Stanley righted the table. “Either way, I expect you to keep a close eye out here. That’s your job after all.”
“That’s partly true, Mr. Cooley. But there’s an entire town under my jurisdiction. Believe me, there’s plenty to keep me busy with the saloons alone. Some rough characters come through these parts.”
“I appreciate you taking the time to ride all the way out here.” I nodded at Stanley. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Cooley?”
Stanley muttered something and stomped out the door.
“Tell you what I can do, Mrs. Roberts. The government has placed a few new lawmen in the area to help with the overflow of work. There’s a new man who started last week. I’ll tell him to check on you as often as possible. That should give you some peace of mind.”
“It certainly would. Thank you.”
Outside, the sheriff offered his hand to Stanley, who only waved him off and walked away.
After the sheriff rode away, Stanley helped me tidy the house.
“You’re a mean old thing, Mr. Cooley,” I teased, dotting a finger-full of spilled flour on his nose. “But I like you that way.”
*****
When Daniel returned, it was impossible to assure him everything was all right.
“What do you mean he can send someone to keep an eye out here? You’re in the middle of nowhere.” He picked up the rifle and looked down the sight line. “You have to protect yourself.”
“But I can’t walk around with a gun hooked to my skirt.” This was not the homecoming I’d imagined, but his concern and frustration were understood since he wasn’t here to protect us.
“I’m sleeping in here,” he said and then averted his eyes. “I mean … on the floor. If that’s okay with you.”
“That should be all right. Just for a night or two until things simmer down.”
Over supper, we tried to keep the conversation away from the damage to the house and our hearts. Most of the items could be replaced or repaired, except for my painting and the rocking chair. I didn’t want William to know what happened to his handcrafted gift. I had brushed away the loose shards of glass from my mother’s picture so she would continue to have a presence in my home.
Daniel told us about all he had seen on his travels to the south, then looping back to the west toward the northern part of the territory. Towns, farms, and ranches covered the territory like a patchwork quilt. Fences and roads crisscrossed the land—the thread tying it together. He flipped through his sketchbook and showed us the wealth of drawings—wide-stretching landscapes, some hilly and tree-filled, others flat and barren.
The detailed sketches of the people he encountered were fascinating. Young, old, black, white, men, and women. Almost all appeared tired and poor. Amazing how hard times showed on the faces of those who must face it daily.
Daniel and George Hardy proved a strong team. Though not the entertaining companion like Finn, George was a master photographer and captured the essence of the people and how they had changed the landscape forever.
“The hard part will be deciding which photographs to paint. My boss will have plenty…” His voice trailed off. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to sound insensitive. The Globe will get the quality story they sent George and me to do.”
“Makes perfect sense.” An encouraging smile for a hardworking and dedicated man would have been the proper response, but it was no use. “Now that you’re finished, when are you leaving?”
Wesley excused himself from the table. “I’m gonna talk to Jim and Becky.” He lifted the lantern from the hook. “You two need to talk.”
Daniel and I couldn’t help but grin. “It’s dark out there, so you stay close, young man,” I called after him.
*****
The time to talk was helpful. Daniel and I shared our concerns, worries, and even fears. We also talked about our hopes and dreams. It was apparent both of us longed to be together and couldn’t imagine a future without the other. How we would make that happen would take more time.
“You and Wesley could come back to Boston with me.” He reached across the table and laid his hand on mine. “I have a good job, and you could teach, but …” He lowered his head.
“What’s wrong, Daniel?”
“You have a gift to teach, and the children love you. But if you want to be a teacher, then we couldn’t marry, or you’d most likely be dismissed from the profession. That’s just the way of things.” One corner of his mouth turned upward. “I hadn’t planned it this way, but I suppose that was somewhat of a proposal.”
The jumble of emotions and thoughts kept me silent until they had time to settle in my mind. “I’m not sure how to respond … if that was a proposal.” I slipped my hand away from his. “First of all, being a widow less than a year, it wouldn’t be proper for me to consider marrying until more time has passed.”
