Red was one of Hank’s best friends though. Hank and Red went way back. They’d worked on the same ranch when Hank had tried out being a cowboy. Red was one of the reasons Hank had settled in Stones Creek when he’d finished his barber training. Red was working on the Bent Arrow Ranch then, the same one he was now the foreman of, though the owner and name had changed.
Hank was glad when he could wrap the hot wet towel around Red’s face, softening the stubble, and stopping the chatter.
As he stropped the blade, he reconciled himself to be happy for Red and Laura. Red would make her a good husband. He was hardworking, faithful, and constant. He’d raise the boys to be fine men. Hank pushed aside the thought that it was what he, himself, had wanted to do.
As he put the payment for the shave and haircut into his moneybag, Hank said, “Well, good luck with your courting. Hope it pans out for you.” Inside, he was thinking the opposite. He didn’t want the relationship to work out. He wanted Red to fail. If he did, Hank would be right in there to pick up any broken pieces he left behind.
~~~~~
Laura was setting the table for supper when a knock came at the House front door. Since she was the only one there, she answered it. Red Dickerson stood holding his hat in his hands.
“Afternoon, ma’am. Might I have a moment of your time?”
Laura noted that he’d been shaved and trimmed since she’d seen him earlier that afternoon.
“Um, no one else is here right now. Let me get my coat, and we can sit on the porch.” Laura did so, and soon they were seated on the swing in the corner.
“Mrs. Duffle, um, I was wondering if, um, if I could come courtin’? I got permission from Pastor and the other men. They are agreeable if you are.”
Laura was surprised, but then also not. Red made a point every Sunday after service to speak with her. Mark often showed up, and Red gave him some attention which her son looked forward to.
Hank’s face flashed through Laura’s mind. She liked Hank. Really liked him, but he hadn’t made any moves to try to court her. Red had. And courting wasn’t marriage. It was just seeing if they would suit.
As much as she was enjoying working for herself and being able to support her family, Laura longed for the security of marriage, as well as the closeness with another person. Okay, she admitted to herself. She missed being with a man. Laura and her husband had been close and in a very loving relationship. She missed him and the physical aspects of her marriage.
“I think that would be agreeable. We can court, and you can get to know the boys and me better, as we can you. How often do you plan to come to town? It must be hard in the winter to make the journey.”
“Unless the weather prevents it, I should be able to come a couple of times a week as well as Sundays for worship service. Shall we set up specific days?”
“I think that might be best. I can adjust my work on those days, so I’ve time to devote to you. I can also make sure the boys are here much of the time. Plan on joining us here at the house for Sunday dinner, also. All the suitors do. It’ll just be Blanche Basking, Ruth Naylor and myself here after Chloe and McIlroy get married a week from Saturday.”
“I’d be pleased to join you.”
Once they’d decided on Wednesdays and Sundays as the days he’d come courting, Red stood.
“I’ll be taking my leave now. I’ve got things to do on the ranch. Hawk’s here now, and we meet most days in the late afternoon and talk over the day. I’m going to be late today, but I had business here in town to tend to.” Red smiled at her. “I look forward to seeing you again, Laura. I hope it’s okay for me to call you by your first name.”
Laura felt herself blush. “Yes, of course, Red. One question though. You have dark hair. Why do they call you Red?”
“It’s ‘cause of my first name. It’s Reddington, named after my mother’s maiden name. Too much of a mouthful to say, especially when someone’s hollering it acrost a herd of cattle.”
Laura giggled a bit. “I can understand that.”
~~~~~
As Red rode back to the ranch, he thought about his afternoon in Stones Creek. He’d accomplished much. He’d dropped off his laundry, gotten permission to go courting, as well as a shave and haircut, and spoken with Laura Duffle who was willing to see if they’d suit.
She was attractive, if a bit plump. Red figured having two children might do that to a woman. He didn’t mind. He did like her dark hair. It looked long, though it was always piled up on her head. Looked soft, too. He’d like to see it down and run his fingers through it.
