Hearing a knock, Laura turned to Carissa. “Sounds like Brandon has arrived early.” She quickly glanced at her reflection in the mirror that hung over the fireplace mantel. Her buttery brown hair was perfect. Carlita had pinned it up on one side and allowed long sausage curls to drape down the other. She’d trimmed the arrangement with gold ribbon and pearls, and Laura felt like a queen. Perhaps Brandon would propose tonight.
She frowned. The nagging concern over his honesty with her continued to haunt Laura. She’d not had a chance to really ask him about his investigation of Malcolm. She tried to push the worry aside, however. Tonight the three of them were going to attend a Christmas party at the Sondersons’. The revelry of the season was muted by a lack of money and supplies for most people, but nevertheless, the Christmas spirit lived.
When Gaston entered the room, it was Tyler Atherton and not Brandon Reid who followed. “Miss, you have a guest. Mr. Atherton.”
Laura went to greet him while Carissa turned to the mirror in order to rearrange the ribbons in her hair. “Mr. Atherton, what a nice surprise.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Laura. Goodness, but you look as pretty as a plum.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I love the holidays and find that the colors suit my mood.” She glanced down for only a heartbeat at the maroon velvet gown that had been trimmed in black. It was an older gown of her mother’s, but one that had been remade for Laura. The seamstress had done a marvelous job and Laura doubted anyone would even remember the dress in its updated appearance.
“Look, Carissa,” Laura said, “Mr. Atherton has come.”
Carissa nodded at the man. “You are most welcome here, sir.”
“Just call me Tyler, please. I can’t abide formalities.”
“Tyler it is,” Laura said. She wasn’t one to easily cast aside proprieties, but the holiday spirit put her of a mind to do so. “Our father isn’t home, so if you were hoping to see him, I’m afraid you will be disappointed.”
He looked down at his black suit and then back to Laura. She wasn’t sure, but he appeared rather nervous. “I actually came to see you. I realize you’re courtin’ Mr. Reid, but I wondered if you might accompany me to a lecture being given at the Episcopal church. I know it’s short notice, but I only heard about it myself this day. They’re having someone speak on Christmas traditions and I thought it might be of interest to . . . you.”
Laura was surprised at the invitation. Since he knew she was courting Brandon it seemed inconsiderate that he should invite her to go out with him for the evening. Even so, she couldn’t be angry with him. He seemed so sweet and sincere.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Ath . . . Tyler. We are just now waiting for Brandon to arrive and escort us to a Christmas party.” She saw the disappointment on his face and quickly went on. “However, we would be quite happy for you to accompany us. There’s plenty of room in the carriage, and I know the family wouldn’t mind at all if we were to bring an out-of-town guest.”
His expression brightened. “I’d like that. I guess I’m feeling a little out of sorts being so far from home.”
“I’ve not had to experience that myself, but I know it would sorely grieve me to be away from family during the holidays.”
Carissa muttered something from behind Laura. Turning, she could see that Carissa was searching for something. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, I’ve lost an earbob. Goodness, but I can’t imagine where it might be. I can’t go to the party with just one.”
“Why don’t you go upstairs and borrow a pair of mine,” Laura said. “Brandon will be here any moment. Let Carlita know so that she might look for the earring while we’re gone.”
Carissa nodded and hurried from the room. Laura turned and asked Tyler, “Will you have a chance to be with them for Christmas? Do they live far from your ranch?”
“My family relocated to Dallas, and I hope to see them on my way back. The ranch is to the north of Dallas, but isn’t much just yet. The Comanche burned most of it to the ground, and we’ve been building a little here and there. It’s comin’ along, but hardly suitable for women. My ma and sister are quite happy in Dallas, so I doubt they’ll ever want to go back to the ranch. My grandpa might, but he’s gettin’ old, so it’s hard to say. And to answer your question about Christmas—well, I came down to fetch those two bulls Will and I purchased, but I’m hopin’ to reach Dallas in time for Christmas dinner. So long as those beeves aren’t too bent on misbehavin’.” He grinned. “Be a whole sight easier if there were a train I could just load them onto. I guess I’ll have to content myself with the fact that we can take them by ship to Galveston.”
