He halted near the porch steps, hat in hand. Clearing his throat, he said, “Señor David, may I bid adios to Miss Nora?”
The patron laughed. “Of course you can. You don’t need my permission.” He glanced at Nora, who looked uncertain. “Well, daughter, what are you waiting for? Go give the boy a hug so he can be on his way.”
“Yes, sir.” She descended the steps and stopped, facing him with her hands tucked behind her. “I wish you didn’t have to go,” she said softly.
Conscious of her parents watching, he nodded. “Sí, but I must. The day is almost done.” He shifted his feet nervously. “I am glad we got to see each other again.”
“Yeah, me too.” Chewing her bottom lip, she avoided his eyes.
He drew a deep breath. “Please remember all I have told you, pequeña, and know that I think always of what is best for you.”
Nora looked up with tears in her eyes. Making a strangled sound, she threw her arms around him. He hugged her tight, his own eyes burning.
“I-I love you. W-wait for me,” she whispered brokenly. Then, before he could react, she broke away and ran into the house.
Choked up, Vito said a horse thank you to her folks.
“Come back soon,” Señora Jessie called.
He didn’t try to answer for he knew he would not return for a long time. To do so would be courting trouble for both him and Nora. Clapping his hat on, he mounted up and rode after the C bar D crew.
Jessie watched Vittorio ride away with sadness in her heart, fearing the path that lay ahead for Nora and him was destined to be long and difficult. Sighing, she welcomed David’s strong, supportive arm around her.
“Let’s go inside,” he said, turning her toward the door. “You need to rest.”
“Och, there’s still the patio to clear up, the cups and glasses and –”
“That can wait ’til morning. Right now, you’re going to sit down and put your feet up. That’s an order.”
“Yes sir, Captain Taylor!” she teased, referring to the rank he’d held in the army when they first met going on fourteen years ago.
He laughed as he steered her into the parlor, where Reece and young Seamus were busy pushing their train cars around the floor, making chugging sounds. Her father sat dozing in his usual chair. This had been a long day for him, for all of them.
She didn’t resist when David seated her on the sofa and squatted to unbutton her blue leather and satin high tops. He’d had them specially made to match her gown and she loved them, but having worn them since early morning, it came as a great relief when he slipped them off.
“Ah, freedom,” she said, wiggling her black-silk-clad toes.
Chuckling, he set aside the shoes and took a seat on the sofa a short distance away from her. “Swing your legs up here.” He patted his muscular thigh. “I’ll rub your feet.”
She did as he said and he soon had her sighing with pleasure. “That feels heavenly,” she murmured, letting her eyes drift closed.
“Mmm. After we put the young’uns to bed I’ll be happy to rub whatever else needs rubbing.” He spoke in a low, suggestive tone of voice.
Her eyes flew open. Glaring at him, she tilted her head toward the two boys.
He grinned. “They’re not listening.”
“Aye, but I am,” her father said.
Jessie jumped. “Da! We thought ye were asleep.”
“I was until ye started whisperin’ and carryin’ on.”
Her face grew hot at the thought of him hearing David’s lusty remark, while he just laughed, not at all embarrassed. “Sorry for waking you, Seamus.”
“Not ta worry. The sun’s about down. ’Tis high time I take this auld body ta bed.” Rising with difficulty, he said to his grandsons, “G’night, me lads. Glad I am ta see ye like the wee train I carved for ye.”
“It’s great, Grandda!” Reece replied with a grin.
“Yeah, great!” little Seamus piped up.
Chuckling, big Seamus nodded to Jessie and David and shuffled off to his room, located in the east wing of the u-shaped house, across from the children’s rooms.
“Much as I hate to move, I’d best check on Nora,” Jessie said. “She was very upset at parting with Vittorio again.”
David frowned. “The boy can’t be tied to her all his life. She needs to accept that and let go of him.”
“Perhaps,” she replied, knowing that unlikely. “But she’s young and right now she needs a bit of comforting, I think.” She swung her feet to the floor. “If you’ll see these two rascals to bed, I’ll meet ye in our room in a wee bit. Aye?”
