He slid his finger down her cheek. “No, Mea Ann. Johnny’s not only your son. He’s our son.”
“Oh, Wilt. It thrills me to hear you say that. I can’t wait to marry you, because I love you and want to be with you forever, too. I want to be your wife, and I want to have your children.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, because I want us to give Johnny some brothers and sisters.”
The smile she gave him was so brilliant he thought his heart would burst. He pulled her back in his arms and got lost in her kisses.
Chapter 12
As Chapa walked into Xenia’s room, Johnny let out a yell. She laughed and turned to Ty. “Maybe I better check the wee one since Wilt and Mea Ann aren’t back. How about you seeing if Xenia is awake, or if the was moaning in her sleep?”
“I’ll do it. What should I do if she continues to moan?”
“Just watch her. If she wakes up and is in a lot of pain, give her a spoonful of laudanum. It’s on the table beside the bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ty entered Xenia’s room and moved to the bed. Her eyes were closed, but she tossed her head and let out a little moan.
“Xenia,” he whispered. “Are you in pain?”
Her eyes fluttered.
“Are you trying to wake up?”
They fluttered again.
“Do you hurt? Do you want some medicine?”
He was sure she shook her head.
“Then I’m going to sit right here beside you and wait until you either open your eyes or you fall back asleep.”
A smile crossed her lips.
Ty dropped to the chair and watched Xenia. She would frown, then smile. Later she muttered, but it was unintelligible. She turned her head and opened her eyes. Then closed them again. With each movement, she became more awake.
Finally, she muttered, “What’s going on, Ty?”
This time, he understood her. “I was just checking on you. How are you feeling?”
“Better, but I’m a little hungry.”
“That’s a good sign. I’m sure Aunt Chapa has something you can eat.”
“What time is it?”
He pulled his gold watch out of his vest pocket. “Quarter to nine.”
“In the morning?”
He shook his head. “Evening.”
“How long have I been asleep?”
“You sure are full of questions, pretty lady. Why don’t you relax and I’ll go check in the kitchen for you something to eat?”
“Wait. I want to talk to you. Is there anyone else around?”
“Wilt and Mea Ann went for a walk, and Aunt Chapa is taking care of Johnny.”
She reached up and rubbed her eyes. “Oh, that hurts.”
“Be careful. You have a bruise over your eye and I’m sure your face is still sore.”
She frowned and nodded. “He can’t get to me now, can he, Ty?”
“No, Xenia. He’ll never be able to get you again.”
“What happened to him?” She was whispering now.
Ty moved closer to the bed. “Xenia, don’t worry about him anymore. You need to rest and get strong. Bullins is taken care of.”
“Thank you for saving me, Ty.”
He was a little embarrassed, but he reached over and patted her arm. “I’m glad I could do it. Now, I’m going to go see what Aunt Chapa has in the kitchen, and I’ll be right back.”
He found Chapa at the big kitchen table feeding Johnny.
She looked up. “He acted hungry and I remembered he didn’t have anything except milk for supper. I’m giving him some of the chicken stew and he seems to like it.”
“Is it still warm?”
“Warm enough, if you want a bowl.”
“It’s not for me. Xenia said she was hungry. I thought I’d take her some.”
“I’ve just finished feeding Johnny. Why don’t you take him and sit in one of the rocking chairs? I’ll take it to her. I might need to help her with something.”
“I can help her.”
“Don’t make me embarrass you, Ty. I thought she might need the thunder pot.”
“Oh.” A little embarrassed, he reached for the baby, though he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to hold him.
Chapa laughed. “He won’t bite you, Ty, but go into the parlor and have a seat. I’ll put him in your lap. I know you’re not used to babies, but don’t worry. You’ll be fine—and I’m sure Mea Ann will be back soon.”
