by Jim Cox
“No buts about it. I won’t allow either of you to spend any more time than is necessary at the boarding house, and your jobs have come to an end right now. You three need to gather up your things you want to take to Flat Peaks and take them to the hotel while I visit the tavern and chicken plant to tell them you won’t be coming to work anymore. We’ll all meet in the hotel’s lobby and talk about our next move.” Thomas looked around at his family. They were all looking at him with smiles.
The next two days were busy. Railroad tickets back home were scheduled and purchased. A telegram was sent, saying they’d be home in three days. During that time, Mary and Virginia did a limited amount of shopping. Thomas had warned them a different kind of apparel was worn in the west and Betty’s dress shop could provide whatever they wanted.
The family ate their noon meal and supper together, getting to know one another and discussing their future. Thomas explained the Double D in detail and talked about the folks that would become a part of their lives. He described Betty’s dress shop and Jake’s newspaper, the prairie, the mountains, and the long cold, snowy winters. He talked about the roundups, the ranch parties, the herds of buffalo, the eagles, the bugle of the elk, and he explained the waterfall and the cave that preserved their food. He also discussed, for the children’s sake, the early years when he and Virginia lived together in Flat Peaks. He told how they worked hard to become the owners of thirty-five thousand acres, only to have him gamble it away and became a drunk…a bum called Jug. He explained the pain and suffering he put their mother through, and the day she left him, leaving behind the horrifying letter that said she never wanted to see him again.
Thomas looked at his wife. She was crying. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Then turning to Mary and Tommy, he said, “I’ve told you these things, so there’ll be no surprises when we get to Colorado. I’m a respected man now, but I haven’t always been.”
Thomas rose early on their departure day to have breakfast with Walt. Suitcases had been packed the night before with plans to leave the hotel that morning by nine o’clock. They were to catch a ten o’clock westbound train for St. Louis.
“Good morning,” Thomas said, as Walt sat down. A waiter hurried to the table with coffee.
“I understand your son got off scot-free,” was the first thing Walt said. Thomas nodded and was about to express his gratitude when Walt hurriedly brought up another subject. “My desk clerk told me you checked out earlier and paid your bill.” Thomas nodded again.
“What time does your train leave, Thomas?”
“At ten o’clock, but we plan to leave here at nine.”
“I’ll arrange the transportation to the station.” Again Thomas nodded.
Thomas was starting to express his thanks when Walt stood. “Where are you going, Walt? Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?”
“I’ll eat later,” he said. “I’m not hungry right now.” He started off, but Thomas called him back. Walt turned.
“Thomas, I don’t like goodbyes, and as far as the other matter you want to discuss…” He paused. “Let’s just say some things are best left alone.”
As Walt walked across the dining room, Thomas mumbled to himself, “Thank you, Walter Smith. You gave me back my family.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
“They’ll be coming in today on the noon westbound train,” said Mrs. Douglas rather excitedly. She sat down to join the others at the breakfast table. “Does everyone know the plan?”
Her husband responded with a smile, “Sweetheart, you’ve gone over it a half-dozen times with us. We all know what to do.”
“I know, but I want everything to be perfect for Thomas and his family when they arrive. Do you all know your jobs?” They all nodded. “Does anyone have a question?”
“I have one,” Liz said. “Where is everyone going to sleep?”
“We have an extra bedroom,” her mother responded. “Thomas and Virginia can sleep there. Mary can sleep on a cot in the library, and the boy can sleep in the bunkhouse with the men.”
“Maybe Thomas and Virginia aren’t that far along?” Scar said rather sheepishly. “What if they have some more getting acquainted to do before,” the big man stopped, trying to find the right words.
“We get your point, Bart,” Liz said. “If that’s the case, we’ll change people around. You may have to sleep in the bunkhouse with the others.”
Turning to Morning Sun, Mrs. Douglas said, “Do you have everything scheduled, Morning Sun? We should be home by four o’clock. You’d better plan to feed a few extra people. I have an idea there’ll be some town folks who’ll come out and join in the celebration.”
