“About three months went by. During that first month, I received a telegraph from your father, demanding I come home. I didn’t respond. Then after a spell, I got another one telling me he was sorry and understood how I felt and pleaded for me to come home.”
Viola smiled and patted Molly’s cheek who had been listening to the story. “Don’t look so sad. Charles and I talked many times about mother coming to live with us. She couldn’t continue to run the ranch at her age, so while I was there, we looked into selling it and actually found a buyer.
“One day, mother sat me down and said it was time to go home and get back to being a wife. I knew she was right so we packed up mother’s clothes and the few belongings she wanted to bring with her. We had them shipped by train to Des Moines. I packed my things the next day and got ready to leave for the train station when there was a knock on the door. It was your father, hat in hand, with an apology for me.
“Though he looked tired, the sadness was gone. He asked if we could walk a bit. It was brisk outside so your father took off his jacket and laid it across my shoulders and then tucked my arm into the crook of his elbow. He told me a story about a man who’d come to his office. The man had had the tar beaten out of him. Apparently, he was a drinking man, and the day before, the drinking had started a little earlier than usual. He ended up pushing his young son against the wall and yelling for him to quit squalling like a baby. His wife was crying for him to stop when the door burst open and his father-in-law was standing there. Must have been a good-sized man because he lit into that drinker with fists a flying. Took his daughter and grandson and swore he’d finish what he’d started if that no-good so and so ever came around his family again.
“That beaten man told your father he lost everything dear to him. Said his whole life was gone.”
Viola laughed and pointed when one of the older kids pitched a ball to Charles and he swung and missed. “Come on, Grandpa,” Timmy yelled. “Hit the ball.”
“Anyway,” she continued, “it was then that your father realized he too had caused so much pain and unhappiness. Not in the same way as that man, but just as harmful. He told me he was sorry for all he’d done to me and to you children and that things were going to change. He was going to make it right. He reached into the pocket of his coat that was still around my shoulders and pulled out your letter about getting married. He said we could meet our new daughter-in-law and grandson and he would make amends with you.” Her eyes glistened and she took Chase’s hands in hers. “I’m hoping you’ll give him a chance to do that.”
Chase swallowed hard and pulled Viola into a warm embrace. “There isn’t anything that would make me happier, Mother.”
The moment was shattered when a scream ripped through the air. Everyone turned to see a mountain lion ready to pounce. Its claws spread wide, were ready to sink into the boy until Socks jumped in with teeth bared.
Chapter 20
Socks was no match for the mountain lion. Though he got him away from Timmy with his barking and biting, it only took one or two swipes from those powerful claws to lay open the back and side of the young dog.
“Timmy!” Molly screamed, running as fast as she could.
Chase ran to his horse and pulled out his Winchester Yellow Boy from his scabbard. He took aim but Molly was in his line of fire. “Molly,” he yelled for all he was worth, “get down! Get down, now!” From behind her, Chase’s father flew through the air, tackling her to the ground.
“What are you doing? Let me up!” Molly fought to get loose Charles’s grip when a shot rang out. An ungodly sound escaped the animal before it flipped in the air and flopped dead not three feet from the boy.
Everyone ran to where Timmy lay. The boy was shaking and pale.
“Timmy!” Molly fell to her knees. His shirt sleeve was ripped and a bloody stain slowly grew. Timmy struggled to get to Socks who lay on the ground near him.
“Let me through!” Charles was all business as he lifted the boy into his arms. “Chase!” he barked. “Where?”
“This way.”
“No! Socks is hurt,” Timmy cried. “Please, Grandpa. Help Socks!”
“Someone bring that dog!” Charles yelled, hurrying to the house. Over his shoulder, he called to his wife, “Viola, grab my bag!”
Molly cried softly on Chase’s shoulder while they waited outside the bedroom door. Mary sat at the table while Emma and Ed, along with Joseph and Patience waited outside, giving the family privacy while the doctor worked on Timmy.
“Chase,” she sniffed, “if you hadn’t killed that lion it could have—”
“But it didn’t,” Chase responded holding her tight, “thanks to Socks.”
