“Morning, Pete. Any problems last night?”
“Nothing but the usual, a few fights at the saloons. At Hans’ place, Hans used the butt of his shotgun on the brawler’s heads and locked them in the back room. Guess he didn’t want to lose their business. The other two were down at the Reservation. I rattled their noggins’ a mite and gave them a good warning.” He coughed. “Didn’t want to put them in the back with the Missus. Wouldn’t be decent.”
“Good decision. Appreciate your consideration.”
He mumbled something under his breath that sounded like, “At least somebody around here was thinking about the poor woman.”
Royce ignored him. “Where’s Jason? Surely he hasn’t left already.”
“Nope. Came in from checking on the prisoner and headed for Maybell’s to get her some breakfast.”
“Good. Think I’ll go in and check on her.” The steel door stood ajar. From the entry way he could see the cell was empty. He swung around. “Where the hell is she?”
Pete stood up, stomped to the door, and peeked in the cell. He pointed. “Right there the last time I saw her.”
“Exactly when was that?”
“I checked on her about four this morning. She was sleeping fine.”
The front door opened, and Jason walked in without breakfast. Royce’s heart dropped at the look on his brother’s face. It was etched with determination and without a drop of remorse.
Dread made his belly clench. “What have you done, Jason?”
Jason looked him square in the eye. “What I thought needed to be done. I put her on the train back to San Antonio.”
Royce punched him before he realized he’d moved a muscle. Jason went down hard but quickly regained his feet. “Come on, big brother. Punch me again if it’ll make you feel better.” The blood pounded in Royce’s head, and he swung again, but Jason dodged and landed a blow to the side of his head. “She’s not your wife, Royce. Pearl would never act like that woman.”
He charged, and they both hit the floor, rolling and punching until Pete pulled him off Jason. “Stop it, Royce. You’re going to seriously hurt the boy.”
His breath came in deep gasps as, hands fisted, he stared down at his baby brother, appalled at what they’d done to each other. Jason’s nose was bloodied and one eye was already swelling shut. He reached out and helped him up. Voice hoarse, he mumbled. “It wasn’t your decision to make, brother. It was mine. Mine alone, dammit.”
Jason didn’t flinch. “She’s not Pearl, Royce. I was trying to protect you.” Royce and his brothers were close, their folks saw to it they always stood up for each other. He couldn’t fault Jason’s motive, but while trying to protect him, he’d failed to think about the ramifications of her leaving.
“If I don’t know whether she’s my wife or not, you sure as hell can’t know for sure she’s not. I’m a grown man and can protect myself. Furthermore, I’m the marshal here, and if I don’t catch the train, I’ll never know how she ended up with Pearl’s things. You just interfered with an investigation. I should fire your sorry butt.”
He grabbed his hat off the floor. Shoulders stiff with rage, he strode out of the office. The street was filling with people, stores beginning to open. To the South he could see a trace of what he hoped was smoke from the train. If he rode hard enough, he might catch the train. He vaulted into the saddle and kicked Samson into a fast trot. Just south of town, he turned the horse loose and let him run. The wind whipped at his face threatening to remove his black felt hat from his head.
He hadn’t gone far when he realized the chase was useless. It’d be impossible to catch the train. Samson responded to the pull on the reins, but reluctant to end his run, danced sideways as he slowed to a stop. Royce slumped in the saddle and stared off in the distance. The horse snorted and stamped his feet in impatience. “Sorry boy, she got away.” He patted his neck. “I’ll let you run on the way back to town.”
Texanna, the mystery woman, may have eluded his clutches this time, but San Antonio wasn’t too far away. He’d wire the sheriff and have him keep an eye out for the redheaded female. Their business wasn’t finished, and he wouldn’t rest until it was.
