“So you plan to remain in the area?”
Robert grinned. “I do. I have land Pa deeded me when I turned twenty-one. Five hundred acres. I have my own cattle, too. I guess now all I need is a wife and children to make my life complete.”
“I understand you are engaged to Jessica Atherton.”
It was Robert’s turn to be uncomfortable. He hadn’t wanted to talk about Jessica. “Not exactly. Folks around here think we ought to be engaged. They’ve expected us to marry for the last ten years, but there’s never been a formal agreement.”
“Ten years? But I thought Miss Atherton was my age.”
“She is. She’s been followin’ me around like a puppy since she was little. I think it had to do with her brothers never havin’ time for her. They were only a few years older than Jessica, while I was almost ten years her senior. And . . . well . . . I was nice to her.”
“Well, you are fortunate to have someone who cares about you,” Alice murmured.
For several minutes she said nothing, and Robert was hard-pressed as to how he should respond. Before he could speak, however, Alice continued. “I wrote to my mother. Marty was going to have the letter posted for me today, along with her letter back to the orphanage in Denver.”
“I’m glad you decided to write to her,” Robert said, feeling much easier about this subject. “I don’t think you’ll be sorry.”
“I hope not. I find myself completely at odds with the decision. I pray in time God will make all things clear.”
“He’s good to do that. My ma always told me that when I found things were too hard to figure out, I could probably bet that I hadn’t prayed on it first.”
Alice nodded but said nothing more. They were nearly back to the pens, so Robert decided not to press her further. He reached out and took Betsey’s reins. “I’ll put her away for you, but next time you’re gonna learn to saddle and unsaddle her yourself.” He threw her a wink. “I know you’ll be just as good at that as you were riding.”
The weeks passed, pushing the calendar into the first of March, and with it came roundup. Alice learned there was a great deal that happened at such times. She had figured it would primarily be the job of the men, since they would be the ones roping and riding. It seemed, however, that the ranch wives and daughters had just as much to do in order for the event to be successful. Alice found herself cooking and baking days in advance of the actual roundup. There wouldn’t be time for lengthy processes while seeing to the cattle, so some foods were prepared and stored ahead of time to make the workload more manageable. When the time arrived to move everything to the Atherton ranch, Alice found herself busy with toting and fetching alongside the other women. Later, she was assigned to cooking beans and helping with the washing up afterwards.
The work was arduous. The men had rounded up cattle from every point of their open ranges. They had a process for what they called mothering-up the calves. This allowed the men to separate out the pairs from the non-producing cows. The cows that were barren would be sold to the feedlot. After the animals were separated, the cowboys would start the process of dividing them up again—this time by brands.
They’d hired extra men to help with the additional tasks of branding, castrating, and treating injuries and diseases, as well as separating out those animals that would be taken to market. Alice had never seen anything like it in all her days. Having grown up in a city, her knowledge of such affairs was completely void. Meat was something to be purchased at the butcher’s, and she’d never given thought to exactly what had happened to get it there.
Cooking and cleaning, however, were things Alice was well acquainted with. She found herself amazed at the fast pace of the day. She rose early in the morning, before it was light, and helped Hannah and some of the other women prepare breakfast for the cattlemen and wranglers. The menu was simple but filling. Biscuits and ham steaks, with gallons and gallons of hot, strong coffee to wash them down. The noon meal was usually ham and beans, corn bread, and some kind of sweet treat—cookies, cake, or cobbler. The evening meal was a little more relaxed and spread out. It was during the evening that the men were able to settle in and discuss the day.
Alice liked the suppertime gatherings. There were usually a few of the men who came together and played music. Some of the fellas sang, and on occasion one or two of the wives would join in, as well. Evening meals were the only time Hannah allowed Marty to join them. One of the older hands who’d been left to oversee the Barnett ranch would drive Marty over in the buggy.
Jake always seemed happy to see her, and the two would usually slip off to a spot where they’d share supper alone. Alice was delighted that they were growing closer together. Their start had been rough—there was no doubt about it. Being a mail-order couple was never an easy situation, but they had made good on their commitment, and Alice could only esteem them for it. The key to it all had been their willingness to look to God for help.
“I almost forgot,” Marty said, approaching Alice that evening. “This came for you.”
Alice looked at the letter Marty held. There was only one person who would be writing to her here in Texas. With shaking hands, Alice took the envelope. It was from her mother.
“She’s alive.”
Marty nodded. “Read it and see what she has to say.”
“Read it here?” Alice asked.
With a shrug, Marty looked around the camp. “Why wait? Nobody here will mind. There is still a little light, and if it’s not enough my sister hung lanterns by the cook wagon.”
Alice moved toward the wagon. “What if it’s . . . well . . . what if the news is bad?”
Marty was right beside her. “Then you’ll have friends to stand beside you. Now open it and read it or I will.” Marty’s determined look told Alice that she wasn’t joking.
Alice opened the letter and silently read the few words penned by her mother.
