An Unconventional Lady

by Cynthia Hickey

  Spring would arrive soon, and Dallas felt a lurch in his spirit at the thought of leaving the Grand Canyon. It wasn’t difficult to see why Annie loved it so much. Sure, Texas had its own share of valleys and canyons, but nothing to rival the scenery a few yards from where he slept.

  What did old man Horace do when there were no tours to be guided? The man didn’t talk much, but Dallas heard he had an Indian wife somewhere that he spent the winters with. Too bad. He might have been able to shed some light on Dallas’s predicament.

  Light footsteps pattered past his door and the light in the hall outside his room was extinguished. The Rollins women were up late. Knowing Annie might be roaming the house did not help Dallas fall asleep. Nor did the snores coming from Mr. Harris’s room next door.

  Dallas hung his arm off the side of the bed and scratched Hero’s head. Mrs. Rollins had never told him the dog had to stay outside. She’d just look at the animal and smile. Probably because of the silly name Billy had given him.

  It was no use. Dallas’s brain would not slow down enough for him to sleep. He got dressed and commanded Hero to follow. With one hand on the wall to guide them, he led the way to the parlor. If he couldn’t sleep, then Dallas might as well write Ma a letter. As long as the tracks were clear, the train still made its daily run for those wanting to experience northern Arizona in the wintertime.

  He hated admitting to his mother that he still hadn’t professed his feelings to Annie, but maybe another correspondence between them would help clear things up. He lit a lamp beside the desk and sat down to write out his questions.

  By the time he’d finished, his eyes were gritty and strained from the dim lighting. Maybe now he could sleep. He’d penned all his thoughts and questions, and within a couple of weeks Ma would answer in all her wisdom. Maybe Pa would pen a line or two and add his thoughts.

  It wasn’t only his love for Annie Dallas wondered about, but also whether they should stay in Arizona if she said yes to his proposal. He didn’t think his family needed him to help run the ranch, but as their son, he felt he should ask their blessing.

  He took the lamp with him and headed back up the stairs to his room.

  When he gazed upon Annie across the breakfast table the next morning, he couldn’t help but smile. She raised her eyebrows and looked at her mother. Mrs. Rollins grinned and raised her glass in a salute. Dallas narrowed his eyes. What secret did the two women share?

  They continued to trade amused looks between them until Dallas wanted to storm from the room. Only an idiot couldn’t tell they were finding him the subject of some amusement. Poor Mr. Harris seemed oblivious to everything but his meal. Put food in front of him and no one could expect much participation.

  “How does Horace know when to arrive back for the first tour?” Maybe Dallas could distract them.

  “He said he’d return after the snow melts and the ground dries.” Mrs. Rollins buttered a biscuit. “He has no set date. Once we hired you, the poor dear has wanted only to be with his wife. Other than being an extra hand on the tours, he has no other work to do here. You’re quite capable of caring for the livestock without him, aren’t you?”

  She handed the biscuit to Mr. Harris. “If Annie doesn’t take over the boardinghouse, and we aren’t able to sell the place, both of you men will be out of jobs. I believe Horace sees the inevitable.”

  Dallas almost told her not to write him off yet. While he didn’t have the funds to purchase the property, whether he stayed or not would depend on Annie.

  “Mr. Harris and I have decided to marry in the spring under the big pine across the way. We’d like you and Annie to stand up with us.”

  Maybe that was the secret between her and her daughter. “I’d be honored.” Not to mention he could gaze on Annie during the ceremony. Afterward, he’d approach her about their own nuptials and pray she’d say yes.

  He’d been a fool during his time here. Fretting over her choice of attire had wasted a lot of time and hurt Annie’s tender feelings. If he hadn’t been so judgmental, they might already be married. His mouth dried and he choked on a piece of bacon.

  If he’d been a smart man, they might even have had a baby on the way already.

