by Cyndi Raye
The walk across the yard was nice. Several times Russell pointed to a star cluster in the sky and when she’d look up, he’d wait until she looked over at him and steal a kiss. It took them a lot longer to get home. By the time they were on the porch, she insisted he sit on the porch. “I’ll get us some lemonade. You sit and relax.”
“I’ve been relaxing all night. Can I help?”
“No, sit.”
Ten minutes later she had two glasses of fresh lemonade in her hands. It was too late, Russell was on the rocker, his head back, fast asleep.
Naomi stood there, holding the glasses, watching him. He was so handsome. She sighed, knowing another day had gone by and she wasn’t able to tell him. Turning, she looked up into the sky, staring hard at the millions of tiny stars. “Maybe I should keep it to myself. Maybe my past isn’t meant to be shared.”
Setting the glasses down, Naomi stirred Russell, helping him inside. He was barely aware. He had to be exhausted and never complained or said a word to anyone.
After getting him settled, she got herself ready and slid under the covers. They were planning to ride into Wichita Falls in the morning. She was starting to wander if it wouldn’t be too much for him. She wanted to sell her dress and buy material to learn how to sew her own dresses and other frilly things. She had planned to speak with Russell before the trip hoping he didn’t care that she had lied.
Yet, what man wants a liar for a wife? She was determined to sell the fancy dress and buy material as if that one act will keep her here. What if he sent her away? It would all be for nothing.
Her head was spinning with all kinds of conclusions.
Naomi spent most of the night worrying about the outcome instead of sleeping. Beside her, Russell slept like dead weight, his steady breathing finally helping her to relax and fall asleep.
Chapter 10
Russell pulled the buggy up to the mercantile in Wichita Falls. He watched as Naomi carefully picked up her dress and went in to speak with the proprietor. She told him it would be awhile and she’d meet him at Jenna’s Café. He enjoyed seeing her so happy. She was excited to be able to trade in her exuberant gown for more simple material.
He wondered when she was going to let the cat out of the bag. He felt bad about last night. The day had gone well but he had spent too much time at the neighboring ranch, doing more than he realized. The other men had warned him not to overdo it but after he had eaten such a fine meal, the moment he sat on the rocker, he was finished.
Russell had asked her if she wanted to talk this morning but she busied herself making breakfast and cleaning up they didn’t get a chance to. On the way in she was so excited about everything, she kept chatting away. First it was about the dress, the kind of material she wanted and then the waterfall when they passed it. He didn’t have the heart to bring up the subject again and had a suspicion she’d rather forget she ever had a past.
If she never told him, he didn’t care. Yet, somehow, he knew she cared. She kept trying to tell him but something or someone always interrupted them. Perhaps he’d be the one to bring it up on this trip at some point. He’d be honest and tell her that Miss Addie let him know. He just didn’t want her to be upset with the older woman, she was a kind hearted soul that took care of everyone. Maybe she did meddle a little but sometimes, well, perhaps Miss Addie knew people better than they knew themselves.
His mind made up, Russell decided to discuss it during their lunch at the café. He began to head there when Naomi came rushing out of the mercantile, several packages in her arms. He hurried to her, taking them from her and placing them in the buggy. “That was fast.”
“I thought it would take me forever to decide but when I saw the material I knew immediately what I wanted. I will be the perfect farmer’s wife.”
“You are the perfect farmer’s wife,” he told her, knowing how important it was for her to learn to sew her own clothing. It didn’t matter to him, but it did to her.
“I have more news!”
“More?” He held his arm out as they made their way towards the café.
She nodded. “I’ll have you know my dress sold within five minutes of being in the store. Two ladies were bidding on it and look at what else I have.” She produced ten dollars. “Can you believe this?”
He shook his head. “That’s a good deal. You did good for yourself.”
“Thank you. Now, if I may ask a favor, I’d like to place my money in a an account at the bank. Mr. Wheeler at the mercantile told me if I put the money in an account, it will draw interest. After a while, this ten dollars becomes more. My money will grow! I can’t believe it. We can save it in case we need it for the farm!”
Russell wanted to hug her. She was so excited to have a few dollars of her own. This was probably the first time she ever held that much money in her life.
She didn’t need to know the farm wasn’t struggling. They led a good life, had plenty and shared with others as well. He wanted her to enjoy saving her cash which made her feel needed. “I think you should put it in an account. Do you want me to go with you?”
She placed a kiss on his cheek, running her hand along the side of his face. It was the first time she acted so boldly in public or anywhere. “I would like to do this on my own if you don’t mind?”
“Go on. I’ll get a table and wait for you in the café.”
“When I return we really do need to talk.”
He nodded. “I agree.”
Naomi hurried across the street, walking so fast she almost ran into the sheriff. He was crossing the street the same time she was from the opposite side.
“Morning,” he told her.
“Good morning, Sheriff. It is a wonderful day!” Then she hurried up the steps to the bank and disappeared inside.
Sheriff Montana saw Russell watching his wife with a smile on his face. “She’s yours?”
“She is. First time she ever held that much money in her hand. You going inside?”
