Embers of Love

by Tracie Peterson

  “Can we marry right away?” she asked. “I mean, could we marry tomorrow?”

  He laughed heartily and twirled her in circle. “You are a bold one – exactly what I need.”

  She felt her cheeks grow hot. She realized too late how forward – almost risqué – her comment sounded. “I . . . well, it’s just that . . .” Lizzie knew there was no sense in trying to explain and lowered her head.

  “Darlin’, don’t you go gettin’ all red-faced and shy. We can marry right this minute, if you can find us a preacher. You won’t get any argument out of me. It’s been sheer torture to spend all this time so close to you and not be able to . . . well . . .” It was his turn to look embarrassed.

  Lizzie could only giggle. She put her hand to her mouth as he threw her a questioning look.

  “So you think this is funny, do you?”

  She nodded and giggled all the more. G. W. smiled and took hold of her once again. Pulling her tight against him, he locked her in an iron embrace. “I’ll give you something to giggle about. I’ve been wantin’ to tickle you since you first showed up. First it was because you never smiled – you always seemed so serious. Then I just wanted your smile to be because of me.”

  Lizzie tried to twist in his arms, but he held her fast. When he ran his fingers lightly under her chin and down the side of her neck, it wasn’t giggling that Lizzie thought of. She sighed and her knees nearly buckled.

  “So do you suppose,” she whispered, “there might be a preacher nearby?”

  G. W. halted and gazed deep into her eyes before roaring with laughter. In one quick move, he threw her over his shoulder and marched toward the house. “You go pack. We’ll take the train to Lufkin tomorra.”

  “Put me down before someone sees us,” Lizzie protested, pounding against G. W.’s back with her fist. “G. W.!”

  He only laughed all the more. “I like a gal with some fight in her. Lizzie Decker, you’re gonna be the joy of my life.”

  She relaxed against him and smiled to herself. G. W. pulled her from his shoulder and cradled her in his arms as he climbed the steps to the porch. When he reached the top, he put her down. Shaking his head, he put her at arm’s length.

  His voice was a hoarse whisper. “You’d best go along now before I kiss you again.”

  –––––––

  Deborah awaited Lizzie’s return to their room. She was hoping that G. W. would propose to her friend, and when Lizzie walked, or rather floated, into the room, Deborah was certain the question had been asked and approved.

  “So when’s the wedding?”

  Lizzie gave a sigh. “Tomorrow we’re going to take the train to Lufkin.”

  “Leave it to G. W. to waste no time.”

  Her friend flushed. “It was a mutually agreed upon idea.”

  Deborah couldn’t help but laugh. “Spoken like a true daughter of a suffragette. Stand up for your rights, and all that.”

  Lizzie plopped down on the side of her bed. “Oh, Deborah, I’ve never been so happy. G. W. is everything I could ever want in a husband. He’s perfect. So kind. So smart. So gentle.”

  “Goodness, but you sound completely daft over him.” Deborah shook her head. “Well, I suppose it’s a good thing you brought your own wedding gown.”

  “Oh, I don’t plan to get married to him in that dress,” Lizzie said. “I’m a simple Texas woman now – not an eastern socialite.”

  “That doesn’t mean you can’t dress beautifully for your wedding day.” Deborah smiled. “Although I’m sure G. W. won’t care what you wear so long as you say ‘I do’ when the preacher asks if you’ll pledge your life to him.”

  Lizzie smiled and nodded. “I’m so happy, Deborah. I want to cry and laugh all at the same time. It’s like all of my dreams came true in a single moment.” She looked to her friend. “I even get to be your sister and be a part of a real family who loves each other. I’ve wanted brothers and sisters all of my life, and now I’ll have them.”

  Deborah laughed and threw a pillow at the dreamy-eyed girl. “And you’ll see just how ornery siblings can be. All of this time I’ve just been being nice to you because you were a guest.”

  “Well, so long as I get to marry G. W., you can treat me any way you like.”

  Deborah rolled her eyes and got to her feet. “Guess we’d better get packed.”

  “We?”

