by Stacy Henrie
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But that’s too bad. ’Cause he’s nice and he’s funny.”
They started walking again, but his words kept circling through Ravena’s mind. Luke’s admiration for Tex wasn’t unique. She’d seen how all of the children had warmed to him, more so than to either of the hired hands she’d employed. Of course the other two had kept mostly to themselves, insisting on sleeping in the extra room off the barn and eating alone. Tex was the first to ingratiate himself into their makeshift family.
Which, she thought, looking at Luke again, could be good. With her grandfather gone, it might be nice for the boys especially to have a grown man about the place to look up to. Even if it would only be for a few weeks.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something neat to bring,” she said as they neared the porch. “And Luke...” She waited for him to stop and look at her. Crouching down, she released his hand to put hers on his shoulder. “I agree with you. Ollie isn’t right. You have people in your life who love you very much. And you know what?”
He shook his head, his large brown eyes somber. “What?”
“I became an orphan when I was about your age.” She swallowed back the lump in her throat when she thought of all the people she’d lost—her parents, her grandmother, Tate, her grandfather and Tex, the man she’d loved with all of her heart back then. She knew what it meant to feel different, even if she’d had grandparents who’d stepped in to raise her. “I’m familiar with the Ollies of this world and what they say. But we know the truth about us and what we have, don’t we?”
Luke’s expression brightened. “We sure do, Miss Ravena. Now I’m going to get some bread.” He darted onto the porch as she rose to her feet, then he spun back. “You don’t have to be mad or sad about being an orphan either. ’Cause you got neat people too. Me and Mark and Jacob and Ginny and Fanny and Mr. Beckett.”
Ravena offered him an encouraging smile, though she didn’t feel quite so confident about including the last person on her list. “Thank you, Luke.”
She did have much to be grateful for, including Tex’s help. Beyond that, she would simply have to hold out hope that all of Luke’s words would prove true—that having Tex back in her life would be a good thing.
* * *
“Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett!”
Tex glanced over his shoulder to see Mark and Luke racing toward him. School must have concluded for the day. He grinned at the thought of someone to talk to. Plowing the field had left him with little else to do but think. And that was something he didn’t want to do, especially after his conversation with Ravena at lunch.
He faced forward again as the boys ran into view. “How was schoo—” The question hadn’t fully exited his mouth when the horses suddenly reared in fright. Tex was jerked forward by their abrupt movement, but he managed to keep the reins in his grip.
“What in the world...” he muttered as the team danced nervously.
“Look what we caught just now,” Mark hollered as he hoisted a snake in the air.
The boy’s loud cry and the dangling reptile spooked the horses again. They charged forward, dragging Tex along at a jog.
“Get that snake away from here,” he shouted, hoping the boys would be quick to comply.
He let the horses have their heads for half the field, then he pulled back on the reins. After a minute or so, the team came to a stuttering halt. Tex released the reins and flexed his burning fingers within his gloves. Circling in front of the horses, he rubbed their heads and spoke in soothing tones until they’d both calmed.
Deciding to call it a day after their ordeal, he unhitched the pair from the plow and led them to the barn. Mark and Luke were nowhere in sight. Tex brushed and fed the two horses, taking extra time and care with each.
As he finished up, he saw two flashes of blond hair outside the barn doors. “Mark?” he called. “Luke? Can you come here?”
The boys didn’t appear immediately, but after a long moment, they slunk inside. “Are you gonna leave now?” Mark asked without looking up.
Tex stared at them in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Mr. Grady up and left after we spooked the horses last time.”
Understanding flooded his thoughts. “This isn’t the first time you’ve brought a snake around the horses, is it?”
Both boys shook their heads, their chins tipped low.
After locating an empty milk bucket, Tex turned it over and sat down. “We need to talk.”
The brothers inched forward in tandem as if headed to the executioner’s block. Tex suppressed a chuckle. He wasn’t going to rant at them, but they needed to understand the seriousness of their actions. “Boys, do you understand how dangerous it is to bring a snake around a team of horses?”
Mark nodded solemnly and Luke copied the gesture, but Tex guessed they didn’t fully grasp what he was asking. Otherwise they would’ve stopped the last time.
“Mark,” he said, trying a different tactic, “is there anything you’re scared of?”
“No sir, Mr. Beckett,” the boy blurted out, then he ducked his head again. “Well, maybe one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
Mark toed the dirt. “I never did like that old goose we had when me and Luke still lived with our parents before they died.”
A measure of sadness filled him at the boy’s words. While Tex and Tate had been adults when their mother died, they hadn’t been much older than Mark was now when their father had up and abandoned the family. Tex swallowed back the bite of grief and anger such memories provoked. “Did the goose ever chase you?”
“All the time,” Luke piped up.
“Is that what you’re scared of too, Luke?”
Mark shook his head. “Nah. He don’t like spiders.”
“I’ve been known to get the shivers around attacking geese and large spiders myself,” Tex said gravely. “So tell me this. What would you do if say Jacob came and found you and wanted to show you a big fat goose or a spider?”