“Sure am. My lovely wife gets a pastry every morning. I surprise her but by now it’s not really a surprise. She knows every morning I deliver it to her door.”
Russell was impressed. The sheriff ran a clean town. He didn’t put up with any nonsense. He was a hardened man who didn’t show much emotion. Except, evidently to his wife.
Russell got a table by the front window. He watched for some time, anxious for Naomi to get done. He knew the banker was always busy and she probably had to wait in a line but it had been well over twenty minutes.
The sheriff was leaning up against the opening that led to the kitchen talking with the cook, a tall man with a friendly face.
Everything happened so fast. A man came in the door of the café calling for the sheriff. Montana pushed himself away from the wall.
“What is it Shorty?”
The small man leaned forward, his chest heaving. “I was in the bank cleaning the office in the back. Two men, they’re robbing it. I got out the window above the desk and ran to your office but your deputy said you were here.”
“Go on and tell my deputy what’s going on and to check the immediate area. Don’t look suspicious. I’m sure there are look out men outside watching everyone.”
“My wife is inside.” Fear ripped through Russell like he had never dealt with before. He wasn’t about to sit by and wait for the sheriff to handle things. He shot out of his seat and went for the door, not looking back when the sheriff ordered him to stop.
Russell stomped across the street, noticing a cluster of horses next to the hotel. One man stood between two of the horses, possibly a look out. Russell kept walking. He pulled some bills out of his pocket, holding them flat in his hand. It appeared that he was going to deposit them. He pushed his hat back, noticing a man hanging around by the front door of the bank. “Morning,” he offered.
The man stared at him hard. Russell stared back. Then the stranger nodded. “Morning,” he mumbled and turned away.
Russell pushed his way through the
doors. There were four townsfolk waiting in line in front of the teller. “There you are, darling!”
Naomi turned to him with a puzzled look on her face. She waved and smiled but seemed concerned. “I’ll be done soon. I’m sorry it is taking so long.”
“No worries, little darling. I’ll wait over there.” Russell pointed to a seating area against the far wall. A man sat in one of the high-back chairs, his wide brimmed hat low over his eyes. It was hard to see his face. Russell was certain the man was up to no good. They hadn’t struck yet. He was hoping to get Naomi out of the bank before they did.
He took a seat in the empty chair, trying to observe his surroundings. How many men were inside? He knew for sure the one next to him was definitely an outlaw. Then he noticed the man standing behind Naomi. Russell had his eyes on her the whole time so he never noticed the outlaw behind her. She was too close for his comfort. He had to do something. Soon.
Sweat poured from his brow. He needed to get her out of there now. Russell moved his foot to stand up when the door opened again and this time the sheriff walked in. He wore no badge or tell-tale signs of who he was. Even his shirt was different. He wore a working man’s shirt but it was evident Montana was no one to trifle with. Russell was sure he’d be armed.
It gave him hope if he wasn’t able to get Naomi out of the bank. He stood slowly. “I better get my wife moving. I can’t sit here all day. She’s going to have to come back later. You married?” He turned to the outlaw.
“Nope.”
“Too bad. It’s great except for times like this.”
The outlaw was staring a hole through his back as Russell made his way to his wife. Before he got a chance to pull her out of the way, the outlaw in the chair stood.
He pulled his guns. “Everyone, let’s all drop to the floor, this here is a hold-up!”
Two patrons had just walked in, saw the gun and fled back through the way they came in.
The outlaw with the wide-brimmed hat swore. “Where the hell is Nace? He’s supposed to be our lookout!” When he got to the front door and didn’t see anyone keeping an eye on them, he turned quick as a whip realizing they had been found out.
He aimed his gun right as a shot rang out. The outlaw fell back against the glass window and slumped to the floor. Two ladies screamed.
That left one other outlaw inside.
The man was quick. Russell thought he had Naomi out of the way but the outlaw grabbed her and pulled her up against him pointing a gun at her throat.
Naomi’s eyes went wide. Instead of fear, her eyes filled with anger. those blue orbs flashing like a wild cat caught in a corner. Russell took a step closer. His fists were balled at his sides.
“Stop, mister. Ain’t no harm come to her if you stay back. Now both of you let me go out that door and I’ll let the lady free.”
“That ain’t gonna happen, you yellow-bellied sliver of a coward. I ain’t going nowhere with you and if you don’t let me go, I’m going to give you something you will never forget!”
He snarled, pushing the gun closer. “You shut it up! You ain’t in no position to give me orders!”
Russell silently pleaded with her, staring hard. He didn’t want her to get hurt. His feet were planted on the floor ready to spring at the two of them. Russell prayed to keep her safe.
Naomi wasn’t about to take this lying down. At that moment he feared for her very life.
“I am sick and tired of a measly nobody like you trying to steal from honest citizens. I lived all my life as an orphan and I hated those kids who deliberately hurt people. I saw others stabbed for a lousy dime. You didn’t even get any money, what kind of bank robber are you!”
Naomi timed her last word perfectly. She lifted her foot and stomped down on the man’s foot, digging her heel into his toes. He lowered the gun, not dropping it but it gave her time to react.
