by Danni Roan
“Yes, I was worryin’ about that myself.” Agnes agreed.
“Well I have my tatting in my pocket,” Matrice said. “It’s just a small doily like Mrs. Rover taught me to make for her, but I can finish it right quick, and you could give her that.” Matrice looked at her mother with concern.
“Let me see,” Agnes prompted.
Matrice pulled the small but elegant circle of intricate loops and knots from her coat pocket.
“I only have these lines to finish,” the girl said. “I can get them done in about fifteen minutes.”
Agnes studied the item in her hand. It was lovely, clean and neat. It hadn’t been starched yet but it was of good quality and make.
“I think this would be a wonderful gift,” Agnes finally said with a smile. “You surely do have a talent.” Agnes touched her daughter’s cheek. “You won’t be too cold will you?”
“No, I’ll be fine. It’s not much work.”
Agnes turned and headed back inside trying to feel comfortable with the ladies of the community.
***
“Francis you just get back?” Byron asked as the young man brought a horse into the barn.
“Yes, I just took some medicine to the Stanley family for Mr. Stanley who’s been coughing.”
“Better you than me,” Byron said. “I’m not stepping out of this here barn until that hen party over at the Mill is finished.”
“Hen party?” Francis looked puzzled.
“Yes, all the women from around about are havin’ a tea party for Mrs. Farrow. I even seen them folks from out at Bruno’s place arrive a bit ago.”
Francis turned gazing down the street and trying to catch a glimpse of the Restaurant. “I go.” He said quickly thrusting the bridle reins into Byron’s hands and hurrying out the door.
It was mere seconds before the young brave had made the turn around the corner to the Grist Mill as he anxiously searched for a glimpse of the girl of his dreams.
Matrice looked up as a shadow fell over the work in her hands and smiled looking into the face of Francis.
“Hello,” the young man said bobbing his head nervously.
“Hello,” Matrice returned.
“What are you doing?” Francis hefted himself up on the raised covered entry next to Matrice in one fluid motion.
“I’m tatting,” Matrice offered holding out the doily for him to see.
“What is this for?” Francis looked at the frilly thing in her hands, his eyes keen.
“It’s just to look pretty,” Matrice said.
“You look pretty,” Francis offered with a grin making the blood rush to Matrice’s face as she dropped her eyes.
“Why you are making this?” Francis asked again grinning at the look on the young woman’s face. He’d seen Indian maidens look like that when a brave had come to speak with their father.
“It’s a gift for Mrs. Farrow,”
Francis eyebrows rose. “You are giving a gift to that woman?”
Matrice nodded. “Janine insisted that we come in to the party, but we didn’t have anything else with us, so I’m finishing it for her.”
“You are kind,” Francis said watching as her hands deftly wove the tiny threads into the pattern.
Matrice looked up from her work smiling at Francis. She knew it was silly, but she wanted nothing more than to be with the young Indian man for the rest of her life. Even the thought of leaving her mother and siblings couldn’t seem to change her heart’s desire.
For several more moments the pair sat there, feet dangling over the street as Matrice worked. The silence was peaceful, easy, and comfortable.
“Will I see you at church?” Francis finally asked.
“I don’t know,” Matrice confessed. “We haven’t thought that far.”
“One day,” Francis said boldly as Matrice tied the last knot and snipped the thread, “I hope to see you in church beside me.” He took her hand pressing it to his cheek, then releasing it jumped down into the street and strode away.
Chapter 16
Jasper Williams chugged along the streets of Biders Clump sedately. All the fun of dashing around the town had been lost when the Major had taken ill.
It was well worth the brandished sword, and fines he’d paid to keep the old man chasing him.
It just wasn’t the same with Deputy Ferd, who was more distracted now that his wife’s Abello was ill.
The horseless carriage was a novelty in the tiny town and it was fun to test his skills as he skidded around corners or charged along the street. Still something like this would never really take on. It was too noisy, too, smelly, and too modern.
