Drina’s Choice

by Agnes Alexander

  “This big house must keep you busy.”

  “Kind of does, but I don’t mind. Mr. Aaron lets me do pretty much like I please. He’s only a stickler about me keeping his clothes clean and his bed sheets changed at least once a week, more often if he’s been working hard on the range and goes without taking a bath. He says he hates dirty sheets. He also wants a hot meal when he comes in for the day. When I do the rest of the work, is mostly up to me.” She stirred her tea, though Drina hadn’t seen her put anything in it. “Of course, you’re the mistress of the house now. It will be up to you as how you want to set my routine.”

  “It looks to me like things are done well as of now. I see no reason to change anything.”

  Beulah cocked her head. “Are you sure? You don’t want me to serve you breakfast in bed or cook what you want for supper each day?”

  Drina was surprised at the question. “Of course not. You don’t even have to make my breakfast. I can do that myself and I’ll definitely eat in the kitchen or dining room, not in bed.”

  “Most mornings I cook for Mr. Aaron. I only miss when he’s not here, so it won’t be no trouble to cook a little more for you.”

  Drina thought they’d talked about cooking enough and she changed the subject. “Salty told me you are Aaron’s relative. Maybe an aunt or cousin, he said.”

  Beulah hesitated a moment, then shrugged as if she’d made up her mind to tell Drina the story. “I was only a little girl at the time, but I remember mostly how it happened. My mother’s sister got mixed up with some white trader. I don’t remember his name, but she thought she was deeply in love with him. He wasn’t that taken with her and as soon as he found out she was with child, he left the area and nobody ever saw him again. Well, my sister had the baby and it was a girl. She named her Izzy and she was a pretty little thing, but some of the women in the tribe resented her because she looked almost white. This made it hard on everyone, especially my sister and her daughter. When Izzy grew up, she was a mixed-up wild one. She didn’t think she was Indian because she didn’t look like anyone in the tribe and the people in town didn’t think she was white because to them she looked like an Indian. Determined to make a good life for herself, she left the tribe when she was fifteen and worked in a bordello where some of the men thought it exciting to lay with a breed. When she was seventeen, Zeke Wilcox came along. He was fascinated with her and decided he was going to save her from herself and take her away from the life she lived. I guess the old coot was in love with her because he insisted they get married, but Izzy weren’t the marrying kind. She liked the life she was living in the whorehouse and the attention she got from all the men. When she come up pregnant, she decided she was getting out of the marriage as soon as the baby came. She did just that. She left old man Wilcox with a baby to raise on his own. That baby was Aaron.”

  Drina stared at Beulah. She couldn’t believe the woman had told her this story. She knew now it would be easy to find out anything she wanted to know from Beulah. Finally she said, “That’s kind of a sad story. So I’m assuming Aaron grew up without a mother in the house.”

  Beulah nodded. “When he was a few weeks old, old man Wilcox came to Izzy’s people and told them what had happened. He asked if Izzy’s mother wanted to raise her grandson as an Indian, but by this time, my sister’s health had gone bad. Besides, she knew the trouble Izzy had fitting in and she figured the little boy would have just as much trouble being of mixed blood, though it wasn’t very much.” She paused and took a drink of her tea.

  “What happened?” Drina wanted to hear the rest of the story.

  “The family decided it would be best to let the white man raise his son because the child was only a little bit Indian. They said they would help and the help they give him was me and several other women in the tribe. The young women and the widows took turns coming here to work in the house and take care of the baby. I was a young girl of sixteen summers, so I was asked to do my part. I came here when Aaron was about five. Old Mr. Wilcox liked the way I looked after his son and said I was his favorite as a baby sitter. It was then I decided I liked it better than my lonely teepee. I volunteered to stay and let the other women remain with the tribe. They liked the idea, and I’ve been here ever since.”

  Drina wanted to ask her why her teepee was lonely, but she didn’t dare. She didn’t want to push her luck with finding out things from the housekeeper. “You’re like a mother to Aaron.”

