by Cyndi Raye
She closed her eyes, thinking for a moment she wanted Thomas dead, too. Yet, after all he had done to them, their family, she was a good Christian woman. Wishing him dead was not the right way to feel. “He’ll get his own, Adam. You wait and see.”
Adam gazed at her, his eyes filled with something she had never noticed before. It was deeper, bolder than anything she had experienced with him. “Tell me what happened?”
She closed her eyes, not wanting to relive these past few days. “Promise you will spare my grandpa? He’s getting up there in age, I don’t want him getting too upset.”
“He already knows something bad happened and it’s your husband’s fault. He was the first one here. Rusty saw the hand print on your face, then Tommy told me what happened.”
A tear fell knowing she let her son be exposed to such a scene. “I’m so sorry Tommy had to go through this. If I could change everything, I would.”
Adam sat back, his hand holding hers, the warmth calming her heavy heart. “He’s a strong boy. He’ll get through. He said when he grows up he’s going to go to Dallas and do the same to your husband.”
“My former husband you mean.”
Adam’s hand tightened around her fingers. “What do you mean, Melody?”
“It means we got a divorce.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes, I am no longer a married woman. I have officially been refuted by the good citizens of Dallas. I hadn’t any idea it would be so awful to be known as a divorced woman. Almost every single person gave me a wide berth as if I had some awful, debilitating disease. Thomas made it horrible for me to stay.”
“I don’t know much about city life but those folks have no idea how fine of a lady you are.”
Melody closed her eyes, a smile crossing her cheeks. “You always know the right things to say, don’t you, Adam? I’m glad you are here. It’s been an exhausting week.”
“That’s why as soon as you are able to travel, we will take you back to the ranch.”
“I was hoping you’d say those very words.”
He stood up, ready to lean down to place another kiss on her forehead when the door flew open in the entryway and a familiar voice called out.
“Hello? I’m looking for my son, Adam White.”
“In here, Ma.”
Melody and Adam grinned at each other. Nora White came sweeping in like a tornado over a Kansas prairie.
She swooped through the open door, Luke and Samuel by her side. “My goodness, Melody! I was so worried.” She stopped abruptly when she caught sight of the retched hand print.
Melody saw the look between mother and son but Nora composed herself. She gathered Melody’s hands in her own. “I’m glad you are fine. Now, we will speak with the doctor to see if you are able to be moved so you can come back to the ranch to recover. Hopefully, to stay. Where is Tommy?”
“He’s with Rusty at the boarding house.”
“Good. I’ll go on over to speak with Miss Addie. I do have some other business to attend to with her.” She looked from Melody to Adam, a worried look shadowing her face.
Twenty minutes later when Nora returned, Tommy was by her side, holding her hand. He had a smile on his face. “Nora says we can live at the ranch! I am getting my own horsey, too!”
Melody watched as Nora gave her a look as if silently asking her not to refuse. “Tommy is correct. I told him as long as the two of you will be living there, there is no sense in him not having a pony of his very own as long as you approve. Why, my boys are going to go to Dallas right now to buy him one.”
“We are?”
“Yes, you are.”
“All of us?” Samuel asked, confusion dripping from his gaze. He had been awfully quiet through all of this, Melody thought. She watched the youngest brother, surprised he hadn’t tried to crack a joke.
Nora faced her boys. “Yes, all of you. It is my understanding the horse and wagon Rusty gave his daughter has been left behind. Perhaps an inquiry on that will be made while you are there?”
Adam spoke up. “We will inquire, Ma.”
Nora didn’t know yet Melody was a divorced woman. Would his mother feel the same way once she knew? Would she be shunned by the very woman who had acted more like a mother since hers had gone to Montana? There was no time like the present to find out. She wasn’t going to hide it any more. Not after what she had been through. Melody decided if no one liked her because of her divorced status, she would have to find another way to survive. “Nora?”
The older woman hurried to her side. “Yes, dear?”
