A carriage approached them, and a burly man with a long moustache and leathery skin spoke to them.
"Well now, you must be Brent Abbott."
"Yes, Sir."
"Come on aboard. Whoa," he said, calling the horses to halt.
Brent tightened his grip on Adam as they stood to the side.
The carriage came to a complete stop and the man dismounted. As he stepped over to where Brent stood, his hoisted his pants up a bit by the waistline and tipped his large brimmed hat.
"Sheriff Samuel Dyer. How do you do?"
Brent met his handshake.
"Good to meet you, Sheriff. Brent Abbott and this here is my son, Adam Abbott."
Adam squinted in the sun as he looked up at the man.
"Hi."
"Well, hello there, little one. Why don't you two hop aboard? Take a load off."
Dyer held his hand out to take their bags. Brent handed him the bags, which Dyer tossed into the back of the wagon, then he turned to scoop up Adam.
"How would you like to sit in the back of the wagon where you can get a bird's eye view of everything there, Son?"
"Yes, Sir."
Dyer sat Adam in the back of the wagon, patting him on the head with a smile.
"Well now, let's get on in to town. I'm glad I caught you both before you walked too far."
Brent hopped up on to the carriage, sitting on the bench beside Dyer. Dyer whipped the reigns, signaling to the horses it was time to go.
The horses began their trot through the dusty road.
*
As they approached town, the feeling of anxiety swelled with Brent. The main road led to a bustling town. Brent was silent as he took it all in.
"I'm going to get you both set up in your own accommodations tonight. But right now, it would be an honor if you and your young un’ come on over and clean up and get something to eat, Abbott."
"That sounds mighty fine. Thank you."
The town was not unlike Brent's own hometown. With a hotel, a saloon, an insurance agency, the mayor's office, and the sheriff's office, Brent was starting to feel right at home.
"I live on the western outskirts of town. You'll see that things are pretty progressive here. We have a school house and an infirmary. The church is on the east end of town. To the north is one of the biggest ranches for miles. We'll talk about that in a little bit.
"The general store is run by Mr. Dugan. He can get you anything you need. Otherwise, there is the bazaar in the center of town where most people come to sell their wares. You can get the rest of your produce and meats and textiles, and anything else you want from there."
"Sounds good, Sheriff. I definitely have to get Adam over to the school and get him enrolled."
"That would be good. He'll be able to meet some friends and get acclimated to his new life," Dyer replied.
The scenery began to change and it became more residential. Smoke rose from chimneys. The homes were placed close together. A far cry from the large plantation homes on lush green acres that Brent was used to seeing.
"Daddy, this does not look like home," Adam remarked from the back of the wagon.
"I know, Son. But home is wherever we are and you are I are making a new home here."
Brent heard his son sigh from the back of the wagon. He knew that an adjustment period was in order, and he was willing to be patient with his son and with himself.
They arrived at a cozy looking home. A log cabin with a front porch, complete with a rocking chair, and an expanse of land behind it.
"Home sweet home, here." Dyer tightened the reigns and the horses came to a stop.
"Your accommodations are straightaway down that road, yonder."
Brent looked in the direction in which Dyer pointed. He saw a cluster of houses down the road and suddenly, being there in Texas felt permanent.
Brent hopped off of the wagon bench and walked around to the back to retrieve his son.
Adam jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. He returned the embrace, trying his best to let his son know that they were in this journey together.
Dyer opened the door to his home, and a sweet faced woman walked up to them.
Her hands clasped together, she smiled. "Oh my goodness, what do we have here?"
Brent could tell by the look on her face and the way she turned her gaze to Adam that she wanted to take the child into her arms.
He obliged and handed her the child.
"Well now. Let's go see if I have anything sweet in the kitchen for you, child."
Adam's ears perked up at the thought of obtaining any sweets.
The sheriff motioned for Brent to come over to where he was standing.
"Our town needs a few good Rangers. I’m pleased that you have seen fit to make Owen's Bluff your new home."
Nodding, Brent replied. "Sometimes it is necessary to make changes. I'm hoping that Owen's Bluff provides a wonderful home for me and my son."
"Why don't you and Adam go ahead and clean up. I'll show you to the wash room. Sarah will have a meal ready for us shortly."
