by Linda Ford
Reese realized she was, as she said, happy here. But would she ever get over longing for her past?
When would he hear from Ma? With train service the mail came and went regularly. Perhaps in a week he’d hear back. If she said Constance Hayworth was safe in the bosom of her family then Reese could accept Victoria was an unfortunate victim of the train accident. If Ma said the girl was still missing? Wouldn’t he be honor bound to contact Mr. Hayworth? If he did, he knew what would happen. The man would snatch her from this loving family, the only family she could remember.
Before he decided what to do, he had to make sure it would do more good than harm. But he wasn’t sure how he could know that.
In all fairness he needed to let the preacher know of his suspicions even before he heard back from Ma. He would speak privately to the preacher the first chance he got and tell him what he suspected. Somehow the truth would be revealed.
The next day he rode out to see Abe Shaw. Abe had not begun to pack his belongings.
“It’s harder than I realized to say goodbye to everything that I shared with my family. I just wish I could forget it all.”
“Is forgetting the best thing?” He thought of Victoria. Was it best for her to not know who she was before her accident?
“I need to move forward but I can’t so long as I cling to the past.” The man looked about the room, no doubt seeing his wife and children in every object and every inch.
“Take your time about moving. I have a temporary job at the livery barn.” Though Mikey would be wanting Jimmy to start.
“Thank you. I appreciate that. But treat the place like it’s yours.”
“I’ll ride out and check the cows. Do you want to come with me?”
“Sure do.” The man was obviously happy to not have to deal with the contents of the house.
They rode the perimeter of the land that would be Reese’s as soon as the final papers were signed, but in both his mind and Abe’s it was his already. It was a fine sunny day. He enjoyed the ride and the visit, but he missed town. Or maybe, he missed certain people who lived there.
They returned to the house late in the day.
“You’ll join me for supper, won’t you?” Abe asked.
Reese thought of refusing but sensed the man needed company. “Sounds like a fine idea. I’ll make biscuits.”
Abe blinked and then chuckled. “Not often you hear of a cowboy who bakes.”
“I don’t do much, but I found learning a few skills is preferable to existing on beans and canned peaches.”
“Sounds a lot like my diet of late. But I think the occasion calls for a bottle of my wife’s canned meat.”
“You have any potatoes and carrots, maybe a turnip, to throw in with the meat?”
Abe seemed surprised that making a stew was that easy. “I believe I do.”
The pair soon had the vegetables and meat cooking together and Reese slid a tray of biscuits into the hot oven. He’d made a big batch knowing Abe would enjoy them for another day or two.
“Have you decided what you’re going to do when you leave here?” Reese asked.
“Still haven’t made up my mind. This here”—he indicated the house—“was our dream.” He shrugged. “Can’t seem to think of something else I want to do. Maybe head to California and look for gold.” He slumped forward. “Can’t seem to drum up enthusiasm for the task.”
“Maybe you should work for a rancher until you know what you want.”
“Maybe.” There was no enthusiasm in the man’s response.
“Have you thought of packing your saddle bags and simply riding into the mountains until you feel ready to do something else?”
Abe sat up. “That’s a good idea. But what do I do with all this stuff?” He waved his hand around the room.
“Do you want to sell some of it? If you do, I could use it. The rest you could crate up and store on the place until you need it.”
Abe smacked his hands together. “I like that idea. Give me a few days to sort things out.”
“I’ll give you a fair price for whatever you want to part with.”
“Let’s talk again next week, if that’s all right with you. I hope you don’t mind the delay.”
“Next week is fine. I’m satisfied that things are in fine shape here. No need for you to rush away.”
By the time he headed back to town, the sun dipped toward the mountains. He sidetracked past the church and manse out of curiosity. The church was dark. Lamplight glowed from the kitchen window in the manse. He paused to study the square of light. It was too late for a social call and he had no other excuse for going to the door, so he turned Thunder toward the livery barn.
Mickey sat on a chair outside the barn. Jimmy sat cross-legged on the ground beside the chair.
“Wondered if you’d get back before dark,” Mickey said.
“I’ll be around a few more days, if that’s all right with you.”
“Fine by me. Jimmy is going to start coming by morning and evening. If I’m not around, you could maybe show him what needs to be done.”
Jimmy bolted to his feet. “I can brush the horses. Sweep the floors. Clean out the stalls. Put out feed.” The boy sounded so eager, Reese decided he wouldn’t be doing much for fear of getting in the way of what Jimmy planned to do.
“You can do about anything you set your mind to,” Mickey said, and squeezed Jimmy’s shoulder.
The boy glowed with enjoyment of Mickey’s approval.
Reese knew Mickey would treat the boy right, whether simply as an employer or as a stepfather.
“You get on home now before your ma starts to worry.” Mickey turned Jimmy toward home and the boy raced away.
“I won’t be keeping Jimmy from what you have in mind for him.” Reese unsaddled his horse and tended him as they talked.
“I don’t expect him to work like a man. Just a boy doing his best to help his ma.” Mickey unwound from the wall and went to his room.