Dearest Alice,
I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear from you and know that you are alive and well. Simon and I are packing to come immediately and be with you. We should arrive no later than the tenth of the month.
With greatest affection,
Mother
“She’s . . . she’s coming here.” Alice looked to Marty. “She’s coming with my brother.”
“That’s wonderful news! I know Hannah will be delighted to have them.”
Alice shook her head. “I . . . can’t . . . I don’t know why she’s doing this.” She dropped the letter and hurried away from Marty and the gathering of ranch workers. She had to be alone.
Moving just far enough away to be out of the main circle of light and noise, Alice dropped to her knees in the twilight shadows. The news had left her all but faint. She found it hard to breathe, and her vision seemed to swim.
“Are you all right?”
She looked up and found that Robert Barnett had followed her. She wanted to tell him to go away, but the words wouldn’t form in her mouth. Instead, she shook her head slowly.
He knelt down beside her. “What’s wrong, Alice?”
For several very long minutes she tried to think of what to say. She should be happy for the news, but instead she felt a sense of fear that she’d not known since dealing with Mr. Smith in Denver. Why should she be so unnerved?
“Alice, what is it? Talk to me.”
“Marty brought me a letter. My mother . . . she’s . . . alive.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful news.” He looked at her. “Isn’t it?”
The shadows fell across his face, and in the growing darkness, Alice could barely make out his features. She knew instinctively, however, that his expression would be one of great compassion.
“I . . . think so. Yes.” She nodded. “But . . . well . . . she’s coming here.”
“Does that worry you?”
Tears formed in Alice’s eyes and blurred her vision even more. “I . . . I . . . don’t know.” She broke down and sobbed with her face in her hands. It was such a reli
ef to know that her mother was alive—her brother, too.
Why am I acting like this? Why this sudden sense of fear?
She didn’t look up when Robert moved closer and drew her into his arms. She continued to cry quietly against his shoulder. She could feel his gentle touch and the way he stroked her head like a parent might do for a small child.
“It’s the shock of the thing,” he whispered. “Shock and relief.”
“Well, what in the world is all this about?” The curt, suspicious words of Jessica Atherton caused Alice to snap to attention and all but jump to her feet. She struggled to put as much distance between her and Robert as she could, wiping furiously at her eyes. Tripping over her gown, she struggled to stand.
Robert seemed unfazed. He got to his feet and threw Alice a sad smile before giving Jessica a reply. “Alice had a letter about her mother and brother. You knew she thought they were dead, didn’t you? Well, they’re both alive and coming here to be with her.”
Jessica folded her arms, not looking at all convinced. “A letter? And just how does a person get a letter in the middle of roundup?”
Alice could hear the suspicion in Jessica’s voice. She felt bad that she had somehow caused this turn of events. Robert had assured her the couple’s engagement wasn’t official, but still she didn’t like to come between sweethearts.
“Jess, if you must know, Aunt Marty brought it. If you need further proof, Alice would probably show it to you.”
“I’m sorry for breaking down,” Alice said before Jessica could reply. “I’m not usually given over to crying and such. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”
She didn’t want to hear any further exchange between Robert and Jessica. She felt terrible for what had happened. She hoped Robert would be able to set things right with Jessica and the two could go on being as close as ever.
Drying her eyes again on the hem of her apron, Alice went directly to the tubs of hot water and began washing dishes. Roundup would last only another few days, and then they’d return to the Barnett Ranch, and she’d be able to think more clearly about what was to be done.
Chapter 16
Robert had always liked his father’s brand. The Bar NT was one folks in the area recognized. The small line over the letters NT had been his grandfather’s idea—a casual way of putting the Barnett name on each head. For Robert’s cattle they had added a small pigtail onto the T. It wasn’t much, but it definitely distinguished between his head and those belonging to his father.
“Looks like you’ve got a good increase, son,” his father said as they turned the last of the cattle out to pasture.
“I’m pleased,” Robert said. “How about you? You gonna get that Angus bull out there breeding right away?”
“That’s the plan. Of course our biggest task is going to be working with the other ranchers to get fencing up.”
“If Mr. Terry were still alive, he’d tell you it was all a lot of bother for no good reason,” Robert said, remembering their former neighbor. His father had bought the Terry ranch when Ted had passed away. Mrs. Terry had moved east to be with her children, but she had died shortly thereafter. Folks had always said the two couldn’t be separated for long.
“He would,” Pa said, nodding. “I doubt he’d much like the way things have changed. Fencing, registrations, and restrictions—it’d be enough to make him swear, and I never heard that man ever utter a single bad word.”
“So I guess you know about Alice’s ma and brother comin’,” Robert threw out casually.
“Sure. Your ma told me right after the letter came. I’m glad for the gal. It’s only right that she have a chance to be with her family. Hannah told her they could stay in the Montoyas’ old house for as long as they needed. The gals are all over there cleanin’ today.”
