“I see you have books on cattle and horses. Is it all right it I read those?”
“If you want to but I warn you they are dry as dust. Good if you ever have trouble sleeping.”
“The only trouble I have getting to sleep is you.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “What a risqué thing to say. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Attie, we’re married. It’s okay to say bold things to me. It’s okay to do bold things with me.”
She was still blushing. “If you say it is. I never heard Ma say anything bold to Pa, but then that was a sad situation.”
“I hope ours will always be happier. Besides, this is between just us. It’s not as if you’re announcing it to the town.”
“Our marriage will always be happier because you’re a fine man.”
He nuzzled her neck. “Then let’s get to bed so we can rest up for our trip to town tomorrow.”
“I guess that’s a good idea. I’ll carry Wade and we can leave the cradle downstairs.”
The next morning when they were finished strapping the wheel to the back of the buggy, Tate figured he’d talk over this problem with Grandpa.
“I figured out what it was bothered me about Attie’s stories.”
Grandpa gave him the evil eye. “You not thinking of hurting that girl’s feelings, are you?”
“Grandpa, she was never married. She was attacked and that’s how the baby came about.”
“What put that bee in your bonnet?”
“Our wedding night she was shaking like a leaf until I calmed her. When we… well, once we were done, she heaved a sigh of relief so loud I’m surprised you didn’t hear. Reckon she was expecting the worst.”
“Well, Mr. Know-it-All, I’d figured that out the second day. I don’t see what difference it makes one way or the other.”
“I reckon she’s worried about me—us—finding out. Thought maybe I should let her know so she doesn’t have to keep hiding the truth.”
Grandpa’s face got red and he punched his forefinger into Tate’s chest a dozen times. “You confront that sweet girl and I will take my razor strop to your hind end. So help me I will.”
He batted aside his grandfather’s hand. “Give me a little credit, will you? I didn’t plan to confront her. I was gonna get to it real gentle like, maybe when we’re in bed.”
“You wait until she chooses to tell you. Got that? It’s her secret and only hers to tell. No call to upset her.”
“What if she never tells me?”
“Well, suppose she doesn’t. Suppose the experience was so bad she can’t ever talk about it? What difference will it make?”
“I just didn’t want there to be secrets between us is all.”
“You told her all your secrets, have you? You tell her about that time in San Antonio last year when you went to that cat house?”
Sonofagun, how did the man do it? “How’d you know about that?”
“Son, I was born at night but it wasn’t last night. You came back to the Menger barely able to walk but with a certain kind of smile on your face.”
“Oh. We’re not talking about me, Grandpa. I figured Attie probably worries. I don’t think she’s used to lying.”
“Of course she’s not used to lying. But, that’s a good thing. You just play along and maybe one of these days she’ll tell you all about it. If she doesn’t, won’t change the fact she’s here and your wife. Either way, it’s her choice.”
“All right, all right. No call to get upset. I wanted—needed your opinion.”
“Son, I’m real pleased you asked me. I hope we can always talk things over. Now, though, we need to get cleaned up and go to Bandera.”
Chapter Eleven
Attie smoothed her hand on the skirt of her lavender dress. The ride to town was pleasant. Sitting in the buggy’s front seat she had a lovely view of the land. This part of Texas wasn’t like Atlanta but it was a different kind of attractive.
“I’ll see Hannah tomorrow.”
“Probably. Reg and his folks usually attend church. Since there’ll be a social afterward, I think you can count on there being a big crowd.”
“What shall I prepare?”
Grandpa leaned forward. “Don’t worry about it. Dorcas will make enough for everyone. Apparently she likes to go to these socials and enjoys making food people will clamor for as soon as she sets it on the table.”
“She is a real good cook.”
Attie had fed Wade last thing before they left the ranch. She didn’t know where she could feed him once they were in town but Tate said not to worry, He assured her other women would tell her. With a sigh, she decided she wouldn’t be the only woman with a baby.
