Piecrust Promise

by Nanette Kinslow

“Are we ready?” she asked.

  “And eager,” he responded.

  Corinne climbed onto Boomer’s back and Lee mounted his stallion beside her.

  “He have a name?” Corinne asked, indicating Lee’s horse.

  “Chief,” Lee responded. “He was a gift from an Indian fellow I knew well once.”

  Corinne smiled. “I have a great dog. He’s at Daniel’s. When he’s with me he’s always right here,” Corinne patted the horn on her saddle.

  “I’ll look forward to meeting him as well,” Lee said.

  With their early start they reached the river while it was still morning, the sun just beginning to clearly brighten the sky. They crossed without incident, having found a wide sand bar. Lee took note of their location hoping to never have to negotiate another dangerous crossing. When they saw the fort in the distance Corinne pulled Boomer up close to Lee’s stallion.

  “Last chance to save yourself, Lieutenant,” Corinne said. “If you don’t turn away now you will have to put up with me for days. Make your choice.”

  “I have.” Lee looked at her seriously. Corinne felt suddenly emotional and looked down at her hands holding the reins. She swallowed hard and kicked Boomer to a quick trot. Lee followed her easily. He kept Chief a few steps behind. Highland realized as soon as he had said it that he’d pressed his luck. He vowed he’d take his time in the future and not show his feelings. He knew he was falling completely in love with Corinne.

  Tupper Hawkins recognized the woman on the prairie immediately but not the man riding with her. He’d seen the man’s horse on her land the night before and something about the way he sat in the saddle tugged at Tupper’s mind. He was sure he’d seen him somewhere. He spit and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. It was easy for a woman to get some fella to do her bidding, he thought. Especially one with that gal’s looks. For a man it was all burden and responsibility.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Corinne pointed to the vultures circling on the horizon and watched a lanky jackrabbit swiftly dash across the grassland.

  “What kind of pie do you want?” They were now on the second day of their ride and Corinne was growing nervous about taking Lee to her brother’s farm.

  “What’s your best?” He considered his choices.

  “No one’s ever been able to say,” Corinne laughed. “I’ve baked pies in half the kitchens in the panhandle. No one’s ever said any one was better than another.”

  “Really? Interesting,” Lee said. “I was always partial to a good apple pie myself.”

  “It’s early for apples. Double crust or Dutch?”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Double crust means a crust on the top and bottom. Dutch has a crumb topping instead.”

  “That’s a tough choice. Can I think about it?”

  Corinne chuckled. “I always make a pie at my brother’s place. I was thinkin’ that this visit I’ll make a meat pie as well. I noticed he had some fine fat chickens when I rode through before.”

  “If I get pie at your brother’s place does it count as my pie?” Lee asked.

  “Your pie?” Corinne studied his tanned face as they rode.

  “If I help you out, I get a pie. If I eat one of your pies now, are you done with me?”

  Corinne considered his remark. They’d ridden easily and he hadn’t made her nervous once all day. She decided she was being too defensive and tried to just enjoy his company.

  “No, when I bake your pie, as you call it, you’ll know. In the meantime you can enjoy Daniel and Barnette’s pie, if they don’t mind sharin’.”

  Corinne saw her brother’s ranch below them on the grassland and she pulled her horse to a full stop.

  “That’s it there,” Corinne said reverently.

  “Nice spread,” Lee whistled under his breath. Daniel’s place looked much like the ranch Lee had called home as a child.

  “I’m really nervous,” Corinne said.

  “Because of me?” Lee was a bit nervous himself.

  Corinne looked into his grey eyes and smiled uncertainly. “You know what they’re goin’ to think as soon as they see you. They’ll never believe that I just found a friend.”

  “Would they like it better if you came back with a lover?” Lee tried to keep his voice light.

  “No,” Corinne laughed. “I’m being silly. Let’s go!” Corinne shook out Boomer’s reins and they raced down towards the familiar ranch. Lee was at her side immediately.

  When they pulled the horses to a stop in the yard Corinne looked up at the sound of the screen door slamming shut.

