A Family for the Rancher

by Louise M. Gouge

  Lula May’s face felt like it had caught on fire.

  “Shh!” Molly Thorn hissed. “Don’t say such things.”

  “That does sound a little odd.” Nancy gently squeezed Lula May’s hand. “Being a widow must be so hard. People can get the wrong idea if a man even speaks to you.” She shot a cross look at Mrs. Hickey.

  “Well, I never!” Mrs. Hickey’s narrowed eyes and flaring nostrils held a threat. Crossing this woman could prove disastrous. Church pianist though she was, the woman seemed not to hold an ounce of Christian charity.

  “No, you didn’t.” Molly put an arm around Lula May’s waist. “You never thought at all how terrible that sounded.”

  “Coffee?” Nancy held out a cup to the woman, who spun on her heels and strode away.

  In seconds she had found another like-minded gossip and was voicing her opinion in a none-too-quiet tone.

  “Oh, that woman.” Molly glared at Mrs. Hickey. “Why doesn’t she mind her own business?”

  “Don’t let her bother you,” added Nancy.

  “Thank you.” Lula May didn’t mean to, but she glanced toward Edmund, who was standing across the churchyard with Molly’s new husband, CJ, and the pastor.

  Edmund lifted his coffee cup in a salute and gave her that lopsided grin. Surely he knew that giving her such notice in public as he had today would only incite Mrs. Hickey’s wrath. The woman had said some very cruel things during Frank’s illness, making it sound like it was Lula May’s fault he was sick. If Edmund actually were courting her—which he wasn’t—no telling what Mrs. Hickey would say. Good thing Uncle hadn’t come to church today. He would make friends with that busybody lickety-split just to see how much of her gossip he could use for his nefarious purposes.

  Now Lula May wouldn’t dare invite Edmund to dinner, no matter how much he liked her fried chicken. She needn’t have worried. Betsy and Josiah claimed him as a dinner guest, and they departed for their home across town.

  “I wish we’d asked Mr. McKay to dinner first,” Pauline said as she climbed into the back of the wagon.

  “Yeah, me, too.” Daniel’s wistful expression held none of his usual mischief.

  “Now, children.” Lula May took her place on the driver’s bench beside Jacob, who was thoroughly enjoying his momentary elevated status above his sister and younger brother. “Let’s not be selfish. He has a family he enjoys spending time with.”

  “Wish we could be his family.” Daniel hung his arms over the back of the driver’s bench.

  “Daniel, don’t say such things!” Lula May cast a worried glance around the area to see if anyone had heard him. Fortunately, Mrs. Hickey was busy giving orders to the men who were carting the piano back to the schoolhouse.

  Jacob reached back and tousled his younger brother’s hair. “Hey.” He used his quiet voice, maybe knowing instinctively not to broadcast Daniel’s longings. “He’ll be coming to supper tomorrow night. Right, Ma?”

  Much to her annoyance, her heart skipped at the thought. “Yes.” Then her heart plummeted. Of course Uncle would be there, too.

  * * *

  “Just who is rearing those brats, Lula May?” Uncle sat at the breakfast table eating his second round of eggs, ham and grits. “You or that cowboy?”

  “Now, Floyd.” With the children already out of the house, Lula May didn’t worry about setting an example in the way she responded, but she also didn’t want to set Uncle off any worse than he already was. “Mr. McKay’s teaching all of the local children about cattle ranching, things they all need to know.”

  “Humph.” He shuffled Saturday’s well-read newspaper as though looking for something he hadn’t read yet. “By the by, my lawyer should be here tomorrow. You gonna get that deed out for me, or do I have to tear this house apart?”

  “No, I’m not going to give it to you.” Her chest felt as though a boulder were sitting on it, and she could hardly catch her breath. Tomorrow. She had to solve her problem by tomorrow. Sipping from her coffee cup, she swallowed hard. “What makes you think I have it here? What makes you think I don’t owe money on this place, and the deed’s with the bank?”

