Sarah's Surrender (12 page)

Sarah opened her list of claims, most of which lined the Washita River, and searched for them on the map. Several had already been chosen. What made things difficult were the odd shapes of some of the homesteads. Why in the world would someone want one shaped like a Z or even a T? She preferred a square plot.

The man was correct in that all the homesteads butting up to the town site had been picked, but there were several plots next to those still available. A large section of land north of the Washita had been reserved for the Riverside Indian school. She pointed to a lot between the river and the town. “Is that a pond there?”

Mr. Meed leaned over, squinting at the map. “Yes'm. Appears to be a small one, and you can see here” —he tapped the map—“that the river crosses that patch of land, too.”

She nodded but looked at lots closer to town. On the north end of Anadarko, there was a homestead in the shape of an L butting up to the town that had been claimed. If she chose the plot next to it, she'd have a short ride across her neighbor's homestead to reach town, and a reliable water source. It seemed the perfect spot. And besides, there was plenty of available land for Luke to the north of hers, if someone didn't beat him to it. She bounced on her tiptoes, unable to hold back her excitement, and tapped the spot on the map. “I would like that one right there—in a square shape.”

Mr. Meed studied the map then drew a square along the land belonging to a Mr. David Robertson and then placed an X inside of it then wrote her name across the square. Mr. Robertson's L-shaped land partially hugged two sides of hers. She hoped he was a friendly sort.

Mr. Meed sorted through a stack of papers on a table along the back wall and pulled one out. He wrote her name, the date, and the location of her homestead on a document. “Sign here, Miss Worley.” He blew on the paper and then presented it to her with a smile. “Congratulations on owning a homestead.”

L
uke tapped his hand against his pant leg, keeping his eyes glued on the land office door. What was taking Sarah so long? Had she been able to get land close to the Anadarko town site as she wanted? He muttered another prayer—something he was getting in the habit of doing—that she would get the land she desired. The closer the homestead was to town, the safer she would be. At least that's how he figured it.

The thought of her in the middle of nowhere, days from a town, sent a chill up his spine. What if she got hurt? Or what if a group of troublesome rabble-rousers attacked her place? She knew how to shoot, but he wasn't sure she would, even to save her life.

The relentless sun heated his back and shoulders, sending trickles of sweat down his temple and spine. What he wouldn't give for a cloud or breeze or even a tree to stand under. He yanked off his hat and ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. Doing nothing grated on his nerves. This time of day he ought to be working, not just standing around.

He shifted his gaze back to the doorway. Sarah should be out any minute. As grateful as he was that his name had been drawn close in number to Sarah's, there were still thirty-five people ahead of him. If they all chose land near Anadarko, his homestead might end up being miles from hers. He blew out a sigh.

His heart bolted as Sarah stepped outside, smiling widely. Her gaze shot past the other men to him, but a man near the front of the line stopped her. Several others gathered around. She talked to them for a few minutes then stepped aside. The men tipped their hats then huddled together. Luke relaxed as she headed toward him, looking prouder than he'd ever seen.

Holding a paper in one hand, she stopped in front of him, beaming a smile that quickened his pulse. “Can you believe it? I'm a landowner.” Her grin was contagious.

“I'm happy for you. I know it's a dream come true.”

“Oh, it is.” She leaned forward and embraced him in a quick hug.

He rested one hand on her arm, relishing the rare moment. “So, were you able to get a homestead in one of the areas you wanted?”

Her black eyes gleamed with delight. “I did. There's only one homestead between mine and the northern boundary of the Anadarko town site, and that one is L-shaped. That means I'll only have to ride across a narrow strip to get to town.”

Thank You, God.
“That's perfect. So there were plenty of lots still available in that area?”

“At this time there are, at least on the northern and western sides. Most of the claims to the south and east of the town site had already been taken. It will all depend on what the people in line choose.” She turned and gazed at the long stretch of men in front of him.

Most wore the work clothes of a farmer or cowboy, but there were also men dressed in fancy suits. A few even sported accents he didn't recognize.

“There is a big section of land north of the river reserved for a school for Indian children.”

That bit of news seemed to please her, but it could make it harder for him to get land near hers.

“Hey, squaw,” a man behind Luke hollered. “How come you got land? Didn't you get an allotment from the government?”

Sarah stiffened, and Luke spun around, fists clenched. The men in line right behind him had turned around, probably looking at the lout who'd uttered the comment. Luke set his sights on the bearded man in ragged overalls glaring at Sarah. Planning on teaching the man some manners, Luke took a step toward him, but a hand on his arm stopped him.

“Let it go, Luke. It's a fair question.”

Luke turned to face Sarah. “But it was rude and uncalled for.”

“True, but getting in a fight won't settle anything.”

“It would make me feel good to defend your honor.”

“Knowing that you would is enough for me.”

He smiled but then cast a glare at the man that told him he'd better keep his trap shut. Luke blew out a sigh then stepped between Sarah and the man, blocking his view of her. “What did those men at the front of the line want?”

“They asked me which town site had the most available land around it.”

“What did you tell them?”

“I said Hobart and Lawton.” Her eyes twinkled. “You didn't think I'd tell them Anadarko, did you?”

“Only if it was the truth.”

“You don't think
I'd
tell a falsehood.” She straightened, her eyebrows lifted in a show of indignation.

Luke chuckled.

“Fortunately, what I told them just happened to be the truth. Both locations are farther south and closer to the Texas border.”

