Rena's Cowboy

by Agnes Alexander

  “Go ahead, honey.”

  “You see, Mr. Jefferson. When my uncle sent me out here to live with my cousin Adela, he knew I’d probably never come back to Atlanta. After all, he’s like you, getting old and fat and knew he wasn’t going to live much longer. So he sent me out here with a dowry in case I met a man and got married.” She smiled. “I never dreamed I’d fall in love with Mr. Haywood, but I did. And now we’re married so my dowry goes to him. I’m sure there’s plenty to pay off the mortgage and still leave some for other things we want.”

  A flabbergasted Jefferson stared at her. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he stuttered.

  “Of course. I don’t want to live on a ranch that isn’t paid for.”

  He looked at Jake, but Jake only grinned.

  “Well, I’m sure we can’t get the bank to transfer your money here in time to beat the deadline.”

  “Oh, there won’t be a transfer. We have the money with us.”

  “But, Mrs. Haywood, we can’t take confederate money.”

  She knew he was stalling for time. He wanted Jake to lose the ranch. She was going to be sure he never got his greedy hands on it. “Mr. Jefferson, do you think I’m an idiot? I know confederate money is worthless. I brought real money. You do take real money, don’t you?”

  “Of course we do, but the mortgage is at least two thousand dollars. Did you bring that much?”

  She looked at Jake. “Why didn’t you tell me it was such a small sum?” To Mr. Jefferson she said, “Of course I brought that much and then some.”

  Jake took the money from his vest pocket. “If you’ll get the papers and mark them paid in full, I’ll hand over the two thousand dollars to you, Jefferson.”

  “Well, I…”

  “Mr. Jefferson seems reluctant to take our money, Jake. Maybe we should have witnesses.” She turned toward the lobby. “Mrs. Willard, would you mind coming in here and bring the teller with you?”

  Jefferson produced the note and Jake counted out enough money to pay it in full. Smiley continued to live up to his name and Mrs. Willard seemed pleased that she was included in the transaction.

  When the papers were signed and witnessed, Rena said, “Now, may we have a copy?”

  “Why? Don’t you think I can keep them for you, Mrs. Haywood?”

  “It’s not that. My uncle taught me that in business one should always keep a copy of transactions.”

  “You uncle must have been in banking, too.”

  “Oh, no. He said there wasn’t enough money in banking. He took the fortune he inherited and invested in the railroad business. Now he says there’s a new invention on the market called the telephone that’ll be in use in the next few years.” She smiled sweetly. “My uncle has always invested wisely.”

  “I read about the telephone in the paper that my husband brought home the other day,” Mrs. Willard said.

  “Lot of nonsense, if you ask me,” Wadell grumbled.

  As Smiley made a copy by hand of the receipt, Jake turned to Jefferson. “Now, I think we should open an account. Rena brought a little more money with her and I’m sure the rest will come as a transfer. I don’t want anyone thinking we keep any money at the ranch.”

  “How much money are we talking about?” Jefferson stared at him.

  Jake looked at Rena. “You had six or seven thousand all together, didn’t you, honey?”

  “Oh, Jake, you know I’m not good about such things.”

  Jefferson’s greedy eyes got bigger. “I’ll take care of that money for you. Do you want it in your name, Mrs. Haywood?”

  “Of course not. Put it in my husband’s name. He’s smarter about these things than I am. Besides it’s his anyway. The dowry goes to the husband, you know.”

  “I just want to make sure she can get it, if something happens to me.”

  “We can do that, Jake…er, Mr. Haywood.”

  After the paperwork was completed, Rena and Jake stood. “Thank you for your time.”

  “You’re welcome, Mr. Haywood.” He looked at Rena. “I’m sorry if I offended you, Mrs. Haywood. I should’ve known you were a classy lady.”

  She didn’t answer and he turned back to Jake. “Congratulations on your marriage. It looks like you have a wonderful wife.”

  “She’s a handful, but still the most wonderful woman in the world.”

  “Then you better watch her. That woman who helped you shoot all those evil men the other week might decide your wife talks too much.”

