Wayward Lady

by Nan Ryan

  Suzette made the pecan pies on this autumn day; Lydia didn’t feel like baking. “Mother, I’m going over to see Beth this afternoon. Will you come with me?” Suzette knew the answer before she asked.

  Her mother sat in the parlor and stared wistfully out at the falling leaves, saying, “I’m sorry, dear. I’m tired. I can’t go today. Perhaps tomorrow.”

  “You don’t mind if I go for a while, do you?”

  “No, of course not. Poor little Beth. Poor girl.” Lydia lowered her head, lost in thought. Determined not to let her mother’s melancholy mood get her down, Suzette made lunch for the two of them, baked the pies, took a bath, put on her best dress, hitched up the team, and drove to the fort, a big pecan pie on the seat under a dishcloth.

  At the fort, she found Austin alone on the long, wooden gallery of the hospital. He didn’t look up when she approached him. “Austin?”

  He lifted his head and she saw the stormy, flintlike eyes and knew something was wrong. Her heart raced and she whispered, “Is it…did Beth…?”

  “No,” He took her arm and propelled her down the steps, across the parade ground to the shade of an oak tree. He released her and said thinly, “Satanta is a free man.”

  “No! It can’t be true!” Suzette swayed and Austin reached out to steady her. “How could anyone let that animal out of prison? Don’t they know that as soon as he’s free he’ll be riding with the beastly Comanches that killed little Jenny and raped…” She paused and looked at Austin’s tortured face. “Oh, Austin, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s so outrageous even General Sherman was appalled by the governor’s decision to release him. I’m told he wrote Governor Davis and said that if Satanta took scalps after his release, he hoped Davis’s was the first one taken.” Austin laughed hollowly.

  Suzette stayed only a short time at the hospital. When she left, she went directly to the Echo office to write up the story of the chiefs’ release.

  The Prairie Echo

  October 8, 1873

  Jacksboro, Texas

  SATANTA AND BIG TREE FREE

  In the opinion of this newspaper reporter, the double-dealing of your government is appalling. What the president of the United States was traded by our illustrious governor of Texas is anyone’s guess, but there’s little doubt a bargain was struck for the release of the savages from their prison cells, where they served a brief two and a half years for murdering innocent, helpless men on that blood-drenched day in the spring of 1871. Two and a half years!

  Perhaps the governor should have tapped their wrists at that time and asked them to stop their playfulness!

  8

  On a bleak, drizzly morning in mid-October, Austin Brand ducked into the Echo office. Shaking beads of water from his long coat, he headed for his small office at the back of the building. Suzette, who was helping Mr. Keach set up the front page of the morning paper, looked up when Austin swept in the door.

  “Suzette.” He nodded to them. “May I see you for a minute?”

  “Certainly, Austin.” She rose from her chair and went to join him.

  “I won’t keep her long, Mr. Keach.”

  “We’re just about finished, Mr. Brand. It’s no interruption.” The editor waved a bony hand in the air.

  Inside his office, Austin took off his coat and indicated that Suzette was to have a seat. He took the chair behind his desk. “I’m sure you are well aware by now that the stock market in New York has been closed for days.”

  “Of course, Austin. We wrote it up for the newspaper.”

  “So you did.” He drummed nervously on the desk. “Well, Suzette, you’re an intelligent young lady, so I’m certain you must realize what that has done to the price of cattle.”

  It had not occurred to Suzette that the sale of the cattle would be affected by what the Fort Worth Democrat was referring to as the “Panic of ’73.” Now, she felt terribly foolish for not realizing how far-reaching would be the results of Wall Street’s dilemma. “Austin, are you saying that—”

  “Suzette, there is no market whatsoever for the cattle we sent to Abilene. Some of the boys are selling their herds for what little they’ll bring for tallow and hides. I intend to hold on to mine, let my hands stay up there through the winter, graze the cattle on land I’ll lease, then see if things have improved come spring. Were I you, I’d do the same thing with your hundred head. But, it’s your decision. Let me warn you, dear, that there’s no guarantee that spring will bring a market.”

