Country Wishes

by RaeAnne Hadley

  I knew, Mildred and I could never be anything more than friends, I didn’t feel for her that way. Come to think of it, I hadn’t felt that way about any woman I’d stepped out with in the past. More importantly, I didn’t trust Mildred as anything more than a friend.

  My gut warned me she was dangerous to men like me who had come into a healthy inheritance. I wasn’t about to squander the money grandpa had left me on a money hungry vixen. Maybe it was best if I took her aside after her show and explained, I would never be more than a friend.

  Abigail was the only woman who’d sent tingles racing down my spine, straight to my groin, whenever she was near. I’d begun noticing an attraction when she’d started to develop into the stunning woman she now was.

  How I felt or didn’t feel made no difference. Rowan had made it clear; Abigail was committed to spinsterhood. She had confided to my sister that she never wanted to experience the heartbreaking loss of a husband the way her mother had. I knew her father’s death had affected Abigail and her mother deeply. Despite him having the reputation of being a rogue, they had both loved him dearly and his loss broke both their hearts.

  “Ready?” Cody pushed his empty plate to the center of the table and stood.

  The rest of us did the same. I glanced around the diner, it was empty, as usual we were the last to leave. I couldn’t hear the usual clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen as Abigail and her mother cleaned up, but I could hear their voices as they spoke. Although, I couldn’t make out the words which were being spoken.

  We’d paid for our meals when we’d ordered as was our normal routine, so we were free to be on our way. Usually one of the ladies would follow us to the door and lock up behind us. I hesitated to leave, not liking the thought of them being alone with the door unlocked. There were some questionable characters who came into town from the gold mining camps, men who couldn’t be trusted especially if they knew two vulnerable women were alone.

  I followed the other three men to the door but hung back when they stepped onto the boardwalk outside. My hand lingered on the handle of the wooden door as I turned back inside. As I did so, Mrs. Miller stepped from the kitchen.

  “On your way?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I was worried about leaving the door unlocked with you out the back and was about to come get you.”

  “Thank you for your consideration, Max.”

  Mrs. Miller crossed the dining room to where I stood, and after we both said goodnight, she closed the door. I heard the wooden bar drop into place with a heavy thud and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing all was secure.

  Chapter Three

  ABIGAIL

  The following morning, I sat on one side of mama in church at the end of the pew, Christopher sat on her other side. While Preacher Tom stood behind the pulpit giving his sermon, mama and Christopher sat with their hands clasped together. Their show of affection brought a smile to my face.

  I’d told Rowan on many occasions that I was determined to remain single, not wishing to have my heart broken as mama’s had been. But as the days passed, I began questioning my resolve. Was it only grief over losing my papa which had broken mother’s heart, or was it the soul-destroying loneliness she was suffering? Did she yearn for the comfort of a man’s arms, the feeling of safety one could offer, and did she ache to be needed by someone other than her daughter? All were questions I didn’t have the answers to, yet I had based my desire to remain unattached on a single supposition – that mama was grief stricken due to a broken heart. Now, with clearness of mind I wondered, had she really loved papa enough to mourn for so long? Despite my love for the man who had fathered me, I wasn’t blind to the harsh way he treated my mama on the occasions he would stagger home drunk. Occasions which multiplied as time passed.

  I shook my head and returned my attention to the preacher when his booming voice, threatening we would all go to Hell for one thing or another, broke through my thoughts. His enthusiasm, when stating the wish of our Lord, certainly made for an interesting hour every Sunday.

  Although I considered myself a good Christian, always offering to help those in need, it wasn’t in my nature to accept everything at face value. I knew I frustrated the daylights out of the preacher and had done so since I was old enough to question his teachings. There were many beliefs I couldn’t accept on the word of one man, but also many I could. So I continued to attend church like a good, faithful follower.

  Glancing around, my eyes locked on Max who was seated on the aisle end of the seat, next to his parents – Grace and Patrick. Edward, who was home from college for the holidays, was seated on the other side of the couple.