He sat in one of the rocking chairs and looked down at the baby in his lap. Johnny looked back at him with his shiny black eyes. He gurgled, smiled and waved his little brown arms. Ty couldn’t help thinking the baby was a handsome lad. He would probably grow into a handsome man. It even crossed his mind that he’d like to have one of these of his own one day. He couldn’t help wondering, if he ever had a son, would its Indian heritage show the way Johnny’s did? Of course, if he married an Indian maiden, it would, but if he married Xenia, it might not be as noticeable in the child.
“Why the hell did you think that, you fool?” he muttered, and glanced toward the hall. He wanted his aunt to hurry. He needed to get rid of this baby before he had any more idiotic thoughts. There was no way in the world he’d ever marry a white woman, even if he cared for her. Which he didn’t. Not enough to think about marrying her, anyway.
“Look at him, Wilt,” Mea Ann said when they entered the room. “Doesn’t he look natural sitting there mumbling to my baby?”
Wilt laughed. “There’s a lot of things Ty is natural about, but taking care of a baby isn’t one task I’d ever guessed he could do.”
Ty shook his head. “I’m as awkward as they come with a baby. Come here and get him before I drop him, Mea Ann.”
She walked up beside him. “Looks like he’s enjoying being in your lap, Ty. See how he’s cooing and looking up at you?”
Wilt chuckled. “He’ll make a good uncle, won’t he?”
“He’ll also make a good father, someday.” Mea Ann reached down and took Johnny from Ty’s lap. “You can practice with Johnny any time you want to, Ty.”
Ty stood. “I’m going outside for a smoke.” He started out of the room, but paused before he got to the door when it registered with him what Wilt had said earlier. “What was that remark about me being an uncle?”
Before Wilt could answer Chapa came back into the room with an empty bowl in her hand. “Xenia is looking much better. She ate every bit of the chicken stew I took her.”
“How wonderful. I think Johnny and I will go sit with her a bit. I want to talk to her about something.”
“I think she’d like that, Mea Ann.”
“Why don’t you come with me, Chapa? I’d like to discuss something with the both of you.”
Wilt turned toward the door. “I’ll go with you and have a smoke, too, Ty. I think we need to talk.”
****
“I’m glad you brought Johnny to see me, Mea Ann. He looks like he’s thriving under your care.”
“He is, Xenia and what about you? Are you really feeling better?”
“Much better. I’m so thankful Ty got me out of that hotel and brought me here.”
“I am, too.” She sat in the rocking chair. “It’s still hard for me to believe Lou Bullins did this to you. I knew he wasn’t a nice man, but I never dreamed he was so evil.”
“Neither did I, Mea Ann, but it’s over now, thanks to the Good Lord and Ty.”
“Yes, it is over, and it’s good to see you looking so much better today. Even some of the swelling has gone down.”
“I owe it all to Chapa’s good care.”
“You’re an easy person to look after, Xenia. You’ve slept almost all the time since Ty brought you home.”
“As I said, I’m glad he brought me here. I don’t think I could’ve stayed in that horrible hotel after...” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t want to think about it.”
“You don’t have to think about it, dear.” Chapa smiled at her. “I tell you
what. Why don’t I go fix us all a nice cup of tea? Ladies can always have a nice talk over a good cup of tea.”
“Wait a minute, Chapa. I have to say something first.”
“What is it, Mea Ann?”
She took a big breath and smiled broadly. “Wilt has asked me to marry him…and I said yes.”
Chapa looked a little surprised, but Xenia was stunned. “What?”
“You heard me, sister. I’m going to marry Wilt.”
“But…Mea Ann, you hardly know him.”
“I know all I need to know about him. He loves me, and he wants to marry me. He also wants to be a father to Johnny. And the Good Lord knows I love Wilt more than I ever thought I could ever love a man.”
“You know Father will have a fit. I can hear him now forbidding you to marry a cowboy.”
“I don’t care what he says. I’m going to marry Wilt, and there’s nothing he can do about it. I’ll wire him and tell him after the wedding.”
“Wouldn’t you want to invite your parents to the wedding, Mea Ann?”
“If I thought he and Mother would be happy for me, I’d like for them to come, but I’m afraid they’d never accept my marrying Wilt, Chapa.”