  Jake frowned. “Why, Mr. Jefferson, I though you understood. Mrs. Haywood here was the lady who helped me fight off those men. She’s one of the best shots you’ll ever meet. She’s better than I am.”

  “No, I’m not, Jake.” Rena looked at him with a coy grin.

  “Well, I never dreamed a tiny woman like you could handle a gun like that, Mrs. Haywood.”

  “My father taught me to shoot when I was barely big enough to hold a gun and my uncle has made me continue to practice. I guess I have a knack for it.” She flipped around and headed for the door. Jake followed her.

  Mr. Jefferson was standing at the door shaking his head as they walked out of the bank and got into the buckboard.

  “We sure pulled that off, didn’t we?” She looked up at Jake.

  “Yeah, but I almost fell over when you called him Wadell.”

  She giggled. “Nice little touch, wasn’t it?”

  “It sure was.” Jake pulled the wagon toward the hotel. “We’ll rent a room. Then while you rest a bit, I’ll take the horses and get them stabled. We’ll go find some lunch as soon as I get back.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Chapter 18

  Jake believed the food at the Silver Slipper was probably the best in town, but he wasn’t about to take Rena there. They ended up at the small café next to McGregor’s Mercantile. It was run by the widow Dunnel and her daughter, Sophie, and was a respectable place. He wasn’t sure how good the food would be. It usually depended on how Mrs. Dunnel felt that day. But it was either eat there or at the hotel. He planned they’d eat supper in the hotel dining room, so this was the only other choice.

  “Well if it ain’t Jake Haywood,” a big rotund woman greeted them when they entered the restaurant. “It’s an honor to have you come in here to eat.” She lifted an eyebrow. “You did come to eat, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, we did, Mrs. Dunnel.” Jake smiled at her. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Rena.”

  “Well, bless my soul. You finally got married.” She gave Rena a toothy grin. “I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

  “I think I do, Mrs. Dunnel.”

  “Well come on in and sit yourself down. I got some good venison stew cooking and if that don’t strike your fancy I got a beef roast that will melt in your mouth. Sophie’s in there now watching the taters. They’ll be ready in just a few minutes.” She led them to a table near the window and wiped it with the towel tucked in her apron. She turned and looked at Rena. “So you finally got Jake Haywood to settle down to a married life?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I think it’s about time. I was afraid he was going to spend the rest of his sorry life messing around with that good for nothing Molly from the Silver Slipper.”

  Jake’s heart quickened. He didn’t want anyone telling Rena about Molly Ferguson. In fact, he wanted to turn around and run, but when Rena glanced at him with a laugh in her eyes, he knew she wasn’t upset. At least he hoped she wasn’t. The last thing he wanted to do was for her to be hurt over something that happened in his past and something that would never happen again.

  Mrs. Dunnel went on. “I tried my best to get Jake interested in my Sophie and I heard Mrs. Jordon was sure he’d marry up with her Becky. You met her yet, honey?” She looked at Rena.

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Well, you ain’t missed much. The Jordons live out of town a ways. Becky’s a right pretty little old gal, but her mama is sure lacking in that department. I bet Jake was a
fraid the girl would look like her big fat mama in a few years.” Mrs. Dunnel let out a belly laugh. “Why, that woman’s even bigger than I am and the good Lord knows, I carry enough weight for two women. Three if they’re your size.” She continued to laugh. “Maybe that’s why Jake couldn’t get interested in Sophie. Thought she’d turn out like me.”

  Jake was finally able to break into the conversation. “I think I’ll have the beef roast and potatoes, Mrs. Dunnel.” He glanced at his wife. “What about you, Rena?”

  “I’ll have that, too.”

  “All right. I’ll get you some coffee and then I got to get back to my cooking. Sophie will bring the beef out in a minute.”

