by Iris Kelly
“But I am not family. I am not your wife. This is unheard of.”
“No, you’re not my wife. And that may well be because I don’t deserve a lady like you. You are unlike any woman on the face of this earth. You are brave, braver than me. Bein’ a man and a rancher don’t require much courage at all. But you had to have real grit to go after what you wanted, to not turn tail and run back to a city that was safe and familiar. To face down those thievin’ varmints. And not leavin’ it in the hands of fate whether or not you’re gonna have the children that you want. You’re smart, and so kind, so full of life and spirit, and excitement, and so . . . so . . . so . . . darn pretty. Prettier every time I look at you, and I don’t know how you manage to do that.”
Lydia’s heart began to pound so rapidly, it felt as if it were about to burst. All of those enviable scenes of passion she had witnessed these past few months were starting to pale against the one that was unfolding right before her.
“Take care with your words, Mr. Cooper, or someone is likely to mistake you for a man thoroughly consumed by love.”
She couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from twitching into an impish smile. Giles pulled her tightly to him and covered her smile with a kiss. It had been so many long years since either of them had felt a kiss. Giles’s lips moved from her mouth down to her neck. Lydia was glad she was already sitting, for her knees would surely have buckled.
And his hands! They were on her waist but slowly edging beyond.
“Mr. Cooper! We have matters to discuss, do we not?”
Giles sighed happily. “The only question I have is . . . do you want to get married before or after we go fetch our children?”
“THAT is the only question!? That is the most presumptuous ‘only question’ I have ever heard.”
Giles grabbed her hands, his pleading eyes filled with longing.
“Will you have me?”
Lydia teased him with a moment of indecision.
“Yes, Mr. Cooper. Yes, I certainly will.”
His head dropped with relief, and he raised her hands closer and reverently kissed them. Then he remembered her lips. As Lydia found herself once again engulfed in his ardent embrace, she couldn’t help but remember her own words to young Fanny. Given a husband who is affectionate and wildly in love, this may very well turn out to be your favorite part of being married.
Indeed.
EPILOGUE
Giles was a bit apprehensive when Lydia mentioned that she was hoping for a wedding journey. But he was relieved and grateful to hear her choice of destination: San Francisco. Lydia wanted to eventually meet all four of Giles’s other children, starting with Hannah, the oldest daughter, and the three grandchildren he himself had never met.
They left for a full month, assured that both ranches were in capable hands.
Giles’s reunion with his eldest was so heartfelt that Lydia’s heart almost burst to witness it. Hannah cried and cried in her father’s arms as if she would never stop. Her mother had died while Hannah was in San Francisco with a newborn baby. There was no way that she could have made it home for the funeral, and she had always carried the burden of that regret with her. Giles comforted her and let her know that she did exactly the right thing in tending to her young family.
Hannah’s children were wildly excited to meet their grandfather and grandmother. It was a position that came with such unconditional love, that Lydia found she didn’t at all mind becoming a grandmother—though it was ironic that it should so closely precede acquiring her own children.
And Hannah’s husband, Eli, was an enthusiastic host. He had regrets about taking Hannah so far from family, and it did his heart good to see her joy now. He and Lydia listened respectfully as Giles and Hannah reminisced about Emily. Lydia didn’t mind; in fact, she was very encouraging. By all accounts, Emily had been a wonderful person and had earned every fond memory.
In addition to the charm of visiting family, San Francisco was a lovely place to see. Hannah’s family took them on several excursions to see the ocean and other local sights. The visit lasted just over two weeks. It was a sad goodbye, but filled with promises of future visits. Winter was a slow time on the ranch; a year from now would be a good time to visit, maybe even over that Christmas. And by then, Giles and Lydia would have two children of their own.
*****
After returning, they decided to hold off on the adoptions for a few months. As much as they both looked forward to the new additions, there was something undeniably cozy and intimate about having the house all to themselves.
It was a great luxury to indulge in a banquet of affection, after such a prolonged drought on both sides. Though it was mutually understood that their union was not likely to result in a pregnancy, they quickly agreed that, out of respect for marital traditions, that it was their duty to try. And keep trying. Who knew such satisfaction could be had at their advanced years!
Their domestic privacy was only breached when Mrs. Bradley, the newly hired cook and housekeeper, stopped in four days a week. When Giles wondered if her services could now be dispensed with, Lydia let him know in no uncertain terms that her time would be more than occupied by the supervision of her ranch and the raising of two young children.
“Moreover, there is no guarantee that your affection will survive my cooking. Mrs. Bradley stays.”
Lydia’s ranch remained her separate legal property. She and Giles agreed it would be easier to assert her rights with the Stock Association if she was seen as a property owner. Though it was no longer the Maxwell Ranch—there being no need to glorify the name of Lydia’s late husband. Instead, Beantown Ranch was the banner hoisted up at the gate.
