by Caryl McAdoo
“Why’s that? Didn’t your family plant lint?”
“Oh, sure. Daddy did. That was our main cash crop, but the brothers didn’t like me riding on their sacks once I got tired.” She laughed. “Tending to the horses was my main job growing up. For some reason, sitting for hours stripping husks off corncobs then grinding them into feed for my ponies seemed fun, but pulling lint and filling up a big old sack dragging behind? I hated it with a passion. Hurt my hands.” She studied her fingertips as though remembering the effort and pain.
Caused him to check his own. The scars had faded, but not the memory of the backbreaking work. “In ‘32, the year we took those sixteen bales on the trace, I would have quit a dozen times early on, but Auntie wouldn’t have it
She dragged herself out to our bottoms every morning before the sun and stayed working until the last bit of light. How could I not be out there with her? Plowing and planting. Hoeing was the worst.”
She laughed again, a soft, sad sort of chuckle like a cry lurked underneath it. “I was chopping cotton when I met Charles.”
A stab of jealousy nicked his heart, but he wanted to hear about the man. Always a good thing to know your enemy. “That so?”
“Yes, sir. He’d been scouting timberland and just happened by that day. Told me later it was love at first sight.” She fell silent as Charley trotted by, then once he passed out of ear shot, resumed. “I can’t wish my son away, but –” She choked, eased the gelding closer. “If I could change things –”
“Don’t beat yourself up over the past.” He reined Shooter over to where his leg and hers touched; he leaned some toward her until his shoulder made contact as well. “Things will be settled day after tomorrow.”
She sniffed. “It was his hair.”
He leaned back and looked at her. “What about his hair?”
“That’s what struck me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he was one good-looking man for sure. But his great head of hair caught my attention first; that, then him finishing up hoeing my row.”
She reached over and tugged on his duster until his shoulder was back against hers, like it was easier for her to tell her story if he wasn’t looking right at her.
“I’d never been courted before, and Charles knew exactly what to say, how to say it, and what to do. Mama and I wouldn’t listen to Daddy or the brothers. All of them were totally against him being a suitable beau, but we wore them down. Next thing they knew, I was married.”
Another place came into view. A sawed-lumber house with two big log barns in front of several black land blocks. Some of them grew nice stands of wheat or oats.
A split-rail fence along the trace set the homestead off; lots of fences going up. The shades of green and black land warmed Levi’s heart. Didn’t know of another place in Texas that had those exact colors.
He hunted for someone to howdy, but other than a lazy looking hound draped across the front porch steps, didn’t seem to be anyone home. He leaned into Rose. “Pretty sure, if I’m remembering right, the Cuthand trading post and livery is less than a mile up the road.”
She bumped him hard then pulled away. “We staying there tonight?”
He looked at her. “Thought we would. We can’t make it home by dark anyways.”
She smiled, but it was hollow. He wanted more than anything to wipe the forced one away and put a real one on her lips, but he didn’t know how.
Not now. Not until something was finally settled. It just had to work out his way.
Soon enough, he and Rose reached the little community. He directed Wallace to the livery and parked the wagon under the big red oak tree across from it.
Once the stock got hayed, grained, and stalled, and Laura and Rose worked together on supper, he and Wallace eased over to the trading post. A young lady flitted a feather duster over a row of jars that rested on shelves along the far wall.
“Evening, ma’am.”
She turned around, glanced at him, then studied hard on Wallace. “Evening, gents. Can I help you find something?” She stared right at his partner, though talking to the both of them.
Levi grinned. “Got any newspapers?”
She climbed off the stepladder then hustled to the front counter and pulled out a stack of yellowed oversized newsprint. She scanned them then set the bunch down. “We’ve got one of last week’s Northern Standards out of Clarksville, an Austin Daily Texian, but it’s more than a month old. and there’s still a spring issue of the National Intelligencer from Washington, too. Any of those interest you?”
“What do you want for the three?”
