find out when the meats would be done roasting. Her stomach grumbled and her mouth watered at the delicious aroma wafting from the small stone building. All she’d eaten for breakfast was a slice of bread and butter, and that was hours ago. Dinner couldn’t come soon enough for her.
***
Nora stood on the front porch watching for riders. Goshdarn! What was taking Mr. and Mrs. Crawford so long? Uncle Tye and Auntie Lil had come early to help Mama and Daddy get ready. Lil’s parents were to come later with their men, but surely they ought to be here by now. What if something had happened to prevent them from coming?
No! Don’t even think that! They have to come, they just have to!
Smoothing the front of her Mother Hubbard, a short, baggy little girl’s dress she hated, she wished for a grown-up gown, but Mama had decreed she couldn’t start dressing like a woman until she turned fourteen. At least this Hubbard was made of pretty pink calico printed with sprigs of white flowers, and she liked the ruffled shoulders and neck. The color set off her black hair, which Mama had helped her put up, and her black stockings and high tops. She hoped Vito would approve.
She stuffed her hands into deep side pocket and glanced at her brothers and cousins. She’d shooed the four boys outside so Grandda Seamus could nap in his favorite chair in the parlor. Together with Maria’s younger children, they were playing ring taw, a game she’d once loved but now considered babyish. Crouched around a circle drawn in the dirt, they took turns shooting marbles, trying to knock each other’s marbles out of a small inner circle. Her brother Reece, less than two years younger than her, was winning judging by the pile of marbles he’d collected. Not surprised, Nora scowled, remembering how many marbles the little fiend had won from her and their baby brother Seamus in the past.
A faint thudding sound caught her ear. Shading her eyes, she spotted a cloud of dust in the distance. Then she made out a buckboard and horsemen. Finally! The expected company was almost here. Heart thumping wildly, she whirled and ran inside to alert her parents.
“Mama! Daddy! The Crawfords are coming,” she yelled, forgetting about her napping grandfather. At his grumble of complaint, she said, “Sorry, Grandda.”
Aunt Lil stepped out of the kitchen holding a large bowl and spoon just as Mama walked in the back door.
“Are they here?” both women asked.
“Not yet but almost. Should I tell Maria?”
Her mother nodded. “Aye, and your father and uncle. Lil, let’s greet your folks outside.”
“Right, you go ahead. I’ll set the cornbread on the stove and be right out.”
Nora was already dashing for the courtyard. “The Crawfords are almost here,” she announced to her father and uncle as she raced toward the cookhouse.
“What’s your hurry?” her father called.
“I have to tell Maria that Vittorio’s coming.”
Hearing the two men chuckle, she tore into the steamy little building. “Maria, Vittorio’s nearly here!”
“Sí, I heard you, niña,” the cook said with a broad smile. Tall and rather plump, with gray-streaked black hair, Maria was one of Nora’s favorite people. She was kind and good-natured and always ready with a tasty snack for all the children. And she was Vittorio’s madrecita, making her special.
Setting aside the huge kettle of gravy she’d been stirring, Maria mopped her sweaty face with her red-checked gingham apron – only worn on Christmas – and motioned for Nora to lead the way. “Let us go and welcome my son.”
By the time they joined everyone out front, Auntie Lil’s folks were pulling up in their buckboard followed by several riders. Nora had eyes for only one, a slim young cowboy with dusky skin and raven hair. Drawing rein, he gave her a bright smile, a smile she had seldom seen since he’d gone to work as a wrangler for the Crawfords and Uncle Tye a few months ago. Four years older than she was, Vittorio had been her best friend all her life.
She watched him dismount and greet his younger siblings who danced around him like eager puppies. Then it was her turn. Bounding down the porch steps, she launched herself at him. He laughed and caught her, lifting her off the ground in a tight hug.
“Hola, pequeña.”
“Hola, Vito! I’ve missed you so much!”
