by Kit Morgan
His uncle Ryder snorted. “In more ways than one!”
“Hush, you!” Eloise warned. She turned to her son. “Pay no mind to your uncle.”
Anson looked from his mother to his uncle to his father, who took a sudden interest in the fireplace mantle. “Seems there’s something you aren’t telling us.”
His father turned to the fire, pretending to warm his hands.
“Aha! I knew it!” Anson turned to Zadie. “My father is terrible at keeping secrets.”
Mrs. Todd giggled at his remark, put a hand to her mouth and motioned for her children to stand. Yes, something was definitely going on.
“Stop talking nonsense, dear,” his mother said. “Now, Zadie, if you’ll allow us, we’d love to make you supper, just as my husband said. Then after we eat, I want to hear all about you.”
Zadie blushed. “There’s … not much to tell.”
Anson’s eyes widened as he gave her a sidelong glance.
Everyone else in the room studied the couple. Anson caught Mrs. Todd exchanging a knowing look with Caleb White and wondered what that was about. His surprise company obviously knew something he didn’t! “Well, let’s get organized, shall we? Zadie and I have a couple of spare bedrooms.”
“We already figured out the sleeping arrangements,” his father said. “Your mother, aunt and Mrs. Todd and her children will take one room while your Uncle Ryder, Caleb and I take the other.”
Zadie exchanged a quick look with Anson. “Does that sound all right with you?”
“Sounds … perfect. Well, except for feeling out of control in my own home …” He looked at Mrs. Todd. “I hope you and your children don’t mind such tight sleeping quarters.”
“Not at all. Anything’s better than last night.”
As if to prove her point, the woman’s children huddled closer to the fire.
“Ah yes, I can imagine,” Anson said. He glanced around the parlor, then smiled. “Welcome to our home.”
* * *
Viola slept fitfully. Not that she wasn’t comfortable – the pallets Anson and Zadie made up as beds for she and the children were nice enough, a vast improvement over the night before. No, physical discomfort didn’t keep her awake. Her heart did.
She couldn’t stop thinking about Caleb … Mr. White … Caleb. Why couldn’t she get him out of her head? He was stuck there like an immovable object, too heavy for her to lift. Worse still, she didn’t really want to.
She tossed and turned, realized the noise it made and stopped. She didn’t want to disturb Wylie and Katie sleeping next to her. So she stared at the ceiling and puzzled over her attraction to Caleb, since her mind refused to let her think of him as Mr. White. Besides, it was a good name and she liked it.
What she didn’t like was that she’d probably never see him again except in passing. For all she knew, that might only be once or twice a year. Other than being kind to her and the children, he’d exhibited no such attraction to her, let alone a long-term obligation.
But at least now she knew her heart was ready for another. For a time she wasn’t sure she’d ever get over Edward’s death, let alone entertain the idea of marrying again. Of course, who knew what would happen if a man got serious about courting her – would she run like a scared rabbit, or allow her heart to love again?
Enough of all that. She silently prayed to get her and the children through the next few days and help them settle in with Clarence –wherever he was. Safe in his bed, no doubt, blissfully ignorant of their plight.
Poor, poor Clarence, she thought. Now there’s a man in need of a wife! Then again, if he ever found one, where would that leave her and the children? That was the last thought Viola had before finally drifting off to sleep.
* * *
The next morning, Viola awoke feeling rested, though not as much as she’d like. The children, however, sprang off their pallet excited and ready for whatever the day would bring. One reason for their excitement was getting to spend more time with Mr. White. The thought sent a tingle up her spine too, but she had no right to it. With a sigh she got up, dressed, helped the children do the same and went downstairs.
Eloise joined her, not bothering to wait for her sister. “Constance has never been an early riser,” she explained. “Especially not when presented an opportunity to sleep in.”
“My children feel the same,” Viola said. “Today seems to be the exception.”
“Yes, they are quite chipper,” Eloise agreed as she watched them race for the breakfast table.
