Comanche Eagle

by Sara Orwig

  In August, Agnes and Zachary were married outdoors on the ranch on a warm, windy afternoon with a party afterwards. Crystal helped Agnes dress and brush her hair, pinning it high on the back of her head and letting the blond locks cascade down her back. She wore a blue-and-white dimity dress and looked radiant, her brown eyes sparkling and her cheeks pink.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. So do you, Crystal.”

  Crystal gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She had on a new blue organdy dress that she had ordered from Saint Louis and blue ribbons in her hair. Her gaze ran down her figure and she felt the familiar rush of excitement. They still had not announced the new baby, and she wondered how long she would remain slender. She touched her stomach lightly, smoothing the deep-blue silk sash to her dress.

  “Crystal, I think I shall faint, I’m so excited.”

  “Nonsense, Agnes,” Mrs. Blair said, combing Agnes’s hair. “Stand still.”

  “I’ll join the others,” Crystal said, slipping away and leaving mother and daughter alone.

  The weather was perfect with a blue sky and bright sunshine. Crystal had tied satin bows on the posts along the porch. The couple stood in front of the young spruce for the ceremony.

  As Agnes stood beside Zachary, Crystal held Travis’s hand and looked at the boy who had been so pitiful when they’d found him. Now he was a handsome young man with his brown hair slicked down and parted in the center and his new store-bought black suit.

  As Zachary and Agnes repeated their vows, Crystal looked up at the tall man at her side and recalled the day that they, too, had said vows. His dark eyes rested on her, and she wondered if he were remembering also.

  Crystal played the piano for half an hour, and afterwards, Mabel Smith played while couples danced across the grassy yard.

  Travis took Crystal’s hand, pulling her to him to dance. He had shed his coat and rolled up his white shirt sleeves, and Crystal thought he was incredibly handsome. She gazed up into his dark eyes, moving in time with him, and everyone around them faded away. Travis’s brown eyes held her, pulling her into dark depths that wrapped around her like a silken cloak. Love and desire sparkled in their black orbs.

  He danced her around the corner and then leaned against the house, wrapping his arms around her. He bent down to kiss her, his mouth opening hers.

  Crystal clung to him and returned his kiss until their hearts were pounding and they were breathless. She pushed gently against him.

  “We have to go back. After all, we’re giving this party.” She tried to replace a lock of hair that had fallen. “Now, look at me! Everyone will know we’ve kissed.”

  “They’ll know I’m a man in love with my wife,” he said in a husky voice, leaning forward to trail kisses on her throat. “I wish they would all go home so I can have you to myself.”

  “They will soon enough,” she said, taking his hand and leading him back to the crowd. “I’m glad Agnes married Zachary. They seem so happy.”

  “I’m glad she married him, too,” Travis remarked dryly. “Maybe now he will gradually get his wits back. Although I’m not certain he’s any worse than I have been.”

  “Is that right? Whatever would cause you to lose your wits?”

  “My beautiful, green-eyed wife,” he whispered, pulling her closer.

  She pushed him back. “Don’t do something that will shock the Blairs.”

  “Next week the builder is starting our new house in Cheyenne.”

  “And you think it’ll be done by the holidays?

  “Yes,” Travis answered. He was paying extra to get it done before winter set in, but he wasn’t telling Crystal. He wanted her moved into town before the bad weather.

  At the end of September, Travis walked through the framework of their new house. It was a two-story Victorian with two parlors, a large kitchen and a dining room, an office and library, four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and Travis wanted everything in it to please Crystal. He would give her the world if he could. He climbed back into a new buggy and headed toward the general store where he had left Crystal. He was deeply thankful she had resigned her justice-of-the-peace job, a task now taken over by Elgin Thomas.