  “None of the women who looked after Mr. Aaron tried to be his mother because everyone hoped Izzy would realize what a mistake she’d made by leaving and come back someday. But she never did. She died from some disease when Aaron was about eight years old. I never tried to be his mother ’cause he thought he was too old for a mother after she died, but he did come to depend on me more than any of the others, including his father. I guess it was because I was the female who’d been here the longest.”

  Drina didn’t think you ever got too old for a mother, but she didn’t voice it. “I’m sorry his mother died in such a terrible way.”

  “Maybe it was for the best. Izzy would’ve been a terrible mother.”

  “Was the elder Mr. Wilcox a good father?”

  “No. He didn’t pay too much attention to the boy. After Izzy left him he stayed drunk most of the time, and began to gamble. Then, by the time Aaron was about grown, the old man lost all interest in the ranch. He did see Aaron loved the place and in his few sober days he tried to save the place for his son, but if it hadn’t been for old Mr. Wilcox’s brother, he’d have lost the place before Aaron was old enough to take over and run things.”

  “Is Aaron’s father still living?”

  “Oh, no. He was coming home from town one night and everyone figured he was drunk as usual. He fell off his horse about a mile from here and broke his neck. One of the hands went to town for supplies the next day and found him on the side of the road.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “It was pretty bad, but Aaron decided he was going to make a go of this ranch. Then he found his pa had mortgaged it. Mr. Walter Wilcox held the deed, and he said if Aaron wanted the ranch, he’d have to work enough to pay everything off as well as do what his uncle wanted him to.”

  “Did he do it?”

  “He did.” Beulah abruptly stood. “I figured you needed to know why Aaron was so ornery. Now, you know, but I’ve told you all I intend to about the Wilcox men. Now, it’s up to Aaron to tell you anything else he wants you to know.”

  Drina would’ve liked to learn more, but she could tell from Beulah’s actions she’d said all she was going to say about the man she worked for. “Thank you for telling me this much about Aaron and his father.”

  Beulah nodded and picked up the tea things. “I’ll put these cups away and then I’ll help you move into Aaron’s room. You’re probably tired, and want to get to bed soon.”

  For a moment, Drina thought she would panic. She didn’t want to be put in her husband’s bedroom. Not tonight, anyway. Thinking quickly, she said, “I’m more tired than I thought. Why don’t we wait and move my things later? Aaron said since he’d be late coming back it would be fine for me to sleep in the room where I dressed for the wedding. He said that room was warmer than the one upstairs.”

  Beulah frowned. “And that’s all right with you?”

  “Yes, Beulah. It’s fine with me.” She looked at the older woman and added, “As you know, Aaron and I are strangers. I think it will take a little time to get used to being married.”

  “Then I’ll go ready the bed for you.”

  “I can do it.”

  “No. It’s my job. I’ll let you know when the room is ready.” Beulah stood and left the parlor without saying anything else.

  * * * *

  As Drina snuggled down in the soft bed in the downstairs bedroom of the Rocking Chair Ranch main house, her mind was reeling from the conversation she’d had with Beulah. At least, she was now somewhat clear on why Aaron Wilcox acted the way he did
. She still wished Beulah had told her a little more about the man. One question that bothered her was why Aaron had insisted on marrying her so quickly. But she knew now that whatever the reason, she could accept why he did it. Of course, it didn’t matter now. They were married, and it meant that Hannah would have the good life she and Lydia had hoped for her. She’d write her younger sister tomorrow and the fact that this marriage would never turn out to be the romantic and happy one she’d dreamed of would have to be overlooked. At least, she didn’t think the man would abuse and scream insults at her the way her pa had. And if nothing else, that was worth coming to Arizona and marrying him.

  Though Drina figured these thoughts would keep her awake for a long time, she was wrong. It had been an exhausting day and she was more tired than she realized. It only took her a few minutes to fall asleep.