  Chapter 23

  Annie stood at her favorite overlook of the canyon and breathed deeply of the crisp air with a hint of spring’s mildness. Her contract with the Harvey Company had ended the day before, the same day as her mother’s nuptials. Annie had promised her newlywed mother she’d have an answer for her today considering the boardinghouse.

  After brushing fallen pine needles from her log seat, she smoothed her skirt and sat. She would miss the canyon in all its pink-and-coral splendor.

  “Morning, Miss Annie.” Horace strolled past, leading his mule. “Tours will start up soon. I’ve come to give my notice.”

  “You’re leaving us?” She shaded her eyes and stared into his grizzled face.

  “Yes, ma’am. These old bones aren’t what they used to be. I could maybe care for the livestock.” He removed his stained leather hat. “But the younger fella can handle that just fine. When I signed on with you last spring, why...I thought I could handle a few months away from my old lady, but she’s harping on me something awful.” He grinned, revealing teeth stained with tobacco. “She actually misses me when I’m gone.”

  “I’m happy for you, Horace. Mother should be inside, finishing up her breakfast.”

  Annie wanted to cry. Here was the opportunity she’d always wanted. Once her mother left with Mr. Harris, Annie could do what she wanted. She could be the second guide with Dallas. But she’d failed miserably on her first camping trip, hadn’t liked it as much as she’d thought she would, and the last she’d heard about Dallas’s plans were that he was heading back to Texas. She might as well tell her mother to sell the house. Miss Cartwright would be pleased if Annie renewed her contract. She wouldn’t be as pleased if Annie requested a transfer, but she couldn’t stay by the canyon if everyone else left. Her heart couldn’t take it.

  Oh, how she would miss being here, remembering the times she’d sat in this exact spot with her father. Mother didn’t understand. She’d just say, “Why sit and stare at something you’ve already seen thousands of times?”

  The fact that Annie was turning twenty in a few days and was still unmarried was nobody’s fault but her own. She’d had proposals aplenty working at the restaurant, and it wasn’t any secret that Sean had had his eye on her as well. But the only man Annie wanted was a tall Texan, and she’d been too foolish to tell him so.

  She turned and watched as Dallas strolled up the walk toward the house, opening an envelope as he went. He’d been having regular correspondence with someone, and she couldn’t help but wonder whether he’d found a girl back home to exchange letters with. He’d seemed happier lately, his face lighting up with each letter.

  It was none of her business. Annie lifted her face to the midmorning sun and gave her failed hopes and dreams to God. Only He could bring light out of the darkness she felt in her heart. Only He could give her the courage to do what she’d vowed to do two months ago: tell Dallas her true feelings.

  Now that he’d returned from his errands, there was no better time. She stood and straightened her skirt, then squared her shoulders and marched toward the house. “Dallas, may I speak with you?”

  “Certainly.” He grinned. “I was going to hunt you down in a moment.”

  She eyed the mail in his hand. “An important letter?”

  “Very.” His eyes twinkled as he propped one booted foot on the top step. “It’s from my mother. I’ve been corresponding with her about a rather...difficult situation.”

  “Oh?” Annie’s palms began to sweat as the look in his eyes intensified. What had she done that warranted his writing to his mother? She fingered the lace at her throat. Maybe she was putting the cart bef
ore the horse. He hadn’t said anything about the letter being about her.

  “Dallas.” Horace stepped onto the porch. “Might I have a word with you?”

  “Can it wait?” Dallas turned from Annie to the older man.

  “Nope. I’m heading out.”

  Dallas put a hand on Annie’s arm. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

  She nodded, took a seat in one of the rockers and caressed the smooth wood of the arm. Soon, someone else would sit in the chairs made by her father. Sleep under the roof he’d built. She gazed down the road. Someone else would attend the simple, clapboard church that was too cold in the winter and often stuffy in the summertime. Tears stung her eyes.

  She wasn’t foolish enough to think that a woman could run a boardinghouse alone. Mother may have been unmarried, but she’d had Annie’s help. Annie could bake as well as she could, and had a more modern way of improving the business, but without someone to help, it would be a lonely job.