Tate parked the buggy in the shade. “I’ll leave this here. Take as long as you want to look at things and buy anything you don’t have.”
She wondered what he thought she could need. “Is there something you think I should buy?”
He held out his hands. “I know naught about women’s things. Dorcas is the only woman I’m around and she doesn’t invite questions.”
Grandpa carried Wade. “You two look all you want. My boy and I will entertain ourselves.”
Attie loved Grandpa’s attitude about Wade. She was already fond of both Merritt men.
Tate opened the door to the mercantile.
Attie went inside then held Tate’s arm. “Oh, Tate, I offered to loan Dorcas a book. I didn’t know she couldn’t read.”
“Hmph, I didn’t either. I thought she didn’t like books.”
Grandpa carried Wade in his basket. “Me, too. She was the oldest in her family and didn’t get to school much if any.”
“That’s not uncommon.” She didn’t want to think about Pa any more. “I’m teaching her to read most afternoons.”
Tate smiled at her. “That’s real nice. Everyone should know how to read a book.”
She looked at the aisles filled with goods of all kinds. “Is this where I mail letters?”
Grandpa nodded toward a corner. “Yes. See there on your left? Mr. Conners will sell you the postage.” He carried Wade and sat near two men playing checkers. The men greeted Grandpa and he appeared to be telling them about Wade.
Tate said, “Mail won’t go out on the stage until Tuesday.”
She took care of mailing letters to her brother and the matchmaker. Knowing she didn’t have anyone else who knew or cared where she was hurt through and through. At least now she had a family where she belonged.
She and Tate browsed the aisles when two lovely women came in. Attie was a few feet from Tate while she looked at gloves. The women made a straight line to Tate.
The blonde put her hand on his arm and brushed against him as if they were intimate friends. “Tate, how nice to run into you. I haven’t seen you in way too long. I hope you’re going to the social after church tomorrow.”
“Plan to be there.” He looked at Attie. If Attie interpreted his expression correctly, he wanted help with one or both of these women.
Attie strolled toward him wondering why he’d sent for a mail-order bride with these two lovely women available. Maybe only the blonde was unmarried. Plus, the blonde definitely had designs on Tate.
He said, “Did you find what you wanted, Dear?”
He’d never called her dear. “Yes, thank you, I chose these three handkerchiefs for Dorcas.” She moved close and leaned on him just enough to stake her claim.
The blonde’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Tate acted relieved and put his right arm around her shoulders. “Ladies, may I present my wife, Beatrice. She goes by Attie. Sweetheart, this is Miss Pamela Durant and this is Miss Edna Mae Patterson. They’ll be at church tomorrow.”
The one named Pamela looked as if she’d had a pail of water thrown in her face. Then she narrowed her eyes at Attie. Even though Attie knew being nice was a lost cause with the blonde she made the effort.
“I’m pleased to meet you. I’m looking forw
ard to the social after the service.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. Best wishes on your marriage.” Edna Mae’s smile was pleasant. She looked at Tate. “I didn’t know you’d married. Congratulations. When did this happen?”
“On Monday right here in Bandera. A double wedding with her friend who married Reg Spencer.”
Pamela glared at her. “You don’t sound like you’re from around here.”
“I’m from Atlanta.” That wasn’t quite true. She’d come here from Atlanta but she wasn’t telling these women she had lived her life in a place called Mud Flat, Georgia.
Edna Mae said, “Oh, I’ve always wanted to go to Atlanta and Savannah. I’ve heard they’re beautiful places.”
“Parts are but like everywhere, there are good and bad things. I’m happy to be here. The ranch is in a beautiful setting.”
Pamela still acted upset. “I’m surprised you think so. Most outsiders don’t like our part of Texas.”
With his right arm still around her Tate hugged her shoulders. “Attie is not an outsider. She’s my wife and she belongs here.”
Pamela laid her hand on his left arm again. “Oh, of course she does. What was I thinking? I only meant that people who come from other parts of the country are sometimes critical of our area of Texas.”
