by Rita Hestand
"I love her! I'd love it if she got pregnant."
"Have you told her that?"
Lance kicked the hay around, "No!"
"Why not?"
"Because of Priscilla. She wouldn't believe me."
"Then Priscilla is between you, like she said. And that's the problem. Get rid of the problem."
"I get it, but I can't solve it overnight. You think I should send her a telegram and tell her I don't love her and her not to come out here?"
"No, I don't. That's a coward's way out. You are simply procrastinating what you know you gotta do, son. You got to face her and tell her like a gentlemen that it won't work and that you are sorry, but you've found another."
"And what if she's found another, and I don't know it?"
"Then you need to find out about that too."
George stared at him a long time. "I can get the herd movin' myself, me and Marty and Joe Williams. You could go to Boston, see her, get it over with and come back to the herd, you know the trail, it wouldn't be hard to catch up."
"All the way to Boston?"
"Think about how much that would impress Trudy."
Lance made a strange face.
"What would Marty and Joe think about me taking off like that?" Lance frowned.
"I'd tell 'em you had something to do for Trudy first and that you'd catch up to the herd. It wouldn't be a lie." George offered.
"I guess it wouldn't."
"Then do it son, as it will reflect on the rest of your life if you don't." When Lance looked puzzled, he went on. "You married that girl in there in your kitchen by mistake. Then you found out she wasn't a mistake. But you can't have her until you straighten out the real mistake. Once you do, life will get a lot easier around here."
"I'd rather face a mad bull in a rodeo than talk to a woman about something like this." Lance admitted.
"I can understand that too. I don't know any real man that would want to, but you got to straighten it out and this is a sure-fire way to end it."
Lance paced about, thinking about it. It was a long way to Boston but making the effort and getting this over and done with would be worth it.
Lance sat on a barrel and stared at George, still frowning.
"If I left now, I wouldn't lose much time from the herd."
"That's true too." George nodded. "That's good thinking. But what are you gonna tell Trudy?" Lance had no answer for that. "Just tell her you got business to take care of and you got to go before the drive."
"I wanted to spend this time with her."
"Fine, then go when the herd starts." George rolled his eyes as though they were going back and forth and not getting anywhere.
Lance fell silent a moment, then looked at his friend. "How do you put up with me?"
"Same way I did with your Pa. You think we didn't have a few conversations." George chuckled. "And back then, he put up with me too. Your Pa and I were greenhorns together, but now, I'm old and know a few things."
"I figured Pa had it all figured out for himself."
"Not hardly. None of us do! We had many a conversation about your Ma, let me tell you. He met her getting off the stage. We were on the boardwalk in town, talking about the next big herd we'd have, when he saw her. I kept jawin' and he kept starin'. Directly he looked at me and smiled and said, 'George, I'm going to marry that gal'. Naturally, I said what gal. He threw up a hand and pointed, 'That one,' he says. In two weeks, they were married. Oh yeah, we had a lot of conversations." George smiled and got up. He got the saddle soap and began working on a saddle. "How big a herd has Marty got this year?" He suddenly changed the subject."
"Fifteen hundred." He told him.
"And Joe?"
"A about twelve hundred."
"With ours that will make a big herd of little over six thousand."
"At least we'll have enough men to handle it." Lance sighed.
"So, when are you leaving for Boston?" George asked.
"When the herd starts out, I'll help get us on the run, and then head out."
"Sounds reasonable." George nodded.
"Are you sure you can handle things?"
"I been goin' up that trail a lot longer than you, kid." George chuckled. "I can handle it with my eyes closed. So, you don't have to hurry catchin' up. Just get it done, son."
"I guess you have, thanks, George, for everything." Lance finally smiled.
"Who you gonna leave here, with Trudy?" George asked.
"Chico, Mark, and Bill."
"Bill will be mad," George shook his head. "He's gonna assume the worst, that you're putting him out to pasture."
"No, it's not that at all. Bill's got a good head on his shoulders, whereas Mark is a hot head, Bill will keep him in control. Chico is a natural to stay here, he knows how to handle rough hombre's in case there are any. He also knows how to act like he doesn't know a thing. That's what I like about him. He seems harmless, but you can't put one over on Chico."
"Good thinkin'. He is a crafty one."
"You'll be in charge of our herd and boys until I return. I don't plan on staying in Boston long, but it will take time to get there and back."
"We'll manage." George chuckled.
Lance nodded and walked out, satisfied that he'd finally decided about Priscilla and would end the doubts with Trudy.
"I want Trudy to trust me George." Lance told him as he turned to look at him at the door.
"Women trust everything except other women, that's a fact. It's certain she's never given her heart to any man… yet!" George smiled.
Chapter Eleven
That same evening, it was late when Lance got through checking all the doors, when he came to Trudy's door and knocked. The house was very still.
Trudy was stunned to see him standing there when she opened her bedroom door.
"Something wrong?"
"Yeah," he sighed and leaned against the door frame.
"I didn't kiss you this morning and it wasn't the best of days." He said.
She looked speechless.