“Sounds good. Don’t be too long.”
“I won’t.” Giving him a quick kiss, she hugged the boys goodnight and padded in her stocking feet to her daughter’s room. She heard muffled weeping from within. Not bothering to knock, she opened the door and found Nora curled in a ball on her bed, crying her heart out. “Oh, darlin’ girl, don’t torture yourself so” she said tenderly, closing the door behind her.
“Mama? I-I can’t stop. Vittorio’s g-gone!” the girl, her firstborn child, wailed.
Jessie rushed over and sat down beside her on the small bed. “You’ll see him again before ye know it,” she murmured, gently stroking Nora’s back.
“Y-you don’t understand. I love him! B-but he says I’m t-too young and that Curly was right, we can’t be together be-because we’re too different. I’m white and he’s Mexican, and Daddy would never permit me to marry Vito.”
Sighing, Jessie said, “Vito and Curly are wrong. Oh, not about everything. I’ve no doubt you will be reviled by some for loving a man of another color and lineage. And your father may very well oppose the match, for I’m sure he’d like to see ye wed a man of means, but ’tisn’t for him to rule your heart.” She remembered how her own father had tried to force her into marrying a man she did not love. Thank the saints she’d followed her heart and found David.
Nora sat up and swiped tears from her face. “You’d side with me, with us, against Daddy?”
“I hope ’twill never come to that, but aye, I would if need be.” Jessie cupped her daughter’s damp, tear-stained cheek and smiled sadly.
“Oh well, I don’t expect you’ll have to do that anyway. I’m too young, remember? Vito will probably r-run off with some g-girl before I’m old enough for him.”
“Nay, I don’t believe he will. He’s destined for you.”
“How can you be so certain? Oh!” Nora’s blue eyes widened. “You’ve had a vision! Of Vito and me!”
Jessie nodded. “Aye, and I’ve told no one about it, not even your father.”
Nora clutched her hand. “What did you see, Mama? When will it happen? Where? Tell me, please!”
“Very well, but ye’re not to tell a soul, not even your brothers, d’ye hear? If people outside our family were to learn about the things I see and about our other gifts, it could be very dangerous for us all. D’ye understand?”
“Yes! You’ve told me that a thousand times before. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone.” Excitement danced in her daughter’s eyes and she practically bounced up and down on the bed.
Hearing David’s footsteps in the hall and the sound of Reece and little Seamus complaining about having to go to bed, Jessie pressed a finger to Nora’s lips. When the sounds receded into the boys’ bedroom, she folded her hands in her lap and took a deep breath.
“All right then. The vision came to me a few months back. I was bathing, thinking about something, I don’t know what.” She gazed down at the braided rub on the floor, remembering. “Foolishly, I stared at the water in the tub though I know better than to let myself do such a thing. The flickering reflection of the kerosene lamp mesmerized me, awakening the sight. The water turned cloudy and a dark-haired couple appeared. The two were dancing, gazing at one another tenderly. ’Twas obvious they were very much in love.”
Pausing, she locked gazes with Nora. “I knew instantly I was looking at you and Vittorio, perhaps t
en or fifteen years in the future. As to where ’twill take place, I don’t know. But you were – will be – a beautiful woman and him a strong, handsome man even . . .” She stopped, hesitating to reveal the rest of her vision.
Nora tilted her head to one side, frowning curiously. “Even what, Mama?”
Jessie decided her daughter had a right to know. “Vittorio was wearing an eye patch and he had a scar here.” She traced a finger down the left side of her face from temple to jaw.
Swallowing, Nora stared at her in silence for a long moment. Then she drew a deep breath and said, “But we’re together and we’re in love. That’s all that matters.”
Pride surged through Jessie, pride in her child. Nay, not a child, a young woman with a bright, loving spirit. Enfolding Nora in a warm embrace, she pressed a gentle kiss to her brow. “Aye, dearest, that’s all that matters. Just remember what I saw is years away. Ye must have faith and wait for the future to unfold.”