Clem and Elwood had sheepishly returned to the Cooper Ranch after it became clear that was where Lydia was going to be living. It was, after all, the best of both worlds for them—a pretty and charming lady of the house, as well as their gruff but dependable old boss.
Tommy, of course, remained the new foreman at Lydia’s ranch. She was certain she had noticed him showing some partiality toward a young lady at Fanny’s wedding, and she thought it was a good idea to assist in his settling down.
“I won’t be using the ranch house, and it’s in very good condition. You should live there. Well, why should you have to be in a bunkhouse your entire life? No reason you shouldn’t be able to be the foreman and have a family as well,” Lydia said.
The look on Tommy’s face was priceless. He had thought a family just wasn’t in the cards for him. Now, here he was being given a home—one he had every intention of using! Lydia was pleased to see his excitement. Why shouldn’t everyone have the chance to have love and happiness?
*****
Soon enough, it was time to meet the orphan train, and meet their new children.
Over thirty children poured out of the train car; they had been ordered to stand apart from one another so that they could be inspected more clearly. They were plainly dressed, all ages and all dispositions: nervous, quarrelsome, shy, hopeful, hopeless. Several small groups of adults were there to look them over, mostly ranchers, with a few farmers or businessmen looking for an extra pair of hands to get work done—and a few unsavory types hanging around. Giles recognized Zachary Scott, a brothel owner, among them.
The woman in charge, Miss Abrams, approached Lydia and Giles with a healthy, drooling baby in her arms, and she was trailed by an anxious young boy.
“Here we go. You said that you wanted a ten-year-old boy and a baby girl. You got very lucky with the baby. We only got her just about a month ago. Her name’s Ruby, although, of course, you can choose another name if you’d like.”
Lydia could hardly breathe. Ruby was adorable, sunny and gurgling, and as alert as could be. She looked to be about six months old.
“She’s gotten used to milk from a bottle, and a little applesauce. We’ll give you some for your journey,” Miss Abrams added.
“What happened to her parents?” Lydia asked eagerly, taking the child
into her arms.
“Um . . . I suppose you should know, her mother is . . .” Miss Abrams’s voice dropped to a whisper, “one of our unfortunate soiled doves. Which also answers your question about the father. If this changes your mind, I quite understand.”
Lydia’s arms tightened around her new baby. “Nothing has changed. Not even her name. She is a jewel, and Ruby suits her just fine.”
And Lydia suited Ruby just fine as well. The baby very contentedly laid her head against Lydia’s chest. Miss Abrams pulled the boy forward.
“This is Eric. Just about to turn ten. Looks older, doesn’t he? He’s gonna be a tall one.”
“Hello, Eric,” Lydia said gently. “So you have a birthday coming up. We’ll have to have a little celebration for that. If you’d like to come and live with us, that is.”
Eric didn’t know what to say. He had been overlooked so many times that he had been sure this day would never come.
“What do you say, boy?” Giles prodded. “You ready to have a ma and a pa and a baby sister? And work hard? And live in a good home? And get some schoolin’? I insist that all my young’uns learn their readin’ and writin’.”
“I already know some,” Eric said. “Kathleen done taught me.”
“We’ll teach you even more, Eric,” Lydia urged. “I think you’ll be happy with us. In fact, I know it.”
Eric nodded, still incredulous.
“Good. That’s settled,” Giles said.
A very tall girl, Kathleen, had slowly approached the group.
“Are they takin’ Ruby?”
“They sure are. They’re going to give her a wonderful home,” Miss Abrams said.
“Would it be all right if we had a minute to say goodbye to her?”
“All right, but make it quick. We don’t want to leave these good people waiting.”
Lydia carefully handed the baby over to Kathleen, who took her over to a group of the children. Although Miss Abrams tried to engage her in small talk, Lydia couldn’t take her eyes off her new baby. Meanwhile, Giles was preoccupied with trying to put Eric at ease.
Lydia watched as Kathleen bent to the ground and held the baby out to be embraced by a very young boy; he couldn’t be more than four years old. And Kathleen kept one arm around him, as if he was in sore need of comfort. Lydia broke away and approached the children in search of an explanation.
Giles continued to talk to Eric, but he was surprised to see his wife return briskly, with not only the baby, but the four-year-old as well. Kathleen was trailing anxiously behind.
“Miss Abrams! Why didn’t you tell us that Ruby had a brother? You were going to let us separate brother and sister?”
“Mrs. Cooper. I know that folks have very set ideas about what they want. You wanted a ten-year-old boy and a baby girl. I didn’t want to ruin little Ruby’s future by adding any encumbrances that would have caused you to change your mind about her.”
“Encumbrances! Giles?”
Giles looked at the tiny young boy. He was full of tears at the thought of losing the only family he had in the world. A sharp stab of memory came to him at the long-forgotten image of being dragged away from his own brother at much the same age. A story that Lydia clearly remembered as well.
“What’s your name, son?”