  Chapter 4

  Beulah turned from the stove when Aaron came into the kitchen the next morning. “You look like you wrestled the devil all night.” Her voice wasn’t friendly.

  “I feel like I did. I also think he won.” He knew Beulah was mad at him, so he said nothing else until he reached for a coffee cup sitting on the table and held it out to her. “I need this filled right away.”

  She grabbed the cup and poured it full of the strong dark liquid. “Where were you all night?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business. I’m a grown man, and I don’t have to check with you or anybody else when I leave the ranch.”

  “Yes, you’re grown, and you’re also married. Or did you forget that?”

  He slammed the cup on the table and coffee spilled over the rim. “Hell, no, I didn’t forget it. I just wish I could. But thanks to my uncle, I’ll have to live with that fact until I get my ranch back.”

  “So, because you’re still mad at your uncle, that gives you a reason to spend your wedding night in a whorehouse?”

  “How do you know I spent the night in a whorehouse?”

  “It only takes common sense. You come stumbling in here in the wee morning hours reeking with stale whiskey, tobacco and strong cheap perfume. I smelled you the minute you got in the door. It’s a wonder Miz Drina didn’t wake up and smell you, too.”

  “I don’t care if Miz Drina did smell me. I’m sure she was relieved I left.”

  Beulah shook her head and turned back to the stove. “To be such a smart rancher, you sure are dumb when it comes to a woman.”

  “You’re wrong, Beulah. Ask any woman down at The Swinging Door.”

  “I ain’t talking about that kind of woman. They’ll say any man is smart and handsome and is the best lover in the world just as long as they’ve got a dollar or two to give them. I’m talking about a real woman. A good woman. A lady. The kind of woman who marries a man regardless of the circumstances and plans to be his wife for the rest of her life.”

  “You wouldn’t happen to be talking about any particular real lady would you?”

  “You know good and well I’m talking about Miz Drina. You had no right to treat her the way you did. I thought you was a better man than that. It was a shameful thing for you to do.”

  “Beulah, we’ll never agree on this subject so let’s drop it. I have one hell of a headache, and I’ve got to run cattle from the south pasture to the holding pen to be branded before the first snow.”

  “Sit down. Though I’d like to send you out to work hungry, I’ll fix your breakfast.”

  He didn’t argue, and dropped into a chair. Though he really didn’t want anything, he knew it’d be supper before he had a chance to eat again. He might as well have a meal since she was willing to fix it.

  * * * *

  Drina came into the kitchen as Aaron went out the back door. It wasn’t by accident they didn’t meet. She’d heard him talking with Beulah and she’d waited in the hall until he got ready to leave.

  “Good morning, Beulah.” She tried to keep her voice as light and cheery as possible.

  “Good morning, Miz Drina. If you’ll have a seat in the dining room I’ll serve your breakfast there.”

  “Does anyone ever eat on the lovely veranda outside of the parlor?”

  “Not in a long time, but it is a nice place to eat in the mornings when the weather is agreeable.”

  “Do you mind if I eat out there today?”

  Beulah turned and looked at her. “It’s a little cold this morning, but if you’re sure you want to eat there, I’ll be happy to serve you there.”

  Drina sat in the chair Aaron had vacated. “I’m sure I want to, and I’ll wear my cape. I’ll be happy to fix myself something to eat if you have other things to do this morning.”

  “Oh, no. I have the bacon cooked and the biscuits are baked. All I have to do is cook your egg. How would you like it?”

  “Fried, would be fine.”

  Beulah broke an egg into the bacon grease. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes. I slept very well.”

  “Good. You do look rested.”

  Drina looked at the woman. “Did I hear Aaron talking as I came down the hall?”

  “Yes, ma’am. He had to leave because the men were waiting to head out on the range.”

  “I see. Does he go out on the range every day?”

  “Most of them, this time of year. There are a few cows to be branded and they have to be rounded up for the winter range.” Beulah took the egg from the pan and placed it on a plate with bacon. She then handed Drina a cup of coffee and a basket of biscuits. “If you’ll carry this, I’ll bring everything else to the veranda.”

