“It is. What do you think?” Louise twirled around for all to see. It seemed her attitude had changed along with the clothes and new hairstyle.
Miss Margaret left her chair and touched her daughter’s face while leaning on her cane. “My . . . but you are so pretty, Louise. Let me look at you,” she said, holding her daughter at arm’s length. “Did you just buy this dress?”
Louise giggled. “No, Mother. It belongs to April, but it would be nice to own something like this and these heels too.” She lifted her skirt up just enough to show them her borrowed shoes. “These are a bit tight, different than what I’m used to.”
Natalie was so excited that she gave her sister a swift hug. “April, you have done wonders and brought out my sister’s natural good looks.”
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and they all turned to see Dr. Mark Barnum and Beth walk into the room. Mark drew up short when he saw Louise. “I’m sorry . . . am I interrupting something?” he said as his eyes swept over Louise. He seemed embarrassed that he was caught staring.
Louise almost bolted from the room, but April stayed her with a firm hand on her arm. “No, we were just experimenting with my hair for the next social event,” Louise stammered. She stared at her toes, which peeked out from the edge of her skirts.
“That’s too bad. You look stunning!” Mark continued to gaze at Louise with open admiration. April watched Louise’s face, and her look seemed to say, For the first time I’m proud of who I am. Her cheeks flushed, and she murmured a “thank-you” that was barely audible.
“I have to agree,” Beth said.
Mark cleared his throat and said, “I was just leaving. I came to see how Willard is doing, and he’s getting a little stronger every day.” He bowed to Louise and then to the others, then bade them good night. April gave Louise a push, indicating that she should walk him to the door.
“Let me walk you out,” Louise said, following Mark to the front door.
April and the others stood motionless and listened to the couple’s brief conversation.
“I meant what I said in there, Louise,” Mark said.
Louise took his hat and coat from the hall tree and handed it to him. “I’m afraid I’m a little embarrassed to have you see me all dressed up with no place to go.” Her voice sounded weak.
He laughed good-naturedly. “Think nothing of it, Louise. I assume that all ladies practice with that sort of thing, and there’s no harm in it, especially when they turn out like you.” He plunked his hat on. “Well . . . I’ll see you around.”
“Good night, Mark,” Louise whispered and closed the door behind him. She leaned back against the door with a dreamy look.
Four heads peeked from around the door’s edge. “Were you all eavesdropping?” Louise scolded with a silly grin.
Miss Margaret pushed the door open wide to expose all of them looking guilty but laughing. “I guess we were at that.” She tapped her cane. “Looks like Mark got an eyeful tonight and will be back for more.”
Beth tilted her head sideways at them. “I talked to him about being his nurse today, and I got the impression from the lady he was with that he’s courting her.”
Louise’s face fell. “Oh, do you know who she was?”
Beth tapped her chin with her finger. “Let’s see . . . Cindy, no Cynthia. She looked familiar to me.”
“Cynthia works for me in the afternoons, helping in the kitchen, if indeed that’s the same person,” Miss Margaret said.
“Was she a redhead?” Natalie asked.
“She certainly was, and she had her daughter with her in a wheelchair.”
“Then that’s Cynthia Hood,” April said. “Doesn’t mean a thing, Louise.” April hooked her arm in Louise’s. “Don’t you start worrying now, you hear?” But April knew that her words rang hollow, for Louise lost the playful smile she’d had just moments earlier.
17
It was all April could do to roll out of bed before dawn, but a promise was a promise. She staggered over to the water pitcher next to the sink. Mother wouldn’t believe it if she saw me now, getting up with the chickens. She pulled her jeans and boots on, then slipped on a chambray shirt over her camisole and threw extra clothes into a saddlebag. Plucking her hat off the bedpost, she decided she’d need her duster since the early mornings were cool. She paused momentarily and then stuffed her Bible in her saddlebag. Never know when one might have need of it, although when, she didn’t know. They would be driving the coach for long hours to get to Billings in two days. She carefully tiptoed down the stairs, trying not the make any noise, but as she passed the kitchen, she smelled bacon and heard Miss Margaret humming.