“Molly,” Mary said, “there isn’t a better doctor to be found than Charles Forrester. He’ll take good care of your boy.”
The bedroom door opened and Viola came out. “Is Timmy okay?” Molly asked. A new wave of tears made their way down her cheeks.
Viola smiled, taking her hands. “Timmy is absolutely fine. One deep scratch that needed to be stitched. He hardly made a whimper because he was more concerned for his dog who didn’t fare near as well, I’m afraid.” She sat Molly down on a chair. “Charles gave Timmy something for the pain but he doesn’t want to leave that room until the dog is stitched up. Charles is finishing up right now.”
It seemed like a small forever until the door to the bedroom opened and Charles and Timmy came out to join everyone. Timmy sported a large, white bandage on his arm and he’d changed his shirt. Molly pulled him into her arms, fussing over him. “I’m okay, Mama. I’m not a baby ya know.”
With a half laugh, half sob, Molly wiped her eyes. “Of course, you’re not. Does it hurt much?”
“Grandpa fixed it right up for me and he saved Socks, too. Did you see how she saved me, Mama? She’s the bravest dog there ever was!”
Swallowing a lump of emotion, Molly could only nod.
“That dog of yours sure did show that cat what for,” Mary said, her own eyes a little red-rimmed.
“Let me see that arm,” Chase said, kneeling down to have a look. He made a huge show of looking at the front, then turned him around and looked from the back. “Yep. I think the Doc here did a pretty good job. I don’t think that arm’s going to fall off or anything.” Chase tickled him a little bit, making the boy giggle and squirm in his arms.
Timmy, turning serious, leaned in to whisper in Chase’s ear. “I don’t want Mama to know ‘cause you know how women folk can be, but that lion really scared me, Chase.”
He picked the boy up and hugged him tight. “It scared me too, son, out of about ten years.” Chase set him back down. “Maybe you should go outside and let all those folks out there know you’re still with us.”
Charles had been washing his hands as Chase interacted with the boy. Molly, still teary-eyed, kissed Charles on the cheek. “Thank you, Mr. Forrester.”
He held her at arms’ length. “No Mr. Forrester and no Mrs. Forrester. It’s Mom and Dad. And let me tell you that you have quite a son there.”
Molly smiled. “Thank you, Dad.” She glanced at Chase. “So do you.”
His smile faded. “I know I do.”
Chase held out his hand. “Thanks so much for what you did.”
Charles took it and pulled his son in for a quick hug. “My grandson is a lucky boy. You’re going to make a great dad.”
The next day, the ranch was a beehive of activity as preparations for the wedding got underway. The ranch hands put together makeshift tables and chairs. The children helped to gather wood for a pit that Chase and Ed were digging to use to keep the pork from Juanita and Zack, hot. Viola and Patience made side dishes for the festivities while Emma worked on Molly’s wedding dress, taking special pains to make it perfect. Molly was doing her best to keep both Timmy and Socks quiet, which was not going well.
“Mama, I want to be outside with all the other kids,” Timmy whined.
“And what about Socks? Who will watch her?�
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Timmy flopped down on the bed, pouting. “I think if we shut the door Socks will be just fine.” Chase leaned against the door. He took Timmy’s arm and looked at the bandage. “I also think, if little man here goes outside and picks nothing up and doesn’t roughhouse, it’ll be okay for him to go out.”
Molly responded by crossing her arms and sticking her stubborn chin in the air. “Molly,” Chase started patiently, “you can’t baby him for every little thing that happens.”
“Little thing!” Her voice rose in agitation.
“Maybe Timmy could show his grandfathers around the ranch,” Charles said, appearing in the doorway. “If that would be okay with Mama, I’ll check his arm and then promise not to let him get into trouble.”
Grandfather and grandson walked out hand-in-hand, leaving Molly to glare at Chase.
Chase pulled her into his arms, locking his hands behind her back. She refused to look at him. “Molly,” he started.
“He’s only four years old.”