“You may not want me at the ranch once you know the truth. I am divorced and everything I had was left behind because the law says it belongs to him.”
An eyebrow shot up. Nora patted Melody’s hand. “The truth is right before me, my dear. The truth is, a horrible man, presumably your prior husband, has hurt you so bad you wound up on a cot half dead in a doctor’s office. The truth is I don’t care about any other truths. You are my family. Tommy is my family just as Rusty is. I won’t tolerate this type of behavior and that is why my sons have to leave right now and get Tommy a horsey. He should have happiness surrounding him and he needs something to keep his mind busy.” She turned to her boys. “I think Tommy needs a pony.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The three spoke at once.
Adam placed a quick kiss on Melody’s forehead. Tommy’s little arms went around Nora’s skirt. “You are the best rancher woman in the whole world!”
Nora scooped the little boy up. “Well, I think we should go to the mercantile and fill a basket with some things you may need since you told me all your clothes and things were gone. Don’t you worry, I brought a big wagon along for just this purpose!”
“Maybe Adam and Luke and Sam-you-el can bring back mommy’s wagon and horsey, too! Daddy won’t let us have them that’s why we had to go on the choo-choo train.”
Melody closed her eyes, ashamed Tommy’s memories were of that time. She was glad to have Nora’s help. As they all filed out, reassuring her they’d be back as soon as the doctor gave permission for her to travel, she settled back in the cot.
Adam picked up her hand, giving her a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be back tomorrow with a pony for Tommy. If you happen to get released for travel, Ma and Rusty will get you home.”
Home. All she was able to do was nod since she knew the tears were ready to flow. This family, the Whites, they cared about her. They were inviting her into their home as if she was a beloved member. Yes, it was where she wanted to be. Even if she was a scorned woman, they had treated her with respect. Tommy was being spoiled right now but he needed to feel he belonged.
And, so did she.
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Adam watched through the large front window of the mercantile while Tommy kept Nora busy showing her toys. Jumping up and down every time she nodded her head, he ran to the front of the store to plop another item on the counter.
When Nora looked up to see him through the window, she spoke to Tommy and came outside while the boy looked over some wooden trains. She breezed through the front door like she always did, her skirts flying around her. Nora knew how to make an entrance and an exit.
“We’re heading to Dallas, Ma. Thanks for coming to take care of Melody and Tommy.”
“Of course. Rusty and I will take care of things here. You make sure you get a healthy pony. Oh, and about that horse and wagon? Perhaps you may want to check on that while you are in Dallas.”
Adam reassured her they had every intention of doing so. “Sure we will, Ma. See you when we get back.”
Nora nodded before returning to the mercantile to help Tommy with his purchases. “Boys, be safe.”
The three rode out of town, turning left towards the city. It was another few hours to Dallas which gave them plenty of time to plot the inevitable. Adam turned to his brothers. “We’re not letting him get away with this.”
Luke agreed. “You’re right, Adam. There’s no way. We’ve known
Melody since she was young. She’s like our sister.”
Adam rubbed the whiskers on his chin he hadn’t had a chance to shave. Tomorrow was Saturday so he’d get to it then. “We’re going to have to be careful. The coward is a big city lawyer. He has the law on his side.”
Samuel laughed. He clicked his horse to go faster. “If he can catch us. Ain’t nobody ever done messed with the White boys and won.”
Luke and Adam joined in. They tried to catch up to Samuel who was now in the lead until Adam got ahead of him. He looked back and grinned. No one wanted to up that fancy coward more than him!
It took almost two hours until they were in the city limits. When they led their horses into the livery, Adam spotted Melody’s wagon tucked away in a corner of the yard inside a fenced in area.
The livery manager came out to greet them. “Howdy, names Welch. You men need to rest the horses?”
Adam slid from the saddle. “Sure do, may have to leave within a moment’s notice.”
Welch eyed the three with suspicion. “Why’s that?”
“No reason, just wanted the horses ready to go in case we get called back to our ranch. We have a family friend who is ill and we’re looking to buy a pony for her son.”
