by Danni Roan
“I’m afraid I can’t get this animal to do anything but eat,” Mary Ellen grumbled. “I feel like such a ninny but look at her. I finally had to dismount and lead her so that Byron won’t be worried about what happened to us.”
A bright smile spread across Rocks craggy face but he didn’t laugh at her. “Sometimes when you’re ridin’ you send mixed signals to a critter, and then it’s a problem. Let me see if I can help.”
“It seems you’re always turning up just when I need it,” Mary Ellen agreed with a grin. “I’d truly appreciate the help.”
Rock swung down from his horse who stood perfectly still as it waited on him to help Miss Bigsby.
“First let me give you a leg up,” Rock said as he gathered the mare’s reins. “Put your foot in my hands and on the count of three I’ll lift and you jump.”
Mary Ellen looked down at Rock’s clasped hands and nodded. She was determined to master this riding thing one way or another.
After three attempts to get back on the horse she was gasping for breath and waved Rock back. “It’s no use,” she said. “I can’t even get up there. I’ll just walk.”
“No, you said you would ride, and I think you should,” Rock said grasping her by the waist and setting her sidesaddle on the horses back.
Mary Ellen’s slight scream made the horse snort and turn to look at her, but Rock’s strong hands on her waist kept her in place.
“I guess I should ‘a warned you,” the big man said with a shy grin.
“That might have been helpful,” she sniped, but then smiled to soften her words. “Now how in the world am I supposed to sit astride again without falling off?”
“When I was a boy,” Rock said keeping a hand on her side to hold her steady, “my ma used ta hook her knee over the saddle horn and spread her skirt along the side of the horse like.”
Mary Ellen shifted slightly getting a knee over the horn and smoothing her skirts. It didn’t seem too precarious a position, and if she held on, she was sure she would be able to make her way back to town.
“You steady now?” Rock asked as a hint of white petty coat peeped out from under the dark skirts.
“I think I am. Thank you,” Mary Ellen said.
Rock smoothed the reins along the horse’s neck shortening them a bit and planting them firmly in Miss Bigsby’s hands. “You hold them a little shorter this time, and we’ll see if you can keep this critter on the road.”
Setting her eyes toward the road, Mary Ellen grasped the reins in her hands and waited until Rock was mounted once more. For a big man he seemed able to spring into the saddle of his leggy horse almost lightly.
“Are you ready?” Rock asked turning his horse back the way he’d just come.
“You aren’t riding with me are you?” Mary Ellen asked horrified that she might be keeping the man from his duties.
“I was just coming out to see Bruno,” Rock said, “but I’d rather see you back to Biders Clump. I’ll talk to Bruno later.”
“I can’t keep you from your work,” Mary Ellen chafed. “It wouldn’t be right.”
Rock clicked to his horse and the animal stepped out in the direction it had been pointed. Sitting a little straighter Mary Ellen did the same thing and was pleased when her mare fell into step with the big gelding.
“Do people actually go up into the mountains?” Mary Ellen asked as they made their way toward town. “They seem so tall and intimidating.”
“Most of us cow chasers are up in them hills often enough,” Rock replied grinning as the gray mare turned toward the side of the road. “You’re wanderin’ again,” he said trying not to laugh.
Mary Ellen pulled hard on the reins and the horse fell back into step with the big palomino. “I guess I should keep my mind on riding for now,” she said a light blush tingeing her cheeks.
“Maybe for a bit yet,” Rock agreed. “Once you get more accustomed to handlin’ a horse, you won’t have to think about it so much. Take me and Pal, here,” he continued giving his big horse a pat. “We’ve ridden a lot of trails together and roped a passel of cows. He knows how I think and can pretty much tell by my mood and where I’m lookin’ what I want.”
“You speak as if the animal is intelligent,” Mary Ellen mused.
“Well they are,” Rock replied. “Not like people maybe, but they can learn real good.”
“Then why is Miss Betsy always trying to wander into a field to eat?” Mary Ellen said with a shake of her head.
“I guess you aren’t tellin’ her what you want or at least making her understand.”
Mary Ellen looked down at the horse and smoothed the animal’s silky mane. “I did what Byron taught me.”
Rock ran a hand under his chin thinking then looked down at Pal. “It’s always a little harder with a horse that’s new to you, but I’m sure Byron gave you the horse he thought would do best for you.”
“She did just fine when I was riding around the corral,” Mary Ellen said. “What changed?”
“Well for one, Byron was probably there, and an old horseman like him would be given Miss Betsy signals whether he knew it or not.”
Mary Ellen thought about what the big cowboy was saying. “So what should I do?” she finally asked stiffening her spine and strengthening her resolve. She hadn’t come all the way out to Wyoming to sit in a chair.
Rock sat back in his saddle and his horse slowed its pace. “First shorten up your reins a mite,” he said. “You don’t need ta be tuggin’ on ‘em or anything but just let her know you’re there.”
Mary Ellen laughed. “Surely she knows I’m here. I’m sitting in the middle of her back.”
“Well, yes but that ain’t the same. See she can carry things about all day, but that don’t mean those things are telling her what to do.”
