Hope Reborn (28 page)

Henry relaxed. It couldn’t have been fear that stopped his heart the instant she mentioned New York. He couldn’t lose her. Not now, not ever. “Good.” He swallowed. “Got any more pages for me to read?”

She did, and the batch was just as good as the rest, maybe better.

That night after his evening toddy with May on the porch passed peculiarly quiet, he spent extra time on his knees, but no solution exposed itself or shined any light to illuminate a particular path.

Lost as to how to get through that pretty noggin of hers, he floundered in the dark with no answers.

Some way, he had to get her to understand why he couldn’t, would never join himself with an unbeliever. But how? He could not let her leave. She’d be taking his heart with her.

Then what good would he be to anyone?

Oh, Lord, what am I going to do? Show me the way.

The next morning, he beat Levi to the barn and had The Black saddled before his nephew strolled in holding a cup of coffee. Smelled great, but he needed to see if his ribs could handle a bit of riding.

“Mornin’, Uncle.” Levi threw him a nod. “You sure about this?”

“One day or another. Thought I’d ride a ways with you, see how it goes.”

“I’d love the company. Don’t want you overdoing too soon though. I’d never live it down if you went and hurt yourself.”

“I won’t.” His legs protested more than his ribs, but after a half mile or so, his body stopped shouting at him to go back. He faced Levi. “You hear about May’s book deal?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Think you could get along without me for a year?”

“Don’t see why not. So you’re thinking about going with her?”

“Some, I guess. Don’t know if I can stand her leaving without me.”

“What about the condition of her soul, Uncle?”

“That’s a given, it’ll have to change.”

Henry managed the whole ride. No tracks or signs except the rootin’ and wallers of a new sounder of hogs, but he didn’t figure they stood much chance with Levi and Wallace and the boys.

While he brushed The Black out, May walked into the barn holding two steaming cups.

“Mammy said you rode out this morning with Levi. How you feeling?”

“Not too bad.” He took the cup she offered, sipped a bit then handed it back and led the horse toward his stall. His hand touched hers and as though seeing it for the first time, he remembered his night vision.

“You dream much, May?”

“No, not really.” She handed his coffee back. “Oh, I guess I do some, but I can never remember them once I’m awake.”

“Well, usually, I don’t either, but just now when I gave you back my coffee. I saw it again—what I dreamed last night. So weird. Governor Bell, you, and I sat at the dinner table talking politics.”

“Bell? Is he the Governor of Texas?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He chuckled. “It’s always stuck in his craw that Houston asked me first before he offered Pete the job of Adjutant General of the Texas Army.”

“Really? When was that?” She sounded a bit distant, not like her usual cheery self. Would she really leave? And would she stay upset with him until she did?

“Right after San Jacinto.”

“You didn’t want the job?”

“Naw.”

“But why?”

He smiled. “My family. Sue being due any day with CeCe is why Levi and I didn’t go to the Alamo.”

“But I thought –”

“Bless God.” He nodded. “They all perished. But after Goliad, and the baby arriving all safe and sound, there wasn’t anything keeping us home. We met up with Houston for San Jacinto.”

“That’s where Texas won her independence.”

“That’s correct, and after, no good reason to not head home. Wasn’t about to uproot my family to serve any longer.”

“In your dream. Did you know why the governor came here?” She sipped the hot brew. “Or did we go there?”

The second week of October proved even nicer weather wise. May had tried to stay icy and freeze him out, but kept forgetting all the time—every time Henry gushed over more pages.

So she settled on cool, kind of like the wonderful Texas mornings. She could get used to this kind of weather. New York would already be getting frigid.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get over his declaration that she wasn’t good enough for him. It ate at her. Still though, whenever he slipped his hand into hers, fireworks exploded, and her skin burned red hot.

Stupid heart, wanting something she wouldn’t ever give it. Once she got to Europe.…

She finally finished her manuscript. He read the last chapters of The Granger and cried happy tears. Broke her heart for him to relive those days, had to be hard on him, but maybe that’s what he needed.

Maybe now he could love her, accept her just as she was, not expect her to believe in some fairy tale book of rules just because he chose to.

The next morning, after he got back from his ride around the property, he slipped in beside her at Mammy’s kitchen table. She grabbed him a cup of black coffee—the least she could do for him letting her stay in his house rent free.