Nora drew back, gazing at her with a serene expression on her face. “I’ll wait, Mama. As long as I know Vito will be mine someday, I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
“I know ye will, love. Now, what d’ye say we get ye ready for bed? I don’t mind saying I’m in need of a good night’s sleep myself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Extending her long legs over the side of the bed, Nora removed her shoes and stockings then stood in bare feet, allowing Jessie to unbutton her pretty pink dress and help her out of it. She kept her unmentionables on, for December nights were cold and there was no fireplace or stove in her bedroom.
“Soon you’ll be taller than your old mother,” Jessie said fondly, slipping the neck of Nora’s white cotton nightdress over her head. “Then who will help ye dress, I wonder?”
“I can dress myself, Mama. Well, except for buttoning up the back of dresses.”
“Aye, ye can, but I enjoy being your lady’s maid. And since you’re my only daughter, I hope you’ll allow me this wee pleasure for a while longer.” She pointed at the small dressing table she and David had given Nora for her birthday in July. “Now sit ye down so I can undo the mess you’ve made of your hair.”
Nora made a face, showing she wasn’t quite as grown up as she thought she was, but did as she was told. Jessie took down what remained of the thick, carefully coiled bun she’d pinned back early that morning, tossing the pins in a small china dish atop the dressing table.
“Will ye brush your hair or d’ye want me to do it tonight?”
“You do it, Mama, please. I love the feeling when you brush my hair.”
“Glad I am to know that.” Smiling, Jessie picked up her daughter’s brush and began to run the bristles through her long mane of raven hair.
“Mama, I’m really, truly sorry for breaking your Christmas angel,” Nora suddenly said. “Someday I’ll buy you a new one, I promise.”
Startled by her declaration, Jessie stopped brushing and met her daughter’s remorseful gaze in the mirror attached to the dressing tale. “What a kind thing to offer, love. I know ye regret breaking the angel, but don’t let it eat away at ye. ’Twas partly my own fault for not checking to see everything had been cleared off the sideboard.”
“But I broke the angel and I will get you a new one. Only I have to wait until I’m old enough to earn some money.”
Jessie nodded. “All right, if ye feel that strongly about it, I’ll not argue.” Smiling at her daughter’s stubborn determination, she resumed brushing. By the time she finished the one hundred strokes she’d been taught to apply by her own mother, Nora’s hair crackled with static electricity and glowed with good health.
“There, that should do it. Into bed with ye now. ’Tas grown chilly in here. Ye must be cold.”
“Just a little.” So saying, Nora dove into bed and pulled the quilt up to her throat.
Jessie bent down to kiss her goodnight. “Sweet dreams, love.”
“You too, Mama.”
After lighting a small candle she’d brought with her, Jessie extinguished the lamp standing on Nora’s clothes bureau and crossed to the door. She stood in the open doorway when Nora said softly, “Thank you, Mama. You’ve given me the most perfect, beautiful Christmas gift.”
Tears gathered in Jessie’s eyes. “You’re welcome, darlin’ girl.” Closing the door, she dabbed at the wetness trickling down her cheeks and padded around the corner and along the hallway to the master bedroom.
Chapter Nine
Jesse walked into the master bedroom just as David undid the last button on his shirt. “Ah, you’re here. I didn’t hear ye leave the boys’ room.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “I heard you girls talking and tried to be quiet. Didn’t want to interrupt anything important.” Removing his shirt, he tossed it on a chair beside the washstand. “Is Nora all right?”
“Aye. She had herself a good cry, but she’s feeling better now.” Strolling over to him, Jessie ran her fingers through the triangular patch of dark hair covering his upper chest. The rough texture tickled her palms.
“Thanks to her mama, I expect.” He circled her waist with his hands, tugged her closer and bent to nuzzle the tender skin beneath her ear.
“Perhaps, just a wee bit,” she breathed, tingles of pleasure spreading out from that ultra sensitive spot. She wasn’t about to tell him anything more. This was one secret best kept between mother and daughter. Besides, she wanted him to concentrate on other things just now. Turning her head, she sought and found his lips. After a long, tantalizing kiss that promised much more, she drew back.