“I see what you mean,” Mary Ellen said pulling the reins through her hands.
“Now, you give her a little kick and get her to step out a bit faster.” Rock urged.
Mary Ellen tapped her little boot against the mare’s flank but nothing happened.
“Do it again, but this time believe it will happen,” Rock urged.
Mary Ellen leaned slightly forward and gave the horse a good tap with her heel gasping as the mare stepped out passing Pal as she did so.
“That’s just fine,” Rock called. “Now, turn her toward the left hand side of the road, pull back toward you on that left rein not out and away,”
Mary Ellen quickly corrected the way she was pulling and the horse moved a bit to the left. “I did it!” she cried then squealed as the horse stepped into a trot almost unseating her.
Rock trotted up next to her as she pulled back on the reins, and Miss Betsy slowed. “You did that real good,” Rock beamed.
“Why does it look so easy for you and is so much work for me though?”
Rock reached up pushing his hat back on his head. He’d been riding since he was big enough to stand on a fence rail and climb aboard. “I’ve just been doin’ it longer is all,” he mused. “I reckon there’s plenty of things you’ve been doing that’d be mighty hard for me.”
Mary Ellen nodded thinking about his words. “It was like that when I was teaching she said. Some students got things quickly while others had to work at it. Perhaps I need to be a little more patient with my riding skills.”
“That’d be wise,” Rock agreed with a grin.
“Would it be possible for me to watch you working cattle some time?” Mary Ellen asked boldly. “I’d love to see the things I’ve read about in action.”
Rock nodded slowly. “I think we could do that?” he said. “How about I fetch you tomorrow morning, and you can ride out to the ranch with me. We’ll be brining in a few head of cattle along with Herman before spring gets too far along.”
“Who is Herman?” Mary Ellen asked.
“He’s the Rocking A’s prize bull.”
“Oh, my! Won’t that be dangerous? I understand that bulls are very aggressive.”
&n
bsp; “Nah, Herman’s alright. He don’t cause no trouble if you know how to handle him.” A grin tugged at Rock’s lips but he said no more. He’d keep the secret until tomorrow, and see how the little woman on the gray mare reacted to it.
He didn’t understand it, but for some reason he wanted to impress her. For such a tiny woman she seemed interested in everything and determined to make the most of her time in Biders Clump.
The sound of a trotting horse coming in their direction made both riders look up as Francis came into sight on a leggy chestnut horse with Matrice sitting behind him.
The young brave waved as he trotted past but didn’t stop as Matrice held tight to his middle.
“They really like each other don’t they?” Mary Ellen said before she could stop herself.
“I reckon they do,” Rock agreed. “Francis is a good man and Matrice could do far worse.”
“But what do others think about it?” Mary Ellen turned her hazel eyes to his darker ones.
“Most folks don’t care. People around here count a man, or a woman, by how they are not what they are. I’m not sure Mr. Ratner feels the same way though.” Rock finished.
Chapter 10
“Francis, are you sure that Rock doesn’t know that woman from somewhere?” Matrice asked as they trotted toward home. “This is the second time I’ve seen them together.”
“Doc said she is visiting the town,” Francis replied laying his hand over hers where they rested against his stomach.
“I like Rock,” Matrice continued. “He helped us out so much when we first stopped here. He never seems to look down on us in any way or even frown on you and me.”
“I wish we would hear something back from the Father-brothers in the Valley,” Francis said. “If we knew that the elders would accept us there, perhaps your father would not be so against our love.”
Matrice shook her head and Francis could feel her ebony curls brush his shoulder. “Papa is not happy about us at all,” she agreed. “There has to be a way to convince him though. He didn’t even want me to go to town today because he knew I’d be seeing you.”
“Your father has felt many things in his life time,” Francis said. “He has seen bad things, and has been hurt by many that are not like you. My people are the same, but they can either move past this or forever be stranded in that same place.”
Matrice thought about Francis’s words. It was true that life in the Deep South had not been easy on her family. It was why her father and mother had decided to sacrifice everything and come west in the first place.
They had wanted to start over and give their children a new life where men and women were taken at face value, at least most of the time.
“I see what you mean,” Matrice said. “Mama and Papa came all the way out here to start over, but if they’re just going to hold on to the evil of the past then they haven’t really changed anything.”
“You are very good with your words,” Francis said. Since arriving in Biders Clump before Christmas he had been working steadily with Doc Walker to improve his own use of the English language.
He probably should have returned to the valley where his tribe lived with the priests weeks ago but when he had met Matrice everything else seemed to fade into the background.
“We will not give up with your father,” Francis spoke as Bruno and Janine’s home came into view. “I love you too much to lose you,” he added with all of the fervor of a young man who has given up his heart.
“I love you too,” Matrice said with a sniff. “If I have to leave without you, I’m sure it will be the death of me.”
“This will not happen,” Francis said emphatically. “Father Dalton has agreed to help us, and if you go, I will follow. Your father will have to shoot me before I will give up my heart.”
Matrice sighed into Francise’s shoulder squeezing him a little tighter as he came to a stop at Bruno’s front door. Still holding Matrice’s hand, he let her slide off their horse then turned to look down at her.
