by Rita Hestand
A hint of annoyance crossed her features.
"Mr. Harper, look at me!" She said her anger spewing as she spoke. "Can you see anything wrong with me aside from the fact that I cannot walk?"
He stared, his eyes going over her thoroughly and a slight smile sneaking up on him.
The patience in his voice was soothing to her raw nerves, but that too irritated her. He was merely indulging her temper tantrum. But as soon as she thought it, she realized her foolishness
"No ma'am…" He drawled effectively.
"Do you feel as though you have to tip-toe around me Mr. Harper, to keep from ruffling my feathers?" She fumed, setting the coffee pot on the stove to warm.
"No ma'am."
"I'm crippled, I have accepted that, but I don't have to be reminded of it all the time. No one knows that better than me!"
"Incapable isn't a word I'd use for you. I mean, you did drag a bullet out of my leg…" He smiled. "I doubt if many of the Sunday-go-meeting women of the church would be able to do that."
She looked at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. "I'm sorry." She grabbed her mouth. "I let people get to me sometimes. I just wish for once someone would treat me like I'm an ordinary person and forget I'm in this chair! I'd like to forget I'm in this chair sometimes. But it's impossible."
"Mrs. Prescott, you're no ordinary woman by any means!"
She turned and stared at him and again burst out laughing. "Quit that, you are humoring me!" She laughed aloud.
To break the tension, he laughed too.
"Well, crippled or not, everyone has their moments, ma'am." He smiled.
"I guess you are right about that. I'm certainly having one of those days. Want some coffee?"
"That'd be nice."
"Frankie and Mr. Harvey got the limbs picked up. But I so wished I had someone else to do it. He is such a nice person, but…his reasons for doing things for me…well…"
"You're having a day, aren't you?" He laughed.
She broke out in a grin. "I'm sorry. I am having a day. Would you like a piece of pie? And I'm not going to apologize for it. I'm entitled."
"Good that proves your as human as anyone, doesn't it?"
"I guess it does." Her voice lilted.
"And I'd love a piece of pie." He smiled at her now, realizing that when she smiled and laughed she was quite beautiful.
"Now, let's start all over. Was the wedding nice?" He asked.
"Yes, it was beautiful. She was so young and so in love. The ceremony was so long, I could tell they were getting antsy up there." Anna's eyes got all dreamy and Les had to clear his throat and look away from her.
"Weddings are kind of emotional for women, aren't they?" He asked with a slight play of a smile at his lips.
She laughed, and put her hand out to his arm. "Thank you. I haven't had anyone to remind me in a long time when I'm being extremely foolish."
But the minute she did, she saw him look at her hand.
"I'm just bold as brass today, aren't I?" She chuckled.
His grin was infectious.
"I hope Mr. Harvey didn't see you? That's all I need is a bunch of wagging tongues…" She chided.
"No, I stayed in the other room. And I will any time you have company. I don't wish to bring problems to you. No one needs to know I’m here." He told her.
She looked at him now, how serious he was. "You aren't bringing me problems. They do. With their wagging tongues. Why just today someone wanted to know if I was going to marry Mr. Harvey."
"Are you?" his voice no longer sounded cheery.
"Land sakes, No!" She almost hollered.
"I heard them talking outside. He's very fond of you." Les added. "I could tell that was heavy on his mind."
"I know that. That's why I don't want him doing things around here. I'm in a wheel chair and I can't exactly run away when I want. I'm not in love with Mr. Harvey and I'm not about to marry him."
He studied her now.
She shook her head and chuckled. "You'd have to be a woman to understand these things." When he still looked at her with that peculiar kind of grin she added. "Well it's just that he keeps doing things around here, and people keep talking like I ought to be so grateful. And don't get me wrong, I am. But, I've had my turn at marrying without love. If there is a next time, I will love the man." She promised. "And I'm not in love with Mr. Harvey."
"Good for you, you stick to your guns." He smiled.