  He snorted. “What makes you think I am fool enough to believe that hogwash?” He pulled out a half-smoked cigar and lit up, defying her with a scowl to forbid him. “Last week at that puny Fourth of July shindig, I spoke with Henley from the bank. He says you are one of the few local ranchers who owns your land outright.” He emitted an evil laugh. “I had a hard time not telling him that I am the rightful owner of this place.” Another chuckle. “That news will come soon enough.”

  Because Uncle was her relative, Lula May couldn’t fault Mr. Henley for telling him she owned the ranch. Besides, it was common knowledge that she owned it.

  Tomorrow. Again the imminent threat of his lawyer’s arrival filled her mind and heart. Suddenly a fear such as she’d never known overcame Lula May, and her knees threatened to give way. Even when she’d surrendered to the certainty that Frank would die, she hadn’t felt this hopeless and afraid. Frank was with the Lord, and she and the children would see him again one day. But in the here and now, how would she take care of those children if Uncle’s threats became reality?

  “I have to take Lucas’s mare back.” She took off her apron, laid it over a chair back and retreated to her bedroom to change into riding garb. Once there, she knelt at her bedside. Lord, please, please help me? What am I going to do? What if he destroys my house, my children’s home, while I’m away?

  Reason managed to break through her anguished thoughts. Uncle would be more than foolish if he tore the house apart to look for the deed. That was, if he planned to live here. It wasn’t a fancy home, but it was well built and nicely furnished, if a bit tattered around the edges. Not that she thought for a minute he could run a horse ranch. He’d raised Tennessee Walkers in Alabama and had never seen a profit, even though Tobias had been an excellent groom. Lula May had only suspicions about what Uncle did with his money. Would he run this place into the ground, too?

  After she forced herself to offer the courtesy of saying goodbye to Floyd, she saddled Lady and put a lead halter on Lucas’s mare. Once she had the money in hand from the sale of the gelding, she would stop at the general store, settle her account and purchase what supplies she could carry home in her saddlebags. Maybe she’d put the rest in the bank. No, that would mean running into Mr. Henley. No telling what he’d say to her about his conversation with Uncle.

  She didn’t trust herself to speak to anyone. If it weren’t for having to get the money from Lucas, she would hide in her room until the children came home. Only trouble was, Edmund would be with them. Lula May hadn’t the slightest doubt Uncle would do everything in his evil power to discredit her to Edmund. And she had no way to defend herself.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I’m so sorry.” Nancy Bennett wrung her hands and bit her lip. “I don’t know what else to say. Lucas...he...he...”

  With her friend in such a state, Lula May couldn’t be angry. Devastated, yes, but she wouldn’t let Nancy know that. Instead she put her arms around her and held on for a moment. “It’s all right. We’ll get along just fine until he can pay me.”

  Tears clogged Nancy’s voice. “I know it’s not much help, but he said you can keep his mare as a down payment on the gelding.”

  Still holding Nancy close, Lula May was glad her friend couldn’t see the disappointment in her face. Now what would she do? She wasn’t entirely broke, but she also didn’t dare withdraw money from the bank, or Uncle might find out about it. As for that poor old mare, she might not make it back to Lula May’s ranch. Still, she couldn’t refuse Lucas’s gesture of goodwill.

  “Tell him thank you for me.” She gave Nancy another squeeze and stepped back. “Well, I have to stop by the general store—” Without being able to settle her bill! �
��—so you take care.” She touched Nancy’s pale cheek. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “Oh, I’ll be fine.” Sorrow flooded her face. “Have a safe ride home.”

  “Why do you say that?” Lula May laughed. “What do you know that I don’t?”

  Now Nancy managed a smile. “Oh, nothing. It’s just with those cattle rustlers around... Lucas told me they struck Ogdens’ place last night and stole at least fourteen steers.”

  Lula May shook her head. “How did they know—never mind.” No one outside of the cattlemen’s association was supposed to know the posse’s schedule for watching the various ranches. They’d all vowed to keep it a secret. Had someone blabbed the information and the rustlers overheard it? She would have to bring it up at the meeting on Tuesday night. That was, if she was able to attend. If Uncle’s lawyer arrived tomorrow, she might not be going anyplace but to jail. That thought caused her heart to drop even lower than not being paid for the gelding. With no other option, she headed home, knowing it would be hours before the children returned.

