Sarah’s thoughts turned to one Laird Crosby. In no way did she think everyone was honest or trustworthy. “I don’t think that, Mr. Reinhardt.”
“Good. Then I’ll just say that I worked hard for a man and wasn’t paid the money I was promised. So I took something of theirs in exchange for what I was owed. Don’t know for sure, but there might be a bounty on my head.”
Sarah’s eyes grew. “What did you take?”
Reinhardt got a faraway look in his eyes. “She was a tall, beautiful blonde with the longest legs you could ever imagine. And best of all, she didn’t even mind going away with me.”
A loud gasp escaped Sarah’s lips. “Mr. Reinhardt!”
The man laughed loudly as he walked toward the stock pens. He put two fingers in his mouth and whistled three sharp notes.
When the magnificent Palomino trotted toward him, Sarah’s shoulders dropped, frustrated. Oh, how ignorant can I be! Beautiful, tall, blonde…horse!
12
The streets of downtown Beaumont, Texas bustled with activity. Lumber for the railroad was in great demand, and a seemingly endless supply floated down the Neches River daily. Towering mansions surrounding the outskirts of the city reeked of wealth. Lumber and rice barons owned the town, and Eliza Broussard’s father was one of them.
Frederick stepped out of the cab and paid the driver. Five steps led up to the front door of the town house where the Broussards stayed when not at their country estate. Frederick rang the bell and waited.
After a few moments a plump little housekeeper opened the door. Her uniform was starched and pressed to perfection. Upon seeing Frederick, her cheeks rounded to tiny brown apples. “Mr. Chessher.” She stepped back allowing him entrance.
“Hello, Rachel.”
“I was wondering when you was going to be here. The train running late?”
Frederick began shrugging off his overcoat. She helped ease it off his shoulders and folded it over her arm.
“Uh, yes, there was a slight delay. A few stray cattle blocked the tracks.”
Rachel shook her head. “Oh, my heavens. Them cows sure can be a problem.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right about that.”
“I’d rather they be on a dinner plate than the railroad track.” Rachel laughed at her joke.
Frederick smiled halfheartedly.
Rachel narrowed her eyes. “You all right, Mr. Chessher? Can I get you something to drink, maybe some tea, or a cool glass of lemonade?”
“Oh, no thank you, Rachel. Please inform Miss Broussard of my arrival.”
“Yes sir, Mr. Chessher. I’ll let her know directly. You can wait in the parlor.” She gestured toward the seating area, his coat still draped over her arm. Then she toddled up the lavish marble staircase at a fast clip.
Frederick walked to the parlor. He sat next to a large picture window looking out onto the street. Gazing at the passersby, Frederick mentally checked off the tasks he needed to do at the law firm. Had he neglected anything Mr. Logan had asked of him? He certainly hoped not, but having left town so quickly he wasn’t sure.
A woman passed in front of the window holding onto the arm of a tall man with brownish colored hair. Blonde curls flowed out from beneath her wide-brimmed hat. He shook his head to remove the uninvited image of another head of blonde curls from his mind. But it was useless; her face was permanently emblazoned there.
Frederick drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. He then pulled his watch from his waistcoat and looked at the time. An unwelcome wariness overcame him, and his guard came up. Why did Eliza see fit to keep him waiting at his every visit? Was his time not as important as hers? He hammered the armchair with his fist. Who does she think she is making me wait like this? I have an important position, and deserve better than to be treated this way. “Well…that’s it.” Frederick stood to leave.
Eliza entered the room. “Frederick, darling, I see you’ve arrived safely. Your message took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you for another week.” Eliza stopped halfway down the stairs.
Her southern drawl didn’t charm Frederick as it once had. In fact, it sounded fake. And she would not apologize for making him wait. He met her and offered his elbow. “Eliza.”
“Thank you, Frederick.” Eliza linked arms and sashayed down the stairs. “Even though your visit is unexpected I’m glad you’re here. This gives us more time to discuss our plans.”
Frederick escorted Eliza to a table with two chairs in the parlor. “Our plans?” He questioned.
