by Stan Himes
“So you’re takin’ horses all the way to Caldwell?” Sally asked.
“Yes, ma’am, sure am.” His eyes flicked to Katie for just a flash and his voice took on a richer tone. “Got a real good business going throughout this whole territory. Very good prospects for an unattached man of nineteen.”
It went on like that. I experienced a strange kind of detachment that I’d never known before. It was like I was two separate Lauries, one participating in the conversation and the other serving as an observer of all involved, noting the nuances of communication between Katie and Parker and enthralled by the effect of their unspoken but obvious love on the rest of us.
The clear esteem for Katie that shined in Parker’s eyes reminded Sally of her early days with Henry. This was before he became a back-door boyfriend whose arrivals were unpredictable and, some would say, immoral. He couldn’t get enough of her during those times, and he not only went to see her by entering through the front door, but he also went out in public with her. They would have dinner, perhaps walk down the street holding hands. It was a courtship. Sally’s memories were warm, but reality had tainted them into melancholy remembrances. Henry’s eyes had wandered. In trying to win him back, Sally had left her back door unlocked and the covers of her bed turned down. She had settled for a fraction of the man’s love and time, and as she watched Katie and Parker she said a silent prayer that they would be devoted to each other always. Sally is a kind-hearted woman.
I noticed that Ruth, however, eyed Parker with a hint of suspicion. At the same time, both Prudence and Ernestine seemed to hang onto every word Parker said and spent a good deal of their time glancing at Katie to make sure Parker’s words met with her approval, though there really wasn’t much doubt of it.
Mary was able to concentrate on the conversation much better than the rest of us. She had flashes of memory about her first meeting with Jonas and she had a mother’s protective instincts regarding Katie, but she was also trail boss, scout, drover and owner of the herd and Parker had information that might prove useful.
“We know we’re in Indian Territory,” she said, “but we have yet to see any.”
“You likely will soon. Where you picked up the Western Trail skirts right up the edge of Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and now you’re in one of the Cherokee areas. You won’t see them until you cross the river, but I’ve no doubt they’ve seen you.”
The thought of running into the Indians was chilling for all of us. Parker was quick to offer reassurance when Katie asked, “What will they do?”
“Don’t fret. They’re a proud people, but their leaders believe in peaceful ways. You’ll have to make an arrangement with them, of course.”
“Arrangement?” asked Mary.
“You see that I brought eight horses? I’m making deliveries for two contracts. One calls for two horses at the Woodward trading post, and three others are for my sale in Caldwell. Two of ’em I ride and use for packing. The last one is for safe passage. I make this trip often, and it’s agreed that I’ll provide a mount to the Cherokee one trip and to the Tonkawa the next.”
“So my husband was right. We’ll be asked to pay a toll.”
“It keeps the peace, and it’s fair, too.” He smiled. “Now I’m not saying they won’t frighten you, because you won’t know they’re there until they want you to know. But as long as you pay what they ask, most likely two, maybe three of your steers, they won’t be a worry.” He looked directly at Katie, his smile fading to concern. “What worries me and should worry you are the gangs this side of Dodge.”
“Have you fought with them?” Katie asked with a catch in her voice.
“No, just heard stories. Several gangs and all of them ruthless. I wish you were on the Chisolm. Still have rustlers, but not as fierce or as rampant.”
Mary shook her head. “We’ll take our chances. Jonas selected the Western because Dodge was more direct than going all the way to Abilene.”
“Why the A, T & SF runs through Newton now. You wouldn’t have to go to Abilene or cross the Kansas River. Don’t matter now, I reckon, since you’re on the Western. But keep it in mind for your next drive.”
Mary groaned and smiled at the same time, and her groan was echoed by several of us. “Oh, Lord, please don’t put me on another one of these. If all the men disappear again, I’ll just point the cattle north and hope they make it on their own.”