  He spotted Crystal heading toward the livery. He felt a rush of pleasure at the sight of her and mild annoyance that she was walking when he had told her he would be back to pick her up. Jacob trotted at her side, and he knew she had slowed to walk at his pace. She wore her new green woolen dress and a matching hat with feathers and she stood out in the Cheyenne crowd like a flower among dried grass, although fancy clothes and elegant houses were becoming the norm as the cattle business boomed.

  He pulled up alongside her and jumped down from the buggy.

  “I thought you would wait for me to pick you up,” he said, sweeping Jacob up into his arms and lifting him into the back seat of the buggy.

  She tilted her head, looking up at him from beneath the green hat brim, a twinkle in her eyes. “How is our house?”

  “Progressing nicely. I think we will be in it by the end of November.”

  “November! You keep moving the date up. Does the builder know this?”

  “Indeed, he does. I’ll show it to you.”

  “I can’t believe we shall have such a wonderful home. We have to order more furniture or else we’ll be living in empty rooms.”

  “We won’t do that,” he said, lifting her into the buggy. He climbed up beside her and headed toward the livery.

  “I thought we were looking at the new house.”

  “In time. I want to show you something first.”

  He stopped in front of the livery, and when they went inside, he asked Andrew to take Jacob. Andrew pushed his blond hair out of his face and picked up Jacob, carrying him out to the horse pen. Travis led Crystal into his office, closed and locked the door.

  “Travis?”

  He pulled her to him, tilting up her face and leaning down. “I’ve been waiting all morning,” he said in a husky voice. He kissed her, his arm tightening around her waist. He wanted her with an intensity that was growing instead of diminishing. He wanted to take her right here in the office.

  He pushed away her hat, not caring about pins that fell or locks of her hair that tumbled down. His hand slipped down over the woolen bodice and he found her buttons, twisting them free swiftly while he kissed her. His hand slipped inside her bodice and he growled, deep in his throat, frustrating by the clothing she had on. He pushed at it, finally freeing her soft, bare breast in his hand.

  She moaned and clung to him, her hips pressing against him, letting him stroke and kiss her until they both were losing control. She pushed away from him, staring at him with ragged breath. “We have to stop.”

  “I love you, woman. I need you.”

  “I love you,” she replied, kissing him again and then straightening her clothing. “Now, when we get ourselves back together,” she said firmly, trying to ignore her racing pulse or the longing to throw herself right back into his arms, “you will take Jacob and me to look at the new house.”

  He didn’t answer and she turned to see him staring at her with eyes black with desire. “Oh, Travis—”

  “I know. We have to wait, but I don’t want to. I want to kiss and touch you now.” He turned and left the office and she sank into a chair, shaken by the force in his voice, amazed that she had won his love so completely.

  The fall was warmer than usual and she enjoyed the days on the ranch, knowing she would soon be moving to town. Each day was a joy with Travis and with Jacob, who was growing quickly. They ordered furniture, planned the house, talked about the new baby, but Crystal knew that Travis was growing more worried with each passing week.

  At the end of November they moved into town. Travis packed the wagon, but drove her in the buggy. Travis carried Crystal inside and set her down in the front hall. Jacob ran on short, chubby legs through the rooms, but Crystal barely noticed him. She was awed by this beautiful house that had her piano,
a beveled oval glass in the front door, and a beautiful mahogany banister on the staircase. The front parlor was filled with new furniture, as was the back parlor. It was a two-story house, and the largest bedroom was theirs. Crystal was dazzled, overjoyed, and she couldn’t help but remember the small house she had lived in with Ellery and the simple one-room she had shared with Travis at first. Now, they would have a truly beautiful home with wonderful furnishings.

  “Travis, thank you,” she said softly, reaching to take his large hand in her two smaller hands. His skin was dark against hers, and she raised his hand to her mouth to brush it with her lips.

  Travis looked at her head bent over his hand and he wanted to wrap her in his arms and hold her forever. Each month she came closer to the birth of their child, and each month his terror deepened. Yet she seemed healthy, full of robust energy, confident.