“Thanks, how are you this fine day?”

“I’m good. Rebecca won the lottery.”

“What?”

“Yesterday afternoon, while you were reading the little ones to sleep, all the big girls drew straws.”

“Oh yeah? What for?”

“Your oldest won the honor—to hear all of them tell it—of transcribing my manuscript.”

“She’ll do you a good job; Mary Rachel might have a prettier hand though.”

“You’re probably right, but everyone, even CeCe wanted a shot, so what could I say? It’ll be fine, I’m certain.”

He smiled. “Had that same dream last night about Bell. It’s strange. Think maybe the Lord is trying to tell me something, but I don’t know what.”

She stifled her disbelief and played along. “Anything new?”

“In my dream? He asked me to run with him next year.”

“Really? How would that work? Like vice governor or something?”

“Well, we call it lieutenant governor.”

“And you really believe he’s coming?” She hadn’t meant to sound so disgusted. Mammy gave her a look. How could he be so gullible? “And so what are you supposed to tell him?”

“Don’t know.”

She burst out laughing, couldn’t help herself, but covered her mouth and tried to rein it in. “I’m sorry.”

He smiled.

At least she hadn’t hurt his pride. “Tell me then, what good is a prophetic dream if you don’t even know how to answer the man’s proposal if—and that’s a big if—Pete Bell actually showed up?”

“If he does come, and he does ask me, what do you think I should tell him?”

“Me? Why ask me? I certainly don’t know.”

“Surely you have an opinion.”

Well, now, what was he up to? What difference did it make what she thought?

She’d be gone just as soon as she could get the Rangers and their ladies story straight for her next novel thought she’d call it The Ranger. She smiled at the thought then snapped back.

“What do you want, Henry? Seems to me that’s what it boils down to.”

He leaned in close to her ear. “All I want in the world is you.”

She jumped to her feet, pressed her hand against her abdomen to keep it from slapping him. Of course he wanted her! How dare him! Wanted her to be…that was it!

He wanted her to be like Sue.

She stared at him only a moment then turned and marched upstairs.

She pulled her bag out from under the bed and proceeded to throw her things in. Not one more night would she spend in his house. No not one. She already knew enough of Levi and Rose’s story.

Besides, she wrote fiction; she’d make up the rest. 

With only two drawers emptied, the rhythmic clomp of a herd of horses drew her to the balcony. Seven mounted men rode up the hill toward the house. Six wore dusters and wide-brimmed hats.

The seventh, a tall man with a full beard, dressed in a fancy suit and donned a fancy, tall top hat.

Curiosity drove her downstairs and out to the front porch. She could pack later.

Henry strode toward the bearded man. “Pete! What a pleasure.”

He turned back to the porch. “May, this is Governor Bell.” He stepped sideways and gestured toward her. “Pete, meet May Meriwether, the famous novelist.”

The governor dismounted then the other six men followed suit. “I heard you might be here, Miss Meriwether.” He removed his hat. “My pleasure, ma’am.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Governor.” He glanced sideways at Henry. “I’ve been hearing about you.”

The one closest took Bell’s reins as the man wrapped his arm around Henry’s shoulder and the two strolled toward the porch. “My wife will be so jealous I’ve had this enjoyment. She’s your biggest fan.”

“You’re too kind, sir. You tell her that I’m sorry I missed her.”

Before she could say more, the children rushed out of the house, followed by Levi and Wallace, who after a brief word to the governor, went straight to the company of men with many greetings and much backslapping.

Henry must have noticed her surprise, and she couldn’t have been more shocked at seeing the governor there. “These Texas Rangers guard the governor, May.”

They all laughed and guffawed. She appreciated the camaraderie. For the rest of the morning, the crowd swapped stories and remembered old acquaintances. So much fun and joviality, she forgot all about being amazed that Pete Bell showed up.

Mammy outdid herself with the big dinner. How that woman could whip up such an extraordinarily delicious feast so fast amazed May.

Then just like in his dream, she found herself sitting at the table with Henry and Governor Bell. Gooseflesh crawled down her arms and up her legs and resulted in the weirdest sensation in her core that she’d ever experienced.

Whether in her belly or her heart, she could not testify.

