by Sara Lindley
River gave Harrison narrowed eyes and nodded.
“You are a sly one, brother! Sly as the fox! You did not tell me you had married. You are hiding the sun in your house, keeping its light all to yourself.”
Harrison chuckled and waved to Becca.
“Come here Becca! Meet my best friend, Still River…a finer man you’ll never meet.”
Becca skipped down the steps and gracefully walked to her husband. River looked over her generous curves and the beauty of her face and thought Harrison a lucky man indeed to have to love of such a woman. But her eyes held a different story.
“Becca McGann this is Still River. He is the man that will be protecting you and the children while I’m gone.”
Becca reached out and shook his hand and felt an immediate attraction and pull to him. Becca quietly gasped and looked into the eyes of the handsome Indian. Becca looked away and cleared her throat.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Still River. Harrison speaks very highly of you.”
River snorted and shrugged.
“He is my brother! I will do this for him as he would do for me. I will treat you as my own.”
He nodded to her. Harrison lifted his brows.
“I hope not too much like your own. She’s mine till I die!”
River laughed and gripped Harrison’s shoulder.
“I mean as family, Kola. She is your woman…I know this. You are very lucky man. She shines like the Sun.”
Harrison laughed and pointed him towards the ranch house.
“Come in and let’s talk. I got a lot to do in two days.”
CHAPTER TEN
It was a tearful goodbye with shouts to be careful as their cowboys herded the cattle out of the pastureland. Harrison kissed Becca and held her close remembering he hadn’t made love to her for over a week. Every night he had fallen into bed asleep before his head hit the pillow he been so dogged tired.
As guilt slammed into him he promised himself to make up for it when he returned. Show her a little more sweetness. He had been very hard on all of them to get ready for the drive.
Harrison kissed Mazie and hugged Mac making them promise to behave and to obey River and Becca. Turning to River he clasped his arm and hugged him.
“I leave you my family, brother. You take my place while I am gone.”
River grinned and nodded his head.
“All will be well my brother. I promise to keep them and I keep my word.”
Harrison nodded and slapped his back. “I know…I know that for a fact, brother.”
Harrison McGann mounted his bay and took off waving seeming to keep looking back trying to imprint this moment of time on his heart. Becca watched as the drovers whooped and waved their lassos moving the cattle along. The rattle of the chuck wagon with whistles and “Get on there!” were heard until they were well away from the ranch house.
Finally, after it seemed hours of cattle and dust, there was no sound. Just the occasional cry of a hawk. The snuffling and neigh of the horses left for the wagon and riding and of course the milk cow, Mrs. Astor.
Still River stood for the longest time watching in the distance and finally bowed his head.
Becca hugged Mac’s shoulder knowing he wanted to go too.
“Not this time Mac. I need to keep one of my men home to help protect Mazie and me with Mr. River.
“It’s just River, Mama.”
Mac grinned and hugged her waist but he still looked out in the gathering dust far away knowing his Pa would be gone for weeks…perhaps months.
Becca was jerked from her thoughts when a voice sang out from the pasture.
“Hau! Mac! Help me fix the fences! We must keep the ones staying inside.”
River reined his horse in and looked at Becca and grinned.
“Woman! Why are you standing there? There is work to be done! What are we to eat tonight? Must the men work and fix the meal too? It is not good!”
His eyes twinkled with mischief as Becca smirked and fisted her hands on her hips. River turned his horse grinning at her as she blew out steam.
“Well, mister bossy River! There will be plenty of food for tonight! The question now is, will YOU be allowed to eat it?”
River sang out a happy laugh and he waved to Mac to follow him.
River and Mac repaired the fence without any trouble and washed in the horse trough after they had bedded all the horses and milked the cow. The Sun was going down as River pushed Mac to the dining table and was confronted with a feast.
River sat and his eyes traveled over the big plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked onions, chicken gravy and biscuits. He was staring at the food and salivating by the time he sat down.
Becca nodded, giving the go ahead to eat and he started filling his plate as he licked his lips.
He ate like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. Licking his fingers and packing his cheeks like a squirrel.
Becca wanted to laugh but didn’t, she didn’t want to embarrass him.
He obviously knew nothing of etiquette or table manners.
“I hope everything is to your satisfaction. Mac? Mazie? River?”
Mac and Mazie said their thanks. River stopped with a mouthful of food and grunted.
“Good!”
Becca grinned and nodded as she rose from her chair and poured him coffee. River watched her serve him and grinned at Mac. He had never had a woman serve him.
River continued eating biscuits and gravy till Becca thought he surely would bust.
“I have a apple pie for dessert now.”
Becca winked at Mac.
Mac’s eyes glittered. “Oh boy! Pie!”
River looked at her and continued to chew his rather large wad of biscuits and gravy in his mouth. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and grunted.
Becca bit her tongue trying not to say something rude.
River gave her a narrowed eye.
“You. Becca. Do you have more in family?”
