Stepping into the dining room, he reached inside the buffet, drawing forth a pale straw bonnet, crested with a circlet of flowers around its crown.
“I like this one better, Rosemary. Try it on.”
“It’s awfully bright, isn’t it?”
He tilted his head to one side. “I reckon I’d call it cheerful.”
“I’ll save it for Sunday church,” she decided. “Put it aside and fetch my black straw.”
“Can’t do that, sweetheart.” He held out the new bonnet, his jaw firmly set, as if he begged an argument from her.
“What did you do with my black straw?” Her tone was ominous as she set her toe to tapping on the bare floor, one hand propped on her hip.
“Burned it. I stuck it in the woodstove and used it for firewood.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said, emphasizing each word.
He shrugged. “I guess you better believe it, Rosemary. It’s God’s truth. That poor old hat was so battered and beaten to a pulp, it wasn’t worth another wearing.”
She eyed him for a moment, her mouth twitching as if she couldn’t decide whether to smile or grumble at him again. Then, one hand reached for the straw bonnet he held, its flowered brim looking incongruous in his big hands.
She tied it in place, tilted it a bit, brushing at the brim with her fingertips. “What do you think?”
His grin was wide, his mouth generous as he bent to touch his lips to hers. Reluctantly, he released her, aware that the day would be long.
“I think you look like a bride, Mrs. Tanner. Let’s go to town.”
Chapter Eleven
“Tanner!” From every side, it seemed, voices lifted to call his name, and hands lifted to greet the couple who rode into town. Rosemary sat erect, shunning the protective arm Tanner had eased behind her shoulders. Her easy smile had become a painful grimace by the time the buggy reached the general store, and she slid from the seat quickly.
“You want me to go in with you?” Tanner leaned in her direction and she shook her head at his offer.
“No, you go on and see to your business. Just pick me up here in half an hour.” That would surely be long enough to satisfy the curiosity of the womenfolk who regularly gathered here each weekday morning.
She was met by a chorus of greetings, her entry into the store announced by the overhanging bell that rang with each swing of the door. Pip cast her a commiserating glance, looking down from her ladder.
“Didn’t you steal a march on all of us?” Bernice Comstock said joyously. “Don’t think you’ll get away without a wedding shower. The preacher’s wife is already making plans.”
From beside the rack of crockery and cookware, Dex Sawyer shot her a look of amusement. Surely he wouldn’t approach her, Rosemary thought, hastily turning from his gaze. But it was too much to hope for.
From behind her, Dex’s well-modulated tones spoke his words of congratulations and surprise. “You’ve set the whole town on its ear, Miss Rosemary. May I offer my best wishes?”
She ducked her head, unwilling to meet the scrutiny of this man who had come close to making an offer of sorts himself.
“Thank you, Mr. Sawyer. Calling attention to myself was never my intention. I’d hoped for my wedding to be simple and the celebration private.”
“I’m sure it was,” he said, amusement curling each word as if he sought to be let back into her good graces.
“Ignore him, Rosemary. He’s just being snippy because he burned up his only kettle yesterday and has to pay out hard cold cash for another.” Pip had climbed down from her ladder, approaching quietly. Her arm circled Rosemary’s waist and she embraced her quickly, whispering in her ear.
“You’ll be old news by next week. Just keep smiling.”
“Well, I certainly hope so.” Rosemary drew in a deep breath. “Now, to get down to business. I need all kinds of things for the children, Pip. Tanner traced their feet on a piece of paper, and they need underwear and at least three changes of clothing each.”
Pip sniffed and sighed, wiping her eyes with the corner of her apron. “They won’t know how to act, will they? I doubt either of them has had new kicks in their entire lives. Let alone something to wear that didn’t come out of the missionary barrel.”
Rosemary’s mouth twisted in silent response, thinking of herself as a young girl digging in that selfsame barrel for some decent clothes. Resolve stiffened her spine.
“I might just find myself a new outfit this morning, too, while I’m at it. I’m tired of frumpy hand-me-downs from folks who buy new and ready-made.” Her head tilted, jaw clenching firmly as Pip grinned her agreement.