  They were in their usual pew which was off to my left and three rows closer to the front. I studied the back of Max’s head, loving how his glossy black hair kicked up in waves which rested on his collar. He was dressed in a black suit and white shirt. I knew a leather tie would be at his throat. Along with a black Stetson which rested on one knee, it was his usual Sunday attire.

  I succumbed to daydreaming about being held in his strong, muscular arms before berating myself for having such wanton thoughts in a house of worship. Max would never be interested in someone like me and the sooner I accepted the fact, the less heartache it would cause me. Now Max and Mildred were together, I could disappear off the face of the Earth and he probably wouldn’t notice or care.

  Mama smacked my arm lightly and hissed my name. I glanced around and saw everyone was standing, ready to sing the final hymn.

  I snatched up the hymn book which was tucked into a slot on the back of the wooden pew in front of me, glanced over mama’s shoulder to see which page hers was open at, and hurriedly located the words in the book in my hands. By then, the congregation was halfway through the first verse.

  As was usual, I mouthed the words of Turn Your Eyes to Jesus, silently. I would never have inflicted my out of tune voice on those who stood around me.

  When the song ended and everyone was seated, Preacher Tom spoke his final words of wisdom and headed for the door. The congregation stood and followed in an orderly manner.

  At the door, he shook hands with parishioners before they stepped outside into the sunlight. When it was my turn, he gathered one of my hands into both of his. He didn’t enquire if I was staying to lunch, he knew mama and I never did. He studied my face and I shifted uncomfortably, wondering what it was he could see.

  “Your love for another shines in your eyes, my child. Ensure you guard your heart so you shall not be hurt.”

  Before I could question the middle-aged man, my hand was released, and he turned to the couple behind me.

  As I descended the steps toward mama, a frown knitted my brows.

  “Why the frown?” Mama asked worriedly. “Has something happened to upset you?”

  I shook my head. “No, just puzzled about something the preacher said to me. I’ll ask him what he meant the next time I speak with him.”

  Mama nodded and indicated the handsome man standing beside her. “You know Christopher.”

  Mr. Parker was the Mayor of Hopeful. An honest man who everyone seemed to like.

  “Of course. It’s nice to have the time to stop and say hello, Mr. Parker, instead of having to rush to open the diner.”

  “Please, call me Christopher. I’m looking forward to spending time with your mother now she won’t be in the diner every hour of every day.”

  “Christopher, it is. Mama tells me you are going to partake of a walk.”

  “Indeed, we may even stop by the well and toss in a coin. It seems wishes do come true when you plead with ghosts from the past and grant them payment for their assistance.”

  I laughed at the superstition which I knew many of the townsfolk believed in. My belief in the power of the stone structure, which sat in the center of town, was very different.

  “Well may you laugh, young lady, but it brought your mother to me after pleading with her for almost a year to spend time with me.”

  “I won’t
argue. I know many choose to believe in the mysterious powers of the well. I’m heading out to see Rowan who has a nasty twisted ankle. Enjoy your afternoon.”

  “We most certainly shall.” Christopher gathered mama’s hand and smiled down at her.

  She returned his smile and I noted the sparkle of happiness in her eyes. A sparkle I hadn’t seen in many years. It warmed my heart to see her so happy.

  “Your mother has finally consented to step out with me, and we are having lunch today at Mrs. Phipps’ boarding house where you are aware, I reside.”

  “I couldn’t hold up under your nagging any longer,” mama joked, and we all laughed.

  I leaned forward and kissed mama’s cheek. “I’ll be back in time for supper at six.”

  She caught my hand and I saw the concern on her face. “Please be careful, my darling. There are so many ne’er-do-well scoundrels lurking in the area these days, waiting to divest innocent people of their valuables. I would be beside myself if you were to be hurt.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Mama, most men of questionable character have moved on. Once they realized there wasn’t enough gold to make them rich, they moved on to the next town in search of their fortune. Mykita is less than a mile from town and I have been out there on my own hundreds of times. Nothing could happen so close to town.”

