White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  “First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Charles Fullbright. As most of you probably know, I’m an employee of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and yes, I’m here to obtain land.”

  “You’re not getting mine.” Howard Thompson, who owned a small farm a few miles away, stood and shook a fist toward Fullbright. Another, then another, joined him, their angry voices added to his.

  Fullbright raised his hand and shouted. “We don’t want your farmland.”

  The men sat down, but uncertainty, if not downright disbelief, remained on their faces.

  “Let me explain. I’m sure every one of you is aware of the Missouri Pacific’s plans to build a line following the White River, from Helena, Arkansas, to Carthage, Missouri. The White River Line will not only benefit the railroad but everyone who lives along the line.”

  Heads bobbed in agreement, but Thompson shouted, “What does that have to do with your buying land around here?”

  “That’s a legitimate question. One I’m happy to answer. The White River Line, although beneficial to all, will be very expensive to construct.” He paused, but now he had their attention and no one spoke.

  “My assignment here is to purchase land around and near the post office. This land will, in turn, be sold for businesses. In this way, the White River Line will be funded, and the Branson Town Company will create opportunities for progress in the community. We hope to plant orchards along the line as well, and encourage new mining ventures. All our plans will be beneficial to you. As many of you know, we have already obtained a great deal of land uphill from the river, but we need more.”

  As Fullbright paused, excited chatter broke out.

  Rafe sat back and grinned at Tuck. “Looks like we’re going to have a real town. Branson, Missouri.”

  “Just a minute.” The loud voice cut through the noise. Tuck turned to see Thomas Berry, the old man who owned the land on which the store and post office were built. He swayed as he stood. Tuck thought for a moment he might fall. “There’s one problem with your plan. I’m not selling my land to you or anyone else. In fact, I have plans to plat a town of my own, the town of Lucia, Missouri. From now on all mail leaving from the post office on my land will be marked Lucia, not Branson. So you may as well take your men and find another post office to build your town around.” He turned and stomped out, followed by his son.

  “I had a feeling.” Pa muttered with a sigh. “I thought Berry would put the brakes on this.”

  “Well, that was interesting.” With a little laugh, Mr. Fullbright took charge of the meeting once more. “I can assure you, Branson Town will be platted. With or without Mr. Berry’s land. Now I’ll open the meeting to questions and discussion.”

  The meeting lasted for another hour as Fullbright attempted to avert any concerns the people had. Rafe listened closely and even asked a couple of questions. Tuck’s concentration had shifted from Fullbright. She couldn’t get Mr. Berry off her mind.

  By the time they came out of the stuffy church building, Tuck was more than ready to breathe some fresh air. Even cold air. After waving good-bye to Ma, Pa, and Addy, she let Rafe help her into his buggy.

  They drove away from the church, and Rafe headed down the river road. He glanced at Tuck with a grin. “Branson, Missouri. Has a nice sound, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, it does. I like it a lot better than Lucia. But what if Mr. Berry won’t sell?”

  “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” Rafe chuckled. “This is the railroad, remember? They usually get what they want.”

  Tuck bit her lip. “Why can’t they start a town without the post office?”

  He shook his head. “It wouldn’t work.”

  “It doesn’t seem quite right, does it?” She chewed on her bottom lip.

  “What doesn’t sound right, honey?” He looked at her with interest.

  Tuck’s stomach leaped at the endearment, and for a moment she couldn’t speak. She took a deep breath. “Well, shouldn’t a man be able to keep his land if he wants to?”

  Rafe frowned. “Well yes, but sometimes there are exceptions. By holding out like he wants to do, he’s preventing us from having a town.”

  “He says he wants to plant a town himself,” Tuck snapped. “What’s wrong with that? Why shouldn’t he? What gives the railroad any right to come in and take over?”

  Rafe was quiet for a moment. “Tuck, we need the railroad. Without it, our progress is pretty much at a standstill.”

  She nodded but didn’t reply. She could see both sides, but Mr. Berry had fought in the Civil War. He’d worked hard farming and doing blacksmith work for the community. He had a very large family. Why shouldn’t he be able to leave them the land they’d been born on?