“Would ye mind unfastening my gown?”
“Mind? Honey, I’ve been looking forward to it all day.” He gazed down at her in a way that made her insides melt. “Turn around for me.”
She presented her back to him and he set to work undoing the row of small buttons running from her neck down past her waist, no easy task. “Why do you need so many of the damn things?” he fussed.
She giggled at his predicament. “’Tis the style, and may I remind ye you chose it along with the fabric when ye insisted on visiting the dressmaker in Waco with me?”
“Yeah, well, don’t let me pick out anymore like this,” he grumbled. When he finally finished the job, he heaved a sigh of relief. “There. It’s done. Now let’s get you out of this rig.”
He proceeded to strip her of the velvet gown, petticoat, small bustle frame and satin covered corset. “For the life of me, I don’t know how you can stand to wear all these contraptions,” he said, flinging the corset on the floor.
“David! Don’t be throwing my best corset around like that. Ye could damage it.” Left in only her camisole and drawers, Jessie, bent to retrieve the corset and draped it over the chair with her gown and other garments. She would see to cleaning it tomorrow. Turning, she found her husband watching her, hands on his narrow hips, a smile on his lips and a lusty look in his eyes.
“What are ye staring at, sir?” she asked saucily, pleased by his avid attention.
“I’m staring at you, wife, what else?”
“Well, when you’ve looked your fill, ye may as well shed the rest of your clothes and get ye to bed. I’ve still to wash up and brush out my hair.”
He moved close, slipped his arms around her and cupped her bottom. “Don’t be too long, darlin’,” he said, dropping a kiss on her bare shoulder. “I’ll be waiting.”
Warmed by his words and his touch, she quickly washed her face, arms and throat then stepped behind a privacy screen in the corner to finish disrobing. Donning a nearly transparent rose silk nightshift, she stepped from behind the screen to see David propped up in bed with his hands loosely folded across his bare chest. The sight of him made her breath catch and the heart of her flutter. He’d done this to her from the moment she first set eyes on him, despite all the early turmoil between them, and she had no doubt he always would.
Smiling seductively, she crossed to her dressing table – larger and more imposing than Nora’s – sat on the cushioned chair and too
k down her hair. As she brushed the auburn tresses, she looked into the mirror and saw David watching her. Feeling his eyes upon her through the filmy nightshift, she knew she wouldn’t be wearing the garment for long. Her pulse skipped up in anticipation.
Finished with her task, she set aside the brush, rose and approached the bed. David turned back the covers on her side and as she slid in he stretched out his arm, drawing her to his side.
“Hello, beautiful,” he murmured, turning her face toward him. He sealed her lips with a kiss that erased all thoughts except how much she wanted him. His hands roamed over her, soon divesting her of the silk nightshift just as she’d expected. Their passion burned bright, taking them on a rapturous trip to ecstasy.
Afterward, Jessie lay content in her husband’s arms with her head on his shoulder, drowsy and ready to sleep. Until he spoke, that is.
“I’ve been thinking about Nora and Vittorio.”
Her eyes popped open. “Aye? What about them?”
He shrugged his opposite shoulder. “They’ve always been close in a big brother, little sister kind of way, but watching them dance a while ago, something seemed changed between them. Did you notice?”
“I . . . I don’t know that I did,” she said, trying not to outright lie to him, while alarm bells went off in her head.
“Well, it appeared to me they looked at each other differently, especially Nora at him. Her expression didn’t seem exactly sisterly.”
“Are ye sure?”
He sighed. “No. Could be I imagined it.”
“Would it be so bad if the two of them came to love one another as more than friends?” She needed to know for certain where he stood.
“Of course it would! How can you ask that?” David rose on one elbow and stared down at her, his expression grim in the muted light of a lamp she’d left burning low. “You don’t want our daughter to throw her life away with an itinerant cowboy, do you?”
“N-no, I suppose not, but don’t ye think he might rise to become more than that? Vittorio is a bright lad, after all.”
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