“I will make plenty of food, we will not run out,” she said.
Thirty minutes before noon, two Double D buggies were tied in front of the Flat Peaks train depot. Waiting inside were Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, Liz, and Scar. They were fidgety, especially Liz and her mother. “Wonder what they’ll look like?” Liz asked to no one in particular. “I sure hope they like us.”
Scar reached for her hand. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Things will turn out fine.”
At twelve o’clock sharp, the train whistle sounded. The Double D folks rose and went to the unloading area.
After Thomas and his family stepped off the train onto the platform, Thomas hurried to his ranch family. With a wide grin, he gave the men hearty handshakes and the women tight hugs. As Virginia and the children approached, Thomas said in a prideful voice, “This is my family. My daughter, Mary. My son, Tommy, and my wife…” He choked. He couldn’t get her name out.
“I’m Virginia,” his wife said, stepping forward with an outstretched hand.
While pleasantries were being exchanged, Mrs. Douglas took in Virginia’s gray hair, her facial wrinkles, especially around her eyes and mouth, but mainly she focused on the woman’s hands. She looks older than I expected, Mrs. Douglas thought, and her hands are extremely rough and red. She must have been doing hard work for a long time.
Just then, around the end of the station, a group of town folks were coming to welcome the new family. And for the next thirty minutes, introductions were made and hands were shaken. Everyone was in a joyful mood. Virginia and the children were all smiles.
After the commotion had calmed, Eli, who had been standing back, quietly walked up to Virginia. Their faces were sober as they stood eyeing one another. Seconds later she reached out with both hands for Eli’s. “Hello, Eli,” she said. “It’s good to see you. It’s been a long time.”
“Fifteen years to be exact,” he said. Words were scarce for a time. Finally, he said, “He’s not like he used to be, Virginia. He never takes a drink. He’s one of the most respected men in the area, a man everyone looks up to. He doesn’t own land like the old days, but he’s the boss of one of the most respected ranches in this part of the country.” He paused.
“No one blames you for leaving him. He had turned into a bum, a town drunk, and stayed in that condition for ten more years after you left. But those days are over, Virginia. Put them behind you. It’s time you lived the good life.”
“Thank you for those words, Eli,” Virginia responded. “And Eli, I was never able to thank you for your help when I left Flat Peaks fifteen years ago. I don’t know what I would have done without you. All the emotional support you gave me during those last two years, and paying for our stagecoach fare back to Baltimore, even money to get me started when I got there. Maybe I can pay you back someday.”
“You're coming back home is payment enough.” A long minute passed before he continued. “Virginia, Thomas doesn’t know I helped you out. Let’s keep it that way.” She nodded.
“It’s time to get started for the ranch,” Scar called out. “Anyone who wants to continue in this celebration is welcome to come along.”
Thomas and Virginia rode with Alice and Herb Douglas. Mary and Tommy rode with Scar and Liz. It was a bright, sunshiny April day with a slight northwesterly breeze.
Pillow-like clouds floated overhead toward the high, snow-capped mountains, their slopes covered with pine and aspen trees. The prairie they were riding through was an array of multicolored blossoms. In the far distance, three eagles soared over the mountain tops.
“Look,” Tommy said excitedly. “There’s a cow up there with a baby.”
“You’ll see several more before we get to the ranch,” Scar said.
“Do they belong to you?” Mary asked.
“They belong to the Double D,” he answered.
Even though the youngsters couldn’t remember the landscape, since they were so young when they left the area, they enjoyed the trip. However, time seemed to be passing rather slowly. “We left town two hours ago. How much longer before we come to the ranch?” Tommy asked.
“We’ve been on the Double D land for the last hour, but it’ll take another two hours before we get to the homestead,” Scar responded.
Thomas and his family were pleasantly surprised at the scene when they crossed the homestead creek. Several large Welcome posters were placed in strategic locations. Three long tables with benches alongside were set up near the fire pit where meat was being turned.