Had he known the man was coming all along?

Bell smiled at her then turned to Henry. “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”

“Right here’s good. We’ll not be interrupted.”

He glanced at her and smiled. “This conversation can’t end up in one of your books, Miss Meriwether.”

“Of course not, sir, I would never dream of breaking a confidence.”

Could Henry have made up such an elaborate ruse to make her think his Almighty God sent him a dream? No, that would be nothing but deception. He could never stoop to such a hoax. But then, how….  

“Good.”

The governor faced her man. “You interested in running with me next year?”

“You offering?”

The man laughed then faced May. “Did he tell you Houston asked him to be his adjutant general before he gave me the job?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he did mention that.”

“What’s your opinion, Miss Meriwether? Should Henry run with me next term?”

She smiled. Her opinion sure seemed sought after that day, and over subject matter quite out of the realm of any rightful input.

The nausea or eerie whatever it was settled a bit, but nothing minimized her overwhelming astonishment of the man’s presence at Henry’s table.

“I’d say that’s his call.”

Bell turned back to the man everyone wanted around. “Run with me, and I’ll support you for governor after that.”

“I take it you’ve heard the rumors?”

“Of course. Any truth to them?”

“I’m considering touring Europe next year. Be kind of hard for me to serve with you if I was gone.”

Had she heard right?

Did he just indicate to the governor of Texas that he was thinking about going with her? Those were the rumors? Had she taken something wrong?

The half-packed suitcase up stairs on her bed crossed her mind. Maybe she’d jumped to conclusions and reacted too quickly.

“Europe. Sounds nice. So I don’t have anything to worry about then?”

“I didn’t say that.” Henry winked at her. “What about the compromise? You planning on signing it?”

“Compromise?” Oh, she wished she’d remained silent.

The visitor only gave her a cursory smile as though he didn’t have time or the need to explain to a woman. “Well, I’m considering it. That’s a lot of land Texas would be giving up.”

“Ah yes.” May lifted her chin a bit. “I read about that in New York. That article in the newspaper is actually what prompted my trip to Texas.” There, Mister High-and-Mighty.

“A bundle of debt they’d be taking off our hands, too.”

What was it with men? Why couldn’t they just say what was on their minds and not beat around the bush? Reminded her of a kind of little dance the hairy brutes all loved.

Question really was: who led and who followed? No strong man wanted to give it up, and so they circled a topic until someone finally committed.   

“True, have you read the whole bill?”

“Yes, sir.” Her man took the lead. “There’s definitely parts I don’t like, but I’d put my name on it.”

Bell nodded. “Well, I’m leaning that direction, too.”

Henry leaned back, looked at May, then stared into the governor’s eyes. “Give me your word you’ll sign the compromise, and I’ll not run against you.”

“Excellent. Glad to hear that. I’d hate to campaign against you, and if you’re still interested in ‘53, I’m your biggest supporter. Now how about a campaign contribution?”

“What did I give you last time?”

“Not enough. What about a thousand this go around?”

“And I’ve got your word on the compromise?”

“You do, sir.”

Henry nodded. “Done.”

With everything he’d come for in hand, didn’t take Bell long to take his leave. It tickled May how the most powerful man in Texas came with hat in hand begging favors from her Henry.

Please don’t run against me. Please give me some of your money. Henry Buckmeyer and his money wielded plenty of political power in Texas.

She marched upstairs and went to putting her things back into the drawers. If he was thinking about going with her, she could wait a few more days. Give him time to come to his senses.

Surely he’d figure out he shouldn’t reject her over not believing in his stupid religion. Then an ugly thought raised its head again: whether or not he had arranged all of it to coerce her into believing.

She didn’t even know if that man truly resided in the governor’s mansion. And if so, Henry must have known he planned the trip to Red River County. But the man she loved….

Being a liar and cheat would be totally opposite his character as she knew it. He wasn’t a monster or like that…was he?

The constant questioning drove her mad. A final decision needed to be made to maintain sanity. Could she know the real Henry for certain after only a few months?

For that matter, could anyone really ever know another person?

She flung herself across the bed and wept. She had no advisers. Chester didn’t care anymore.

Oh, what was she going to do? She didn’t want to stay, but the thought of leaving twisted her gut into so many knots, she’d never get untangled.