“We get to ride to town with Mr. White!” Wylie said as he scrambled into a chair, making himself at home.
“My goodness,” Eloise said. “I had no idea Mr. White was so popular.”
“He is with these two,” Viola said. And me, she added silently.
“Speaking of which, here he comes now,” Eloise said as she peered out the kitchen window.
No sooner had she said it than Caleb came in through the back door. “Mornin’, everybody!” he said with a happy smile. “Looks like it’s gonna be a fine day – not a cloud in the sky. Cold, though.”
Viola unconsciously shivered. She’d had enough cold over the last few days, and didn’t relish that part of the ride to Morgan’s Crossing. Or any other part, really.
Caleb must have noticed. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll make sure ya stay warm.”
Viola felt herself blush from head to toe, not from what he’d said but the image his words conjured in her mind. Oh heavens, she’d better get a hold of herself before they left! Caleb White would no sooner put his arm around her to keep her warm than wrestle a rattler.
“Everythin’ all right?” he asked softly.
She looked up, and was surprised that he was suddenly at her side. She smiled shyly back. “Everything’s fine.”
He sat in the chair next to hers and smiled. “Just makin’ sure,” he said with a tip of his hat. He took it off and set it on the table. “I restocked your woodpile,” he told Zadie, who was busy at the stove.
“That was very kind of you, Mr. White, thank you,” Zadie said. “Anson will appreciate it too.”
“Well I figger if I’m gonna work for ya, I might as well get started.” He turned to Viola. “Speakin’ of which, we need to get goin’ pretty soon. Ya’ll wanna have time to find yer brother.”
“He’s probably at work,” Zadie said. “Mrs. Todd, didn’t you say your brother worked at the mine?”
“Yes, he does. Do you think we should wait and head into town a little later?”
“If it were me, that’s what I would do,” Zadie replied. “Most men get prickly about being disturbed at work – and so do their bosses. I’d aim for lunchtime, when the miners have their break. Then your brother can direct you to his cabin, and the three of you can get settled while he finishes out the day.”
Viola hadn’t thought of that. Zadie was right. “Then Caleb and I should leave in a few hours.”
Zadie, Eloise and Caleb stared at her.
Viola’s eyes darted between them, not sure what was wrong. Then it hit her – she’d called Mr. White by his Christian name. Oops.
But Caleb recovered quickly and smiled. “That sounds like a right fine idea. Jess and Anson were gonna show me ‘round the place. Maybe ya’d like to come along, seein’ as how we got some extra time?”
“Yes!” Wylie and Katie blurted at once.
Viola rolled her eyes in resignation. “My children think everything you say is for them.”
“Well, this was,” he confirmed. “I’m invitin’ all of ya.”
“Your new employers won’t mind?”
“Of course we won’t,” Zadie said before Caleb could utter a word. “But first, let’s get some breakfast in your bellies.”
“Yee-haw!” Wylie shouted. “We get to see the horses!”
“Wylie!” Viola said in shock. “Calm yourself. It’s not like you haven’t seen horses before.”
“But Mama, these are special horses. People pay just
to see them! Mr. White said so.”
Katie curled her lip in disgust as she looked at her brother. “That is not what he said.”
Viola was aware the ranch was primarily used for horse breeding. “Just what did you tell them, Ca … I mean, Mr. White?” That was twice now, and it was all she could do not to slide under the table and hide.
“I explained to them last night that these horses are special,” he said. “And that people come from all ‘round and pay the Joneses to make their horses special too.”
Viola stared at him a moment, then burst into a fit of giggles. “Well, I suppose that’s one way to explain it. Thank you for that.”
He smiled, a twinkle in his eye … and captured her heart all over again.
Eight
“Ya got some mighty fine horseflesh here, Mr. Jones,” Caleb said.
“Please, call me Anson – and my cousin’s Jess. Otherwise it might get confusing.”