Welch relaxed. “No, problem then. Forgive me, gentlemen, I thought you may be troublemakers.”
“Nah, not us. We’re here doing a favor for our Ma. Hey, by the way, you know who owns that wagon over yonder in the yard, the one in the corner behind the fence?”
Welch twisted around to see which wagon they spoke of. He nodded. “It belonged to a woman and her son. Came in here a few nights ago, scared to death of her husband. She claims he was a drunkard and she needed a place to hide out her and the boy. I let her stay inside the stable. She left the next morning but the wagon came back later that day. Some city lawyer owns it now. Makes you wonder what happened to her and the boy. I ain’t never seen them again, but here’s the wagon. Guess they sold it. Happens all the time.”
Adam’s hands were balled into fists as he stormed across the livery. “Any chance it belongs to a man named Thomas Cromwell?”
“Let me check my ledger. Why you so interested?”
Welch wasn’t a stupid man. Adam had to be careful. Taking someone else’s horse was a crime. But, before the night was over, he planned to have Melody’s horse and wagon in his possession, one way or another. He shrugged. “Thought we may need a new wagon, looks like it may be affordable.”
Adam turned just in time to see Samuel standing in front of a stall a few feet away.
Welch paged through his ledger. “Well, seems the owner is Thomas Cromwell. Lives in the hotel right down the street if you want to inquire about the wagon.”
Adam nodded. “Much obliged. Do you have any ponies for sale? We’re looking for one for our friend’s five year old.”
Welch knew every single horse in his stable. “Sure do. Where did you say you are from?”
“A ways from Wichita Falls.”
Welch scratched his cheek. “I see, and you came all the way to Dallas to buy a pony when the Russet Horse Ranch is about a half hour from there?”
Adam looked at his two brothers, who were both trying hard to appear nonchalant. “Well, Mr. Welch, we had some business to take care of in the city so we thought we’d save us an extra trip.”
The stable manager scratched his head and sighed. “I think I am putting two and two together.”
“Yep, it adds up to four,” Samuel piped up, looking for a laugh.
The older man didn’t crack a smile. He was silent for some time until he nodded to himself and spoke up. “In the back stall is a pony I’m sure the little boy will love.”
Adam turned to Welch. “I never said the child was a boy.”
Welch grinned. “You didn’t have to. I said I put two and two together. Now, gentleman, follow me. Let’s take a good look at the pony. I’ll even give you a good price.”
The three men followed Welch, speaking softly so the older man wasn’t able to hear. “Looks like we scored a pony,” Luke told the other two.
“I believe so. Now all we need is Rusty’s mare, the one in the first stall. He gave that horse to Melody when he bought her the wagon.”
“You sure it’s the one?”
“Yep, sure thing, Adam. She has a scar on her left leg from that time she ran into a nail sticking out from the barn,” Samuel told them.
Welch spoke up then, interrupting their private conversation. “You know, if there’s one thing I can’t tolerate it’s a man thinking he’s better than someone else and beating on his wife. Why, just the other day there was a skirmish in front of that fancy hotel up the street.”
“A skirmish?”
“Yep, sure was. Some man in a fancy suit slapped his wife, well, gossip has it they were divorced that same morning, so guess she was no longer his wife. Her brave son came to the rescue and bit the fancy man in the leg. Heard it took two stitches.” Welch guffawed as he opened the door to the stall, bringing the pony out for them to inspect. “Talk went on all morning long how they had to leave on the train because no one would hire a divorced woman.”
Adam made him an offer for the pony and inquired about the horse in the first stall, trying hard to keep calm. He hated the fact he was so close to that coward and had to keep from marching into the hotel and hurting him the same way he hurt Melody.
Welch scratched his cheek again. “Pony is sold to you, mister. No need to have your name. I’ll take cash and as for the horse up yonder, I’m going to hook that one up to the wagon later on to make sure it would be a good fit. I’ll probably have him and the wagon tied behind the stable. Maybe even tie the pony out for some fresh air later. And, I probably will be closed from six to seven for supper.”
