by Kit Morgan
“A dog? That ain’t gossip,” huffed Mrs. Dunnigan.
“My sister in Illinois sent me the prettiest lace tablecloth you ever did see,” offered Fanny.
“What color?” asked Grandma.
“White of course,” said Fanny aghast.
“That ain’t gossip either,” grumbled Grandma.
“We bought a goat from the Whites,” Mrs. Turner offered.
“Nah,” Grandma grunted.
“I helped Josiah write this Sunday’s sermon,” added Annie.
“Nope,” Grandma quipped.
“Ryder taught me how to knit yesterday, and later when I watched him skin a rabbit, I fainted.”
The room went silent as all eyes riveted on Constance. She leaned back in her chair and stared back.
“Finally!” Grandma cried. “Now that’s gossip!”
Constance blanched and audibly gulped. The room exploded into a cacophony of female voices as they all had to know what happened. In the back of her mind, she knew that watching one’s husband skin a rabbit was no giant wonder to the women of Clear Creek. But for Constance and her sisters, it was a horrifying experience to behold, and one ladies born of English society did not witness in their entire lifetime. So of course her experience was fodder for town gossip. News of this would no doubt be spread across the state within days.
Thankfully however, news of her fainting exploits only reached as far as the end of town, which of course meant that the men in the saloon got a good laugh, and the men Thackary Holmes hired, got the information they needed.
Ryder left her alone from time to time, the couple had no dog to warn her they were coming, and, she was too much a lady to fight them and probably had no idea how to use a gun. All of which meant, it would be easy to kill her.
Thirteen
Too soon the meeting of the ladies sewing circle drew to a close, and it was time to go home. “You’ll let me know when the wedding is going to be,” Constance said to Eloise as they stood.
“Of course, I’ll find a way to get word to you so there’s plenty of time.”
“Living so far from town I start feeling as if I’m missing out, but then, you’re not living in town either, none of us are.”
“True,” Eloise stated. “But as soon as I’m married, I’ll be living at the hotel. You must find a way to come into Clear Creek with Penelope so we can have tea at least once a week. Please promise me you’ll talk to Ryder about it.”
Constance smiled. She was learning her husband didn’t like frequent trips to town, and wondered if once a week would be too much. But ask him she would, for she didn’t relish the idea of not being in the company of her sisters for too long. “I promise.”
“Good.” Eloise took Constance by the hand and walked to the opened mercantile doors. Fanny Fig, who left with most of the other ladies was the last one out and didn’t bother to close them. “I want this to be the best wedding yet!”
“Well as you are the last of us to wed, how can it not be?” Penelope threw in. “At least until our other cousins arrive, so for now Eloise, you have the stage.”
Eloise hugged her, then Constance. “We’ll all live happily ever after, you’ll see. I’m so glad mother agreed to the Duke’s idea of sending us here. I can’t wait to get to know Seth … oh, I mean Mr. Jones, better.”
Penelope smiled. “You will, but don’t be in a rush either. You can let him court you for a time before you marry.”
Eloise looked at Constance. “Yes, I have to agree.”
Constance took a step back and stared at her younger sister. “Are you saying I married too fast?”
“She didn’t say that,” Penelope pointed out.
“Most mail order brides marry as soon as they meet their prospective husbands …” Constance continued.
“You needn’t worry, I didn’t say …” Eloise began as she touched her arm.
Constance drew it back. “I’m in love, you hear me?” she blurted, cutting her off. “I’m in love with him, so you see… the matter of when one marries is irrelevant.”
Penelope sighed, and then smiled. “Oh sister, I’m so happy for you.”
“So am I, Sugar …” a voice behind them drawled.
Three heads turned to find Ryder standing in the open doorway. Constance gasped, as if she’d just disclosed a well-kept secret.
“More gossip!” Grandma quipped from the other side of the mercantile. “She loves him, and hasn’t told him yet!”
Mrs. Dunnigan gave a grunt of approval from behind the counter, and set about straightening some merchandise on the shelves. Constance looked from one face to the other. “Well, of course I would love him, he is my husband.”