Becca blinked at him trying to understand what he was asking.
“Oh! I have and Aunt and Uncle and a sister.”
River eyes lit up. “You have sister? She young or old?”
River ripped another bite of chicken from the bone. He sat and chewed as he took a drink of coffee waiting for her answer.
Becca looked into those blue eyes and felt she could fall into them. He was an extremely handsome man, but those eyes…they looked right into your soul.
Becca wondered if he knew that she didn’t love Harrison. He had stared at her so strangely when they met. Becca swallowed pulling away from his gaze.
“My sister is my age. We are identical twins.”
River dropped his chicken on his plate and sucked his fingers.
“She look just like you?”
Becca cleared her throat. “Yes.”
River eyes narrowed again.
“She cook good like you? Sew? clean?”
Becca wondered where this questioning was going.
“Yes. She can do all that. She is very sweet and fun loving. I love her very much.”
River took another swig of coffee.
“You write her. Have her come here. I will marry her.”
He grunted and nodded and made a hand signal like the decision had been made.
Becca looked shocked and gaped at River. She looked at Mac for help and the boy’s eyes were bugging out. He turned to River and tugged his sleeve.
“Uncle River? Why don’t you write her a letter and ask her to come if you want a wife? That’s what I did to get a Mama. That is…if you really want a wife like Becca…maybe her sister will come.”
River grunted, shot a look at Becca and nodded. “I will write her. What is her name?’
Becca thought about what Nola would say when she got the letter and read his broken English. But then again Nola wanted a ‘real’ man. River was most definitely a very ‘real’ man and although he is a little uncivilized, he is a good neighbor and provided well for himself.
Ashamed of herself, Becca was thinking of him as uncivilized. She knew for a fact that many of her distant relatives in England thought her family uncivilized because of their living in America.
Harrison had said that River was rich as Midas because he doesn’t spend his money. Plus, he is extremely handsome and very hard working.
Becca was a little ashamed that she was surprised to find he kept so clean. His hair and body was always washed and he smelled good like sage or some herb. She also saw him use a twig to clean his teeth. Becca also had to admit to herself that he was another man that had a really nice backside and his blue eyes were captivating. Maybe Nola would like him even if he was mostly Sioux Indian. Becca smiled at River.
“Her name is Nola. Short for Niccola.”
River grunted.
“Nola. Good name. Good! I will write her.”
Mac giggled.
“I’ll help you if you want, Uncle River.”
River nodded.
“Good. Thank you Mac.”
Becca looked down and ate her dinner wondering what on earth she had started now. Maybe it would be a good way to get Nola here with her. She shrugged thinking time would tell.
After dinner Still River dried the dishes as Becca washed them with him staring at her. She found his silence a little unnerving but he was quick and careful with the dishes, so she couldn’t complain.
Becca suggested he get busy writing his letter. So he took paper and pen sitting by the fire thinking about what he wanted to say. Mac sat by him and was making suggestions on how to impress her so she would come to Colorado Territory.
River finally finished his letter around ten and looked at it with satisfaction. The children went to bed reluctantly. Becca’s curiosity was killing her and she wanted to read it badly.
“Mr. River? Would you mind if I read it?”
Becca bit her lip waiting for his growl she found he liked to make when he didn’t like something.
River looked at her and narrowed his eyes.
“My name is Still River or just River. And you can read…”
He yanked the letter away from her reaching hands.
“…only if you promise to no make fun.”
Becca smiled and nodded.
“Of course I promise. I wouldn’t think of it.”
Liar!
River set the letter in her hands, gently handing it to her. Becca took it and nodded.
As she read the letter her heart melted and opened to this beautiful diamond in the rough named Still River.
She would have never in a million years thought this Indian man could have a sweet romantic nature hidden under all that horse manure he spit out. Nola was going to have a lot of fun with this one if she takes the bait. She read through the letter again as she melted inside.
To Miss Nola Hutchins,
Richmond Virginia
Dear Nola Hutchins,
I am Still River and I am neighbor to your sister Becca and her very happy husband Harrison McGann. After meeting your sister and have watched how happy my friend is with her. I have decided I want to be that happy too.
I am a horse and cattle rancher like Harrison, but I raise horses for the army. I have large ranch where I grow wheat, beans and hay. I have many acres of land like Harrison and have good profits.
I am Sioux who had white mother. My father was Sioux and he was a good man. He was a brave warrior who love my white mother very much. I would wish to have a wife to love me as he did.
I am tall and big. I look like a Sioux but I have blue eyes of my mother.
After I speak with your sister, she told me of you being her twin and that you might be want to come to Colorado Territory to marry. If this is truth, I would be very happy to send for you to marry me.
Harrison’s Becca has told me you are good cook like her. Also like to sew and keep house.
I want wife like my friend has and would like many children.
I would wish for wife as stubborn and brave as Becca and I would provide a good home for you and maybe you take care of me like Becca cares for Harrison and we be happy.