“Why yes, you silly man. Our engagement plans, of course.”
“Oh?” While Frederick wasn’t surprised at Eliza’s boldness, he was astounded at this presumption. He took a seat in the other chair.
“Rachel!” Eliza hollered toward the door. “Come into the parlor at once!”
Frederick startled.
Rachel rushed through the door to Eliza’s side. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Rachel…fetch a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses for Mr. Chessher and myself.” Eliza spoke to the woman in a contemptuous tone.
Frederick looked at this woman, the one he’d considered marrying. Then he glanced at Rachel. He’d never met a housekeeper with a sweeter disposition. Why did Eliza treat her with such disrespect? And why had he never noticed this about Eliza before? He crushed thoughts of Sarah and her kindness to everyone.
“Yes, ma’am, Miss Eliza. I’ll bring it right away.”
“See that you do.”
Rachel scurried out of the room.
Had he been so infatuated with Eliza that he never realized how rude and demanding she was with the servants?
“Now back to our conversation. Whenever you do finally get up the nerve to ask me to marry you, I already have everything planned. Our engagement party will be the event of the season.” Eliza picked up a small candy dish from the table and took a sweet treat for herself. “Candy?” She offered the bowl to Frederick.
“No thank you.”
“Oh, Frederick, Delia and I have been shopping for everything a new bride could possibly need.”
“Delia, your girlfriend from school?”
“Yes, of course, silly.” She grimaced at him. “Honestly, Frederick, what other Delia do we know?”
Frederick overlooked the condescending tone she used with him.
Rachel hurried through the doorway. She held a large silver tray with a pitcher of lemonade, two glasses and a dish of delicious looking cakes. “Here you are, Miss Eliza, some nice, fresh lemonade, and cakes.” Rachel sat the tray on the table and picked up a glass and the pitcher. She began pouring the lemonade as Eliza’s poodle ran into the parlor barking viciously at Frederick. Startled by the intrusion, Rachel spilled lemonade on herself, the silver platter, and her employer.
Eliza shrieked and flailed her arms about, showering Frederick and the poodle with drops of lemonade.
Rachel removed a small towel from her apron and dabbed at the liquid on Eliza’s arms.
“Look what you’ve done, you…you idiot!” Eliza screamed at Rachel. “And stop touching me with that filthy rag. Go get a clean towel.”
“I’m so sorry, Miss Eliza!” Rachel ran from the room.
Eliza continued holding her arms away from her body. The little poodle dog sneezed and then shook, sending lemonade flying from his fur.
Frederick removed his glasses and wiped the sticky liquid from his face.
“Oh, my poor Penny Poo. Did that bad woman get lemonade on you, my precious?”
“It wasn’t her fault, Eliza. If your dog didn’t despise me this might not have happened.”
Eliza glared at Frederick. “It looks like she got you too.”
“I think this might have come from dear Penny Poo.”
Rachel rushed into the parlor with three fresh towels. She handed one to Eliza, and one to Frederick before kneeling to wipe Penny’s fur.
“That will be all, Rachel…thank you,” Eliza said begrudgingly.
Rachel stood a
nd nodded her acknowledgement.
The poodle commenced with her verbal attack on Frederick.
“Rachel, please take Penny with you on your way out.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rachel scooped up the barking menace and left the parlor.
“Now then, what were we talking about before all the commotion started? Oh, yes, I was telling you about Delia and the engagement party we’ve been planning. If someone would stop wasting time and ask me to marry them, that is.”
Frederick crossed his legs and folded his hands. “Yes, you definitely need an engagement in order to have an engagement party.”
“Oh, Frederick it will be so wonderful. The party’s theme is Paris, France! Doesn’t that sound marvelous?”
“Oui, oui.”
Eliza didn’t acknowledge the terse sarcasm in his answer or look at him as she gushed about the party she was planning.
And suddenly Frederick realized he had never been an integral part of their relationship. His role was Eliza’s silent partner.
“And we won’t have to worry about a thing. Papa will pay for everything…when you ask me, of course.”