Chapter Four
Texanna breathed a sigh of relief when she righted herself after being thrown around the small lavatory of the train car. She’d probably have a knot on her head from hitting the mirror. It would go nicely with the one she’d gotten the day before. With the nineteenth-century dress and straw hat stuffed in the carpetbag, she exited the restroom. Uttering a sigh of contentment at the comfort of the air-conditioned car, she found a vacant seat, leaned back, and tried to relax. Her foot tapped out a staccato beat on the floorboard. Relax? Hell’s bell’s, she’d just traveled back and forth in time, she might never unwind.
When the train pulled to a stop, she jumped up and rushed to the exit, anxious to get to Pearlina’s house and talk. Lord, she was so wound-up she might never shut her mouth. She snorted with derision. Her loving Miss Pearl would learn what her precious Royce had done to her. Actually, she didn’t quite blame the man. The entire experience was too weird to believe.
The sun blazed down on her car. As she unlocked the door and slid inside, the heat stole her breath. It must be one-hundred-twenty-degrees. She started the engine and turned the air conditioner on high. The interior cooled to a tolerable temperature, and she backed out of the parking slot and headed for the exit. As she accelerated to merge with traffic on the freeway, she thrilled at the T-bird’s powerful response. She patted the steering wheel affectionately, grateful to be back in modern 2008.
Today a haze hung over the city, the modern world’s smog. So the air wasn’t fresh and clear like in 1880, but it didn’t smell like horse manure either. It was a nice summer day, not a cloud in the sky, and she was home. Life couldn’t be better.
The street in front of Pearl’s house was lined with cars as was her folk’s house. When her mother answered Pearl’s door, Texanna knew something was seriously wrong.
Madeline Keith was born into one of San Antonio’s oldest families and made sure everyone knew it. Texanna couldn’t ever remember seeing the woman without her makeup or not impeccably clothed. Dressed in her designer suit and pearls, she’d have looked perfect on Texas Monthly Magazine.
Mother grabbed her arm and as she pulled her into the wide entry hall and hissed. “Where’ve you been? We’ve been trying to reach you since early yesterday afternoon.”
Dread inched up her spine. “I’ve been in Waco talking to a client. What’s wrong, did Miss Pearl have another heart attack?”
“Why didn’t you answer your cell phone?”
“Sorry Mom, I forgot and left my cell phone at home.”
Anxious to avoid anymore questions, she pushed her way past her mother to see her father and Pauline sitting close together on the sofa. Pauline was crying. Texanna’s throat closed, and she had difficulty getting words out. “Daddy, is it bad?”
Andrew Keith was tall, and still a handsome man with his auburn hair streaked with gray. His face twisted with concern as he rose and came to her. He placed both hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, baby. She’s gone.”
Her eyes darted to the staircase. “Oh no, Daddy. I didn’t get to say goodbye.” She fell into his arms, and he patted her back as she cried against his shoulder. “I should’ve been here with her, I shouldn’t have left town.”
“Don’t say that, honey. None of us knew she’d go yesterday. Pearlina was ready, sweetheart.” Texanna had known for years that Pearl asked Daddy to settle her affairs when she passed. She had no living relatives, but the possibility of Pearl dying didn’t seem imminent to Texanna. Yes, she was ninety-four years old, but…
His words, meant to comfort, only made her sob harder. She felt hands on her back and turned to see a smiling Pauline, Pearl’s friend and companion, her bright blue eyes sparkled with tears. “Come here, my girl, Pearl died a happy woman.” She captured Texanna’s face between her hands and nod
ded. “You made her very happy. Yesterday she talked for an hour about the joys of her life. You were one of them. She’d want you to celebrate her life, not mourn.”
Texanna nodded and stepped into the older woman’s arms. They clung to each other and cried until Pauline pulled back. She sniffed and wiped at her tears with a lacy handkerchief. “Now, that’s enough. You need a cup of hot tea and a couple of my teacakes.”
She looked toward her father, who stood with her mother in the big entry hall, seeing visitors out. Ladies from Pearl’s church bustled around in the large dining room, so Texanna allowed herself to be led away. Nothing was more comforting than food and talk in Pauline’s kitchen.