Reese went to his. He’d give Abe a few days to sort of his belongings. After that Reese would have no reason to remain in town.
Not that he wanted one. Or so he told himself.
Sunday morning he rose early and prepared for the church service. It had been a long time since he’d seen Victoria and was anxious for a glimpse of her. And a conversation.
He scolded himself. It was Friday night he’d seen her. Not a long time, he reasoned.
But it felt like weeks.
Mickey had left by the time Reese was ready. He wasn’t surprised to see him walking down the street with Jimmy and Jimmy’s widowed ma beside him.
Reese reached the church. He stepped into the cool interior. Victoria played the piano, saw him and smiled. Yes, she smiled at all those who entered but not as warmly as she smiled at him.
He resisted an urge to press the heel of his hand to his forehead. Perhaps he should ride out to his ranch earlier than he’d agreed to. Before his brain turned to mush, because it was already showing signs of doing so.
Redheaded Flora and her husband, Kade, sat beside Eve and Josie. Mrs. Kinsley sat at the far end of the pew. There wasn’t room for Reese even if he’d thought to sit there, which he hadn’t. He slipped into a pew partway forward.
His gaze went toward Victoria. She mouthed something. It took him a moment to realize she was saying “cows.” He grinned at the reminder that he mostly sang for cows.
After the service, Mrs. Kinsley spoke to him. “You’ll join us for dinner, won’t you?”
“I’d love to.” He followed the family from the church. Almost stumbled when he saw that one of the other cowboys going the same direction was Smitty.
Reese dropped back so he walked in step with the man. “What are you doing here?”
“Same as you. Planning to enjoy a free meal.” Smitty slowed so the two of them were alone. “Or do you have something else in yer mind?”
Truth was, Reese did. He’d hoped to talk to Victoria. Maybe ask for her to walk to the ri
ver with him. “Nope.”
“Is she the gal?” Smitty tipped his head to indicate who he meant though it was clear in Reese’s mind. He tried to think what he could say to divert Smitty from pursuing the matter.
“Did you get the job?” he asked.
“I ain’t here to talk about work.” Smitty lengthened his steps so they caught up to the others.
Reese had no intention of carrying on the conversation in the Kinsleys’ hearing. But he gritted his teeth as he tried to think of a way to dissuade Smitty from his interest. He gritted them even more when Smitty managed to sit next to Victoria at the meal.
The preacher asked Smitty to introduce himself.
“I just go by Smitty. Can’t rightly recall if I have any other name.” He managed to look both sad and confused. “Grew up alone apart from a few years in an orphanage. Been on my own since I was a tadpole. Did whatever I had to in order to survive.”
Of course, the story garnered murmurs of sympathy, but Reese wondered how much was true, especially when Smitty gave him a triumphant look. Reese guessed the man meant to inform him that he knew how to get on the good side of these people.
“That’s sad,” Victoria said.
“Sounds like a tough way to grow up,” Eve said.
Reese wondered if he heard a hesitation in her voice.
Flora gave the man hard study. “We’re all orphaned, us Kinsleys. So we kind of know what you’re talking about.”
If there was any way Reese could warn the Kinsleys not to believe everything Smitty said, he would do it. He glanced at the preacher in time to see him exchange a look with his wife.
Reese grinned. Maybe the man wasn’t prepared to fall hook, line, and sinker for the story.
Reese forced his jaw to relax. He’d hang about as much as he could, but the preacher was no fool. He’d surely discern fact from fiction.
But that knowledge troubled Reese. If Victoria was really Miss Hayworth, why hadn’t the preacher searched out that fact? None of it made any sense. He was beginning to hope that everything that led him to believe she was the missing girl was only coincidence. But that was a lot of chance facts coming together.
Conversation around the table eventually turned to talk of the school. Smitty lost interest. He turned to Victoria. “I’d ‘preciate it, if you’d show me ‘round the town.”
Her hesitation was plain to all. She glanced toward her pa, a helpless look on her face.
Reese pushed back. “I’ll be glad to show you around.” He waited for Smitty to get to his feet, his face dark with displeasure.
“On second thought, I better get back to the ranch ‘fore I lose my job.” He smiled at Mrs. Kinsley. “Thank you for the grand meal.”
Reese sank back to his chair as the preacher walked the man to the door then returned and took his seat again.
For a moment, no one spoke. Flora burst out in laughter. “Do I sense some rivalry?”
Reese kept his expression blank. Let them think whatever they wanted. They did not know the danger Smitty posed. He was about to ask to speak privately to the preacher when the man began to talk.
“Victoria, I know you’re anxious to get on with plans for building the school. We all are. But I can’t do it at the moment.”
“Pa, why not?”
“You remember Stewart Kennedy, the man who lives up in the hills?” He went on without waiting for an answer. “I got a message this morning from his neighbor. Stewart has had a bad fall. His leg is broken. He needs care. He asked that I come. I’ve discussed it with your mother, and she agrees I should go and see what the man needs. I understand he refuses to be moved to town, so I will stay with him as long as I’m needed. I’ll return for Sunday service, of course.”
