Gabriel turned away, slapping his hat onto his head, and prepared to rejoin Sam. They would be heading out on horseback immediately. Sam was there with his own horse ready and Gabriel’s own horse was nearby and saddled at the hitching post. Without warning, Faye saw Gabriel turn abruptly back towards her like he’d forgotten something.
“Did you forget…“ Faye began only to have her words cut off. His mouth harshly descended onto hers, almost as if rushed or fearful of rejection. His hands latched onto her upper arms, pulling her towards him and holding her. His once tender lips claimed her publicly for all to see, many voices gasping in the background in shock at the public display of affection. Faye felt herself melt into his arms as he kissed her thoroughly, weakening her resolve.
“I needed that for good luck,” he whispered against her lips, “and because I love you. I’ll be back as soon as I can for you both.”
“We’ll be here waiting,” she replied softly, stunned by the kiss and admission. “Be safe.”
The silence around Faye was deafening as she stared at Gabriel’s back, watching him get on the horse and ride out of town. She didn’t want to look at their faces and see the condemnation or outrage at her outlandish behavior. She knew it broke one of their rules and that it was wrong of her to carry on with a man like that. Shutting her eyes for a brief moment to compose herself, she said a prayer for guidance and for Gabriel’s safety.
“Miss Miller? I do believe we need to talk,” she heard the Mayor’s voice cut into her attempt at peace and tranquility. Everything else around her was a dull roar in the background. She heard them, heard their words and their confusion. It didn’t matter what she said now, she knew that she’d broken faith with them by misbehaving publicly. The memory of Gabriel’s kiss would have to keep her strong, because she wouldn’t change it for the world.
9
Gabriel and Sam rode out right away. The afternoon dragged by, leaving Faye in numb shock and Titania trying to comfort her. She’d been relieved of her position almost immediately upon Gabriel’s departure. The mayor had been candid regarding her dismissal, wasting no time in making the announcement to the town since the majority was there at the church picnic. It was cold yet not unexpected. She’d been asked to remove her things from the school house upon leaving the picnic.
“Congratulations on your betrothal, Miss Miller. Since this is a church social and we are a good Christian town - I’d prefer it if you stayed and made a good show of it. You understand, don’t you?” the mayor inquired and then continued about his business, mingling among the people and trying to settle down the gossip running rampant about them now.
Faye nodded silently, blinking back hot tears. Her life would be changing again, and a new path was being laid before her. It was simply having faith that got her through last time, it would carry her along again. She was confident that He was guiding her yet again and she’d not fail this test.
“Sometimes the first step is the scariest, my dear,” Mrs. Nelson said gently, patting her on the shoulder. The old widow’s wrinkled face seemed to morph into a sun-kissed smile, revealing several discolored teeth from age. “My George liked to do that; he liked to boldly lay claim to things all the time. It used to irk me something fierce! But I found that usually when a man boasts a lot or makes a scene it’s because they are insecure. I bet your young man is a tender soul, isn’t he?”
“My daddy has a good heart and always takes care of people,” Titania agreed loudly, nodding. Her bright red hair was glowing in the sunlight. The curls were still bound tightly in the coronet braided about her head.
“All the best ones do, child,” Mrs. Nelson agreed. “Come, sit with me and make your plate up girls. You might be the center of attention right now, but it will fade, and they’ll come to their senses. These old gossips thrive on fodder.” Her cackling laughter rang out, making Faye grimace.
“Chin up, Miss Miller. Don’t let them get the best of you.”
Faye followed Mrs. Nelson and walked slowly down the side of the table, picking up items here and there. She had no appetite; rather she listened to the people around her whispering.
When did they get betrothed?
How dare she take up as a teacher when she had a marriage in her future?
Simply scandalous to see them carrying on like that!
I bet he doesn’t marry her.
I wonder if she is with child?
Shocked, Faye turned in dismay to the woman who had uttered those words. Their hateful words burned in her, scaring her. She could not hide the pain it brought her to be judged, criticized, and tossed to the side so casually. Gabriel loved her, was that so wrong?
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I am not with child,” Faye started hotly, feeling her cheeks flush with mortification and anger at the woman’s gossip. “The only children I have ever had or cared for have been your very own. This town’s children have been taught, cared for and loved as if they were my very own. I hope and pray that someday I will be blessed with a child, so I can teach them how a good Christian should behave,” she said with finality and turned away.
“Well, I never!”
“And you probably won’t again,” Faye blurted out casually over her shoulder. “You won’t have to worry about me any longer. I assure you that I will be keeping my thoughts to myself now as a lady should. Please forgive my outburst, I would never want it said that I was rude, malicious or catty like others might be.” Faye smiled ever so sweetly at the jab and set her plate down on the table because she was afraid she’d drop it. Her hands were trembling in anger and she’d never been so upset in her life.
“Now then, Mrs. Parrish? I will be finishing my lunch among friends and then gathering my things from the school, unless you’ve something else that you’d like to ask me to my face instead of behind my back?” Faye asked innocently. You could have heard a pin drop around her. The woman’s heavy breathing as she struggled to keep her temper in check was the only sound heard.