  Setting the rocker into motion with her foot, she allowed herself to daydream, wondering what it would be like to change the name to the Baker Boardinghouse. It had a nice ring to it, in her opinion. Dallas would be gone soon enough. It wouldn’t hurt for Annie to dream.

  “Now, what were you wanting to talk to me about?”

  She jerked at Dallas’s question, suddenly nervous about telling him of her love. “Uh, you first? We were discussing your letter.”

  “Oh, yes.” His mouth quirked. “I suppose Horace told you he was no longer employed here?”

  “He mentioned it.” Annie cocked her head. What could Horace possibly have to do with her and Dallas? Or the letter in Dallas’s hand?

  “Would you care to take a walk with me, Annette Rollins?” Dallas’s eyes darkened. “What I have to say is very important, and I’d like to have a bit of privacy.”

  Her mouth dried up, preventing her from answering. She nodded and let him lead her to the canyon’s edge.

  * * *

  In the letter that now lay folded in his breast pocket, his mother told Dallas how much of a fool he was for not proposing to Annie before now, and that he was not allowed to return to Texas until he did, and then for only a short time. In simple, straightforward language, Ma advised him to marry the girl and run the boardinghouse.

  Now to get Annie to say yes. He wouldn’t blame her if she slapped him and marched away. He’d taken much too long getting to this point.

  Once he judged they were far enough away from the house not to be overheard, he stopped and faced her. His hands trembled so badly he shoved them in his pockets. What if she said no? He thought she returned his affections. The looks she gave him when she figured he wasn’t looking supported that assumption, but even Annie could lose patience with a fool like him.

  He took her hands in his. “I’ve been a fool, putting expectations and restrictions on you that I had no right to do. God made you perfect. You and your split skirts and modern opinions.” He swallowed against the mountain in his throat. “Can you forgive me? We’ve lost so much time because of my prejudice.”

  “Is that what your letter said? That you were a fool?” Annie’s lips twitched.

  “Well, my mother did write words like those in the letter.” He returned Annie’s smile. “Those and a few more choice phrases.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I need to tell you something before you say goodbye.”

  “Wait.” He frowned. “I—”

  She pulled her hands out of his and laid a finger on his lips. “Please let me finish. I love you, Dallas Baker. From almost the first moment I saw you. No man has infuriated me more, challenged me more and made life worth living more than you have. I want you to know that before you go.”

  “Why are you just now telling me this?” He gripped her hands again. “Annie, I thought you saw me as nothing more than a friend, maybe because I took away your dream.” His heart danced. She loved him! But wait. Why was she crying? Did she just say goodbye?

  “I intend to let my mother sell the house, and I’ll renew my contract.”

  He tightened his hold on her hands. “You haven’t renewed your contract yet, have you? If so, you can march right over there and break it.” He knelt in front of her, unmindful of the pebbles digging into his knees. “I love you, Annette Rollins. I have from the instance you whirled on me with fire in your eyes. Only I was too stupid to admit it. Then I waited for you to become something you were never meant to be.” He hung his head.

  “Ma had a few choice words about that, I can tell you.” He raised his eyes and locked gazes with her. “I want to marry you. I want you to be my partner guiding folks down into the canyon. We can hire someone to run the boardinghouse. Every day will be like a honeymoon.”

  “Stand up, please.” Her tears escaped, running down her face in streams.

  He stood. “Say yes, Annie.”

  “Are you proposing to me because you want to or because your ma will thrash you if you don’t?”

  “Because I love you with every fiber of my being. Say yes, Annie. Please.” He couldn’t bear it if she said no. His heart would shatter into a million pieces, dotting the dark expanse of his soul like the stars in the sky. He would never recover from her rejection.

  “I have one condition.” She smiled. “I don’t want to be a tour guide any longer. I’ll stay and run the boardinghouse and leave the adventure to you.”