  Mince tore across the yard and from several feet away leapt into the air, landing on the saddle in front of Corinne. He licked her face enthusiastically.

  “Lee,” Corinne laughed unreservedly, “meet Mince.” The dog turned to look at Lee as he finished greeting his mistress.

  “Nice to meet you, Mince.” Lee tipped his hat and Mince jumped from Corinne’s horse to Lee’s and sat facing him. He raised his paw expectantly.

  “I’ve never seen him do that!” Corinne gasped.

  The lieutenant chuckled and shook Mince’s paw respectfully.

  Daniel stepped out onto his porch to greet his sister and the stranger in his yard. Of all the things he expected to see in the warm afternoon sun, his sister returning with a man at her side was not one of them.

  He strolled up to the two riders and, as Corinne slipped from Boomer’s back, Daniel nodded his head. “I got your wire that you found land. You didn’t say nothin’ about findin’ a man.”

  Corinne hugged her brother warmly and Lee stepped down and offered his hand.

  “Lee Highland.”

  Daniel shook hands with him.

  “Lee is a lieutenant in the cavalry,” Corinne said. She knew that Daniel had loved his time in the service and hoped it would help him feel more comfortable.

  “First Lieutenant,” Lee clarified.

  When Daniel saluted Highland, Corinne was surprised.

  “He’s here to help me move my things up from the cabin,” she said nervously.

  Lee acknowledged Daniel’s salute. “I’m on leave right now. It’s good to meet you,” Lee said. “Corinne speaks very highly of you and your family.”

  “Where’s Barnette?” Corinne looked towards the house as her sister-in-law emerged with a sleepy toddler in her arms.

  “Oh no, did we wake him?” Corinne hurried up to them.

  “No, no,” Barnette said. “He’s just finished his nap.”

  Corinne stepped up to Barnette, hugged her warmly and took little Elijah into her arms.

  Barnette watched Lee and Daniel talking in the yard.

  “That’s one good lookin’ man, Corinne. What have you been up to?”

  Corinne looked at the two men as they approached. “He is rather good lookin’ isn’t he? Relax. It’s not like that. He’s a cavalry officer from the fort there. He wanted to help is all. He’s just a friend.”

  Barnette admired the handsome officer. “I don’t care what you’re callin’ him, you ought to be keepin’ him,” Barnette said. She was disappointed that Corinne didn’t see Lee the way she did as soon as she set eyes on him. A man who carried himself like that was a good one. She had one of her own and knew that, even before land and a place of her own, Corinne needed a good man.

  “Barnette, this is my friend, Lee Highland,” Corinne introduced him, giving Barnette a sidelong glance.

  “A pleasure,” Barnette smiled and winked slyly at Corinne.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Daniel held the calf away from the fencing that had wrapped around the young heifer’s neck. Lee squeezed the nippers firmly into the wire and it snapped with a musical twang. The two of them had ridden out once Corinne and Lee had unloaded the horses.

  Daniel set down the animal and studied the wire fence. “I’ll need some tools to fix this. I can’t leave it danglin’ like this,” he said to Lee.

  “I’ll ride back
and get what you need, or I can wait here and keep an eye on the fence while you go,” Lee said.

  “I’d like to watch that calf for a few minutes. Everythin’ we need is in the shed. If you don’t mind goin’ back, Barnette knows where everythin’ is.”

  “No problem.” Lee mounted Chief and quickly galloped back to the main house.

  Daniel watched him ride away. He’d taken Lee with him to inspect the fence knowing there were a couple of breaks that needed fixing. With a second pair of hands he’d get the repairs done quickly and he wanted to get Lee away from the house to see what kind of a man Corinne had brought back with her.

  Lee Highland was certainly no Hank Fisher, Daniel decided. He was eager to help and Lee rode well alongside him. He was confident and able and, despite his fresh pressed shirt, Lee did not hesitate to get down into the dust to deal with the fence wires. Had Corinne come home with a man more like Lieutenant Highland years ago her life would certainly have gone differently. Daniel had to wonder though, why a man with Highland’s good looks and cavalry rank was riding with his sister. There was only one reason he could think of that made sense.