“Would they object because of Wilt’s Indian blood?”
Mea Ann shrugged. “They’ll probably not like the idea of it much, but it wouldn’t be the main reason they wouldn’t approve the marriage.”
Chapa frowned. “Then, why?”
“I can answer that,” Xenia said. “It’s because Father wants both Mea Ann and me to marry one of those slick-haired city boys he’s picked out as our future husbands. The kind of man who doesn’t know how to love a woman. One who only wants to put his wife on display in her fancy gowns to show all his friends how well he’s doing. It doesn’t matter if there’s love in the marriage or not. Her husband can always find his pleasure elsewhere.”
“Xenia’s right. That’s one reason we left Richmond to see if we could help Uncle Seymour. Father was pushing me to marry Jasper Newman, one of the men who works in the bank he does business with.”
“And did you want to marry this man?”
“Not at all, Chapa. I don’t even like the man, and I could hardly stand to be in the same room with him.”
Xenia looked at her sister. “But you like being in the room with Wilt?”
“Yes, Xenia. My heart beats faster every time he enters the room. I’ve felt that way almost from the time he climbed into the stage and sat down on the seat in front of us. His smile captured my heart when he tipped his hat and looked at me.”
“I agree, you should send Father a wire after the wedding and tell him about it. I know you’d like to have Mother at the ceremony, but you know how she is. If Father told her he was taking you home without letting you get married, she’d go along with it, no matter what you want. She loves her daughters, but she’ll always side with Father.”
Chapa shook her head, but said nothing.
“You’re right, Xenia, but that’s not going to deter me from marrying the man I love.”
“If you’ll wait a couple of days to let the rest of this awful swelling on my face go down, I’ll be there for you, big sister. I can’t be a bridesmaid with all these bruises showing.”
“Oh, Xenia I’m so glad you’ll support me.” Mea Ann leaned over and hugged her sister, and Johnny let out a little cry.
Mea Ann laughed and looked down at him. “Sorry, little fellow. I didn’t mean to mash you between your Aunt Xenia and me.”
Johnny cooed.
“And I’ll support you, too, Mea Ann.” Chapa smiled at her. “The only thing I ask is that you make my nephew a good wife.”
“I will, Chapa, and I’m going to depend on you to teach me how to be a good ranch wife. I’ll be the first to admit I have a lot to learn.”
“I’ll be happy to help you.” Chapa stood. “Now, let me go get that tea and we’ll celebrate.”
****
The next afternoon Seymour Longstreet frowned as he came down the stairs to the main area of the saloon. There was an Indian standing on the outside of the swinging doors looking in. Stomping across the wooden floor he glared at the man. “Get the hell away from my door. Don’t you see the sign?”
“I see it.”
“I know you probably can’t read, but it says ‘No Injuns allowed.’ Now, get away from here. You’re blocking the door for the good men of this town who want to come in here for a drink or two, and maybe be entertained by one of the pretty ladies. None of that is available for men like you.”
“I didn’t come for liquor or a woman.”
“Then why are you standing there?”
“Waitin’ to see you come down the stairs in there.”
Seymour lifted an eyebrow. “Well, I’m down. What do you want?”
“To talk to you.”
“There’s no need. I told that bigshot Eldridge breed that Injuns were not welcome here anymore. Him, included.”
“I have some information for you.”
“What in the hell information could a redskin have for me?”
A man walked up. “Hey, is this place open or not? I need a drink.”
“Of course it’s open. Step aside, Injun, and let the man come in.”
The Indian moved to the left and the man pushed open the bat doors and went in as he muttered, “I’ve never been kept waiting at a saloon door by some dirty Indian before.”
“See how you’re interrupting my business? Now, I’ve heard enough. It’s time you got on down the street.” Seymour turned to walk away.
“Even if’n I’ve got news about your nieces?”
He whirled around. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.”
“How could you know anything about my nieces?”