Red had been wanting a woman in his life for a long time. Now that he was foreman on Hawk’s Wing Ranch he could afford one. Laura Duffle met his requirements. She was hardworking, a believer, and pretty. Yes, she’d do.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Laura and her sons waited for Red to arrive to take them to the wedding. Chloe Ashburn was marrying McIlroy, the town blacksmith. No one knew his first name. He simply went by McIlroy.
Mark was bouncing, eager for Red to arrive. He liked the idea of possibly moving to the ranch.
Eddie was sullen. He was not excited about the prospect of the cowboy courting his mother. He didn’t want to think it might be possible that they would leave town and move onto a ranch if Mr. Dickerson and his mother got married. Even the lure of having his own horse wasn’t enough to encourage acceptance of the idea.
Laura had warned Eddie that he had to be polite and take the time get to know Mr. Dickerson. There was a possibility that he’d become their step-father. That comment had caused her oldest son to start crying. He wanted Mr. Johnson to be his step-father, not a cowboy.
Taking Eddie up to her bedroom, Laura sat with him on the bed. She’d seen Chloe arrange herself, Dunc and Lil-Pen, her children, against the headboard to talk about serious issues.
“Eddie, I understand that you like Mr. Johnson. He’s a good friend of mine, too. But, Mr. Dickerson has asked to court me, us. Mr. Johnson hasn’t.”
“Maybe he will if I ask him.”
“No, Eddie. You can’t do that. If he wanted to come courting, he would have. He’s had plenty of time to decide whether he was interested. Mr. Dickerson is interested. He went to Pastor Preston, Doc Eli, Mr. Cutler and Sheriff Riverby and asked them if he could court me. I’m going to honor his request. We’ll get to know him and see if we suit. If we do, and Mr. Dickerson asks, I may decide to marry him. If that happens, he’ll be your pa.”
“But, I want…”
Laura placed her fingers on Eddie’s lips stopping his words.
“I know. But Mr. Johnson hasn’t made any moves to show he wants to court me or become your pa. Mr. Dickerson has.”
The bones seemed to go out of her son. Instead of remaining beside her, he collapsed onto her lap. He cried out his disappointment that the man he was looking up to didn’t seem to want him.
Laura held him as he cried. She felt the same way. Although she liked Red well enough, it was truly only as a friend. The man she was attracted to was Hank Johnson. At times, she thought he might reciprocate her feelings. He was so very kind to her. Helping her to develop her laundry business. Letting her rent his backroom to wash in during the winter. Carrying water for her when he had time. He’d made the advertising sign and strung lines up in her washing room so she could hang laundry out of the weather.
But he had never mentioned courting her nor had he gone to the group of men to request permission. Red had, and that’s why she was willing to be courted.
Laura didn’t want to be alone. She was managing to make a living and raise her sons by herself. It was hard work. The ladies of the House helped and supported each other, but the burden of guiding her children to adulthood was totally on her shoulders. They needed a man’s influence. Needed that male role model, so they learned how to be honorable, God-fearing men. That was something she couldn’t give them.
So, as much as her heart might long for Hank Johnson, it was Red Dickerson who very well mig
ht become her husband.
~~~~~
Hank stood at the back of the church. He didn’t need to sit. The small building was filled with the residents of Stones Creek and the surrounding ranches. McIlroy had done blacksmithing for nearly everyone and was friendly and helpful, in general, so he was well liked. Besides, when the vows were spoken his full name would finally be revealed. Everyone wanted to know what it was. He’d never told, only saying he was McIlroy, just McIlroy.
Hank beat his hat against his leg. Laura and her boys were seated next to Red Dickerson. Hank was kicking himself for not having taken the initiative to speak with Pastor Preston and the others. It was a failing in his character Hank was going to work to change. His indecision had cost him for the last time. Though he, sort of, hoped for the best for Laura and Red, in his heart he knew he wanted the relationship to fail. If it did, he’d be over at the gun shop asking Pastor if he could court Laura faster than a mule could kick.