“Yessiree I am!” Ryder chortled as he grabbed Constance by the hand and yanked her into his arms. “Hey Grandma, I hear tell down the street that you’re lookin’ for gossip!”
“Sure enough am, you know me!” she called across the mercantile.
“Well then, chew on this!” His lips descended so fast she didn’t have time to think. He kissed her in fun, but with passion, and she had to fight to keep her senses. For hadn’t she secretly prayed he would kiss her as August kissed Penelope the day they went to see his farm? Yes, she had, up until the day he married her, and even then, she dreamed he would do it. And now he was.
She melted against him, and knew she shouldn’t be allowing such a public display of affection, even if they were married. She heard Mrs. Dunnigan huff and puff in the background, Grandma’s laughter, and Eloise’s shocked, yet gleeful gasp. Penelope couldn’t say or do anything. She’d already had her turn.
Ryder lifted his face from hers and pulled her up to a standing position. He’d kissed her so senseless, (despite her efforts to the contrary) that he had her bent backwards enough to have to support her. She gasped for air and began to fan herself.
“Ryder, you just gave this town a week’s worth of some of the finest gossip to be had,” Grandma laughed. “Too bad Fanny left, otherwise she’d have spread this all the way up to Nowhere in the Washington territory by now!”
Ryder laughed, held Constance to him, and gave her a fierce hug. “Now that’s my Sugar! Give these ladies somethin’ to talk about.”
“You’re the one who kissed me,” Constance scolded with a smile.
Sadie and Belle appeared in the doorway. “What ever it is you two were doing, I don’t want to know,” Sadie pushed out. “Eloise, it’s time to go home.”
Eloise sighed. “Will I see the two of you again? We’ve almost completed my dress.”
She turned to Sadie. “Is the sewing circle going to meet tomorrow?”
“No, Belle, Edith and myself can finish it up in a couple of days. This gave us a huge head start.” She turned to Constance and Penelope. “I guess you probably won’t see your sister until her wedding, unless she and Mr. Jones decide on a lengthier courtship.”
Constance sucked in her breath. “Hey now, Sugar. What’s the matter?” asked Ryder as he caressed her back with his hand.
“Nothing, I’ll be fine.”
“August and I would like Eloise to come spend a day with us,” Penelope announced to the Cooke women.
Sadie glanced at Belle. “Fine, let us know when.”
“We will. It would be nice to have her to dinner.”
“Might I bring Mr. Jones?” Eloise asked, her voice hopeful.
Sadie quirked an eyebrow at her, then turned to Penelope. “So long as they are properly chaperoned, I don’t see why not.”
“Wonderful!” Penelope said. Might you like to come day after tomorrow?”
“Of course! I will inquire of Mr. Jones if he would like to accompany me.”
“Good,” Sadie said. “Now we must get going, Belle isn’t feeling very well, you ladies understand.”
They looked at Belle who had remained silent. She looked pale, and about to lose her breakfast.”
“Oh my, yes!” Eloise exclaimed. “By all means.”
The three sisters hugged again. The Cook
e women left with Eloise, and Penelope with August who showed up during their goodbyes. Constance sighed when the mercantile doors finally closed, and didn’t even notice Ryder no longer stood beside her.
“Hey there, Mrs. Dunnigan. How about some candy?” he drawled.
“What kind?” she barked.
“Got any lemon drops? If so I’ll take a dozen.”
She turned to the candy jars behind her to find what he wanted. Constance watched him at the counter and wondered when they’d be coming to town again. If Eloise and Mr. Jones decided to court a while, Ryder might think there’d be no need for them to be there. She wanted to ask him, but decided against it. She didn’t want to sound desperate.
He paid for his candy, turned to her, and winked. “Ready to go home, Sugar?”
“Of course,” she answered with a smile.
He sauntered over to where she stood and handed her the bag. “Have one, they’re almost as sweet as you are.”
She blushed as she took a candy and popped it into her mouth.
“You two need anything else while you’re in town? Long ride home and back if you forgot something,” Mrs. Dunnigan said as if daring them to leave without another purchase.
