Unbridled Dreams (47 page)

Everyone in the family met the train. The station was festooned with bunting in preparation for Buffalo Bill’s impending arrival, and Belle noticed that several businesses were flying flags. Uncle Charlie and Aunt Laura were there along with Monte and Dora and the four girls, and in the general pandemonium Belle noticed only one thing. The cane in Daddy’s hand.

“Daddy? What happened?”

He hugged her fiercely. But he said nothing. Instead, he looked at Momma.

“Your father had an attack of apoplexy,” Momma said, and raised her voice to keep Belle from talking. “He’s doing fine. He’s back at work, and Dr. Sheridan is very pleased with the way everything has turned out.” She hugged Belle and whispered in her ear, “His speech hasn’t returned yet, but we remain hopeful. I didn’t wire you because there was nothing you could do, and your father didn’t want you rushing home to see him that way. Please. Please don’t be angry with me.”

When Momma released her, she stood back and looked into her eyes with a silent plea, and Belle decided Momma had done what she thought best and there wouldn’t be any point to throwing a fit now. When she looked at Daddy, she thought she saw tears in his eyes. She hugged him again and held on to his good arm as together they all walked back to the house. And she saw the trees.

“Your father planted them while I was in New York visiting you,” Momma said. “Aren’t they wonderful?”

And they were. And so was the knowledge that Shep had been right all along about Edna Hertz’s letter being nothing more than a meanspirited attempt to hurt Belle.

The next couple of days were a whirlwind of preparation, and suddenly Monte and Dora were husband and wife driving away in a beribboned buggy toward town and a wedding trip to an undisclosed location. As the buggy disappeared into the distance, a collective sigh went up from the family. It had been a simple wedding performed beneath the overhang of the little log cabin Uncle Charlie and Aunt Laura had started their married life in. The cabin would be Dora and Monte’s new home when they returned from their wedding trip.

For the wedding, the girls had made garlands of fall grasses for the railing and a wreath to hang on the door. There was a wedding supper served outdoors on long planks, and Belle smiled to herself thinking that for one evening the Masons’ table rivaled that amazing dining table in Mrs. Mortimer’s New York brownstone.

Shep mounted up to ride over to Scout’s Rest not long after Monte and Dora drove away. He’d been asked to stay there through the end of the county fair, which meant Buffalo Bill wanted him at his beck and call. Word had it that the new mansion was finished. When Belle wondered aloud if the King of the Cowboys would have a room in the “palace,” he laughed and said he hoped not, he’d had trouble enough sleeping in the old house and if he could manage it he was going to bunk with the rest of the hands. If he had to, he said, he’d try out the barn. “I hear it’s been known to yield a fair night’s sleep for a weary cowboy or cowgirl.”

Belle felt lonely the minute he rode away. Lonely and nervous. It was time for her to tell Momma about Blaze.

Momma joined Belle on the porch as soon as Daddy had settled in for the night.

“You’re right, Irmagard. We need to talk. I’ve put this off for too long.” Momma’s voice was shaky, but she seemed determined. “I was only trying to do the right thing. I asked Dr. Sheridan if I should send for you, and he said he didn’t think your father was in any further danger. He explained that it would be a matter of time and that Otto would slowly get better. I decided he would much rather you see him in an improved condition. I know you’re upset about it, but—”

“No, Momma. I’m not.”

Momma turned and looked at her. “You didn’t want me out here so you could yell at me about not wiring you about Daddy?”

“No.” Belle sighed. “That’s not to say I wasn’t upset. But after I thought about it, I realized you did what you thought best. And what was I going to do, anyway? Come rushing home and watch? You have the amazing Mrs. McKay, and thank God for her. You did the right thing. But since you brought it up—what does Dr. Sheridan say about his speech? Is he ever going to talk again?”

“Actually,” Momma sighed. “I think he
can
talk. He just
won’t
.” She described seeing Daddy talk while he was watering trees.

“He talks . . . to the
trees
?”

“I know. It sounds crazy. But he’s clearly not crazy. I think maybe he’s . . . practicing.”

“For what?”

Momma shook her head. “I haven’t any idea.”

“I’ve ruined Blaze, Momma.” There. It was out. “There’s no explanation for it other than I was selfish and foolish. I rushed her. Cy Matthews—he’s the trainer—told me to wait, but I wouldn’t listen. I rushed her. I took her into the arena one night, and she spooked and hurt her leg, and—” Belle broke off. Gulped. “There. That’s done. I’ve been sick with dread over telling you. I know you’re angry, and I don’t blame you. It’s unforgiveable, really. After what you did. All that money, and she’ll never be in the Wild West.”