“I did hear that plans are in the works for a rail line,” Laura stated, recalling something her father had said earlier. “As I understand, the government is eager to get Texas settled. They are encouraging folks to move west, despite our occupation of troops. Even so, Father tells me that the Federal Army in our city has mostly been as a show to the French, who are interfering in Mexico. I suppose they’re concerned with that threat more than with building railroads.”
“You are a very smart woman,” Tyler replied. “No doubt you are correct. Frankly, given talk of some Texans, I think the government might even be a little worried that we’ll take Texas back.”
Laura considered that thought a moment. “Do you think that’s even possible?”
“Anything is possible,” he said with a shrug. “After all, they didn’t reckon it was possible for Texas to be a Republic or a state to begin with. Folks figured this would stay a part of Mexico. This war changed a lot of people.” His expression sobered. “A lot of folks will come here to forget what happened back east, and those that already lived here will want to put the past behind them, as well.”
“As if that is even possible,” Laura said, shaking her head.
Gaston shuffled into the room once again. “Mr. Reid,” he announced.
Brandon stepped around the older man and stopped to admire Laura in her holiday finery. “You are without a doubt the most beautiful woman in all of Texas.”
Tyler laughed. “I’ll second that.”
The two men exchanged a glance. “Tyler, good to see you again,” Brandon said, extending his hand. “Have I interrupted something important?”
“Well, I had stopped by to see if your gal would come with me to a church lecture. Nothing untoward, I promise you.” He held up his hands and grinned at Brandon’s look of surprise. “But Laura has invited me to come along with you two and her sister. Would that be acceptable to you? I don’t wanna be steppin’ on any toes.”
Brandon shook his head. “My toes are quite safe. Is Will with you?”
“No, he has his wife and her young sister and brother to watch over, so I suggested what with Christmas around the corner, he ought to just stay home. Especially now. He’s gonna be a pa.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Brandon said, smiling. “Well, with or without him, you are most welcome to join us.”
“In that case,” Tyler said, looking at Laura, “I accept.”
The party was just the thing to divert Laura’s attention. She enjoyed the lively conversations and was delighted when she heard of families who were moving back to the city. With the onset of the war, the population had gone from several thousand to several hundred practically overnight. It gave Laura much joy to imagine Corpus Christi being restored.
The Sondersons had done their best to arrange the house in a festive manner. There were brightly colored stars hanging from the fifteen-foot ceilings and dozens of lighted candelabras positioned around the room. Mrs. Sonderson had brought in wagonloads of the dark red flores de noche buena, or poinsettias. The room was a delight to behold—like a lighted garden under the stars.
For a time, Laura lost track of Carissa. The last she’d seen her sister she had been talking with a couple of her old friends. But as more minutes passed with no sign of her, Laura started to worry about her sibling.
Beginning an ear
nest search, Laura finally spied Carissa sitting alone in a corner of the room’s alcove. She looked so sad—weary. Laura wanted to believe that the expectant mother was simply tired. She thought about going to her, then stopped. The last thing she wanted to do was to hover over Carissa, smothering her like their mother was wont to do.
Laura turned instead to a table laden with wonderful food. Brandon quickly joined her and offered to arrange her plate. Laura agreed and pointed to some little pieces of toasted bread. The Sonderson cook had decorated them with a variety of meats and cheese, and Laura suddenly felt quite hungry.
“I hope you didn’t mind my speaking with Mr. Sonderson. He had asked me some questions about Indiana, and I wanted to accommodate him.”
“Not at all,” Laura said.
“I was kind of surprised that Mr. Atherton came to call on you,” Brandon said, helping her to find a place where she might sit and eat.