"Aw… hell honey." Then he pulled her unresisting body against his and planted a more than sultry kiss to her lips. Shocked she wrapped her arms around his neck and encouraged the kiss with a slight groan. He heard her slight intake of breath, felt her body melting against his, and deepened the kiss. She lost herself for a moment, totally oblivious to anything but the sweet taste of his mouth on hers. The male scent of him sent her senses whirling. This time she opened her mouth willingly, inviting the exploration of his tongue. His lips wandered over her face, around her ear, down her neck and she heard him whisper, "God, I needed that."
"Oh," she murmured when his head came up to stare into her starry-eyed look.
When he grinned, she finally smiled.
"Mine wasn't very good either," she said softly.
"One thing my dad taught me, never let the sun go down on your anger." He told her with a sexy grin. "I think he was right, I'll sleep much better now."
"So, will I. Can you tell me why you were angry?"
His expression changed to serious now, as he groped for his own answer. "I guess because you don't think I take this marriage seriously."
"I didn't expect you to." She looked guiltily at him. "I didn't let you touch me on our wedding night because you called her name while you were kissing me. I suddenly realized I was in some sort of dream-state from the time I got off the train until that moment. You put me there. No one's ever swept me off my feet, nor kissed me so thoroughly. I felt ashamed for letting it go on so long. Then you walked out when I told you who I was. It was very clear I wasn't the right lady, and I had no idea how to rectify the situation."
"I think we've been giving each other some mixed signals." he protested.
"Yes, when I told you who I was, I didn't know what you would think or do. But I did want to be honest. I thought once you heard the truth, you'd run away from me fast. And you didn't run away, and you could have," tears came to her eyes. "I never meant to blame you for it all. I un
derstood you walking out, without a word! I thought you'd left, gone home or something. I couldn't honestly believe you walked back in that room the next morning. I couldn't believe you didn't fire me."
"I slept in a livery stable that night, trying to figure out how my life got so complicated. But I got one thing to say to you now!"
"Alright."
"I'm going to Boston, I'm facing her with the truth and ending this once and for all. There is one thing I'm very sure of."
"What's that?" she asked still reeling from his kiss.
"You aren't the wrong woman!"
Her mouth opened to argue the point, but the look in his eyes gave her pause.
"Boston, you're going to Boston?"
"Yes, it's the only way to settle it."
"But what about the cattle, and Kansas?"
"I'll catch up to them when I get back. They won't be moving that quickly."
"Are you sure about this? I mean, is it something you really want to do?"
"Every time I kiss you, I know you’re the one I want. And if a trip to Boston to confirm what I already feel will end this struggle between us, then I'm ready to end it."
"But you've never kissed her!"
"You want me to kiss her while I’m there, that might send the wrong message." He smiled at her now.
"No," she shook her head and stared into his shining eyes. "But I never expected you to go to Boston. I'm confused and mixed up about all of this. It's happened so fast. My head says one thing, my heart another."
"Well, I'm going. I guess I'm a bit curious why she didn't show up that day. I want to see this sick mother of hers. I still don't believe it. There's something very wrong about this, and I'm going to face and find out what it is, once and for all, so you and I can get on with our lives together."
"And then what happens."
"We're going to live happily ever after." He told her with another sweet kiss to her lips.
She was wearing a blue robe, he'd bought her at the store in Ft. Worth, it looked so sweet on her, her hair draping over one shoulder in long curls.
"I guess I better turn in," he told her.
"Goodnight." She whispered.
He bent to touch her lips one more time, "Sweet dreams."
She licked her lips and watched him walk to his room.
When she closed the door, she closed her eyes and hugged herself. She wished with all her might she was hugging him, but if he went to Boston, and faced Priscilla for her, she'd be his wife for the rest of her life. Tears came to her eyes just thinking about it. He must love her to do such a thing. How could she have doubted him?
The thought of being his wife thrilled her. Sleeping with him every night, loving him, being finally free to love him like he deserved.
But what if Priscilla seduced him while he was there? What if she got pregnant? What if, what if!
Oh Lord, I gotta quit dreaming up problems!
On Saturday he took her to meet the Williams. Sally Williams was a bit younger than Helen and very pretty. She was blonde and tall, and she had five children running around the house chasing each other. Strange but the noise they made didn't seem to affect her.
She offered her some coffee and some apple pie.
Lance and Joe Williams went outside to discuss the trail drive.
"I'm sorry I haven't been over to welcome you, hon, but as you can see, I have five kids that keeps me in line every day."
"I understand, must keep you plenty busy."
"Yes, it does. So, tell me, how do you like it here?"
"I do, very much. I don't like the weather as much, I mean it's just April and already beginning to get hot."
"Wait until July and August those months are killers, it gets so hot sometimes you think you'll just die from breathing the hot air. Sometimes the wind just doesn't blow, and you wish for it. It doesn't come."
"I met Helen the other day."
"Did you, we all get together on quilting Fridays."
"Oh, yes, I want to learn to do that."
"Well, we can always use another hand at it. We try to make quilts for the church, as new people are always moving here and don't have things they need."
"I see, sounds wonderful." Trudy told her.