“About time, I’d say, Miss Gibson. Your pa was always so willing to give to everyone else, he forgot that his daughter could use a little pick-me-up once in a while.”
Bernice Comstock approached, carrying a bolt of chambray. “I heard that Tanner took those poor Pender children home.” She leaned closer, and her voice softened. “Mr. Comstock said that Nate Pender got roaring drunk last night, too, and threatened to ride out and take them back.”
Rosemary’s eyes widened as she exchanged glances with Pip. “We haven’t seen hide nor hair of him.”
“Don’t worry, the sheriff slung him in a cell to sleep it off. You ought to be forewarned, though. He’s been known to be a nasty drunk in his time.”
A chill traced its way down Rosemary’s spine. “I’ve seen the results of his meanness, Mrs. Comstock. Poor Scat is a mass of bruises.” She turned back to Pip. “I need to see some dresses for Anna, first.”
“She’s not very big is she?” Pip asked, pulling out a large glass container, brim full with checked and striped garments. She lifted an armful to the counter-top. “Take a look at these. They’re all of a size, should fit most five-or-six-year-olds. With a pinafore over the top, they’ll fit her, even if they’re cut wide.”
Rosemary’s fingers touched the closely woven fabric, admiring the pink checks that would bring out the color in Anna’s face. “I’ll take this one,” she said, lifting the dress high to better admire the puffed sleeves and full skirt. “And a blue stripe, I think. Then I want something in lawn, very soft, for Sunday. Oh, and a plain pinafore for everyday, and a ruffled one for Sundays.”
She smiled as she considered her choices, then leaned over the counter, speaking softly. “Tanner said he’d go to church with me, and take the children.”
Pip’s brow lifted. “You mean it? Tanner’s going to make an appearance in church?”
Rosemary nodded. “That’s what he said on the way to town. He said to find decent shoes for both children.” Rosemary rummaged in her reticule, coming up with the piece of brown paper that bore the tracings of Scat’s and Anna’s feet.
“Boots for Scat and black shoes for Anna, I think.”
“Seems like Tanner’s investing a pile of money in two children who aren’t even his own,” Geraldine Frombert observed.
Rosemary bristled. “Tanner’s a good man. He’s not worried about a return from his investment, Mrs. Frombert.”
Pip stepped up with a pile of overalls across her arm, speaking hastily. “Here, Rosemary. Take a look at these for size. Scat’s not big around, but he looked to me like he was shootin’ up, last time I saw him.”
“Yes, all right.” Rosemary held up a pair of overalls, discarded them as too short and picked up the next. “I want two shirts for everyday and one for Sunday for him, too, Pip.”
“Don’t forget socks and underwear,” Dex Sawyer reminded her from the end of the counter where he stood with his choice of the kettles on display. “I declare, Mrs. Tanner, you ought to find yourself a new dress, too. I’ll warrant you’d look nice in a pink check like the one you picked out for the little girl.”
Pip leaned across the counter. “We’ve already agreed on the new dress part, Mr. Sawyer. And he’s right, Rosemary. Pink would be a good color on you.”
As if she succumbed to the joint coaching, Rosemary nodded slowly. “Maybe
a stripe would be better though.” She looked up at Pip. “You don’t think it would be too frivolous, a woman my age wearing pink?”
“I’ll bet Tanner would like it,” Pip whispered. “I doubt he thinks you’re too old to look pretty. He sure pondered over that new bonnet you’re wearing.”
The pile of clothing grew with the additions Dex had mentioned, and Pip was busily sorting through the rack of ladies fashions when the door opened with a bang. The bell rang loudly and Rosemary sensed, even before his voice called to her, that the newest customer was Tanner.
“You all set here?” he asked, his boots sounding harshly against the wooden floor. “We need to head back to the ranch, honey. Sheriff said Nate Pender left his cell this morning muttering about Scat and Anna. I won’t be surprised if he shows up.”
“I’d have thought Oscar would have better sense than to let Nate loose, after the show he put on last night at the Golden Slipper,” Dex remarked. He leveled a warning look at Tanner. “He said some pretty nasty things about you, and about Miss Rosemary here. I’d keep an eye out.”
