Red Rose (6 page)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Are you alright, Rose?” asked Nate.

“She’ll be fine, just let her do whatever she wants to do right now.”

“There's a small stream about a hundred yards behind the house. How would you like to have a picnic there?”

“Yes, I know the stream. I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

“Sounds great. I’ll pack a basket for you. Nate, you grab a blanket from my bedroom.”

In no time at all, Nate and I were walking toward the stream. I reached and took his hand in mine. I began swinging it back and forth much like a child would. What was it about him that caused me to act so forward with him.

We reached the river and I ran forward, removed my shoes and stockings, then put my feet in the cool, refreshing water. The stream was only about two inches deep, but fast running.

“This may not be proper, but I just couldn’t resist.”

“I can't believe anything you do could be improper.

The water felt wonderful and reminded me of the little creek behind our house at home. Home. It doesn't sound odd as it first did when I arrived. It's so easy to call this place home now. Roscoe told me Texas would grow on me and I guess it has.

“I'll spread the blanket and take the food out of the basket, whenever you're ready? In fact, I think I’ll join you.” He removed his shoes and stockings and placed his feet right next to mine in the cool water.

I reached over and touched his feet with mine. He turned and looked at me with those cool blue eyes.

“Are you sure, Red Rose?”

“I’m sure.” I leaned over and kissed him.

We leaned back as one onto the grassy bank of the stream. His lips were soft and tasted of the molasses syrup we had on our flapjacks for breakfast. I lifted my feet out of the water and turned toward him onto my side. He turned toward me.

We lay there gazing into one another’s eyes. Content to just be together there on the bank of that little stream.

I definitely felt something special for Nate. It wasn’t the same feeling I had for Roscoe, but it was indeed something very exciting and satisfying. One day my life was shattered when I lost the one person I loved more than anything.

I guess it's like Mildred told me. You learn to move on even though you thought you'd never be able to care again?

Now, I've met Nate.

Is it worth the risk to let him in? Or is it better to be alone than to take the chance of more heartache?

This time will be different. Nate is different.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Nate and I spent every day together. I had no desire to go back home or to go to town. I just wanted to be with him. We talked for hours on end about everything. I told him everything about me except my being with child. I don’t know why I held that back, but I did.

“I want you to go with me to inquire about the property I told you about. I need to see if it’s for sale. I really need to think about settling down and get started building something that will last. Will you go with me?”

“Yes, of course I’ll go with you.”

“I borrowed Mother’s buggy, hoping you would accompany me. I want your opinion about this place.”

“Why on earth would you want my opinion? I know absolutely nothing about land or anything like that?”

“I think you know why, if you think on it. I feel very deeply for you, Red Rose. I’ll be asking you to marry me after your mourning time is over. I’m telling you now, so you have a little time to consider it.”

“I don’t need any time. I’ll marry you today if that’s what you want.”

“I think we should wait at least until the end of the month. Out of respect for Roscoe. We don’t want people to assume the wrong thing.”

“I really don’t care what people think or don’t think. Maybe I should, but I don’t. This is my life, it isn’t theirs. I should be able to make decisions about my own life without feeling I have to please anyone but the ones I choose.”

“My, but you are one feisty redhead, aren’t you?”

“I suppose I am at that. Do you mind?”

“I like everything about you, Red Rose, everything. Let’s go look at this property, so we’ll have a place to live.”

“We could live on my place. It’s a nice piece of property. It even has a little creek behind the house. I know you’d like that.”

“I tell you what. If this property we’re going to see isn’t for sale, then I’ll consider your place. How’s that sound?”

“Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.”

He helped me into the buggy, walked around and seated himself next to me. It felt so right to be sitting next to him in that buggy going down the road.

“Maybe we should go to town and check at the land office before we go to see the property. I wouldn’t want to get our hopes up and then it not be for sale.”

We drove into town, right down Main Street, and stopped in front of the land office. Nate jumped down, came around and helped me step out of the buggy. He took my hand and we stepped up at the same time onto the boardwalk. He opened the door and stepped aside for me to enter.

The man behind the counter was a large man, standing over six feet, with thick muscular arms and a broad chest.

“Jacob Swanson’s the name. What can I do for you folks?’

“We’re here to check on a piece of property located about fifteen miles east of here. I’ll show you on the map where it’s located.”

Mr. Swanson pulled a large map from under the counter and spread it out.

“Yes, here it is right here. This is the piece I’m wanting. What can you tell me about it?”

Mr. Swanson looked at the map, opened a ledger and perused a list of names.

“Looks like you’re about four days late. That parcel of land was bought and paid for last Monday. I’m sorry about that. However, I have other parcels if you’re interested?”

“No. I had my eye on that one. I guess it wasn’t supposed to happen. Thank you for your help.”

He turned, took my hand and we walked out the door.

“I’m so sorry, Nate. I know you had your heart set on that land. However, all is not lost. We can go now and I’ll show you my place. I believe we can be happy there, if you’ll give it a chance?”

“Of course, we can be happy anywhere as long as we’re together. Let’s go look at this cattle ranch of yours.”

“Perhaps we should do that tomorrow. It’s almost a four hour drive to get there.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The next morning, Nate was outside hooking up the buggy to make the trip to my place.

“Have you told Nathan about the baby, yet?”

”Who told you I was going to have a baby?”

“My dear, I’m an old woman who has children of my own. Even though you’re not showing yet, I think I know when someone is going to have a baby.”

“Well, I haven’t told him yet. I don’t know why I haven’t. I just haven’t.”

“I would suggest you do it as soon as possible.”

