Sharon Poppen

by Hannah

  “Well,” asked Portly, “what’ll it be?”

  “How much is that stew?” Hannah asked.

  “All you can eat for fifty cents, along with endless refills of bread and coffee.”

  Hannah smiled. “I’ll start with two bowls, please.”

  The man nodded and then squinted to boldly check out his customer. “You a woman?” he asked a little too loudly.

  Hannah felt eyes bore into her as the chatter in the room faded in wait of her answer.

  She nodded.

  “Where’d you come from, girlie?”

  “Oh, back east. Come to join my brother on his ranch.”

  “Here in Nacogdoches?”

  “Near here, somewhere. He’s coming to pick me up this afternoon.” Annoyed that he was drawing so much attention to her, she pressed him for the food. “My stew? I’m powerful hungry.”

  “Be right back.” He made his way to the kitchen.

  Hannah kept her eyes on the scene outside the window to avoid the stares of the other diners. Eventually, the room began to fill with conversation as folks realized they weren’t going to get any additional information. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the stern looking man was watching her closely as he slobbered up his stew. The woman nibbled at little bites of her food and kept her eyes lowered.

  “Here ya go, girlie.”

  Hannah felt light-headed for a moment as she savored the aroma. She buttered a healthy slice of bread and began to eat. Halfway through the second bowl, she felt like she was being watched and glanced at the stern man. He and his companion nodded at Hannah and both managed a brief smile. She wasn’t sure if it was the lack of warmth in the woman’s smile, the hint of a leer in the man’s smile or just her desire to be left alone, but Hannah turned her attention back to her stew without acknowledging them.

  She finished her meal with a sigh of satisfaction, then set her spoon down and reached for a sip of her coffee. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the couple leave. For some reason, this made her relax. Having taken care of her hunger and thirst, she eased back into her chair and stared out into the busy street. Her sense of purpose began nagging at her to make some plans. Should she start her search here, in this town?

  It was certainly busy, she thought, and would draw unsavory men like Drake to fleece any naïve Indians, newly arrived greenhorns or God fearing ranchers who sought some fun during their rare nights away from the routine loneliness of life on the sparsely populated range. Yes, she decided. This was a place that would attract a taker like Drake.

  “Ma’am? More?” The portly waiter was back and clearing away her dirty dishes.

  “Oh, no, thank you,” Hannah said as she stood up and handed him the money for her meal and an extra ten cents for the service.

  “Thanks. Come again,” he called to her back as she headed outside.

  “Hello,” said the nervous woman who was standing just outside the eatery door. She touched Hannah’s arm. “My name is Sister Bertha Hoskins. My husband, Reverend Noah Hoskins, is the preacher here in town.”

  Hannah’s eyes darted about, but there was no sign of the stern man.

  “My husband was concerned about you,” continued the woman. “You look like maybe you’ve had some trouble. He felt that perhaps he, that is, we could help you.”

  “My brother is coming…”

  “My husband says that you’re too tanned and too roughly dressed to have just arrived from back east.”

  Hannah wanted to deny the woman’s assessment, but knew it was true. She’d never pass for a new arrival. She also remembered that she had only $1.40 left. To stay in this town, she’d need a place to sleep and money to pay for food.

  What could be safer than to accept help from a preacher? Despite a nagging, uneasy feeling, Hannah nodded. “I guess I could use some help, at least for awhile.”

  Hannah thought she detected a fleeting look of dismay cross Sister Bertha’s face before a pinched smile preceded a slight nod. “Come.” She turned and began to walk. “I’ll take you to our home.”

  Hannah fell in step alongside Bertha. “Where’s your husband?”

  “Oh, he’s always busy with one thing or another trying to bring people into God’s spiritual fold. He’ll be along shortly.”

  Bertha settled Hannah into a small room just off the kitchen area and then started some laundry. Although Hannah attempted to talk to Bertha about the arrangements and what would be expected of her to pay the Hoskins for their kindness, Bertha said they’d discuss that when Noah got home.