Tanner nodded. “I meant to give you money, Rosemary,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “Figure it up, Pip.”
Pip made a bundle of the clothing, wrapping it in brown paper tied with several lengths of twine. She accepted Tanner’s money and doled out his change, then caught at Rosemary’s arm. “I put in a dress for you, too.”
“I hadn’t decided for sure,” Rosemary whispered.
“Well, I decided for you.” Pip waved a farewell as Rosemary hurried to the door, where Tanner waited with a definite lack of patience.
The ride home was accomplished rapidly, the mare keeping up a good pace. “I’d thought to enjoy this trip,” Tanner said. “It looks like we’re going to have to keep a sharp eye out for Nate. I want you to keep the gun loaded behind the kitchen door.”
“I’ve never fired a gun,” she said, her gaze caught by the somber cast of Tanner’s features.
He turned toward her. “You can learn soon enough. Mama Pearl can hit a rabbit at a hundred yards. I’d lay odds she could scalp Nate Pender, one hair at a time, if she’d a mind to.”
“You’re frightening me,” Rosemary said. “I didn’t think this far ahead. Why do you suppose he’s so set on getting those children back? He doesn’t even like them.”
“Sheriff Rhinehold told me that Jason cut off Nate’s supply of booze at the saloon last night. Told him it was cash on the barrelhead from now on.”
“He’s not much on working for a living, is he?”
Tanner shook his head. “No, and now that things are out in the open, he’ll be hard put to find odd jobs.”
“I wish he’d leave town,” Rosemary said wistfully. “I didn’t think I’d ever have children of my own.” She reached for him, her fingers finding purchase on his forearm. “I can love Scat and Anna enough to make up for losing their mother. Don’t you think?”
He shifted the reins to his left hand, his right arm circling her waist. He drew her closer, and she dropped her hand to clasp his thigh. Hard, muscular and heavy, the muscles clenched beneath her fingers, and she felt a moment’s pause as she considered the intimacy of her touch.
“You could do most anything you set out to. Look what you’ve done to me.” He sent her a grin, and she ducked her head. “I mean it, Rosie. You’ve got me sayin’ grace at the table, and those men of mine think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’ve even got Tipper writin’ to his ma every week.”
“She was so pleased that he’s been going to church. Don’t forget, you said you’d go with us this Sunday,” she reminded him.
“Yeah, I did, didn’t I?” His gaze was on the road ahead. “My mother used to take me every week.”
Rosemary was silent, her fingers moving against the rough denim of his trousers.
“I used to wonder where she went, when she left here. She just walked down the road one day, and I never saw her again. My pa held on to me and told me I was too big to cry. Guess I was. Must’ve been thirteen, maybe fourteen.”
“I can’t imagine a mother leaving her son behind.”
“Well, I learned young not to depend on anybody else. I’ve never seen a woman yet could be trusted when the chips are down,” he said, his voice rough, his face a mask. He removed his arm from behind her and snapped the reins over the back of his mare. “We’re almost there. Hope we beat Nate Pender to the punch.”
It was a vain hope. Nate had been and gone, and only by sheer good luck had he escaped in one piece.
“Couldn’t get a good shot,” Mama Pearl grumbled. “What with Anna cryin’ in the kitchen behind me, and Cotton raisin’ the roof out by the spring-house, things were in a fair way to bein’ disagreeable all the way around. Nate rode up, ugly as sin, all whiskery and lookin’ like he just crawled out of a pigpen, and first off, Scat ran howlin’ from the barn, lookin’ for his sister.”
“He didn’t get hurt?” Rosemary asked, as Mama Pearl drew breath.
The brightly colored turban tipped Rosemary’s way, and Mama Pearl laughed aloud. “Naw, that boy can run like greased lightning. Ol’ Cotton snatched him and shoved him in the springhouse, and grabbed up an ax from the woodpile.”
“See, sweetheart. I told you you were gettin’ gray hair for nothin’,” Tanner said, grinning widely.
“Anyway, Nate slid offa his horse and came toward the porch, and when he saw me aimin’ the gun at him he hid behind his horse.” Mama Pearl made a disgusted face. “Biggest coward in six counties, I swear. Then, what with Cotton and Scat out beyond him and Anna behind me, I didn’t get to pull a trigger.”