“I suppose I have missed you a little bit too.” He winked and whirled her around, making her squeal and laugh with joy. Caught up in him, she paid not a lick of attention to laughter and teasing remarks from their audience of cowboys, family and friends.
On the porch, Jessie shared a smile with Maria, whose husband Luis stood nearby with David and Tye. Short and wiry, Luis was the River T’s head horse wrangler. He glanced at his wife, grinning over Nora and Vittorio’s exuberant reunion. “I think maybe they are glad to see each other.”
Maria nodded. “Sí, they are each other’s best Christmas gift.”
“Aye, and always will be,” Jessie said under her breath. She’d seen the pair together in a time to come, and her visions never lied. If not for one very special vision, none of this would be happening. She never would have met David, Tye wouldn’t have crossed paths with his Texas cowgirl, Lil Crawford, and Rose might be a shy, convent- bred spinster living in Chicago instead of wed to Choctaw Jack Lafarge.
As if sensing her thoughts, David turned his head and caught her eye. She gave him a misty smile; he grinned and tilted his head toward Nora and Vittorio. Assailed by guilt, Jessie wondered how he’d like seeing the two wrapped in each other’s arms if he knew what her vision predicted. Perhaps she should have told him right after it happened several months ago, but she’d dreaded his reaction.
Not that he disliked Vittorio, and it had nothing to do with his Mexican heritage, but the boy was only a horse wrangler, a cowboy. Jessie knew David wanted his baby girl to marry well, to a man who could give her a comfortable life. She feared he would never approve of her wedding Vittorio.
Pushing her dark forebodings aside, she descended the porch step with Lil to welcome the Crawfords. Tye was already assisting Rebecca, his mother-in-law, down from the buckboard while Del climbed down and collected gifts and baked goods from the wagon with David’s help. While he and Jessie ushered their guests into the house, the C bar D hands dismounted and sauntered over to the bunkhouse to wait with the River T crew for the dinner bell.
All except for Vittorio, Jessie noted when she paused to glance back. Nora had taken his hand and was leading him toward a spindly live oak tree growing near the creek, at some distance from the house. David had planted the young oak twelve years ago, shortly after their daughter was born. Smiling at the memory, she watched the two young people settle in the tree’s meager shade. Then, giving them their privacy, she turned and stepped inside.
Chapter Three
Lil took charge of the pies Rebecca had baked and carried them back to the kitchen while David and Tye steered the Crawfords into the parlor. Trailing after them, Jessie saw her father, Seamus Devlin, attempt to rise from his cowhide covered chair. His arms shook as he tried to push himself upright.
“No need to get up, Seamus,” Del Crawford said, earning Jessie’s gratitude. He handed the stack of gifts he was carrying over to Tye and crossed the room to offer his hand to the older man.
Seamus collapsed back in his chair. Sighing, he shook Del’s hand. “Thank ye
kindly, friend. Forgive this old man’s poor manners.”
“Nothing to forgive. I’m not as spry as I once was either.”
“Aye, time comes stealin’ up on us all.”
“True enough.”
“Please have a seat, Rebecca,” Jessie said, gesturing at the Victorian sofa David had presented her with on her birthday. He’d secretly ordered the lovely piece from the Montgomery Wards catalogue. It was her pride and joy. The children were not allowed on it for fear they would stain or tear the supple, beautifully tooled leather.
“Thank you.” The plump half-Cherokee woman nodded and settled herself on the sofa. In her dark green gown, she made a pleasant picture against the russet leather upholstery. Meanwhile, Tye and David carried the gifts Rebecca and Del had brought – each wrapped in a piece of bright fabric – over to the Christmas tree that stood in the corner near the front window. Squatting, they added the packages to those already lying under the long-needled bows.
“Your tree looks mighty pretty, Jessie. It’s a fine young loblolly,” Del said. Smiling at her, he took a seat next to his wife on the sofa.
“Thank ye, Del. David and our boys brought it home yesterday. You found it over in the hills, didn’t you, David?”
