Forever Angels

by Simmons, Trana Mae

  Stone chuckled softly under his breath and shook his head. "I guess you're right, honey. Look, why don't you give me those beans so I can clean and snap them for you."

  "You?" Flower's amazement stilled her laughter. Tess nudged Flower's knee with her toe, and Flower glanced up to see Tess wink at her. Hastily she rose to her feet.

  "Uh...all right, Pa. I'll go get you a bowl to put them in."

  Flower hurried into the house as Tess smiled over at Stone.

  "It's something I can do while I sit here on my behind," Stone said. "And maybe it'll prove to you that I'm not one of those chauvinistic pigs."

  "Where'd you find out what that meant?" Tess asked.

  "In that darned book. But don't think for a minute that you're going to get an apron on me. There's still some things that are strictly women's work in my mind."

  "Oh, of course," Tess agreed. "I wouldn't think of asking you to help with the cooking."

  "Well, just who do you think taught Flower how to use that stove in there, huh?" Stone asked. "She'd never cooked on anything but a campfire until she came to live with me."

  The reminder of Flower's past sent a jolt of remembrance through Tess.

  "Stone," she said quietly. "What was Flower's mother's name?"

  "What makes you ask that?"

  "She...Flower told me about her mother and father while we had our picnic. But she said she wasn't allowed to speak their names."

  Stone gazed out into the yard and Tess noticed his fingers grip the rocking chair arm. Wishing she could take back the question, she opened her mouth to speak.

  "Here's the bowl, Pa." Flower came through the door and set the bowl on Stone's lap, then reached down and handed him the peck basket of beans. "I'm going out to water my lettuce seeds now."

  Stone sat for another silent moment after Flower left, and Tess gave a sigh as she started to rise from the rocking chair.

  "Abby," Stone finally said, and Tess dropped back into the chair. "Abigail O'Reilly, but I always called her Abby. The kids' father was Silver Eagle's son — Gray Wolf. I tried like blue blazes to hate that son of a bitch, but he came to be one of my best friends. I cried like a baby when I heard they were dead — and the tears were for both of them, not just Abby."

  Tess rocked quietly for a while, not wanting to intrude on Stone's remembered grief. But she had to know.

  "Flower said you were in love with Abby, Stone," she said after a moment. "But she said her mother chose Gray Wolf over you."

  "She sure did," Stone agreed in a soft voice. "Stood there and stuck her stomach out at me, told me she loved her child's father and wasn't about to leave him. Gray Wolf just gave me this half-assed grin and said he'd fight me, if I wanted him to. Hell, wasn't any use in that. I might've beat Gray Wolf, but Abby made it plain it wouldn't have done any good."

  "I'm sorry, Stone."

  Stone leaned back in his chair and looked at Tess. "For what? Because Abby chose to stay with the man she loved? Because I got my young heart broken?"

  Tess shrugged and dropped her eyes.

  Stone reached over and lifted Tess's chin. "I guess sometimes it takes a broken heart or two to realize what love really is, Tess. It's more than just wanting a nice looking woman to sleep with at night — one you've got an urge to make love to. As I watched Abby with Gray Wolf and the kids over the years, I realized part of what I felt for her was those randy urgings of my youth. I hadn't thought about the fights we had almost every time we opened our mouths at each other."

  Stone stroked Tess's cheek and she leaned into his hand.

  "Might I hope there's a little bit of jealousy on those pouting lips, Tess, honey?" he said with a smile.

  "A whole bunch," Tess admitted. "Even though Abby's dead now. But, Stone, we can't fall in love. We can't. I might leave any minute."

  "And I might be dead right now, too, from that snakebite," Stone said. "We can't live our lives on might's, Tess. Yeah, you might leave and break Flower and Rain's hearts. And mine, too, because I already love you more than I thought it possible to love a woman. There's not a darned thing I can do about it. My head keeps telling me there might not be a future for us, but my heart keeps saying it doesn't give a darn — that it wants what we can have today and the hell with tomorrow."

  Tess gave one last attempt at denial. "You just...Flower said I look like Abby. It's just...."