“April, is that you?” Miss Margaret called out.
“Yes, ma’am,” April answered. She poked her head through the doorway to see Miss Margaret holding out a cup of coffee and a hot biscuit filled with bacon for her. The kitchen was warm with a fire burning in the grate.
April took the biscuit and coffee from her. “I had no idea that you were up this early, Miss Margaret.”
Miss Margaret gave a sweet smile. “I have always been an early riser, and I like to start my day enjoying the quiet. I thought you might need something in your belly before you take off on that long, harebrained ride.”
April took a bite of the fluffy biscuit and savored the taste of bacon inside. “Miss Margaret, you are just too good to me.” She smiled at the older lady, then drank some of the coffee. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be careful,” she said, polishing off the biscuit. April donned her duster, then hoisted her saddlebags over one shoulder.
“I hope so, or Josh will be angry with me for not watching out for you.” Miss Margaret gave her a stern look, one hand on her hip, the other one on her cane.
April gave her a quick peck on the cheek, thoroughly surprising Miss Margaret, then hurried out the door.
Leon climbed up to the seat of the stage toting his shotgun, and Morgan glanced around once last time, looking for April. She said she’d be here. I’ll bet she’s still sleeping. “Billy,” he said to his young helper, “when April shows—”
Billy touched the sleeve of Morgan’s arm and pointed to the sidewalk. April, holding her hat on, was practically running to reach them.
“Well, I’ll be danged.” Morgan let out a low whistle. “I really didn’t think she’d show.” Then he climbed atop the stage to wait for her.
“Aw, if Miss April said she’d be here, then I knew she would,” Billy said as April drew closer. “I’d rather be the one going with you.”
“Son, you will, and soon. But I like the idea that someone is back here in charge while I’m away. You and Will keep watch over everything now, you hear?” Morgan said, looking down at Billy’s shiny black hair.
“Yes, sir.” Billy looked down, dragging the toe of his boot in the dirt.
Breathing hard, April pulled up short and dropped the saddlebags from her shoulder to the ground. “Sorry, I’m exactly two minutes late by the boardinghouse clock. Miss Margaret made me wolf down a biscuit to hold me until lunch.”
Morgan pulled out the pocket watch tucked into the top of his vest and squinted to read it in the moonlight. “By my watch, you are five minutes late!”
“Quit splitting hairs, Morgan, and let’s get going,” Leon said, handing the reins to Morgan and laying his shotgun across his lap.
“I thought I was going to ride up there with you, Morgan.” April’s brow furrowed in her forehead.
“I never said when, April. Have a seat inside the stage and we’ll talk about it when we stop for lunch.”
April rolled her eyes at Billy, shaking her head.
“Just be glad you get to go, while I stay here,” Billy said. He picked up her saddlebags, then opened the door and threw them inside.
April got in and Billy shut the door. Leaning out the window, April said, “I’m sorry, Billy. I wasn’t aware that you weren’t going on the trip this time. I’ll be glad to teach you everything I learn.”
“If you two will quit jawing, we can leave now,” Morgan said, hoping he sounded friendly. Then he cracked his whip, the team of horses leaned into the riggings, and the stagecoach jerked forward. April waved at Billy as he jumped back out of the way. Morgan had a twinge of regret that he was leaving Billy behind, but logic told him the boy had a lot to learn, even with his knowledge of horses. It was better this trip that he didn’t come because they would be transporting the strongbox of cash from Billings to Lewistown. No place for a kid to get in the way.
Morgan could hardly contain his joy that Lenora would be waiting for them in Billings. He missed her so badly that many nights he lay awake thinking about her lying next to him. But he understood that she’d needed to be in Mississippi for a while to take care of her parents, and then later to settle their affairs. He’d savored every letter from her, reading it over and over. He hoped she was missing him as much, and the thought brought a smile to his lips.