  In the kitchen Barnette plunged the freshly plucked chicken into the boiling pot while Corinne shucked fresh peas.

  “And he’s just ridin’ with you for the experience? I find that very hard to believe,” Barnette said.

  “I did too at first. It was so excitin’ though, the race. You could feel the hope in the air. There were thousands of people goin’ for land. He just wanted to be part of it, I guess. Really, he’s not been pressin’ me at all. He’s not that way and besides, I told him many times I didn’t want a man.” Corinne popped open another pea pod. “He said he’d help me out for a pie,” Corinne laughed.

  Barnette studied her face. “Your pies are good, darlin’, but no pie is that good.”

  Corinne shook her head and popped the peas into the bowl.

  Lee tapped on the screen door and walked inside. Mince ran up to him and wagged his tail.

  “Daniel sent me back for some tools. I think I have what we need. He said to ask you, but I think I’m all set.” Lee patted Mince’s head and looked up and smiled at Corinne.

  There it was. Clearly, in his eyes. Barnette saw it and knew it for what it was. He was in love with her. It was as plain as the dust on his cheek. Lee Highland was completely in love with Corinne. Barnette watched Corinne smile back and then return to shucking her peas.

  “I’ll be damned,” Barnette said under her breath as Lee left.

  “What’s that?” Corinne looked up.

  Barnette knew that if Corinne realized how Lee felt she’d run like a wild jackrabbit. Barnette just shook her head. Corinne finished the peas, picked up Elijah and began to tickle him.

  “No man means no more babies,” Barnette said. “I’d hate to see you go through life like that because of Hank Fisher. You deserve better than that.”

  Corinne looked at her sister-in-law and sighed. “I don’t think my heart could take it,” she said. “Promises like piecrust, remember?”

  “I need to know what’s goin’ on with you and Corinne. No bullshit,” Daniel said.

  Lee faced him and looked him steadily in the eye. “I don’t know everything that happened with the fellow from before. But I think I know enough so I’ll tell you straight out.” Lee cleared his throat. “The minute I set my eyes on her I felt something. I just felt that I need her in my life. I see you and your wife and I think you know what I mean. But she won’t let me in. I saw that right off as well. I’ve been shut down myself for years over a woman so I understand what she feels. Trust me on that.”

  “The minute she knows you’re in love with her she’ll bolt. You know that.” Daniel said. “So, what’s your plan?”

  “Time, I guess,” Lee said. “In time, I don’t know, maybe never. So I’ll wait, stay her friend. Maybe I’m just being a fool.”

  Daniel chuckled dryly. “Only fools fall in love. You know that too, right?”

  “Do you have any better ideas? Corinne loves you and that dog. How do I get on the list?”

  “Let her trust you. No matter what. That idiot she took up with before wasn’t worth spit. If you can earn her trust she’ll come around. It may take time but if you get her to love you back it’ll be worthwhile.”

  “Now I just need to hold out without spooking her,” Lee said.

  “I wish you lots of luck.” Daniel walked up the path to the house.

  When Corinne pulled her chicken pie from the big oven and set it on the table, the crust was a golden brown and the filling bubbled through narrow slits, venting an enticing aroma into the warm kitchen.

  Barnette plunged the big serving spoon into the pie and began to fill the heavy earthenware plates. The gravy was thick and generous, smothering bits of carrots, potatoes and peas invitingly. The fresh pieces of chicken were plump and juicy.

  Daniel set a portion from his own plate onto a saucer and began to blow on the mixture for his son. Both Daniel and Barnette watched Lee plunge his fork into the food on his plate.

  “Have you had any of Corinne’s pies before?” Barnette asked.

  Lee looked up, his full fork balanced in front of him. “First time,” he smiled.

  They all watched as he put the forkful of pie into his mouth. He tasted it thoughtfully and his face spread into a wide grin.

  Corinne had never been so relieved to see him smile.

  “I never imagined,” Highland said with appreciation. “This is perfect.”

  “Wait until dessert,” Daniel mumbled, his mouth full of chicken pie as well.

  “Mmm…” Elijah hummed.