  He picked her up to carry her into their bedroom. “Here’s our room,” he said proudly. A four-poster mahogany bed was covered in their red-and-white-and-blue quilt. A rocking chair stood in the center of the room, a dresser and chifforobe to one side. There was a new oval pier glass.

  He stood her on her feet and wrapped his arms around her, gazing at her with love in his eyes. “Welcome home, Mrs. Black Eagle.”

  Crystal stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “Thank you for building this house for me and for hiring Caterina to help me with the cooking and cleaning. And this year, we will have a real celebration at Christmas time.”

  “I don’t care what we do as long as you’re all right,” he said in a husky voice.

  “I’m fine,” Crystal replied, wishing she could kiss away his fears.

  Travis dismounted and headed into the livery stable. He had turned the ranch over to Turtle River and had not been there for over two months. Now it was the third day of April and his nerves were already stretched raw. He didn’t want their baby to come while he was away at the ranch. His boots crunched snow and he glanced at the sky. He checked constantly on the doctor, wanting to make certain he was in town, available and ready.

  And he couldn’t be reassured by Crystal’s vitality because Elizabeth had been fine up until she went into labor. He paced the office, trying to get his mind on business, yet constantly thinking about Crystal. It was time for the babe, yet she didn’t look ready.

  He didn’t care how she looked, he just wanted the baby here and Crystal all right. He stepped into his office and shrugged off his coat, brushing snow away. He crossed the room to his desk and picked up the letter that had arrived two days earlier from Brett. A sweeping scrawl covered the thick white paper.

  “Dear Brother, I have bought some land and am settled. I had planned to head north, but instead, found myself going south. I am in the mountains of New Mexico, but a good place for cattle. I have land in a valley that is rich in grass and water. I want you and Crystal and little Jacob to come visit. Better you come here than I return to Wyoming Territory. I heard you cannot get statehood because you allow women to vote. Am certain your wife will be strongly in favor that women retain that right to vote. Hope all is well with you and yours. Here is the way to my place. Brett.”

  Travis dropped the letter on the desk and knelt to pray, something he had not done in a long time. He gave thanks for Crystal, praying for a safe delivery for her and their baby. He gave thanks for all he had—for Jacob and for the safety of his brother.

  He stood, touching Brett’s letter and hoping his brother had settled and found a good life … as good as he had found with Crystal. Travis raised his head to look out the window at the snowflakes swirling through the air. He didn’t want to lose this life.

  “Morning, Travis,” Andrew said, stepping into the office and shedding his coat and hat. “We have three horses waiting to be shoed. I’ll get the fire going.”

  Travis looked down the street, edgy. He would feel that way from now on until Crystal delivered their baby.

  That night he swept into the house, pulling her into his arms the moment he hung up his coat. “I hate being away from you,” he said before he kissed her. She smelled liked roses and was soft, her full stomach pressing against him.

  “Did you write your brother today?”

  “No, I’ll do it tonight,” he said, scooping Jacob up into his arms. “How’s my boy?”

  “See,” Jacob said, holding out a toy dog and Travis carried him into the back parlor to play with him. He missed the ranch, but he wouldn’t leave Crystal now, and he sat on the floor in front of the fire to play with Jacob.

  After a delicious supper of baked chicken cooked by Caterina, Travis and Crystal sat in the parlor until it was time to put Jacob to bed. Travis hoisted him to his shoulders and carried him upstairs for a bath, a story, and then bed.

  As soon as Jacob fell asleep, Travis came back downstairs where Crystal sat reading a book. Her auburn hair was caught up with blue hair bows on either side of her head and it tumbled down over her back. She wore a deep-blue dress and he thought she looked prettier than ever. There was a serenity and quiet joy about her now that had been absent in the first year of their marriage.

  He placed his hands on the arms of her chair and leaned close to her, gazing into her eyes.

  “Do you know how many times I have been thankful you married me?”

  Her smiled broadened. “I don’t believe there was even one time in those first months. Especially at supper time.”