  "No, Tess. There's a little resemblance there, but you're not Abby. You're Tess — the woman I love."

  "I love you, too, Stone Chisum," Tess murmured, her love shining on emerald beams from her eyes. "And that love will last forever — forever in time, whether I'm alive or dead — whether it's 1893 or 1993."

  "Even past 'til death do us part, huh?"

  "Yes. Even beyond that."

  "So what do you think?" Rain asked Silver Eagle. "Do you suppose there are white spirits who take care of white people?"

  "It's a new thing to think about, Grandson," Silver Eagle said. "We will have to study it carefully. The white men who call themselves ministers come among our people. They try to tell us that only belief in their religion will get us to their Heaven. I never listened much to them myself, because their place sounded too much like one of the reservations we live on now."

  "These spirits seem awfully friendly, Grandfather. But I haven't tried to speak to them yet."

  "Have they tried to speak to you?"

  "No. They've waved and...well, done some other things so I could tell that they knew I could see them — like when the man spirit told me it was all right for Tess to give Pa that medicine. Nobody else can, though, not even Flower. She says sometimes she can tell they're around, but I'm pretty sure Tess and Pa don't have no idea the spirits are living with us."

  Rain leaned back on his arms and glanced at Silver Eagle. "They're always with Tess, Grandfather, even inside the house. Then they're smaller — so they can fit inside on their cloud, I guess. Outside, they're just a little bit smaller than live people. And they look like live people, too, 'cept for those wings on their backs."

  "Then they will come with Tess when Man Who Walks With Right and she come to bring you and Mountain Flower home. It's time for you to visit your people again, Rain Shadow. We will go after your father heals from the snakebite and does not need our help. The day before they come to get you, we will fast and prepare for them. Perhaps then we can speak to these spirits."

  "Have you really talked to spirits before?" Rain asked in a hushed voice.

  "Many times — in my mind and in the healing ceremonies. But only one time face to face, when I sought my vision. That does not mean I did not know they were always there when I spoke to them. My belief in them made it so."

  "Well, I don't have any trouble believing in these two spirits, Grandfather. I can see them just as well as I can see you right now."

  ***

  Chapter 20

  "But Stone, I won't be able to dance. And I don't have a thing to wear." Tess dropped the ear of corn she'd been shucking to her lap.

  "That's all taken care of," Stone told Tess with a superior smirk as he leaned against the porch railing. "I knew you'd bring up not having a dress, so Widow Brown's coming over this afternoon to fit you and Flower with the dresses she's making for you two to wear to the social and dance. When Flower rode out with Rain and Silver Eagle day before yesterday, they took her over there."

  "But...but...."

  "And Doc Calder said you've healed so well that we can stop by his office and get that cast off your foot the day of the social. He thinks if you just wrap your ankle snugly for another week or so and be careful, it'll be fine. Must be all that good food we fed you."

  Stone looked so pleased with himself that Tess couldn't bring herself to tell him the real reason she was hesitant about attending the gathering that Doc Calder had told Stone about a few days ago. It was one thing to stand up to Tillie Peterson when Tillie was alone. Tess could just imagine the sniffs of disapproval she would face from a cordon of Tilli
e's cronies. Tillie had probably gossiped with them every day, decrying the scandalous situation of Tess living on the ranch with Stone.

  No one in New York would blink an eye at her arrangement, whether or not she was sleeping with the man she lived with. Shoot, some of the women she knew even shared apartments with male roommates, partly for safety and partly because it just didn't matter — as long as the bills got paid.

  "I guess it would be nice for Rain and Flower," Tess murmured. "They'll enjoy it."

  "So will you, Tess," Stone said firmly. "But we won't be able to stay too late, because Flower and Rain will be leaving pretty early the next morning."

  "Leaving?" Tess sat up in the rocking chair and the ear of corn fell from her lap. "Leaving for where? How long?"

  "I told you about that, didn't I?" Stone said with a frown. "They always go with Silver Eagle a couple times a year to visit the Cherokee. That's why Silver Eagle came by. He only hung around this long because he wanted to help out, but they're leaving Sunday."