  “Exactly!” Lee turned to the child nodding his head. “That describes it perfectly.”

  Corinne watched him with the baby and caught her breath. Her reaction did not go unnoticed by Daniel or Barnette.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Corinne looked out over the level land as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. She could hear the sounds of her family, and Lee, laughing in the kitchen and she rubbed her forearms briskly. The approaching evening did not hold a chill but somehow Corinne felt one anyway. She sat through dinner listening to Lee and Daniel talk about being in the service. She watched Lee making faces at little Elijah until the baby’s hearty laughter had them all in stitches. It was clear that Barnette thought Lee was as delicious as a strawberry tart and that Daniel liked and respected him. Corinne thought she ought to be relieved. What would have happened had she brought him around and her family didn’t like him?

  She remembered what it had been like with Hank. Daniel’s disapproving glares every time Hank took a drink. The way that Hank would make remarks, right out in front of everyone, about what he thought about Barnette. Corinne remembered Hank getting plowed one night and even calling Barnette a cow. It was the last time she had brought him to the ranch.

  Yet, Corinne was not at ease over her family’s reaction to Highland. It hadn’t occurred to her they might like him too much. She could see Barnette’s little hinting glances. She was trying to sell Lee to her. Corinne did not want to be sold any man. Even one that Barnette thought was terribly handsome.

  “Off being alone?”

  Corinne turned to see Lee stepping off the porch and walking towards her. “You were right. I have never in my life had a finer pie. Never,” he said. “I didn’t know a pie could taste so close to heaven.”

  “Wait until you get that apple,” she said, smiling. “My family surely has taken a likin’ to you.”

  “That’s good.” Lee looked at her in the dusky light. “Isn’t it?”

  “I suppose. My sister-in-law thinks you’re somethin’ special.”

  “She’s a great cook and a wonderful mother. I’ll take that as a compliment,” Lee said.

  Corinne studied his profile as he looked out over the land and she had to admit he was undeniably handsome. Though she only had eyes for Daniel, Barnette wanted her to notice Lee. Corinne noticed and then l
ooked away.

  “We’ll want to get out early in the mornin’,” she said. Corinne did not want to notice how handsome and likeable Lee Highland was any more tonight. “Daniel will ride with us and I have some friends that will help us load the stove. The rest will be easy to move, mostly. I packed it before I left.”

  “Alright,” Lee said. He’d turned to face her and watched her face in the deepening shadows. He was relieved Corinne’s family treated him so warmly. He felt certain they would welcome him in every way and they had. It was her, he thought. He wished he knew how to win her over.

  “Look!” Corinne pointed out a single spot of light that appeared in the sky.

  “You’re supposed to make a wish,” Lee said. “If you did, what would you wish for? What in the world would make you completely happy?”

  Corinne looked up and considered his question. She had her land now and that was exciting. She’d be leaving behind the cabin and all of its memories of Hank, and her son’s grave. Dustin was gone and had left an empty space inside of her and she couldn’t imagine anything that would fill it. If that feeling were gone she could be happy, she thought, but she couldn’t see how that was possible.

  “I’d wish there was something for mendin’ a broken heart,” she responded. “Somethin’ better than time.”

  Lee kept the wish that came to his mind to himself.

  “Your family is good, Corinne. They certainly care about you.”

  Corinne looked at him suspiciously. She could not help but feel that his comment was leading her somehow. “You’re supposin’ that, since my sister-in-law thinks you’re so wonderful, I ought to as well.”

  Lee faced her and folded his arms across his chest. He looked at her frankly but did not say a word.

  Corinne took a deep breath. “Be my friend, Lee. That’s all. Don’t be lookin’ for any more, please. I can’t. I just don’t have it to give.”

  Highland nodded, listening.

  “Barnette isn’t blind and, well, neither am I. I’m still not sure what you’ve got goin’ on in your head right now. I’ll admit you’re not half bad when you’ve got some dirt under your nails and you’re not totin’ around that huge gun on your hip, but none of that matters. I have nothin’ to give. No wish on any star is goin’ to change that so don’t be imaginin’ it will. I sure could use a friend though. I surely could.”