  Suzette sat looking at Austin. She was not sure she and Lydia could survive until spring without the extra cattle money. She’d been counting on the profits from the sale of the cattle to pay Nate’s wages, buy seeds for the spring garden, food for the winter, and warm clothes for her and her mother. How could she tell this man who had so many problems of his own that she had no money, save the salary he paid her? She must have looked disturbed, because Austin rose from his chair and came around the desk.

  “Listen, Suzette, why don’t I buy your herd right now? I’ll pay you a fair price. Then I’ll keep them with mine and sell all of them in the spring.”

  “No, Austin, I wouldn’t hear of it. You’re much too kind, but I’m not about to thrust a hundred worthless longhorns on a man who already has two thousand. I won’t do it. When you wire Tom Capps, tell Nate to stay in Abilene until spring with your men. I’ll wait with you until the price goes back up.”

  “You’re the boss,” Austin said. After pausing, he lowered this voice. “Suzette, I’m sure you were counting on the money from the cattle sale. Suppose I make you a small loan, just until spring. There must be some—”

  Standing up quickly, she shook her head. “No. You pay me a fair salary, and Mother and I can make it. I’ll get back to work now. How’s Beth today?”

  “No better, no worse. I’m on my way back over there right now. She had an easy night so I’m grateful for that.”

  Austin returned to the Fort Richardson hospital in the early afternoon. While the rain dripped from the steep roof and an afternoon quiet fell over the fort, Beth Applegate Brand peacefully passed away while her husband held her hand. Just before the end, she opened her eyes and looked at him. A faint smile curved her thin lips and she looked as though she recognized him. Her frail hand tightened on his for an instant.

  Then she was gone.

  The panic of ’73 was long and widespread. Across the country businesses were devastated. Ranchers in Jack County, their only source of income that of the profits from the sale of their cattle, were desperate for money to feed their families. Unable to hold on until spring, they took anything they could get for their cattle. They put their ranches up for sale, but the land was as worthless as the beef. There was simply no cash.

  Only one man in Jack County would flourish and profit from the depression. Austin Brand was now one of the wealthiest men in all Texas. With Beth’s death, he was sole heir to a huge eastern banking fortune that had been amassed by Beth’s grandfather and passed on to her. A wealthy man in his own right, he was now extremely rich.

  Austin felt for his suffering neighbors and he was a businessman. He intended to build his empire into one of the largest ranches in the vast state, and there was no better time than the present. He personally met with every man in the area who wanted to sell land, offering them all a decent price for their acreage, along with a job on his ranch. To a man, they were overjoyed with his offer and quickly signed the papers releasing the worthless land into his capable hands. With wives and children to feed and clothe, the worried ranchers were grateful and happy when Austin told them that they were more than welcome to remain in their homes. Although the homes would now be a part of the Brand ranch, they could live there if they chose, provided they were at the Brand headquarters early every morning. For those single men who wished, Austin was building a large bunkhouse and kitchen on the site of his old home. Less than six weeks after Austin began negotiations for the first piece of land, he owned thousands of acres of prime gra
ssland. There was one ranch however, that was not for sale, the small tract owned by Suzette Foxworth. It was her home, the place her father had worked with such diligence, and she would not let it go. She did decide to get out of the cattle business. The decision made, she asked that Austin give old Nate a job on his ranch.

  “I’ll do better than that, dear,” Austin smiled at her one spring day in April 1874. “I’ll leave him in place right on your ranch. He can do the chores for you and your mother and be there to watch out for you.”

  Suzette Foxworth stamped her foot and her blue eyes flashed fire. “No! My mother and I are not charity cases that need you to pay our help. If you can’t use Nate, then for heaven’s sake, say so, but don’t you dare think I’ll allow you to meet my obligations!”

  “I need Nate! Please, please, don’t get excited.”

  Suzette began to smile. “Austin, I’m sorry. I suppose my pride makes me behave abominably at times. I know you’re trying to be kind and I appreciate it. I speak before I think.”

