Chasing the Sun

by Tracie Peterson

  She didn’t wait to continue. “There is no rivalry, because I have no affections for you.” His expression fell. “Furthermore, I am not of a mind to consider matrimony at this time.”

  Marty leaned closer to her sister. “He’s losin’ all his hair, Hannah. You can’t marry a man who doesn’t have any hair.”

  Her sister’s serious consideration of a beau very nearly sent Hannah into peals of laughter, but she held herself in check. “Marty, it doesn’t matter as much what a fella looks like, but rather what’s in their heart—if they love Jesus and if they are trustworthy.”

  She looked back to Lockhart and found him frowning. Apparently her words did not agree with him. Yet another reason to avoid marriage to this man, she figured. She pulled open the purse that hung at her waist and began to get coins to pay for the meal.

  “My dear, I will not have you paying for this supper,” Lockhart said, holding up his hand to halt her.

  Hannah considered refusing his offer but thought better of it. She would need all the money they had just to get them somewhere to start anew. Nodding, she closed her purse and smiled. “That is very kind of you, Mr. Lockhart. However, before we conclude our meal, I would like to speak a little business.” She turned to the children. “Please sit quietly while Mr. Lockhart and I speak. I promise it won’t take long.”

  “Certainly you could send the children to their room,” Lockhart suggested. “They needn’t be bored with our affairs.”

  “Mr. Lockhart, this is a big city, and while it has been considerably depopulated because of the war and Indian conflicts, I would not begin to consider having the children fend for themselves—even in a hotel of this quality. Now, I wish to discuss my father’s business. I know that you two were partners and that he invested a considerable sum to set up the offices in Cedar Springs. I wish to know how we might dissolve his interests and have you buy us out.”

  Lockhart had been in the middle of sipping his coffee. He all but spewed the liquid out across the table. “Please excuse my surprise,” he said, dabbing the napkin to his lips. “I supposed you to know the truth of our arrangement.”

  Hannah eyed him seriously. “Which is what?”

  The man put down the napkin and folded his hands. “The truth is, your father wasn’t doing all that well financially. What with the war and the ranch not making money and having to provide for so many mouths to feed . . . Well . . . the truth is, I bought him out some time ago.”

  By the expression on his face, Hannah was certain he was lying. Lockhart watched her, as if to determine whether she’d accept his comments or protest them.

  Hannah chose her words very carefully. “I think perhaps it would benefit us both if you and I discussed this matter with the judge in Dallas. It seems to me that Father did quite a bit of business without informing anyone else . . . but you.” She smiled. “That must have been a tremendous burden. However, I believe the judge will be useful to us both.”

  “There’s no need for that, I assure you. Your father and I were both capable lawyers. We drew up contracts and had witnesses. I have all of the papers back in Cedar Springs. You see, it was always your father’s intention that you marry me.” He looked rather uncomfortably at the children and then back to Hannah. “I even assured your father that I would adopt your brother and sister. You see, I care deeply about your welfare.”

  “Be that as it may,” Hannah countered, “I have no intention of marrying you. If that was my father’s wish, then he kept it well hidden from me. As for the children, I have raised them and they are as much my own as they were Father’s.”

  “Still, a single woman cannot be responsible for herself, much less two vulnerable children. I would not feel comfortable allowing you to attempt such a feat on your own. Given your father’s wishes for their well-being . . . if you are to indeed refuse my love, I cannot say that I could ignore my responsibility to them.”

  Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

  Lockhart’s expression grew almost dour. “It would be a legal matter for the court to decide, of course, but I believe it would be my duty to your dear father to take on the guardianship of the children.”

  He couldn’t have shocked her more had he punched her in the face. Hannah leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of panic begin to creep over her. “You would force me into marriage in order that I might not be separated from Andy and Marty? Is that what you are saying?”

  “My dear, I would never force anything upon you. I am simply saying that I have a responsibility to your father to oversee the welfare of his minor children. You are within your rights to ignore your father’s wishes that we marry. I would never dream of imposing such a thing on an unwilling partner.”