  “Au contraire, darlin’. I was thankful the first day. Before we were even married. I remember how you took Jacob from me and quieted him down. You were meant to be a wife and mother, Crystal.”

  “I have told you that on more than one occasion.”

  “I am thankful.”

  “And I, too. You are quite the best husband. Particularly in bed.”

  He bent to kiss her throat. “Don’t start that when I can’t love you the way I want to.”

  “It won’t be long before you can.”

  He went quickly to the desk and pulled out a ledger to make entries of the day’s business. They sat in silence while he worked and wrote Brett. Crystal remained quiet, her head bent over her book, the fire making her hair a fiery halo around her head. He stared at her, captivated. And then he realized she was holding the book in her lap, but she wasn’t turning any pages.

  He had seen Crystal read before and she was a fast reader. He put down his pen and stared openly at her, noticing that one of her hands gripped the arm of the chair tightly enough that her knuckles were white. The clock ticked steadily on, and still she did not turn a page.

  “Crystal, are you all right?”

  She raised her head and looked at him with a calmness that was deep. “I’m fine.”

  She bent over the book and turned the page and then sat without moving for another ten minutes.

  “Crystal—”

  “I think I shall go upstairs to bed.” She stood carefully.

  His heart thudded as he rose to his feet. He crossed the room to her and tilted up her chin.

  “And maybe it is time to get the doctor,” she added quietly. “Now, Travis, keep calm. Our baby is on its way.”

  Twenty-four

  Travis’s heart lurched and he felt as if ice water had been dumped on him. “I’ll get you to bed. Dammit, how long have you known?”

  “Not long,” she answered with serenity.

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “Because I didn’t want you worrying any sooner than necessary.”

  “I’m sending Andrew for the doctor.” Since Andrew and his wife lived only two blocks away, he wouldn’t have to be gone as long from home.

  “You have time to go get the doctor.”

  Travis picked her up, holding her with care as he climbed the stairs. In the bedroom, he yanked back the quilt and sheet.

  “Travis, please get some towels to put in the bed.”

  He ran to do as she instructed while she changed into a gown. As soon as he had helped her into bed, he bent down to hold her hand and
kiss her lightly. “I’ll get Andrew and be right back.”

  Forgetting his hat and coat, Travis raced outside, charging through the snow to the Cain’s small house. He pounded on the door until it swung open and Andrew stood there.

  “Travis?”

  “We need the doctor. Can you get him?”

  “Yep, I will. Right now.”

  “Good. I’ll go back with Crystal. If for any reason he can’t come at once, get the other one. Let me know if one of them isn’t coming within the hour.”

  “I will. Good luck,” Andrew called after him as Travis turned and ran back toward his house.

  Travis was frozen with terror. How long had she been in labor? She had sat so quietly all evening. What agony had she gone through in silence just to keep him from knowing that the time had come? Just to keep him from this panic and terror?

  He raced home, barely stomping snow off his boots before taking the stairs two at a time to join her. He burst into the room. Crystal lay propped against the pillows, her legs bent, knees in the air, a sheet across her. Her hair was fanned out behind her and she clutched the sheet, but she looked serene and she smiled at him.

  “You might have to deliver this baby,” she said.

  Panic shook him as if a fist had slammed into him. “I can’t.”

  “Of course you can. I’ve seen you deliver foals and calves.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m very much all right,” she said.

  “That damned doctor had better get here.”

  “If he doesn’t, Travis, you can do this. Go get a knife washed and get ready to cut the cord.”

  He fled, doing what she told him, his hands shaking. He was numb with fear, but aware that, so far, this was not like the time with Elizabeth, who had been racked with hideous pains. Crystal looked far more composed than he felt.

  He heard a knock at the door and ran to answer it, swinging it open to face the blond physician who suddenly looked like a child himself, far too young to have the knowledge and be responsible enough to deliver a baby.