Taming Texanna

by Alyssa Bailey

  The urgent familiar feeling to run away from this whole mess was pushing hard through her thoughts. Why did she think this woman would ever understand. She needed to get away from all of this. Ride, I need to ride. What was that insistent noise? Knocking?

  She needed the river. A place of tranquility so that she could let these feelings float away. The need became desperate, She saw it for what it was. She was trying to run away so she didn’t have to deal with unpleasantness and Colton was right. It wouldn’t do anything but get her a sore bottom. She knew Colt would tell her to learn to face things but she couldn’t.

  “I have never been beaten by the Judge.” Miranda’s voice had a whining quality to it before turning hard and cold by the end of the sentence. She was becoming upset, and Texanna blew out an exasperated breath when the knock on the door became more demanding.

  “Hold your damn horses,” she shrieked at the wooden barrier. Then she turned to her mother and said, “Of course not but neither have I and to accuse Colton of hurting me—”

  “You told me he did,” responded Miranda, who was visibly trying to calm down.

  “I didn’t. I said he spanked me, there is a huge difference that I’m sure you understand,” attempted Texanna to get her mother to confess a similarity in husbands but Miranda sat with a look of disbelief and said nothing.

  The knock came again, It seemed to end the whole frustrating experience for Texanna. She forcefully stomped across the floor of the bedroom and yanked the door open only to stare into Pia’s face, as devoid of expression as ever, but Texanna understood the gesture. Pia was protecting her daughter, and right then, she felt Pia was more her mother than her actual mother. Pia was hard and could demand a lot from her but she was also trustworthy. She didn’t lie even when it was painful but that reassuring knowledge didn’t lessen Texanna’s pain.

  Storming passed Pia she said, “I’m all right. Please feed my mother and give her free rein of whatever she needs until the judge comes for her. Tell Colton I’m going to the river for a think. He knows where that is.” The door slammed behind her.

  Pia stood for a moment before entering into her son and daughter’s bedroom that now housed an overwrought and visibly distraught mother.

  Texanna began talking to herself as soon as she was outside for only a few moments. Nature, even before arriving at the river, was soothing her frayed feelings. I have done it again. I ran off. Colton is going to be upset that I didn’t work it out but he has a mother who stuck around, she vehemently exclaimed to her comforter, the river. He has no idea what it means to not have your mother and then, the only person on your side, left too and left me to that man who might not even be my father. She wondered if Ben knew before he left.

  Texanna had hoped that she would be able to work things out in her mind but she wasn’t. In fact, after a little while and still feeling unable to at least come to some acceptance of things, she decided that she would ride into town. She would confront the man who had emotionally abandoned her too. Did he think that she was not his child? Is that why he was so separate from her? For some reason, she had to know.

  Gone from her mind were the admonishments that Colton had left her to stay away from town for this week. Gone were the remembrances of the way her husband refreshed her memory when there were lapses. Her thoughts centered only on the need to have some of the most burning questions answered from the only adult in her life who had stayed physically but left in every other way. She had to know why. She knew there was so much more she needed to know from the woman claiming to give birth to her but right now, it would have to wait.

  Walking with purpose, Texanna strode past the house and continued to the stable where Mark was hanging the deer he had shot. Sparing barely a glance, she grabbed bit and reins for the mare she had unofficially laid claim to. She tossed the blanket on her ride’s back and then gave the saddle a jerk before it was lifted from her hands and placed on the horse’s back. Mark reached down to cinch the assembly in place and turned to give Texanna a hard stare.

  “Does Colt know you’re leaving to town? I assume that is where you’re going. I don’t want to tell you your business, Texanna, but if he doesn’t know, I would be mighty concerned about his reaction when he did find out. If you know what I mean.”

  “I need to see my pa. Don’t try to stop me.”

  “No, ma’am, but if you don’t mind, I’ll ride along, just so’s you don’t run into any trouble.”

  “You don’t need to do that but I think my husband would be happier if you did.”

  “Well, then let’s both make him happy and stay home,” he suggested as he cinched his own mount.

  “No, that won’t happen. So I’ll let you come with me but you can’t keep me here at home. Aren’t you afraid Nada is going to have that baby soon?”

  “Sure, but she has two other women who have birthed a child living in that house with her and I’m sure both of them have attended births, so I’m leaving her in good hands.” He swung up into the saddle after giving Texanna a hand up. “Aren’t you concerned about your husband finding out?”

  “Sure, but I’m more worried about losing my nerve and never confronting my pa.”

  “Are you fixing to get us both in trouble, Mrs. McFadden?”

  “I sure hope not,” she replied.

  ***

  Colton sat at his new desk and thought about Texanna and Miranda. He hoped mother and daughter would be able to work through some of the past with a look toward the future. That being said, he would support however his wife wanted to deal with things. It was late morning and he had an odd unease about him. Damn if he didn’t have those almost every day since spanking that woman of his after peeking through the hole in that chinking. He wondered how they were dealing with things now that several hours had gone by, and they were becoming familiar with each other.