  “Don’t be so sure, Abigail. Please heed your mama’s words and be careful.”

  I liked Christopher very much and his concern for me showed he cared for me also.

  “She won’t be alone….”

  The deep voice from behind caused me to jump and I spun around to come face to throat with Max.

  “I’ll accompany her out to the ranch and back into town when she’s ready.”

  I flexed my hands at my sides and took a deep breath to calm the anger before I spoke.

  “This woman, who for some reason you believe is incapable of looking out for herself, is more than capable of finding her way out to your ranch and back again. I do not need to be escorted but thank you for your offer. I’m sure you would much rather be with Mildred than playing bodyguard to me.” Sweetness dripped from my lips despite the firmness of my words.

  I turned, placed a kiss on mama’s cheek, again wished her and Christopher a good afternoon and stomped off to where I’d left the buckboard which I’d brought from the livery earlier.

  The chestnut horse, Joy, was contentedly munching on lush green grass and barely glanced up as I approached. I climbed onto the seat, gathered the reins and lightly flicked them on the beast’s back. She snorted, unimpressed with having his tasty meal cut short, but trotted off in the direction of the ranch.

  As we headed off, I heard Max call out, demanding I wait. I ignored him and continued on my way. I had no idea why I was so mad at him, in fairness, he was only looking out for my safety. He’d done nothing wrong. Except – cozy up to Mildred.

  “Ugh, get over it. Max can see any woman he likes. Why does it matter to you?”

  Deep in my heart, I had no doubt why it mattered. I cared about the man a great deal, more than I would ever admit. It hurt to know he didn’t care about me in the same way. A tear rolled down my cheek. I was headed for heartbreak and there was not a darn thing I could do to prevent it.

  MAX

  I ran to where Phantom was standing unhitched and using his rear end, catapulted myself into the saddle. Snatching up his loose reins, I spun him around, urged the beast into a gallop and lit out after Abigail.

  As I rode, I cussed. The woman could be so damned ornery when she set her mind to it. There was obviously a burr under her saddle about something and one way or another, I aimed to find out what was bothering her.

  Phantom’s thundering hooves alerted Abigail to our approach and turning to peer back over her shoulder, I didn’t miss the scowl on her face. When she turned back, it was to urge her horse into a gallop.

  Was the woman loco? It wasn’t safe to gallop a horse attached to a wagon over such rough terrain. I urged my mount to run faster, came alongside the wagon and wrenched the reins from Abigail’s hands before urging both beasts to a stop.

  Abigail sat blowing on her reddened, grazed palms for a moment.

  “I’m sorry about that, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  She didn’t answer but jumped to the ground and stomped toward me. I dismounted, she crashed her hands against my chest, tilted her head back and fire flashed in her eyes as she glared at me.

  My groin picked that exact time to flinch as the thought of how desirable she appeared, flashed through my mind.

  We both stood staring at each other. I was lost for words, confused by my sudden inappropriate feelings for her. To compensate for my confusion, anger at her for endangering her life broke forth.

  “Abigail, what in tarnation did you think you were doing? Have you gone completely loco? If the buckboard had hit a rut in the road, you could have been thrown from the seat and broken your fool neck!”

  “It’s my fool neck to break!” Her face reddened as she shouted back. “I was trying to get away from you, I want to be alone!”

  “Why are you so darn mad at me?”

  “I’m not, I just want to be left alone. I’m an adult in case you hadn’t noticed, and I can make my own decisions. I’d already made it clear to you in town that I didn’t need you to escort me out to the ranch.”

  “I don’t believe you. First you stomp away from me at the diner and now you won’t allow me to keep you company while we ride. Please, tell me what I have done? I thought we were friends and friends can talk to each other.”