Caleb chuckled at that. “True enough – same thing happens at the S&R all the time. I call your pa Seth and your uncle Ryder.”
“Yes, I remember there was always some confusion growing up. But forget about that – how do you like it?” Anson waved an arm at their surroundings.
Caleb looked over the barn, the corral, the houses and surrounding pasture, and finally the prairie. Mountains loomed large and glorious in the distance. A perfect backdrop to a beautiful setting.
Speaking of beautiful, Caleb let his eyes wander to Viola. She stood next to the corral with the children, feeding a handful of hay to one of Anson’s mares. The sight of them made Caleb realize what he’d been missing. But if he wanted to keep his new job, it was something he could never have. He turned back to his employer. “I think I’m gonna like it here, and I’ll be proud to watch it grow.”
“That’s the idea, though I can’t see it getting as big as the S&R. Not yet, anyway.”
“Still, you and Jess’ve accomplished a lot, just the two of ya.”
“Yes, we have, but we can’t keep it up. I’m glad you came early.”
Caleb’s eyes darted to Viola and the children and back. “So am I.”
Anson leaned against the barn door. “She is a mighty pretty woman, isn’t she?”
“Mrs. Todd?”
“She’s the only woman standing over there, Caleb,” Anson pointed out with a sly grin.
Caleb’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “Yeah, she is might purty. Them younguns of hers are nice too. Shame they don’t have no pa.”
“At least they’ll be living with their uncle,” Anson said. “Hopefully he’ll treat them like his own.”
“If that means forgettin’ them, then no thanks,” Caleb said sternly. “I don’t mind tellin’ ya, I plan to give that man a good piece of my mind when I see him.”
“Well, I’ve never met the man, but at this point I can’t say he hasn’t earned it,” Anson said. “Speaking from experience, mind you. When Zadie got to Sweetwater Springs, I had no idea she was coming. It was days before I got there and only because she sent a note to me through El Davis, but once I got the note I headed straight to town. Maybe her brother didn’t receive her letter – that would be his only excuse.”
“That’s ‘bout the only excuse I’ll take,” Caleb said.
“Well, it can happen. Go easy on the man until you find out, all right?”
“Sure thing, Anson. It’s not like I plan to punch him in the middle of the street. I just wanna make sure he’s gonna take care of them.”
Anson studied the woman and her children petting the horses, then watched Caleb watching them. After a moment or two of this he put his hands on his hips and sighed. “Caleb, you want to work for this ranch, don’t you?”
Caleb turned to him in shock. “Yessir, I do.” His head snapped to Mrs. Todd and her children and back. “I won’t let anythin’ interrupt my work, sir.”
Anson slowly nodded. “Just asking. No offense meant.”
“None taken,” Caleb assured as his eyes drifted back to the little family by the corral. “But ‘til I have that woman and her younguns safely settled with her brother, I’m responsible for them. Don’t worry, though – after today I doubt I’ll see much of them again.”
“It’s a small town, Caleb. You’re bound to see them on occasion.”
Caleb kicked at the frozen ground. “Is that a problem?” he asked.
Anson shook his head. “No, not really.” He let his hands fall to his sides. “You best get that wagon hitched up if you’re gonna take them to town.”
Caleb looked at the little trio one last time. “Yessir.”
* * *
Viola watched with trepidation as Caleb put the last of their things in the back of the wagon, then helped the children up. When it was her turn, she found it hard to put one foot in front of the other.
The four of them had the most glorious time together exploring the ranch. She envied him being able to live and work in such a setting. The horse ranch and surrounding countryside was beautiful, and she hoped she’d be able to visit now and then. Zadie had invited her to come anytime, and Lillie wholeheartedly agreed.
Viola liked both women and, though she didn’t get to spend as much time with Lillie as she’d have liked, she still felt in her a kindred spirit. Unfortunately, Lillie hadn’t been feeling well the last few days and only ventured to the main house that morning to introduce herself. The children especially took to her, fascinated that she could read lips.