The tea was strong and hot, just what Texanna needed to fortify her system. Pauline took an envelope from her dress pocket. “Pearl dictated this to me after the train left yesterday.”
Her hand trembling, Texanna carefully opened the letter.
My dearest child,
If you’re reading this, I’ve passed on and you’ve returned to the twenty-first century. You’ve been the joy and hope that’s kept me alive these past twenty-two years. The night you were born I dreamed of the woman you’d become. As you grew and filled my lonely hours, I felt you’d been sent to me for a special purpose. Of late, I’ve wondered if God had a plan when he sent me forward, if maybe I was just the catalyst for something to come. I think you were his target all along. God keep you…
Texanna didn’t know what to think. God’s target? What on earth did that mean? Before she could ask, Pauline reached out and clasped Texanna’s hand. “She was so happy, honey. I can’t tell you how long she’s waited for Royce to hear from her.”
“Pauline, you haven’t even asked if the theory worked or not.”
“Well, did it? Did you see Royce and talk to him?”
“Yes, but he locked me up in jail. The arrogant man accused me of stealing Pearl’s things, even threatened to charge me with her murder. He wouldn’t believe I’d traveled from 2008 even after reading her letters.”
Pauline covered her mouth with a hand. “Locked you up? Oh, dear, Pearl would have a fit if she knew.” She reached for Texanna’s hand. “Did you give him the message?”
Texanna explained both Royce and Jason’s reaction to her news about the bank robbery. She prayed they’d take her words seriously and prepare for Sam Bass’s arrival. Before she could tell her how she got out of jail, her parents entered the kitchen ending their opportunity to discuss her trip further. Pauline stood to get two more cups while Texanna tucked the letter in her jeans pocket.
****
Pearlina Dyson Thompson was buried the following day. The church overflowed with people who came to pay their respects. Until five years ago, when her health deteriorated, she’d been active in her church and the community. Evidently, she’d not been forgotten. Flowers blanketed the wall behind the pulpit creating a natural backdrop for the mahogany casket covered with a spray of yellow rosebuds and white lilies.
The pastor’s words soothed Texanna. “I’m reading from the book of Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 1-3.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name and you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
“I pray these words give you comfort for I know they did Pearlina. One of her favorite scriptures was Isaiah 40, verse 28. It had special meaning for her.”
As he read, the preacher’s melodic voice washed over Texanna like warm water over a cold back.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. There is no searching of His understanding.”
Texanna stifled the sobs that threatened. Pearl fought her fate in 1936, but she’d finally given up her battle and accepted God’s plan for her. What a relief it must have been.
Texanna wiped her face with a tissue from the box sitting on the pew. She sat between her father, his arm locked tightly around her shoulders, and Pauline. Pastor John, thin and frail in his long robe, looked out at them and smiled. He’d been Pearl’s spiritual advisor for the past fifty years. He’d known her well. “Several months ago, over a pot of tea and a plate of Pauline’s teacakes, Pearlina shared some of her precious memories.” The congregation chuckled. “She told me about a journey she’d taken in her youth, one that took everything dear to her away.” Texanna held her breath. Surely, Pearl didn’t discuss time-travel with anyone besides her and Pauline. “When she stopped fighting against the fate God handed her, she found a new purpose in life. She reminded me how important it is not to question the journeys God sends us on, but to accept his will and enjoy the ride. Pearlina’s life was rich and full. She loved the Lord and looked forward to life’s final journey.”
Texanna wiped tears from her face and smiled. Without a doubt, she knew the words were meant for her. I won’t forget, Pearl.
****
Pearlina’s lawyer joined them after the funeral to read the will. They sat around the long mahogany dining table covered with a hand crocheted cloth. Pauline served coffee and handed around refreshments.
Mr. Jamison cleared his throat. “Pauline, would you please have a seat so we may begin.” Looking a little shocked, she nodded and moved to the far end of the table. “I, Pearlina Dyson Thompson, known to my friends as Pearl, hereby…”
He read through a bunch of legal jargon stating Pearl was of sound mind at the time she’d written her will.