The rocking of the stagecoach with its heavy springs had put April to sleep three hours later. She’d stretched out the length of one side and propped up her boots heels on the window frame, placing her hat across her eyes. The only companion in the coach with her had been the huge bag of US mail that occupied the seat across from her.
The coach stopped and April stiffly sat up. Leon’s head popped in the window, and he gave his naturally warm, contagious smile, showing his tobacco-stained teeth. “Are you ’bout ready for lunch, Miss April?”
“My goodness, Leon, I think I’ve been asleep since we left the station.” April stepped through the coach door that he held open for her and glanced around, recognizing the familiar stop from her first trip to Lewistown.
Morgan hopped down from the top seat, rubbing his hands together. “My stomach is about to eat my backbone. I hope they have some good vittles cooked up today.” April and Leon laughed at his comment. “We still have another four hours to go before we stop for the night,” he continued.
“Something smells good,” Leon said, leading the way.
A couple of folks hung around the rest stop, waiting for the stagecoach to arrive, but thankfully there were no babies this time. April hoped that she would be sitting outside on the next leg of the trip.
The lunch fare was tolerable—beans that needed salt and sourdough bread with canned peaches for dessert. No sense complaining, but April missed Natalie’s crusty homemade bread and fresh churned butter. Leon drank so much coffee that the cook made another pot.
“April, this afternoon you can ride outside on the seat with me. Leon can get a little siesta,” Morgan informed her as they walked back outside in the spectacular sunshine.
“Okay. I slept almost the entire way here. Your coach can rock one to sleep when there’s no one to talk to.” April followed him to the front of the stage, and he gave her a hand up while Leon climbed inside.
“You’re right about that, April. But it sure can make a body stiff after weeks of riding.” Taking a seat next to April, Morgan lifted the reins.
“Morgan, do you think you could show me how you do this? It seems a bit complicated.”
“Pay attention and I’ll explain to you how to handle the reins. We call them ribbons because you thread them through the fingers of your left hand like so.” Morgan demonstrated placing the reins through the fingers of his thick leather gloves. “Now you keep your right hand free to let off the brake as needed.” He reached down to where the break was set and pulled it free. The team of six horses made a slight movement when they felt the break’s release but stood awaiting Morgan’s orders.
“The right hand also stays free to handle the whip. Just nice and gentle-like will get the team moving.” With a flick of his wrist, Morgan touched the whip to the horses’ backsides, yelling, “Git up there, now!”
April was exhilarated to be riding up high behind such magnificent horses, their manes flowing in the wind, their ears laid back, and their hooves moving in smooth, connected rhythm. She had no idea that this could be so much fun. April felt a pang in her heart that Billy wasn’t here to experience this, but she knew he would be soon. It was just a matter of time.
It was hard to have a conversation without raising one’s voice above the din of hoofbeats on the hard-packed road. Morgan glanced over at her, the whites of his eyes large with pleasure, and April knew he loved his work.
“Would you like to give it a try for a bit a little later?” Morgan asked.
April couldn’t believe she’d heard correctly at first, but he continued to look at her with a question in his big brown eyes. “You mean it? I guess I would like to see what it’s like to control that many horses at one time.”
“Did you bring a pair of gloves with you? You’re gonna need ’em,” Morgan said.
April pulled her gloves out of her duster and held them under his nose for inspection. “These are the only ones I have. Do you think they’re thick enough?”
Morgan narrowed his eyes to get a good look, then said, “They’ll have to do. Mine will be way too big. You don’t want to get blisters. Maybe after you’ve watched me awhile, I’ll give you a chance to see how you’ll do the driving.”
April could hardly wait to give it a try, but for now she was content to observe Morgan’s skill with the team and learn as much as she could. She wondered if these were some of Wes’s trained horses. What would he think of her handling a team?