“My sincere apologies. I should have—”
“And you’re right. I do love the children, and I am a good teacher. That’s why it works here. No one cares—at least until the school system becomes formalized—if I’m married or not. I even make our own lessons and calendar. As long as the children are learning and happy going to school, that’s all that matters.” I tucked my hands in my lap to keep them from shaking. “Besides, leaving here and living in a big city on the other side of the country wouldn’t fit.”
“For me either. At least not anymore.” Daniel’s voice was soft, but his words were spoken with assurance. “Even though my home has been the city for a long time, it’s different in the West.” He stood and circled the table. “Here, I can see forever. It’s easier to breathe, and the sun shines brighter.” He knelt beside me and looked into my eyes. “It would be hard for most to understand, but coming here has set me free, especially when we’re together.”
My fingers touched his cheek and then ran across his lips. “I’m free as well. Especially when I’m with you.”
He pulled me closer, and our lips met. We were together at last. And truly free.
*****
The tender moment ended abruptly. Outside, Wesley screamed, and the pungent smell of smoke seeped into the house. The dog barked wildly and tugged at its rope as Daniel ran out the door. I followed, nearly falling over the remains of the rocking chair.
“Wesley!” My scream shot into the darkness. The only light was from the flames shooting from the roof of the barn, lashing like a dragon’s tongue in a storybook. But the smoke and stench burned my eyes and nostrils. This was not a story or my imagination. This was real.
“Wesley!” I screamed again and ran toward the barn.
Daniel pushed the wide door aside on its hinges and ducked inside. As I tried to follow, a burst of heat nearly threw me to the ground, stumbling and gasping for air.
As I called their names, everything fell into slow motion. The crackling of the wood and sizzling of the tarpaper from the roof was the only response.
I righted myself in time to see Daniel rush from the barn with Wesley over his shoulder. He shoved my son into my arms. When he spoke, the angst in his voice erupted from a horrible and dark place. “He’s all right, but both of you need to get away from here.” Daniel turned and ran back into the barn.
“No!” I called after him. Terror from some unknown place ripped through my body.
“Mama!” Wesley tried to wriggle from my arms. “Jim and Becky!”
My arm went around Wesley’s waist and held him in place. “You can’t go after them.” My voice cracked, and the tears came in a flood.
Protect Daniel, dear Lord, please …
It must have been seconds, but it felt like time stopped altogether. A moment later, Jim emerged from the barn, snorting and tossing his head as he trotted into the open air.
“Where are they, Mama?” Wesley buried his face in my lap.
I wanted to bury my face as well, fall away to another world where evil couldn’t find me. But as I held tightly to Wesley, a figure staggered from the door, tugging a confused and sc
ared cow.
“Stay put!” I yelled at Wesley above the roar of the fire. My command was firm, and then I ran to Daniel.
He could barely walk, staggering from side to side, but I knew he wouldn’t leave the animal to be consumed by the smoke and fire. I took the rope from his hand. Becky resisted my pulls and dug her front hooves into the dirt. In that instance, the compromised barn moaned and leaned in our direction like a looming monster from a horrific dream. The reality that it would fall in our direction and crush whatever was in its way flashed in my mind. Dropping the rope, leaving Becky, and pulling Daniel to safety was the only option.
Maybe it was the air or seeing her friend Jim, but as if released from a giant slingshot, the cow lunged forward and sprinted toward the field. With my shoulder positioned under Daniel’s arm, I half dragged him away from the fire.
“Wesley, get some water and dishcloths.” I pushed out the words through the soot caught in my throat.
Daniel fell onto his hands and knees and coughed violently. The back of his neck was blackened, and his hair was matted, thick with ash.