  “I’m not going to live with you,” Andy suddenly interrupted. “You aren’t my pa, and I won’t let you have Marty, either.”

  Lockhart pointed a finger at the boy. “You are out of line to speak in such a manner to your elders.”

  “Do not think to correct him, Mr. Lockhart,” Hannah declared. “He is as shocked as I am at your harsh treatment. You cannot suppose that any of us would willingly participate in this scheme of yours to control our lives.”

  For a moment Hannah wasn’t sure how Lockhart would take her comment. His face contorted, revealing emotions that suggested anger, fear, and finally deep sadness. “I am greatly wounded that you consider this harsh or a scheme. This is a hard land to live in, and your father was merely concerned for you. I don’t suppose I should expect you, as a woman, to understand all of the dangers that could await you in the world. We do try to keep our women innocent of such matters.” He gave a smile that suggested it was a heavy burden to bear. “This is the duty that falls upon the shoulders of all men, and I take that task quite seriously.”

  Hannah pushed back her chair and got to her feet. “I understand the dangers better than you might think, Mr. Lockhart. I believe now I will retire. We are weary from our long day.” She helped Marty from her chair and was surprised when the little girl clung to her in a fearful manner. Lifting Marty to her hip, Hannah cradled the child close. “I’m certain you see the way you’ve upset my sister and brother. That could hardly have been our father’s desire.”

  Lockhart was already getting to his feet, but Hannah could see that he didn’t appear concerned with their feelings. He fixed his gaze on Hannah and delivered his next words with great care. “I am a man of my word, Miss Dandridge. Emotions are not what a man considers when following through on unpleasant concerns. I will do what must be done. In time, you will understand my position. I hope this will not lessen your opinion of me, but I must honor your father’s wishes.”

  “Nothing at all could lessen my opinion of you, Mr. Lockhart. It’s already at its lowest point. Good night.”

  She hurried Andy from the dining room and up the stairs to their room. Marty, for once, was surprisingly silent. Hannah wanted to rail at Herbert Lockhart. How dare he try to force her into marriage by using her siblings. She had never known such rage as she felt in that moment.

  If only William were there. He would set the man straight.

  The thought surprised her, though if she were honest with herself she’d admit that William was always the first one to cross her mind when times of trouble came.

  “Hannah, will Mr. Lockhart really take us away from you unless you marry him?” Andy asked as soon as they were safely inside their room.

  “You won’t let him take us, will you?” Marty questioned, near tears.

  “Of course I won’t let him take you.” Hannah smoothed back errant strands of hair from the girl’s face. “Mr. Lockhart is mistaken about Father’s wishes. That’s all. He will soon realize that.”

  “He’s a bad man, Hannah,” Andy said matter-of-factly.

  Hannah nodded. “I think I’m beginning to see that, Andy. We will have to pray for God’s protection and trust Him. He won’t let us be harmed.”

  “How can you be sure?” Andy asked. �
�He let Pa be harmed.”

  “He did,” Marty said, supporting her brother’s statement.

  “We don’t always know why things happen the way they do,” Hannah admitted. “I don’t really know what happened to our father, but I do believe God was with him even in death. God is good, Andy. He loves us very much. We must trust Him to help us in this. I promise you, though, I will not leave you. Even if it means I have to marry Mr. Lockhart. I will never leave you.”

  “You can’t marry him, Hannah.” Andy’s tone was almost pleading. “He’s a bad man, and he don’t love God.”

  “Doesn’t,” Hannah corrected. “He doesn’t love God.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” Andy reiterated.

  Hannah smiled at her brother. “I don’t really know how Mr. Lockhart feels about God, but I do know how we feel. We aren’t his judge, Andy. God is. We love God, and therefore, we will trust Him. He is our hope now—more than ever before.”

