After a leisurely breakfast, she drew a blue-gray cashmere shawl around her and strolled down the sidewalks of her soon to be home. Although she looked forward to seeing Tobias again, she wanted to see a bit of the town. When she reached the mercantile, she stepped inside. While the owner spoke to another customer, Tabitha surveyed the wares and decided the store offered necessities and many luxuries. She looked up when the other customer left.
“Can I help you, Miss?” A portly man stood at the counter. He wore a brown apron, and green guards protected his sleeves from stains. “I’m George Sturdivant, owner. You must be new in town.”
She set down her selections for him to add. “Yes, I’m Tabitha Masterson. Mrs. Gamble and Mrs. Fraser suggested I ask you about the time it takes freight to arrive from Boston.”
“Oh, from Massachusetts, eh?” His eyes gleamed speculatively. “Well, let’s see. Last thing I had from there was tea, and it arrived in about three weeks.”
“This is furniture, some of it heavy and in large crates. However, I paid extra to speed its arrival.” She chewed her lip as she watched his face.
He rubbed his head, sending his thinning hair into disarray. “Oh, likely that’ll take about four weeks, I’d say.” He added up her purchases. “That’ll be six bits.”
She handed him the coins. “Thank you. Where will the freight show up? Is there a shipping office in town?”
“Always comes here. I’ll let you know when it arrives. Where are you staying?”
“At the hotel. If I change location, I’ll let you know.” She walked to the door but turned back to bid him goodbye.
Counting the three weeks since she’d left Boston the same day as her furniture, she had only a week until her crates arrived. She could hardly wait to see her own things in her own house. A new town, a new home, a new life.
Confidence had her floating along as each person she met smiled. She strolled the length of the board sidewalks, then crossed the street and ambled toward the hotel. Before she reached her destination, Tobias Baldwin pulled his wagon alongside her.
“Morning.” Tobias tipped his hat and then slowed the horses and pulled on the brake. He climbed down and walked toward her, favoring his wounded leg.
She shaded her eyes with her hand. In spite of the limp, he certainly looked fit and handsome this morning. “How do you feel? Any serious trouble from your injuries?”
He offered a slow grin. Today he wore a green checked shirt, but his eyes still appeared as blue as the Texas sky. “Not much. Do you need to return to the hotel before we go for our drive?”
She tightened her shawl around her. Her small purchases fit in her purse. “Not if you think I’m suitably dressed.”
He assessed her briefly and grinned. “You’ll do.” He helped her onto the wagon seat.
“I’ll do?” Even his left-handed compliment couldn’t dampen her spirits on such a fine day. “You certainly know how to flatter a woman.”
He blushed. “You see why I’m not much for talking around women. I never say the right thing.”
No one could deny his good looks. Those blue eyes were made for teasing and inviting women closer. Tobias didn’t have a problem communicating with women, he just needed to let his body do the talking.
Deciding to overlook his verbal communication faults, Tabitha changed the subject. “How far is it to your ranch?”
“Almost an hour.” He turned the team and clicked the reins to hurry the horses.
People called to him as they passed. He waved but didn’t stop. Was he hesitant to introduce her as his fiancée? Or at all?
She wished he’d indicate how he felt about her substituting for Prissy and whether he intended to go through with the wedding. She’d considered marriage to him since she’d waked today, and decided he would make a good husband. Thoughts of his muscular, bared chest yesterday haunted her, as did the strong beat of his heart under her palm.
She saw several unusual buildings, including the large home which Mrs. Stone indicated as theirs yesterday evening. As Tabitha and Tobias left town, she turned in her seat to peer at him. “You could point out the sights as we go along.”
His eyes widened. “Don’t think there are any.”
“Tobias, pretend you’ve never driven this road before. For instance, what kind of tree is that leafy one?”
“Mesquite. Wood burns hotter than others.” He shook his head. “Can’t kill the things.”