“No more so than I.” Laura took her seat. “Jealous?” she asked with a grin.
Brandon handed her the plate and grinned. “Incredibly.”
“Well, there’s no need. I have eyes only for you,” she said, batting her lashes like a simpering belle.
Laughing, Brandon straightened. “I am relieved to know that. Otherwise I might have had to call Mr. Atherton out. Dueling has long been frowned upon, but I’ll do what I must to defend my place.” He let the words fade as he turned to go.
“And exactly what place might that be?”
Laura’s question caused him to stop and turn back to face her. He gave her a mischievous wink. “I suppose we shall have to better explore that query at another time.”
By the time Laura finished eating and participating in a few guessing games, she thought it might be best to see if Carissa was ready to leave. She was growing tired of the noisy crowd and figured Brandon and Tyler might well desire an excuse to depart. Laura located Carissa much in the same place as she’d spied her earlier.
“Are you feeling unwell? We can return home if you are.”
Meeting Laura’s eyes, Carissa shook her head. “No. I suppose I’m just reflecting. This time last year we were still at war, and yet I was happier then.”
Laura touched Carissa’s arm. “I know things are difficult.”
“He frightens me, Laura.”
She didn’t have to ask whom Carissa was talking about. “You were so right . . . about everything. I wish I’d listened to your cautions last summer. I know I’ve made a grave mistake in marrying Malcolm, but there is nothing to be done about it now.” She looked across the room at the festivities and tears came to her eyes. “I want so much to be happy. To rejoice in my new life and the baby . . . but I can’t.”
“But God is here to help you,” Laura told her. “You only need to turn it all over to Him.”
“I know that’s what you believe. I’d like to believe it myself, but I can’t. It’s just impossible.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Laura asked in a gentle tone. “I find myself often declaring a thing impossible, especially when I don’t want to put forth the effort to try.”
“But I doubt God would make possible a divorce,” Carissa said matter-of-factly, “and that is the thing I most want. Forgive me for saying so, but it’s the truth.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, you silly girl. I love you and I only want you happy.”
“I never imagined Malcolm would act in the manner he has—completely ruthless—always angry. The man is a complete stranger sometimes.”
Laura realized the time had come to tell Carissa the truth. She had to give the woman hope or she might well fall into even deeper despair. “There are some things you should know.”
Carissa looked at Laura. “Such as . . .”
“I don’t want to go into it here, but suffice it to say, there are things Malcolm has involved himself with that are . . . well . . . illegal.”
Carissa laughed in a harsh way that suggested she knew all about it. “Malcolm does whatever Malcolm wants. He doesn’t want me knowing anything about it, and he’s gone out of his way to make that abundantly clear. So legal or illegal, I won’t confront him.”
Laura nodded. “I would not want you to. But this is something you need to know. It may well give you hope of redemption.”
“How could it?” Carissa asked. “My redemption can only come in his demise.”
“Exactly.” Laura knew her words were coldhearted. “We’ll speak more of it when we return home.”
“No. Tell me now. Please.”
Laura considered her request for a moment. What could it hurt? “Malcolm is involved in a great many things that will most likely see him imprisoned or hanged.”
“Hanged?” Carissa gasped. She put her hand over her mouth as if the whispered word had been shouted.
“I’ve wanted to tell you about it for a long while now, but I didn’t want to hurt you. I knew you loved Malcolm.”
Carissa lowered her hand to reveal a dejected expression. “I don’t think I’ve ever even known what love is. At least not the kind of love a man and wife should know. I always dreamed of the tenderness and kindness that I saw Mother and Father share, and at first Malcolm seemed to offer that. Now all I have is anger and bitterness.”
“Malcolm is a criminal—possibly a murderer. I think you’re entitled to feel anger at his deception.”