Adam, Samuel and Luke looked at each other. This was too easy. Adam handed over some bills. “Here’s for the pony. I think she’s worth more than what you suggested, appreciate your time.” He threw a few extra bills to compensate for the profit the livery manager would lose on the horse and wagon.
“Thank you much.” Welch mumbled to himself. “Just don’t think a man should profit off someone else’s misery he caused.” He turned his back on the brothers. As they filed out, he looked up. “Oh, did you know that fancy lawyer at the hotel is having some big deal supper and award this evening? Be a shame if he were embarrassed in front of all his business associates. Oh, I don’t know why I’m telling you this, you probably don’t even know the man. Have a good day, gentlemen.”
Welch retreated to the back of the livery leaving the three of them standing there in shock. Adam spoke up. “Well, men, looks like we have some work to do.”
“Humph, I think I’d like to rent a room for the afternoon at that fancy hotel down the street. They say they have those fancy showers in there. What you say, brothers?” Samuel had a smile as big as a Texas Longhorn’s horns.
Luke nudged Adam. “This is right down Samuel’s alley. He is a joker.”
Adam grinned. This night may turn out very interesting.
Chapter 6
“Thanks, I owe you one,” Samuel told the bellhop. He turned to the other brothers, handing them a pin to place on their suit collar. “Are you ready for a great show?”
Adam nodded. He wanted to get back to Melody but the thought of humiliating Thomas in front of all his colleagues was too good to miss. Samuel had been working hard all afternoon to pull this off.
“Are we ready, gentlemen?” Samuel had a grin a mile wide.
“Let’s hope this works,” Luke told his youngest brother. “Adam, come on, stop poking around. The sooner we get this done, the faster we get back home.”
The three men walked casually towards one of the private ballrooms where the law firm was having its annual prestigious award ceremony. There were partners and lawyers from several different large cities attending, making it easy for the three to fit in without someone realizing they didn’t belong there. All three men were dressed in a t
hree-piece suit, hair slicked back and a pin with the name of the Law Firm on their lapel to identify each person as a part of the ceremonies taking place this afternoon.
“You lucked out, Samuel. How much did you pay that bellboy to scarf up these pins?”
“Ten dollar tip. I told him we left our own behind and since we were new to the law firm we didn’t want to embarrass ourselves by going in without one. See the small table in the back corner near the exit door? That’s ours. I tipped another waiter to set it up for us, and if he asks, you have a severe case of anxiety and need to be near an exit in case you feel faint. In reality, I seated us here so we can leave early.”
Adam wanted to march up to the front of the room where Thomas sat with a group of other men and drag him outside to give the same treatment Melody had gotten. He stopped himself when Luke took his arm.
“Calm, brother. This isn’t the place or time.”
Adam took a deep breath, following Luke. He sat with his back against the wall, turning his chair to stare at the profile of his enemy.
Ladies wearing identical uniformed dresses were scooting around the tables, clearing the many plates, dishes and silverware from the meal that had been served. The three men had been seated during the chaos so they wouldn’t really be noticed.
“I got to give it to you, Samuel, you got us here so far. I can’t wait to see the rest.”
“Just get ready to go out through that exit door. Because when he realizes he’s been hoodwinked, he’s going to look for someone to blame.”
A man stood in the center of the room, tapping a spoon to the side of a glass. “Attention, may I have everyone’s attention, please!”
When the crowd shifted and got quiet, he began to speak about the law firm and how they would begin with the award ceremony. “My name is Daryl Hammond as most of you may know. I see we have some new faces here tonight. Welcome to all of you here this afternoon. I hope everyone has enjoyed the delicious meal. Coffee is being served as I speak. Let’s begin, starting with the award for Thomas Cromwell.” Daryl Hammond gave a brief lecture on the accomplishments of said person before asking him to stand.