As the two buggies pulled up to the front door to unload the passengers, Tony and Morning Sun came running. After introductions and greetings were shared, Morning Sun excused herself and went back to the kitchen to finish preparing the food. Not long afterward, town buggies started arriving.
The evening couldn’t have gone better. Nearly everyone passed through the food line a second time, and a few went three times. Afterward, when stomachs had settled, Morning Sun served peach cobbler with a thick cream topping. Games were played. Conversations abounded.
One time when Mary and her brother were standing by themselves, she whispered, “I’ve never seen a group of people this tall, Tommy. They’re huge.”
“Especially, Mr. Douglas and Scar,” Tommy answered. “They look to me like they could take on anyone.” They both smiled at their evaluation. “I’ve noticed something else, Mary.”
“What’s that?”
“The women around here sure are pretty, especially Liz. I believe she’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
“How about, Scar?” she countered. “He’s something to look at, too.”
“Yaw, but he’s got an ugly scar. He’ll never be handsome.”
“It only makes him look manly, more attractive in a rugged sort of way,” Mary answered with a wide grin.
The evening was slipping into long shadows with the setting sun casting pink rays on the floating clouds, bringing with it an end to the party. During any other time of the year, the party would have continued for another two or three hours, but it was roundup time, and the wranglers needed their sleep. Their morning would begin in the wee morning hours and last until dark. Their day would be another exhausting time in the saddle, searching for stragglers and cantankerous, mossy-horn cows with minds of their own. There would be branding and castrating, and all the other work involved in roundups.
Guests loaded into their buggies and headed home. When the last buggy rolled over the hill out of sight, Thomas pulled Mrs. Douglas aside and said, “Thank you for the party, Mrs. Douglas. It was wonderful. I know it impressed Virginia and the children.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Thomas.” She was turning to head for the house when he called her back.
“What is it, Thomas?”
“I’ll be sleeping in the bunkhouse tonight, Mrs. Douglas.” She returned his smile.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The next few days were much like the roundup days of the past. Breakfast was ready by four thirty, and saddles were filled twenty minutes later. Thomas resumed his foreman’s role for the twelve temporary hired men and the eight regular Double D men, which included Mr. Douglas, Scar, and Tony. Thomas had divided the twenty workers into four work groups and assigned them to strategic grazing locations. The days were exhausting, not only for the men but also for their horses. In fact, a horse’s work was so stressful the animal only worked for four hours before being exchanged for a fresh one. There were seventy-five spare head in the roundup horse string.
After fourteen hours, the long workday ended, and the men headed for the barn. The first chore to be done when they arrived was to take care of the horses; that came before anything else because a wrangler’s stock in trade revolved around his horse. After the horses were tended, the men headed to the creek to wash up.
By the time the men got to the house, rocking chairs had been moved against the porch wall, and a twenty-foot table with benches was set up, using wood planks and saw horses. Morning Sun’s delicious food centered the table. The women had eaten earlier, so they stood ready to keep the platters and bowls filled. Liz was to keep the cups full.
After the men were seated, Mr. Douglas said the blessing, and then the food was passed. As usual, the men ate their food, drank their coffee, and were heading for the bunkhouse and their bedrolls within twenty minutes. Even Mr. Douglas, Scar, and Tony went along. They didn’t want to disturb their wives in the wee morning.
When the lanterns were turned off, and the men had slipped under covers, Tommy, who bunked above his father, whispered down, “Pa, can I come along with you tomorrow? I might as well start learning to be a rancher.”
Thomas smiled and whispered back, “I’d be proud to have you come along, son.”
By the second week of May, the end of hard work was in sight. Within ten days the animals for sale would be driven to the Union Pacific railroad holding pens at Flat Peaks for shipment to a Denver slaughter plant. Consequently, during supper one evening, Mr. Douglas made an announcement. “The heavy work is behind us, so we can ease back on our schedule a little. Starting tomorrow, we’ll eat breakfast at six o’clock and end our workday at five.” He looked at Morning Sun. She nodded. “That way, meals can be eaten with the women, and those of us who are sleeping in strange beds can return to their normal ones.” The group at the table smiled, and everyone gave a nod.