“Why should I be in a hurry to tell him?”

“Just tell him and find out. That’s all I can say.”

“Alright, I’ll tell him now.” I walked out to the buggy. He was just finishing up.

“I’m just about finished Rose. Are you ready to go?”

“Come sit on the porch with me. I have something to tell you.”

“You can tell me on the way. If it’s a four hour drive, we really need to be on our way.”

“Please, Nate, come sit with me.”

“Alright. You sound serious. Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes. I feel fine, but there’s something you need to know. About me.”

“I know everything I need to know about you. There can’t be anything that would change the way I feel about you. What is it?”

“Around the middle of March, I’m going to have a baby.”

He sat there with a stunned look on his face. He swallowed loudly, stood up quickly, turned in a circle as though he was dizzy or confused.

“Roscoe Brown’s baby?”

“Of course, it’s Roscoe’s baby. Why would you even ask that?”

“I’m not sure I want children and I sure as hell don’t want some other man’s kid. Especially that brute of a man. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? That’s what the doctor told you when he examined you the other day, isn’t it?
”

My heart broke into a million pieces when he told me that. Here I was thanking my lucky stars that I had found love so quickly after losing my beloved. But, alas, it was not to be. How could my broken heart be so fickle?

I stood, excused myself and went back into the house.

“I’m so sorry, Rose. I knew how Nathan felt about having children, but I thought it best for him to tell you. I am so, so, sorry.”

“Can you take me into town?”

“You don’t have to leave right at this minute. Give him time to think it over. Perhaps, you two can reach some kind of understanding.”

“Oh. I understand completely. How could I have been so blind?”

“Love is blind, my dear. However a broken heart will mend, given time. Let me get a wrap, the buggy is all hooked up and we can leave immediately.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

We arrived in town and I asked Mildred to take me directly to the livery stable. That’s where my rickety old wagon was supposed to be. I climbed down from the buggy, turned and looked Mildred in the eye.

“Thank you so much for your kindness. You’ll be in my prayers for a long time. If I can ever help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you again. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye my dear. I’ll keep you in my prayers.”

I walked into the livery stable and was met by a small man.

I’m five feet five inches and he was several inches shorter than me. I had seen small men like him in Lewiston, but never close up.

He hopped down off a stool he was using to brush a horse.

“Good day to ye, ma’am, what kin I do for ye?”

“I understand you have my wagon here? My name is Brown. Mrs. Roscoe Brown.”

“I’m so sorry for yer loss, ma’am, Roscoe was a mighty fine man, yes indeed. Yes ma’am, I got yer wagon in the back. Will ye be needing it today, ma’am?”

“Yes please. It’s time I was heading home. I dawdled long enough. There’s plenty of work to be done.”

“Yes ma’am, ye just wait right here. I’ll be hitching up yer wagon.” He left and I heard him talking to the horse as he hitched it to the wagon. In a few minutes he came walking in the door.

“Yer wagon’s all hitched up and ready to go. Are ye gonna be able to drive a horse and wagon ma’am?”

“I watched my husband do it. I’m sure it can’t be all that hard to grasp.”

“I tell ye what. I’ll tie me mount to the back and go with ye. I can show ye what to do on the way. By the time we reach yer place ye’ll be handling the reins like a teamster. How’s that sound to ye?”

“I would be very much in your debt, Mr.?”

“Everybody calls me Tiny, because I’m so big.” He grinned a big grin from ear to ear.

“All right Mr. Tiny, I’m ready anytime you are.”

“I’ll just get me horse.” He tied his horse to the back of the wagon, then offered his arm and I accepted it. He helped me up onto the wagon seat, then he climbed up the wheel and sat beside me. He picked up the reigns, clicked to the horse, and we were off.

“Is it alright for you to be away from your business like this?”

“Oh sure, people’ll just help theirselves to whatever they need. If they need to stable their horse, they kin take the saddle off and put ‘em in a stall. The business kin run itself if need be. Besides, it wouldn’t matter no how. I’d help the widow of Roscoe Brown without question.”

“Thank you Mr. Tiny. Your words mean a lot to me.”

“Just call me Tiny, ma’am, just Tiny.”

“Only if you call me Rose.”

“Yes’em. Roscoe called ye his Red Rose. I can see why he did now that I’ve met ye.”

“Roscoe talked to you about me?”

“Oh yes ma’am. I mean Rose. He talked about ye to anybody that would listen. He was especially glad to finally find a woman to share his life with. I’m just sorry that his life wasn’t longer.”

I could feel the tears building in my eyes. I blinked several times trying not to cry.

Tiny glanced by direction. “Go ahead and cry Rose. Tears is good fer ye. They help to cleanse the soul. Let’em come.” He handed me a red bandanna.

I wiped my eyes and sniffed a couple of times.

“When are you going to show me how to drive this contraption?”

“How about now?” He handed the reins to me and explained how I was supposed to hold them between my fingers, how to pull in which direction you wanted to go. It was all fairly simple and I got the hang of it very quickly.

“Ye’re a natural, Rose. Are ye sure ye haven’t drove a wagon before?”

“This is a first for me. Since I’m doing so well, perhaps you want to start back to town? We’re still a ways from my home.”

“I’d be remiss in me duty if I let ye go on alone. No, I’ll see ye all the way there. If I don’t feel like riding back tonight, I kin sleep in the barn and get an early start in the morning.”

“Thank you, you’re very kind.”

We rode the rest of the way in silence. I would make sure I had a pair of gloves the next time I drove the wagon. The reins were rubbing a blister on my fingers.