"Thank you."
Sarah and Adam appeared from the kitchen. The look of contentment on his son's face made Brent happy.
"Miss Sarah has cakes. She says I can eat another one after our lunch."
Sarah winked. "He's such a good boy. One can never have too many cakes."
"I beg to differ, Miss Sarah," Brent laughed. "We will wash up and be right down for lunch."
Sarah nodded.
Brent took Adam up to the wash room to prepare for lunch.
*
The spread of food was amazing.
"I was not expecting all of this for lunch. I hope that you did not do all of this just for us, Miss Sarah."
Sarah heaped more of the buttery biscuits on Adam's plate. The boy smiled and took a bite of the food.
"Of course I did." Sarah's grin was wide and comforting. "We love to have guests. And with you and Adam moving to town, Sam and I thought that it would be a proper welcome to have a meal. Just get a chance to sit down and get to know one another."
Samuel wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Definitely. Sarah and I really want you and Adam to feel welcomed. You are both a long way from home. And us Rangers are like family."
Brent leaned back in his chair after a substantial meal.
"I have to say thank you for everything to both of you. Miss Sarah, this meal was all that we needed after such a long ride. Adam, say thank you to Miss Sarah."
The young boy bowed his head, and then came up with a smile, showing all of his teeth. "Thank you, Miss Sarah."
All of the adults laughed.
"I think someone is working extra hard for one of those cakes you promised, Miss Sarah," Samuel commented.
"Why, Mr. Samuel, I think you just might be right."
Sarah looked over to Brent for permission to give Adam a dessert. Brent simply nodded.
Adam jumped from the chair before anyone could get up.
Samuel and Brent sat quietly until Sarah and Adam left the room.
"Come with me." Samuel stood up and motioned to Brent to follow him. They walked to the front porch where the sweltering heat met them like a slap to the face. It had not been that much cooler inside the house, but the shade had helped to keep them cool.
Samuel took his hat off and used it to fan himself while he paced the porch.
"There are a few things I think I should tell you about living here in Owen's Bluff."
Brent did not know what to expect with an opening remark of that nature.
"Alright. Tell me all that I need to know, Sheriff."
"This town was settled by Tom Owen. His family owned all of the land for miles around. We all live here pretty comfortably in this town. There is a mix of Mexicans and living here too. We all treat the land fairly and get along as best we can. The only thing that serves as a threat is outsiders wanting to come in and make themselves comfortable on our land. We don't take too kindly to that.
>
"Owen's Bluff is growing by leaps and bounds. We could use more Rangers here to help keep the peace. It makes the citizens feel more comfortable. That's where you come in."
Brent nodded, just listening as the sheriff continued.
"The biggest ongoing issue that causes tension here is one, Lawrence Jones. He owns that expansive ranch north of town. His family is one of the originators of the town."
Sheriff pulled two cigars out of his shirt pocket. He handed one to Brent, then swiped a match on the side of the porch rail.
Taking a puff of his cigar, he continued speaking.
"That Jones clan was always a peculiar bunch. They live for themselves. Not much for truly helping anyone else. Lawrence's great granddaddy purchased the land they own now, acre by acre. Some of it was clean, and some of it by the spilling of the blood of others. That has put that entire family at odds with everyone in town. So they all tend to stay to themselves or move away."
Brent puffed on his cigar. "Sounds like an interesting life story. But what do the Rangers have to do with the Jones ranch?"
Dyer shrugged. "A little of nothing, a lot of something."
Brent understood what the sheriff meant by his comment.
"Well, I'm happy to be a part of the progression in this town. My son and I are looking for a new life. I believe that we have found it here in Owen's Bluff. I thank you for the opportunity."
Dyer took a long puff on his cigar. "Good then. I hope that you are ready for life on the frontier."
They stood there silently smoking their cigars.
"Sarah is a good woman. She’s never been able to birth her own children. So she is drawn to other people's children. She and I have a, well, an understanding relationship. It works for us. And she has agreed to be of help to you and Adam. While you are out working, Adam can be looked after by Sarah anytime you need it."
Brent tipped his hat. "That is very much appreciated. Thank you. I think I will take you up on that very offer."