  The women spent the afternoon heating water, filling washtubs and scrubbing clothes. Once the clothes were rinsed and hung to dry, Bertha began making supper. Noah arrived home at dusk, just as Bertha set the food on the table.

  After dinner was finished, Bertha poured two cups of coffee and began to clean up the kitchen. Noah asked Hannah how she came to be in Nacogdoches dressed so poorly and with little money. Hannah took a sip of coffee, and then looked at Noah. She was about to tell her story when Bertha dropped a cup and broke it.

  “I’m so sorry. Oh, Noah. I’m so sorry.” The terrified woman apologized in a voice filled with more fear, than the loss of any cup should engender.

  “Clean it up, woman.” Noah did not even look at Bertha, but his flash of disgust was not lost on Hannah. “Now, child, tell me how you came to be here.” His attempt at concern fell flat on Hannah’s ears and she made a decision to lie.

  “I ran away from home back east. I’ve been moving west as best I can for more than a year now.”

  “You must have some interesting stories to tell.” His eyebrows raised in interest.

  “Not really. Just lots of walking and little eating.”

  Noah ran his finger around his cup and waited. When Hannah offered no more, he finally cleared his throat. “I see. Are you a Christian?”

  “My folks weren’t church goers.”

  “That’s a real shame, child.”

  Hannah nodded.

  “Well, if you’re agreeable to stay here for awhile, Bertha and I will show you how to accept God into your heart.”

  “I have no money. I can give you $1.40 for a couple nights and some food, but then I’d have to find a way to make some money.”

  “I think we can help you,” said Noah. Bertha had finished cleaning up the broken cup and had the kitchen in order. She sat down at the table just as Noah offered Hannah room and board for her services as a housekeeper for both his home and for the small rented room where he conducted his ministry. He never asked for Bertha’s opinion.

  Hannah wanted to say no, but she was tired, the food was good and staying in town would give her the opportunity to look for Drake and his men. Against her better judgment, she ignored a warning chill of unease and agreed to the arrangement.

  Chapter 4

  A Rosy Opportunity

  The floor creaked in protest. Hannah cringed. Hearing no reaction from the sleeping Reverend Noah and his wife Bertha, she moved to the small bureau holding her meager belongings. Once she was clad in Caleb’s shirt and overalls, she picked up the oversized socks and work boots. Clutching them to her chest, she took a deep breath and crept into the hallway. Once outside, she allowed herself to exhale and breathe in the cool night air.

  Sitting on the bottom porch step Hannah slipped into the footwear, and then hurried down the street and away from what two months ago had seemed her salvation. Avoiding the main streets of the dusty Texas trail town of Nacogdoches, she made her way along the clapboard residences. Eventually, she came to the rowdy saloons and eateries that serviced dusty cowpokes, gamblers and other prairie wanderers.

  With no moon to guide her, she carefully made her get-away through an alley behind the businesses. Thoughts of her late husband and his bullet-ridden body began to eat into her concentration. Hannah shook her head as if to dispel memories of her short life with Caleb as they’d sought to establish their cattle ranch.

  “No!” She focused on what had
become her obsession. Soundlessly moving her lips, she began her chant, “Drake. Benny. Beware. I will find you. Beware.”

  “No what?” A soft voice cut into the night.

  So deep was Hannah into her thoughts she almost missed it. It took a tiny, orange circle of fire and the earthy rich aroma of tobacco to catch her attention. “Who’s there?”

  “You’re the one skulking about. You should be answering questions.”

  Hannah heard the rustle of silk. That and an off-key piano echoing out into the night, lead her to believe it had to be one of ‘those’ women. Before she could answer, the night became illuminated. A chubby, blond woman had lit a lantern.

  The woman puffed on a long, slender cigar, smiled warmly and exhaled. “Honey, look at you! Good thing you’re such a pretty thing or that plumb awful outfit would make a body think you were a boy.”

  After a quick look down at her outfit, Hannah looked back at the woman, and without a word she turned to hurry away.

  “Wait, honey. I don’t mean no harm.”

  Hannah kept walking.

  “Where you going, dressed like that?”

  The question brought Hannah to a halt. Where, indeed, was she going? She turned around. “Don’t know. Just know I’ve got to go.”