Hank realized he hadn’t been paying attention to the ceremony when the congregation burst out laughing. From his position, he couldn’t see the couple very well, but he heard Chloe’s voice.
“I don’t care what your name is. I love you anyway.”
Rats, he’d missed McIlroy’s name.
~~~~~
Red hitched his horse to the rail in front of Sanctuary House. A wagon was parked in the yard with the two draw horses also tied there. It must be Harvey Hayes’ wagon. Red knew he’d married Birdie Pullman from the House back in September. Stones Creek’s Sheriff Riverby and Deputy Levine also had married House ladies. They’d be here to celebrate Christmas too.
Red opened his saddle bag and took out the parcel with his gifts for Laura and the boys. He hoped they liked what he was giving them. Mark seemed to accept him. Eddie was still reserved. Maybe the gifts would help.
His knock was quickly answered by some child he didn’t know. The boy stepped back to let him in.
“Merry Christmas. You here to be with Mrs. Laura? I’m Ozzie Basking.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Ozzie. I’m Red Dickerson, and yes, I’m here for Mrs. Laura and Eddie and Mark, too.”
Mark came running and wrapped his arms around Red’s legs. He looked up and smiled at Red. “Merry Christmas. We’re gonna eat dinner soon, then open presents, and then go to church. We got turkey an’ stuffing an’ punkin pie an’ apple pie an’ mince meat pie.”
“You going to eat all those kinds of pies?” He grinned at the excited little boy swinging back and forth as he hung onto Red’s leg.
“Not mince meat. Yuck.”
Laura appeared in the doorway to the dining room. “Welcome and Merry Christmas. Come on in here. It’s much warmer.”
Red followed her and saw that nearly all the original ladies, as well as their husbands, were there. He knew one had married a trapper and left town. He’d watched all the ladies since their arrival in Stones Creek and tried to figure a way he could support one. When Hawk bought the ranch and made Red foreman, the opportunity arose.
A couple he’d considered too young for him. They were both married now. Blanche Basking was older than him and had four children, so he’d ruled her out. He didn’t mind the thought of taking on children, but four seemed too many.
That had left Chloe Ashburn, Laura Duffle, and Ruth Naylor. All were the right age and only had one or two children. McIlroy had set his sights on Mrs. Ashburn, so he’d been down to two. Although Mrs. Naylor only had one child, it was a girl, and he didn’t know much about girls. Also, her job was minding the children while the other women worked. Even though he figured Ruth knew all about running a home, Laura’s skills at laundry tipped the scales in her favor.
The large dining room with its many tables and chairs was decorated for the holiday. There were paper chain garlands hanging between the sconces on the walls. Each table had a centerpiece of pine boughs and cones tied together with red ribbon atop the white tablecloths. Laura had told him they didn’t use those tablecloths normally. They were kept for Sunday dinner and special occasions. Well, Christmas was a special occasion.
The aroma from the pine boughs mixed with smells of turkey and all the trimmings welcomed Red. Mark was still attached to his leg.
“Here, Cowboy, take this parcel to where the presents are.” Red handed it to Mark who released his leg and ran off. He greeted the other men, and they chatted amiably while the ladies bustled around getting the feast ready to serve.
As soon as all was ready and everyone seated, Blanche Basking stood.
“Thank you all for joining us today. It would have been a lonely day without our House ladies who have wed celebrating with us. Now, let us say grace and enjoy the bounty of our Lord.”
Once everyone bowed their heads, Blanche began, “Our gracious and Heavenly Father, we come to you today with thanks and love. Without the birth of your Son, Jesus, He could not have grown in wisdom and understanding to live a perfect life, preached Your new covenant, taken all our sins on Himself to die on the cross. Without His death, He could not have risen to prove His power, might and triumph over death and the evil one.
“So, we come humbly to You, asking Your blessing on the meal provided by Your loving work. May we honor You with our lives in all we do. In Your precious son, Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Before she even sat down, dishes were being passed, and food was spooned onto plates.