  “Of course. Do you think I’m going to send you off to Lufkin without a maid of honor? Goodness, you’ll probably have the whole lot of us. Mother would never want to miss seeing her son get married, and Rob and Uncle Arjan will enjoy a day in the big city . . . well, as big as it comes this close to Perkinsville.”

  “Oh, do you really think they’ll join us? That will be wonderful!”

  “Wild pigs couldn’t keep them from coming.” Deborah paused and looked at Lizzie. “Who could have imagined when we ran away from your sham wedding in Philadelphia that you were actually running away to find true love?”

  Lizzie met her gaze and a sob caught in her throat as she began to speak. “You told me . . . God would work out all of the details. And now He has.” She started to cry and Deborah immediately came to her side.

  “He always will,” she told her friend. “He is always faithful.” She thought of Dr. Clayton just then and realized that God would be faithful to him, as well. She needn’t worry about whether or not the doctor would have help. God could and would provide whatever was necessary to get the job done.

  “Come on,” she said, pulling away from Lizzie. “We’ve got work to do.”

  CHAPTER 22

  The wedding was a rushed affair, but everyone involved enjoyed the event. The bride vacillated between looking as though she might faint and nervously giggling through most of the ceremony. The groom, on the other hand, grinned like the cat that had found his way into the cream crock.

  Deborah couldn’t have been more pleased for her dear friend and brother. She found that the very idea of Lizzie being with her in Texas made the life she’d chosen more bearable. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be there with her family; she’d just grown accustomed to spending her days reading and learning while at the university. Now that part of her life was over.

  “The train is finally coming into the station,” G. W. announced. “Guess the Rabbit didn’t jump the tracks this time.”

  Deborah smiled and nodded. She made her way to Lizzie and hugged her close. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

  Lizzie and G. W. had opted to remain in Lufkin for a few days of privacy, while the others would journey through the night to reach home. Deborah released her friend and turned to go as the train conductor approached them.

  “Word’s come that there’s a bad storm brewing just off the coast,” he announced. “Looks to be a hurricane comin’ in.”

  Deborah frowned, while her uncle pressed the inquiry. “When did you get word?”

  “Just came over the telegraph. One of the ships brought news to Houston, and they’ve sent out wires along the track.”

  Uncle Arjan looked at Deborah’s mother and shook his head. “Might be we should stay put. No tellin’ how fast that storm’s movin’ in or which direction it’ll take.” He turned to the other men. “I’ve seen them come on fast and furious. You don’t want to be on the Rabbit when it hits.”

  “I agree,” G. W. said. “Why don’t you take rooms at the hotel? I know it’s an added expense, but it’ll be for the best.”

  “That seems wise.” Mother looked quite grim. “Sissy will know what’s happened if she gets word about the storm. She won’t fret, and she’ll see to the animals.”

  Lizzie was wringing her hands, so Deborah went to her side to reassure her. “Don’t look so worried. These storms occur from time to time – especially in the late summer and fall. There’s nothing you can do to keep them from coming, so we simply prepare for them the best we can.”

  “I’ve never been in a hurricane, but I’ve read about the destruction they can cause.
”

  Deborah could remember some very bad storms in the past but certainly didn’t want to give her friend undue fright. She believed they were far enough inland that any damage would be lessened considerably – at least she hoped so. “The best thing is to use good judgment. Traveling home just now would not be prudent to say the least.” She thought of the folks in Perkinsville. Deborah excused herself. “Lizzie, I’ll be right back.”

  She hurried over to where the engineer was just starting to climb back aboard. “Excuse me. Do you know if the folks in Perkinsville were warned?”

  He stepped back down and turned to face her. “Yes, miss. We’ve left word at every town on our way. Of course, Perkinsville is in quarantine, but they got the message. I blasted the train whistle until the depot master came to see what the trouble was.” He smiled from behind a thick mustache. “They’d been wired and were already making preparations.”

  She nodded, relieved. Her mother came to stand beside her. “Is something wrong, Deborah? I saw you hurry over here.”

  She met Mother’s gentle expression. “No. I wanted to make sure the folks in Perkinsville had been warned about the storm. The engineer assured me he told the depot master and said plans were already being made to assure their safety.”

