“You can sit down, here. I don’t bite!” he suggested.
“Thank you,” Adeline replied, sitting next to him.
“So, what about your folks? Are they back in Arizona?” Ernest inquired, hoping she would finally open up to him.
Adeline picked up a dried stick, and began to twist it between her fingers. This was a habit she had formed when she was younger, twisting things between her fingers when she was nervous. “Both my mother and father are back home in Frailburg. My father owns some stores in town, and my mother came down ill a couple of years ago,” she answered.
“I am sorry to hear that. Can the doctors help her?” he asked sincerely.
“Well, my father has hired just about every doctor in the state of Arizona, but none have been able to cure her, yet. They are only able to alleviate some of the symptoms.”Adeline could feel a wave of calm coming over her, finally, as she shared personal information with him.
“Yes, I know how difficult it can be to have a sick parent. My father was very ill before he passed away. That is one reason I stayed on the ranch.I wanted to make sure my mother was alright.” Ernest confided in Adeline.
“Me, too. I live with my parents, and am there to help take care of my mother so my father can try to run his businesses.” Adeline’s mood changed, thinking about the reality she had left behind in Frailburg.
“What brought you way out here to nowhere?” he asked.
Adeline tossed the stick to the ground, “I really don’t want to talk about that right now. Let us just enjoy our ride. Should we be getting back now?I don’t want the help at the ranch to begin to worry about me.” With that, she stood up, immediately mounting her horse, and waited for Ernest to follow suit, which he did.
“I am sorry if I distressed you with bringing up such a sensitive subject.I didn’t mean to,” he consoled her. Ernest walked his horse up to Adeline, “We all have things we don’t really like to talk about, but I have found that being out here alone all the time, sometimes it is good to talk about them. It gets it off of our minds, so to speak,” he flashed Adeline a smile. She nervously grinned back, and prompted Thunder to begin to trot back to the ranch.
* * *
“Do ya’ have ya’ mom’s or dad’s eyes?” Tillie asked Adeline, as she pulled the measuring tape tight around her waist.
“I have my dad’s eyes, but his are a brighter blue than mine, I think.” Adeline stood up straight, wanting Tillie to get the correct measurements for her new dress.
“Ya’s are bright enough, Miss, especially this evening! They look like they been lookin’ at the stars!” Tillie exclaimed.
“Please make sure to get exact measurements for this, Tillie. It is really important to me that this dress makes me look pretty,” Adeline instructed.
Tillie looked up at Adeline from her position on her knees, “Ya’ pretty already, Miss. This here dress just gonna make ya’ look even more pretty!” Tillie stood up to measure the circumference of Adeline’s chest, “And we got plenty of material in case I make mistake,” she comforted her.
“Thank you, Tillie. I am just a bit nervous about meeting these people that Richard wants to introduce me to on Saturday,” Adeline confided in Tillie.
I know Ernest will be there. After all, he is one of Richard’s neighbors, and it is only proper for Richard to invite him. I do not want to give any inclination to Richard that I have already met him. I surely do not want him to meddle in our new friendship. I believe Richard would disapprove.
“No need, they’s nice people, all of ‘um,” Tillie replied. “Now hold still while I get the neck.” Tillie measured around Adeline’s neck, notating the number on a piece of paper.
“Did you make your clothes when you were younger, too?” Adeline asked.
“Yes, Miss, still do. No need to be spendin’ hard earned money on somethin’ I can do myself,” Tillie responded.
Adeline looked at herself closely in the full-length mirror in her bedroom, as Tillie measured the length from her shoulder to her ankle. Perhaps she had lost some weight from the travels and the stress of the situation back in Frailburg. She felt odd, and even a bit cold, for having cut the conversation with Ernest so short today. She truly enjoyed talking with him, just as much as she liked looking at him. Once she was able to open up to him some, she found that they had some things in common, such as a sick parent, and the need to help out at home due to that. He understood. Not many people understood her position in that respect.
How does he live way out here all alone like he does? Isn’t the loneliness unbearable?
Adeline smiled at herself in the mirror. Well, she was lonely, too, and she lived in a house and town full of people. Loneliness must be a state of mind, and not circumstance. She wanted to spend more time with Ernest, to really get to know him. She wanted to learn what he liked to eat, what he does in his free time, and if he had ever been married, or even has a girl now?
“I said, put ya’ arms down to ya’ side, Miss,” Tillie interrupted her thoughts. Adeline acquiesced, and put her arms down, so Tillie could measure the length of them.
My mother always said if a man is alone, then there is a reason he is alone. I want to know that reason. Why is Richard alone? Why does he really want me to be here with him? Would he be envious of my liking of Ernest? I don’t want to think about Richard right now. He is gone away, and while he is gone, I have a chance to get to know this man, this new stranger, Ernest.
Tillie stood up, “I believe that’s it, Miss.I’m done for now. I will get goin’ on ya’ dress in the morn’, and have it ready for ya’ to try by Friday,” she said.