Luke’s eyes widened, but it was Mark who protested aloud. “I’d run away so it wouldn’t get me.”
“I agree.” He turned to look at the younger brother. “Is that what you’d do, Luke?”
“Uh-huh.”
Tex placed a firm but gentle hand on each of their shoulders. “Want to know something?” He dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Did you know horses are as afraid of snakes as you are of geese or spiders?”
Mark frowned. “But they’re way bigger than a little ol’ snake.”
“And you and me are way bigger than a little ol’ spider or even a grown goose.” He let his words hang there a moment before he continued. “Just like you wouldn’t stand there gawking at something you’re afraid of, the horses don’t want to stick around either. And when they bolt they can hurt themselves or someone else.”
“Like you, Mr. Beckett?” Luke asked.
Tex dipped his head again. “Me or you or even someone small like Fanny. A frightened horse team is a dangerous thing.” Releasing his grip, he rested his elbows on his knees and leveled each boy with a stern look. “Which is why I’m going to ask you to promise me and Miss Ravena that you won’t bring any more snakes around the horses. Will you promise us that?”
“Yes,” the brothers said together, their gazes on the ground.
Standing, he nudged them both toward the barn doors. “Let’s go share your promise with Miss Ravena then.”
“So you aren’t leaving?” Luke’s expression appeared full of hope and trepidation. It cut straight through Tex’s heart.
He cleared his throat of emotion. “No, I’m not leaving yet.”
Tex guided them toward the house, passing Jacob in the yard as the older boy headed to the barn to milk the cow. Inside the kitchen, Ravena a
nd the girls were preparing supper. “You’re done for the day?” she asked, glancing up.
“Yes. And the boys have something to say.”
She paused, searching the brothers’ faces. “Mark? Luke?”
Mark glanced up at Tex and he nodded for the boy to speak. “It was for Luke, see. For him to show the class on his sharing day.”
“Yep,” Luke said glumly.
“What was for Luke?” Ravena asked, sounding resigned, as if she knew she wouldn’t like the answer.
“We found another snake and wanted to show Mr. Beckett...” Mark explained.
Shutting her eyes, Ravena visibly blew out a breath. “Did they spook the horses again?” she asked Tex as she opened her eyes. “Boys, we’ve talked about this.”
“We won’t do it again, Miss Ravena. Honest.” Mark pointed his thumb at Tex. “We promised Mr. Beckett that we wouldn’t.”
“I told them they needed to make that same promise to you,” Tex added. Something flickered through her gaze, but he couldn’t identify the emotion. Was she thinking of other promises made and broken?
Luke took up the thread of conversation. “We won’t bring any more snakes around the horses. ’Cause even if they’re big they don’t like ’em any more than me and Mark don’t like that old goose or a big, ugly spider.”
Ravena threw Tex a perplexed look and he couldn’t help chuckling. “Let’s just say I attempted to put things into perspective for them.”
“Thank you,” she said with evident sincerity before turning her focus back to the boys. “Remember what the consequence is for bringing another snake around the horses?”
“Yes, Miss Ravena,” they intoned in gloomy unison.
“In addition to mucking the stalls for a week...” She motioned to the table where Tex noticed a lovely, golden pie. “There will also be no pie for either of you after supper tonight.”
The boys groaned loudly with regret, but they made no further complaint. Tex hoped his little talk in the barn, a week of mucking stalls and the forgoing of Ravena’s delicious pie would be enough to convince them to change their behavior.
“What’ll I bring to show the class on Monday, Mr. Beckett?” Luke regarded him sadly. “’Cause it’s real important I have something neat to bring.”
The way the boy was looking up at him as if he had all the answers did something funny to Tex’s lungs. It wasn’t an unpleasant sensation either and one he felt certain he’d experienced in the past.
Maybe it was a feeling of being needed. No one had needed him in years and he had to admit it felt real nice not to solely be looking out for himself at present. “I’ve got an idea, Luke. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
With that he headed for the stairs, feeling lighter and more agile than he had in days.
Chapter Six
Ravena stared in bewilderment at the spot where Tex had been standing. She wasn’t sure which she found more perplexing—whatever he’d said to the boys to help them understand snakes and horses don’t mix or the fact that he’d taken the time to teach them at all.
She still struggled to believe that Tex wasn’t going to up and quit on her as the other two hired hands had. If anyone had more inclination for riding away and not looking back, it would be Tex. He’d already done it once.
Blowing out her breath, Ravena allowed her posture to relax slightly. Tex could still choose to leave at any time, whether the planting was done or not, but it seemed that his going wouldn’t be because of the boys’ mischief. There was some comfort in that. “Do you, boys, understand the importance of never doing this again?”
“We sure do, Miss Ravena,” Luke answered.
Mark agreed. “We ain’t never going to bring a snake around the horses again.”
She let his ain’t slide this time, certain they’d had more than enough correction today. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and she glanced up to find Tex returning to the kitchen. Seeing him looking hale and handsome and eager to help her boys brought sudden warmth to her heart that was both unwanted and welcome. Here was the Tex Beckett she’d fallen in love with all those years ago.