  Mother put her arm around Deborah and hugged her close. “Don’t worry. Folks there know what to do. I’m sure they’ll keep Dr. Clayton apprised.”

  She looked at her mother rather surprised. “I care about everyone there, not just Dr. Clayton.”

  “I know that, but I also realize you have a special . . . fondness for him.”

  Deborah didn’t want her mother to think there was something more between her and the doctor than there was. “Dr. Clayton is just a good friend, Mother. I appreciate his intellect, and he doesn’t seem to mind that as a woman, I like to expand my knowledge. Don’t believe there to be anything more than that.”

  Her mother laughed. “You are such a goose sometimes. Come along. The fellas are taking our things over to the hotel. Hopefully they’ve got room for all of us.”

  She wasn’t sure what her mother had meant. Was she implying that Deborah’s worries were unfounded – that of course she knew the doctor was only a friend? Or was she suggesting that Deborah was a goose for trying to make her believe something other than the truth?

  But that is the truth. Deborah rejoined Lizzie and together they walked to where Uncle Arjan waited for them. What in the world did Mother mean? But if I ask, she’s only going to know that I’m troubled by her statement and that, in turn, might lead her to believe that I do feel something more for Dr. Clayton. Mother and Lizzie took hold of Uncle Arjan’s arms, while Deborah followed rather absentmindedly behind.

  Surely Mother didn’t suspect that there were romantic feelings between her and Dr. Clayton. He was a nice man – quite handsome and very intelligent. She did enjoy the time she spent with him, but she wasn’t sweet on him. Or was she? Oh, grief and nonsense, what should I do?

  Her concern was quickly dismissed when a powerful grip took hold of her arm and pulled her violently to the side of the road. Deborah felt herself falling just as a freight wagon barreled around the corner behind her. She landed with a thud against the firm, lean frame of the man who’d rescued her, then quickly scrambled up to regain her legs.

  “I am so sorry,” she said, dusting off her skirt.

  “Deborah, are you all right?” her mother’s frantic voice sounded from behind. “Oh goodness, look at your gloves.”

  She saw how dirty her gloves were and quickly tucked them into the folds of her skirt. Funny that we should worry about gloves at a time like this, she thought.

  Looking up, Deborah caught sight of her hero. He was tall – probably about G. W.’s height – and dressed in the unmistakable style of a ranch hand. Throwing her a lazy smile, he shrugged.

  “Afternoon, miss.”

  Deborah laughed as Uncle Arjan extended a hand toward the cowboy. “Thank you, son. We’re very grateful for what you just did.”

  “Did you not see the wagon, Deborah?” her mother questioned.

  “I’m afraid I was daydreaming.” She smiled at the stranger. “I’m Deborah Vandermark. Thank you for your assistance . . . and the soft landing.”

  He grinned and slapped his leg. “You’re certainly welcome. I hope you’re no worse for the venture.”

  Deborah tested her weight on each foot and flexed her arms. “I seem to be completely unscathed.”

  “Are you sure, Deborah?” Lizzie asked, her expression one of grave concern. “I thought for certain that wagon would knock you to the ground. I was just looking back to say something to you when I saw him come bearing toward you.”

  “I’m fine, truly I am. Thanks to Mr. . . .” Deborah looked at the man. “I do not know your name.”

  “Jacob Francis Wythe. Though my friends just call me Slim.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Wythe, for saving my daughter. Would you care to join us for supper tonight so that we can thank you properly? We’re hoping to take rooms at the hotel and would be happy to have you dine with us this evening,” Mother said.

  The man’s dusty face lit up, although his expression sobered. “I’d be honored, ma’am. But you know, it’s not necessary.”

  Something in the way he added the latter didn’t sound quite as sincere. Perhaps he was afraid of missing a good meal.

  “I know it isn’t necessary, but it’s exactly what I’d like to do. I know Deborah’s brothers will want to meet you and thank you, as well.”

  Mr. Wythe picked up his hat and slapped it against his leg, causing a cloud of dust to rise. “I’d be happy to join you, ma’am.”

