“Count me in,” Tony said.
“Me, too, Boss.”
“You all head home. I’ve got to see a man about a new saloon for this town.”
Chapter 11
The next evening, Wilt stared at Ty as if he thought his cousin had suggested they burn down the town. “What do you mean, we’re going to finance a saloon?”
Ty had expected this reaction, but he plunged ahead with an explanation. “Longstreet has banned anyone with any Indian blood from his establishment. That includes you and me, our hands, and everyone else in town who happens to have an Indian ancestor.”
“At least we don’t have to go to Longstreet’s place for a drink. We keep a pretty good supply in the house.”
“Sure we do, and I know it doesn’t matter to us, but what about the guys that work for us? We can’t supply them with beer and liquor.”
“So what? They’ll manage to find their hooch somewhere.”
Ty eyed him. “Do you really believe what you’re saying?”
Wilt frowned. “I guess not, but I still don’t see us financing a saloon so our hands can get drunk.”
“We and most of our hands aren’t the only Indians in and around Deer Meadow, Wilt. Think about them, too. As I said, Longstreet banned all Indians.”
“But what about our promise to Aunt Chapa?”
“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Chapa came through the front door to the veranda where the cousins were sitting in chairs, drinking coffee and smoking cigars. She had a cup of coffee in her hand.
“You just might have heard your name, but you know it was something good if I said it.” Ty nodded to a rocker. “Have a seat and join us.”
“Where’s Mea Ann?” Wilt asked.
“Xenia’s much better tonight, and since Johnny has gone to sleep, Mea Ann wanted to spend some time with her. I thought I’d give them some privacy. They haven’t been able to spend much time together since they got here, and this will give them a chance. Now, what’s this I heard you saying about me?”
Wilt looked at Ty. “It’s your idea so I think you should tell her what you have in mind.”
Ty nodded. “I need to explain a few things to both of you. But first, Aunt Chapa, how about pulling your chair where you can see through the door.”
She frowned. “Why in the world?”
“I don’t want Mea Ann to hear what I’m about to tell you and you can warn me if she starts outside.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will as soon as I tell you what I found when I went to town yesterday.”
Chapa moved her chair. “I can see directly to the hall. Now, what’s this all about?”
When Ty finished telling them about Seymour Longstreet and his plans for the Poindexter sisters, Chapa looked stunned, but Wilt said, “I’ll kill that sonofabitch.”
“My first thought, too, but then he came to have a little conversation with me.”
“About what?” Chapa asked.
“The fool knows his nieces are here. He even asked me to bring them to him and…well, you can guess what he said my reward would be.”
“That dirty scoundrel.”
“I think that word is a little weak to describe him, Aunt Chapa.”
“You’re damn right it is,” Ty said. “That’s why I decided to hit him where it’ll really hurt.”
“Where’s that?”
“He’s the greediest man I’ve ever seen. He’ll stop at nothing to try to get Xenia and Mea Ann. That’s why he said anybody with any Indian blood in them would no longer be allowed in his saloon. I’m sure he thought the Indians would put so much pressure on me we’d let him have the sisters.”
“Now, I understand.” Wilt nodded. “You want to set somebody else up in a saloon so he’ll not only lose the Indian trade, but others will desert his establishment when he can’t pay off the bets people have placed.”
“That’s right, and I have just the right person in mind. The barkeep, Hiram Albright has wanted to get away from Longstreet for a long time and he knows all about how to run a saloon. He just hasn’t had the money to start a place of his own.”
Chapa looked directly at him. “And you were going to do this without talking to me?”
“Not at all, Aunt Chapa. That’s why you heard your name when you came out here. I was telling Wilt why I needed to talk to you.”
“I see.” She glanced through the screen door. “Here comes Mea Ann. We’ll have to discuss this later.”
Wilt jumped up and met her at the door. “I know you’re still limping a bit, so let me help you.”
“Thank you, Wilt, but my foot is getting much better.”
“I’ll get you a chair so you can join us.”
She smiled up at him.
Ty almost shook his head, but stopped himself from saying anything to them. His mind didn’t stop working, though.
How can Wilt fall for this woman so quickly? Didn’t he learn anything from my episode with Verna McGill? Does he think this woman is different? I know we have to prevent Longstreet from getting his hands on these sisters, but then, we need to send them packing for Virginia. They don’t belong here and never will, no matter how he feels about Mea Ann.
“Is Xenia asleep?”
Mea Ann took the chair Wilt pulled up beside his and answered Chapa’s question. “Yes. I heard Johnny moving around and went to check on him. He went right back to sleep. I went back to join Xenia, but when I looked into her room, I decided not to enter. She was sleeping peacefully.”
Chapa nodded. “Rest is what she needs.”
“I agree. She’s beginning to look a lot better. I’m sure she’ll be her old self in no time, thanks to Chapa’s care.” Mea Ann looked at Ty. “Did you ever find out why that horrible salesman did this to Xenia?”
“I haven’t been able to talk to him.”
“Why not? I’m sure the sheriff would have let you see him.”
“Somebody had bailed him out of jail.”