  Colt had ridden in the carriage with the judge but hitched his horse to the back of it for the return trip. He was glad his Texanna was going to stay home today because he had a feeling the next couple of days were going to be rough with the cattle heading out in shifts the next few mornings. His woman’s mouth could get her into trouble fast if he weren’t watching her. He was glad there were other, calmer women in the house with the two redheads. He didn’t want to think how hot the two of them could get if something riled them up. They probably both needed some taming. He laughed and shook his head as he went to the stables to grab his mount before going to check the cattle yards after lunch. He tamped down his uneasiness and tried to distract himself.

  There were a few men on the wanted posters that he had some info would be in the area. Signing on as cowpunchers was an easy way to get out of town undetected. If his wife were in town, she would turn heads now that she didn’t try to hide her attributes, namely that mane of auburn hair. He had already experienced the routine enough. Once a man noticed her, Colton could watch his eyes travel down taking in all her attributes. That was when Colt usually tried to show ownership. He thought she was beginning to catch on but she just smiled and let him. Hell, he was taunting his own cock just thinking of her. Sometimes they would sidle up next to her and a couple even said something inappropriate. That is when his Anna turned into Texanna. She would bow up like a rattler on prey. It was at that point she soon became Texanna Rae.

  Twice, he had pulled her off a drover unfamiliar with her dislike of fawning men. The second man made the mistake of comparing her to his own crazy wife, and Colton’s firebrand began schooling that unfortunate man on how to treat a lady, his own preferably. No, he had no desire to haul away his wife again as she faced off another.

  Besides, he was then obligated to explain to her, once again, that walking without escort or another woman or two was not smart, and that he forbade it. She, of course, told him her thoughts on the subject, and he had had to spank her to punctuate his irritation at her blatant disregard of his admonitions. Right after he threatened to arrest the son of a bitch who dared accost his wife. It wa
s exhausting for everyone.

  Colton had spent the late morning and early afternoon working on identifying any men on the posters when a wire came through to the office. The wire that announced Henry “Adder” Rogers was coming their way. That man seemed to be connected to all of the seedy underbellies of Texas’ outlaws. Marshal McFadden was not sure, but he heard it told that Adder was a cousin to John Williams Hastings, the outlaw, and father-in-law of Jim “Shooter” Montgomery. If they could catch this man, it might unravel the criminal faction in Texas, especially cattle rustling. It certainly wouldn’t hurt law enforcers’ feelings none.

  Colton had been out surveying the assembling herds, and the stench reminded him why he didn’t go into cattle driving. It was a stinky business. He ran a handful of cattle for milk and his bull was a good one but that was it. They had a rather substantial garden most of the year and plenty of wild food growing on the property but he had seen people in lean times. He kept it in the back of his mind always.

  Looking at the sun, Colton calculated the time it would take to finish what he needed to do. He gathered up his gear and reset his hat. He was about to make one last run through the livestock staging area before calling it a day. He pulled his handkerchief from around his neck, wiping the dirt and sweat from his face, and neck before retying the cloth back in place.

  Grabbing his reins up, turning the horse to his left, Colton stopped, thinking he heard his name. “Marshal, Marshal McFadden.” It sounded like one of the sheriff’s deputies.

  Turning toward the calling voice, Colton shaded his eyes to look into the sun without success. He yelled into the blinding light as he moved to get a better visual. “Here,” he barked as he brought the advancing man in view.

  “Marshal, Mrs. McFadden could use your assistance.” Alarm and a cold fear shot up his spine. The deputy looked at Colton’s face and assured him, “She isn’t hurt, Marshal, far from it.” The deputy let out a chuckle as though recalling a joke, but when he encountered the thunderous look on Colton’s face, he quickly disposed of the joviality. “She was having an awful big argument though with her pa and a man named Mark Trenton had to drag her away. Her father jumped at her according to Trenton and—”

  “Never mind, man, let’s go.” Colton whipped his horse toward the Grant home and yelled over at the deputy, “Where is she?”

  “Trenton was taking her toward the courthouse, but if she calms down, he will take her home.”

  He took his horse to a steady canter and changed direction slightly only to arrive at the courthouse where a frustrated Mark was leaning on the hitching post. Colton assumed he was protecting the horses from his obviously irritated wife. He watched a spewing Texanna Rae kicking the dirt.

  Colton pulled up and watched his wife. “Let me go home, now. I don’t need to calm down and I don’t need any help. I need you to let loose my horse.” Colt was staring at his love when she jerked her head in his direction, full of spit and vinegar. He dismounted, keeping his eyes on her, suspending her storming but not her anger.

  “Don’t you even come near me, Colton McFadden if you think that you’re going to stop me from ripping that man apart. There is no good in that man. There’s even less in that woman who birthed me. They did the things they did to me knowing that it was not going to be good for me, just good for them. It was too much to care about a small child when they had their own needs to attend.”

  She began stomping again. Colt knew that things didn’t go too well and after tossing his reins around the post, he asked her a question. “Were you supposed to be in town?”

  She stared at him for a moment and then lowered her voice to answer bitingly, “Do not make this about me and my shortcomings. That man and woman who were my parents are no good.”