  “Hey, Tuck. Let’s go grab something to eat at my house then go hunting. You haven’t gone with me a single time this season,” His eyes sparkled as he smiled at her.

  Oh, how she’d missed his smile, the fun in his eyes. “I’ll have to go change. I can’t go hunting in a dress.”

  “We’re almost to my place. Why go all the way back? You can wear something of mine. Ma won’t care.”

  Scandalized, Tuck stared at him with wide eyes. Although they really weren’t any different than her own overalls, still, the idea of wearing a pair of pants that Rafe had worn sent heat rushing over her face and down her chest. “Why, Rafe Collins, shame on you. I can’t wear your clothes.”

  His face turned red. “Okay, okay, we’ll go back. Don’t get so upset.” He turned the horse and they headed back.

  Surprised, she stared at him. She’d never seen Rafe give in so easily before.

  Rafe stuck his tongue in his cheek as he crept through the trees. He didn’t expect to kill anything with all the noise he and Tuck were making from their laughter and cutting up, but who cared?

  They’d spent the whole morning and half the afternoon together. After his initial embarrassment at Tuck’s reaction to his offer had worn off, he was just plain tickled. It was the first sign he’d had that she was thinking of him as a man instead of a childhood friend.

  That wasn’t the only thing different. Although it had bothered him to see her changing for Sam Fields, he had to admit, now that she had discarded the silliness, he didn’t mind some of the more feminine characteristics she’d picked up from Addy. Obviously they were already a part of her and had just needed to be brought out. Otherwise, they’d have dropped away like some of the silly stuff had done as soon as Fields was out of the picture. Not that he wouldn’t have been just as happy if she’d gone completely back to her old ways. She was Tuck. His Tuck. He loved the person she was.

  He’d kept up a continuous line of humor going for hours just so he could hear her laugh.

  Now, she walked close beside him, her rifle lying casually in the crook of her arm. “Rafe, we haven’t spotted anything, and I’m tired of walking through these woods. We’ve been off your property for the last two hours. Maybe we’d better start back.”

  “I’ve got a better idea. Let’s start a fire and talk some more. It won’t be dark for a while yet.”

  “Sounds good. Lead the way.”

  After another half-hour’s hike, they forged their way from the thick wooded area into a clearing. A cedar-grown hill rose on one side.

  “Willie’s cabin is around here somewhere. Maybe we could search for it and surprise him.”

  “Nah. We could wander around for two days before we found it.” Besides, Rafe wanted to be alone with Tuck. He planned to let her know how he felt about her before the day was over.

  “Is the wind picking up?” She shivered as she helped Rafe gather small pieces of wood to get a fire started.

  “Maybe a little. You’ll warm up as soon as that wood catches good.” He grabbed a bigger piece of wood and threw it on with the others.

  As the fire caught, they continued to pile on branches and fallen logs until they had a small-sized but roaring bonfire.

  Tuck sat on the ground and leaned
back on her elbows, her legs stretched toward the fire.

  Rafe dropped down beside her. Her half-closed eyes caused Rafe’s breath to catch in his throat. He let it out with a whoosh. He’d never thought of Tuck as sultry before. His hand trembled as he put another dead log on the fire. “That fire feels good, doesn’t it?”

  “Hmmm.” She sat up and rubbed her arms. “Not really. Is it getting colder? I’m freezing.”

  “You really are cold, aren’t you?” He put his arm around her and pulled her close, tucking her head beneath his chin. “Let’s warm up some then head back toward the house so I can take you home.”

  “Carrie Sue might not like it if she saw you hugging me like this, you know. She might not understand that we’re just friends.”

  He grinned, trying not to laugh. He’d been waiting for her to bring up Carrie Sue, as he knew she would, sooner or later, if she really cared about him. “I imagine she’d think I was in love with you.”

  Tuck emitted a not very convincing chuckle. “The silly girl.”

  “Actually, she’s a very nice girl. Not nearly as silly as she seems.” He hugged her a little closer. Warmth wrapped him in a pleasant cocoon, and he doubted the fire had much to do with it.

  “That’s nice. She’s very pretty, too.” Her voice tensed.