“Yup.” He rose and made a face. “Kind of hated to cut the little thing down, pretty as it was, but you had to have a tree.”
“That I did.” She gave a decisive nod. “What would Christmas be without a lovely pine tree for the children to decorate? And ye know they had a grand time stringing the popcorn and cranberries.”
David’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “They sure did, made a fine mess of the floor too, as I recall.”
“Pshaw! Don’t be a grump!” She waved her hand dismissively. “Besides, ’twasn’t you who cleaned up after them, I’ll be reminding ye.”
He grinned. “You’re right, I left that to the woman of the house. Seemed only fair since the whole business was her idea.”
Jessie aimed a gimlet eye at him, warning of trouble if he continued his teasing.
“At first, I thought it a crazy white man’s custom to stand a tree in your house,” Rebecca remarked, studying the object of their discussion, “but I have come to like it.”
“Me dear wife, God rest her, always saw that we had greenery in the house at Christmas, though ’twas only a few branches to be sure,” Seamus said, sounding somewhat choked. “D’ye remember, daughter?”
“I remember very well, Da,” she replied gently, seeing his eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Those branches smelled so good, didn’t they, Tye.”
“They surely did, sis.”
“Aye, but they didna smell up the whole house as does yon wee tree. ’Tis enough to set a man’s eyes to waterin’.” Using that as an excuse for his tears, he fished a crumpled handkerchief from his pants pocket, dabbed at his eyes and blew his nose, sounding much like a goose honking.
Everyone laughed and Jessie took that as a cue to excuse herself. “David, if you’ll bring in the small drop-down table and set it up for the children, I’ll help Lil finish up in the kitchen.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a jaunty salute, drawing more laughter.
“Idjit!” she shot back with a shake of her head and turned on her heel.
***
Sitting Indian style under her special tree – Daddy said he’d planted it for her – Nora watched Vittorio lean back against the skinny trunk and plop his hat on his raised knee. She tilted her head to the side, contemplating him, and scrunched up her face.
“Why do you stare at me like that?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows.
“You look different somehow. Older, I guess.”
He gave a cocky grin. “I am older than you, little one, and it has been a while since the last time we saw each other.”
“I know. It’s been awful without you here.” Sighing heavily, she drew circles in the dirt with her fingertip. “I don’t have anyone to talk to or go riding with or . . . or anything.”
“You have your brothers.”
She made a rude sound. “Those annoying pests! I can’t stand to be around them. All they want to do is play silly games and get up to mischief.”
Vittorio laughed. “Pobrecita! You have outgrown such childish things, eh?”
“Yes, I have, and don’t make fun of me!” she stormed.
He stopped laughing. “I am sorry, chica. Forgive me?” He wrapped his hand around hers and smiled charmingly, dark eyes pleading.
Nora melted at the sight. “Of course I forgive you, Vito. I know you didn’t mean it. I’m sorry too, for getting angry.”
“It is all right,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I should not have –” He was cut off by her mother’s voice.
“Nora, time to come in,” she called from the porch. “Dinner is ready.”
Waving to let her no she’d heard, Nora said, “Darn! I don’t want to go in. I want to stay with you.”
“But it is Christmas, and my mouth is watering for all the delicious food our madres have cooked.” Vittorio rose and pulled her up. “Come, I will walk you to the big house. Then I must go to mi padre’s house.”
“It’s not fair!” she protested, crossing her arms and refusing to budge. “We only have a few hours before you leave again.”
He frowned. “Sí, and my family also wishes me to spend time with them. You must see that, pequena.” He gentled his stern reminder with a smile.
Nora lowered her arms, shoulders drooping. Ashamed of herself, she couldn’t meet his eyes. “I didn’t think about them. I’m sorry for being selfish.”
“You are not selfish. You are only . . . young.” Laying his hand at the small of her back, he nudged her toward the main house.