“How could somebody do that?” She grew angry. “He kidnapped my sister. You said so yourself. He should never get out of jail.”
Wilt took hold of her arm. “Don’t blame Ty because the man was out of jail, honey. He’s furious about it, too.”
She shook her head. “I’d never blame him. I’m sorry if you thought I was accusing you of not caring, Ty. I know you’re concerned about Xenia, but it frustrates me when they put somebody like him back on the street. Who knows who he’ll attack next?”
Ty couldn’t help but be a little surprised when she apologized to him. He decided to tell her a little of what was going on. “It frustrates me, too. I did find out that the hotel threw him out of there after he was arrested. I don’t know if Bullins is still in town, but my guess is that he’s around somewhere.”
“Do you think he’ll try to get to Xenia again?”
Chapa butted in. “You don’t have to worry about that, Mea Ann. There’s no way these fellows are going to let that scoundrel get anywhere near Xenia, or you either, for that matter.”
“Why would they want to get me?”
Ty shot Wilt a look, but she saw it. “What’s going on?”
Wilt stood. “Mea Ann, will you take a walk with me?”
“But—”
“Do you trust me, Mea Ann?”
“Of course, I do, but—”
“Then please come along. I’ll explain some things we’ve learned are going on. I think you need to know them.”
“But my ankle.”
“We won’t walk far. Just down to the creek, and if you get tired, I’ll carry you.”
“What if Johnny needs me and—”
Chapa interrupted. “Don’t worry about Johnny, Mea Ann. I’ll take good care of him if he wakes up.”
Wilt reached out his hand to her. “Are you ready?”
She took his hand. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Ty watched them go across the veranda. “I wonder if he’ll tell her everything.”
&nbs
p; “Maybe he should. She’s stronger than you think, and she can handle it.” Before Ty had a chance to answer, Chapa jumped up.
“What is it?”
“Xenia moaned. I better check her.” She headed into the house.
Ty followed.
****
As they neared the creek, Wilt reached down and took Mea Ann’s hand. He was pleased when she didn’t pull hers away.
“When are you going to start explaining to me what’s happening, Wilt?”
Her voice was soft and he let it wash over him. “I’m trying to decide where to begin.”
“What’s wrong with the beginning?”
He chuckled. “You’re right. Then let me begin with this. Your uncle is not now, nor has he ever been, in jail for a crime he didn’t commit—and he’s never faced a hangman’s noose. He wrote you that lie to trick you and Xenia into coming to Deer Meadow.”
She stopped and glared at him. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying your uncle Seymour had a more nefarious plan for you and your sister.”
“Why would he do that?”
He turned and put his hands on her shoulder. “Everyone in this world is not trustworthy, Mea Ann. Your uncle happens to be one of those who isn’t.”
He saw tears gather in her eyes. “I don’t want to believe you, but my whole family in Virginia says Uncle Seymour isn’t one to be trusted. Yet—”
“You said you trusted me.”
“I do.”
“I wouldn’t tell you something that wasn’t true.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” His face came close to hers. “I knew the minute I climbed into that stagecoach and saw you sitting across the aisle from me that I’d never be anything but honest with you. You looked so wonderful with Johnny in your arms I told myself that if you didn’t have a husband, and if I ever had the chance, I’d—well—”
She frowned at him. “Please, don’t stop. Tell me what you were about to say.”
“I’m not sure I should.” Before she could ask him why, he blurted, “I know you will probably never feel that way about me as I do you, but I care deeply for you, Mea Ann. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Why shouldn’t you?”
“You know why. You’re from the city, and I’m a rancher. You’re used to the finer things in life and though I have some money, I lead a simple life. Besides all that, you’re white and I’m part Indian. In this day and time, that’s a big hurdle to overcome.”
“I understand that. I’ve already felt it because of Johnny.”
“That’s only a small dosage of what you’d feel if I were to escort you into some strange town in the west.”
“So you’ve decided what I’ll feel?”
“Not exactly, but I bet your parents would be beyond upset if they knew you were staying at a ranch owned by cousins, and their Indian aunt is the housekeeper.”
When she said nothing, he asked, “Don’t you have anything to say?”
She touched his cheek and whispered, “I was waiting for you to finish talking.”
“I’m through.”
“I don’t want to say anything.”
His brow wrinkled. “Why not?”
“Because I want you to take me in your arms and kiss me.”
Stunned, Wilt could only stare at her. He watched as she dropped her gaze, and he knew if it wasn’t getting dark he would see her face had turned crimson. He put his finger under her chin and tilted her head back. Tears slid down her cheeks.
Using his thumb, he rubbed them away. “I’m sorry, Mea Ann. Please, don’t cry. I don’t want you to be hurt.”
She pulled away. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I made a fool of myself.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Of course I did. I thought you felt the same way about me as I do you, but I couldn’t be more wrong.” She pulled away from him. “As soon as Xenia is able to travel, she, Johnny, and I will go away. You won’t have to be nice to me anymore.”
As she started to walk away, Wilt grabbed her arm. “I won’t let you leave me.”