“To Pauline, my faithful friend, I bequeath a monthly income of four thousand dollars for the remainder of her life. My home, with an allotment for its upkeep, all its furnishings and my personal belongings, I leave to the young woman who’s made my aging years bearable—my beloved Texanna. The remainder of my estate I leave to the University of Texas Paranormal Research Department.”
Face red with anger, Madeline turned on her husband. “This house should have been left to you, Andrew. I don’t know what she was thinking.” The beautiful old Victorian was in a prestigious part of town, as was her parents’ next door, but Pearl’s house was bigger, the gingerbread and woodworking more ornate. If Mother and Daddy lived in the house, her mother would enjoy the envy of her pretentious friends.
Her father hushed her with a glare. His reprimand brooked no argument. “Texanna helped Pearl fill many lonely hours these last years of her life. She wants Texanna to have this place, and I’m perfectly happy with her decision.” He turned to Pauline. “I hope you’ll stay on and help Texanna with things. I hate to see her here all by herself.”
Texanna quickly agreed. “Please stay, Pauline. I need help going through Pearl’s personal effects. Some things I won’t know whether to keep or get rid of.”
“I’d like that if you’re sure I won’t be in the way.”
Texanna stood and hugged the older woman. “You know you’re as dear to me as you were to Pearl. If you interfere in my business, I’ll let you know.”
Pauline laughed and wiped a tear off her cheek. “I just bet you will.”
****
Texanna found going through Pearlina’s things emotionally exhausting. She read old letters. Some words brought laughter, others tears. Her vanity held a variety of half-empty bottles of perfumes. She sampled every one and found each fragrance brought on fond memories of her childhood. One empty container sat alone. When she removed the lid, a trace of sweet lilac filled her senses. Funny, she never remembered Pearl wearing the scent, but for some reason, the bottle held a special place on her dressing table.
Her mahogany chest-of-drawers held underwear from the forties and fifties, some still with the tags. The woman had enough shoes, purses, and hats to open a store. Texanna decided to keep the ones she liked best and donate the rest to San Antonio’s Community Theatre for costumes.
&nb
sp; By mid-afternoon, tired from a full day of packing, Texanna curled up on the old four-poster bed to take a nap. When she woke, the last of the day’s sunlight shone through the lace curtains onto a book on the bedside table. It was a book on the early history of Waco, Texas. She rolled over and grabbed it. As she ruffled the pages, it fell open to two pieces of stationary folded in half. She unfolded the first and read.
There is but one philosophy and its name is fortitude! To bear is to conquer our fate. (Edward G. Bulwer Lytton—1803-1873)
The second quote was longer.
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. (Marcus Aurelius)
Marcus Aurelius? Wasn’t he a Roman emperor back in the gladiator days? She flopped back onto the pillows. Just a month ago her life had been so simple. Now she had to deal with the fact she’d time-traveled and at this very moment sat reading antique Roman literature.
Texanna sighed and flipped through the pages to a bookmarked section about Waco’s Marshal Royce Dyson. At the words in the caption under his picture, her heart sank. It described his death at the hands of the Bass gang, but it was the last several lines that chilled her soul.
Marshal Dyson’s wife, Pearlina Baines Dyson disappeared on June 15, 1876. She returned June 15, 1880 but the following day vanished. Though foul play was suspected, nothing could be proven. The situation is a mystery that’s never been solved.
****
Texanna searched the Internet until she found mention of the Dyson family. Jason’s great-grandson Jonathan was born in 1928. His last recorded address was in Kerrville, Texas, just a short drive from San Antonio. Directory assistance gave her his phone number. He answered on the first ring.
“Mr. Dyson, this is Texanna Keith. You don’t know me, but I’ve been doing some research on the lawmen of the Dyson family.”
My Heart Will Find Yours Page 4