Attie sent the blonde her sweetest fake smile. “There are beautiful things about any place if you look.”
Edna Mae tugged on Pamela’s arm. “We have to go now. Once again, if was nice to have met you, Attie. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Attie watched them go. “That was odd. Pamela intended to marry you. She was not pleased I’m here.”
He grimaced. “Don’t remind me. For months she’s dogged my heels whenever we were in the same place.”
“She’s very pretty.”
“Not as pretty as you. Besides, my grandma always said ‘pretty is as pretty does.’ You can tell Pamela has an acid tongue. You may not be able to tell she’s a bully.”
How heartwarming to hear Tate say something nice about her. “I don’t like bullies. Since you’re on first name terms, I guess you’ve known both of them a long time. Edna Mae seemed nice.”
“She is and is engaged to a friend of mine. Guess they’ll be getting married soon. We three went to school together. Hope Pamela didn’t spoil your day. I wanted you to have a chance to shop.”
“Thank you, Tate. I’ve enjoyed looking through the store. They appear to carry everything a person could possibly need.”
“They’ll order what you need if they don’t have it in stock. So will the store in Westlich. Here comes Grandpa. I’ll bet he’s hungry.”
“Or Wade is. I’d better check.” She hurried toward Grandpa and her son. She peeked into the basket but Wade appeared happy. “I thought the baby might be hungry.”
“The little man seems happy but the big one is starving.” He let out a wheezy chuckle. “Sorry I missed hearing Miss Durant when she learned Tate’s married someone who isn’t her.”
She grinned at him. “Sometimes I think you enjoy a little mischief, Grandpa.”
“Shh, don’t want it known.”
She laughed. “I suspect everyone knows by now, in spite of the fact that you look like a perfectly respectable rancher.”
Tate sent his grandfather a grin. “If he does then looks can be deceiving.”
“Hey, you young whippersnapper, I am a respectable rancher. Don’t see anything wrong with a little fun now and then.”
“How about you two handsome men take me to lunch?” Her son made his little hunger noises. “Uh oh, first can you think of somewhere I can feed Wade?”
Tate walked over to speak to the owners.
Mrs. Conner came up to her. “So nice to meet you, Mrs. Merritt. Step right into the back room. There’s a small area where my husband and I eat our lunch.”
“Thank you. I hate to stay home until he’s weaned as some women do.” She sat down and unbuttoned her dress. Wade was eager to have his dinner.
“He is such a fine boy. Jesse explained you’d been widowed before your son was even born. I’m sorry you had so much sadness but we’re glad you’re here now. The Merritt family has been important to this area. They’re all lovely people. We’re so happy they’ll be growing again.”
“You’re very kind. I know this is an imposition.”
“Not at all, this gives me a chance to get acquainted with you.” Mrs. Conner peppered her with question after question.
Attie was relieved when Wade was fed and burped and changed. “Thank you again for letting me sit in here to feed Wade and change his diaper. I expect I’ll see you again soon.”
On the way to the restaurant, Tate put his hand at her waist. “I forgot to tell you to expect the inquisition. Mrs. Conner is goodhearted but nosy as all get out.”
“I noticed. I felt like I was taking a test in school. Sure hope I passed.”
Her husband and his grandfather laughed.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Attie dressed in her blue dress since she’d worn the lavender one the day before. Her new hat went well with her dress. She’d laundered her shawl carefully and Dorcas had shown her how to do what she called “blocking it” to shape. Dorcas knew so many helpful things.
Attie chose the prettiest of baby dresses for Wade to wear. She’d crocheted him little booties with blue satin ties, and only finished them last evening. She wanted Tate and Grandpa to be proud of him. At least, not embarrassed to be seen with either her or Wade.
Duffy, Hector, and Jim drove the wagon carrying the food and blankets. Dorcas rode in the buggy’s back seat.
Attie couldn’t help being excited. “What do you do at a social other than eat?”