  “Oh yes, very pretty.” Laughter threatened to spring up from the joy in his heart.

  She lifted her head and took a deep breath. “I suppose she’ll make a good wife.”

  He shoved her head back down. “Yes, I’m sure she will.”

  She grew very still. He could barely make out her words, she spoke so quietly. “So when are you getting married?”

  “Just as soon as I can.” He wondered how long it would take her to catch on.

  “Well, have you set a date yet?” She shot the words through clenched teeth.

  “No.” He grinned. “I thought I’d leave that up to you.”

  “What?” She sat up and stared at him.

  “Hey, what’s going on down there?” The yell came from up the hill.

  Tuck shoved away from Rafe and jumped up.

  Rafe groaned. Things had been going so well, too. In another moment he’d have asked her to marry him. Served him right for teasing her. He stood and peered up the hill.

  Willie Van Schultz was making his way down the brushy path. “Well, I’ll be. You two don’t have any sense at all. Can’t you see a storm’s on the way?”

  Rafe glanced up at the sky. Why hadn’t he noticed the heavy gray clouds? “Looks like we’re in for some snow.”

  “A lot of it, from the look of that sky. The way the wind’s blowing, it may turn into a blizzard, too.” He eyed them and their rifles. “Don’t reckon you rode your horses. Come on. My cabin’s just over the hill. I’ll take you home.”

  Tuck mumbled something about not realizing his cabin was that close. Rafe sent her a worried look. Her face was ashen.

  After they’d extinguished the fire, Tuck followed Willie up the hill with Rafe trailing behind. Ever since Willie had shown up, she’d avoided Rafe’s eyes and hadn’t spoken a word directly to him.

  He had to find a way to talk with her privately. She had no idea that he’d been teasing her, and from the conversation they’d had, she must think he was in love with Carrie Sue and planned to marry her. Now how was he going to get out of this crazy situation?

  Chapter 20

  Mr. Willie, usually quiet, sang Christmas carols nearly all the way. After church last Sunday, Ma had invited him, along with Tom and Squeezebox, to share their Christmas dinner, since none of the oldsters had family nearby. This had become a tradition the last few years, and Mr. Willie looked forward to it. Tuck was relieved she didn’t have to talk.

  For some reason, Rafe had lost the good mood he’d been in earlier. Probably wishing he was with Carrie Sue instead of Tuck and Mr. Willie.

  Sleet began to fall as Mr. Willie turned off the river road and headed toward the Sulllivan farm. “I reckon this here is one of the nicest pieces of land in the county. Yore pa’s done a right good job of improving it, too.”

  Tuck forced a smile on her numb lips. She’d been strangely numb since Rafe had dropped his news on her. Of course, he couldn’t know how it affected her. To Rafe, she was a pal, nothing more.

  When they stopped at her front steps, she jumped out and waved at them both. Rafe gave her a strangely desperate look as Mr. Willie drove away. Tuck slunk inside, wishing there was some way to avoid the family. They’d know something was wrong, and she’d have to tell them. Their sympathy would make the pain worse.

  The house was silent. A note from Addy lay on the kitchen table stating that Pa was driving her and Ma to town to get some more baking supplies. Tuck breathed a sigh of relief and went to her bedroom.

  She threw a log on the smoldering fire and dropped into one of the rocking chairs. How could she have been so foolish? She’d wasted months running after a no-good man, and in the process, she’d lost Rafe, her best friend, and she now admitted to herself, much more than a friend. If there was such a thing as soul mates, she and Rafe fit the picture.

  She must have misunderstood when she thought he’d told Pa he loved her. He couldn’t have fallen out of love with her and in love with someone else that quickly. But even so, the old camaraderie was still there. Being with Rafe today had been like coming home. That was until he told her he was going to wed Carrie Sue. A surge of pain shot through her, and she jumped up and paced the floor, finally stopping at the wardrobe that held the new dresses.

  Her blue gown hung next to Addy’s rose-colored one. She brushed a finger across the delicate lace on the scooped collar. Would Rafe think it was pretty? He probably wouldn’t even notice. He’d be too busy looking at Carrie.