  Tess's mouth went dry and she leaned down to grab the corn in order to avoid Stone's eyes. "How...how long will they be gone?" she repeated.

  "Two weeks. We'll go out and visit a day or so ourselves when they're ready to come home — bring them back with us."

  Two weeks. Two entire weeks of no one else in the house to provide a barrier between the two bedroom doors. Two entire weeks of no Flower beside her in the bed to remind her that she had to control her desire for Stone.

  There wouldn't be anyone around to interrupt a surreptitious kiss before it got out of hand. No one to stop her from running her hands through Stone's hair any time he got near — slipping up on him when he chopped wood in the yard, burying her face on his shirtless back and flicking her tongue over a drop of sweat. Curling her arms around his waist and running her palms over that flat stomach — even lower if she wanted to.

  As though reading her thoughts, Stone said, "Do you want to get a room at the boarding house for those two weeks, Tess?"

  "Not unless they take credit cards," Tess replied with a wry quirk to her mouth. "I didn't stop at the ATM machine to withdraw any cash before I went backpacking."

  Stone stiffened. Rather than ask her to explain cards that gave her credit or a machine that divulged money, he shoved his hands into his empty pockets, aware of the flush crawling up his cheeks. He darned sure couldn't offer to pay for her room — not even the measly ten dollars a week charged at the boarding house. She'd need meals — another dollar a day. Thirty-four dollars for two weeks. He had a total of twenty-five dollars in his account at the bank, and he owed Doc Calder ten of that.

  "Maybe I could get a job in town," Tess mused. "Stone, do you know if anyone in town is looking for a...."

  "No!" Stone snarled. "You're not going to work! There's plenty for you to do around here, and you've been earning your keep, even on crutches. I took on the responsibility of caring for you and I'll do it."

  "Good grief, Stone," Tess said in amazement. "I'm perfectly capable of holding down a job. I had a dozen of them during the years I went to school. I've been earning my own spending money since I was old enough to babysit."

  "I said no!"

  "Oh!" Tess said, her temper flaring. "And who died and made you dictator? For your information, I wasn't asking your permission. I was just asking if you knew of any job openings in town. I'll make my own decision about whether I live on your charity or get a job to pay my own way."

  "It's not charity! If you sat around all day and made us wait on you hand and foot, now that might be charity. Besides, I'll need your help while Flower's gone. You can do the cooking and washing — keep the house clean."

  "Women's work, huh?" Tess sneered.

  "Yeah. And at least you'll be here where I can watch you. Just what the hell do you think I'd do if you disappeared while you were gone? I'd never know what happened to you."

  "Darn it, Stone...."

  "I said no job and that's final!"

  Stone stomped down the steps and headed for his horse. He'd only ridden back in from the field where he and Rain were cutting hay for the winter to remind Flower that Widow Brown was coming today. He'd had a faint hope Rose Brown might show up a little early — then he could see Tess's face when Rose gave her the dress.

  The heck with it. At least the darned dresses were paid for. He'd done some work for Rose — plowed her gardens and broke that new colt for her — in anticipation of Flower needing new clothing. There was plenty of room here at the house for Tess while Flower and Rain were gone. She didn't need to move to town and go to work.

  Stone suddenly pulled Silver Mane to a halt. Hell, it wasn't because Tess was afraid of what people would say, though that might be part of it, he realized. The house would be empty, except for him and Tess at night.

  He'd kept that thought at bay ever since Silver Eagle arrived. He'd known all along the Shaman planned to take his grandchildren for at least two weeks. That while he could still have his quiet talks with Tess in the evenings after Rain and Flower went to bed, there would be no Rain and Flower in their beds those two weeks. He and Tess had managed to keep the flames banked as long as the children were there. It sure as heck hadn't been easy — heck, just last night Silver Eagle had given a false yawn and winked at Stone as he headed for his tipi.

  And if that darned swing hadn't given a loud squeak when it started swinging wildly, Stone might have made love to Tess right there on the front porch. He recalled taking a firm hold of himself and wishing fervently that the kids were already gone.

  Stone nudged Silver Mane forward. He was going to have to oil that damned swing.

