Liberty Ranch

by Temperance Johnson

  Only one thing was missing, Jesse. She missed him so much. Since he has been away setting up his homestead. She knew that land was his pride and joy. If she married him they would have a good life together. More than she’d thought she would.

  As she walked to the house to get some lunch, Katrina and the girls were eating bread and smoked turkey on the trail like the old days. Francesca had told them they were eating like cowboys did.

  It surprised Izzy how well the girls were learning to ride, but out here what else was there to do. Though if they tried to run away, they could get farther and get there much faster.

  Izzy shrugged. Better to let them deal with that if and when it happened. Walking into the kitchen, she remembered she was making supper; she had agreed to do it since Katrina was gone and wouldn't get back till later. She wasn't a cook, her brother and sister were the cooks of the family.

  She got some bread out and ate, trying to think of what to make for supper. She heard someone behind her; Andrew was at work and Isaiah was working on another farm. As she turned, she pulled her gun, to find Jesse putting his hands up.

  He grinned. "I didn't expect this kind of welcome."

  Putting her gun away, she ran to him. Wrapping her arms around him, he looked so good. His black hair still wet from washing in the creek. "Oh, I've missed you," she whispered.

  He pulled her away to look in her eyes. "Not as much as I missed you." When they kissed it was like they became one. She felt something open inside her heart and some fear left. She felt such a love for him.

  When she finally pulled away, they were both breathless.

  Izzy smiled. "Do you want to eat?"

  Jesse pulled her close again, kissing her. "I just need your lips."

  Izzy giggled. "Well, you will have to just live with my cookin’, cause I am doing supper tonight." She turned to cut the bread and then put some bacon in the pan to fry. "Katrina is out ridin’ with the girls, so I got supper tonight."

  "What girls? Gloria and Julia are here already?" Jesse asked as he sat down at the table.

  Izzy turned halfway to meet his gaze. "Oh, we can't get a hold of you easily, so you don't know about Andrew and Katrina’s girls." She continued to tell him as she toasted the bread. As she finished, they sat down with their lunch.

  Jesse poured two glasses of buttermilk. "So these girls came from an asylum. How do Andrew and Katrina not know these girls will steal them blind?"

  Izzy shrugged. "I don't think they would." She winked at him. "Couldn't have been any worse than you boys?"

  Jesse frowned.

  “Let’s pray.” She took his hands.

  "Lord, thank you for the food you provide and my beautiful girl made. Bless and watch over the family in Alabama. Amen." He squeezed her hands before letting go.

  "Oh, I forgot to tell you," she told him. "Gloria and Dave, Sawyer, and Annie are on their way. They are leaving tomorrow."

  "That will be nice," Jesse said as he ate. "So Julia, Matt, Cole, and Maverick are the only ones left there."

  She nodded. She knew it was hard for him to be away from them all, but especially Julia. "They should be here by fall. They said they are bringin’ a surprise."

  "Wonder what it is?" Jesse took a bite.

  Izzy frowned. "I don't know, but I wish I did. Surprises from my family normally ain't great."

  "Mine neither, and with them comin’ together, I can't even imagine what it is." He winked at her. "It could be good."

  Izzy shrugged. "That is true. So how is the farm comin’?"

  "Good. I finished the cabin. It ain't big, but it can be added onto later." His eyes lightened. "And the barn is near finished."

  "You should stay here for Founder’s Day. It’s next Monday." She gave him a soft smile. "We could go as a couple."

  "I'll see," he muttered as he finished his lunch.

  "What horses did you bring with you? I didn't see them in the barn."

  He grinned. "What, and ruin my surprise? They are in the back paddock, the one you can't see from the barn or house. I brought four with me to bring stuff back on. Want to go shoppin’ with me later?"

  "Sure." Izzy stood to take the plates to the sink. "But it will have to be tomorrow. I have to make supper." She made a face.

  He laughed. "You don't sound so excited." He got up and kissed her cheek. "I am sure you are a great cook."

  "Yeah, over a fire or smoking and caring for meat, but not on a stove."

  He kissed her. "I have faith in you."

  She made another face.