  “My dear”—he smiled back—“it’s the most charming thing about you. Don’t ever change. When Nate returns from Abilene, I’ll help him move over to the big bunkhouse. By the way, the carpenters are hard at work on the new building. Care to ride out there with me and take a look?”

  “Sorry, Austin. I’m tired and I want to get home to Mother. Perhaps one day next week.”

  “I look forward to it,” he said and left.

  May came and it was more enchanting than ever. Lilac bushes, trumpet vines, and Virginia creepers made the broad porch of the Foxworth home a fragrant, pleasing place to sit and take the breeze. On Suzette’s nineteenth birthday. Perry Woods, his wife, Anna, who was uncomfortably pregnant, and one-year-old Josh arrived with a huge white cake. Taken by surprise, Suzette, who was wearing an everyday dress of checked gingham and had her hair pulled on top of her head, her feet bare, rose from her rocker and ran out to meet the trio, her appearance the furthest thing from her mind.

  “I’m so glad to see you,” she chirped, hugging Anna carefully. She turned and kissed Perry’s cheek before smiling into the little face of the child in his arms. “Come here to me, Josh,” she cooed to the adorable little boy, taking him from his father.

  “I see you weren’t expecting company,” Anna teased, looking at Suzette’s bare feet. “Perry, honey, will you get the cake from the back seat of the buggy?”

  Paying her friend no attention, Suzette crossed to the porch, looking at the smiling face of the healthy, handsome little boy in her arms. “You know, he looks more like Perry every day, don’t you think, Anna?”

  “Shh!” Anna hushed her. “Don’t let Perry hear you say that. He’ll get a big head. He asks me every day if I think Josh isn’t the spittin’ image of him.”

  “Anna, you are mean. He looks just like Perry, and you should be happy he does.”

  “I am.” Anna grinned. “I just don’t want Perry getting too vain.” Anna eased into a chair. “Tell me, Suzette, when are you going to start acting like a woman and hunt yourself a husband? You could have children of your own.” Suzette glared at her friend. “Sorry, not another word, I promise.” Anna laughed good-naturedly. “How’s your mother, Suz?”

  Suzette’s eyes clouded slightly. “The same. She hardly leaves her bed. Perhaps she’ll join us tonight.”

  Perry, cake in one hand, a bottle of wine in the other, joined the women, saying, “I’ll put this in the kitchen and look in on Mrs. Foxworth.”

  “Thanks, Perry.” Suzette smiled. “Try to get her to come out and join us for a while. Maybe she’ll listen to you.”

  Ten minutes later, Perry led Lydia Foxworth onto the porch. She stayed only long enough to see the baby and say hello to Anna. Pleading fatigue, she returned to her room while Suzette sighed and watched her go.

  “Perry, tell me what to do for her,” Suzette said in low tones.

  “There’s nothing you can do, Suzette. It’s up to her. We’ve done all we can.”

  Suzette turned her attention back to the little boy, while Anna slipped into the kitchen to cut the birthday cake. As twilight fell, a lone horseman rode over the rise.

  Austin Brand, casual in a pair of denim trousers, a pullover shirt of gray, a yellow bandanna at his throat, and cowboy boots, dismounted from a big bay. Slapping his Stetson against his thigh, he strode into the yard, his sun-tipped hair gleaming in the half light. In his big hand, he carried a small package tied with a pink bow.

  “How’s everybody?” he drawled, stepping onto the porch.

  “Austin, you’re just in time for birthday cake.” Anna was cordial, slicing him a big piece. Austin shoved the box into his breast pocket and shook hands with the doctor before nodding to Suzette.

  “Look, Austin.” Suzette smiled up at him. “Have you ever seen anything sweeter in your life than this little boy?”

  Austin took a seat beside her, reaching out to clasp the tiny fingers of the baby she held. “He’s a mighty fine boy.”

  He sat, politely eating the cake, telling Anna how delicious it was.

  Pouring wine for the four of them, Perry said, “Austin, I thought you and your men were off on the cow hunt.”

  “We are—that is, they are. I was, too. Then I remembered it was Suzette’s birthday.”

  Suzette’s blond head snapped around. “Austin, you mean you came in off the cow hunt just because it’s my birthday? That wasn’t necessary.”

