She enjoyed her afternoon spent with the easygoing Johnsons, and the ride back to the ranch was not altogether unpleasant. Although eloquent when sermonizing, Bill was as nervous as a sinner on a church pew as he sat next to Crystal on the wagon. Crystal was naturally gregarious and took no notice when he stammered replies, which seemed to put him at ease. She could tell he was disappointed that their ride was not longer when he slowed down before he reached the porch. She thanked him for the ride home and watched as he headed back down the trail and away from the house.
Crystal turned to climb the porch steps. The lazy afternoon was so quiet that she almost didn’t notice the figure leaning back in a chair at the end of the porch, boots propped up on the railing. It was Luke. She could tell that he was feigning sleep, his hat covering his face to keep the flies away. Suddenly he dropped his boots to the floor with a loud plop and stretched his long form upright. The noise startled Crystal, and she paused, looking down the long porch at him.
“He sure don’t appear to be your type,” he said.
She bristled. “And just what is my type?”
“Maybe one short enough to fit under that hat perched on your head in case of a summer rainstorm.”
She flashed him a saucy smile. “I’ll have you know, this hat is the height of fashion.”
“Whose fashion?”
“You’ve been stuck out in this wild territory so long that you wouldn’t know fashion if it hit you in the face.”
Luke’s laughter reverberated in the late afternoon stillness. “Out here, fashion won’t put a roof over your head, feed you, or clothe you. All I need is a good meal, a warm bed, and a loyal horse.”
“And likely that’s all you’ll ever get.” She tore off her gloves and opened the door, slamming it behind her. Crystal heard a loud rip and realized too late that she had shut the door on her dress. She turned back and yanked her torn dress free, exasperated.
Luke settled back down in the big rocker and once again pulled his hat back over his face. Ah, poor sweet thing! She tries hard to be tough. In spite of her ridiculous hats, the hot sun had painted a pink tinge across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, making her look even more appealing. She needed to find a man who could afford servants to attend to her. She was small and delicate, and ranch life would never suit her.
He sighed wearily and leaned back in the rocker, and he was soon dozing to the distant sound of a Steller’s jay.
7
Blistering July heat settled onto the Yampa Valley, and by mid-afternoon, hazy vapors rose from the parched, cracked ground that had resulted from weeks without rain. Chores had been completed before the noonday meal. Men and women alike retired to the nearest shade tree or porch until late afternoon, when cooler air descended from the mountains. The rusty thermometer outside the bunkhouse registered 100 degrees in the shade. The drovers dragged their bedrolls outside the cramped bunkhouse to sleep under a blanket of stars in the cool, fresh air.
After four days of the miserable heat, and despite Rusty’s warning that rain might follow, Kate and Crystal began their drive into Steamboat on a bright, cloudless day. They had promised Rusty that they would be back before dark, and now the creaking wagon rumbled away from the ranch house at first light in the morning, while it was still cool.
Crystal dressed in a light cotton dress, for once without her corset because of the heat, and Kate was in her usual garb of men’s pants, sturdy boots, and a wide-brimmed hat. Crystal had become accustomed to getting up early and helping Carmen with morning chores. She found that she enjoyed rising once the rooster crowed. There was a special quietness about early morning that she had never known existed. She savored sharing her first cup of coffee with Carmen and Kate out on the back porch, before the crew stomped in for breakfast. Crystal was fast fitting into their way of life without even being conscious of it.
As the two approached the edge of town, shopkeepers, already busy with morning activities, propped open their doors to enjoy the morning breeze. In the distance, smoke curled lazily upward from the slanted roof of Flo’s Café. Crystal guessed that Flo had been up for hours preparing today’s menu. Smells of frying bacon wafted on the air, assaulting their nostrils and whetting Crystal’s appetite. A piano tune sounded from the swinging doors of the Goldmine Saloon as Kate guided the horses down the main street of town, trying to avoid the larger ruts. She stopped in front of Franklin’s Mercantile and called out to John Franklin, who was sweeping the steps that led to the landing. He waved and paused to wipe his hands on his white apron before extending assistance to Kate and Crystal.