  “Does this mean yes?”

  She nodded, a grin stretching her face. “Yes.”

  He put his hands around her waist, lifted her in the air and whooped. When he lowered her back to the ground, he claimed her lips. His world became perfect. “Forgive me?”

  She cupped his face. “Definitely. And I’ll have a surprise for you on our wedding day.”

  “I can’t wait. Marry me now.”

  “Silly. I’ll need a couple of days.” Hooking her arm through his, she pulled. “Let’s go tell Mother and Mr. Harris. They’ll be pleased and Mother can plan a wedding for the week’s end.”

  “That’s five days!” A long time to wait before marrying the girl of his dreams.

  “But if you send a telegram, perhaps your mother could attend our wedding.” Annie giggled. “After all, she did order you to marry me. Shouldn’t she be here to make sure you follow that order?”

  “That will set the wedding day back even further, but you’re right.” He planted a kiss on Annie’s forehead. “Ever the thoughtful one. Of course I’d love my family to be here.”

  “Then we’ll set the date for one week from this weekend.”

  He groaned. “You keep setting it back further and further.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t have waited so long to tell me you love me.” She patted his cheek. “This is your punishment.”

  “You waited, too.” He smiled into her beautiful face. “But you were worth the wait.” He pulled her close for another kiss.

  Chapter 24

  “Oh, Annie.” Mother’s eyes flicked over her wedding outfit, her eyes widening. “You look beautiful and...unconventional.”

  Annie giggled and hugged her. “I think Dallas will be pleasantly surprised.”

  She turned and lifted her veil from the bed. White rosettes set into a nest of lace and gauze fell to her waist. She set the headband into place and twirled. The motion made her skirt swirl, showing the white boots on her feet. She felt like a princess.

  “You are gorgeous.” Mrs. Baker stepped into the room, flanked on each side by younger replicas of herself. Annie had met Dallas’s sisters the day before and fallen in love with them immediately. “Wait until my boy gets a look at you.”

  “I’m so glad we waited for your arrival, Mrs. Baker, although I must admit, Dallas was a handful to manage. God did not give that man a lot of patience.” Annie secured her veil
with hairpins.

  “Please call me Ma Baker. You’ll soon be the newest Mrs. Baker.” She went to stand next to Annie’s mother. “How does it feel to have your baby leave the nest?”

  Mother chuckled. “I’m actually the one who’s flying the coop, and I’m thrilled. We’ll stay until they return from their honeymoon, then we’re off to wherever the railroad takes us.”

  “How exciting.” Ma Baker clapped her hands. “All right, Annie. Are you ready?”

  “Yes.” Her heart fluttered. In mere minutes she would become Dallas’s wife. “I’m ready.” She took a deep breath and headed down the stairs.

  The wedding would take place in her favorite spot beside the canyon. The El Tovar management had donated an organ for the event and the wedding march would begin the moment she stepped onto the porch. Dallas would be able to watch her approach across the lawn.

  She may not have known her true heart’s desire, but God had, and now her dream waited for her. God had given her a man who loved her for who she was and not for who she might become. Sure, it had taken a while for Him to open Dallas’s eyes, but now Annie knew her future husband loved her without reservation.

  Mr. Harris held the front door open while Mother and the others headed outside. Annie stepped out behind them. Her breath caught.

  The early evening light dappled the area under the pine trees with a rosy glow. The sun had just begun its descent into the canyon, casting the steep walls in hues of lavender and navy. Sunset was the perfect time to pledge her love to her new husband.

  Her legs trembled as she moved down the steps. The organ music sang out at her approach. Dallas turned.

  * * *

  Tears blurred his vision, but not before he’d caught sight of his beautiful bride in a white split skirt and button-top boots. A gauzy veil obscured her face. He laughed and held out his hand to welcome her. “My beautiful rebel.”

  Her eyes glistened as she glanced up at him. A smile teased her lips. “I had it made special for today. I’m glad you like it.”