Tate glanced at her with a frown. “You’ve never been to one?”
“Pa never would let us go to socials or parties. He was against anything that didn’t involve farming or drinking.”
“Did you go to church?”
She shook her head. “Pa said we couldn’t spare a day. Ma taught me to read the Bible when I was small and I read to her while she was sick. I kept reading when I could after she passed and remember some verses that I found comforting.”
Tate glanced at her. “The minister in Westlich is Reverend Patrick. Real nice man whose wife died a few years back. Officially she had pneumonia, but I suspect she had tuberculosis first.”
“I see the church now. Isn’t it pretty?”
“We think so. Looks like the Spencer’s buggy pulling up to the church ahead of us.”
“I can’t help being excited and nervous at the same time. I hope your friends will like me. Well, except for Miss Durant, and she hates me through no fault of mine.”
Grandpa tapped Attie on the shoulder. “Don’t pay her any mind. Woman was raised cutting her teeth on a razor.”
Attie laughed. “You always know the right thing to say, Grandpa.”
Someone had brought a block of ice in straw and people put their salads and eggs and meat under the tarp with the ice. A couple of the men sat with it during the service to keep critters—both two- and four-legged ones—away from the tempting aromas.
The sermon was even nicer than Attie had imagined. The minister preached love for all our neighbors. He said they should turn the other cheek when someone offended them.
When they were leaving, Tate introduced her and Wade to the preacher. Grandpa and Dorcas squeezed by so Dorcas could set out the food she’d brought.
From behind Attie, Pamela gasped. “My word, you have a baby? What on earth was Tate Meredith thinking to marry you?”
Tate whirled with a scowl.
Attie touched his arm. “Remember the sermon, Tate? Turn the other cheek.”
“Humph.” Pamela pushed by.
Reverend Patrick smiled at Attie. “Well spoken, Mrs. Merritt. I will speak to Miss Durant.”
Attie shook her head. “Don’t bother, Pastor Patrick. If she didn’t understand your fine sermon, she won’t lis
ten next time. Come, Tate, we’re holding up the line of hungry people.”
Tate still scowled, something he seldom did. “That woman burns my biscuits. She’s going to end up an old maid and think it’s everyone else’s fault but hers.”
“Are her parents here?”
“That couple walking by our buggy. Her mother has on a purple dress.”
“They’re sure dressed nice. Are they nice?”
“Strangely enough, they are. I’ve heard them scolding her for her rudeness. Doesn’t seem to sink in.”
He waved at someone. “Oh, there’s Grandpa and Hector staking out a good place.”
“Where?” She scanned the grounds.
“Under those trees at the edge of the cemetery near the river.”
She almost stumbled waving. “There’s Hannah and Reggie. Oh, but I must go help Dorcas. Then, if you don’t mind, can we go say hello to Hannah?”
“While you help Dorcas I’ll take Wade and show Reg where we’re sitting. There’s room for his family in the shade.”
She rushed to where Dorcas was setting out food carried over by Duffy and Jim. The other woman had already put the fried chicken with the other meats and now carried the potato salad and eggs to that table. The men carried a couple of pies each but Attie thought she’d better carry one at a time.
Pamela brushed by and shoved her so that Attie dropped the pie upside down onto the ground. “Oh, my, looks like you’re clumsy today.”
Attie could not believe her rudeness. “You did that on purpose. Remembering the preacher’s sermon, I’m turning the other cheek again. Pamela, that’s twice today. Don’t push your luck a third time.”
She blinked and put a hand at her throat. “Me? Don’t blame me for your clumsiness, Mrs. Merritt.”
“And you wonder why no man will marry you. Why on earth would he?” She shook her head and scooped up the remains of the pie and carried it to a rubbish bin.
She saw Pamela’s mother jerk her arm and fuss at her.
Attie stopped by where the housekeeper stood glaring at the Durants. “Dorcas, I’m so sorry I dropped one of your wonderful pies.”
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