"Your quite a charming man, Mr. Harper but you still haven't told me what you do for a living." She said staring at him for an answer.
He seemed to size her up quickly. "Since Frankie isn't here, and you'll find out soon enough I might as well tell you. I'm a Texas Ranger."
"A…." Her mouth hung open. She hadn't expected that.
"Don't go repeating it." He told her.
Her eyes widened with shock now. "That's an admirable profession why hide it?" She asked.
"If I tell you, will you promise not to repeat it to anyone. And some people will come asking."
"Yes, of course…"
"I'm working under cover. I had the culprits red handed so to speak, but I took a bullet in the robbery and I had the money. The gang will be after me…any time now. That's why I can't stay long, ma'am. I thought I should level with you. Didn't want you to worry that I was some bad man on the run."
"This might surprise you, but I’m a very good judge of character. If I thought for one minute that you were really bad, you wouldn't be here now." She announced.
"I believe that!" He grinned again, making her heart flutter.
She smiled.
"But I'm serious. You can't tell anyone, no matter what happens."
"Your secret is safe with me, and it does relieve my mind about you. Well you are a man, you are in my home and no one else knows it. And I'm not dumb enough to think a man takes a bullet for nothing." She explained.
"Say, you are smart!" He laughed.
She laughed too. This time she threw back her head and really laughed.
But his stare made her stop.
"Don't tell Frankie either. Kids tend to brag about things to other kids and the word would be out."
"Sit down now and I'll get you some coffee and pie."
Les sat at the table and waited until she brought the pie. She cut him a generous piece and watched him eat it.
"You aren't having any?"
She shook her head and stared at him a moment.
"I understand. Now…I think we should exercise that leg some. Do a few leg lifts and stretches, what do you think? We don't want it stiffening up on you."
He shrugged, "I'm okay with that." But when he tried to raise his leg, he nearly fell and she helped to catch him. He practically fell into her arms.
She blushed.
His bold glance swept over her with a lazy intent. "You have beautiful eyes. Eyes of an angel."
His manners were affable.
Making light of it, she chuckled. "Nope, sorry, I have no wings."
His lips curled, but she saw the look in his eyes as his gaze fell on her lips.
She had to hold the gasp inside. Had he thought to kiss her, her mind wandered. Surely not, that was just hopeful thinking, she mused to herself.
On Sunday she and Frankie went to church, leaving Les there alone. She didn't invite him because she didn't want people knowing he was staying there with them. The gossip would be too much for her to handle.
As usual Mr. Harvey sat beside her in church and Kate and Betsy waved at her when she came in. The preacher had been long winded, but his message was strong, due unto others.
Afterwards Mr. Harvey wheeled her outside where they all shared a big picnic. The women had all brought food to share and blankets were placed all around to sit upon. Some of the men brought musical instruments and began playing tunes. Directly a few gathered to dance.
People noticed how Mr. Harvey doted on Anna and she heard the whispers. How could she dispel them? How could she te
ll him so he understood?
To anyone else it would have been a small problem but to Anna it seemed to multiply and worsen at each gathering.
When she got ready to leave Mr. Harvey offered to drive her and Frankie home in his buggy, but she explained she had come in her wagon and needed no assistance except a lift up into the wagon seat.
He obliged and held her in mid air, staring at her. She turned her head as his lowered. She rebuked his kiss. His expression was grim but patient. He went to put the chair in the back of the wagon for her.
However as he left, he abruptly pulled away, tossing her a frown that spoke volumes.
"Ma, why does everyone think you're gonna marry Mr. Harvey?" Frankie asked on the way home.
"Because they are all busybodies Frankie. And I can't seem to get Mr. Harvey to understand that I'm not interested in marriage with him. He's a wonderful friend, but I have no intentions of marrying him, Frankie."
"Are you interested in marrying again?"
"Well, no…I mean I haven't met anyone. Oh Frankie, please don't ask me that. I have to answer everyone else about it, not you too!"