Ryder thought a moment. “Got any knittin’ needles?”
“Over there, by the ribbons,” she told him with a toss of her head.
He smiled at Constance, and made his way in the direction indicated. He perused the selection, grabbed a pair and some yarn, and took them to the counter. “I’m teachin’ my wife to knit.”
“Do tell?” Mrs. Dunnigan asked with interest.
Constance suppressed a smile and turned toward the doors to hide her red face. It had to be all over town by now that she was helpless without him. At least she had the excuse of being from another country. Heaven forbid she should be like that and been brought up here.
“Yep, she’ll knit me a set of mittens in no time.”
“You sure you don’t need more yarn than that? I know you don’t come to town but once a month.”
Constance felt herself pale and spun around. “Once a month?”
Ryder glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t need to come more than that,” He turned back to Mrs. Dunnigan. “Better let me get a bit more, just in case we don’t come back for two months.”
“Two months!” Constance screeched. She was about to protest when she noticed Ryder’s shoulders shaking. Oh, so he was playing with her was he? She folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes at him, hoping he’d turn around and gaze upon her scowling face. He did, and she laughed despite herself.
“You didn’t think I was serious now did ya? C’mon, Sugar, I wouldn’t keep ya from your sisters for that long.”
She relaxed. She may love him already, but she still hadn’t learned all there was to know about him, and she found it intriguing. Of course, out where they lived, she’d have plenty of time to get to know Ryder Jones. She hoped Eloise would have as much of a chance to learn about her Mr. Jones. After all, the only thing that might interrupt Constance and Ryder was a few horses. Eloise and Seth on the other hand, would have to contend with an entire hotel.
* * *
By the time they got back to the ranch it was almost suppertime, and Ryder suggested they have beans and corn bread. This was not only a new dish for her to learn, but she’d never had the combination before. Once again Ryder proved adept at the stove, and preened over his culinary achievement. “And that’s all there is to it, darlin’!” he said with a flourish as he placed the skillet of cornbread on the table. The beans he heated up in a pot he bought at the mercantile. Now that they had a frying pan and a pot to cook in, who knew what new culinary heights she could reach! Oatmeal perhaps?
“It smells wonderful,” she told him.
“It is darlin’! You just taste that cornbread, you’ll see.”
She waited for him to cut her a piece and dish up some beans. She noticed he liked to serve her, and found it interesting. Most men considered it women’s work. Thinking on it, she had to ask. “Why do you serve me like this? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”
“Yep, I suppose so. But one day I met this fella, long time ago it was. He was from somewhere even farther away than you and your sisters.”
“Where?”
“Some place in Africa, if’n I recollect right.”
“Africa? Was he a savage?” she asked, her eyes wide with interest.
He stared at her. “Nah, he weren’t no savage like what you’re thinkin’. He looked like one though. Tall as a tree and just as wide. Scared me half to death the first time I saw him.”
“Where ever did you meet such a person?”
Ryder’s eyes took on a far away look. “Seth and I were young, about fourteen and twelve. Any how, we were out huntin’ and came upon him and his wife.”
“He had a wife?”
“Men do, darlin’,” he said in a teasin’ tone. “Anyway, me and Seth didn’t have a lick of luck that day, and were gettin’ pretty hungry, and we didn’t dare go back to the camp empty handed. It was a little test given to us by the tribe ya see, to prove we were good hunters.”
“Really?”
“Yep, only problem was, we weren’t very good at it. We were what ya called, late bloomers.”
She laughed. “Yes, I do believe I’ve heard that term.”
“Any way, this fella was roastin’ a few rabbits, and seein’ as how we was hungry and disappointed, he invited us to supper. So we sit, and he takes those rabbits off, cuts em up all fancy with the biggest knife I’ve ever seen, and makes a plate of it on an animal skin of some kind, and calls someone in another language. Well, you never would have believed it, but this woman steps out from behind a big rock see, and she’s was the most … ah, what ‘s the word … exotic? She was the prettiest thing Seth and I had ever seen.”
Constance stared at him. “Then what happened?”