“Good to know.” He had no desire for land that far away. In truth, his land would mean little to him if it wasn't near hers. He supposed he could always sell it like some city slickers from the East who entered the lottery solely for that purpose had done. What was the point of having a ranch if Sarah wasn't there to share it?

She fanned her face with her land deed. Sweat trickled down her cheek, and she wiped it with her handkerchief.

He didn't like seeing her discomfort. “Why don't you go back to the hotel and get out of the sun?”

“I thought I'd wait until you got your land.”

“It may be noon before I get to the front. No sense standin' around until then.”

She looked over her shoulder in the direction of the hotel then hunched one shoulder. “I don't mind waiting.”

He took her by the shoulders. “I appreciate that, but it's hotter than Lara's frying skillet out here. Go back and relax where it's cooler. I'm sure there's things you need to be doing.”

She nibbled her lower lip. “Are you sure you don't mind? I've had trouble sleeping the past few nights. I wouldn't mind resting for a bit.”

“Go.” He turned her around. “I'll come find you when I'm done, and we can get some lunch.”

“All right.” She waved at him as she walked away.

If she'd give him a chance, he'd work hard to make things easier for her.

“That your gal?” The man behind him asked. “She's quite a looker.”

Luke stiffened and turned but saw only friendly curiosity in the man's gaze. “She'd be my wife, if she'd have me.”

The man's eyebrows lifted. “Turned you down, did she?”

“The first time I asked her to marry me she did, but I intend to ask again.” He just wasn't sure when. What if she said no the second time?

“I've been married eleven years—best years of my life.” The stranger rubbed his hand across his beard. “Thing is, you gotta let a woman know you care for her, just like you did by sending her back to the hotel. Show her that you love her, and keep doin' things that tell her you care. She'll figure it out.”

Luke nodded his appreciation for the man's insight. He'd have to figure out other ways to express his affection. He'd been pleased to see that she was wearing the necklace he'd given her. The pretty thing had cost him quite a bit, but it was worth it to see Sarah's eyes light up and to watch her finger the flower when she was deep in thought.

Two hours later, he stepped into the land office, handed the man at the counter his card with his information, and then stood in front of the map of claims. His gaze shot straight to Anadarko, and his gut tightened. He saw the L-shaped homestead Sarah had mentioned and her claim, but all the land surrounding them—and the river—for miles had already been taken.

Sarah's pounding heart nearly burst from her chest as Jack drove the wagon onto her property for the first time. Gently rolling grasslands spread out before her with enough trees to offer relief from the heat of summer but not so many that they'd have to be cleared before she could build her house or plant a garden. Yellow and white wildflowers braved the hot, dry weather, dotting her field with beauty. Just imagine, one hundred sixty acres, and it was all hers. “Isn't it the most beautiful spot on God's earth?”

“It don't look much different than any other land we crossed to get here.” Cody leaned forward, studying the homestead.

Jack chuckled. “That's true, son. It looks much the same as Gabe's land or most of the prairie we drove through, but Sarah owns this patch of property, and that makes it special to her.”

She flashed a smile at Jack. “That's true.”

“How come you want to live here? There ain't even a house.” Cody shook his head as if he thought her crazy.

Jack guided the horses toward a line of trees, which Sarah suspected followed the Washita River. “I'll have a house soon enough. The builders will begin on it tomorrow.” Excitement zinged through her whole body.

“But it's so far from home. And there's no one to play with.” Cody yawned and leaned against his father's arm.

Sarah smiled to herself. Leave it to a child to keep her feet on the ground.

“Land near Gabe's ranch costs a lot now. Sarah got this homestead for free. Remember how I told you she won it in a drawing?”

The boy nodded. “I'm hungry.”

Jack stopped the wagon near the glistening river. “This looks like the perfect place to eat lunch.”

Sarah feared she was too excited to eat. She shinnied down the wagon's wheel and hurried toward the water's edge. It was vital to her survival. At this spot, the river looked to be about twenty-five-feet wide. The steep banks would make getting to the water more difficult, but they would protect her land from flooding. “I wonder how deep it is.”

Jack drew alongside her, holding Cody's hand. “My guess would be four to ten feet, but there's only one way to tell.”

“Can we go swimmin'?” Cody leaned toward the river. “How come the water is so brown?”

“Silt from the muddy banks is part of the reason.” Jack tugged him back. “I don't know that we'll have time to swim today. We've got lots to do.”

Sarah reached into the back of the buckboard for the basket that held the lunch she'd ordered from the hotel dining room. “Since Cody is hungry, let's go ahead and eat. After that, we can finish our tour of the homestead so I can determine where to have the house built.”

Jack took the basket from her, and they walked to the nearest tree. Sarah thought about the muddy water. She wasn't too inclined to drink it. “Is that water even drinkable?”

“All water is drinkable, but it could make you sick.” Jack stared toward the river. “You'll probably need to have a well dug. In the meantime, we can buy a barrel and collect rainwater.”

She hadn't previously considered that she'd have to hire someone to dig a well. She'd have to wait until after the house was done to see how much money she had left. Though she'd saved most of the money her father had sent her the past eight years, paying to have a house built and buying all the supplies needed to stock it were quickly depleting her funds.

Luke had mentioned he might be able to loan her some money if hers ran low, but she was determined not to borrow any. The only dark cloud on the day had come when he told her that he needed to stay in Anadarko instead of joining her and Jack today. She followed Jack back to the wagon. “What do you think Luke is doing?”