“I will stop a while with the Sparaks,” he said nodding toward the house. “You go to your family. If they will let me visit, you can find me here.”
Matrice looked up into the most perfect face she had ever seen. Francis’s dark eyes glowed with determination, and the fire in their depths warmed her very soul.
The wind stirred sweeping the young braves silky pony tail over his shoulder and Matrice ran her fingers through it. She’d loved Francis since the minute he’d stepped into her life. There was no way she could continue living in this world if he wasn’t part of it.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said tipping up on her toes and kissing his lips before running away toward the house down the road.
Francis sat straight in the saddle again as a bright fire raced from his lips to his toes. He was meant for Matrice, and she was meant for him. Now all he had to do was make her father understand this thing.
The door to the Sparak home began to open and Francis schooled his features to calm.
Bruno and Janine were his friends and he did not need them worrying about his future.
***
Matrice carried her small package into the little house her mother had rented from Bruno and Janine when the weather was too fierce to manage staying in the wagon.
“That you Matrice?” her mother called from the small kitchen at the front of the house.
“Yes Mama,” the girl replied. “I got what you wanted at the store.”
“Did Francis carry you home?” the older woman, her ample form ensconced in a well used apron, asked.
“Yes,” Matrice answered honestly, kissing her mother’s dark cheek affectionately. “He’s visiting with Bruno and Janine.”
Agnes Ratner looked at her daughter. The girl who stood before her was far more woman than child now. “You start peelin’ potatoes,” Agnes said nodding toward the vegetables on the counter.
When she and her children had first arrived in Biders Clump, Agnes had been grateful for a safe place to stay while they waited for her Noah to catch up. She hadn’t worried too much about the attraction that had bloomed between her oldest child and the young brave.
The people of Biders Clump had been welcoming and seemed to turn a blind eye to the differences of people as long as they were hardworking and civil. Now however, with Noah back with them and planning to press further on, she worried about Matrice.
“Mama, how old were you when you got married?” Matrice asked carefully peeling the first potato.
Agnes looked out the window as if seeing the past. “I was sixteen years old,” she answered simply.
“Did you love Papa right away?”
Agnes smiled softly. Matrice had heard bits of her story over the years, but perhaps it was time for her to tell it all.
“No,” she said softly. “No, love didn’t have nothin’ to do with me marrying your Papa.”
Matrice looked at her mother and scowled. How could anyone marry a person they didn’t love?
“After the War Between the States, everythin’ changed in Louisiana, and everything stayed exactly the same too,” Agnes said. “My parents were free, but free to what? They had to make a living and find a way, but they had to deal with the same people they always had. I was young and didn’t know much, but I knew things were lean.”
Matrice nodded settling at a chair while her mother continued to wash dishes.
“My father was given a bit of land, and he made due with that, but it was never gonna amount to much. My brothers all grew up and moved away leaving me to help Mama and Papa as best I could.” Agnes eyes grew sad as she continued her story.
“When the big influenza epidemic hit, we didn’t have nothin’ to fight it with, and with Mama and Papa gettin’ older, I lost them both.”
Matrice’s heart went out to her mother. To lose both parents at once would have been a crushing blow. For a while, she had thought that perhaps she would never see her own father again, and just the touch of that pain was
heart rending.
“Noah and his mother buried his father at the same time, and he knew I was all alone there on the farm. One day he rode over on their mule to speak to me. He had an idea that would help us all.”
“You only ever told me that you and Papa had been through a hard time when you got together,” Matrice said, her tone almost accusing.
“We had,” Agnes agreed drying her hands and picking up a now clean dish to dry and put away. “I’d lost my whole family and Noah and his mother had lost his Pa. When he came to call it was with one aim in mind. He was kind and polite but frank with me about the whole situation. When Noah Ratner came to my house, I knew him from church a little but not well.” Agnes paused, a soft smile spreading across her full lips. “He came to my house and took his old hat off his head. He was tall, and strong and handsome even then. He asked could he sit a spell and talk to me, and I agreed. He told me of his father’s bit of land, and that he wanted more than that out of life. He said that if he could get more land he’d do it and wanted to know if I’d be interested in a deal.”
Matrice watched as her mother absently turned the plate in her hand again and again as she was lost in another time.
“I sat there and listened and then he came to his offer. Noah looked me square in the eye and said ‘ifn’ you’ll marry up with me we’ll have a big farm, and we can all take care of each other, and won’t no man be botherin’ me if I was married to Noah Ratner’. Then he told me he’d do his best to be a man any woman would be proud to call husband.”
Matrice dropped the knife from her numb fingers, and then hurried to collect it again as her mother turned to look at her.
“You think I was insulted don’t ya?” Agnes said with a warm smile, “but I was flattered. I’d been too busy workin’ with Mama and Papa to have any interest in boys at the time, and your pa, well he talked to me like I was his equal. He didn’t speak down to me, or think I had no options. He put it to me like a bargain between two people who could stand beside each other. Maybe that don’t seem like much, but add to it that I’d buried both my folks and had no kin to speak of in the area and the idea made good sense.”