The Montoyas had been a part of the ranch since the beginning. As his father’s foreman and mother’s housekeeper, the Montoyas were considered to be a part of the family. His mother and father had always treated them with respect and kindness and taught Robert to never look down on a workingman—no matter his station. When they made the decision to move back to Mexico to be near family, it had nearly broken Robert’s mother’s heart.
“That’s generous of you. I know Alice appreciates your kindness.”
His father eyed him curiously. “You and Alice seem to be gettin’ along well.”
He wasn’t sure if his father approved or disapproved by his tone. “Well, I’ve been teachin’ her to ride and showin’ her some of the duties I have here at the ranch. Thought I’d ride her over to my land and show her where I hope to build a house.”
“And what does Jessica think about that?”
Robert shrugged. “I don’t know that Jess thinks anything about it. Why should she?”
Will Barnett’s eyes narrowed. “Robert, you aren’t toyin’ with those two gals, are you? I raised you better than that.”
“I’m not toyin’ with anybody. Jess is my friend and so is Alice. I can’t help it if everybody has a notion that Jess and I are supposed to marry. I’ve never proposed.”
“Maybe not, but neither have you really denied the possibility. I think you’d better be decidin’ what it is you want before someone gets hurt.”
Robert knew his father to be a man of wisdom. “Well, I’ve been prayin’ about it, Pa. I just don’t know exactly what I’m supposed to do. Like I’ve said before, I love Jess like a little sister. I know her as well as I know my own sisters. But there’s something about Alice that intrigues me. I want to know everything about her. I want to spend all my free time with her.”
Pa smiled and looked out across the field where the longhorn were happily grazing. “That’s how I feel about your ma.”
“So what do I do?”
His father took a long moment before answering. “I think you have to let Jessica know that you aren’t going to marry her. Then you’ll be free to actually court Alice and see if this is the woman God has for you.”
Alice waited nervously with Marty and Jake at the train station. They had decided just the three of them would come to welcome Ravinia Chesterfield and her son, Simon. As Marty had put it, “There’s no sense scarin’ ’em off with a herd of folks piling in around them.”
The comment made Alice smile even now as she watched for her mother and brother to disembark the train. Marty squeezed her arm in support, but Alice found herself feeling strangely displaced. No doubt Marty knew that a part of Alice’s thoughts were back in Denver on that horrible morning when she’d learned her mother had taken Simon and gone.
Can I forgive her? Can I put aside my own pain to give true understanding to her reasons for leaving?
“Is that them?” Marty asked. “It must be,” she quickly continued. “There aren’t any other women and young boys getting off the train.”
Alice looked ahead and saw her mother. She recognized her immediately, despite her memories being so foggy over the long years.
Ravinia Chesterfield was a small woman with hair just a little darker than Alice’s blond. The boy at her side had thick, fairly long hair the same shade as his sister’s, but it was the blue eyes that Alice recognized. It was rather like looking into a mirror.
“Alice!” the boy yelled and disengaged himself from his mother’s side. He came running down the wooden platform and threw himself into Alice’s arms. “Alice! It’s me, Simon. I’m your brother. Do you remember me?” He hugged her close and then pulled back to look her in the eye as if for an answer.
Tears came to Alice’s eyes. “I do now.”
“Mama told me all about you, and we have your picture. You don’t look so different now,” he said. “Do I look different?”
Alice nodded. “All grown up.” She looked past Simon to her mother.
Ravinia Chesterfield stood in uncertain hesitation. Despite the questions and pain of the past, Alice longed to hold her mother close once again. She moved from Simon and went to her mother’s open arms. For several
minutes the two women embraced, weeping softly and saying nothing. Finally Alice’s mother stepped back and took a closer look at Alice. She ran her gloved finger along the line of Alice’s scarred face.
“Oh, my poor sweet child. What did they do to you?”
Alice hadn’t thought of what a shock her face might be. She bit her lip and tucked her right cheek to her shoulder, as she often did. Her mother would have no part of that, however. She lifted Alice’s face very gently.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. Hold your head high.”
Alice met her mother’s gaze and felt a rush of emotions. Pushing them aside, Alice dried her eyes and motioned to Marty and Jake. “These are the Wythes, the people who took me in and gave me work after I got out of the hospital.”
“But now we’re all just good friends,” Marty said, stepping forward. “I’m Martha Wythe, but folks call me Marty. This is my husband, Jake.”
The older woman nodded. “Thank you for being so good to my daughter.”
“I’m Simon,” the boy announced, positioning himself between Marty and his mother.
Marty smiled. “I suspected as much. You look just like your sister.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “But she’s a girl.”
Marty chuckled at this, as did Jake. Alice remained sober, studying her little brother’s features. Simon did look just like her. The same cheekbones and nose. Definitely the same eyes. Alice bent down. “They don’t mean you look like a girl, Simon. They mean we have similarities in our appearance—our eyes and mouth and so forth.”
The boy reached up a hand to feel his face. “But I don’t got a scar.”
Alice knew he meant no harm by the comment, but it hurt nevertheless. She reached out to touch his face. “And I pray you never will.”
Moment in Time, A (Lone Star Brides Book #2) Page 15