At some point Frederick stopped listening to Eliza prattle on. His mind had traveled a great distance away, to a rustic ranch house on a quiet peninsula to the west of Beaumont.
“I’ve been thinking about our honeymoon too! Delia says we should go somewhere exotic. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful way to begin our romance?”
Romance…sunbeams shine down on the front porch. Cattle are lowing softly in the distance. The door slowly opens.
“And after we return from our honeymoon we can buy that house that’s for sale down the way from Mama and Papa. Mama said Papa has already inquired about it for us!”
Then she steps out onto the porch. She turns her head at the sound of a horse’s soft nickering. Her natural beauty is illuminated in the evening light.
“Oh, and best of all, I spoke to Papa, and he has made arrangements for you to sign on at the law office he uses right here in town. You are going to be Papa’s personal attorney!”
A brisk sea breeze blows. Her long, golden tresses float around her porcelain face. She twirls around to face the wind. Her flowing green skirt dances in the breeze.
“Isn’t this all so exciting, Frederick?”
She breathes deeply, and brushes blonde locks away from her face.
“Frederick! Are you listening to me?”
Frederick blinked and snapped his gaze toward Eliza. “What, what? Yes, I’m listening to you.”
“You haven’t heard a single word I’ve said.”
“Of course I have. You were talking about all the plans you and Delia have made.” Frederick pasted on a smile.
Eliza’s eyes grew wide, and her lips thinned to a tight line. She rose from her chair and stared at Frederick before huffing out a breath. Without a word, she stomped toward the door.
“Eliza, wait, don’t leave!”
But she was gone.
13
“Can’t you make them stop?” Sarah hollered her question to Reinhardt in order to be heard over the vaqueros.
“Aw, they’re just excited. A little hootin’ and hollerin’ ain’t gonna hurt no one.”
Sarah scowled and pointed to the cattle, restless and bawling. “They’re upsetting the herd.”
“All right, all right.” Reinhardt chuckled, sauntering off on bowed legs.
Mama motioned for Sarah to approach. “Sarah, honey, I need to talk to you before you leave.”
Sarah was eager to get the herd moving.
Mama stepped away from the rest of the family who had gathered to see the riders off. “Now if any of those men are mean to you, or if you get scared one little bit, you tell Pedro and Inez. They will protect you.”
“I’m not scared, Mama. And I don’t need anyone to protect me. I’ve got Rex, and I’ve got Daddy’s rifle, loaded and strapped to my saddle.” She put her hand down and scratched Rex’s head. “Besides, they better not mess with me if they want to get paid at the end of the drive.”
The family gathered in a circle, and Guy Claiborne led them in a prayer for safety. They said their goodbyes and waved while Sarah climbed onto Ginger’s saddle. The horse whinnied with eagerness.
Sarah raised her hand, anxious to give the call to head out.
“Let’s ride!” Reinhardt bellowed loudly dampening Sarah’s small voice.
Rex barked wildly.
The vaqueros yipped and yelped, calling out to the herd.
The cattle bawled as they slowly lumbered toward the road.
Sarah’s anger rose. Reinhardt had spoiled her plan to take charge.
Reinhardt glanced over at her. “What’cha waitin’ for little girl? Yer mommy ain’t coming with us.”
She glared and snapped Ginger’s reigns. “Ya!” The horse bucked and took off like a shot. Sarah was happy she’d left Reinhardt behind, but it infuriated her when she heard him laughing.
~*~
Ginger settled into a steady trot with Rex walking close to Ginger.
Sarah stayed nearby the vaquero who rode flank. It was the best place to keep an eye on everything without Reinhardt watching her every move.
She’d had men treat her much the same way when she was a girl, learning at her father’s side. But that was different; Daddy was the boss then. She was the boss now. But for some reason she couldn’t shake the feeling she’d fallen into some horrible trap devised by Reinhardt and his men. And she would never forgive herself if Pedro and Inez fell victim too.
The longhorn cattle took little time falling into a sturdy forward pace. More than four hundred years of breeding produced a gentle natured animal with a strong resolve, capable of surviving the harshest of conditions.