When they pulled up to the station to stop for the night, April’s back was stiff, but what an experience. Morgan had given her the reins for a short time on the drive, and though she was a bit apprehensive at first, she concentrated and was beginning to get the feel of the horses straining against the ribbons, as Morgan called them. The rush of power was hard to describe. She felt like she had to strain with all her might in order to keep the several thousand pounds of horseflesh from jerking her clean off the seat.
Now April began to feel a steady burn between her shoulder blades and wished Tilly would be at the station with a warm bath and a rubdown. But April wouldn’t dare complain to Morgan. No sirree! Right now she would be grateful just to lay her head on the pillow.
The next morning, two businessmen joined the stage ride on the last leg to Billings. Part of the time, April was in the coach with them, but they weren’t inclined to talk other than to exchange pleasantries, so April remained quiet and leaned her head against the side of the coach and rested. She and Leon traded off again in the afternoon, and Morgan gave her another lesson on driving the team. The feel of horsepower coupled with the fact that she controlled their speed gave her a rush.
“I’m impressed with how well you catch on, April.” Morgan looked at her with such favor that April felt her face turn pink.
“I’m having a good time with this, Morgan. Thanks for letting me spend time with you doing this. My mother and father will never believe it.”
“You could be a real Stagecoach Mary, though you’re a mite lighter in weight—and color too, I should add.” Morgan chuckled.
“Who might that be?” April asked.
“She delivered the US mail by a mule named Moses in rain, sleet, blizzard, or heat, and she was called Stagecoach Mary because she was always on schedule.” Morgan paused. “Yep, she was a large black woman, hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, tough as any man. She stood about six foot and weighed around two hundred pounds. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side, that’s for sure.”
“You’re teasing me, right?”
Morgan quirked an eyebrow. “Would I tease you?” He laughed. “Yes, I would, but not this time. It’s the truth.”
“Did you know her? Where is she now?”
“I met her once, and Lenora gave me the evil eye just for looking. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve never met another soul like her. I heard she opened a laundry service over in Cascade.”
“Humph. I’m not sure I want to be compared to a tough woman the likes of her.” April
glanced sideways at Morgan with a teasing grin.
Morgan grinned back at her. “Too bad her laundry service wasn’t here when you had need of it.” He chortled.
“All right, now you’re being funny!” April laughed. “Thank goodness Wes had the nerve to tell me how I smelled.”
“Do tell!”
April told him how Wes had tossed her over his shoulder and threw her in the horses’ water trough.
Morgan hooted until tears were in his eyes. “I wish I’d been a fly on a horse’s back.” He paused. “You know, April, Wes is a good man. His daddy was really hard on him, especially after his mother died.” Morgan wiped his brow with his big bandana, then stuck it back into his hip pocket. “His ranch lacks a woman’s touch, and he’s a little brash at times, but really his heart is in the right place. I’m so glad he and Josh are friends and respect one another. It wasn’t always that way.”
“Are you taking up for his behavior?” April slowed the horses as they came to a big curve in the road. She didn’t want to flip the coach on its side.
“Nope. Just telling it like it is,” he said, turning his eyes back to the road ahead. “Very skillfully maneuvered there, April. Guess you’re not afraid of nothin’. You catch on fast.”
April was pleased that he admired her skill. “Tell that to my brother. I was just a little pest to him growing up.”
“Not from what I hear. Josh thinks the world of his little sister and has nothing but good things to say concerning you, though he did mention a time or two that you were a mite spoiled by your daddy.”
April snapped, “That’s not my fault, you know. I guess I was just trying to please him.” She didn’t want to think about the many times she’d whined to or manipulated her father to get her way against her mother’s word about something. She felt ashamed. Now that she wasn’t at home and around her parents, she could see herself in better focus. Especially since she wasn’t the center of everyone’s attention in Lewistown.
A Love of Her Own Page 17