  “I’ve told you; nothing is wrong. Now, please allow me to continue on my way – alone!”

  Abigail spun around, hoisted the skirt of her dress and climbed back onto the seat. The sight of her shapely backside as the fabric pulled tight, sent warm tingles straight to my groin with the speed of a bullet. I shifted uncomfortably as my pants suddenly felt far too tight.

  As her horse trotted off, I lifted my hat and dragged fingers through my hair before placing it back on my head. I stood watching as she disappeared into the distance. I was more perplexed than I’d ever been.

  I turned when I heard a buggy approaching, it was ma and pa. Pa pulled alongside where I stood, a questioning expression on his face.

  “Everything okay, son?” He narrowed his eyes and peered into the distance. “Was that Abigail we saw heading off?”

  “Yep. I swear that gal can get madder than a cat with its tail trapped under a chair leg.”

  “Why is she mad, what have you done?”

  Why did ma automatically assume it was something I’d done?

  “That’s just it, ma, I have no idea. Abigail got mad at me at the diner last night and after church, when I said I’d accompany her out to the ranch, she got even madder and told me to leave her alone. She stomped off, jumped in the buckboard and lit out. I caught up with her and stopped the buckboard to ask her what I’d done wrong. She said nothing, she just wanted to be alone.” I shrugged. “I’ve got no idea what she’s fired up about.”

  “What were you talking about at the diner?” Ma asked.

  I thought back. “I said when she stopped working so hard and found a beau, they could have supper with Mildred and me.”

  Ma nodded. “She’ll get over it, she always has.”

  “Get over what? Do you know what’s going on, ma, I’ve never seen her so angry?”

  “Leave her be, son, there ain’t no use trying to figure women out. Just accept it’s your fault and let time take care of it.”

  Ma slapped his arm and growled at him. He spun toward her, rubbing his arm where she’d hit him.

  “It’s true, Grace. Us men are always at fault even if we don’t know what we’ve done wrong. The sooner the young’uns accept that, the better off they’ll be.”

  Ma slapped him again. “That’s because you men are clueless when it comes to us women. Come on, let’s get home. I have steaks and apple pie for dinner.”

&
nbsp; I mounted up and Phantom danced on the spot as I waited for ma and pa to head off. Ma leaned from the buggy and fixed her gaze on me.

  “Your father is right about one thing, Maxwell, give her time and space to sort out her feelings.”

  “Feelings?”

  Ma sat back in the buggy and turned to pa. “See, Patrick, clueless. We’ll see you back at home.”

  Confused about what ma had said, I watched the buggy start forward. After a moment, I spurred Phantom into a gallop and headed for home.

  Chapter Four

  ABIGAIL

  I slowed the horse as we headed up the dirt road toward the sprawling ranch house and slowed to a stop near the front steps leading to the entry door.

  I loved this house with its rolled log walls and large windows. Wooden rocking chairs were dotted along the wide veranda which ran the full width of the home. I’d spent many an afternoon sitting talking with Rowan and her siblings before papa had died. I sighed at the precious memories.

  A man I assumed was one of the hands approached from the stables and came to stand beside me. He was around my height and age, ruggedly handsome, sported a well kept goatee and had dark eyes which appeared to be shadowed – maybe by secrets of the past. He wasn’t familiar but I hadn’t been out to the ranch for almost six years.

  After papa had passed, Rowan had come into town at least twice a week and I’d made time to have coffee with her at the diner. We would often reminisce about the past and what the future might hold for us.

  “Ma’am.” The man tilted his hat as he stood alongside the buckboard which I had yet to climb down from. “The name’s Mike Dunstan.”

  His arms were outstretched, offering to either lift me, or assist me down to the ground. As I opened my mouth to introduce myself, the thunder of horse’s hooves shook the ground. I lifted my head to see Max galloping toward us.

  Once he was close, he drew Phantom to a stop, jumped down and strode to where the other man stood – his arms had dropped back to his sides.