“How does a dollar sound?”
Wallace leaned in and frowned. “A little like highway robbery, I’d say. Captain Baylor here may just take you into custody if you don’t watch it.” He obviously had to work at keeping a straight face.
She looked at his partner then to him. “You Levi Baylor? The Texas Ranger?”
He tipped his hat. “Yes, ma’am.”
She returned her gaze to Wallace. “Then you’ve got to be Wallace Rusk.” She extended her hand, and he took it. She smiled a teeth dazzling, eye sparkling grin. “Pleased to meet you, Mister Rusk; real pleased.”
“That’s him alright. Now back to the papers. Would you take two bits?”
“What?” She tore her eyes away from Wallace and faced him again. “Now who’s trying to rob who? Why, we’ve got more than that in the Intelligencer alone.” She raised one eyebrow. “Tell you what I’ll do. I’ll take two bits for the Austin and Clarksville rags, but ninety cents is the best I can do on all three.” She turned her attention back to Wallace who still held her hand. “I’ve been reading about you two men.”
Wallace smiled. “You have? They telling lies about us again?”
“I don’t know. Get the captain here to buy the papers then you can read all about it and tell me if it’s true or not.”
Levi tapped the counter. She glanced over at him. “Fine, I’ll give you six bits for the three.”
“Can’t do it. Daddy would tan my hide. He turned down four bits for just the Washington paper, so I need to get full price for it. Truth be known, I really shouldn’t have come down at all.” She dipped her chin to where she looked out from under thick lashes. “But since I already said ninety, Daddy’ll just have to live with it.”
She was working him, but from the looks of things, she appeared to be working Wallace harder. It wasn’t really the money so much. If she’d said two dollars to start with, he’d been happy to give her ninety cents.
Not like the papers were current. He fished in his vest pocket and pulled out a silver dollar. “Here, I’ll take all three. Don’t want you losing any hide.”
She scooped up the coin, stuck it in her apron pocket, and pulled out five pennies and a nickel. She put them in Levi’s hand without ever taking her eyes off Wallace. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your business.”
Levi tucked the newspapers under his arm and turned. He stopped next to his partner who still held the young lady’s hand. “You coming?”
He nodded and backed away a step before tipping his hat. “Evening, ma’am.”
“There’s a social tonight.”
Wallace stopped. “That so?”
“Yes, sir. Over to the new Methodist Church building. I was fixing to close up and head there myself when you men wandered in. Why don’t you come? You’d be welcomed.”
Levi tipped his hat and walked out; he wasn’t much into church socials anymore. Used to like going for the food as a growing boy. Halfway back to the wagon, it dawned on him.
After tomorrow, he might not see Rose anyplace else. If it didn’t work out, if he couldn’t have her, could he stand even riding through the county she lived in?
The thought of being around her and not even able to hold her hand sent a chill down his back. Would there always be a hole in his heart that only she could fill?
He reached the wagon just as the sun melted into the western horizon. Charley ran toward him then laun
ched himself at the last second. Levi leaned over, caught the boy, then swung him around. “You my littlest partner?”
He hugged his neck tight then leaned back and studied the bundle under his am. “Yes, sir! Me am! What’s them?”
“Newspapers. I got ‘em for my Uncle Henry.”
“Who him?”
“My uncle. You’ll meet him tomorrow.”
He wiggled down then grabbed Levi’s hand and pulled. “Hurry.”
“Where we going?”
“Big party.” He tugged harder. “Come on.”
Rose stood and shook her head. “Not now, Charley. We haven’t eaten supper yet. Slow down and give your partner a minute.” She wrapped her arms around the boy and held him tight. Looking at Levi, she questioned him with her eyes.
He pouted his bottom lip. “Might be fun.” He turned to Wallace. “You and Laura want to go?”
His partner grabbed his arm and Charley’s hand. “Excuse us men a moment, ladies.” He picked up the boy then walked around to the other side of the wagon. In a whispered tone, he asked, “What do you two say to giving the girls their surprises a day early?”