  “Let’s say about five-thirty; would that be all right?”

  “Yes, Miz Vandermark. I’ll be there.” Casting a quick glance at Deborah, he planted the hat on his head, then tipped it to her and to the other two women. “Thank you kindly.”

  Deborah watched him saunter off as though he’d just taken first place at the county fair. She couldn’t help but giggle.

  Mother looked at her and shook her head. “What in the world is so funny? You could have been killed! You know a town this size is no place to lose your thoughts.”

  Taking the admonition in stride, Deborah nodded and looped her arm with her mother’s. “I know. It was pure foolishness. I won’t do it again, but . . . it did introduce us to that nice cowboy.”

  Mother rolled her eyes while Lizzie laughed out loud. Uncle Arjan shook his head. “There are easier ways to meet suitors, Niece. If I were you, I’d try a church social next time or maybe a house raisin’.”

  “I wasn’t thinking of courtship, Uncle. I thought perhaps we could buy some beef – that’s all.”

  At the hotel, they found the men had secured rooms for everyone. Rob and Arjan would share a room, as would Lizzie and G. W. Mother and Deborah would be together, and Mr. Decker would have a room of his own.

  “Your room is upstairs and just to the left. There’s a washroom across the hall,” G. W. said, handing Mother the key. “We’ll bring up the bags.”

  Mother nodded and led the way. “After all that excitement, I’m ready to rest for a bit.”

  “Excitement?” G. W. asked.

  Deborah shook her head. “I’m sure Lizzie will tell you all about it. It starts out rather bad but ends with the possibility of negotiating the purchase of beef.” She gave her brother a wink. “Who knows what might happen next?”

  –––––––

  The bad weather pushed in with frightening speed. Thick, heavy rain clouds built to the southeast and seemed to boil and churn with great fury as they made their way north. Deborah prayed that the damage would be minimal, then altered the prayer to ask that there be no damage at all. Hurricanes generally played out most of their strength on the coast, and she was determined not to ruin the evening fretting over what might or might not come.

  Supper was a rather somber affair, dominated by talk of the upcoming storm. Deb
orah toyed with her fried chicken. The meal was delicious, but she couldn’t help but be intrigued by the man sitting opposite her. There was something about Mr. Wythe that captured her attention.

  “So where are you from, Mr. Wythe?” Mother asked.

  “Please, ma’am, could you not call me that? If you don’t like Slim, how about Jake?”

  She smiled. “Very well. Jake.”

  “I’m from up Dallas way, ma’am. My father has a spread up there.”

  “And what brings you to Lufkin?” Uncle Arjan asked.

  “My aunt. She was up visiting my mama – her sister. I escorted her home and was planning to head back tomorrow. I guess I’ll see what’s happening with the storm before I get too devoted to the idea.”

  Arjan nodded. “That would be wise. So you’ll stay with your aunt?”

  “Yes, sir. She’s by herself, so having me here during the storm could be useful.”

  Mother exchanged a look with Deborah. “I wish we’d known about your aunt. I would happily have had her join us here tonight.”

  “She was much too tired, ma’am. The trip was hard on her. Wore her out.”

  “I can understand that,” Mother replied. “The trip up here this morning had me dreading the ride home. Our little narrow gauge to Perkinsville isn’t exactly a smooth ride.”

  “That’s understating it considerably,” G. W. said with a grin.

  “So what brought you folks to Lufkin?”

  “G. W. and Lizzie were married this afternoon,” Deborah said before anyone else could reply. She liked it when he fixed his blue eyes on her.

  “A wedding, eh? So tonight we should give them a shivaree.”

  “I think the storm will provide all the wedding night interference needed,” G. W. replied. Lizzie was turning three shades of red, and Deborah couldn’t help but grin. She looked down at the table so that Lizzie couldn’t see her response.

  “Have you lived in Texas long?” Mother asked.

  “All my life. I was born on the ranch.” Jake fixed a smile on Lizzie and then on Deborah before looking back at Euphanel. “But I don’t reckon the ladies are nearly as pretty up there as they are down this way.”