“Probably the sight of you with a rifle in your hand was enough to send him on his way,” Tanner surmised.
“I ’spect he was lookin’ to see the preacher’s daughter here, and thought he could snatch his young’uns and run.”
“He was probably still about half-lit and didn’t know what the hell he was doin’,” Tanner said, shaking his head.
“Do you think he’ll let us be?” Rosemary asked hopefully.
“Maybe.” Tanner allowed.
Mama Pearl looked doubtful. “I’m keepin’ this gun handy, no matter what. And this baby’s stayin’ close by.” Anna sat at the table, a piece of bread in one hand, a glass of milk in front of her, wide-eyed and listening.
“Scat takes care of me,” she announced. “He never lets Pa hurt me.”
Rosemary’s heart twinged with sorrow at the child’s words. That Scat had been the whipping boy was a given. Only time would tell what scars their life with Nate Pender would leave on these two.
“I hate to tell you folks this, but Nate has a right to his children. There’s no law against whippin’ your own child, and unless Nate gets in trouble some other way, you’re pret’ near obliged to give him back his young’uns.” Sheriff Rhinehold stood on the porch, hat in hand and spoke to Rosemary through the screen.
“Tanner around?” he asked, his big hands smoothing the edge of his hat brim before he replaced it on his head.
Rosemary nodded. “He’s out beyond the barn.”
“You alone in there?” Oscar asked, peering past her into the shadowy kitchen.
“No, Mama Pearl’s in the dining room, and Anna’s upstairs.”
“Well, nobody’s told Nate that the judge ruled against you folks, and I doubt anyone’s gonna run right out and give him the news. But you want to be ready if he shows up.”
“I don’t think I can just hand him these children,” Rosemary said, sensing a loss of strength in her legs as she considered what might happen.
“Just wait and see,” Oscar advised. He turned from her, heading toward the barn and the large corral behind where Tanner worked with his colts.
“I won’t go with him.” Scat appeared at the end of the porch, his face dark with anger, brows drawn low. “No matter what any judge has to say, Anna and me ain’t gonna live with Pa any more. I’ll just pack up our stuff, and we’ll hea
d west.”
Rosemary’s heart went out to the boy, so brave and so alone in the world. So young to be the champion of another, at an age when he should still be able to depend on adults for protection and love.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Scat,” she promised.
Scat sat on the edge of the porch, his legs swinging. “You won’t be able to do much about it, Miss Rosemary, if Pa finds out what the judge said.”
“Let’s wait and see what Tanner says before you make any plans to leave us.”
Scat looked up, his expression bleak as he nodded briefly, then bent his head once more. It was more than Rosemary could bear, to see the boy in such despair, yet determined to protect his sister any way he could.
She opened the screen door and stepped onto the porch. “Can I sit by you?”
His shoulders shrugged, and accepting that small sign as agreement, Rosemary smoothed her skirts and sat on the edge of the porch, swinging her legs in rhythm with the boy beside her. With a tentative gesture, she enclosed his shoulders in a loose embrace, unwilling to encroach, and then realized that she feared for naught.
With a soft cry, Scat turned to look at her, making no attempt to hide the tears that gathered in his eyes.
“I’m scared, Miss Rosemary. If it was just me, I’d be gone already. But I don’t know if I can take care of Anna, all by myself. I wish I was bigger, so I could get a job.”
“Oh, Scat.” There were no words to express the compassion that burgeoned within Rosemary’s breast. She bent her head to touch his, placing a kiss against the tanned forehead. “I wish things were different for you. Can’t you trust Tanner to know what to do?”
He shook his head. “Tanner can’t help if he’s in jail, and that’s what’ll happen if he don’t do like the judge says, I’ll betcha.”
“Please don’t run, not now,” Rosemary begged.
The boy hesitated, then tilting his head to better meet her gaze, he nodded. “All right. I’ll stay for now, but if Pa shows up and tries to take us back, I’ll run, and take Anna with me, Miss Rosemary.”
The Bachelor Tax Page 14