A couple of cowboys came up, and again the Indian moved to the side so they could go through the door. “An open window and careless conversation by a gaggle of loose-tongued women can tell a man whatever he needs to know. And I know plenty from standin’ just outside that window as long as I needed to. Is there somewhere we can talk?”
Seymour hesitated, but only long enough to let a businessman in. He then nodded to the Indian. “Come with me.”
“But the sign—”
“Forget the sign. We’re going to my office. Now, follow me.”
The Indian nodded, stepped through the door and followed Seymour across the room and up the stairs to his saloon office.
****
Mea Ann filled the coffee cups and Chapa set a bowl of scrambled eggs and a basket of biscuits to join the potatoes and the bacon on the breakfast table. With a surprised look, Chapa said, “Well, look who’s coming here.”
Ty couldn’t believe his eyes. Hobbling toward the table, Xenia held her side, but was walking better than he thought she could have so soon after her injuries. He jumped up and moved toward her quickly. “What are you doing out of bed?” He took her arm.
“I heard everyone laughing and talking in here and I wanted to be a part of it.”
“Well, you come right on in and have a seat. We’re glad you’re joining us, but now, don’t you over-do.” Chapa rushed to get another plate.
“Are you sure you’re up to this, sister?”
“Yes, Mea Ann.” She smiled at her sister. “I’ve got to get back on my feet so I won’t stumble when I go down the aisle as your maid of honor.”
Wilt grinned. “So you don’t mind if I marry your sister?”
Xenia slipped into the chair Ty pulled out for her. She reached across the table for Wilt’s hand. “I’m very pleased you and my sister are getting married. All I ask is that you be good to her and make her happy, because she deserves it.”
“You’re right, she does deserve it, and I will do my best to make sure she’s a happy wife, Xenia. I love her with all my heart.”
“He’s already made me happy by asking me to marry him. And I love him the same way he does me.” Mea Ann leaned toward him. “I know
he’ll be a wonderful husband and father.”
Chapa put the jellies and jams on the table along with a plate for Xenia. “If he’s not, he’ll have to answer to his Aunt Chapa.”
Ty didn’t join in the conversation. He still wasn’t sure this marriage should happen. He’d even questioned Wilt about it for some time last night, but his cousin wouldn’t concede that marrying a white woman could be a mistake. Even when Ty brought up the disastrous romance with Verna McGill, Wilt had said, “Mea Ann is not the McGill woman. She’s a beautiful and honorable person who loves me as much as I do her. It doesn’t matter to her that I have Sioux blood in me.”
When Ty reminded Wilt how happy he’d been when he was married to Juanita, the beautiful half-sister of an Apache warrior, Wilt said, “I loved Juanita, Ty, and if she hadn’t died we’d still be married and have a few kids. But she did die—and after we’d only been married for a few months. That happened over five years ago, and I never thought I’d want to marry again. I was wrong. I’ve found happiness again, and that’s because of Mea Ann. I’m not about to pass up the chance to have a wonderful life with her.”
“But she’s white, Wilt. You may think she loves you now, but she’ll turn on you one day. You can’t trust a white woman. Especially one you’ve only known a short time.”
“Drop it, Ty. I’d like to have your support, and even hoped you’d be my best man, but that’s up to you. It doesn’t matter what you say or whether you like it or not, I’m marrying Mea Ann Poindexter. And I’m marrying her soon.”
Ty gave up. He decided to let Wilt see for himself what a mistake he was making, because he was sure Aunt Chapa and Xenia wouldn’t like the idea of their marriage any more than he did.
But that was yesterday, and now, this morning, Xenia was giving her blessing. So was Aunt Chapa. Ty knew there was nothing he could say to stop his cousin now. The man was going to have to learn the hard way. When Mea Ann walked out on Wilt, instead of saying he’d warned him, Ty would support him as best he could. After all, Wilt had certainly supported him after Verna left him.
Chapa’s voice cut into his thoughts. “You’re going to do it, aren’t you Ty?”
Xenia’s Renegade Page 15