“Whatcha got there, Mr. Beckett?” Luke asked as he and Mark rushed over to him. Tex crouched in front of the boys and held his fist out. There was something concealed inside. Ginny and Fanny sidled forward to get a peek and Ravena couldn’t help doing the same.
Tex aimed a grave look at Luke. “I have something pretty special here, Luke. Can you take good care of it? And make sure I get it back after school on Monday?”
“I sure will, Mr. Beckett. Honest.”
A boyish grin tugged at Tex’s mouth and stirred flurries inside Ravena’s stomach. Even after all this time, she still found him charming when he smiled. “All right then. Let me show you what I’ve got.”
After turning his hand palm up, he uncurled his fingers. There against his tanned skin lay a gold coin. Ravena released a gasp. Tex not only had several hundreds of dollars inside his saddlebag, but he also had a gold coin in his possession. Her earlier doubts about his story of drifting rose anew within her. Drifters lived hand to mouth—they didn’t have small fortunes tucked away.
“Is that real gold?” Mark’s voice dripped with awe.
Luke reached out and ran a finger over the coin. “Where’d you get it?”
If she hadn’t already been watching Tex, Ravena would’ve missed the flicker of what appeared to be regret that crossed his face. But it disappeared as quickly as it came. “I won it, though it’s not important how or from whom.”
Disappointment cut sharply through her. She could easily guess what the boys wouldn’t from Tex’s explanation. He had won the coin by gambling, a vice his father had given in to over and over again throughout Tex’s childhood, to the detriment and heartbreak of the Beckett family. How often had she listened to Tex rant about how his father had gambled away the family’s money? That Tex would choose to gamble after what he’d experienced felt like a deep betrayal.
“I’m sure we can find something else,” she announced in a firm voice, her gaze locked on Tex’s. “You do not need to take a gold coin won in a poker game to school.”
Luke’s eyes rounded. “You won it in a poker game, Mr. Beckett?”
His fingers closed over the coin as Tex frowned and rose to his feet. “It was one game, Ravena. One game. And I didn’t lose.”
“No, someone else did.”
“Aw, Miss Ravena,” Luke whined. “Can’t I still take it to school? Ollie’s eyes will bug out when he sees it.”
She shook her head, adamant about not backing down. “We’ll find something else, Luke. I promise.” Tex continued to level her with a glare, but she ignored him. The girls went back to their supper tasks as Ravena searched her memory for anything out of the ordinary her grandfather had owned. “I have an idea. What about an old tricorn hat?”
Mark grimaced. “How’s that better than a gold coin?”
Biting back a retort, she knelt beside Luke, hoping to persuade his interest. “It isn’t any old hat, Luke. My ancestor Jedediah Reid wore it during the Revolutionary War when he was just fifteen years old.” As she’d hoped, those few details drew expressions of curiosity from both boys. “The story goes that he came face-to-face with a group of redcoats. After praying for help, he used his musket and his impressive height to fool them into thinking he was older and not alone. To his surprise, they surrendered. Just as he was taking their guns, his father and several other men showed up to aid him in capturing their enemies.”
“And you have his hat?” Luke whispered, prompting a smile from Ravena.
She stood and reached for his hand. “Yes, I do. Jedediah passed it down to his son who passed it to his son and so on until my grandfather came to have it. The hat is in the attic. We can go
get it right now.”
Mark gave a whoop of excitement. “I’m comin’ too. I wanna see Jedediah’s tricorn hat.”
Heading to the attic from the kitchen meant passing by Tex to reach the stairs. He still regarded her grimly. Ravena felt a twinge of guilt herself—he’d attempted to help, even if she didn’t agree with his way of doing it.
“Boys, go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.” With her permission, the brothers raced down the hallway.
“I was trying to help,” he said, confirming her thoughts. His low voice was full of frustration as he ran his hand over the bristles on his jaw. “It’s just a coin, Ravena. Nothing more, nothing less.”
But it wasn’t just a coin and she wished he could see that. “I appreciate your help with the boys. I truly do. But I’m trying to raise these children up right and that means I can’t, in good conscience, allow them to take winnings from a poker game to school.”
The exasperation didn’t completely leave his demeanor, though he did nod. “I never gambled before that game and I don’t plan on doing it again.” He glanced down at his hand and rubbed the shiny coin between his fingers. “I want you to know that.”
When he lifted his chin, she had a clear view of his blue eyes and once again she caught a glimpse of the old Tex within their depths. The man who had been at the center of her heart and her dreams for so long.
At that moment she realized how close she stood to him, his gaze locked with hers. Her heartbeat thundered as hard and as fast as the boys’ footsteps on the stairs.
She was relieved to know Tex didn’t plan to gamble again. Maybe it was more evidence, like his helping the boys tonight, that he wasn’t the irresponsible, unfeeling scoundrel she’d believed him to be after he’d failed to come back for her.
The memory of that night poked painfully at her as it had over and over since Tex had shown up in her field. It resurrected some of the grief she’d felt then and for so long afterward. Only the intense sadness she’d experienced at her grandfather’s passing could compare.