  25

  Hannah was surprised to find the children dressed and ready to go to the courthouse when she awoke the next morning. She was even more surprised when Marty declared that she’d seen William on the street below.

  “Marty,” Hannah began in exasperation, “how many times have we talked about this? You simply have to stop lying.”

  The little girl bowed her head. “Well, I thought I saw him.”

  “Well, sometimes we see things and they aren’t at all what we thought they were.” Hannah lifted her sister’s face to meet her gaze. “Do you understand?”

  Marty nodded. “It sure looked like him.”

  “Maybe because you wanted it to,” Hannah replied, caressing the youngster’s cheek.

  Hannah then smoothed out the lines of her chemise before reaching for her corset. She had long learned how to tighten her laces without help, but when Andy offered his assistance, she could only smile.

  “You shouldn’t have to help your sister with such a thing.”

  “Maybe someday I’ll get married and my wife will need help,” Andy told her.

  At this Hannah could only nod and turn her back. “All right. Here’s what you need to do.”

  After instructing him, Hannah quickly hooked the front of the garment, then waited patiently for Andy to adjust her to the proper tightness. After that she quickly donned her corset cover and petticoats. Her traveling outfit was well worn from the last few years of travel, but it would suffice.

  After a hurried breakfast, Hannah and the children waited in the lobby for Mr. Lockhart. Hannah was about to give up on him when Lockhart walked in from the front doors rather than descending the stairs. Apparently he had already been conducting business.

  “I see you’re going to bring the children.”

  Hannah nodded. “As I mentioned last night, this is the city and I would not feel comfortable leaving them alone.”

  “I did consider that. The proprietor’s wife agreed that they might stay with her, however.” Lockhart looked at Andy and Marty with an authoritative expression. “I feel it would be best.”

  “They’re staying with me,” Hannah said, even as Marty hugged closer to her side.

  Lockhart looked as if he might protest, then nodded. “As you wish.”

  The words clearly came hard for him, and Hannah knew he didn’t mean them. She didn’t care. It would be as she wished—despite his threats. She felt a sense of confidence and smiled. “I’m glad you understand.”

  William had ridden hard and fast to get back to Texas. His desire to see Hannah had very nearly sent him to the ranch, but something inside urged him to stick with his plan and head to Dallas. Weary and worn, he’d made his way to the livery to see to his horse. It was while he was there that the liveryman, Horace Carter, invited him to spend the night and William eagerly agreed. The two had known each other for a long time and comfortably spent the evening with tales of war and politics.

  Despite this and the comfort of a real bed, William awoke early, his leg throbbing from the abuse of riding for so many days without decent rest. He rubbed the old wound and wondered if he would ever know a day without pain.

  Hunger soon became foremost on his mind, however, and William limped his way to a nearby hotel. He knew Horace would have happily fed him, but William desired to have a full hot breakfast of ham, grits, and biscuits with thick gravy. He’d been thinking about just such a meal since his days on the trail, and he wouldn’t be deprived it now.

  When he finished it was still too early to see the judge, so William walked along the main thoroughfares and marveled at how time had changed things. Dallas was still far busier than Cedar Springs, but many of the businesses were closed and the number of people and traffic seemed far lighter. Of course, the war had taken a good number of the men, and in their absence, many of the women had moved to be near relatives. He had heard that quite a few families had made their way to Austin and Houston in order to avoid the Comanche attacks, as well.

  He stopped at a rather upscale mercantile and made his way to a display of dolls. He thought of Marty and the fact that she was soon to have a birthday. William picked up a doll dressed from head to toe in blue velvet. It was frilly and lacy and sported long blond sausage curls and a stylish bonnet. He grinned as a clerk made his way over to assist him.

  “I reckon this ought to brighten the birthday of a six-year-old girl.”

  “Indeed it would,” the man agreed. “And the price has recently been lowered.” The man appeared eager for a sale as he continued. “Most folks don’t have money for such frivolities these days, but those birthdays do keep coming.”