  “Lord, I don’t know what you have in mind, but these burdens are getting awfully heavy to carry. Please show me what to do. Please?” It felt good to pray aloud, as she always had at home until Uncle showed up. But with no answer forthcoming from the Lord, her heart soon sank back down to her stomach, where it had been residing for weeks now. Her only hope was to get home without encountering anybody who wanted to chat.

  When she reached Little Horn, she saw Edmund in the distance tying up his stallion in front of the general store. What was he doing in town when he should be watching over her children? Maternal instincts overruled her desire not to see anyone right now. Good sense had her tie Lady and the old mare to a hitching post in front of Mercy Green’s café before approaching Edmund so no one would think they were together.

  Inside the general store, she found him in front of the glass candy case, where a large variety of sweets were displayed to tempt customers.

  “Lula May, you’re just in time.” He gave her that appealing grin of his, as though nothing were out of order here.

  She clamped down on her anger. It wasn’t his fault her life was falling apart, so she mustn’t take it out on him. She did, however, intend to get an explanation. Before she could speak, he beckoned her closer and waved a hand over the display case.

  “The young’uns wanted to have a competition between the boys and the girls, with sweets going to the winner. What do you think? Should I get lemon drops, taffy or peppermint sticks?”

  “Is that what you’re doing in town? Getting candy?” She couldn’t keep the annoyance from her voice.

  He gave her a long look. “Something bothering you?” Then he blinked those green eyes as understanding seemed to dawn on him. “Abel, my foreman, is riding herd on the young’uns. He’s got five cowhands helping him, good men, and not one of ’em will let anything go amiss.”

  Heat filled her cheeks. After all of his kindness to the children, she’d come close to accusing him of neglect. Candy, of all things! Such a rare treat. Lula May’s eyes burned, and she cleared her throat.

  “Licorice.” She stepped closer, catching the pleasant fragrance of his leathery soap. She had to give him credit for being mighty clean for a rancher who worked so hard on his own spread. She pointed to the curled black strings in the case, Jacob’s favorite sweet. “And for anyone who doesn’t like that, lemon drops.”

  “Much obliged.” He ordered the candy and paid the clerk two dimes, then turned to her. “Coffee?”

  It was her turn to blink. Did she dare risk being seen by gossips who could help Uncle by casting aspersions on her character?

  “Come on.” Chuckling, he took her arm and guided her out of the store and back down the street to Mercy’s café.

  While Lula May looked up and down the road to see who might see them, Edmund focused on the café as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Which he probably didn’t. Once inside the café, he did have the good sense to settle them at a back table where few people would notice them. He pulled out the chair in the corner for her and, once she was seated, took the seat facing her, where his large frame easily shielded her from view. Had he done that on purpose? If so, it was a kind gesture that made her feel protected for the first time since Frank fell ill. In light of her current storm of difficulties, it felt good, felt right. Maybe for just a few minutes, as long as it took to drink a cup of coffee, she could hide behind Edmund and let herself enjoy the sentiment.

  After bringing coffee and sweet rolls, Mercy gave Lula May a wink. So much for hiding. At least Mercy wasn’t a gossip, as proved by the fact that no one at church seemed to know about Edmund helping Lula May home with the children after last week’s cattlemen’s meeting. If Constance Hickey or any of her friends heard that bit of news, they surely would have confronted Lula May and scolded her, just as Uncle had done, for “taking up” with Edmund so soon after Frank’s death.

  She studied her steaming cup for a few moments, then looked up. Edmund stared at her like he had something on his mind.

  “How’s your visit with your uncle going?”

  The shock of his perfectly polite question, spoken in the hushed voice he used when talking to Zephyr, along with the kind intensity in his green eyes, touched something deep inside her. Suddenly her own eyes burned and her throat tightened in a vain attempt to hold on to her emotions.

  “Fine. Just fine.” The words came out strangled and shaky.