The conversation continued a while longer. In all, Parker was with us a little over an hour, but what an hour! He’d made quite the impression on all of us—Katie especially, of course—and I believe we made quite the impression on him—again, Katie especially. If he hadn’t needed to keep moving because of his delivery schedule, I expect he’d have been happy to stay there talking with us forever. As it was, he thanked us for the conversation and the slab of cornbread that Clean Through had offered up, and then he asked Mary and Katie to walk with him to his horses so that he could speak with them privately.
“My father always told me to be direct, and my uncle is the same, so I guess it’s the only way I know how to be. If it’s agreeable to you, Mrs. Bartlett, and not offensive to you, Katie, when we have all finished our jobs, it is my intention to come courting.”
“Why, Mr. Hagen, I’m afraid that I’m already married,” Mary couldn’t resist saying.
“Ma!”
Parker took the joshing in stride and also as a sign that he was not objectionable. “You’re right, I should make my meaning clearer.” For the first time, he took Katie’s hand. “I aim to win your heart, Katie.”
Unlike the storm we’d suffered through at the river crossing, the lightning bolt that ran from Katie’s hand through her arm and into her heart was pure pleasure. Her throat tightened and her voice was just a whisper. “I’d like that.”
“I’d say you already have,” added Mary. Then she stepped up and gently pulled their hands apart, much to the dismay of both. “But for the moment, we all have jobs to do. And though I may be taking Jonas’s place here on the trail, have no doubt that he’s the head of the family. Trust me, before any blessings can take place he will size you up like you’ve never been sized up before.”
Katie’s eyes went wide, but before she could speak, Parker chimed in. “That is more than fair, Mrs. Bartlett.” His eyes moved to Katie. “Provided you’ll let no one else come along and try to steal your heart.”
Katie’s eyes misted over. She could not speak. She looked at her mom for help and Mary rose to the occasion. “It appears there’s none of her heart left to steal.” Katie nodded.
With that, Parker released the breath he was holding and took to his horse. As he started his band of horses in motion, he turned back and said, “You stay safe.” Katie knew the meaning ran deeper.
As I said, Parker’s appearance and his instant attraction with Katie stirred memories and feelings in us all.
Clean Through was a hard man to read. He was always jovial, and he had that air of earthy wisdom that comes natural to some old men. He looked like he wasn’t interested in the distraction, yet he hung on every word. When I asked him what seeing Parker and Katie made him think of, all he said was, “That I was young once.” Later that night, I heard a small clinking sound coming from his wagon, where we all knew he kept a bottle of whisky for medicinal purposes.
The rest of what happened that night was instigated by Katie. Clean Through had stuffed us with a big supper, and Mary had insisted on an early bedtime for all. She wanted everyone rested for the crossing in the morning, and she took the night watch by herself so that we all could be ready. Shortly after she’d gone and after Clean Through’s snores rose from under his wagon, Katie shook Prudence from the hazy sleep she was falling into.
“Katie?”
“Sshhh!!”
“What the devil?”
“Hush and listen. Am I pretty?”
“Of course you are.”
“How was Parker to know it with me covered with so much grime and my clothes soil
ed through?”
“But he did. He took right to you.”
“What if I was lucky? What if next time he sees me he can’t see past all the dirt? What if all he sees is a filthy cowhand? That ain’t what a man wants in a wife.”
Prudence was now wide awake and offered reassurance to her friend. “I don’t think he’ll ever see you as anything but fresh as a daisy. What’s the name of the chubby thing with the love arrow?”
“What? You mean Cupid?”
“That’s it. It was like Cupid emptied his whole quiver into that boy. You’re worryin’ over nothing.”
“Just the same, I ain’t goin’ to let him see me like this again. I’m goin’ down to the river and wash myself but good. Clothes, too.”
“The river? We’re supposed to be sleeping.”
“I can’t sleep knowing Parker seen me like this.”
“I’m tellin’ you, he didn’t mind. And what about your clothes? How are you gonna get them dry by morning?”
“It’s still hot here, same as in Texas. I’ll wring ’em good and hang ’em on a tree.”