“Are you ready to go?” Caleb asked, offering her his hand.
No! “Yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.” She took it.
He pulled her toward him, closer than necessary, but she didn’t mind. He looked into her eyes, concerned. “If things don’t work out with yer brother, you’ll let me know?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Mr. White, what are you saying?”
“Shucks, ma’am, call me Caleb. Ya called me that before.”
She swallowed hard and looked away, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. “I can’t call you by your Christian name – think of how improper that would be.” Never mind that she’d already broken that rule a few times – she was trying to get some emotional distance before their final parting.
“No more improper than me travelin’ with ya alone to town,” he countered.
“That’s not the same thing,” she said, flustered, as her cheeks grew hot. If he didn’t step back, she thought she might faint. She could smell him – leather, soap and a scent that could only be his – and she liked it. Her heart felt like it would explode. He was so … manly.
“I’m sorry if I stepped out of line,” he said. “But I would like to say it just once.”
She blinked at him a few times. “S-s-say what?”
He leaned toward her. “Viola.”
“My name?” Her eyebrows rose as she smiled. “You want to say my name?”
“I sure do …” he leaned a little further. “… Viola.”
She closed her eyes. To hear him call her by her name was heaven. “Mr. White …”
“Caleb.”
“Caleb,” she sighed, then shook herself and straightened. “Caleb, this is highly …”
“… improper, I know. But – and this might sound like I’ve gone ‘round the bend – I feel like I’ve known ya a long time, if that makes any sense.”
Viola swallowed hard and nodded. “Believe it or not … Caleb … that makes perfect sense.” Too bad the timing is all off, she added silently. After today they’d hardly see each other. Unless she managed to get herself to the ranch to visit with Zadie and Lillie, but there were too many other things to think about first: finding Clarence, getting the children settled, attending to whatever sort of disarray her new home might be in (Clarence was a bachelor, after all), learning her way around town …
She would be forever grateful to Caleb for helping her and the children make it this far. Not to mention a debt of gratitude to his employers. But as for anything else … she pulled her han
d out of his and unconsciously brushed at the skirt of her dress. “Do we have everything?”
He stuck his hands in his pockets and sighed. “Yes, ma’am, I believe we do.”
“Mama!” Wylie cried from the wagon bed. “Let’s go!”
Caleb chuckled. “At least someone’s ready to get started.”
She looked into his eyes again and pondered his comment. Was he stalling as she was? Who knew? Her heart was still reeling from his earlier comment. But, considering the hours they’d spent together since meeting on the train, why wouldn’t they feel like they’d known each other a long time? He’d shared quite a bit of himself, as had she. It was only natural they’d feel that way.
She didn’t want to go. She had to go. “We’d better go.” She turned to the wagon.
She felt his eyes on her, could feel him thinking. It was an odd sensation, but she knew it was true. “Yer right,” he finally said. “Best we get goin’.”
He helped her climb onto the wagon seat, walked around the horses checking the harnesses as he went, then climbed up beside her. Wylie and Katie began to laugh and giggle behind them. Viola twisted around to look at them. “You two stay under that blanket and keep warm.”
“That means you too,” Caleb said, producing a blanket from underneath the seat and spreading it over both of them. “There, that oughta do the trick.”
Viola swallowed hard and willed herself to stay put. The urge to scoot closer to him was overwhelming. People would call her a wanton for even considering it! But she wanted … no, needed to be near him, drink in as much as she could before they reached town and parted ways for who knows how long.
Suddenly, to her horror and delight, Caleb scooted a few inches toward her! “Best we sit close to keep warm – if that ain’t too improper.”
As if on cue, she shivered. “I … I …”
“Land sakes, woman, yer freezin’ already!” He took her by the arm and pulled her closer, then readjusted the blanket. “Don’t go scootin’ away none or yer gonna get cold, ya hear?”
She nodded, unable to speak. At the moment she was far from cold – her flaming cheeks alone could probably melt a glacier!