“I know that,” he said, kissing the side of her neck.
“I would hardly call being attacked by a mountain lion a little thing.”
His breath was warm on her face. “Bad choice of words,” he murmured.
She closed her eyes and turned to receive the kiss Chase offered. The kiss was one of unconditional love, but when Chase’s hold tightened, all was forgotten as passion burned in the pit of her being.
Someone cleared their throat, breaking the spell. Grandma Mary stood in front of them, a smile beaming from the little old lady. “I surely don’t mean to interrupt, but I need a minute. Can we talk in the other room?” Chuckling, she leaned on her cane and tottered out.
Chapter 21
Chase and Molly slowly trailed behind the old woman as she shuffled into the front room. Her long, gray hair was tied into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. She wore an old, faded red long-sleeved shirt, rolled up to her elbows, and an old brown skirt that dragged behind her. A green shawl and a white apron completed the outfit.
When she finally plopped down on the couch, she motioned for Molly to sit beside her. Chase took a chair across from them. She took Molly’s hand in hers. The old woman’s skin was like crinkly paper. Blueish veins snuck up her hands and arms. Mary’s eyes were a faded blue, almost translucent and she had a quiet smile. “I’m sure tickled you decided to marry my grandson. Has he told you much about our family?”
“He told me his love for ranching came from visiting you and your husband on your ranch.”
“He did take to it.”
“So, you always owned a ranch?” Molly asked.
“Oh, gracious no.” Mary sunk back onto the couch, quiet for a few seconds. “Ezra, my first husband, and I had a small farm in Marietta, Ohio. We grew apples and raised sheep. There was this textile mill outside of town and we sold our wool to them. That’s where Jemima, George and Viola were born. I surely did like that place, but the winters were harsh and poor Ezra’s health just couldn’t take that cold. Tuberculosis, is what the doc said. We needed to live in a warmer place.”
“We sold all we had, packed up what little was left and headed for the Republic of Texas.” Mary tilted her head and chuckled. “Weren’t sure exactly what we were going to do there but we was sure something would come up. The trip was hard on Ezra. We were camped outside of Boonville, Missouri, along the Ohio River, when the good Lord called my Ezra home.”
Mary swallowed hard and her eyes shimmered. “This old mind of mine has a hard time remembering things, but he was somewhere around forty years old. Just didn’t seem right taking him at such a young age.”
Chase leaned over and patted her hand. “You alright, Grandma?”
She shook her head as if to clear it. “Course I am. Anyways, the kids and I found this old house outside of Boonville and decided to stay. We had settled in right nice when, one day, there was a pounding at the door. This big man stood there holding a crying boy in his arms.” The smile was back on Mary’s face.
“He told me his boy fell from his horse and that he thought his leg might be busted. So, I set the boy’s leg and ended up marrying his pa. Edward Palmer was his name.” She winked at Molly. “That man’s eyes was as soft and dark as blackstrap poured onto a tin plate.”
Molly laughed at her description. “And did the boy survive?”
“Sure ‘nough. Stephen was his name and he became my son. We stayed in Boonville for several years and then moved to Kansas. Edward found us some land, built us a house and bought some cattle. Lived that life for near about twenty years or so until I lost my Eddy some nine years ago.”
“You’ve had quite a life, Grandma,” Chase said.
Mary turned her head this way and that, clearly looking around the room for something. “Chase, dear, would you go into my room and on the chest, is a package wrapped in brown paper. Please bring it to me.” He did as he was bid, laying it beside her.
“Molly, did your mother ever do any quilting?”
“She did, out of necessity — blankets and even coats sometimes. We didn’t have a lot of money when I was a girl.”
“I understand. I had to do the same. But as material became more accessible, I was able to make nicer quilts and it has become a pastime I enjoy.” Mary picked up the package and laid it on her lap. Her hand ran gently over her face. “These old wrinkles are like a map of my life. I can almost tell you who gave me which ones and when. It’s the same with this quilt. I make quilts for all my grandchildren when they get married and keep a block from each one so I can make a quilt that will tell the story of their spouse and their special day.”