“I like the tree’s airy flowing form. Look how gracefully the wind moves the leaves, almost like a willow. Why would you want to destroy them?”
“They’ll take over rangeland otherwise. Stumps are broad and roots sink deep and suck up the water. Leave none for the grass to grow. Soon there’s nothing but mesquite trees.”
He pointed to a large tree. “Now that’s a tree I like. Live oak. Nice shade, grows big. Green all year. Doesn’t try to take over all the land.”
“Oh, look.” Forgetting her finishing school manners, she pointed ahead. “What’s that odd bird-like creature?”
“Roadrunner, also called a chaparral. Eats lizards and snakes and such.”
“Snakes?” She shuddered. “I’ve never seen one, but I hate the idea.”
He sent a look that let her know he thought her deficient. “Better get used to them, that is, if you plan on staying in Texas.”
“Of course I plan on staying. Tobias Baldwin, I can assure you I did not come all this way to turn around and go back to Boston. If you decide not to marry me, I’ll think of something else to do here.”
But what? Her only hope was that Tobias wed her and could protect her from William and David. And the insane asylum and jail.
“Wait ‘til you see my place and meet Ma. She’s a good woman, but plain spoken. Good cook, too.”
He hadn’t taken the hint and committed to her or dismissed her. She decided to press for a pledge of intentions. “Priscilla and I thought, well, we thought you’d have a cook. You didn’t say you expected your wife to prepare meals.”
“Didn’t occur to me a wife wouldn’t cook. Seems I didn’t say the right things. I told you I’m not much good at talking to women, and that includes writing letters.”
“Oh, but your letters were so nice.” She stopped, realizing what she’d revealed. “I hope you don’t mind that Prissy let me read them.”
“Matter of fact, I do. They were private and meant for her.” He glanced at her and she saw pain in his eyes. “Did she show everywhere?”
“Of course not. I told you she’s my best friend. We shared secrets. Didn’t you share things with your brother that you never told anyone else?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but he’s my brother.”
“Prissy and I were close as sisters. We’ve been best friends since we were five. We went away to school together.”
He narrowed his gaze at her. “So you went to a finishing school?” He shook his head.
She couldn’t decide if he meant her time there was wasted or if he thought schooling wasteful and unnecessary. He spoke well and appeared educated, so she didn’t think he disregarded schooling. Did he think only men should learn?
“We were only a short ways from home but we boarded there for two years. I loved being away from home.” She gasped. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that.”
He raised his eyebrows. “But you did.” Then he turned back to watch the road. “I’ve never been away from home long. My brother and I didn’t sign up for fighting because Pa was ill and we needed to be here.”
“I’m sure your parents were grateful.”
“Our choice caused talk at the time, but we do what we think is right, not what someone else tells us. Comanche and Kiowa took advantage of so many men being away and increased their raids.”
“That’s even more reason to stay and help your parents. But you couldn’t have been very old yourself.”
“Seventeen when the War started, and Beau was only fifteen. But my family came here to start over, not bring the eas
t’s troubles with us. Couldn’t see abandoning land we’d worked so hard on.”
She clutched his sleeve. “Oh, my goodness. Look at the horns on that cow.”
He almost snorted. “That’s a bull. And we saw plenty of longhorns yesterday from the stage.”
Shaking her head, she stared at the animals. “Not up this close, we didn’t. They’re so much bigger than I imagined. T-The horns are huge, as long as I am tall, and look awfully dangerous.”
“They are unless you know how to handle them, sometimes even then.” He gestured with one hand. “Up here at this pile of stones is where our place starts.”
Did he mean ours as in his and hers, or ours as in his family’s? Everywhere she looked she saw cattle with dangerous horns, rocks, and plants that looked as prickly as the cactus—and her host. But she remembered his sweet letters that had attracted her in the first place. She recalled the strong beat of his heart against her hand yesterday, and the warm skin through his bandages. And the sight of him without his shirt.