  He took her hand. "Take a break and come to the barn. I want your help with somethin’."

  She looked at the kitchen and it was clean. She had planned on making a steak with the venison, along with potatoes and carrots.

  In the barn, they sat on hay that Andrew had brought in from of one of the biggest fields.

  "Now, what do you need help with?" She asked when she saw nothing.

  Jesse pulled her closer and kissed her. She let him and kissed him back as they lay there in the hay.

  She pulled back and sat up, looking down at him. "What else did you want help with besides this?"

  Jesse teased. "Well, I can't do this alone. I need you."

  "Seriously, Jesse," Izzy pleaded.

  He sat up, sighing. "Fine, I want you to write out what you want for my cabin, everythin’ from kitchen stuff, livin’ room stuff, to fluffy girl stuff, whatever you want," Jesse told her.

  "Why?" Izzy asked.

  "Why?" He mimicked her. "I love you, Izzy, and I want to marry you!"

  "You do?" she asked, surprised.

  He took her hand. "Of course I do. And I want to get married when the whole family gets here. What do you say?"

  She stared at him in shock. He hadn’t really asked her to marry him, but who needed fancy words when you got this man. She loved him. She wanted a life with him, that is what she needed. She nodded. "Yes, I will marry you, Jesse. I love you and I want to be with you." She kissed him. This was the first time she had chosen to kiss him, made that first move. Like she told Francesca, she needed to make that choice to be free from her past, and that is what she was doing by marrying him. She was choosing to let go of her past and forget it happened. It wouldn't matter now; she would be a new person with Jesse.

  He pulled away this time and said, "Thank you, Izzy. Besides my family, you are the only one that has chosen me."

  She touched his cheek with her hand. "You’re wrong. God chose you, and I will always choose you." She grinned. "We have to send a telegram to Cole and my cousins. I have to get a dress." She got up and went to the office, bringing back a paper and pencil, then she sat down and started talking a mile a minute.

  JESSE SMILED AS HE watched her. She was so much fun, her eyes were alive, her cheeks were warm from excitement, her hair shone despite it being a mess from her ride, her lips were full and red; how he loved kissing them.

  She is not yours.

  He heard a voice. He frowned as he didn't want to listen. He loved Izzy, and why not treat her like he loved her?

  Love is kind, patient, and selfless.

  He frowned. He wasn't any of those things, but he ignored the voice. He knew how to live his life; to have fun with his bride-to-be.

  You are my beloved son and she is my beloved...

  No, he wasn't listening. It was his life. He turned back to listening to Izzy as she continued to talk. He talked with her and decided he liked this time with her; it was almost as good as kissing her. He was finding out new stuff about her.

  Time seemed to stand still as they talked of the wedding, the girls, the younger siblings and how Julia had written to them telling how they were changing, the family farming and Jesse's ranch. Izzy thought she knew all she needed to know about Jesse, but now she knew so much more than before. They were really talking and not just kissing; it felt good.

  "I love you, Izzy. You are like an ocean breeze, fresh and good," Jesse told her as he lay on the hay.


  Izzy sat up on her elbow. She smiled at him, though she felt less than confident. What if he knew she was not fresh or good? What was she thinking? What would Jesse do if he found out? She didn't trust herself to talk, so she just leaned close and let him kiss her, let herself get lost in those kisses. Maybe he wouldn't care that others had kissed her lips before. She shut her eyes and made herself forget, but her love for Jesse...

  "Izzy! Jesse!" Katrina yelled.

  Izzy pulled away as fast as if she had been burned. She looked to see Francesca standing next to her and to see Carlissa and Sara tying their horses to the post. She stood up, as did Jesse.

  Katrina frowned at her, and then turned to Jesse. She let go of her horse's reins and went to hug him. "Hey, Jesse, it’s so good to see you." She stepped back and introduced her daughters to him.

  Jesse nodded. "Glad to meet you girls."

  Francesca held out her hand to him. "So you're Jesse, Izzy's young man. Nice to finally meet you." She didn’t seem happy at all to meet him.

  Jesse shook her hand. "Same here."

  As they put up the horses, Izzy declared excitedly, "I have news."