Mary planted her cane in front of her and held out her hand. “Chase, help me up.” He gently helped her to her feet. “You sit next to your young bride here.” When he sat down, both he and Molly looked up at her. “What in tarnation are you waiting for? Open your package.”
Molly ripped open the paper like a child on Christmas morning. Chase stood and held up the beautiful quilt that was stitched with love for them. The design was zigzagged lines of different shades of reds and whites, from top to bottom, bordered in a deep, rich brown. On the back was stitched Chase and Molly, June 10, 1885.
“This is beautiful,” Molly whispered.
Chase put his arm around his grandmother. Her head came to his chest. She tilted her head back and tears sparkled in her old blue eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you, Grandma. It’s really nice.” He kissed her wrinkled cheek.
“It’s one of the nicest things I’ve ever had, Mary,” Molly said. “I’m so touched.” She hugged the old woman. “Thank you so much.”
Mary lighted patted the young girl’s cheek. “Glad you like it. This pattern is called Log Cabin Streak of Lightning. It’s been about seven years since I gave away one of my quilts and that was to your sisters, Chase, Ione and Josie. I wondered if you was ever going to find some nice gal. All that’s left are Stephen’s two. What are their names? Tad and Gloria, I think. When they’re married, I can finish up my wedding quilt and the story will be done.”
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Grandma.” Chase said. “We will cherish this quilt forever.”
Chapter 22
There was a rosy glow trimming the mountains that loomed in front of Chase’s ranch. The valley was still shrouded in gray, waiting for the sun to pop up and start the new day. It was still cool in the mornings and without the sun, the water from Flat Rock Creek was cold enough to have a polar bear hunting for cover. The creek had swollen with recent rains in the mountains and Chase thought he’d bathe there to get cleaned up for the big day. Besides, he couldn’t sleep anyway. He was nervous, no doubt about it. Why not get up and ride some of that jumpy out of him.
He shook the water from his hair and went to grab the towel he’d brought from his saddle bag when he realized he wasn’t alone. “Getting all gussied up, are ya?”
Instinctively, Chase’s hand went for his gun, but being stark naked, found nothing ther
e.
Ed hooted at the gesture. “Saw you light out earlier. Figured I check on you.”
“Very funny,” Chase grumbled as he dressed.
“You bring to mind a skittish stallion I had once, trying to get at a couple fillies I had corralled off.” There was humor in his voice.
“Don’t you have pressing business to take care of?”
“Nope! Our boss gave us all the day off. Some sort of special occasion.”
By now, the spears of golden rays shot into the sky and the valley was breaking into sunlight. They rode in silence for a ways. “You seem a little edgy. Nerves got ahold of ya?”
“Hell, yes I’m nervous. I’m about to become a husband and a father all at once. I mean, what do I know about being either? And what about the boy? When that cat attacked him, my own heart stopped. What if I can’t protect him. I can’t be around twenty-four hours a day. I do have a ranch to run.”
All through Chase’s tirade, Ed reached into his vest pocket, took out a cigar and bit off the end. When Chase finally stopped talking, Ed lit the cigar and pulled the smoke in. Using his tongue, he twirled it in his mouth then slowly blew the smoke out. “Been saving this cigar for a special occasion and I thought this was it. Seems I may have jumped the gun. The way I see it, we can ride right back to the ranch and tell that pretty little girl and all the company that you’ve reconsidered and the wedding’s off. Easy as a hoss-fly riding in a mule’s ear.”
“Are you plumb loco?” Chase demanded. “I love that girl – and the boy. I have no intentions of letting them slip away.”
Ed took another long draw. “Then I guess it’s okay to puff on my special occasion cigar.”
The twinkle in Ed’s eyes told Chase he’d been had. “I suppose you weren’t nervous when you wed Emma?”
“Was at first, but then I figured she was the luckiest girl around getting me for husband. What was there to be nervous about?”
Chase's Story (Grandma's Wedding Quilts Book 10) Page 10