“It is hot, and it’s all gone to your head.”
“Come with me.”
“No. Huh-uh, we’re supposed to be sleepin’.”
“Think how well you’ll sleep after a good wash. Come on.”
Katie turned and tiptoed toward the river as fast as she could without making noise. Prudence did just what most teenage girls are apt to do. She followed her friend.
At the river’s edge, Katie whisked off her boots, trousers and shirt. Only a quarter moon showed that night, but it was still bright in the clear sky and the stars radiated like diamonds, the light dancing on the river and upon Katie’s exposed white skin and her undergarments that had at one time been white as well. She moved into the water and held her clothes under for a good soak.
Prudence arrived and began to undress. “I suppose we might have thought to do this earlier in the day if Parker hadn’t been such a distraction.”
“It was a distraction I’ll never forget.”
Prudence joined her in the water and thrust her clothes into the river. “Should’ve brought some lye soap.” Then she squatted into the water so that she was drenched to the neck. “Almost isn’t deep enough for a bath. Feels good, though.”
It’s funny how we could be out in the open range with empty miles in every direction and still struggle to find time alone with a friend. They lounged not only in the water but in each other’s company.
Prudence leaned her hair back into the water. “Wonder if I’ll catch the eye of a handsome horse trader.”
“I assume you mean one lookin’ for a wife, not a horse.”
Prudence shoved out a hand to splash water at Katie. “You know what I mean. I wonder if I’ll ever live in a real house. Not a shack, but a real house that don’t whistle when the wind blows. With a husband that’s not too handsome but just regular and solid and appreciates me. Don’t seem like that’s askin’ too much from life.”
“I bet there’s a man out there right now hopin’ you’ll come into his life. You’ll see.”
“Hope he don’t like a lot of butter, though. I do despise that churnin’.”
As their relaxation and excitement both grew, they were unaware that their voices were rising and their splashes getting splashier. So they nearly jumped out of what little they were still wearing when I said, “Can we join you?”
A moment later, Ernestine and I were in the water, too, trying to stay quiet but carrying on like schoolgirls. With her arms bared, we could see how trim and fit Ernestine was. Growing up carrying boxes and stocking shelves had benefits I’d never imagined. We talked more about the feelings that rose up while Parker was there.
Ernestine was moved to similar dreams as Prudence, except she didn’t want a rugged man. “A storekeeper would suit me just fine.”
“Was your dad a storekeeper like your grandpa?” Prudence asked, a rare question from her that didn’t involve first raising a hand.
“Sure was. My uncle, too. I have a picture of ’em. They always look so much cleaner than most other men, even the preacher. Storekeepers are friendly and mostly quiet. Grandpa hardly yells at all except when we take inventory and he gets tired.”
Prudence seemed to like sharing in Ernestine’s dream and urged her to continue. “Would you help him in the store?”
“Sure. But he’d be taller than me so I wouldn’t be the only one who could reach the top shelf. Smart, too. We’d read books and talk about them, and I wouldn’t feel awkward at all. Wouldn’t that be somethin’?” Her voice had thinned to a whisper, but then it rose as she looked at me. “You think you’ll ever get married, Laurie?”
“Yeah, maybe.”
My lack of enthusiasm made them all stop splashing. “Don’t you want to get married?” Katie asked with a clear level of dismay in her tone.
“It just doesn’t seem all that exciting to me.”
“I guess it might not be to you, havin’ been to St. Louis and all, but it would be to me,” said Prudence as dreams washed over her again.
I got up to hang my clothes on the tree. They almost looked clean in the moonlight. “It would be exciting with the right man, I suppose. But I’ve sure met a lot of dullards, most interested in Dad’s bank more than me. I want more than that. I want to see places. I want to rely on myself like Sally’s able to do.”