As he made the last turn toward the bank he smiled as Rock rolled past on a big palomino that looked like it would be just as comfortable before a plow as chasing cows.
“Morning Mr. Williams,” the cowpoke offered. His horse didn’t even roll an eye at the four wheeled contraption.
“Hello Rock,” Mr. Williams said. “What brings you to town today?”
Rock grinned. “I’m picking up peppermint sticks for Herman,” the big man chortled.
Mr. Williams shook his head. “That confounded bull is worse than a puppy when you rattle a few peppermints at him.”
“Makes my life easier though,” Rock growled. “It ain’t easy keeping track of that bull, especially now that the Adams’ and Dixon spread are all one together.”
Mr. Williams nodded. “I see where you’re coming from,” he said tapping his head. “You about ready for the Valentine’s Day meeting?”
“I reckon. Don’t have any big plans or nothing, just looking forward to whatever Pastor Dalton has planned. I think he was wise to take charge this year after some of the shenanigans the children have gotten into at social events recently.”
“Ruthie and I were talking about a Spring wedding.
“I’m sure whatever you do will be mighty fine,” Rock grinned. Mr. Williams liked to do things up big. “It must be nice to have someone like that to do for.”
“It is, it is my boy. Why to see the light in her eyes when I bring her some little trinket or just to listen to the sound of her laugh when we’re out for a drive.” Mr. Williams puffed out his chest. “I do believe that woman is somewhat misunderstood. She may have come from wealth and privilege, but she’s never had anyone to truly lavish her with love.”
Rock’s eyebrows rose toward his hat. He didn’t think he’d ever heard Jasper go on in such a way.
“Well, I’m taking your valuable time,” Mr. Williams said, his cheeks ruddy with embarrassment at what he’d said. “I’d better get on to the bank. You have a good day Rock,” he finished with a wave and pressed the pedal on his motor-cart.
Rock’s big gelding sidled out of the way keeping an eye on the puffing conveyance, but otherwise ignored it as he rode out of town.
“You reckon what ol’ Jasper said is true, Pal? The big man asked his horse. “Some folks have lots of stuff and such but ain’t never had any real love?”
He kicked the golden horse into a trot his mind spinning with thoughts. How empty would the world be without love? He’d never aspired to matters of the heart. He was a big ugly galoot and never figured any woman would take heed of him.
His naturally shy nature kept him from socializing much, and his job kept him out on the range.
As he picked up his pace to a canter his mind turned to Mrs. Agnes Ratner. Now that was a woman a man could appreciate. Strong, strapping, and capable all rolled into one. Mr. Noah Ratner was a lucky man, and Rock breathed a prayer for the whole family even as he scanned the range for Herman.
Chapter 17
Matrice peered out the window hoping for a glimpse of Francis who had ridden out to help Bruno with a sheep.
The young man hadn’t stopped at her place, but he’d ridden by slowly, and she’d watched him as far as she could.
“Matrice, what are you doing at that window?” her mother called.
“Nothing Mama,” Matrice called
, giving the sill a dust with the cloth in her hand.
“Well come and help me can some of this meat Janine gave us. She’s a sweet girl but she’s not too schooled in ways to keep good venison.”
Matrice smiled. It was true, as much as she liked Janine and enjoyed the time she spent with her, the young woman didn’t seem to have ever been taught how to be a wife.
“You know Mama,” she said heading to the hot stove to retrieve the jars that had just boiled. “I don’t think Janine really needs to do for herself you know. From what I’ve heard she and Bruno are doing alright. He sold out a bunch of some pretty pink rock and now doesn’t really even have to work.”
“Well, be as it may, I’m glad we could do something to keep this meat from going bad,” Agnes commented.
“I think it’s kind of sweet,” Matrice continued placing the jars upside down so that they would seal. “She could hire someone to do all her work, but instead she wants to learn.”
