Odessa’s palms dampened, her breath quickened. “I don’t know if I can stand another disappointment, although I should be getting used to them by now.”
“If you want answers, you have to ask questions.” Nila said in a voice too perky. “Besides, you aren’t alone.” She looked over her shoulder and flashed a reassuring smile. “Joshua and I talked about the possibility of you not finding your Aunt Susan, and we have a solution should that happen.”
“Dare I ask now?”
Nila shook her head. “Not until you make sure the woman who lives on this fancy ranch isn’t your kin.”
Odessa heaved a huge sigh. “Well, take me to the porch and we can all find out.”
The wagon lurched forward. She almost lost her balance, but gripped the seatback tighter. She closed her eyes and prayed to find her aunt.
“Whoa, team.” Joshua halted the horses. The brake clunked into place. He glanced back at Odessa. “Let me come around and help you down.”
“No need.” Before he had a chance to leave his seat, Odessa had cleared the tailgate and dropped to the ground. She smoothed her skirt and hair and took a deep breath. Rounding the wagon, she came face-to-face with a handsome dark-haired man, and stopped dead in her tracks.
* * * *
On the trail leading out of Charleston, Zach swiveled in his saddle and took one last look over his shoulder. His heart ached for his beautiful Odessa, and he prayed she was safe and sound somewhere, not lost on the prairie or dead as the voice of his worst fear often whispered to him. The guilt of losing her would forever plague him.
“No use frettin’.” T.J.’s voice drew Zach to face forward.
A big sigh fluttered Zach’s lips. “Am I that obvious? I understand what you mean, but sayin’ the words don’t make the pain go away.”
“Takes time, my friend, takes time.” T.J. tugged his hat’s brim lower.
“I plan to keep myself busy once I get home.” Zach patted his saddlebag. “This money is gonna allow me and Pa to get the cattle we’ve been dreaming about. There’ll be lots to do on the ranch to keep me busy.” Feeling encouraged, he nudged Storm’s sides. “I can’t wait to see the look on Pa’s face.”
“Imagine how my boys will feel when they see the new home I’m gonna build for them. I plan to give each of them their own sleepin’ space. Right now, they’re crammed in with Ma and Pa. That little cabin is fine for two but was never meant for two rambunctious boys.”
Zach chuckled. “I never asked. How old are your boys?”
“Four and six.”
“Just youngin’s.”
T.J. leaned back against his cantle. “Yep, and I don’t know what I would have done without my ma. Being a lawman kept me away from home a great deal, but I earned enough money to keep everyone fed and clothed, plus visit now and again.”
“Do you plan to keep on being a deputy?” Zach asked.
“Nah, I’ve spent enough time wearing a badge. I’ve always dreamed of owning a horse ranch, so maybe this is my chance.”
“How about that?” Zach grinned. “Both of us ranching. Quite a far stretch from robbing stage coaches.”
Their combined laughter drowned out the plodding sound of hoofs against the hardened trail.
* * * *
Sweat drizzled from Zach’s brow. The sun sat high in the sky and beat down on him and T.J. with unrelenting heat. After discussing the fate of the Spence gang and their imminent prison sentence, they’d ridden in silence for quite a while. Zach swiped his kerchief across his face and pondered what his future might have been like with Odessa. Despite trying not to think of her, he couldn’t stop her beautiful smile from invading his thoughts.
“I’ll be leaving you now.”
T.J. voice drew Zach’s attention to where the trail forked.
“So soon?”
“Yep, I’ll be headin’ east to Globe.”
“Reckon we’ll ever see one another again?” Another reason for sadness plucked at Zach’s heart. He’d grown fond of his friend.
T.J. reined in his horse. “I’m not sure where I’ll be settlin’, but you can bet I’ll look you up if I get up your way. Might even write you when I find a place to hang my hat.” He extended his hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Zach.”
With a lump in his throat, Zach reached across the expanse separating them and clutched T.J.’s hand. “I owe you my life, you know? I hope one day, I’ll be able to repay you.”
T.J. spurred his roan forward, but looked over his shoulder. “Be happy. That’ll be payment enough.”
Zach watched until his friend was nothing but a dot on the horizon before he continued on his way. The surrounding silence doubled the emptiness he felt in his heart. “C’mon, Storm. Let’s go home.”
* * * *
Odessa cleared her throat and looked up with wide eyes at the man in front of her. In her shock, she struggled to form a complete sentence. “I-I’m Odessa Clay, and I’m looking for my aunt.”
“I’m Jasper Morgan, Miss Clay.” He doffed his black hat then escorted her up on the porch. “Best we get out of that hot sun.” One dark brow arched. “So tell me again how I can help you.”
“I’m looking for my aunt and I’m praying I can stop my search here.” Odessa clasped her hands together for emphasis. “The man from the mercantile told me she might live here.”
“I’m supposing he meant my wife.”
“Yes, sir. Her name is Susan?”
“Yes. Susie is inside. Let me get her for you.”