Heavens, had she turned into a loose woman to have all these scandalous thoughts? Had she left her morals in Boston? She looked away to hide the blush she sensed heating her cheeks.
When her blush cooled, she turned toward him. “It is pretty, Tobias, but much different than anything I’m used to seeing.”
Surprise and longing showed on his face. “You don’t hate it?”
She laughed again, enjoying the fresh air and green surrounding her. And the highest and bluest sky she’d ever seen. “No, not at all. I don’t understand why, but I enjoy this place and the strange plants and animals.” And she liked this strange man who didn’t know how to talk to women.
William couldn’t stand up to this man. Tobias offered strength and stability. So far, he acted nice enough, but could she marry him? Would he even want her?
“House is just over this ridge. Ma’ll have lunch about ready.”
They crested the hill and a cabin appeared in view. Instead of large logs, the walls were made of well-chinked small-sized logs with a stone front and chimney. The roof appeared to be metal. Smoke drifted from two chimneys.
Surely a family hadn’t lived in such a small place. What crazy thought caused that? Of course they had. She knew people in Boston lived in apartments this small. Hadn’t she visited sick employees to take food and seen even smaller homes?
She sighed, knowing her father and David didn’t pay adequate wages. Still surprised her brother had given her the money due her, she wondered if her plea to Mr. Percival resulted in the attorney’s intervention on her behalf. Perhaps David truly believed her story about purchasing a trousseau.
“Put the new roof on last fall. Makes a racket in a rainstorm, but never leaks and sure won’t catch on fire.”
“That must relieve your mind. Guess that’s the same purpose as the slate some people use in Boston.”
A breeze snapped clothes on a line not far upwind from where a wood fire still smoked on the ground. Two black kettles sat upended near the coals. Oh, rats, another thing she didn’t know how to do—laundry. While she liked what she’d seen of Tobias so far, he must be terribly disappointed with her.
A large black and white dog ran toward them barking.
When Bear slowed the wagon, the dog danced around excitedly. “Quiet down, Pal.” When he’d stopped the wagon, Bear climbed down and ruffled the dog’s fur. “Now don’t be jumping on the lady.” Bear helped her down.
She waited for him to offer his arm. He started toward the cabin, and then stopped. “You change your mind?”
“No.” She hurried to catch up with him. “I imagined your mother would have told you to escort a woman by offering your arm.”
He stopped and smacked his palm against his forehead. “She did. Told you I’m not good at being around women.” Awkwardly, he stuck his elbow out. He resembled a one-winged chicken on a platter. Make that a large rooster.
She placed her hand on his arm. “Humph. If you intend to get married, you’d better get used to being around at least one female. And if you decide to marry this woman, you’d better remember your manners.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He opened the door and waited for her to precede him.
Maybe he was at least trainable. She stepped into the room. After the bright light outside, her eyes took a few seconds to adjust.
Oh, my heavens.
The place was scrubbed to within an inch of godly, but the furniture? Where were the home-like furnishings? Not a soft place in the room unless she counted the thick woven-rag rug. Two wooden rockers sat near the hearth, and two straight-backed chairs stood to one side.
A tall, beaming, red-headed woman walked toward her. “I’m Erna Baldwin and I’m so pleased you’re here.” Erna wore an unstylish brown calico dress that looked new, but only a simple lace collar decorated the garment. She gazed up and down Tabitha’s dress hungrily as if memorizing ever detail. “You just call me Erna.”
“I’m Tabitha, but I guess you know that. Thank you for having me here.”
“Come in, come in. I can’t tell you how happy I am you’ve come. Food’s almost ready.” She gestured toward the kitchen end of the room. “You can see the nice range Bear bought. Sure cooks a sight easier than the old one.”
Bear stood with his hands at his waist. “You’re wasting your breath, Ma. She doesn’t know how to cook.”
Tabitha sent him a glare. “That’s right. I don’t know how to do a lot of things, but I can be trained. I’m a quick learner if someone’s patient and willing to teach me.”