  Jake wished he’d taken Rena to the hotel dining room after all. What would she think of all Mrs. Dunnel’s chattering about women in his life? How could he convince Rena that no woman he’d ever known could compete with her? He wasn’t too worried what she’d think about Becky and Sophie, but would she be upset because of Molly? Yes, she’d been his favorite at the Silver Slipper, when his need for a woman pushed him. She’d been fun and she’d given him a lot of relief, but he knew he’d never have the need for anyone like Molly again. Rena was all it took to make him happy. More than anything, he wanted her to know and understand that.

  When they were finally alone, Jake leaned across the table and whispered, “I’m sorry. I forgot what a talker Mrs. Dunnel is.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m learning a lot from her.” She was suppressing a smile. At least he hoped it was a smile.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, now I know about three of your past lovers.” Rena counted on her finger. “Becky, Sophie and Molly. Do I have to worry about any of them making trouble for me?”

  “Of course not. No woman in my past should ever cross your mind.”

  Before she could say anything else, Mrs. Dunnel returned with two cups of coffee. “I know Jake drinks his black, but I bet you take milk and sugar in yours. Probably lots of it. A dainty little thing like you couldn’t handle this he-man stuff.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Dunnel. I do like milk and sugar and lots of it.”

  The woman smiled to herself. Jake knew she was proud that she figured out what Rena would like. He didn’t bother to tell her that Rena often drank her coffee black.

  “Maybe the sugar will put a little meat on your bones.” She handed Rena the milk pitcher and the sugar bowl. To Jake she said, “You better watch her, Jake. She’s so little you might lose her in the sheets some night.” She let out a cackle and headed toward the kitchen, saying, “Your beef will be out in a minute.”

  “Rena, please ignore what she says. You do know you don’t have to worry about other women, don’t you?”

  She gave him a coy wink. “Let me get a look at Sophie and I’ll let you know.”

  Jake squirmed. “Honey…”

  The door to the kitchen opened and Sophie stepped out with two brimming plates. She was a tall girl with chestnut-colored hair that she had in a long braid down her back. Her eyes were brown and she had a nice figure. Most people, including Jake, considered her pretty. He moaned inwardly. Why did Sophie have to look nice today? He’d seen her before when her hair was in shambles and she had food and flour on her clothes. He’d also seen her undressed, but this was something he didn’t want Rena to ever know.

  It had been a couple of years ago during a barn dance. He’d bid on and won her picnic basket because he figured she’d have good food. It also had two bottles of wine. They’d gone down to the river to spread out the blanket and eat. By the time the first bottle was empty, she was naked and Jake almost was. Then they heard her mama calling her. They hurriedly dressed and were opening the second bottle of wine when Mrs. Dunnel appeared and made Sophie come back to the festivities with her. Jake finished the wine alone. Afterward, he passed out and never got back to the party. Since that incident, he hadn’t let himself be alone with Sophie. He knew she had marriage on her mind and at the time, it certainly wasn’t on his.

  “Hello, Jake.” Sophie set the plates before them. She smiled at Rena.

  “Sophie, this is my wife, Rena.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Haywood. Mama said you were out here. I hope she didn’t embarrass you. She talks too much sometimes.”

  “Your mother was fine, Sophie, and please call me Rena.”

  “Thank you. I will.” She glanced at Jake and said, “If you need anything else, let me know.”

  “Thank you.” Jake wondered if she remembered the incident at the river. He looked at Rena and waited for her to say something.

  She only smiled and cut into her beef. Putting a small bite in her mouth, she said, “It’s good, Jake. You’re going to like it.”

  “It might be good, but I bet it’ll never come up to what you and Adela cook.”

  “That’s a sweet thing to say.” She continued eating. She still had that bemused look in her eyes and Jake wondered why. He wasn’t going to ask though. He figured it was best not to stir up trouble with his new wife. If trouble was what she was thinking about.

  Done eating, they went next door to the mercantile. As they stepped in the door, Mrs. McGregor called out, “I saw you go into the café and I was hoping you’d stop in here.” She came out from behind the counter. “I’m Rachel McGregor and I’m delighted to meet the new Mrs. Haywood.”

  “Hello, Mrs. McGregor. I’m happy to meet you, too.”

  She nodded at Jake then turned back to Rena. “What can I help you with, my dear?”