An idea suddenly struck her. Halting, she said in excitement, “Vito, maybe I can eat with you at your house. Do you think your folks would mind?”
“What!” He stared at her, looking stunned. “No, mine would not mind, but yours would never agree.”
“You don’t know that. Why don’t you wait here and I’ll go ask.”
“But . . .”
***
The dining room table groaned beneath the Christmas feast. The ranch hands were gathered in the courtyard for their dinner. Maria and Luis Medina had shooed their noisy brood to their own house to enjoy their portion of the food. The Taylors, Devlins and Crawfords, big and small, were gathered around the tables ready to say grace and dig in. All except one.
David exchanged an impatient glance with Jessie, who sat at the opposite end of the long table.
She shrugged. “I called her in several minutes ago.”
Shaking his head, he pushed back his chair. “Excuse me, folks. Seems like our daughter needs a reminder to join us for dinner.”
“Don’t be too hard on her,” Lil said from her place next to Tye. “We were that age once, and I recall a time or two when you didn’t pay much mind to the dinner bell.” She smiled impishly, making him grin.
“Here now, woman, I’ll thank ye not to be making eyes at my sister’s husband,” Tye scolded good-naturedly, “and with your own man right here beside ye. For shame!” He gave a mock frown and tugged on her glossy brown braid.
Lil’s copper-gold face lit with happiness when she looked at him. “My gracious! Can it be you’re jealous, Mr. Devlin?”
“Me, jealous? I’ll have ye know I’ve not a jealous bone in my body.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Except, that is, when it comes to you, Mrs. Devlin.”
The parents chuckled at their tomfoolery and David joined in, meeting Jessie’s gaze. Her bluebonnet eyes danced with amusement, assuring him she had long ago stopped being jealous of his lifelong friendship with Lil. Winking at her, he rose and strode out to the porch. He was not surprised to find his daughter standing in the ranch yard with Vittorio. He let the door slam, causing the two of them to swing his way.
“Nora, your mother called you to dinner a while ago. Come on in now. Vittorio, you’d best head home. I expec
t your folks are waiting for you.”
“Sí señor.” The boy turned to go but Nora grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Daddy, can I go eat with Vittorio? Please!”
David frowned. “No. Christmas is a day to be with family.” He nodded at Vittorio, who made him think of a trapped mustang not knowing which way to run. “Go on, son.”
“But, Daddy –” Nora began, refusing to turn loose of his arm.
“I said no, daughter. That’s enough. Get in the house.”
She released Vittorio’s arm, giving him a hangdog look. “I’m sorry.”
“It is all right, pequena, do as your padre says.” He patted her shoulder. “I will see you later.” Avoiding David’s impatient glare, he strode off to join his family.
Nora balled her small fists and stomped across the yard and up the steps, darting a surly glance at David.
“Hold on,” he said sharply, stopping her in her tracks on the porch. “You begged your mother and me to let you sit at the main table today, and we agreed on condition that you act like a well-bred young lady. If you still want to eat with the grownups, wipe that pout off your face and show good manners.” He crossed his arms. “Or do you want to sit at the youngsters’ table with your brothers and cousins?”
She stiffened and her eyes blazed with blue fire, keenly reminding him of her mother when her dander was up. But then she smothered whatever rebellious outburst she’d thought of uttering. “No, sir, I don’t want to sit with those pesky little monsters.”
David scrubbed a hand over his mouth to hide a grin. “All right then, go on take your seat. Dinner’s getting cold.”
Nora hurried inside and slipped into her chair at the end of the table beside Auntie Lil, while her father followed her in and took his place near her at the head of the table. Her mother sat at the opposite end with Grandda Seamus to her right and Uncle Tye to her left. Across from Nora sat Mr. and Mrs. Crawford. She smiled shyly at the elderly couple. Mrs. Crawford returned her smile, but the grooves around her husband’s mouth deepened in disapproval.
Silver Belles and Stetsons Page 39