“See here, is that applesauce cake?” Faye heard called out from far away, breaking the silence. Curtseying, she picked up her plate once again and made her way from the others towards the tree line. She had no idea which blanket belonged to Mrs. Nelson, nor where they were supposed to sit. Her eyes filled with tears, nearly making her blind. She wasn’t sure if it was tears of anger, sadness, or worry for Gabriel’s safety. It was simply a surge of emotion at the day’s events that was a bit overwhelming and she wouldn’t let anyone see her break down. This, she would do in the privacy of her own home.
“Bravo, my girl,” Faye heard Mrs. Nelson’s gentle voice break through the fog around her scattered mind. She put her hand on Faye’s elbow and guided her to a small quilt lying under the pecan trees nearby. “Don’t ever let them get the better of you. Dry your eyes and save your tears for later. Keep your faith and pray for your young man. You’ve an example to teach a certain red haired young lady who is watching you right now.”
Sure enough, Titania was nearby and watching Faye with a look of admiration on her face. Several others already seated on the picnic blankets stared at her in curiosity and surprise. Some smiled in appreciation. Oh yes, she would lead by example!
“Come Titania, let us enjoy our afternoon in the shade,” Faye invited loudly. “Mrs. Nelson has been gracious enough to keep our company since your father had to depart in order to rid the town of the rustlers. Let us pray for his safety and quick return.”
* * *
It was nearly two weeks before Gabriel returned.
Faye had been shelling peas with Titania on the front porch of her small home. The two had developed quite a bond and she’d been so happy that the girl was with her. That first night after Gabriel had revealed their engagement and she’d lost her teaching position had been the hardest. While unbraiding Titania’s hair, she’d found herself weeping silently and didn’t even realize it. The young girl had turned around while kneeling on the floor, in order to wind her arms around F
aye’s waist.
“Please don’t cry and don’t hate us, Miss Miller,” Titania had whispered aloud in the silence. The popping in the fireplace from the wood echoed as Faye cradled the girl to her.
“I could never hate you or your father. I don’t like that they’ve taken my teaching from me, but there are more important things in life.”
“Like me?” Titania asked nervously. She could tell the girl feared being rejected just like her father did and it made her burn with resentment for the years that Anna got to spend with them as his wife. She’d tossed both of them aside instead of treasuring them. They had such tender hearts and wanted to fit in, just like Faye wanted to when she was a girl.
“Just like you,” Faye agreed tenderly and brushed a tear from Titania’s freckled cheeks. “Now, if your daddy is discussing marrying me? Miss Miller is so very formal, isn’t it? How about you call me Faye like he does?” Her hair bounced as she nodded vehemently, hugging her again. Since then, the two had been inseparable. Faye expected some sort of challenge against her joining their family, yet that had not happened. She would never take Titania’s mother’s place, instead paving her own way to grow to care for her.
As they shelled peas, they chatted about what it was like growing up. She listened to Titania for a while, marveling at the spark and energy in her. She would be an incredible woman someday with a strong constitution and amazing ability to love, just like Gabriel. Smiling to herself, she spoke of that day so long ago.
“You know, your daddy gave me a ring when I was about your age?”
“He did?”
“Oh yes,” she admitted. “I have it and wear it every day but its falling apart. Time has taken its toll on it and its grown brittle. I probably should have put it away for safe keeping a long time ago, but it’s special.”
“When things are special you keep them close to your heart, right?”
“That’s right. How’d you know that?”
“I have a small locket with daddy’s hair and my mother’s hair in it that I am never supposed to open, lest I lose it. I don’t take it off, ever.”
“That’s a smart girl.”
“And my daddy has a heart shaped rock he keeps in his pocket for good luck.”
“I know,” Faye admitted. “I gave it to him when I was six.”
“You did?”
“Yes. I met him once and was smitten right away.”
“Just like I was. Lost my heart to my muddy fairy princess long ago.”
Faye heard Gabriel’s tired voice ring out in the distance. She jumped to her feet, nearly knocking the bowl of peas from her lap. She quickly set the bowl down as Titania had already launched herself towards where Gabriel and Sam rode their horses slowly. Both of the men looked fatigued and worn out.
Titania’s laughter rang out as Gabriel leaned down and swooped her up into the air. He put her before him on the horse for just the briefest of moments before whispering something to her and letting her back down onto the ground. He and Sam both dismounted their horses, leading them towards her home where she stood frozen on the porch. The love in Gabriel’s eyes was intoxicating. How could she have ever doubted or wondered at her path? It was right there shining in his eyes for anyone to see. Her future was with that strong, brave, sweet man.
“Welcome back,” she whispered shyly.
“It’s good to be back,” he admitted, stepping up on the wooden porch, his boots making a hollow sound. His grey eyes looked down on her lovingly as he smiled; his hand smoothed back her dark hair from her face. “I’ve missed you.”
“Same for me as well.”