Agnes smiled. “Yes, she’s rather a sweet woman,” she agreed. “You going up to see her later for her sewing lesson?”
“If that’s alright with you?”
“Yes, but wait until some of this meat is sealed and take it along to her, after all Bruno and that Francis brought it.” The older woman watched her daughter’s eyes light at the mention of the Indian.
Agnes had seen that light a time or two before and she couldn’t help but worry about the state of her daughter’s heart. If she were falling in love with the Indian brave, she was destined for heart ache.
Matrice smiled brightly. “I’ll fetch a crate to carry them in,” she said finishing her job and flying into the other room for a packing crate.
Agnes shook her head and lifted her eyes to the sky. “Lord, you’ve seen us this far and I won’t lie, I’m worried, but I reckon you’ll do a better job of seein’ us through than I can,” she offered with a shake of her head.
***
Francis looked up from the barn as Matrice walked by awkwardly carrying a heavy crate as she staggered toward the house.
Springing to his feet from his place in the stall with Bruno he hurried outside and took the wooden box.
“Please,” he said. “I help.”
“Thank you,” Matrice said her eyes dancing with delight at his offer. “Mama and I were just canning some of that venison you killed the other night, and we wanted to bring some to Janine.”
“You are very good at many things,” Francis commented.
Matrice smiled shyly, feeling a warm glow cover her whole body.
Stepping ahead of Francis she knocked on the door and waited for Janine to open it. Moments later they were all sitting around the table by a warm cook stove drinking tea and nibbling a slightly soggy pie.
“I’m so glad you came,” Janine said. “Francis I know you’ll have to get back to the barn with Bruno, but finish your tea first and then Matrice and I can visit.”
Matrice looked across the table at Francis and something zinged between them making them both smile.
“How is the lambing coming?” Matrice asked. She hadn’t been around many farm animals in her life time, but cows, chickens and mules had been a part of her everyday life since she was small.
“The sheep is too small and the lamb is too big,” Francis said with a shake of his head. “We will have to see.”
He finished his tea then rose reluctantly.
“Perhaps you could stop by our place later and take a can of venison home with you,” Matrice offered as Francis headed to the door.
“I would like that,” he said his dark eyes meeting hers before he slipped back outside.
“That Francis is not at all what I expected a painted savage to be like you know,” Janine mused as she absently stirred cream into her tea.
“No, I suppose not,” Matrice agreed. “Papa said before we left Louisiana that the Indian wars ended a while ago and that now the tribes all live on reservations.”
“My father told me that once the Buffalo were gone, they couldn’t survive anymore,” Janine agreed. “I think Francis has lived his whole life in a little valley in Nevada or Arizona though. He and his family lived at a monastery or something like that.”
“I guess that’s why he is so different,” Matrice said looking back at the door once again.
“I’m terribly glad you came by today,” Janine picked up again. “I was wondering if you could help me make a pie. This one tastes alright but it’s rather soggy.” She wrinkled her nose showing her disappointment.
“I’d be happy to help,” Matrice said. “You’ve been so kind to us Miss Janine,” she added. “Not many folks I’ve ever know would want our kind to live so close to them.”
“Your kind?” Janine looked puzzled.
“Colored folks,” Matrice said. “Back home we knew to keep to our place, but here it’s so different.”
“Well I don’t know what place you were to keep back home, but to me you’ve become a friend. It’s so nice to have another young woman to talk to, and your mother has helped me ever so much.”
Matrice smiled. She knew that out there in the wider world people could be cruel but for now she would be happy to be in the tiny town of Biders Clump, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with people like Janine.
“Biders Clump is different,” Janine said. “At least that’s what everyone who comes here says. The whole town started when a man couldn’t manage the pass over the mountains. He decided to bide a while and pretty soon people who were traveling along the Oregon Trail just sorta clumped up together to look out for each other. I guess we still do.”