Levi moseyed back around near the fire.
Rose handed him a plate. “What are you smiling about?”
Laura’s new dress fit perfectly, and prettier than she ever had in her whole life, her first ever store-bought dress. That one back in Austin, but it were more a tent to cover her belly proper.
With every step she took, its full, deep purple skirt shone in the golden light of the oil lamps lighting the way to the church building. Her sleeves’ lacy cuffs made her hands look so small and pretty; almost like a real lady’s.
She cradled the baby in her right arm and strolled beside Wallace like they were a married couple heading to high tea or whatever fancy folks did of an evening. The oil lamps led Levi and Rose who walked up in front.
Charley rode the captain’s shoulders to the new sawed-board church house that lay a few hundred yards east and a little north of the Trading Post intersections. The lawn and building’s porch already teamed with folks.
Rose turned and smiled. “You look beautiful, Laura. I don’t know how these two got such perfect sizes. Must have been some divine help, you think?”
Wallace walked on ahead and spoke to Levi.
“Yes, ma’am, I be guessing something just like that. That sky shade sure is your color, matches ya red hair like a plow horse to its own collar. And I just love all that blue trim, and all the little flowers. It’s plum perfect.”
“Titus called it calico. I liked all those lines on it, too.” Levi grinned at Rose. “Can’t think of a color or shade wouldn’t be yours.”
Laura scanned the crowd, and movement caught her eye. A young woman extracted herself from a group of older ladies sitting around a roaring bonfire and walked straight toward them. Appeared to be in a hurry.
She grinned at Rose and Laura. “Hey, y’all, I’m Skeeter. So glad you folks came.” She turned her attention to Wallace. “Told my father about you. Said he’d be proud to meet a Texas Ranger and hear all about Plum Creek or chasing Buffalo Hump and his band to the coast.
Truth be known, you could probably tell any old adventure you’d be so kind to share, and he’d be happy as a hen on a June bug.” She looked to Levi. “Course, you too, Captain Baylor.”
“Oh, Wallace tells the tales. Living ‘em was enough for me.”
Laura watched this Skeeter person hook her arm right into Wallace’s and hustle him away. Her mouth fell open as the man’s backside disappeared into the church building. She looked at Rose. “Well, in all my born days, I ain’t never.”
Levi leaned in close. “It’s the storytelling, not the lady, that interests him. Don’t pay him no mind.”
She nodded, but was it the truth? How could she ever think she could win someone like Wallace Rusk anyways? Next to the captain, he was probably the most famous Texas Ranger of them all.
Once inside, she found herself a chair in the far corner and plopped down. At least, she had her pretty little Lacey, but what was she going to do? Maybe she could find someone going south and west who could drop her off at her daddy’s.
Who knew if he’s even still there, though? And even iffin he was, what would he think about her bringing home a half-breed baby? He had enough trouble feeding all his own young ‘uns.
Wallace had seemed to be plenty smitten with his little namesake, but maybe Lacey wasn’t as special as she wanted to think. Could be that he cooed at every newborn came along.
She searched the crowded church building, but didn’t see Wallace, so she turned her attention to the baby and wiggled her tiny chin. “What you be thinkin’, Mama’s sweet girl? Think he done gone and forgot usin’s?” She traced Lacey’s pudgy cheek; the baby rewarded her with a big smile.
“Thirsty?”
“What?” She looked up. Wallace stood in front of her holding a small jar of brown liquid.
“Asked if you’re thirsty, thought you might like some apple cider.” He held it out.
“Why, thank you kindly.” She took the offering. “Where be your friend?”
He pulled out the empty chair next to her, turned it to where it faced her, then sat. “Who you talking about?”
“That Skeeter gal.” She looked away and muttered mostly under her breath. “Who’d ever call their little baby after a blood suckin’ bug anyways?”
He laughed. “Forget about her.”