  “Jake has a list of supplies we need and I told Adela I’d see if I could find some material for dresses.”

  “Help yourself. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I’m sure you’ll spot something you want.”

  “I hope so. I lost most of my clothes on the trip here from Atlanta and I need several things. Adela is an excellent seamstress. She made this dress I’m wearing.”

  “I recognize the material. It looks lovely on you with your coloring and I like the way she fashioned the neckline like the new things in the catalogue.”

  “Things tight around my neck make me feel as if I’m choking.”

  Mrs. McGregor turned and said, “Jake Haywood, don’t just stand there looking lost. Why don’t you leave your list and go on down to the Silver Slipper for a drink or to the livery stable and talk to the horses? I’ll take good care of your wife.”

  “Well…I…”

  “Don’t tell me that you enjoy standing around watching a woman pick out cloth.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Hog wash. No man enjoys that. You get along with you now. Anyone who can put the esteemed Wadell Jefferson in his place is somebody I want to get to know. I’m sure your wife and I will end up good friends.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Mrs. Willard came in here right after the encounter at the bank. It doesn’t take news like that long to spread all over town.”

  Rena placed her hand on Jake’s arm. “Go ahead, dear. I’ll be fine.”

  “You sure?”

  “Of course she’s sure,” Mrs. McGregor said. “Now, scoot.”

  Jake looked hesitant, but a smile and a nod from Rena must have made him think she meant it. He slipped out the door and headed down the street toward the Silver Slipper.

  “Now he’s gone, we can talk.” Mrs. McGregor looked at Rena. “How about a cup of tea?”

  “I’d love a cup of tea.”

  “Good, Rena. May I call you Rena?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Call me Rachel. I meant it when I said I admired you for taking old man Jefferson down a notch. He’s needed it for a long time.”

  “I really wasn’t trying to take him down…”

  “Doesn’t matter. You did it. Like I said, Vivian Willard came in here and told me what went on. The Jeffersons have tried to run this town for years. You’ve done what we’ve all wanted to do for a long time.”

  “All I wanted to do was make th
e man treat us with respect, Rachel.”

  “You did it, too. I bet when old Mirabel Jefferson hears what went on she’ll pop her corset staves. She’s held her nose so high since they came to this town that I’ve been afraid she’d drown in a good gully washer.”

  Rena chuckled.

  “You look around a bit and I’ll go put the teakettle on.”

  Rena ambled over to the material that was piled higher than her head. She spied a pink material with a darker pink roses in it. She wondered if Jake would like to see her in something made of it. Then she saw a black and white checked piece with red roses scattered about it and knew it would be perfect for Adela.

  She heard the bell over the door jingle. Rachel came from the back of the store. “Why, Mirabel Jefferson. How are you? You look a little flushed.”

  “It’s those uncouth Haywoods, Rachel. Jake and his new wife came in the bank this morning. She’s something else.”

  Rena ducked back in the bolts of fabric and waited to see what the woman said.

  “What do you mean, Mirabel?”

  “That woman had the nerve to call my husband by his Christian name. Can you imagine that?”

  “I wonder why she did that.”

  “I have no idea. Must be the upbringing of those people. You know the Haywood men have a questionable background. It would’ve been so much better if they’d lost that ranch and moved on. Now they’ve paid it off, I guess they’ll stay here.”

  “When they come in for supplies, they’re always perfect gentlemen.”

  “Pooh. I heard that one of their ancestors was an Indian. Have you ever heard of an Indian who had any upbringing?”

  “Well, Jake Haywood’s wife is certainly no Indian. She’s as fair as they come and she has wonderful manners.”

  “If she has good manners, why did she call my husband, Wadell?”

  “Maybe he called her by her first name.”

  “So what? We always call people beneath us by their first names. They should be honored we even speak to them.”

  Rena was about to step out and confront Mirabel Jefferson, but Rachel McGregor’s next words stopped her.

  “I’d be careful about saying people are beneath you, Mirabel. I hear Rena Haywood is from one of the richest families in Atlanta. She’s even traveled to Europe.”