Pedro and Inez bumped along the rough terrain in the makeshift chuck wagon they’d pulled together for the trip. Their stubborn donkey kept up with the herd. Inez cuddled close to Pedro’s side. How could they be so old and still act like young lovers? That was the kind of relationship she desired…one based on love and trust.
A familiar face invaded Sarah’s thoughts. She closed her eyes, attempting to ward it off…to no avail. He wouldn’t leave. And in all honesty, she didn’t want him to. Why did I have to go and make a fool of myself, batting my eyes at Frederick? Sarah tightened her jaw against the tears that threatened. I was going to teach him to be a rancher. But no, he already has a sophisticated girlfriend. He probably thinks I’m some kind of bumpkin, trying to snag a rich man. Well, the joke’s on you, Frederick Chessher. I don’t need you or any other man. I can take care of myself just fine!
“Alto!”
Sarah jolted at Reinhardt’s command to stop coming from behind her.
He guffawed.
“You’re not as funny as you think you are,” Sarah yelled.
“I don’t know. My men sure got a kick out of it.”
The vaqueros were indeed laughing.
The man’s silly antics helped quell Sarah’s uneasiness that he had bad intentions in mind. Why else would he go to the trouble of teasing her?
“Why are we stopping anyway? We couldn’t have gone more than ten miles.”
Reinhardt pulled back on his horse’s reins. “I’m stopping for you. Looks like you could use your beauty sleep.”
“I think what you’re trying to say is that you’re too old, and it’s past your bedtime. We can push the cattle at least five more miles.”
Reinhardt frowned. “We’ve gone far enough for the day. Because of your family we got a late start. All their huggin’ and prayin’.” He snorted and shook his head.
“You should try praying sometime. It just might help you.”
“It sure ain’t helped me this far.”
Sarah rode toward Pedro and Inez to tell them what was happening. She would never admit it, but she was exhausted and happy to stop for the day. I wonder what Reinhardt meant when he said prayer hadn’t helped him?
14
Sarah ma
de sure Rex stayed close by and that the derringer was strapped to her leg while she brushed Ginger’s fur. She had two lines of defense while her back was turned on the vaqueros.
The Mexican men had spent the past hour drinking from a brown crockery jug and smoking cigars. Despite slurred speech, they were singing loud and off-key.
Reinhardt hadn’t joined them.
The aroma of pinto beans wafted through the campsite. Inez stirred the pot while Pedro flattened balls of tortilla dough. Inez flopped them into a frying pan greased with lard.
Sarah turned her attention to Rex. He looked up at her, his eyes full of puppy love, panting after the long day of work. “Come on, Rex.” His tail wagged at the sound of his name. “Let’s go get some water and something to eat.” The dog barked his approval.
Reinhardt hovered around the food, snatching tortillas when Inez wasn’t looking.
“Ouch!” Reinhardt yanked his hand back.
The spry little Mexican woman rattled off a string of Spanish words.
“All right, all right. You can keep yer dern tortillas.” Reinhardt rubbed his hand where Inez’s spoon had left a mark.
“That’ll teach you to mess with Inez.” Sarah laughed.
Reinhardt sat on a downed tree.
Sarah joined him. “I’m surprised to see you’re not whooping it up with your men.”
“Nah, I’m getting too old for that business. Liquor makes you forget what you done the night before and regret how you feel the morning after.”
“Well, I’m glad. Those vaqueros are obnoxious. And they better keep their guns holstered or we might have a stampede on our hands.”
“Aw, surely they’re not that stupid.” Reinhardt picked up a thin piece of wood from the sand and stuck it between his teeth before giving Sarah a goofy smile. “I saw you riding flank with Ramon earlier today. Is he the kind of man you like to kiss?”
“Please! I’d rather kiss a horse’s rear end!”
“Well, that can be arranged too.” He chuckled. “Maybe I’ll tell Ramon you’re sweet on him. Then you can kiss him…after you finish brushing my horse, of course.”
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