“It’s Benjamin,” Miss Abrams offered. “No last name, for either one of them.”
“Then Cooper it is,” Giles announced. “Benjamin, you’re comin’ home with us and your sister, and Eric here. We’re gonna be your ma and pa. You think you’d like that?”
Benjamin reached out to touch his baby sister. He nodded delightedly.
“Benjamin is a very distinguished name,” Lydia said. “I’ll bet you were named after Benjamin Franklin. I’ll read to you about him one day. For now, maybe we’ll call you Benjy.”
“I ain’t got all day to wait here,” an unpleasant voice boomed from behind them. “I came to find a girl to work in my saloon.” It was Zachary Scott. The distasteful man gave Kathleen a rude, lustful examination, from top to bottom. “This one’ll do just fine. I’ll pay good wages. She sure ain’t gonna be adopted at this age. Time for her to earn her way in this world.”
Lydia bristled. Why should this poor girl be at the mercy of a miscreant like this? She looked at Giles with pleading eyes. Giles scoffed, but there was nothing he wouldn’t do for the woman who had ended his grief and answered his prayers. And this worthless snake was getting on his nerves.
“I don’t know about too old for adoption. Seems to me she could use a pa and a ma as well as anyone. What’s your name, girl?”
“Kathleen.”
“That’s the one who helps me with my readin’,” Eric chimed in.
“And we are Giles and Lydia Cooper. How old are you, Kathleen?” Lydia asked.
“Seventeen, ma’am.”
“Well, I have no doubt you are very smart, and helpful, and kind. And I think you need to come home with us. You can help take care of the little ones. And we’ll help you out with your education. Take it as far as you’d like. There are women’s colleges now, you know. For teachers and nurses. We’ll help you get well situated in life. After a few years with us, of course. We’d love to have you.”
Now, it was Kathleen’s eyes that filled with tears. “I’m too old to be adopted.”
Lydia stepped forward and pulled the girl into her arms. “Says who?”
“Hmmph. Says me,” Zachary Scott said. “But I guess I could take this one just as well.” He gestured toward a fourteen-year-old girl who had crept up behind Kathleen and was carefully listening in.
“What are you still doin’ here? How’d you like to adopt the wrong end of my rifle?” Giles said threateningly. Zachary grumbled profanities, but backed away.
“I don’t know if I can leave,” Kathleen said, looking remorsefully over at the other girl.
“You have to, Kathleen. This is everything you’ve always wanted. A real home. A nice ma and pa. Gettin’ educated. Don’t you worry about me. I know how to take care of myself. And who knows, maybe one day, someone’ll come along who’s crazy enough to take me home.”
Lydia and Giles exchanged an incredulous look. Lydia tried to hide her smile. She knew what was coming next.
“Well, aren’t you the one in luck,” Giles scoffed. “Ain’t no one crazier than the Coopers. At least, not today. What’s your name, girl?”
“Amanda.”
“Amanda. Kathleen. You go and get your things right quick. And you help these boys get their things together too. Just your good things. All of you will be gettin’ new clothes.”
Amanda stood frozen, disbelieving.
“You waitin’ for an engraved invitation?”
Kathleen and Amanda hugged each other, squealing with glee.
“Go on, girls, get your things,” Lydia urged.
The four children ran back to the train car excitedly. Lydia still had baby Ruby cradled in her arms.
“Five? Five!” Giles marveled. “We came here for two children, Mrs. Cooper. Never in my life have I known a plan to go so awry.”
Lydia laughed at him. “You can’t fool me, Giles Cooper. The thought of a full house has you tickled pink. Admit it.”
“Shoo. I’m gonna go move some things around in the wagon to make a little more room.” He made long strides in that direction, then turned around. “I wonder if any of them even know how to ride.” Yeah. There were good times ahead.
Miss Abrams had watched the unfolding scene with heartfelt gratitude. She had never seen anything like it. Five children! Benjamin and Ruby staying together. And the older girls being kept safe from the likes of that awful saloon owner. She couldn’t imagine a better day.
At last, all bags were packed, the wagon was loaded, and everyone was ready to go. Lydia looked at all the faces lined up on the back seat, so dear to her already. “Who wants to go home?” she asked.
The loud, boisterous replies behind them were a thrilling hint for Giles and Lyd
ia of the lovely, chaotic, exhausting, exhilarating days to come. Home was truly about to become home.
~THE END~
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AUTHOR BIO
Iris Kelly is a bit of a wanderer, and her homes have stretched from sea to shining sea - including equal amounts of time in Boston and New Mexico. She enjoys travel, movies, hiking, reading, the desert sky, and great love stories.
Iris has had every job under the sun, including a memorable stretch as a teacher. But being a writer is her favorite vocation - by a mile. Her affinity for Westerns runs back to reading every book in the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series, and watching every episode of Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman.
She is fascinated by autobiographical accounts of women’s lives in the Old West; particularly the divide between popular myth and surprising realities.