“Mornin’, Kate.” He nodded at Crystal. “Been hot enough for ya?” He placed the broom against the wall, appearing grateful for an excuse to stop and visit.
“Boy howdy!” Kate replied, mopping her face with a handkerchief. “Never thought I’d say I’d be glad for cold weather, but this year’s an exception.”
John turned to Crystal. “Miss Clark, you never look wilted in this heat. Want to let us in on your secret?”
“Pshaw! If y’all think this is hot, you wouldn’t be able to stand the humidity in the South. You’d think a wet dishrag had slapped you in the face.” Her green eyes sparkled with playfulness. “Besides, Mr. Franklin, you don’t seem to be any the worse for wear.”
John flashed a warm smile at Crystal’s teasing and Crystal felt instant approval from him. It was obvious that he and his wife were Kate’s best friends, and this pleased her immensely.
“Come on in and let me holler for Mary. She’s upstairs cleaning the breakfast dishes.”
They entered the store, and a huge calico cat slipped from its perch on the wooden countertop and wound itself around Crystal’s petticoats. She reached down to stroke the cat’s fur and scratch the top of its head. “What’s its name?”
“That’s Bandit. But don’t let the name fool you. She’s fat and near to burstin’with a litter.” John snorted.
“She’s beautiful. I had a cat back in Georgia,” she said.
Mary swept into the room with a ready smile, spectacles low on her nose. “I thought I heard voices. How’s life treating you?”
“Fair to middlin’, Mary. How’bout you?” Kate answered, giving Mary a quick hug.
“Just fine, Kate. I’m making up a fresh pot of coffee and would love it if you two would stay and have some. Unless you’d rather have tea?”
“Sure, we could stay. Coffee would be fine, and we’ve got the whole day. Me and Crystal needed a change of scenery. Not much a body can do in this heat.”
Mary led the way to the back and up a stairway into a sunny, spotless kitchen in the living quarters above the store.
“Indeed. Besides, I need to pick up my boots, and I’d like to look at some fabric for a new dress,” Crystal said.
“Oh, you’re making one for April’s birthday party? I hear it’s going to be the biggest party ever!”
“Well . . . no, I didn’t know she was having a birthday. Maybe I’m not invited.”
“Oh yes!” Mary bobbed her dark head up and down. “Just about everyone around for miles is invited. In fact, I placed your invitation in Kate’s mailbox myself just yesterday. And you have another letter postmarked Georgia. Masculine handwriting, I’ll wager.”
Crystal’s heart skipped a beat. Drew. It has to be. She was looking forward to a letter from home. It seemed so far away.
Mary prattled on as she placed her best china on a fine lace tablecloth amid a platter of warm muffins. “Kate, if you’ll pour the coffee, I’ll run and get your mail, and you can look it over if you want.”
“It can wait,” Kate said.
“Oh, it’s no bother.” With her high-buttoned shoes ringing out on the hardwood floor, Mary hurried out and returned breathless in a few moments. There were several pieces of mail for Kate, the invitation, and a letter from Drew for Crystal.
Kate and Mary watched as Crystal read the letter. When she laid it aside and bit into a muffin, both women said in unis
on, “Well?”
Crystal laughed. She now had two mothers. It would be hard to have privacy while she lived here.
“Oh, the usual. Hot and humid. He asked about my welfare, and he said he’s getting married to Amy VanCleeve . . .” Her voice grew quiet, and she looked wistfully out the window. There was a sharp intake of breath from the two older ladies as they held their cups in midair.
“Dear me!” Mary said.
“My goodness! I thought he was waiting for your answer once you had time to consider,” Kate said.
“Don’t worry. I’m fine. I already told you, Aunt Kate, that I couldn’t see myself married to him,” Crystal replied with more confidence than she felt.
“Then why the long face?” Kate said.
