“Oh, no, I’m not being polite. That is, I’m all right, truly.” Mary Rose found she wanted to comfort this strapping young lawman. She put her other hand on top of his. “I might have a bruise here and there, but that’s all. He never had the chance to hurt me more than that.”
Deputy Small looked down at their hands. “I know we’ve just met, Miss O’Brien, but I have been counting on getting better acquainted with you. I thank the good Lord I’ll have the chance now.”
Mary Rose smiled. “I was hoping that too.”
From the other end of the table, Jubilee watched them over the top of her coffee cup, which almost hid her smile.
That night, Mary Rose lay in bed thinking for a long time. Though she enjoyed life on her grandmother’s ranch, and fond as she was of Jubilee and Hauer and Old Joe, not to mention a certain deputy—despite all that, she longed for her family. She did not want to stay in Wyoming longer than the summer. She did not even want to stay the entire summer anymore. Perhaps next year, after she’d had time to try understanding her parents better, she would return for a longer visit. But Jubilee was clearly not ready to topple into her grave for many years. Barring injury or illness, Mary Rose should have plenty of time to spend with her in the future.
And Mary Rose realized that she had accomplished almost everything she’d dreamed of: she had met an Indian, or at least a man who was half Indian and had been raised among them. She had met, if not an outlaw, certainly a bad man. She had encountered a real Western lawman, one she hoped to become even better acquainted with in the future. She had learned to ride a horse. And she had gotten to know her grandmother. She had not seen much of Wyoming, but she needed something to look forward to for her next visit, after all.
God had answered all her prayers, and then some. Now she asked him to bless her decision, and promptly fell asleep.
The next morning, Mary Rose marched into the breakfast room and, without even pausing to wish Jubilee and Hauer a good morning, announced, “I want to go home.” Which, when spoken aloud, sounded much more childish and petulant than she had intended. “That is, I… I need to see my family. I’m afraid I can’t stay all summer, though part of me wants to.” She knelt beside Jubilee’s chair and hugged her. “You understand, don’t you?”
Jubilee smiled down at her. The bruising on her face had darkened overnight, but to Mary Rose she had never looked lovelier. “Of course I understand. Which is why I was just asking Hauer if he approved of an idea I’ve had.”
“Do you always ask for Hauer’s approval of your ideas?” Mary Rose asked, rising to her feet.
Hauer laughed, and so did Jubilee. Hauer said, “Not often enough.”
Jubilee nodded. “Probably true. At any rate, now I can ask your opinion as well. Instead of you riding the train all the way back home again so soon after you’ve arrived, why don’t I invite the rest of your family here? Then you could all travel home together later on.”
Mary Rose tried to think of a reply, but the idea was so surprising and gladsome that she could not speak. She nodded and tried to smile while her eyes filled with happy tears. Finally, she said, “Yes, I’d like that. I don’t know if they’d come, but… but if we both write to them, I believe they will. Mother is always trying to convince Father to take her out of the city to improve her health.” She wanted to add that, after all, it was high time they buried their grievances, but that would keep. She was glad she had not cut her hair into bangs after all. Now she could face her parents with a clear and happy conscience.
“Then you’ll stay until we hear back from them? We can send a wire this morning to propose the idea, then write encouraging letters if need be.”
“Yes!” Mary Rose clapped with joy. “Oh, thank you, Grandmother!”
“Of course, you know what this will mean.” Hauer sounded serious.
“What?” Mary Rose asked.
“We’ll have to host another dance in their honor, and you’ll have to dance with Deputy Small again. I don’t see how you’ll bear it.”
Mary Rose blushed, but Jubilee laughed, and Mary Rose could not help joining her.
Acknowledgements
I could never have written this book if God had not given me the ability, desire, and courage to write. To God alone be the glory.
I might have finished this project a little faster if Larry and our kids didn’t insist on distracting me with their affectionate nonsense. Still, they’re most encouraging, so that’s been helpful.
I owe endless thanks to my dearest friend, Deborah Koren. This book would not exist outside my mind if I didn’t have her advice and metaphorical kicking to keep me going. Thanks, Pard.
Thanks to my mom for the time she spent helping me improve it, and to my dad for all the Western inspiration.
Erika Ohlendorf created the beautiful cover for my book. You are a blessing in so many ways, Erika! Thanks!
Hearty thanks to my Spindle Sisters for being my cheering section and offering me advice and help.
Finally, I owe so much to my advisory team for their help with editing, formatting, and proofing this book. Jill Stengl, Elisabeth Grace Foley, Charity Bishop, Eva S., Hayden Wand, and Heidi Pekarek, I salute you all!
About the Author
Born only a few miles from where Jesse James robbed his first train, Rachel Kovaciny has loved the Old West all her life. She now lives in Virginia with her husband and children. Her story “The Man on the Buckskin Horse” won the fairy-tale-retelling contest from Rooglewood Press in 2016 and appeared in their collection Five Magic Spindles. In her free time, Rachel writes for the online magazine Femnista, reads, bakes, blogs, watches movies, and daydreams.
Visit her online at rachelkovaciny.com
Cloaked (Once Upon a Western Book 1) Page 13