“I don’t see how you can stop us. Besides, I now know you care nothing about us. Especially me.” She began to sob. “Let me go, Wilt. I can’t stay here and humiliate myself any longer.”
“You didn’t humiliate—”
“Of course I did. I thought you cared for me, but I know now, you were only being kind. I should have never let my feelings for you show. Then, I could have gone away and still thought you cared.” She broke loose and headed for the house.
Wilt caught her. “You’ve got it all wrong, Mea Ann.”
“No, I—”
“Yes, you have. If you’ll listen, I’ll tell you the truth. If you want to go to the house, then I won’t stop you.”
She sighed. “Alright, Wilt. If you insist, I’ll listen; but I don’t think you’ll make me not regret my confession about my feelings.”
“Let’s sit on that rock over there.” He led her to the rock and sat beside her.
She didn’t say anything as she spread her skirt out, indicating she wanted him to sit somewhere else. He ignored it and pushed skirt next to her leg then sat down beside her. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away.
He took a deep breath. “Mea Ann, I realize you wanted me to kiss you and the Good Lord knows how much I wanted to do it, but I was scared.”
She gave him a quick look. “I can’t imagine you scared of anything, Wilt Eldridge.”
“Most things don’t scare me, but that did. I’m also scared about telling you something that you have a right to know.”
She frowned. “What?”
He took a deep breath. “A little over five years ago I was married to an Indian woman named Juanita. Our marriage lasted only a few months because she caught the fever that was going around. She died. I decided then and there I’d never give my heart to another woman. I kept that vow until the day I met you.”
Mea Ann started to say something, but he stopped her. “There’s more. Shortly after Juanita died, Ty met a woman he thought he loved…and he also thought she loved him. It turned out she only wanted his money. When she realized he couldn’t take his fortune with him if he left Arizona with her, she turned on him. Told him no white woman could ever love a breed like him. He believed her, and I guess—in a way, his feelings rubbed off on me.”
“I don’t understand what Ty’s bad experience or your first wife have to do with me.”
“I didn’t realize how much his feelings had affected me.” He reached for her hand again. This time, she let him hold it. “When I climbed into that stagecoach that day, I’ve never been as attracted to a woman as I was to you, but I knew nothing could ever come of it. There you sat with Johnny in your lap, and I thought you must be married. Then, I heard your story—and though it took a little while, I realized you weren’t looking after that baby because you were doing your Christian duty, you were doing it because you really cared for him.”
“I love Johnny with all my heart.”
“I don’t doubt that. Still, I didn’t think you could ever care for me. A man who was part Indian. A man who had been married. A man who, because of his cousin’s experience, didn’t fully trust white women.” He paused and took another deep breath. “Oh, I knew you liked me, or I was pretty sure you did, but that was all I thought you felt. It didn’t matter that I was falling in love with you. I couldn’t imagine anything ever coming of it. I didn’t feel worthy of your love.” He sighed. “Then you asked me to kiss you…and when I looked in your eyes, I knew you meant it. I was so stunned by your caring that I messed the whole thing up.”
“Are you saying you do care about me?”
He looked directly at her. “I don’t just care about you, Mea Ann. I love you. You may never feel that way about me, but I can’t hold it back any longer. I love you, and I want you to love me back more than anything in this world.”
She
looked into his eyes and tears welled up in hers. Then, she did something that again stunned him. She reached up and brushed her lips against his. “None of what you told me affects what I feel. I love you, Wilt. I love you with all my being.”
He knew the smart thing to do would be to push her away from him and tell her it could never work out. They were from two different worlds, and neither would fit in the other’s life. If they became a couple, things around here wouldn’t be too hard on them. His money and the investments he had in town would see to that. But that was only true in Deer Meadow. Other towns wouldn’t be so forgiving. Society in the west wasn’t ready for white women to marry men with Indian blood. If she had ideas of being more to him than a hopeful dream she would soon learn it could never be. Not only would society be against them, but what about her family? He was sure her father and mother and whoever else she was close to would never accept a breed into their midst. As for Xenia, she would probably support her sister, but was that enough?
Even as these thoughts tumbled through his mind, he couldn’t resist his feelings for her any longer. Without further hesitation, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. He felt every inch of his body being surrounded by her presence and her love. It was too late to think of other things. Mea Ann Poindexter was the love he’d waited all his life to find. A love he had begun to doubt existed. But he was wrong. Here she was in his arms, and no matter what happened in the future, there was no way he would ever let this woman leave his life. He’d found his destiny, and nobody in his life or hers was going to deny him the pleasure of loving Mea Ann for the rest of his life.
Wilt pulled away and looked down at her and whispered, “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“What?” she whispered back.
“It means I’m asking you to marry me, Mea Ann. I may not be the kind of man you expected to spend your life with. I may not be the kind you want as a husband, but I love you and I’ll always love you. I’ll be good to you and I’ll try my best to make you happy, because I want us to be together forever. Will you marry me?”
She gave him a big smile. “I want to say yes right away, but I have to consider what you feel about Johnny. As far as I’m concerned, he’s my son and he’ll always be my son.”
Xenia’s Renegade Page 14