He returned with a pretty blonde woman in tow. “Susie, this is—”
“Odessa!” Susan Morgan rushed down the steps and embraced her niece, then held her at arm’s length. “How? Where? “What?” She fired questions but didn’t leave time for answers. Before Odessa had a chance to respond, her aunt smothered her in another embrace. “Oh, my sweet girl. How you’ve grown into such a beautiful woman.”
She finally allowed Odessa a breath.
“I can’t believe I found you… and married at that.”
Her aunt wrapped an arm around Odessa’s shoulders. “Come inside and tell me everything.” The woman paused and glanced at the wagon. “Oh, and your friends too, of course.” She looked to her husband. “Jas, please show them in.”
Inside, the coolness of the adobe provided quite a contrast to the Arizona heat. The clay walls in the kitchen were adorned with shelves holding colorful bowls and pots over a large table with six chairs. Beneath a large glass window sat a counter with a real basin and pump, and adjacent, a large iron cook stove. Floors of polished wood shone bright in place of the swept dirt Odessa remembered from her old Tucson home. Aunt Susan had obviously married well.
“Come, let’s sit in the parlor.” Her aunt ushered her through an archway into a large room furnished with matching floral settees, two dark blue armchairs, mahogany side tables, and a small piano.
Odessa gasped. “Oh how lovely.” She eyed the piano. “Do you play?”
“Only a little. But sit, please. Tell me what brings you here. How did you find me?”
Jasper showed Nila, Joshua and the baby in and motioned them to sit. Odessa gestured to the trio.
“These are my friends, Nila, her husband Joshua and baby, Raejean. They saved my life, but it’s a long story to that point and one I’ll share later.” She cast a wistful look at her aunt. “I’m sorry to say, Papa is dead.”
Tears welled at the shock on her aunt’s face. Maybe she should have eased into the bad news instead of blurting it out. After all, Papa had been Aunt Susan’s only brother.
* * * *
Dust from the Conestoga’s wheels spiraled in the air then drifted back to the ground. Odessa stood with her aunt and new uncle, waving goodbye to her friends until the wagon had passed beneath the big “M”
and faded in the distance. Her heart ached at losing Nila’s companionship and understanding, but she’d promised to write as soon as she and Joshua found land and settled.
“They seem like very nice people.” Aunt Susan wiped Odessa’s hair away from her face. “I’m so happy you’re here. You are welcome to stay as long as you’d like. We have plenty of room, don’t we Jas?”
Jasper nodded. “We sure do, and I think Susie will enjoy having another female around to keep her company. I spend most of my time out on the range, and I know she gets lonely.”
The gaze her aunt fixed on her held a sparkle. “I have plans for us, and the first includes a visit to the mercantile to buy material for some new dresses.” She rubbed her hands together and smiled. “In the meantime, I’ll draw a bath for you, and you can slip into something of mine. We look to be the same size.” She brushed a kiss against Odessa’s cheek. “Welcome home, my dear. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Odessa’s eyes brimmed with tears. Pa would be happy to know she finally found her way to his last living kin. Maybe now he would truly rest in peace. She followed her aunt inside and waited while the woman pumped a bucket full of water.
Memories of Zach still invaded Odessa’s thoughts and made her heart ache. For a moment, the recollections shadowed her glee. The least she could do was locate his father and tell him what an amazing son he raised.
“When do you plan to visit the mercantile, Aunt Susan?”
“Oh, honey, Jas and I just made the trip to town for supplies, so we probably won’t go for another two weeks or so. I think you can make do with my clothes for a spell.”
“That’s generous of you. By the way, do you know anyone in Phoenix named Johnson?”
“Not right off hand. But this city is growing like wildfire. Why do you ask?” She hefted the bucket onto the stovetop.
“Remember that long story I said I’d share? I met a man…”
* * * *
Zach sat in the bank and signed a document opening an account in his name. “I’ll be happy to know this cash is safe and sound until I have need of it. You have no idea what I sacrificed to get it.”
The clerk looked over his spectacles. “I’ll bet your pa is glad to have you back.”
“Sure is.” Zach grinned. “Even happier when I brought you the money to pay off his loan. Now the land is all his.”
The man cleared his throat. “You know it wasn’t personal, right?”
“Business is business.” Zach said. “But it’s still shameful that hard-working people lose their land when times get tough.”
“I agree, but thankfully, all’s well that ends well.” The clerk gathered the papers into a stack.
Zach pushed himself up out of the chair, squealing the legs against the floor. He held his hat with one hand and shook hands with the other. “Good doin’ business with you. Take care of my money.”
“Oh course, Mr. Johnson. You have a real nice day.” The bank clerk showed him to the door.
Pausing outside, Zach plopped his hat on his head and pulled the brim down. As he walked, he pulled a shopping list from his pocket and perused the needed items. Two weeks and his hearty appetite had already cleaned out the cupboards. Storm was about to work up a lather, toting everything home.
Zach took a breath. The pleasant morning air hadn’t yet heated to unbearable and folks took advantage of the respite. The streets were busy with horse and riders passing, wagons wheeling by, and even an occasional cow or two being herded toward the feedlot at the end of the street. People bustled along the wooden planks, and Zach compared the upscale citizenry to that in Charleston. Phoenix hosted more rooted folks—those who lived and thrived in the area. He’d hoped to bring Odessa here and build a life with her.