Victoria blinked. “Of course, you must do what you need to do.”
“Sir, if I may,” Reese said, bringing all eyes to him. “I could go look after this Mr. Kennedy.”
The preacher looked to his wife and some sort of communication passed silently between them.
“Reese,” the preacher said, “that is a very kind offer, and in most cases I would gladly accept, but Stewart is a strange customer. Crusty and ready to believe the worst of people. I fear if I sent you instead of going myself, he will interpret it to mean I don’t feel he is worth my time. I can’t do that.”
Victoria smiled though Reese could tell it took an effort.
If only he could do something to ease her disappointment. Maybe he could.
“Then perhaps you’d let me look after the building project.”
He couldn’t miss the eager look in Victoria’s face as she turned to her father.
The preacher studied Reese for a moment. “Have you done anything like this in the past?”
“I worked side by side with a man who built a house and then a barn. I can assure you I know how to measure and cut. Not to brag, but I know how to judge the amount of material a building needs.”
Mr. Kinsley looked around the table. “Does anyone see a problem with me turning the project over to Reese?”
“No, Pa,” several voices said.
“I will need to get approval from the board members. I don’t like to conduct business on the Sabbath, but I need to get out to Stewart’s place as soon as possible.” He pushed back from the table. “Give me an hour or two to speak to the others and I’ll let you know.”
Reese stared after the departing man, then brought his gaze to Victoria’s.
“That’s very kind of you, especially considering you have your own affairs to take care of,” she said.
“It’s for a good cause.” He hoped his voice didn’t sound as grating to the others as it did to him.
She ducked her head but not before he caught a flash of something in her eyes that made him think she was disappointed with his answer.
Did she hope he had done it for her sake?
He couldn’t deny he had. He didn’t like to see her disappointed, and it would enable him to make sure Smitty didn’t make a nuisance of himself.
It seemed too much to hope they wouldn’t see more of the man.
At bedtime Victoria sat at the writing desk in front of the window trying to decide what to write in her journal. What she wrote was not private. Everyone knew she kept track of the events of her life. Knowing the pages were available for anyone to read, she couldn’t put in things that were private.
That meant she couldn’t write down that it appeared Reese had come to her rescue twice in the afternoon.
First, he’d spared her from having to walk Smitty about town. There was something about the man that set her nerves on edge. She couldn’t say exactly what it was. Or it might simply be that he seemed rough compared to Reese.
Then Reese had offered to take over the building project from Pa.
She could write that down. Pa returned a couple of hours later with the announcement that the board members were agreeable. Norm White offered to help with ordering materials. He’s had a lot of experience doing that and it gave the board members some assurance the money would be spent wisely. Reese wanted more information about the school—dimensions and so forth. We have agreed to go to the building site tomorrow and discuss plans. Pa left as soon as he’d delivered the news. We might not see him until the end of the week. Lord, help him be patient with this man. May Pa be able to make him understand that Jesus loves him.
She finished with writing how Flora had teased her about two men vying for a chance to take her walking.
Victoria blotted the page. She would not think about the risks of letting herself care about someone. She would think only of the school project.
The next morning was laundry day. She liked seeing the washed clothes flap on the line, then smelling their fresh cleanness when they were brought in. As soon as dinner was over, she asked Ma if she could go to the building site.
“Take Eve with you.”
Eve grinned at her. “I’ll try not to get in your way.”
“Oh hush. We’re only
going to pace out the building and go over the list of supplies Pa started.”
Laughing together they left the manse and made their way toward the place where the school would be built.
She saw Reese as they turned the corner at the end of the block. His hat was pushed back. He stood with his hands on his hips, his legs wide, and seemed to be studying something. Her breath caught.
Eve nudged her. “A self-assured man is a good-looking man.”
Victoria dug deep for the strength to steady her voice. “Did you have someone particular in mind?” Look how innocent she sounded.
Eve chuckled. “I guess you’ll have to figure that out yourself.”
They were close enough to where Reese stood that Victoria didn’t answer. He turned at the sound of their approach and smiled at them both. Both, she silently informed Eve.
“Did your pa get away?” he asked.
“He left before supper. Said Stewart might be getting hungry if no one had been to see him since Saturday afternoon.”
“I feel privileged that he entrusted me with this task.” Reese saw the papers Victoria had. “Are those the plans?”
“And some work Pa has done on them.” She showed the drawing of the school as they envisioned it then the list of materials that Pa had started.
He bent his head close to hers as they looked it over.
He straightened. “It looks good on paper. Where will it be on this lot?”
“Pa said the board had put stakes where it is to be.” They looked around. “There’s one.” She pointed.
“And the others. Two, three, four.” They walked what would be the perimeter of the building. Eve trailed along, humming to herself.
They came back to the front, where the door would be.
“Did your pa have something in mind for the construction?”
“Not that I know of. Why?”
“Have you heard of a barn raising?”
She chuckled. “I’ve been to a couple.”
“Why don’t we have a school raising as soon as the lumber comes in? The building would go up in one afternoon that way.”