“That is wonderful, Tillie, and thank you again for doing this for me, and for Richard. You are a good friend,” Adeline patted Tillie on the shoulder.
Tillie teared up, “No one’s called me that in a long time, friend.” She exited the room, taking the paper and tape measurer with her, wiping her eyes.
Adeline immediately went to the writing desk, and pulled out a piece of paper. She had not written her parents in a couple of days, and did not want them to think she had forgotten them. After all, she was only here temporarily. She picked up the pen and began to scribe:
August 31, 1871
Dear Mother and Father,
I hope this letter finds you well. I have been riding every morning, and exploring the vast outdoors here in Talon Peaks. Richard is away on a business trip now, so I am here at the ranch with his housemaid and hired hands. I went to town today with the housemaid, Tillie, and we purchased some material for her to sew me a new dress for a dinner party that Richard is having in my honor this Saturday night. I am excited to be able to meet some of the townspeople, and his neighbors. I have been spending much of the hot afternoons reading. Richard has a lovely library here, and there are more books than I can read in a year! I do miss you terribly, and hope that Mother is feeling better. Is there any news of the capture of the Wild Hog, yet? I hope you will write and inform me when he has been caught, so that I may make plans to return immediately to Frailburg. I am enjoying having new adventures here in Texas, but it does not compare to home. I miss seeing Father every morning, drinking his coffee and reading the daily news. And Mother, I miss our long talks, and praying together at night for your healing. How is Carol? She is missed, as well. She has become such a part of our family that I cannot write and not ask about her health and status. Missing you very much tonight. I will look outside my window, and look at the moon, the same moon you will see when you look out your window. That lets us know that though we are only miles apart right now, we will always be together in our hearts. Love and prayers to all of you.
Your loving daughter,
Adeline
Adeline folded the letter neatly, and placed it in the envelope to be mailed tomorrow. She wondered why she had not heard any news from her parents, yet. She hoped that it was not because her mother had become even more ill after her departure. Even though both of her parents agreed for her to com
e to Talon Peaks for her safety, the sheer fact of her not being in the home could take a toll on her mother’s health, as well. Adeline was torn between the excitement of meeting Ernest, and the prospect of getting to become better acquainted with him, and the sorrow and anxiety that the situation in Frailburg held for her. And Richard, he has shown the family his true colors as a friend, but Adeline knew deep in her heart that she would never, under any conditions, agree to marry him. Never.
Chapter Eight
Adeline awoke to the dim light dawn outside of her window. She rarely slept this late, but considering the excitement of her ride with Ernest yesterday, and the anxiety she felt about Richard’s return tomorrow morning, she must have needed the extra rest. Adeline shuffled sleepily to her closet, and slipped on her robe and slippers.
While she was putting these on, she heard a small tap on the window pane of her bedroom window, which looked down onto the back patio, where she enjoyed reading in the afternoons. She dismissed the noise as a bird pecking on the window, but then the noise repeated itself, again and again. She reluctantly went over to the window to peer out. In the dim light, below her window, was Ernest, throwing small stones at her window.
“What are you doing here, Ernest?” she whispered.
Ernest smiled, his bright white teeth, shining in the dawn’s light, “I wanted to know if you would like to go for another ride this morning? I have something I want to show you!”
Adeline swallowed her throat dry. She felt that if she immediately accepted his invitation, she may seem too forward, or passive. On the other hand, she really wanted to see him again, and this was the perfect morning to ride with him, knowing Richard would be back in a day.
“I suppose so,” she spoke a little louder, “but I need to have my breakfast and time to dress,” Adeline said.
“Okay, how about we meet at the front gate again around eight o’clock? Is that enough time for you to prepare?” Ernest urged.
“Yes, plenty. Where are you taking me?” she asked excitedly.
“You’ll just have to wait and see. Suspense is part of the surprise!” he laughed. “I’ll see you at eight o’clock.” Ernest sprinted off into the partial darkness, headed toward his ranch.
Adeline immediately ran over to the mirror, “Oh, my, I cannot believe he saw me like this, even in partial light! I will have to make do, not having much time now to get myself together!” She sprinted off to the kitchen, in hopes that Tillie had left her breakfast for her.
When Adeline entered the kitchen, Tillie was nowhere to be found, but her usual breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast were on a white china plate on the kitchen table, waiting for her. She poured the last of the coffee from the kettle into a cup, and added some sugar. While eating, her mind could not focus on anything other than the fact that she now believed Ernest had interest in her. He had to, to come to her window like that! She smiled, as she sipped the lukewarm coffee, and ate the breakfast that was less than hot. Adeline did not mind, though, nothing was going to ruin this day!
* * *
Ernest whistled to attract Adeline’s attention when she approached the front gate, riding Thunder. He was wearing a black button up shirt, and thick riding pants, with a black Stetson hat adorned on top of his ebony hair. At his side, there were two rifles.