  Katrina looked over her horse, her eyes curious.

  "We are getting married." Izzy laughed.

  Katrina came over and hugged her. "I am so glad." She hugged Jesse again. "I am so glad, Jesse-boy." She touched his cheek. "Pedro would be happy."

  Jesse pulled away from her touch as he gave her a sad smile.

  Francesca walked up. "What? Where will you live?"

  Izzy hadn't thought about that, but the move would be hard on Francesca.

  Jesse answered, "At my place. It is about a six-hour ride from here. I hope to make it easier to travel, but it will have to do."

  Katrina might not have lived here long, but she knew once they left for winter, they wouldn't see them till spring. “Do you want to get married before winter then?”

  Izzy nodded, still watching Francesca, who went to Poder and took off the saddle like someone was holding a gun to her.

  They finished the horses in silence. Francesca walked off. Izzy went after her.

  "Francesca, wait."

  Francesca turned and glared at her. "I ain't hungry! Just leave me alone."

  Izzy covered her face with her hands. "I forgot to make supper." She looked at Katrina.

  They both burst out laughing. Francesca looked at them like they were nuts, but even she saw the humor in it and laughed along. Sometimes you just had to laugh at yourself.

  They all headed to the kitchen where they put supper together. When Andrew got home, they were still making it but laughing all along and none of the girls were upset. For one of the first times, they were a family with no moods ruining it.

  Chapter 13

  Riding into town with Jesse two days later, Izzy gazed at the trees that lined the road as rain softly fell. At least they would get soaked through their coats. Izzy thought it fit her mood as she couldn't ignore Jesse any longer. She stayed silent; she had turned numb again. She had in the past. It was better than feeling pain all the time. She hadn’t known how hard relationships could be. She wished Ellen was here to talk to. She might know how to help her son in all his moods. She was, of course, not showing any of this to Jesse because she was good at hiding what she felt. By the time they ordered their supplies at the general store, Izzy was feeling much better. Somehow getting out and doing normal things had put her in a better mood, lightened her heart to see some of the people that she came to care about.

  "What restaurant should we go to?" Jesse asked.

  "Hattie's Place is the best place in town." She grinned., "And the only one."

  "Then Hattie's Place it is." Jesse took her hand, walking towards the restaurant.

  Izzy greeted many people as they passed. Sometimes she even introduced Jesse as her fiancé. Once they arrived at Hattie’s Place, they found a table towards the back of the room. Jesse hadn't eaten in a restaurant since the trip West because Starrys weren't allowed in Alabama's restaurants.

  Millie came to the table. "Hi, Izzy, so is this your fiancé?"

  Izzy nodded. "Milly, meet my fiancé Jesse. Jesse meet Millie." She smiled. "You don't miss much, do you?"

  Milly laughed. "I sure don't. Now what would you have to drink?" She winked at Izzy. "I have tried that sweet tea. Want some?"

  "Sure.” Izzy winked back. “Bring a cup of sugar."

  Millie hit her shoulder playfully. "Well, I might put some pepper in it."

  Izzy laughed. "You wouldn't dare."

  As Millie walked away, Jesse commented, "You have made yourself a name here."

  "I love it here, more than I thought I would," she admitted honestly. "We will have to visit often in the summers."

  He took her hand from across the table. "Sure, you don't mind moving then?"

  "I want to be with you. Let’s just not forget about our families."

  “Our family is hard to forget.”

  After Millie dropped off their drinks, Izzy put a couple spoonfuls of sugar in her tea. She was at two spoons when Mabel walked in. She spotted them and headed their way. Izzy didn’t miss it and told her of their engagement.

  Mabel laughed and pulled Izzy into a hug. "I am so happy for you, honey." Still holding Izzy, she looked down at Jesse. "You are getting a wonderful woman."

  Jesse smiled. "Yes, I am."

  Mabel turned back to Izzy. "How are things at the ranch?"

  Izzy looked at her and knew she wanted an actual answer. "It will take time for them to get used to the fact that I am moving." She added, "We have been using the hot springs. Carlissa almost got in yesterday."