"I'm sorry. It's just that every Sunday I hear Betsy talkin' about you and Mr. Harvey. She gossips like an old woman."
"I know, but short of telling her off, I am just going to have to live with that!"
"Don't you like him?"
"Not in that way, Frankie. You see, marriage is about two people who are in love and want to build a life together. I like Mr. Harvey, I'm just not in love with him. There's a big difference."
"Did you love my Pa?" he asked glancing at her face.
She closed her eyes and nodded slowly, "In some ways. But not like most folks do that marry. I loved that he took care of me and you. I loved that he was patient and kind to others. But…I wasn't in love with him, nor was he in love with me. Your father was still in love with your mother when we married, but he needed someone to help care for you, and I needed a home. When we married, we both knew this and we agreed to help each other. However, marriage is about love Frankie. Or it should be…"
Frankie nodded. "Yeah you're right about that, and Mr. Harvey…he's kind of old, isn't he."
"He is, and I truly wish he'd give it up. I just don't love him!" She blurted. "If I did, I'd jump at the chance. But a good marriage should be all about love."
Chapter Six
"What are you doing on my property?" Anna asked the big man in the saddle that kept his rifle handy. He had three of his ranch hands with him, all ready for trouble. His gaze pierced her. His mouth sat tightly against his stone face.
One of his men spit on the ground. A horse reared.
All of them had sneers on their faces, and hands ready at their guns, as though she were a tough hombre they had to tame. This was no welcoming visit. Anna sat in her chair, boldly staring at them from her porch. She'd seen them coming from the doorway and scrambled her chair out on the porch to greet them. She hoped Mr. Harper was sleeping. She didn't need to explain anything more to him This was her trouble.
The stone face that stared straight at her didn't seem to appreciate her struggle. She knew she didn't intimidate anyone, but she could hold her head high and keep her pride. They didn't know her knees were knocking at the same time.
"It's not your property, ma'am and you know it. Under the circumstances, you being a cripple and all, I'm here to warn you that you better start packing, because as soon as that judge comes to town, you are gonna have to leave this place. I thought it only fair to give you a warning of it. Plenty of time to get your things together."
Anna stared at the man, as a wisp of gray hair blew in the wind from under his hat. His steel gray eyes narrowed on her with precision. His expression was anything but friendly. He was tall and big bellied and he could easily knock her down like a feather in the wind.
Still her husband had taught her to stand her ground and she had listened. Mark had strengthened her in many ways, before she was ever paralyzed, and she had loved him for that. She wouldn't wail and cry and carry on as they expected. Instead she lifted her chin a little higher.
"Mr. Ledbetter," Anna strengthened her resolve. Not giving his men any of her attention. She knew her real nemesis. "I appreciate your thinking of me, I appreciate the warning, it's only fair. I also appreciate the fact that you realize I'm a cripple. But don't let that stop you. I'm not going anywhere. I don't want your pity, perhaps your understanding, but not your pity." Anna lifted her head proudly. "This land belonged to my husband. And I'm not going anywhere, I can't. My husband is buried on this land, we won't leave willingly. I won't leave, you'll have to physically take me off this land. It should rightfully belong to my son, even you know that."
"That's right, it did belong to your husband, and he's dead. And so is his first wife. According to your own words, he didn't leave a will."
"But his son isn't dead…." She reminded him.
"He ain't old enough to do nothin'." One of the hands popped off.
Anna's head turned to Tom Weeks, Ledbetter's right hand man. The man with the big gun, and equally big mouth. Anna had seen him in town, many times, trying to intimidate someone smaller or weaker than himself. She turned her nose up to him. "I'm sorry, I wasn't speaking to you."
Weeks glared at her.
"I respect that you are a woman, and a cripple. I do, but it don't change my plans none. I’m afraid you are gonna have to move, lady. And I can physically move you off the land, too. If that's the way you want it. This land isn't yours and you know it. It's time you realized it. You and that boy of yours better pack up. No one's gonna defend a Jew. We overlooked that fact while your husband was alive. But he's gone now. Now, I came to ask you nicely, as I figure a cripple deserves some warning. I do feel for you ma'am. I'll allow you time to get yourself moved out." Ledbetter replied.