  The ear of corn snapped in Tess's hands. She tossed it into the basin beside her and hurriedly shucked the rest of the ears. Balancing the basin on her hip, she went back into the kitchen and set the corn on the counter. Darn, she'd be glad to get this cast off.

  For a second, Tess stared at the broken ear of corn, almost wishing it was Stone's neck. He made her so blasted mad at times. Well, short of gagging her, Stone couldn't keep her from making her own inquiries about jobs while she was at the social.

  Flower came out of the bedroom and headed for the door. "Here comes Mrs. Brown, Tess. I saw her from the window. Did Pa tell you she was making us some new dresses?"

  "He told me, Flower."

  Suddenly Lonesome's high-pitched barks split the air.

  "Uh oh." Flower ran out the door.

  By the time Tess got onto the porch, Flower had Lonesome by the scruff of the neck and was gently scolding him. The woman on the sorrel mare reined her mount over to the porch and dismounted. She wore a loose white blouse and split riding skirt above her high-top boots, and Tess could almost feel the woman studying her in return while she fumbled to unhook the catch on her saddlebag.

  The woman finally approached the porch steps, holding a package in both hands.

  "I'm Rose Brown," she said with a nod. "You must be Miss Foster."

  "Tess, please," Tess murmured. "Stone said you'd be coming over."

  "I passed him on the way a minute ago."

  "Mrs. Brown, are those our dresses?" Flower danced up to Rose Brown, her eyes alight with excitement. "Let's go inside so we can see them."

  "I'm sorry to keep you standing there," Tess apologized. "Please. Do come in."

  She turned and led the way back into the kitchen, somehow knowing that Rose's eyes were now scanning her tight denims. Stiffening her shoulders, she forced herself to remember the manners Granny had drilled into her.

  "Would you like some coffee?" she asked Rose.

  Rose handed Flower the package and removed her flat-brimmed hat, hanging it on a hook beside the kitchen door. A long braid of golden hair fell down her back. "Please don't trouble yourself," she said to Tess. "You and Flower go ahead and look at the dresses and I'll get us some coffee. I know where everything is."

  "I wouldn't think of allowing a guest to wait on herself," Tess responded in a grim voice as she intercepted
Rose at the stove. Tess had a couple inches of height on the other woman and used it to her advantage as she stared down at Rose. "Please. Go ahead and have a seat."

  Up close, Tess could see that Rose's face contained a few age signs — beginning crow's feet beside her blue eyes, just a hint of slackness at her jawline. A silent message passed between the two women and Rose's full lips tightened a hair. She dropped her eyes and moved toward the table, but Tess had the feeling this was only the first skirmish.

  "Your father's looking very well, Flower," Tess heard Rose say while she poured the coffee. "A lot better than the first day I saw him after he was able to get back to work. You should have let me know Stone had been bitten by a snake. I would have come right over to help out."

  "Oh, we managed, Mrs. Brown," Flower said. "But thank you for the offer."

  Tess gritted her teeth and moped up a spill of coffee. Just when had that woman seen Stone? Stone sure has heck hadn't mentioned it.

  The paper rustled and Tess heard Flower's indrawn breath.

  "They're beautiful, Mrs. Brown," Flower said. "Which one is mine?"

  Tess carefully carried a cup of coffee over to the table as she watched Rose pick up a dark pink dress and smooth it over Flower's shoulders.

  "This one, Flower," Rose said. "I thought it would look nice with your pretty hair and skin. I made you two other dresses," she continued, ignoring Tess, who sat the coffee cup down in front of her and returned to the stove. "They're everyday dresses, but I don't quite have them finished yet. I'll either bring them over later, or Stone can pick them up."

  "I'm going into the bedroom and try my dress on." Flower scampered from the room, leaving a tense silence behind.

  After a moment, Rose cleared her throat. "Uh...would you like to try on your dress?" she asked. "I may need to make some alterations, since I didn't have your exact measurements."

  "I can probably handle any alterations myself," Tess replied. "My grandmother taught me to sew at a fairly young age." Tess could almost have sworn the glance Rose threw at her was an attempt to measure just how old she was. She took a sip of her coffee and leaned against the counter.