“Did they have to . . . destroy her?”

“Oh, no. Nothing like that. But she’s done with the Wild West. Cy said she’d be a fine saddle mare, but . . .” Belle sighed. “She’ll be the most expensive saddle horse in the country. I’m so sorry, Momma. I know it isn’t enough to say that, but I truly am.”

“You sound so miserable, Irmagard,” Momma said. “It’s only a horse.”

Belle looked at her, disbelieving. “You can’t mean that. You do understand what I just said? Blaze can’t perform with me. Ever. Not even in the parade.”

“I heard you. I understand. And there’s only one thing that concerns me.”

“Yes?”

“You said it’s unforgiveable.” Momma reached for her hand. “That’s ridiculous. It’s a horse, Irmagard. Just a horse.”

“But the money—”

“Oh, the money.” Momma waved her hand in the air. “There’s more money. I can always get more money.”

“But Daddy’s not well, and—”

“What does Daddy have to do with this?” Momma looked at her. Nodded. “Ah. You think that, while
I
wrote the bank draft,
Daddy
provided the funds. And why wouldn’t you think that?” Momma paused, clearly thinking deeply about something. Finally, with a great sigh, she released Belle’s hand.

“I told you about my mother and sister when we were together in New York. I didn’t tell you about my brother. His name was Philip.”

“I have an
uncle
?!”

Momma shook her head. “Let me finish.” She thought for a moment before going on. Then taking a deep breath she began. “Philip and I just never found a way to get along. He ran off long before my mother died, and I resented him for that for a very long time. Then, when he
did
try to ‘rescue me’—as he put it—I refused.” She paused and looked at Belle. “He came here once when your father was away, and you were very young He didn’t stay. We had a disagreement—” She broke off. Sighed. “I suppose it would be accurate to say we were ‘estranged.’ ” She moistened her lips. “He was killed in a riding accident not long after we parted, which—” Momma cleared her throat— “will always be one of the great regrets of my life.”

Belle reached for Momma’s hand.

Momma forced a little smile. “It’s all right. He must have believed we’d eventually reconcile, because when he died—” She turned to look at Belle. “Philip was a wealthy man, Irmagard. He left me all of his money. It’s a great deal of money, and your father has invested it wisely for me over the years, so really, dear, the money for Blaze was nothing.” She smiled. “I can buy you another horse.”

C
HAPTER
27

M
Y BELOVED RESPONDED AND SAID TO ME
,
A
RISE, MY DARLING, MY BEAUTIFUL ONE
,
AND COME ALONG
.
Song of Songs 2:10
NASB

Twelve years. For twelve years she had resented, and at times come very close to hating, her own mother over something that had never even happened. What a waste, Belle thought, as she sat in the window seat in her room and watched the moon rise over the prairie. And all the while Momma loved her and tried to do what was best for her. Even when she tried to prevent Belle from living her Wild West dreams, even then Momma did it out of love. What else had she misunderstood about her mother? Who else had she judged wrongly? What a waste of emotion. What a . . . sin.

Dear God. It’s Irmagard. And I need help. I need help and
forgiveness.

It was a long night, but when the sun rose and the day dawned, Liberty Belle felt brand new inside.

Ten days before she was to leave for New York, Belle awoke and went downstairs to find Shep drinking coffee with her parents in the kitchen.

“Hello, stranger,” Belle said. Though she was a new creation, determined to think the best of others until proven wrong, that didn’t mean Shep’s behavior since Monte and Dora’s wedding didn’t bother her. He’d hardly been around. Oh, sure, he’d been busy with the fair, and Bill Cody had seemed to pile a lot on him, but still, Belle had expected he would have wanted to have some time together during their break from the Wild West. Finding him in the kitchen on a Sunday morning was a nice enough surprise, but she couldn’t resist the “stranger” comment, just to let him know she missed him.

“Hello yourself, stranger,” Shep said, and came over and kissed her. On the cheek. Like a sister.

All right, so maybe she shouldn’t have expected more than that. Daddy and Momma were, after all, sitting right there smiling at the two of them.

“Mind if I come along with ya to church today?” Shep asked.

“Not a bit,” Belle said.

“And maybe we could take a ride after the service?” he said. “It’s a nice day. Won’t be too many more of those.”

“Sure,” Belle said. “Except for one thing. Nellie isn’t broke to ride.”

“I brought a horse for you,” Shep said. He grinned. “I was pretty sure you’d say yes.”

Who could stay angry with a man whose smile made you feel all . . . whatever it was she felt every time Shep smiled at her. “Well, you were right,” Belle said. “I say ‘yes’.”