Adeline’s eyebrows rose, questioning these, “What are those for? We are not hunting today, are we?”
“No, ma’am, I’m no hunter. I thought we might take in some target practice in a place that is special to me,” Ernest responded, and motioned for her and Thunder to follow his lead. He headed toward his ranch, and once they reached his gate, he hopped down, and opened it for Adeline and Thunder to enter first, “Ladies first!” he smiled.
“Why, thank you,” she responded. She liked him doting on her like this.
“I want to take you to our old barn that my father and I used for shooting practice when he was alive. I have never taken anyone in there since his death. It is like a shrine to me, reminds me of the good ol’ days with Pa.” Ernest explained, as he headed toward the southern portion of his property, giving Henry a swift kick with the heels of his boots to build him up to a steady trot. “It’s a ways out, so you might want to keep up,” he yelled back at Adeline, as he and Henry sped forward into the field.
Adeline gently prompted Thunder to a trot, knowing his trotting speed would keep up nicely with Henry’s run. “I’m right behind you! This is beautiful, open territory you have here,” Adeline complimented.
Ernest waved his hand in appreciation, as they continued on their horses for quite some time until the barn came into view. It was an old, red, rustic barn, a bit worn. Adeline could tell that Ernest had not taken it down because of the sentimental value it held for him. Otherwise, it looked as if it was ineffective as an operable barn.
“Here we are, “ Ernest yelled, and slowed Henry down to a walk, until he reached the hitching post outside of the barn. “We will tie up the horses here, and I will get them some water while we are inside. It is rather warm already this morning,” he exclaimed.
“Thank you,” Adeline responded. She dismounted Thunder, and started to walk toward the barn doors.
“Wait just one minute, Adeline! You have to be careful going in. The barn is in terrible condition, and I would hate for you to get hurt. Wait until I have refreshed the horses, and we will go in together,” he instructed her.
Adeline looked up at the bright yellow sun, and clear blue sky, with only a few scattered clouds. She brushed her hair back from her face, and wiped sweat off of her brow. The ride had been a bit long, and Ernest was right, it was getting a bit hot for this early in the morning.
Ernest poured water for the horses in the large buckets that were on the ground in front of them. “They will be just fine here. We will only be in there for a little while,” he assured her.
Ernest walked over to Adeline, and put his left hand against the small of her back, leading her to the barn doors. He gently opened the doors, propping them open with large rocks. “Let’s go inside, and I will retrieve the rifles, and get the targets set up. You can shoot, right?” he asked.
Adeline smiled a naïve smile, “Oh, I suppose I have shot once or twice in my life,” she chuckled under her breath.
“I can show you the proper format of shooting a target, if you need the assistance,” Ernest spoke, as he exited the barn to get the rifles he had brought with him.
Adeline found a large, old sack of flour to sit down on, and began to plan out her strategy. Ernest returned with the rifles, and began setting bottles on top of hay stacks across the barn that were of various height.
“I will go first and show you how it is done!” he said enthusiastically. Ernest rested his rife on his muscular shoulder, while Adeline watched in admiration. He slowly, carefully pulled the rifle up to his eye, and pulled the trigger. The bullet sped to the first bottle, shattering it upon impact. “That’s how it’s done!” he boasted.
Ernest then rested his rifle against the wall of the barn, and handed Adeline the one he meant for her to use. “This one might suit you a bit better. It doesn’t come with as much of a kick,” he smiled.
Adeline gazed into his green eyes, and retorted, “How about we make it fair, and I try the rifle you just used,” she smiled coyly.
Ernest wiped his forehead with a black handkerchief that he pulled from his pocket, “Are you sure, Miss? It could leave a bruise on that pretty little shoulder of yours!” he replied, mockingly.
“I’m sure,” Adeline responded, and walked over to the rifle he had placed against the wall, picking it up and inspecting it. “This is an old one,” she commented.
“Yes, my Pa used to use that one when we would come in here for practice. That is the very gun I learned to shoot with,” Ernest reflected.
“Well, let’s see what I can do with it!” Adeline said, as she glided over in front of the targets, and went five steps further back than where Ernest had shot the target from. She
looked sideways at him, grinned, and pulled the rifle up to aim, and then swiftly pulled the trigger, hitting the second bottle, without a flinch. She quietly walked over to the wall, and rested the rifle against it. “So, what do you think?” she asked, with amusement in her tone.
Ernest wiped his forehead again with his handkerchief, which Adeline was now noticing as a nervous habit, and he spoke softly, “I guess you’ve had some training with one of those. I never imagined a woman of your status could shoot like that!”
Adeline walked over, and stood next to Ernest, “Never underestimate the power of a woman with a rifle!” she giggled.
“I shan’t; I shan’t,” he vowed. “Now why don’t we go back to my ranch house and have some coffee or tea?” he asked, with an urgency in his voice.
The Cowboy's Stolen Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 7