Matrice smiled, her heartwarming toward the other woman. Janine was older than her but so innocent in some ways.
Soon they had a pie crust ready and filled with apples from the cellar.
“It looks very pretty,” Janine commented.
Matrice moved to the oven testing the heat with her hand. “Put it in the window to stay cold while I get this fire built up a bit more,” she said. “I think that’s what happened to your last one. The fire wasn’t hot enough to start.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” Janine agreed stepping to the stove. “It’s very hot though isn’t it,” she added fanning herself. “I’m just going to step outside for a minute to cool off.”
While Janine stepped out the kitchen door Matrice added a few sticks off wood to the fire box then dusted her hands.
Perhaps Francis would come in and have another piece of pie or at least stop for coffee. Then again perhaps he’d already ridden to her place and had missed her.
The front door rattled open and Matrice look around the corner to see Bruno and Francis entering, bright smiles on their faces.
“I take it the lambing went well?” she asked.
“Yes, both mother and daughter are doing well,” Bruno said drying his hands from the cold washing they’d had outside. “Where’s Janine?” he asked looking around.
“She was too warm and just stepped outside,” Matrice offered her eyes lingering on Francis. “How about some coffee to warm you?” she asked with a smile.
Bruno sat at the table and smiled, “I’d appreciate it Matrice. I’m plumb wore out. Francis sit a spell and rest. You’ve earned it.”
For a few moments the trio sat sipping coffee and chatting about the new lamb. Bruno had thought for sure he would lose at least one or the other, but both had pulled through and the little creature was now happily nestled at its mother’s side.
“Should Janine be out so long?” Francis asked looking toward the door. Several minutes had gone by, and she still hadn’t returned.
Bruno stood looking out the window but saw no sign of his wayward wife anywhere nearby.
A cold weight seemed to drop into his stomach freezing his blood.
“I’d better go look for her,” he said leaving his half finished coffee and stepping out the side door into the snow.
“Do you think something bad has happened?” Francis looked at Matrice w
ho seemed drawn toward him.
Matrice stepped close to the brave, her fingers itching to stroke his long mane of black hair. “I don’t know,” she answered lost in his eyes.
Francis reached out running a warm finger down her cheek. Her face was flushed from the fire and soft like a summer’s rain.
“We’d better go look for her,” Matrice said still locked in the embrace of his dark eyes.
“Yes, we do not want any harm to come for Janine.”
Matrice brain told her that she should be walking out the door, but she couldn’t seem to move.
The creak of a shutter made her jump and Francis dropped his hand. “Come, we go,” he stated taking her hand and leading her out the door.
Off the side porch two sets of tracks, one small and one large were visible in the fresh snow.
Francis continued to pull Matrice along with him, their fingers intertwined as they followed the tracks back toward the barn.
Stepping through the door they gazed on Bruno, foot propped on a low rail leaning over the stall where the top of a redhead could just be seen.
Making their way to the stall, Matrice and Francis looked down at Janine, the tiny lamb nestled in her lap as she stroked its soft wool.
“I just love babies,” she said. “They’re so perfect and clean.”
Bruno smiled, the light of love shining in his eyes. “You’re gonna be the best mama ever,” he said.
“Oh Matrice,” Janine said placing the lamb carefully back into the straw. “I’m so sorry,” she offered her hands to Bruno who pulled her to her feet. “I thought I’d come out and check on things and got distracted.”
Matrice smiled. “I’ll just go in and put the pie in the oven for you,” she offered as Francis squeezed her fingers in his and they started back to the house.
Bruno leaned over the railing of the stall kissing Janine sweetly. “I love you to bits darlin’,” he drawled sweeping her up in his arms and lifting her over the barrier with a giggle.
“I love you too Bruno,” Janine said, “and even when I get worried about having a baby I think of all the times you’ve helped these silly old sheep, and I know that no matter what we’ll be fine.”