“Here, Mama.” Wesley set a bucket of water next to me. He handed me the cloths, and I dipped them in the water. I tried to place a dampened cloth on Daniel’s neck, but he winced. When his coughing subsided, he rolled onto his side and drank from the bucket.
There was nothing we could do except watch the fire consume the remainder of the barn. The three of us held one another tightly, and with a raspy voice, Daniel prayed for us—thanking the Lord we were alive.
*****
It hadn’t taken long for the remnants of smoke to reach the Cooley ranch and, before we knew it, Nate, Ben, Stanley, and Anna were at our side.
“I’m sorry about the barn. You worked so hard building it.” I hugged Ben as the dwindling flames illuminated his face in the darkness.
“We’ll build you another.” He returned the hug. “That can be replaced.”
He was right. A barn could be raised again. Jim and Becky would have another shelter, and the burns on Daniel’s neck would heal—though the next few weeks would be painful.
“Aloe. That’s what we’ll need to get from Adahy first thing in the morning.” Stanley helped Daniel remove his charred shirt.
“You know of him?” I asked. “He was the one who healed the Andersons’ baby.”
“I’ve known Adahy for years. He’s cured many of my ranch hands from various ailments. He used to be further south with the Cherokee until they got moved to the Eastern Wasteland. Poor soul. He isn’t entirely part of his tribe since he’s chosen to help the whites, and he doesn’t have the legal right to be part of the white man’s world.”
When Nate joined the group, he held a broken lantern, his shirtsleeve wrapped around his hand. “It’s still piping hot, but it looks like it could have started the fire.”
“Oh, Wesley, didn’t you fasten it to the hook? You know how careful you have to be around hay.” Scolding him at the moment was wrong, but he needed to understand the seriousness of his actions.
His little body shuddered. “I don’t remember. I was gonna go in the barn. But then I saw fireflies in the grass over by the plow.” His eyes welled with tears. “Something in the barn made a strange noise, and when I opened the door … it was all smoky.”
“The boy’s telling the truth, Mary.” Stanley pointed to the plow resting near the garden. “Son, is that your lantern over there?”
Wesley wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve. “Yes, sir.”
“Then whose is this?” Nate held the lantern higher. “It was on the side of the barn, just outside the window, or at least, where the window used to be.”
Daniel stood slowly as if every movement took great effort. I feared he might be injured worse than we thought. “Let me see that, Nate.” He turned the lantern around a few times. “This doesn’t belong to you, Mary.”
“What are you saying, Daniel?” His silence scared me.
Stanley stepped forward. “He’s saying someone set this fire on purpose.” He pulled his pistol from his holster and cocked the gun. “Whoever it is … they ain’t playing around.”
*****
Stanley insisted we stay at his home for the rest of the night. None of us argued as the inside of my house reeked of smoke. We were all exhausted, and Daniel, though quiet, was noticeably in pain. Wesley was determined to bring along Jim, Becky, and the dog, so our short walk to the Cooley’s turned into a journey.
When we climbed the staircase and headed to separate bedrooms, I kissed Daniel on the cheek. It wasn’t a proper thank you for saving my son’s life and rescuing the animals from a cruel death, but that night we didn’t need any other words.
We knew our love was enough.
CHAPTER 40
Mary ~ Past, July 18, 1894
Perhaps it was the featherbed and soft pillows, but I didn’t wake until the sun had been up for several hours. A survey of the room showed it to be clean and orderly, with fresh linens hanging next to the washbasin and a faded quilt draped over the arm of a chair. Like the rooms downstairs, it was void of any personal touches, but it was welcoming. It was as though the house was patiently waiting for happiness to return, to slip in its windows like a ray of sunshine.
I soaked a cloth in the basin and held it to my face. My hair smelled of smoke, and soot defined faint wrinkles I hadn’t noticed before. A frown caused the lines to deepen. Who was so intent on harming my property that they would go so far as to kill?