"I told Helen I'd give her some recipes and help her learn to cook more, if she'd teach me how to quilt. I've never done it, although I can sew some, but I'm sure not as well as any of you." Trudy explained.
"Oh, that's good, I'm sure Marty will appreciate that!" Sally chuckled.
"It surprised me at her age that she isn't an excellent cook."
Sally ran her finger over the top of her coffee cup, "Well, there's a reason for that. You see, her Ma died early, and she was the oldest kid, so her Pa had her doing things outside the home. She never got to be the girl. He treated her like the son he never had."
"That must have been hard for her, growing up I mean."
Sally nodded, her eyes taking on a faraway look as though remembering. "She told me she had a terrible time with boys, always trying to outdo them, but when Marty came along, it was different. He didn't mind her challenges and he admired the fact that she could ride, rope, and handle almost any job he could. He told her he liked a girl that could work alongside him."
"That sounds so romantic."
Sally chuckled, "When she quit trying to out do him, he started courting her. He treated her so sweet, bringing her flowers, asking her to dances. She was awkward being a girl, but she told me it was the biggest challenge of her life, and Marty was there waiting for her at the finish line. It really was quite a romance; the whole town remembers it."
"I never did manly chores, but I did my fair share of work." She told her.
"I was pampered I suppose. But Joe taught me so much about doing my share and encouraged me to learn to do new things. Out here, a woman is challenged by everything around her. She learns to cope and to do things she never thought she'd do. You gotta have a strong stomach for it, and a big heart."
"Are all your kids in school?" Trudy changed the subject as one of them came up to Sally with an "owie" she called it. Sally got some water and a rag, cleaned it up and wrapped it, and sent her on her way.
"Thanks, mommy… " the little girl came back to peck her on the cheek.
"She's precious." Trudy smiled as she bounced out the front door.
"I guess it won't be long before you and Lance have one on the way?"
Trudy met her gaze, "We haven't talked much about it, yet."
"It happens when you least expect it. Men that work hard, love hard too." Sally grinned. "But to answer your question, four of my kids are in school, little Jenny she's only three she's home with me. And sometimes I have to hunt my oldest boy down as he sneaks out and goes fishing some days. He's just starting to look at girls. But he doesn't think I know it yet. He's also a lot like his father and doesn't see the need in schooling."
Trudy watched them playing some kind of kick ball and smiled.
"Well, I hope you come visit me, as I'm sure I'll be visiting both of you a lot this summer. Whose house do you use at quilting time?"
"Helen's as she has the ceiling fixtures for it. Makes it so much easier. Marty fixed those for her, and she is as proud as a peacock. Quilting is one thing she learned to do quickly, and she loves it."
"Alright then. I didn’t' see any children when I was there. Does she have any?"
"Oh, my yes, she's got three grown sons. They are usually outside somewhere, working on something, Marty keeps them busy all the time. He don't allow them much running around time, and that's probably a good thing. I'm going to have to take lessons from him on that soon. You know, I was worried about you when you fainted in the church."
"Oh that, well, I was too hot in that dress. The train ride was hot, and then church was kind of stuffy with so many people in it. I was so embarrassed."
"Well don't be. Weddings only happen once for most of us and they can be scary." She looked at her and smiled. "You wouldn't belie
ve how Lance ran around like a chicken with his head cut off at the church. First it was seeing to everything, then your train was late, he was pacing up and down the aisle, while we all cheered him on. Getting the courage to ask you to marry was one thing for him, but at the church he was a wreck. He was so excited that day, no one could calm him down. He was talking up a blue streak, which normally he doesn't do. He was adorable."
"Yes, he didn't let me get a word in edgewise at the station, he just kissed me silly and drug me to the church, all the while chattering."
"I bet you were flustered."
"A bit, yes. And then the church was packed with so many people. And I didn't know a soul."
The kids ran outside now, and the house got quiet. Sally's house was nice on the inside, she kept it clean despite the children.
When Lance came in with Joe, he introduced her to him, and they sat down and ate pie with them.
"So, you're going to Boston before you join us?" Joe asked turning his head to look at Trudy. "Isn't that where your wife is from?"
"It's a long story and I'll tell you all about it on the drive when I get back."
"I'll look forward to that." Joe chuckled. "I guess George will be takin' over for you, huh?"
"Yeah, we've already discussed it." Lance told him.
After a good visit they left.
As he drove the wagon toward home, he shook his head, "Looks like I got a heap of explaining to do about you."
"Give you something to talk about on that long drive." She smiled.
"I was wondering if you've got a picture of you, somewhere?"
"A picture?" She thought that a funny question.
"Yeah."
"No, I haven't."
When he frowned, she explained. "Pictures were something that was a luxury Lance. Only the rich had their pictures taken. Although, remind when we get back and I'll show you a drawing a friend of mine made me."
"A drawing, I'd like to see it. Is it of you?"
"Yeah, it was the fourth of July and some of my friends pooled their money and got their pictures made, I was feeling kind of low because I didn't have money to put in the pot, so he told me he'd draw me. And he was ever so good at it too. I told him I'd never part with it."