Because of the new work schedule, the men stayed around the table twenty to thirty minutes longer than normal, drinking coffee. One by one they left for the bunkhouse. Most of the men had already gone when Thomas stood to leave, but Virginia reached for his hand and pulled him back. “You’ll be sleeping in my room tonight, Tom.” Thomas didn’t look up; he knew everyone standing around had their eyes focused on him and wore big smiles.
The days following the roundup were pleasant. Tommy spent a good amount of time with Tony, who taught him the ways of a wrangler. Mary was blending into the ranch’s lifestyle and also spent time in Flat Peaks with Betty, learning the dressmaking trade and getting acquainted with the town folks. Virginia seemed happy. Several times Mrs. Douglas heard her singing or humming a favorite tune as she busied herself with work. Her facial coloring had come back to life. Her wrinkles seemed to be fading. Her red, sore hands were healing.
Virginia and Mrs. Douglas had hit it off very well. They often spoke of their backgrounds, about how they’d struggled coming to Colorado from the east and the subsequent good and bad times. Virginia talked about the wonderful years when she and Thomas first came to Flat Peaks and how they became successful ranchers, accumulating several thousand acres of land. She also spoke of their downfall when Thomas started gambling and drinking. She described the terrible day when she and the children caught the stagecoach for Baltimore, and of the dreadful years that followed when they nearly starved and were forced to work at degrading jobs. She looked to the floor as she described the suicidal thoughts she had nearly every day. The only thing stopping her from taking her life was the children’s dependence on her.
Mrs. Douglas told Virginia the details of how Thomas orchestrated the purchase of the Double D ranch for them. She spoke of the struggle he went through putting the bottle behind him and how he slowly put his life back together to become an outstanding citizen.
She also explained their association with Scar. How he�
��d almost been beaten to death as a young boy, which resulted in the ugly scar.
One day over coffee, Virginia abruptly commented, “I’m glad Tommy’s jail situation evolved like it did, forcing us to return to Flat Peaks with Tom. It has enabled us to start rebuilding our family and our marriage.” Then she asked, “Alice, does anyone live in the Ross house? As I remember, it’s a fairly nice house.”
“It’s quite nice, Virginia, and it’s been empty since the Ross’ moved out. Why do you ask?”
“I was thinking Thomas and I could move there. We need to have a place of our own and not be a bother to you any longer.”
“You’re not a bother, Virginia.”
“I knew you’d say that, Alice, but just the same, we don’t need to be living with you. The Ross house is not far away…maybe a two hour ride. During the busy times at the ranch, Thomas could stay in the bunkhouse, but during the slack times, he could ride back and forth if he’s needed.” She paused. Her eyes were on Mrs. Douglas. “I haven’t talked with Tom about the idea yet. I wanted to get your thoughts first.”
Mrs. Douglas reflected for a spell and then said, “We enjoy your company, Virginia. Don’t think you need to move out because of us. It would be strange not having Thomas around. He’s been a part of us since we bought the ranch. But I understand your feelings. You talk with Thomas about it tonight, and I’ll discuss it with Herb. We’ll work out something.” Both women smiled.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
One evening the porch rockers were filled with folks watching the long shadows being formed, when Tony spoke up. “Morning Sun and I have an announcement.” He nodded to his wife. Everyone on the porch knew what was coming because of the couple’s grins.
“We very happy,” she said as she searched for her husband’s eyes. “I will have a baby come winter time…maybe February.” Immediately, hugs were exchanged and hands were shaken. When the news soaked in, the interrogation started. What names do you have picked out, Morning Sun? Do you want a boy or girl? We’ll have to start making baby things and maternity dresses. The celebration continued for nearly an hour in the cool July evening. There was a slight breeze, a full moon, and a sky full of stars.