Without a care for who was nearby, Gabriel leaned down to kiss her. The tenderness in his lips made her heart ache with so much love and emotion. This is what life and love was supposed to be like: to feel needed, cherished, chosen.
Faye broke the kiss and turned her cheek shyly at Titania’s giggle of delight nearby. She’d forgotten that the young girl was nearby. She’d only had eyes for her handsome Ranger.
“Tell me of your adventures,” she invited quickly and stepped back, looking around suddenly as if she realized they were alone. “We both want to know what happened. Where are the steer? Did you catch the men?”
“It took a while and did quite a bit of tracking, but the leads were correct. We found a few men with about thirty heads of cattle. They were actually in the process of changing the brands with a running iron. Several had already been modified, a few ears cut, but we caught them before they tried to separate the calves from the mothers. I hate it when a child is damaged to the point of leaving the parent, whether it’s a calf or a person.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rustlers are a cold lot. Calves tend to head back to their mothers instinctively. Rustlers know this and try to prevent it. If they get an unmarked calf, it’s a lot easier to hide or sell than rebranding…so they go for the calves, but in order to prevent them from straying, they hurt them. They burn the hooves, so they can’t walk back, or split their tongue so they can’t suckle. Some will kill the mother, so the calves don’t leave. I hate their methods. It’s brutal and cruel beyond measure.”
“Where are they now?”
“The calves have been returned home. We could read the branding still, so we knew where to take them. The men? They are gone.”
“They shot at a lawkeeper, so I put them down.” Sam’s disapproving voice rang out. She glanced at him and back at Gabriel uncomprehending. She stared at Sam’s cold face and then Gabriel’s chagrinned one.
“What? Shot?” she exclaimed with comprehension. “Are you injured?”
“Faye, I’m fine. My leg was grazed before I took cover, that’s all. You don’t want to hear the gory details of my job nor do I want to share them. Just know that I am fine, and they will not bother anyone again.”
“Come inside and sit down,” she ordered quickly. “The stew should be ready soon and you’ll both be joining us for dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I no longer have to follow the restrictions set up. I teach for the town no more.” His face took a disapproving look, his brow creased.
“They let you go because I admitted we were betrothed?”
“I told you before that I had to follow specific rules,” she reminded him softly.
“Why are you not angry with me for saying something? I never meant to hurt you, Faye.”
“I know that,” she told him with a knowing smile. She set the hulled peas down on the table and pointed at the chair near the fireplace. “Men, if you’ll have a seat there, I will get you something to drink.”
Gabriel didn’t move. Sam took his seat near the fireplace and Titania pulled up a small stool to sit near her father’s empty chair. He stood near Faye unmoving.
“Go sit down,” she urged.
“Faye, I’m sorry,” he whispered quietly, touching her arm. She looked up at him to see the pain and hurt in his eyes. He was concerned that he’d damaged their fragile, budding relationship and she could see it written all over his face.
“Gabriel, I’m okay,” she admitted softly for his ears alone. “I was hurt at first, but things happen for a reason and I am ready for my next adventure in life.”
“I love you and never meant to hurt you.”
“I know that. I feel the same for you.” Her face flushed with embarrassment at saying the words aloud, knowing that Sam and Titania were within earshot. “I wouldn’t change a thing and look forward to us eventually being a family.”
“Marry me.”
“Of course.”
“No, I mean now. We don’t have to wait for a preacher or constable. Sam can do it. I’ve been witness before on other occasions for him.”
“Now?”
“Yes. I want you to have my heart and my name.”
“How about I ride down the street and get a witness for us, while you three talk it out,” Sam interrupted with a grin. “I’ll come back shortly.”
“
Thank you, Sam, for everything.”
Gabriel turned to Titania as soon as the door closed. “Do you think Miss Miller should become my wife? Would you be okay with it?”
“Can I still call her Faye or should I call her Mother?”
“It would be whatever you chose and felt comfortable with,” Faye jumped in before Gabriel could answer. “I am never going to take your real mother’s place, but I would be the best stepmother and friend you could wish for.”
“Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“I’ve waited a long time for this and my patience does have its limits, Mr. Reardon.” she teased. “In fact, my little grass ring has completely dissolved into dust from age.”
“Then perhaps it’s time to replace it,” he told her, pulling out a small ring from his pocket. Three small ropelike golden bands were braided together, almost mimicking her leaf ring he’d made so long ago under the bushes where they’d hidden as children one afternoon.
“You made this?”
“About a month ago when I saw you under the moonlight by the creek. I called out to you because I was certain that I was dreaming, but you ran away.”
“That was you?”
“I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me. That’s why I came back the next night, to see if it was my imagination or a ghost haunting me. I couldn’t believe that God would bless me to find you twice in my life. Once to get me through it all and the second time to love you as long as I can.”
“I told you to have faith and be patient.”
“And I told you that I’m not very good at it, but I’m learning.”
“Gabriel,” she breathed softly, touched by his words. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so touched, so overwhelmed…”
“Just tell me you love me again.”
“I do. I love everything about you from the very first moment I saw you.”
Lawfully Betrothed Page 6