Carissa pressed her hands together almost as if she were going to pray. “I suppose that your words shouldn’t surprise me. I’ve suspected that Malcolm was up to no good. He wants no questions asked and refuses to account to anyone for his time and money. Father told me he feared gambling was Malcolm’s main means of providing for me, but I dare not ask him.”
“No. Play the role of a complaisant wife for now. I don’t want you hurt. Don’t give him any reason to hit you again. If he feels safe and cared for, then perhaps he’ll drop his guard and Brandon and his men can take Malcolm and his cohorts into custody before they kill anyone else.”
Carissa looked at her sister in disbelief. “Malcolm has killed someone? I mean, I know he killed in the war . . . but murder?”
Laura nodded slowly. “Remember those soldiers who were killed in their beds last May? Brandon believes Malcolm and his men were at the bottom of it.”
“Brandon is involved? When did that happen?”
“Apparently while he was in the army. Brandon’s actually still working in conjunction with them. I really don’t know much else,” Laura said, realizing how much it bothered her.
For a minute Carissa said nothing, and when she did speak, it pierced Laura to the heart. “I’m so afraid.”
“I am, too. Mostly for you. Why don’t you come back to the house and stay with us?” But Laura shook her head before Carissa could even speak. “I suppose that wouldn’t work, would it? Malcolm would be more than a little suspicious if you left him.”
“Why don’t you come stay with me?” Carissa suggested. “I will tell Malcolm that I’m not feeling well—that the pregnancy is starting to cause me trouble and I need to rest more. It’s true enough. I keep having fainting spells. I’ll tell him that I’ve asked you to come and be my companion and see to my needs.”
Laura thought about this for a moment. “I’ll speak to Mother and Father about it,” she told Carissa. “They might have an even better idea. No matter what, we have to make sure that Malcolm doesn’t get suspicious about what the authorities are doing. You have to keep this a secret no matter what. You do understand, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Carissa sounded greatly offended. “I’m not a child.”
23
Brandon watched Laura cross the room to join him. Mesmerized by the sway of her skirts and the graceful glide of her walk, Brandon knew he could no longer wait to claim her as his own. It irritated him that Tyler Atherton would dare to ask Laura out for the evening, but perhaps it was Brandon’s own fault. After all, he had not put a ring on her finger, nor made any pledge to do so.
“I’ve be
en looking for you,” Laura said. “I wanted you to know something.”
“I have something I want to tell you, as well.” He took hold of her arm and maneuvered through the crowd to a much less occupied parlor. Swinging her around to face him, he smiled. “So what did you want to say?”
Laura glanced at the other people in the room. They seemed occupied with a game of charades and were not likely to listen to their conversation. Nevertheless, she lowered her voice. “I told Carissa about Malcolm.”
Brandon leaned closer to Laura. “Do you think that was wise?”
“I do. She’s so miserable. I felt I had to give her some glimmer of hope that this might all end soon. She feels so trapped and discouraged.”
“And how did she receive the news?”
She turned her heart-shaped face to his. “She was rather surprised that Malcolm’s deeds included murder, but otherwise, she didn’t seem too astounded.”
“And will she be able to keep from saying anything to Malcolm?”
“I believe so. Carissa and I have shared secrets through the years, and while I’ve known Carissa to be flighty at times, I’ve never known her to break her word.”
“Yes, but secrets have a way of slipping out.”
Laura’s expression grew guarded. “You mean like when you told me that you’d been involved with Malcolm’s investigation since before you retired from the army?” She asked the question so matter-of-factly that Brandon almost wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly.
“What do you mean?”
“When I was so upset that day during our buggy ride—when you told me you no longer wanted me involved with getting information from Malcolm—you also mentioned that you knew what you were getting into when you delayed resigning from the army.”
Brandon remembered his words and winced. He had actually hoped that she might have forgotten that part of his declaration. Since she’d said nothing about his words of love, he’d honestly thought she had. “I said other things, too, as I recall.”
Touching the Sky Page 20