  “Wait,” the woman stepped to the end of a porch. “Aren’t you the girl the Reverend took in?”

  Hannah turned away again.

  “Honey, listen. I understand. He’s a pig.”

  Hannah turned back and met the woman’s eyes.

  The woman nodded with a smirk. “Oh, yeah. I’ve seen that birthmark on his...”

  “He...” Hannah began.

  The woman raised her hand, “Never you mind. I can guess.”

  Hannah nodded.

  “Listen, girl. She tossed her cigar stub into the night. “I got some time. You want to talk?”

  Hannah’s Christian upbringing reared its influence. Color raced into her cheeks. “I ..., uh ..., well you’re ...”

  The woman smiled. “Well yes, I am.” The smile radiated warmth, along with pride, as she continued. “Name’s Ruby.” She held out her hand. “Girl, I’ve done a lot of things along the way, but honey, I seldom regret much of anything. Never seems to help. Out here, a woman, especially a woman alone, needs to do a lot of things to survive. But, I’ve learned that talking to someone often makes life a little easier.”

  Hannah managed a slight smile of agreement. Her first smile since...

  “Honey, among other things, I’m really good at listening.”

  Hannah remained where she was, but met the woman’s eyes. She reached for the extended hand. “I’ve been …, uh attacked.”

  “The Reverend?”

  Hannah nodded and blurted on. “And before him. Many men. They killed my husband and ...” Her body began to tremble. She could not speak through the flood of emotion she’d held in check for so long. The lantern light began to spin. As darkness began to overtake her, Hannah felt herself folded into Ruby’s warm arms.

  *****

  Hannah snuggled into the warm, downy bedding and scanned her surroundings. The ornate, but cozy, bedroom was awash in laces, velvets and satins in more shades of pink and red than she knew existed. The room was dominated by a large brass bed that had offered Hannah her first good night’s sleep since the attack.

  She managed a smile remembering her encounter with Ruby last night. Hannah had come around in this very room. Ruby had provided soup and hot scented tea. Hannah shared the horror of the attack at the ranch that resulted in her husband’s death and the ravaging of her body. The effects of the tea kicked in and the last thing Hannah remembered was feeling safe. A knock on the door brought Hannah out of her reverie.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s Ruby. May I come in?”

  “Yes, of course.” Hannah threw back the covers and was about to get up when Ruby entered carrying a tray.

  “No, no. Don’t get up. I’ve brought some coffee and pastry.” She motioned for Hannah to sit back against the pillows, and then set the tray across her lap. Ruby poured the coffee, and then sat on the edge of the bed and sipped the hot brew.

  “I don’t know what to say,” Hannah began.

  Ruby smiled. “Don’t say anything until you’ve had some coffee.” She saluted Hannah with her cup.

  Hannah took her advice. “It’s wonderful.”

  Ruby nodded. “Yes. There’s nothing like a good cup of coffee.” She took another sip and sighed with satisfaction. “So, now we talk. Before you fell asleep last night I got the feeling that you were about to tell me something about the men who attacked you.”

  “It’s why I came to Nacogdoches. I’ve got to find them.”

  “And then what?”

  “Kill them.”

  “Ah, you make it sound so easy.”

  “Well, I …, they must … a …, well wouldn’t you want to kill them, too?”

  “Yes. I would.” She raised her hand to silence Hannah’s response. “But, wanting to and doing it are two separate things. You need to think this through.”

  “I have a plan.” Hannah set her cup down indignantly.

  “A plan? Hum, did it include the hypocritical man of God you were running from last night?”

  Hannah bit her lip and turned to avoid looking at Ruby.

  Ruby smiled. “Hey, girl, I’m on your side and so is half this town. Why that poor wife of his puts up with him is a mystery.”

  “She’s afraid of him. He beats her, but only where people can’t see.”

  “The bastard! Poor Bertha.” She took a moment to refill their cups. “But you, Hannah, you got away from him. You had the inner strength to get away. You need to focus that strength on making a new life for yourself.”

  Hannah shook her head. “Not until those men have paid for what they did to my husband, to me.”