  Drina took the items and turned toward the door leading to the porch from the parlor. “It looks good, Beulah. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Beulah followed with the remaining breakfast items, including a jar of jelly, one of jam and a bowl of butter.

  Drina put the food on the small table in the corner of the sheltered patio and buttoned her cape at the neck. “It looks like you could see forever from here if it wasn’t for those mountains in the distance.”

  “It is flat here in the valley.” Beulah put the plate in front of Drina. “If you need anything, call me.”

  “I will, Beulah.”

  When the housekeeper went inside, Drina looked out across the vast land that lay before her. The only thing she could see besides the short grass and stubby trees were a fenced corral beside the large barn. Inside the fence were two horses. One was tan with almost white mane and the other was a shiny red with a black mane and tail. It also had black feet. She wondered if these were two of the gentle animals Salty told her they had on the ranch.

  On the other side of the barn and to the left of the building was a long structure with several windows on the side which she could see. She wondered what it was. Maybe it was the bunkhouse. Near the edge of the yard behind the kitchen porch was a vegetable garden that was now bare, but looked as if might have given an abundance of food in the growing season. The chicken coop was near there. There were a couple of other buildings, but she had no idea what they were used for.

  To the right of the veranda was the open land, leading to the mountains. This time of year it was almost barren, but there was something about it that fascinated her. For some strange reason, she began to smile. This place was drawing feelings out of her that no other place she’d ever been had. She didn’t know how it was possible, but it made her feel lonely, yet comforted at the same time. It was in this instant Drina knew this was where she intended to raise her future children and spend the rest of her life with Aaron Wilcox, even if he didn’t know or accept it yet.

  The cold began to seep through her wrap. She stood, gathered her dishes and headed inside. She felt much better as she entered the warmth of the house.

  * * * *

  Aaron wasn’t sure he was going to be able to stay in the saddle much longer. It was nearing midday and continual yawns escaped from his mouth. A couple of the men had kidded about him spending too much time in the marriage bed. But Salty had said very little. H
e had been about as bad as Beulah. Aaron had no doubt his best friend and the man he cared about more than any other had lost respect for him. There was no doubt Salty knew where the groom spent his wedding night, and he knew it was going to take some doing to get back in the older man’s good graces.

  A cow bellowed off to his right. Shaking his head, Aaron turned his gelding and saw the animal headed toward the tangled group of mesquite near the bank above the river. Racing to head the cow off, he yelled, but the animal ignored him and continued in the way it was going. Aaron realized if the huge bovine got entangled in the prickly bushes, it would be near impossible to get it back to the herd.

  Then he saw the reason the cow was so determined to continue on her way. A calf only a few days old was trying to get its leg out of a limb that had wrapped itself around it. This was a precarious situation, not only for the calf and its mama, but for him, too. Every cowboy knew a mama cow could be as ornery and mean as the wildest beast in the area, and was nothing to mess with when she was tending to her baby.

  Aaron managed to get between the cow and her calf, but he wasn’t sure he could get the little fellow out of the mesquite before the cow interfered and he found himself tangled in the bush, too. Then he heard the distinct yell of Salty’s voice as his friend swung his hat and headed the mama cow in another direction.

  Working quickly, Aaron raced to the calf and grabbed it behind his head. With swift movements, he took the long bladed knife from his boot and sliced the limb that held the calf. When he was free, the little animal bellowed and ran toward its mother.

  “Thanks,” Aaron said coming out of the bushes. “That could’ve ended in a sorry situation.”

  “I guess it could.” Salty replaced his hat and started to ride off.

  “Wait, Salty.”

  The cowboy waited, but he sat in the saddle without speaking.

  “As I said, thanks.”

  “No thanks necessary. I would’ve done it for anybody.”

  “I know. We’d all do the same thing, but I appreciate you doing it for me.”