Red sat next to Laura, with Mark between them. Eddie sat across from him with a frown on his face. Knowing the boy preferred Hank over himself irked Red. He also knew he needed to give Eddie time and attention in order to win him over. Maybe the gift he’d brought would help with that.
Myra and Sheriff Newt Riverby sat at the table with them, her son, Troy sitting at the end. Myra was a spitfire who kept them laughing with her rather earthy comments about the quirks of the customers who frequented the dress shop, run by Mrs. Leah Steele, where she worked. Even though Myra didn’t say the names, everyone knew or suspected about whom she was speaking.
“Well, Mrs. Leah finally succumbed and padded the bodice. When the customer comed to try it on, I ‘most died. I wanted to burst out laughin’ but managed to hold it in. Just as we’d been tellin’ her for months, it hung cockeyed and sagged. All that paddin’ outside of the corset just cain’t not sag. Mrs. Fu…” Myra bit off the name.
“The missus stood there looking at herself in the full-length mirror. She looked so sad.” Myra’s tone had changed from jovial to concern. “Finally she said, ‘Mrs. Steele. I do believe you were right. Is there anything you can do to fix this?’ Mrs. Leah placed a gentle hand on her back an’ told her that, of course, we could. When we was leavin’ so the missus could change, I done heard her mumble, ‘now how am I going to get his attention?’ Made me feel right sorry for the missus. All she’s a wantin’ is a bit of her husband’s notice.” Myra took a bite of turkey.
Newt placed an arm around his tiny wife’s shoulders. “I don’t have that problem. If I don’t pay you any mind, I get an earful and then some.” Myra’s head snapped around, and her eyes flashed sparks. He leaned down and kissed her nose. “And I’d never ignore you anyway. I love you too much to ignore you. Besides, you’re way too much fun to tease.”
Everyone at the table, as well as the ones nearby whose occupants had been listening, began laughing. Myra smacked Newt on the arm, but she was smiling as she did so.
Once dessert was enjoyed and the tables cleared, the presents were distributed. Each family had opened their gifts as a unit before everyone arrived for the meal. The children all had one gift to open from the Ladies. None could afford to give to each person, so it was decided that a knitted hat was something every child would benefit from during the cold winter. Yarns in a variety of colors had been purchased with pooled money so the child’s favorite color could be use for their gift.
When Eddie brought his bag to their table, Red wondered for a moment if he should have brought something for everyone, then decided it was a foolis
h thought. He’d never have been able to afford it, and he hadn’t even known how many there would be.
After opening his pack, Red handed a gift to each boy and Laura. “Now, boys,” he said. “These are for both of you, so you’ll have to share. You each get to open one, but they are equally both of yours.”
The boys nodded before tearing the paper off. In Mark’s was two whittled horses. Not being a very good whittler, Red had bought them from one of the cowboys on the ranch. The delight in Mark’s eyes, and his quickly uttered thank you, told of his pleasure of the gift. Troy, who’d come to stand behind Mark was handed one horse, and the boys began galloping them around the room, as Mark climbed down from his chair.
Eddie watched for a moment then, glancing at his mother, said, “Thank you, Mr. Dickerson.” Then, he turned his attention to the gift in front of him. A joyous cry of, “Jackstraws,” indicated the acceptance of the game. “Thank you.” Eddie jumped up and ran to where several of the other boys were gathered. Upon seeing the new toy, the boys claimed a table, now empty, and spilled the sticks to begin playing.
“You made progress with him today,” Laura said. “Those were thoughtful gifts. And I appreciate you cautioning them that the toys were joint for them both. It will save a lot of arguing.”
“Hey, I was a boy once myself and have several brothers. We might not have had many toys, but were quickly made to know that no one of us could claim ownership.”
Laura started to rise, but Red placed a hand on her arm. “I got you something too. After seeing all the hats, I’m not sure you’ll be pleased with it.” He pulled another bundle from the bag, giving it to her.
“You didn’t need to get me anything. Now I feel awkward. I didn’t get anything for you.”
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