“I guess I didn’t want him to be with anyone else. Isn’t that silly of me? I guess I always thought he would be there for me. We were fairly close. But I’m surprised I didn’t figure out that Drew would marry someone else so soon. I’ve been away too long for him to wait, I guess.” She tried to pretend that she wasn’t hurt and absentmindedly smoothed the wrinkles in her dress. She laid the muffin back on her plate and sighed. “I’m not sure what I expected. Deep down I knew I didn’t want to be a politician’s wife. But it hurts to think he’s forgotten me so quickly. I haven’t been gone that long. I guess my pride is hurt more than anything.”
“I’m sorry, Crystal.” Kate reached out and patted her hand.
Mary popped to her feet. “Come. Let’s find you the best piece of goods I have in stock for a dress worthy of a princess. I know I have just the thing for your dark hair and green eyes.”
She dragged Crystal to her feet and pulled her in the direction of the store. Behind them, Kate waved at them to go ahead without her and said, “I’ve a personal errand to run.”
The morning soon vanished as Crystal looked over the many bolts of material and patterns with Mary. The older woman had an eye for color and fashion that was surprising, and by the time she had settled on a cream silk, Crystal knew she had made a dear and wise friend. Mary told her how she had always wanted children, but God had not seen fit to allow her this pleasure.
“I’m indeed sorry, but I’ll bet if you treat everyone as you have me, Mary, then you have many children.” Crystal reached out to touch her hand and saw Mary’s eyes shine.
Mary wrapped the fabric and the work boots and neatly tied a string around the two parcels, then set them aside until Kate returned. “I’m going to love getting to know you better.”
Crystal warmed at her new friendship with the older lady. “Thank you.” She glanced at the watch pinned to her blouse. “Please tell Aunt Kate that I’ll meet her at Flo’s for lunch at 12:30. That gives me just about a half hour to take a look around.”
Crystal decided to peruse the rest of what the town had to offer. She stepped out onto the plank walk and opened her parasol against the sun. The town was rugged looking, but new businesses were beginning to spring up and flourish.
Entrepreneurs had hurried to open the new shops. According to Kate, some had hoped to get rich serving the community of miners, ranchers, and farmers. A weather-beaten sign boasted both doctor and dentist next to a bathhouse, where a bath and shave cost $1.50. Farther down the street was an attorney-at-law, but Crystal’s eyes latched on to a shop across the street, whose gleaming window glass was painted with the words “Millinery.”
She strode quickly across the street and stepped into the tiny shop. A bell tinkled softly above the door. The store clerk, a woman in her midthirties, paused in her paperwork behind the counter and greeted Crystal with a warm smile. When the clerk approached her, Crystal detected a slight limp in her walk.
“I’m Ruth Stibble, and you must be new to Steamboat.”
“My name is Crystal. I’m Kate Morgan’s niece. Nice to meet you, Ruth.”
“Is there anything special that you’d like to see?”
“Maybe I could take a look at your hats.”
Ruth invited her to take all the time she needed.
Crystal was bursting with excitement at the prospect of finding a new hat to match the cream dress she was going to make. But she must be frugal with the bit of money she had. She didn’t have much money. Watching every penny was something that she had to learn after selling her family home.
After examining every single hat in the shop, Crystal noticed the lateness of the hour, so she settled on a beautiful ivory hat trimmed with tiny mauve roses and covered with a mantle of netting. Drew would have loved this hat . . . and Luke will hate it. She giggled.
Ruth told her she had made an excellent choice. As Crystal counted out the last of her bills, she wondered if she had made an overly impulsive purchase. Hatbox in one hand and parasol in the other, she left the shop and walked straight into Josh McBride.
“This is a pleasure.” He steadied her elbow and took the hatbox from her. “Where are you going in such a hurry?” His brown eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled at her. Under his warm gaze, so different from the brooding way Luke often looked at her, she felt small and pretty. Josh kept his hand on her elbow.
“I’ve tarried too long at the millinery’s. I promised to be at Flo’s Café ten minutes ago.” She felt a little flustered by his firm hand.
“May I escort you?” Without waiting for her answer, he steered her in the direction of the café. As they walked, he talked about how much he had enjoyed dancing with her. “Later I tried to find you for another dance, but you were nowhere around.”