  William nodded. “I’ll take it. Can you wrap it up in brown paper for me? I have a long, dusty ride home.”

  “Certainly, sir. Would there be anything else?” he asked in a hopeful voice.

  “I think some peppermints would be a good idea—if you have some.” He had the money given him by Tyler and knew such spending couldn’t be the routine of his future. Still, he wanted to take some candy to the children. Andy and Marty would love it, but he knew Pepita and Pablo were just as fond of the sweet treat.

  “I have some sticks in the back,” the man assured him. “How many would you like?”

  “Let me have six,” he said, thinking he wouldn’t mind a stick for himself.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll get those and I’ll wrap up the doll while I’m at it.”

  William waited and noted the clock on a shelf behind the counter. It was nearly eight-thirty. No doubt Judge Peevy would be ready to open his doors to business. The clerk returned in a matter of minutes with the candy and the doll. William paid the man and hurried back to the livery, where he deposited his purchases. Horace was busy mucking out stalls and gave him a wave.

  “I saw you were gone from the house mighty early. You should have hollered. I would have cooked you some grits.”

  William smiled. “I knew you would have—that’s why I left early.”

  The man laughed. “Well, I’ve been thinkin’ on gettin’ me one of them mail-order brides who could cook me up a digestible meal, but there’s a war on, you know. I’d probably have to send to the West or South for one.”

  “I wouldn’t fret too much, Horace. Sadly enough I have a feeling we’ll have plenty of widows after this dispute is resolved.”

  Horace nodded somberly. “I’m sure you’re right. So you headin’ home now?”

  “Shortly. I have to see Judge Peevy first. I’m going to leave these things here and then I’ll be back to settle up with you.”

  “You paid your keep just jawin’ with me half the night. Ain’t had a good conversation with anyone in a long time. That were worth the price of feed for sure.”

  “That’s mighty kind of you, Horace. I’ll remember it.” William gave a little two-fingered touch to the brim of his hat in salute.

  Judge Peevy was already hard at work when William got to his office. His secretary, an elderly man, greeted William and told him that the very subject of his ranch was now being discussed.


  “With whom?” William asked.

  The secretary didn’t have time to reply, however. The door to the right opened and Andy and Marty came barreling out.

  “I knew I heard your voice,” Andy declared. “I’m so glad you’re here. That Mr. Lockhart is trying to make Hannah marry him. He said if she doesn’t marry him, he’s gonna take us away from her.”

  William felt Marty wrap her arms around his legs. He looked down and she was nodding. “You can’t let him marry Hannah. He’s fat and mean.”

  “What’s going on? Why are you here?” William asked Andy as he bent to lift Marty in his arms.

  “Hannah said that we had to come here because the judge sent a letter. She said that the ranch belonged to you and it wasn’t right for us to stay there no more since Pa was dead.”

  William frowned. “So you’ve had word about your father?”

  “Uh-huh. Mr. Lockhart came and told Hannah. Then Mr. Lockhart told her that Pa wanted her to marry him.”

  “But we don’t think she should,” Marty added. “You won’t let her, will you?”

  “I’ll do what I can.” William had no intention of losing Hannah to Herbert Lockhart. She might not like the truth about what he’d done in the war, but he wouldn’t stand by and allow her to make that kind of a mistake.

  “I’m sure sorry about your pa. I know how much it hurts to lose a father. I hope you’ll talk to me if you need to.” He said this mostly for Andy’s benefit, but smiled at Marty, too. “You two wait out here, and I’ll go in and see what I can do.” He put Marty down and gave Andy a nod. “I promise to do whatever I can to see that Hannah doesn’t marry Mr. Lockhart.”

  “Good. I told her she needed to marry you,” Andy declared in unabashed adoration. “I told her you were strong and a good worker and young enough to help her so she won’t have to work so hard.”

  William was surprised by this. “And what did she say to that?”

  Andy thought for a moment. “Well, she didn’t say no.”

  William chuckled. “All right, then. I’ll go do what I can.”