He sighed.
Ahead, two attractive women approached from the opposite direction. A searing pain zinged through his heart at the similarity of the younger one. The loss of Odessa was still too fresh. He stared at the sidewalk, a lump forming in his throat.
“Zach!” The urgent voice sounded familiar.
His gaze popped up. “Odessa?” His words came in a whisper. Could it be her or was this just another haunting nightmare?
Pounding footsteps vibrated the wooden slats. She slammed against him and wrapped her arms around him in a grip a grizzly would envy. Could this be real? She smelled of jasmine and honey, and the softness of the lips caressing his cheek and moving toward his mouth brought pleasure that couldn’t be false.
His arms found their way around the svelte waist. Resulting sparks when their lips met jolted through his body and convinced him he wasn’t dreaming. Odessa was right where she was meant to be.
Epilogue
Odessa waddled out onto the porch of the ranch house she and Zach shared. One hand rested atop her belly and the other massaged the small of her back. Her child was due in less than a month and she was more than ready.
She stopped at the banister and looked out over the white-railed corrals where more than a hundred head of horses grazed. Today, Zach worked the upper pastures, moving more of their herd to an area where new grass sprouted.
Her life had taken a bumpy path to get here. Uncle Jas had sold a parcel of land to Zach and another to Nila and Joshua. All the people who mattered most in her life surrounded her. What more could she want?
Lost in thought, she didn’t hear her husband approach. “Daydreaming, are ya?”
She smiled, believing he grew more handsome each day. “More like pinching myself to make sure this is all real.” She embraced herself. “I’ve got a handsome man who comes home to me after a hard day at work, a new uncle who made our dreams come true, and the friends who saved my life close at hand. Nila and Aunt Susan are going to be a big help when this little one comes.” She cradled her belly.
“You forgot little Raejean.” Zach added.
“No, I didn’t. She’s going to be a big sister to our baby.”
“Until we have another of our own.” He winked.
Odessa rolled her eyes. “At least wait until this one is a few years old before you put me through such torture again.”
“Torture? I didn’t think all that moaning I heard while we made this baby was from agony.”
“Oh, Zach.” Her cheeks heated.
“Oh! Zach!” She repeated his name, this time with urgency.
“You just said that.” He raised a brow.
She stared down at the puddle darkening the wood around her feet. “You’d better go get Aunt Susan, unless of course you’d like to really be able to compare moans.” She flashed a weak grin.
The color drained from his face. “Not on your life. I’ll be right back.”
Zach dug his heels into Storm’s sides and left in a cloud of dust. Odessa was alone again, but she wasn’t afraid. She was home, and family was on the way… the rest looked over her from up above.
She glanced at the sky. “I made it, Papa, and you’re about to become a grandfather.”
WILD WEST POT ROAST
by Donald Tomsa
Marinade
4 cups Saspirilla
1 cup wine
4 large onions, peeled and quartered
5 cloves garlic crushed
salt
pepper
Marinade at least 2 hours, strain and save vegetables.
6-8 pound thick cut Blade or Chuck roast
2 tablespoons bacon grease
3 cups water
3 large potatoes peeled and quartered
2 medium turnips peeled and cut into appr. 1 inch pieces
4 large carrots cut in appr.1 inch pieces
3 ears of corn cut in thirds
In a heavy iron skillet heat bacon grease. Sear all sides of roast. Place meat in Dutch oven. Add re
served vegetables and water. Cook 1 1/2 hours over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients, reduce heat cook another 1 1/2 hours. ENJOY
About the Author:
Multi-published author, Ginger Simpson lives in Tennessee, but her heart and muse dwell in the old west. She retired from her “big girl” job in 2003 and has dedicated her time to writing and enjoying her grandson, Spencer. Husband, Kelly, is her biggest fan.
A previous release, Sparta Rose, received the 2009 Best Historical Read from Love Romance Café, and another of her works finalized in the 2009 EPIC Contest.
You can view her work on her website (http://www.gingersimpson.com) or her blog, Dishin’ It Out (http://mizging.blogspot.com).
More of Ginger’s books from Eternal Press:
White Heart, Lakota Spirit
Prairie Peace
Sparta Rose
Sisters in Time
Sarah’s Journey
Amazing Grace
Chastity’s Charm
Forever Faith
Hope Springs Eternal
Paging Dr. Jones
Virginia’s Miracle
Books coming soon from Ginger Simpson:
The Locket (April 2011)
Also from Ginger Simpson:
Sarah’s Journey
by Ginger Simpson
eBook ISBN: 9781897559017
Print ISBN: 9781926647081
Romance Western
Novel of 72,000 words
When Sarah Collins set her sights on California for a new beginning, she never figured a war party would attack her wagon train. After her friend Molly succumbs to her injuries, Sarah is the sole survivor, left alone to find her way back to civilization. Stampeding buffalo, the black prairie nights and eerie noises. Just when she believes she’s faced the worst, a rattlesnake bite threatens to accomplish what the Indians failed. Is it her time to die, or does Sarah have a purpose yet to accomplish?
Odessa Page 20