Russell sprang at the outlaw, taking Naomi by the arm and pushing her out of the way. Somehow the outlaw moved quick and tried to get out the door. Another shot rang out.
Sheriff Montana had killed both men without blinking an eye. “Ain’t nobody going to rob this bank. Not today.”
<><>
“That was some fancy talking in there,” Russell told her with a relieved smile. He leaned across the table, lowering his voice. The café was filled with townsfolk who wanted to talk about the attempted robbery. It seemed everyone gathered here. “Is there anything you want to talk to me about?”
When Naomi tried to pick up her cup, her hand shook so bad it rattled against the saucer. Russell reached across the table, placing a hand over hers. She sighed, letting out a low moan. “I guess I do,” she told him, afraid to look at him, worried what she would see.
“Under any other circumstance, I would probably tease you silly until you told me the truth about your past. Not today. I already know, Naomi.”
She looked at him then. His eyes weren’t angry. They weren’t ashamed of her when he gazed back at her. No. He was watching her with such an intense look. “You do?”
He nodded once. “Yes.”
“How did you figure it out?”
“Hey.” He lifted her chin with his hand. “Look at me, Naomi. I don’t care about your past. I love you for who you are now, not then.”
“I lied to you. Gave you false pretences. You were expecting a well to do bride. How can an orphan make you a better man? I can’t barely cook and now I can’t even save money without getting held up at the bank!” Tears began to stream down her face.
“We need to have this conversation somewhere else.” Russell threw money on the table for the coffee and headed out of town. Russell didn’t speak, he held her hand and when they got to the water falls, he stopped there and turned to her. “Naomi. I want you to stop degrading yourself. I love you. You are my wife. Maybe you can’t cook and the first meal was a disaster but you are learning.”
“The first meal was more than a disaster.” She laughed through her tears. “I know how to use the hot iron and next week Miss Addie will teach me to sew. We were to meet up every Tuesday but then your Ma got hurt and then you almost got struck by lightening. I saw her in the mercantile and she agreed they were good enough excuses not to show.”
She was talking a mile a minute. He swooped in and pressed his mouth over hers. She didn’t know if it was to quiet her or because he wasn’t able to resist.
Russell held her in his arms for some time. The water cascading against the rocks was almost like a serenade. They sat in the buggy with their arms around each other, watching the water, enjoying the late afternoon.
“Russell?”
“Yes.”
“I love you.”
“I was wondering when you were going to tell me. Thought maybe you’d keep those three words a secret.”
She smiled at him, kissing him back. “Never again. I’m not holding back. Maybe you will learn something from this orphan. It’s funny now, all of a sudden, I’m not ashamed. I feel as if a heavy weight has been lifted.”
“I’m glad. We probably should tell Ma. That’s if you want to.” Russell pulled her closer.
“Your mother figured me out already. I promised I’d tell you. She didn’t think it would make a difference. Turns out she was right.”
Russell laughed. “Maybe it’s because of all the secrets from our past. If you want to know about secrets, Naomi, wait until you hear the story about our families. It’s quite an exciting tale.”
“I can’t wait. I want to sit outside on the porch with you, drink lemonade and star-gaze every single night for the rest of our lives.”
Russell sent the buggy rolling. “Let’s go home.”
She snuggled against him as they went down the road. She finally had a place of her own. This little orphan girl finally did alright for herself.
“Yes, dear husband. Let’s go home.”
<><>
Thank you for reading Russell’s story. Stay tuned for brother Wesley’s story next.
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A FREE CHAPTER
The Brides of Wichita Falls is an on-going series about the mail order brides who come to the town to start over. I’ve put a boxed set together of the first 8 brides. Here’s a taste of Ruby, the first bride to come to Wichita Falls.
Chapter 1
“Mama,” Ruby whispered.
Her mother’s fragile hand reached out, stroking Ruby’s cheeks. She tried to speak, struggling to get the words out. “It’s urgent you leave here, today,” she gasped.
Ruby shook her head back and forth, scared for the first time in her life. She knew her mama was going to die, the sickness had been going on for some time now. Today was so real she could barely contain her fear. She leaned her face into the soft, warm hand. “I can’t leave you like this.”
“You must. I have something for you.” Ruby felt the instant loss when her mama’s hand left her face. She wanted to curl up along side of her and hold on to her so tight in hopes the only person who ever loved her would not leave yet. How cruel of God to do this to her now! How could He take her away and leave Ruby to face life alone? She wanted to stand up and shake a fist in the air, but it wouldn’t be proper to do so in front of her mother, whose staunch faith had kept her alive far longer than the doctor predicted.
A bout of coughing stirred Ruby from her awful thoughts. She grabbed a clean linen from the night stand and dabbed it across her mama’s mouth as a tiny pool of blood trickled from the corner. Her mother struggled to sit up in bed. Ruby cast a worried glance to Tillo, who had taken care of the two of them from the time they came to live at her uncle’s brownstone manor in New York City when Ruby was a small baby.
The older woman frowned before shaking her head sadly and helped to pull the dying woman up against the pillows. She tucked the blanket under her mama’s chin, muttering words so soft Ruby couldn’t make them out.