"You keep calling me a cripple, but I assure it is only my legs that are crippled sir. Not my backbone or my head."
He raised his head, as though he couldn't believe she would talk back to him. He kept saying the word cripple like some heavy weight over her head. She'd accepted her fate long ago and people could not intimidate her with it any longer. Being Jewish had taught her to be strong. That no longer bothered her either.
Suddenly a voice from behind her startled her and the men in front of her too, "She's not going anywhere, Mr., you are!" Les's voice was steel edged and dangerous. He stood with his gun hand poised, his legs apart.
Anna glanced at him and wondered how he could stand so straight and tall in his condition. It had to be painful.
"Who the hell are you?" Ledbetter wanted to know as he reached for his rifle. "You some long lost relative or something."
"Or something." Les replied.
He sized Les up quickly.
"Did you hire this character, Mrs. Prescott. Because it won't do you a bit of good."
"Let's just say, justice has come to town. I'd advice you to get out of here, now." Les ground out at him his jaw poised like steel. "Quit intimidating this lady. Or should I say, trying to."
"She can't stay here much longer, and she knows it." Ledbetter exclaimed. "We got the law on our side and she knows that too. I'm giving her fair warning. That's all."
"The law, what law. You own the Sheriff. But you don't own me." Anna proclaimed.
Les cocked his gun, "You've worn out your welcome, mister!"
"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you should keep your nose out of it, if you know what's good for you." Ledbetter challenged. His men drew and cocked their guns.
"I don't deal in threats, either friend. I deal in lead. Just like you obviously." Les glanced around at his men and smiled. "And if you don't get off this property, now, you're going to be missing a nose…!" Les drew his gun slowly as he eyed the men.
Ledbetter's glance flew to Anna, "This won't stop me from taking this land. Now I've given you fair warning. You got about three weeks, and that's all…"
Les moved closer, "An
d you've got about two seconds."
"I'll be back!" Ledbetter frowned at her.
"I'll be here," Anna sighed softly.
Ledbetter rode off, setting his rifle back in it's holster. His men followed after eyeing Les heavily.
She managed to wheel the chair around at Les. She tried to temper her anger, but the fear she withheld, and the way he threatened Ledbetter couldn't help her case. "You didn't have to do that, Mr. Harper. This wasn't your problem. I could have handled it." Anna's voice rebuked his help. "At least I can try."
Les was still staring after the men.
"What are you doing out of bed, anyway?" She asked.
"It's time I was up and about. I was getting a little stiff. Figure I better start moving or…"
"You'll end up like me?" She smiled.
"You are a powerful lady, I've realized that, but I don't think even you can handle this situation. And I didn't mean to get into your affairs, but I don't like bullies, ma'am. Your husband owned this land, fair and square, and I'm sure he didn't mean land grabbers to come along and try and take it from you." Les explained, casting her a quick glance, then went back toward the house. "And as long as I'm around, they won't hurt you. That's a promise."
Anna sat there on the porch, staring out at the land. She sighed heavily. He was right, she couldn't handle this. But his words echoed in her head. A gunslinger with manners, and a heart. What a combination. But then he wasn't really a gunslinger, he was a Ranger, and that commanded respect.
Sadly, she was going to lose, and she had three weeks to come up with some kind of solution for her and Frankie. Where could they go?
Dejected she wheeled her chair back inside, glancing at the small clump of daisies Frankie had planted for her four years ago, when she first had the accident. They bloomed every spring and it reassured her that life goes on. What was the use? She'd made her home as inviting and warm as anyone possibly could. She'd raised Frankie as a good Christian boy. Just the way his father had wanted her to. But now, none of that mattered. They were going to lose their home, and it made her sad.
Before long the land would be gone, her home would be gone, and all hope would be gone.