In the confusion of the night, I had forgotten to pack a change of clothes. Since there wouldn’t be women’s clothes at the ranch, I reluctantly slipped on the smoke-filled skirt and blouse and made my way downstairs. The kitchen was quiet. An extra plate, filled with biscuits and gravy, waited on the table. Next to it was a note.
Mary,
Stanley, Ben, and I headed to town early to get the sheriff out here as soon as possible. Good to get a formal report and have him investigate what we suspect. Also, I’m paying a visit to my attorney friend, Bart. We might need his help once we get to the bottom of this. We brought the wagon to get more barn supplies. Stanley is set to replace the other one right away. It’s not worth arguing with him. I already tried.
It’s best you stay at the ranch with the children and Nate. That would give me the peace of mind all of us need under the circumstances.
All my love,
Daniel
P.S. By the way, you are beautiful when you’re sleeping.
I folded the note and tucked it inside my sleeve. Outside the window, the children rode bareback on Dusty. Anna sat behind Wesley, her arms wrapped around his waist and her dark curls dancing in the breeze. As the pony trotted between the house and barn, they bounced up and down, both smiling as if they hadn’t a care in the world.
I sighed. As it should be.
*****
Though the house was immaculate compared to the constant dirt and dust in the sod house, I tried to keep myself busy for a good part of the morning sweeping the floors and cleaning the kitchen. The smell of smoke lingered in the bed linens. After gathering them into a giant white ball, I strung them along the clothesline and hoped a strong breeze would chase the stench away.
As the morning wore on and turned to noon, my skin itched from my dirty clothes. I released the top button on my collar and dug my nails into my skin. Surely no one would mind if I got fresh clothes from home and hurried back. Besides, it might take several hours for them to return.
Nate was scrubbing the water troughs in the large corral. His shirtsleeves were soaked up to his elbows, and tousled hair fell into his eyes.
“That’s hard work.” I peeked through the railing. “But I’d consider taking a bath in one of those just to get rid of the grime from last night.”
“Be my guest.” Nate stepped aside and bowed. “Madame, your bath is ready.”
For a brief moment, we allowed ourselves to laugh. It felt good.
“I won’t be gone long. Going to my hou
se to get fresh clothes.”
Nate’s smile faded. “You shouldn’t be going there until the others get back.” He looked toward the path leading to the house. “Can’t be much longer.”
“Honestly, it won’t take but a few minutes. Just some clothes and a few other things we might need. Daniel would probably love to have his painting box. Might help take his mind off the pain from the burns until Adam can work his magic.”
“But I was told to keep—”
“Nate.” My chin raised. “Everyone’s concern is well-intended and appreciated. The situation is serious, but I am a grown woman. Besides, there shouldn’t be any danger in daylight.”
Nate tossed the scrub brush into the dirt. “Then I’ll come along right after the troughs are filled. In this heat, the cattle get meaner than Pa without enough water.” He unlatched his holster and handed me his revolver. “Take this. You know how to use it, don’t ya?”
I nodded and took the gun, hoping that wouldn’t be necessary.
*****
The recent storm clouds had passed by without a hint of rain—stingy to share even though their bellies were full of much-needed moisture. Cracks cut across the dirt, and the green fields of spring were quickly turning brown and lifeless—reminding me that almost a year had passed since my adventure to go West began.
Wesley, Anna, and the black dog tagged along as I made my way down the path and up the rise toward home. The air was heavy and made the short walk feel twice as long.
At least water still ran through the creek bed. As we neared the path leading to the water’s edge, the children and dog darted off. Soon, there was the sound of splashes in the lazy water that pooled around the bend. Although it was tempting to join them, the thought of clean clothes made me quicken my pace to get home.
Even though the smell of stale smoke lingered inside the house, it felt wonderful to cast aside my dirty blouse and skirt. Those could be washed later when the heat waned. I unfolded Daniel’s note, read the last line again, and laid it on the nightstand along with the gun.
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