  Edmund huffed out an impatient sigh. “Now, Lula May—” his eyebrows bent into a scolding frown “—I know better than that. Floyd Jones is a shyster, if ever I saw one. Why don’t you show him the door before he pulls some mean trick on you and your young’uns?”

  No matter how desperately she tried to rein in her emotions, tears slid down her cheeks, and her throat ached from unleashed sobs. Lord, help me not to fall apart. Please, please help me... Smack in the middle of her prayer, she sensed the Lord’s answer. Almost heard it, in fact. Help is here. Look across the table.

  She gasped softly. Edmund? As clearly as if the Lord had spoken aloud, she heard in her mind, Yes, Edmund.

  How long had she been ignoring the answer He had already provided? Edmund was the only one who had seen through Uncle’s tricks. And even if Lula May had to lose Edmund’s respect, he might be willing to help her for the sake of the children.

  Trembling, stammering, and swallowing sobs between her disjointed sentences, she began to pour out her sorry tale. Lord, please don’t let this good man despise me. She didn’t dare pray for more than that.

  * * *

  Edmund did his best not to shift in his chair, no matter how uncomfortable Lula May’s tears made him feel. He had no idea how to console her, but the Lord wanted him here and he’d do his best. He decided the best thing was to reach across the table and pat her hand, as he’d seen Josiah do for Betsy when she got emotional. In return, Lula May gave him a watery smile.

  “I’ve told you my parents died when I was twelve years old. Floyd Jones was my mother’s only brother, my only living relative, so I was sent to live with him. He wasn’t any happier about it than I was, and he pretty much kept me isolated from other people except to attend church.” She sniffed and swallowed like she was trying to get a hold on her tears. “Even though he never had a kind word for me, when I was about to turn eighteen, he announced his plans to marry me off to a wealthy friend of his so the man would pay off Floyd’s debts.” She shuddered involuntarily as though trying to shake off the memory.

  “I take it you didn’t think much of that friend.”

  “No.” She dabbed at her tears with the red-checkered napkin Mercy had provided with their rolls and coffee. “He was old and not at all pleasant. When he looked at me, I felt...uncomfortable.”

  Edmund took a bite of his sweet roll so she wouldn’t see the anger bu
ilding up inside of him. The bread was so sweet, it set his teeth on edge, reminding him that Lula May’s desserts always tasted just right. He dunked a corner of the roll into his cup of bitter coffee and took another small bite, then a sip. Neither was improved by the gesture. “How’d you persuade Floyd not to force you into the marriage?”

  “Oh, he had every intention of forcing me once I turned eighteen. One day I realized the only safe place for me was in another marriage, one of my own choosing.” She laughed at the obvious irony. “I prayed desperately for the Lord’s guidance. Tobias...you remember my talking about him?” At Edmund’s nod, she continued.

  “I wasn’t allowed to read anything but the Bible, but Tobias found a newspaper advertisement for a mail-order bride and told me he’d help me get away, if that was what I wanted. I couldn’t have done it without him and his sweet wife, Annie. Knowing Floyd would intercept any letters with my name on them at our local Theodore post office, I asked Tobias and Annie to mail my letters from Mobile. Once Frank and I agreed to meet to see if we were compatible, he sent money for my travel expenses through Tobias.”

  “Well, good for you and Tobias and Annie.” Edmund relaxed a bit. No doubt this solved her problem. What could Floyd do to her now? He sure couldn’t force her into another marriage.

  “That’s not all.” Guilt covered her face, and she chewed her lower lip.

  To his horror, Edmund had the oddest urge to plant a kiss on that lip. That made him no better than the old man who’d tried to marry her against her wishes. He studied the wall behind Lula May until he could get over the feeling. The last thing she needed was that sort of intrusion when he was supposed to be helping her. In truth, he had no idea how to kiss a woman. He cleared his throat. “Go on.”

  “My mother left me a pearl-and-diamond necklace, one her mother had given to her. When I went to live with Floyd, he laid claim to it. He said his mother never would have given it to a daughter who married a Yankee, as my mother did. But Grandma gave it to her for her sixteenth birthday, four years before she married my father.”