Erna appeared startled by Bear’s announcement but apparently recovered. “I’ll be happy to show you how to cook anytime you want—or anything else I know that you don’t.”
“You mean if your son and I get married, so I’ll be a good wife to him?”
“Either way, Tabitha. You need to know how to succeed out here. And I expect there’s a lot you can teach me. Now wash up and we’ll eat.”
Bear showed her where the gray enameled wash pan and lye soap bar were kept on the back porch and blushed as he pointed to the privy.
She smiled as she hurried to relieve herself. She returned and washed her face and hands at the cabin’s back door. A fresh white towel hung on a bar nearby for drying, so she folded and carefully replaced it.
Inside, Erna had spread a worn cloth catty-cornered on the long table and set three places. She’d even gathered a few wild flowers and had them in a water glass in the center of the table. “Coffee or water, which do you want to drink?”
“I’d love some water. The table looks lovely, Erna. Can I help you?”
Erna smiled, but remained in motion. “You’re the guest. Sit down right there by Bear and I’ll dish up the food.”
Tabitha peered at Bear. He appeared as comfortable as a guilty man in a room full of sheriffs. “Doesn’t anyone call you Tobias?’
He shrugged then smiled. “Sometimes Ma does, but only if she’s mad at me. Everyone’s called me Bear since I started school. I was big even then. Had trouble saying my T’s and told people my name was ‘Bias. Kids changed it to Bear.”
“And you ranch most of the time, but sometimes fill in as a lawman?”
“If there’s a woman prisoner, Ma and I transport her to the prison. Sometimes I fill in as deputy or, like yesterday, ride for Wells Fargo. Brings in a little cash money.” He gazed at her. “Might as well see about your reward when we get back to town. You got that five hundred coming.”
A sprite caused her to ask, “Does that make me more attractive as a prospective wife?”
He refused to look at her but his jaw clenched. “I can take care of any woman I marry.”
Erna set a platter of roast with potatoes on the table. “Don’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth, son. Five hundred dollars cash would go a long way around here. You could buy that piece of land Sam Hartness wants to sell.”
Tabitha looked at Erna. “The reward really should go to Tobias. He saved the day and me. If
that robber had guessed I had money sewn into my clothes, my life would have been over.”
“My word, I didn’t know that. He only said he’d been shot in an attempted robbery.” Erna sat across from Tabitha.
After the blessing, Tabitha met Erna’s gaze. “He was a true hero. Without him, I’d be dead and no telling what would have happened to Mrs. Gamble and Mrs. Fraser.”
Erna slapped her son’s hand where it rested on the table. “You never said the sisters were on the stage. I declare, son, getting information from you is like pulling teeth with a spider’s web.”
“I’ll tell you all about it, Erna.”
Bear grew increasingly restless. Why did women go on and on about things that didn’t matter? He and Charlie survived the robbery, saved the money, two of the robbers died and the other two waited in jail. Women went unharmed. What more was there to say?
From the way Tabitha Masterson rattled on, apparently a lot. Tabitha chattered about the robbery the entire meal.
Ma brought out her famous peach cobbler, this one made from last year’s dried peaches. They dug in and he had a second helping. Peach was his favorite.
“Erna, this is the best meal ever. I can’t believe I’ve eaten so much.” She pushed back from the table. “Let me help clean up.”
Ma fairly beamed at the compliment. Maybe he’d been too stingy with praise. He appreciated all she did around the place. From now on, he’d have to speak up more.
Ma shook her head at Tabitha. “No, you’re the guest today. Next time you can help.”
Tabitha looked at him, as if asking if there’d be a next time. Hell’s bells, he hadn’t decided. Sure, she was pretty enough and acted ready to wed. But she knew nothing about being a rancher’s wife. Besides, his pride still stung from Pricilla jilting him. How could he marry one woman when he was all set to marry a different one?
Wild Western Women Ride Again: Western Historical Romance Boxed Set Page 35