“He served her. He did the cookin’ and the servin’.”
“Why?”
“On account she caught their supper. But he said something I’ll never forget. “A woman deserves to be treated with much respect, cause she’s got to put up with us, or something like that.”
Constance sat confused. “I don’t get it.”
“He was showin’ her respect by serving her, cause she was usually the one that did the cookin’ for him. He happened to be doin’ it that night, but she did catch them rabbits.”
“Where were they heading? Were they going west?”
“I don’t rightly know. We ate with them, and then that gal showed us a better way to catch a rabbit. Been catching rabbits without any problem ever since.”
“What did she show you?”
“Ohhh no, I ain’t disclosin’ none of my secrets just yet.”
She laughed. “Will you teach me?”
He looked at her, his mouth full of cornbread.
“To hunt rabbits?” she added.
He swallowed hard. “Sure will! We’ll start tomorrow!”
“If I get one … will you … skin it?”
He laughed. “I was wonderin’ if’n you’d ask that. Sure, Sugar, but you’re gonna have to learn how to do it eventually.”
“Why?”
“Cause what if somethin’ happens to me and I can’t hunt for us? You’ll have to do it.”
She sat solemnly for a moment, lost in thought. She hadn’t considered such a thing before, but what he was saying made sense. “Tomorrow, then. You’ll teach me to hunt,” she said with a nod.
Ryder gave her a satisfied grin, and took another slice of cornbread.
* * *
Early the next morning after breakfast, (bacon and eggs, what else?) Constance and Ryder set out across the prairie on Banjo. Constance was appalled yet ecstatic to be riding astride. Ryder had produced a set of buckskins out of a trunk he kept at the foot of the cot. They were his as boy, and he figured they’d fit her just fine, which they did. It was all he could do to
go saddle Banjo after he saw her in them.
He brought the rifle and a few other things as well, and told her about setting traps and snares to catch game as they rode. She was fascinated by it and asked a lot of questions, even at the risk of sounding silly. “But why ever would anyone want to wear a raccoon on their head?”
Ryder laughed. “Lots of folks do. Some men wear bear skins, while others have made use of a coyote or wolf.”
“Good Heavens!”
“Don’t worry, we ain’t gonna hunt for none of that. For now we’ll just stick with rabbits.”
“Thank goodness for that,” she muttered.
They headed for the tree line and once there, rode parallel to it for a time. Finally Ryder brought Banjo to a stop and dismounted. “C’mon, Sugar. Let’s see if you’re a natural.”
She let him help her down, not used to dismounting in such a un-lady like manner, and followed him into the woods. She didn’t speak, not knowing if she should, and watched Ryder pick his way along ahead of her. He’d turn now and then, smile, and move on. She would smile back not simply to return it, but out of gratitude. Traversing through the woods was so much easier in buckskins than a dress.
He stopped up short and she almost tripped over him. “Oh!” she gasped.
“Hush,” he whispered and pulled her down into the foliage.
“What is it?” she whispered back.
He pointed, and she followed his gaze to a beautiful sight. A doe and her fawn were walking through the woods in the distance. It was all Constance could do not to stand up and get a better look. She’d never seen anything so lovely. Ryder took her hand, squeezed it, and looked into her eyes. He smiled and nothing more, then looked back to the animals as they continued on their way through the forest. When they were gone, he stood. “I didn’t want to disturb them,” he whispered.
“I see,” she said.
He put a hand on her shoulder and drew her close. “Listen,” he whispered into her ear.
“To what?”
“Everything.”
Constance stood very still, and did as he said. There was nothing at first but the sound of birds over-head. But soon she noticed other things. She could hear a chirp that didn’t come from a bird, and when she sought it out, saw that it was a chipmunk in a tree behind them. Another sound caught her attention, and she realized a breeze was blowing through the tree-tops above them, yet nothing stirred where they stood. It was then other sounds came to her. Water, the soft snap of a twig, a dead branch falling from a tree at least thirty yards away, and Ryder’s heart beating in his chest. That sound caught her attention most of all. She put her hand to it, and looked at him.