  "That is wonderful and such a big step." Mabel hugged her again. "Well, I have to run. Enjoy your life with Jesse." She smiled at Jesse. "Nice to meet you too, Jesse."

  "Same here." His face remained guarded.

  KATRINA SMILED AS THE ladies started to sew. She was more relaxed this time around than the last time, though she wasn't sure why, maybe because these ladies had becomes her friends. Francesca, Sara, and Carlissa were outside with the children having an enjoyable time, but Katrina was still monitoring them. Mabel told her they all watched the children like a hawk. Katrina relaxed then. She sewed a flowered dress for Francesca as she watched the faces of the ladies. They all sat around a circle.

  Her heart felt joyful as she thought about the next sewing circle when Gloria and Annie would be sitting by her. They had just received the telegram that they had left Alabama. She could hardly wait.

  "So you're actually raising the girls?" Mrs. Bly asked.

  Katrina nodded. "Yes, I am."

  "Why?" another woman asked. "You know that older girl is Mexican."

  Katrina looked at Izzy, who didn't look bothered, or hid it well. "Yes, I know that. She is a lovely girl."

  "Well, no matter. The other two girls behave so well and are sweet. I am sure you all will be happy together," Mrs. Bly responded like she had figured everything out.

  Katrina smiled anyway. "I hope to be."

  "How can you sew and not look at what you're doing?" A new lady asked. She hadn't been at the last sewing circle.

  Katrina looked down at her hands and then at the ladies. Before she could speak, Izzy spoke up. "She is one of the best seamstresses in the family and they would do it in the dark. Julia, who is married to my brother, is the best painter you have probably ever seen. She can paint while looking at other things. She is raising her six siblings, so I wonder if she still finds time." Izzy smiled. In the past, she had met most of these ladies.

  "The children are mixed, colored, then?" Mrs. Maryanne asked. "I heard rumors."

  Katrina saw Izzy didn't even flinch. How did she handle this so well?

  "Well, two couples lived on the same plantation. Almost six years ago the Washington, who were colored, passed away. So Ellen took the children in. In March their ma, Ellen Starry, ended up passing away."

  Katrina picked up from there. "See, the Starrys t
ook us in as teenagers."

  "Will you keep the children at your ranch?" a lady asked. “Or do you want to wait to have then move in untill they get here?”

  "No, we want them to have a stable home."

  "That is what they need.” Dinah smiled. “You're being a great ma."

  Katrina smiled back at her. "I never planned to adopt so soon, but I guess God had different thoughts about it."

  "Doesn't He? He knows our needs and shapes us with our needs and wants." Mabel chuckled. “Tell God your plans and watch him laugh.”

  Later, Katrina got food for the girls as the ladies' snacks were light.

  Mabel stopped next to Katrina. "Here, take some of ours. We always bring enough to feed an army."

  "You bring food everywhere you go?" Katrina asked.

  Mabel nodded. "Almost everywhere, for meals at least. It’s important for children that have starved."

  Katrina nodded, making a mental note of it.

  Mrs. Bly and Gabby were talking to Carlissa as they ate. She sat and read their lips.

  "What is your favorite animal?" Gabby asked.

  "My new lamb and the kid goats are sweet, too. We got a calf too," Carlissa answered. "We are getting a puppy soon. Maverick Starry is coming with a bunch of dogs."

  "I bet you love having tons of uncles and aunts."

  Carlissa looked confused at those two words. She looked at Katrina like it was normal. "What does aunt and uncle mean?"

  Katrina was glad she had been watching. "It means our sisters will be your aunts and our brothers will be your uncles. Izzy will be your aunt. When she is married to Jesse, you can call her Aunt Izzy. My brother Isaiah is your uncle."

  Carlissa nodded and made a face at Gabby. "Uncle Isaiah doesn't like us none. Pa hit him!"

  Katrina gasped. "Carlissa, Isaiah likes y'all just fine. He says you're as pretty as a peach."

  Carlissa looked back at her. "So we are pretty as fruit, that's really nice."

  Izzy chuckled. "No, saying pretty as a peach is a real compliment in the south, darlin’. It's like saying you are pretty as the queen of England."