  Hannah watched reluctant acceptance appear in Ruby’s eyes. The older woman’s face softened into a smile that let Hannah know she’d gotten into Ruby’s heart. It came as no surprise to Hannah to hear Ruby’s next words.

  “Describe these men to me. I see all kinds come through my doors. Maybe I can help.”

  “The leaders name is Drake.” Hannah described the men in great detail.

  “They aren’t familiar to me. Have you talked with any lawmen?”

  “I can’t go to the law.” She dropped her eyes and grew quiet.

  “They can probably help. I know …”

  “They would want to see the bodies.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t go back there. I barely had the strength to leave when I did. If I go back, I’d have to see where …” Her voice broke.

  “It’s okay. I understand.” Ruby waited for Hannah to gather her composure.

  Finally, Hannah cleared her throat. “Do you have my clothes?”

  Ruby smiled. “They’re being laundered.”

  “I need to move on.”

  “Why don’t you stay here for awhile?”

  “This is a …”

  “Yes, it is.” The women shared a moment of acceptance and then Ruby continued. “You can work for me. Serve drinks, clean, sew and help in many ways.”

  Hannah pondered the offer. “I wouldn’t have to …”

  “That would be up to you.”

  Hannah found that Ruby’s offer didn’t give her the nagging concern that she’d experienced when trying to decide whether to accept the Reverend’s offer. She saw honesty in Ruby’s eyes. She made her decision. “Thank you.”

  Ruby smiled. “Now, let’s try out these lovely apple fritters.” She handed one to Hannah and took one for herself.

  Once Ruby left the room, Hannah thought about her decision to stay. She was quickly learning that a woman alone had to do whatever it took to survive out here. And, Ruby’s offer gave Hannah a new opportunity to continue her search for the men who’d killed her husband. As she sat up and reached for the rose-colored, silk robe Ruby had laid out for her, Hannah reminded herself, �
��Now is not the time to wallow in regret of what might have been. I’ve got a lot of wrongs to right.”

  She opened the door and set out to explore this new chapter of her life dealing with the search for Drake and his gang. The name of her husband’s killer and the ravager of her body and soul generated a dreaded chill up and down her spine. Hannah pulled the ties to her robe together in a manner she’d like to use around Drake’s neck.

  Chapter 5

  Benny, the Judge, and Hannah

  Hannah was pouring a second cup of tea when she noticed Ruby’s smile. “Something’s funny?”

  “You.” Ruby teased.

  “Me?”

  Ruby nodded. “I see you so poised and lovely, and then an image appears and I see you on that night we met in the alley.”

  Hannah blushed. “I was a sight.” Self-consciously, one hand combed through her long scented hair, while the other caressed the coolness of her pink satin dress.

  “Now, girl, don’t question yourself.”

  Hannah stopped fussing. “I’m not.” She sipped her tea. “It’s just that I never dreamed I’d be here a week, let alone six months.”

  “You expected Drake and his cowards to just walk in here?”

  “Ruby, there were so many. I felt sure one of them would wander in here or that I’d hear that murderer’s name mentioned with a lead as to his whereabouts.”

  “Hannah, it’s time you let it go.” Ruby waved off an interruption. “Look at you. You’re beautiful, the men adore you, you seem happy and you’ve become like a ..., well hell, a daughter to me. Let it go. Don’t let the past take away your future.”

  They’d been over this countless times. Commonsense agreed with Ruby. Hannah would never be Caleb’s innocent bride again. If fact, after the last six months, she’d probably never be anyone’s bride again. She’d endured the fawning and pawing of countless men as she cooed and coaxed them into whispering their fantasies and dark secrets. She sipped some tea to stem memories of their disgusting revelations. But, it had all been in vain. Not one man had mentioned Drake or Benny.

  “Go ahead, cry.” Ruby offered a handkerchief. “You’re going to bite your bottom lip off if you don’t.”

  Hannah relaxed and took the handkerchief. “Thank you.” The distraction had curbed her tears and helped her gain control of her emotions. “I’m sorry. I know you’re right, but...”