Maybe someday you love me like Becca love Harrison. Becca is very loving to her family.
She makes the sun shine in her house with her sweet smiles. I see she is a good woman and she takes good care of Harrison and he is smiling again after many years of sadness.
I wish for this kind of woman. I would love and cherish you.
Think on this Nola Hutchins, and if you want, I will pay for you to come to me.
With warm feelings in my heart for you,
Still River
Becca sniffed and wiped her eyes. She wasn’t about to tell River she didn’t love Harrison. She cared for him sure…she was his wife. But love was not there and her heart was still her own. River looked worried at her tears.
“Is letter that bad?”
She looked at this rough, bossy man and saw him in a new light. Under all his bluster, he was a true romantic that was desperate for love and affection. Nola would love him if she could get past his bossy attitude.
“No River. It is a very, very good letter. If you had sent this letter to me, I would have come instantly. I think Nola just might fall in love you if you aren’t careful just by reading your letter. I had no idea you were such a big romantic man!”
River softly smiled and blushed. Becca was astonished. She had no idea that with his skin color he could blush. She handed back the letter and filled out the address.
“Preacher Paul is going to Lamar this weekend. Take it to him and he’ll send the letter.”
River smiled and nodded. Becca placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Good night. River. Would your lock up the house for me?” River nodded and smiled at her.
“You are good woman Becca with kind eyes.”
Becca checked on the children and they were sawing logs. She went to her own bed already missing Harrison. Becca sighed falling into a deep sleep.
She dreamed of arriving on the train at the station in Lamar and holding a hand as she stepped off onto the platform she grasped the large hand. Her eyes followed the red copper arm just as she did when she first arrived in Colorado Territory. The large arm was attached to Still River! Still River smiled at her and tipped his hat. Becca woke smiling but frowned at remembering the dream. What in the world? How strange!
She jumped out of bed and got dressed ready to meet the day giggling about River’s letter to Nola and wondering just how she would she respond. Becca sat at her desk and wrote a short note to her twin telling herself it was just to help out.
Dear Nola,
After being married to Harrison, our married life became a subject of interest to Still River. He started asking me questions and before I knew it, he wanted to send for you to come to him.
I will say this about River. He is an extremely bright and attractive man.
Harrison said he speaks four languages and can do numbers in his head that would stagger you. Harrison laughs about how canny a businessman he is and that he is rich as Midas.
You wanted a real man? Here he is! I think any woman would be happy with him and you can see from his letter, he is a hopeless romantic. He is a true diamond in the rough, Nola. He is a man who truly desires love and affection from a good woman.
I wish I had a tintype to show you just how handsome he is. He is a giant of a man and very well muscled. He has the most beautiful skin color of a red copper and his hair is so black it shines blue in some light. He has extremely captivating eyes of brilliant blue.
If you decide to come, you will stay with us till you decide if you wish to take on this job of loving Still River. He is a wonderful man, but so bossy! But in his defense…he is a man I would take in a minute if not for my Harrison.
Now for some points about River you might find strange or unsettling because of his heritage and upbringing.
He stares and growls at you to try to intimidate you to get his way.
He still eats with
his hands and is uncomfortable with using eating utensils except for a big knife.
He wipes his mouth on his sleeve. (So does Harrison if he thinks you aren’t looking.)
He stuffs his cheeks like a squirrel to eat and then grunts or growls at you while chewing.
He still wears his buckskins and his loincloth. Yes, no underwear.
He will laugh at you if he thinks what you said is foolish. He isn’t making fun of you personally, he is just laughing at what you said.
All of these things used to bother me but now that I have gotten to know him, they are endearing little flaws I have come to accept as part of his personality. He really is a dear and just needs some training and tender loving care. He needs a very stubborn woman to stand up to him for he respects bravery.
Think about it. I await your decision.
Love,
Becca
P.S. If you come and decide against River there are plenty of other fine men here to see if they would suit you.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Nola was sitting on the porch with her feet up drinking her lemonade when Auntie Marcie arrived back from her errands. She jumped out of the carriage waving a letter.
“We have another one from Colorado Territory!”
Nola almost wanted to scream. Becca had gone to Colorado Territory and married Harrison McGann and was so happy, Nola was feeling just a little jealous.
Why can’t I find a man that is interesting and handsome. Someone I really would be proud to have as a husband. A ‘real’ man that would appreciate me and still be a challenge!
“Another letter Auntie? Here. Let me have it. Let’s see what she says.”
She ripped open the envelope and two letters fell out. Nola recognized Becca’s handwriting first and read that one and then slowly opened the other and started to read.
Auntie Marcie was dying of curiosity.
“Well? What did she say?”
Nola grinned.
“I can’t believe it! Auntie! It’s a letter from Becca and another letter that is a marriage proposal from Becca’s neighbor!”
Auntie Marcie clapped and squealed.