“Did I hear my name?” We looked up to see Sally and Pearl wading into the water. When we had first put on our pants and shirts in Edward’s store, I thought they revealed our figures and our curves. They did, but not like wet garments that are generally unmentionable. Pearl’s underthings were old and in two pieces, a chemise that might have been wool and a set of drawers that, well, that could be removed swiftly. Wet and clinging to her body, it was easy to see why men sought her out and why Charlie had hated to see her go. Maybe someday a decent man would cherish the person inside that body. Sally had a newer one-piece garment, most likely crinoline and most likely one she made herself. Once wet, it took on the full curve of her hips. I’m sure she looked beautiful, since she’s a lovely woman, but all I could think about was how comfortable that undergarment looked.
“Sally, even your underwear is perfectly stitched. You won’t have any trouble setting up a new store.”
“Just the same,” she smiled, “I hope folks don’t ask to see my underwear.”
“ I know cowhands are to supposed to celebrate the end of a drive with liquor and gambling,” said Ernestine, “but I agree with Laurie. A new set of underwear sounds pretty good.”
Katie noticed that Pearl was sitting at a little distance from the circle that had formed. “Come in closer, Pearl. Sit by me.”
You might have read a dime novel or even a “penny dreadful” story where a harlot has a heart of gold. Well, Pearl did not have a heart of gold. She had plenty of justifiable bitterness in her soul and she certainly showed no signs of forgiveness or hesitation when she turned a rifle on those three bandits. But for some reason, her heart was as unselfish as a heart can be where Katie was concerned. Maybe Katie reminded her of what she could’ve been. I don’t know and Pearl doesn’t say. What I do know is that the smile she radiated as she moved in beside Katie was brighter than the moonlight.
“That Parker seems like a nice young man. I’m happy for you.”
“Why thank you, that’s very kind,” Katie replied, matching Pearl’s somewhat formal tone.
A moment later Ruth arrived, and Prudence assumed she was in big trouble. Instead, Ruth threw off her clothes and waded in to the relief of Prudence and the laughter of us all. “I may be a bit older than you all, but I ain’t forgot girl talk.”
The conversation continued, but the tone changed as Ruth chimed in. Where the others had leaned on dreams, Ruth leaned on advice. “He looks like a fine man,” she said to Katie. “But you watch out. You be sure.”
She didn’t say much more despite looking like she wanted to. But
when the talk circled back to dreams, Ruth gave Prudence a hesitant look, then a stillness came over her that caught the attention of us all, a stillness of a decision made, of a need to share, of deep wisdom wrapped in deeper hurt.
“This is not somethin’ I should say in front of you,” she began, her eyes looking through Prudence and into memories, “but I reckon it’s best you understand it now. Seein’ that young man, it made me think of when James came courtin’ me. We were poor, my folks and us kids, as poor as they come. Ma and Pa didn’t want me marryin’ James on account of he was poor, too. They wanted somethin’ better for me. But I was used to bein’ poor and figured I might as well be poor and loved. And James did love me. Still does in his way, I know it in my heart. He ain’t a talker, but he ain’t one to lie neither. So the first time I smelled another woman on him, I demanded the truth and he gave it to me all right.” She shivered despite the warm night air. “‘It’s you I love,’” he told me, “‘but sometimes I need to hold a woman with more flesh on her bones.’”
“Oh, Ma,” Prudence whispered, but Ruth kept going.
“It hurt somethin’ fierce. I knew I ain’t been blessed with a body that bounces and wiggles, but I had thought I was woman enough for him. But his roamin’ eyes and cathouse ways…” She wasn’t looking toward Pearl at all, but Pearl lowered her head just the same. “I can’t count the times I’ve cursed myself for lovin’ him anyway.”
If you’ve been picturing Ruth as a scrawny stick, you’ve been correct in your assessment. It was even more apparent with a wet, petite petticoat hugging her wiry frame. Yet she was womanly. Everything about her was tiny, but the curves and proportions were there and had you seen her you’d have cursed James for seeking comfort in other women. How could a man know he’s hurting his wife and family, yet do it anyway? How less poor could they have been if he hadn’t wasted so much money on bubbly whores?