  Unruffled, Austin said, “Very few things we do are really necessary. It isn’t necessary that I go on the cow hunt with my men, or up the trail to Abilene, but I intend to do both.”

  Suzette looked from him to the Woodses. “Austin seems to think I’m his helpless ward and he must constantly look out for me.” There was a hint of irritation in her voice.

  “That isn’t it, my dear. I think of you as one of my dearest friends and count it a pleasure to be able to celebrate your nineteenth birthday with you, just like the Woodses.”

  “In that case, I’m very glad you came, Austin.” She softened. “And, had I known to expect you, I’d have tried to look more presentable.”

  “You look cute.” He smiled with wry amusement and stared pointedly at her bare feet.

  “You should try it sometime,” she said haughtily, then turned her attention back to the baby.

  It was a lazy, pleasant evening and all too soon Anna was taking Josh and telling Perry it was past time for bed.

  Suzette, still barefoot, padded out to the buggy to say good-night. Austin stood behind her, waving to the departing couple.

  “Shall I carry you back to the porch?” he kidded her after the Woodses were out of sight.

  “Certainly not.” She tilted her head.

  “In that case”—he reached out and took her elbow—“I’d better be going.” He brought the small box from his shirt pocket and held it out to her. She stood with her hands at her sides. “Well, aren’t you going to take it?” He grinned while she looked at him warily.

  Slowly she reached out and took the gift. The pink bow and white paper were rapidly stripped away and thrust into Austin’s upturned palm. Suzette looked at the shiny gold hair clasp and sighed. The prettiest one she’d ever seen, it had her initials in blue enamel on its edge.

  “Austin.” She looked up shyly. “It’s lovely, but I can’t take it. It’s too…too expensive, too much.” Her eyes went back to the clasp and she rubbed its smooth surface.

  “You most certainly are going to keep it, Suzette Foxworth. I got it especially for your nineteenth birthday. Don’t hurt my feelings by refusing it.”

  “Oh, Austin, it isn’t that I don’t want it. Why, any woman would, but I just don’t think it would be proper for me to accept it.”

  Austin chuckled and put a finger under her chin, raising her face. “I’m disappointed in you.”

  “Why?” she asked innocently.

  “Because I thought you were much too wise and willful to care about what is and is not proper.” He sm
iled impishly, challenging her.

  Laughing softly, she unpinned her hair and tossed her head about, sending the long, golden locks cascading down around her face and shoulders. She thrust the clasp into the thick curtain of her hair on the left side, pulling it firmly back and fastening the shiny adornment. She put her hands on her rounded hips and lifted her chin, the moonlight catching her brilliant blue eyes. “Of course I don’t care if it’s proper! The clasp is exquisite. I want it, and that’s that!”

  “That’s the Suzette I like best,” he said and took her hand. “Walk me to my horse. I’ve got to get back. I won’t be coming home until the hunt is over, since we’ll be moving farther out now.” He paused for a second. “So…take care of yourself, give my best to your dear mother, and promise you’ll let me buy you dinner at the hotel when I come back.”

  “I promise, Austin.” They were next to his horse. “Austin?”

  He untied the reins and turned back to her. “Yes?”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but…well, don’t you ever intend to rebuild your home? I mean, are you going to live at the Wichita Hotel for the rest of your life?”

  Austin hung his Stetson on the saddlehorn. “I don’t know if I’ll rebuild, Suzette. I haven’t thought about it. I moved to the hotel after the tragedy and I’m comfortable enough there. Besides, the bunkhouse is completed now. I can spend the night there if I choose.” He fell silent, absently patting the horse’s sleek neck. “Perhaps someday there’ll be a reason to build a home.” He looked thoughtful, the lightness of his mood gone, his gray eyes wintry.

  Suzette was sorry she’d brought it up and said, “Thank you for visiting on my birthday. I love the hair clasp, Austin.” She touched the shiny gold and smiled.

  Austin put a hand on her arm, then said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, “It’s only the beginning.”

  Suzette frowned and leaned toward him. “What? I didn’t hear you.”