“Why would I? She be hanging all over on ya like you’s her beau home from the war or somethin’. Ain’t never seen the likes.”
He patted her hand. “Really, don’t worry about it. Folks just like hearing about what we have been up to.” He shrugged. “I like bragging on Levi, but that’s it.”
She hoped that was the truth. The beautiful Rebecca hanging over her head like a hangman’s noose was bad enough, but if any swaying skirt and pretty face could turn his head; well, what was a gal to do?
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Captain Bay-lor! Don’t leave me!”
Levi’s eyes popped open, but his night vision lingered. He shook off the image of riding away with Charley hollering after him. Flat out wasn’t going to happen.
He’d given up the best horse he’d ever owned for Rose and her boy. They belonged to him. He allowed himself a chuckle. He’d traded for Rose twice now, but even that memory couldn’t shake his littlest partner’s desperate cries that still remained in his ears and in his heart.
That morning after breakfast and all that getting his troupe headed out took, Charley’s dream-screaming at him echoed again in his mind’s ear. He couldn’t shake it and didn’t ever want to hear the sound in real life.
The lady herself didn’t seem too chipper either considering she was fixin’ to finally be home. And if sweet Laura looked any more morose, he wouldn’t be able to set a gaze on her at all.
Wallace sat on the other side of her on the wagon bench. He tried his best to hide his excitement, but Levi knew his partner too well not to see the little-boy anticipation in his eyes.
At last, Levi would get the two people he loved most in the world together. But if he got to choose, would he pick Wallace for Rebecca? Or even the other way around?
If his partner didn’t marry Laura, the poor girl’s heart would be broken for sure, but females her age got over lovesickness pretty quick once a new beau came along.
He thought about himself settling down, being a family man. He could see it alright, but couldn’t imagine that he and his friend would really be done with rangering. Who knew what the future held?
Still, some peace and quiet with Rose and Charley – it’s what he’d pick for sure right about now. One way or another, he would not leave her or his little partner so long as he had anything to say about it.
He figured—at least hoped—she saw things the same way.
Late morning, he turned from north to east-by-northeast on a less traveled side trail. He reined Sh
ooter in on the top of a hill under a tall pine and turned to Rose who had been riding next to him lost in her own thoughts.
Pointing, he waved his arm in a wide arc to the north, from west to east. “This is where it starts, mine and Uncle Henry’s land. We’re getting close. Want to stop here and put on your new dress?”
She nodded. Filled to the brim, her eyes looked on the verge of overflowing, but she opened them wide and gave him a half-smile. Her quivering bottom lip almost broke his heart. “What are we going to do?”
He swung out of the saddle and held his hand out. She took it and slipped off into his arms. For too few heartbeats, he held her then took both her hands and looked into her eyes.
“Today, we are going to be happy and give thanks for being home, seeing the family. Tomorrow, we’ll deal with whatever we have to.”
Wanting to agree, she swallowed hard, but failed to hold back her tears any longer. They rolled down her cheeks. “Can’t we go somewhere? California maybe?”
“Running away is no answer.”
She stood up straight, swiped at her cheeks, and obviously did her best to keep her bottom lip still. “I’ll always love you, Levi Baylor.”
He blinked away his own tears. “I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, Rosaleen. Didn’t even know there was such a feeling. Got a mighty big place in my heart only you can fill.”
She bit her bottom lip like she knew she shouldn’t have said what she had already and didn’t dare say anything more. The wagon neared then pulled to a stop.
Levi threw Wallace a nod. “Our property starts here, mostly all you can see that direction. We’re real close to the house. Figured the ladies would like putting on their party threads.”
Laura took Wallace’s hand and climbed aboard again. She adored her new dress and bonnet, but even more that Wallace bought it for her without her even hinting or saying anything about it.
Surely that meant he loved her. But with each turn of the wagon wheel, the heaviness in her heart increased. Then they turned off the trail onto a more traveled road.