  “Honey, I get that your pa is not the man he should be but that is not news. Now calm down before you get in some trouble here. You are beginning to make a few heads turn.” He indicated the café window down the way with a bird’s eye view. “Two tantrums in one week is not a good idea.” She kicked the ground again but didn’t answer.

  He let his woman stew in some of her anger while he walked over to talk to Mark Trenton. The man still gave him concern but he disregarded the feeling for now.

  “Has she been this way long?” Colt asked his male companion while sending the deputy with a message to the judge to pick up his wife or send someone for her. It would be best if it weren't Colton and if it could be done sooner rather than later. He would explain later.

  “She has been upset about an hour off and on, including her stop at her pa’s place. She was determined to leave the house but got madder when she left her pa’s house. I need to tell you that Mr. Grant, who is supposed to have fathered her, is a piece of work, but I guess you knew that.”

  “Yeah, it is something to see. That was why I decided to side with him and get her married instead of listening to her and giving her the option. She needed away from that man.” They leaned against the building a moment, Colt’s leg bent toward the building wall, foot stationed there. After a few more moments, it appeared that Texanna was going to settle down. “What happened at her pa’s house?”

  “I honestly believed she was going to castrate that man using his own kitchen knife. I had to remove it from her, and she fought me. I’m afraid that she might sport my grip on her upper arm. If that is the case, I’m truly sorry, but I had a hard time controlling her.” Colt could see that he was telling the truth. It was hard for him to connect with his wife’s feelings the way he could when she was calm. When she was too emotionally tangled, he had to guess what might be going on inside.

  “I’m walking down the street if you don’t give me my horse.”

  “I’ll be right here when you get back.”

  She grunted with irritation but she was considerably calmer, noted Colton.

  “What went on exactly?” he asked, keeping his eye on his woman as she walked in the opposite direction of her pa’s home. He figured she wouldn’t get far on foot. He watched her as she turned around at the far end of the street and came back in his direction at a slower pace. Good, she was settling. Colt transferred his attention back to Mark.

  “Well, she was pretty upset that Mr. Grant told her he didn’t think he was her pa and that he kept her only because a brother wanted him to let her stay. Then, I gather her brother left, grew up a while ago and then he moved on. She still had some growing to do I guess.”

  “Yep, that sounds about right, but I don’t think she knew the part about him not being her pa. Then how could her ma leave her?” Colton wondered aloud.

  “Well,” Mark stood straight and went to shake Colt’s hand, “I figure that information first came from her ma. Texanna was terribly irritated after the time she spent with her as well but seemed more confused than anything. I told her I would take her home if she were calm but I was not going to have her ride off on a horse when she was that angry because it wasn’t safe. She is hell on livestock when she isn’t happy. No offense. So, she’s not happy with me, I’d say.”

  “Yeah, well she’s not going to be happy with me soon.” Colton thought of the whipping his woman was earning by this tirade in public. He was going to tame her if was the last thing he did. And it well might be, he groaned.

  Colton relieved Mark to go back to his own family, with his thanks, while he watched his wife a moment longer before deciding he needed to start shutting her down. He waited until she came closer to him on her burning up of the street with her rampage having all but gone. He thought of how it reminded him of another rampage just yesterday at Mae’s Café. He smiled. She would have been hell at the Alamo. They might have survived the standoff. He’d waited long enough, he reckoned, to speak to her. It was time to rein her up.

  “Texanna Rae,” he said in his steely drawl, “you have five minutes to pull yourself together or we will be visiting my office.”

  She turned to glare at her husband, but he knew that the words delivered as he did, always did th
ings to her insides. He knew he had her when she stopped and stomped her boot in place. He also realized that there still was no reading his wife. She was so emotional. He would have to use the things he had learned from his still new bride, to help her work through her emotional turmoil. There was no doubting that she was hurting.

  She continued to walk away from him having made a decision he knew she would regret. “Do not walk away from me, Mrs. McFadden. You get your skirt covered behind back here right now while it is still that way if you know what’s good for you.”

  He waited for a few seconds, watching her face as she looked at her husband. Anger was pushed out of the way by the pain and that lost little girl look that appeared when things were too much. She needed her protector to take over.

  That was his cue to put out his hand in invitation, “Anna.”

  After another contemplative moment, she ran full force into his open arms. Colt barely had enough time to push off the wall with his foot before she was barreling into him.

  There was no more public viewing of his wife and her heartbreak or her tantrum because he took her inside to his office and shut the door. The new deputy that was coming had luckily not yet arrived, so he had the office to himself. Pulling her onto his lap while sitting in his big armchair reserved for those visiting the marshal’s office, he pushed her face to rest on his broad shoulder and let her relax into the comforting familiarity of her husband. He hated anyone had hurt her, but they would weather the storm together and be stronger for it. He would just wait her out.

  ***

  How could her world have fallen apart so quickly and so dramatically? Texanna thought she would be happy to see her ma. She had always hoped she would see her again, meet her, spend time with her, but had given up hope after all these years. Try as she might, she knew her pa could have talked and her ma could have come back to see how she fared. Neither did.

  It would have been better if she had never seen her, talked to her, and ultimately learned the terrible truth. Was it so terrible that they all just believe what the truth was? The man she had called pa all these years was not her father.