“To be quite honest, I was beginning to have a headache and decided to sit the rest of the dancing out.” She had indeed had a headache the next morning. Crystal did not want to tell him how his sister had hurt her feelings, or that she had been outside making a fool of herself with Luke.
“I’m so sorry.” Then he added, “I hope you’ve received April’s birthday invitation. I told her I wanted to escort you.” He smiled at her again. He was so cheerful, and he had the warmest brown eyes that shone every time he smiled, Crystal noted. His sandy brown hair curled just under the edge of his fine Stetson hat.
So . . . it wasn’t April who had invited her. Well, no matter, she was going. Let it be known that Crystal Clark never missed a party. No siree.
“I’d enjoy that very much, Josh.” She smiled at him, thinking how much shorter he was than Luke. At least she didn’t have to crane her neck up just to talk to him. “But I must go now and meet Aunt Kate.”
They parted, and Josh stood watching her go. Crystal was anxious to show Kate her new hat.
Crystal and Kate lingered over their coffee longer than usual while talking with Flo, who rested with her feet propped up on a nearby chair. Most of her customers had eaten, and the café was almost deserted.
“I really like your new hat. It suits you.” Kate admired her niece from across the table. “Guess we’d better be moseyin’on back, Crystal. I told Rusty we’d be back before dark.”
“I’m so full, I don’t know if I can even move,” Crystal moaned. She stood, gathered her packages, and followed Kate out to the wagon. Kate looked up at the ominous sky, now a dark blue-gray that lay to the northwest.
“Is something wrong?”
Kate covered the parcels with a tarp in the back of the wagon. “I expect we might get the much-needed rain after all. I just want everything covered up in case,” she said.
At some point on the ride back to the ranch, Crystal’s head bobbed. The heat made her eyes heavy, and soon she was dozing. Abruptly she was awakened by the crack of the whip as Kate forced the horses into an all-out run.
Crystal hung on to the side of the buckboard. “Aunt Kate, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“Baby, you see that dark cloud forming low to the ground?” Kate nodded to the northwest. “Looks like we may get ourselves a bad storm. We’re not far from the ranch. I hope we can make it before it hits us, so hang on!”
Crystal had never seen the sky look the way it did now, and she’d never seen Kate l
ook this anxious before. The horses were racing, yanking at their harness, ears laid back, eyes wide open with fear. Kate cracked the whip again, and her hair fell down around her shoulders in a tangle.
There was an uncanny stillness in the air. Large raindrops pelted them, and lightning flashed a jagged streak across the black sky.
Kate yelled to her niece above the noise of the rattling buggy to hang on tight. Thunder rumbled and crashed around them. The blinding lightning was the worse Crystal had ever witnessed. The low, dark cloud began to form a furiously twisting funnel. She could smell the dust as the cloud touched down to the earth.
Fear struck Crystal’s heart, and she shouted, “Hurry!” The rain turned into hail, battering down on their unprotected heads and biting into their flesh with sharp stings. Kate struggled with every ounce of strength in her large frame to control the frightened horses from plunging into the ravine beside them. A sudden wind pulled at Crystal’s hair and tore at her clothes. The tarp that covered their supplies ripped off the back of the wagon and flew past her.
The late afternoon had become pitch black, and what sounded like a train turned out to be the swirling wind funnel coming straight down the dirt road in front of them. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her legs felt like jelly as she watched entire trees being sucked into the whirling vortex. She heard the sound of splintering wood from the force of the wind snapping the trees and brush in its path.
Kate’s screams rose above the din. Crystal tried frantically to reach her, but it was futile with the wagon bouncing. They were nearly flying down the trail into the path of the twister that was barreling down on them with incredible speed.
“Aunt Kate!” Crystal cried, but she couldn’t hear what Kate said above the noise.
She watched in horror as the funnel cloud lifted the wagon with them in it off the ground, and then her sweet aunt flew through the air. “Oh, Lord, have mercy on us!” she screamed. “Help us, please!”
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