  She spun around and paced to the window then back. A picture of Carrie floating across the dance floor in Rafe’s arms assaulted her imagination. A sob tore at her throat. She hated Carrie. She wished she’d die. Tuck groaned. She fell into her chair and let the tears flow.

  God, I’m so sorry. I don’t really hate her. It just hurts so much. Help me to bear it.

  The door opened and closed, and then Addy’s soft hand brushed Tuck’s hair back. “Abby, what’s wrong?”

  Oh no. She hadn’t heard the wagon drive up. But it was Addy, and Addy always made everything better.

  Tuck flung herself around and into her sister’s arms. “Rafe’s going to marry Carrie Sue.”

  “What? No, he isn’t,” Addy said. She drew back and lifted Tuck’s chin. “Where did you get an idea like that?”

  “He told me so himself. It’s true. I’ve lost him, and it’s all my fault.” She broke out in a fresh barrage of tears.

  “What? But Tuck, it can’t be true.” Addy held Tuck and patted her while she continued to cry.

  “Why can’t it be true?” Tuck sat up and fisted her eyes, gulping back tears. “People fall in love every day and get married. Why shouldn’t Rafe?”

  “Of course Rafe should get married. But not to Carrie Sue.” Confusion crossed her face, and bewilderment filled her voice.

  “Why not to Carrie Sue? She doesn’t exactly look like a horse, you know.”

  Addy pulled back and stared at her. “No, but—”

  Tuck should do something for Carrie. She gasped. Was that thought from God? It must be. But could she bring herself to do anything for Carrie Sue? Maybe not, but she could do it for Rafe. Yes, she’d do it for Rafe. Then no one would know her heart was breaking.

  “Addy, I’m going to ask Carrie what I can do to help her plan the wedding. I can do that much for Rafe. If I’m a friend to Carrie Sue, maybe she at least won’t make him hate me.” She choked back a sob. “Maybe I can even see him now and then.”

  Addy’s hands grabbed her shoulders and shook. “Abby, listen to me. It’s not true. I saw Carrie at the store today, and she was prattling along all excited about the dance. She’s going with Frank Cade.”

  “Huh?” She tried to mak
e sense of her sister’s words.

  “Yes. She said Rafe is obviously head over heels in love with you. Then she said if you have any sense, you’ll grab him before he finds out what you’re really like.” Addy paused and, obviously realizing she shouldn’t have revealed that, blushed a bright pink. “I told her that wasn’t very nice, and she just laughed and said she doesn’t care a bit and intends to get on with her life.”

  “But…” Tuck let her mind wander back over her conversation with Rafe while they sat by the bonfire. What exactly had he said? He said Carrie was nice. Then he agreed that she was pretty. Then when Tuck said she’d make a good wife, he said he was sure she would. Then Tuck had asked when they…no, when he was getting married. And he said—

  She gasped. A smile tried to peek out from her tear-ravaged face. Joy and anger battled.

  “That dirty dog! I’m going to kill him.”

  “Now, calm down, Abby. You know Rafe can’t resist a good joke. And you’ve really raked him over the coals these last few months because of your infatuation with Sam.”

  “Well, that’s not my fault!” She stopped. Of course it was her fault. “Oh, I don’t care. He flat deceived me, and he did it on purpose. And here I’ve been bawling like a three-year-old. You just wait until I see him.”

  The ax blade whizzed the air and hit the short log, splitting it down the middle. Rafe kicked the two halves aside and grabbed another log. Splitting wood was the best thing he knew to get rid of a case of nerves. And he had a bad one.

  The sleet had changed to snow, and wind howled and beat against the house and against Rafe. It promised to be a bad storm, so even with the woodpile stacked high, the storm gave him an excuse.

  He’d had no chance to explain to Tuck that he’d been teasing her about Carrie. Rafe had suggested that Mr. Willie take him and Tuck to his house and he’d drive her home, but Tuck had said no, she’d rather be dropped off first. If he could talk to her and get the Carrie Sue thing straightened out, all would be fine. He was 99 percent sure Tuck would accept his proposal and they could set a wedding date.