The sheriff gave him a quick nod as he reached in his pocket. "Here are the keys to your new home. You have a plot over yonder. Third house from the top of the road. It's not huge; it's just something enough to get your life started here. Hope it fits you well."
Brent held the keys in his hand. They were much more than the article that opened the door to his new home. Those keys were the entrance to his new life. A life that he knew would be much risk, but one in which he had much expectation.
"Thank you, Sheriff. You don't know how ready for this we are."
The sheriff gave him a pat on the back. "Good. Now I will find Sarah and your little one. I'm sure you two would like to head on down to the homestead and get settled in."
"Why yes, Sheriff. Yes we would."
*
Before heading down to their new home, Dyer gifted Brent with a horse and a wagon. He would now be able to get around town with or without his son in tow. Everything seemed surreal. Not only was this a new opportunity to make a life for himself and Adam, but it was coming with perks that were immeasurable.
Their home was quaint. A far cry from the large plantation home in which he was raised, but it was theirs none the less.
The dirt road led from town, past the sheriff's home, down to the homestead that was a plot of land with about four homes. The homes were log cabins with a small plot of land for each. Brent envisioned a small garden to grow a few vegetables and some flowers. Flowers would make it a true home.
Sheriff Dyer told him that the furnishings inside would be modest, and modest they were. It was a four room house: a common area complete with a fireplace flanked with two chairs and a table; the kitchen area with a sink, an ice box, a coal stove, and a small table with two chairs; and two bedrooms, one for each of them.
Brent was happy that there was a bed and a dresser in each of the rooms. He would take the time later to bring in more décor to make it feel more at home for Adam.
Even better was the agreement with Miss Sarah that she would essentially serve as Adam's nanny. She was a God send because having someone to watch over Adam was important to Brent. All of Adam's life, he had been cared for by his grandmother and he had been in the care of family. This would be the first time he would have to entrust his child to someone other than family.
Living in Owen's Bluff, there would be a lot of firsts. Being in Texas seemed so far away from the life that he’d known in South Carolina. Things seemed so much smaller in South Carolina. Here in Texas, things were dusty, dirt roads or large expanses of farm land.
Going on a tour of the town would help him feel more connected to his new life. Miss Sarah offered to keep an eye on Adam while Brent settled them in. He hitched the wagon and went for a ride into town.
The heat was scorching, so the ride into town left him soaked in his own perspiration. He made a mental note to stop off and get one of the large brimmed hats that he saw many of the gentlemen wearing. Riding around, he got a chance to see the market that Dyer spoke of. He was right. There was fresh produce, meat, beans, flowers, textiles, and pretty much anything that you could think of.
There was a man selling sweet candies and he made a note to bring Adam back to the market to get some of the treats. Anything to help his son feel more at home.
Things seemed to be moving at a slower pace there in Texas and he was ready to live life at that pace. Things could only get better from here.
Chapter 3
The sack of beans Lily was carrying threatened to spill over. She cussed herself for being so careless with the goods. The truth was that she did not have anyone helping her to transport any of the goods to town.
Her parents did not come to town. Her father would say that it was hard enough being who he was and it was even harder to be in public with the woman he loved. Juan Sanchez had come from the Mexican territory in search of a new life. He found one in Texas, working the ranch of a big tycoon. But the older he got, the harder on his body it was, so he retired to his own home, where he made furniture and worked his garden to grow produce to sell at the market.
When Juan was a strapping young man, virile and vibrant, he met and fell in love with a Cherokee woman named Brook Song. She was the epitome of beauty. When their eyes met, they had fallen immediately in love. But mixing of the races was frowned upon at that time. Even though both of them were from a time and age where being who they were individually was hard enough, they chose to be together and marry and have a family.
They had a small plot of land on the side of town, away from everyone and everything. They could raise their daughter, Lily, and go in and out of town as they pleased, unbothered.
Raised among the chickens and farm animals, Lily's family did not come from much. They made a meager living, enough to put food on the table each night. Brook often sewed beaded tapestries and created woven textiles that she sold at the market. They sold produce and beans from their garden, and as a family, had a happy existence. With the exception of Lawrence Jones.
Lawrence Jones was the rancher who Juan had worked for. He was none too pleased when Juan chose to strike out on his own and work for himself. Jones took it as a sign of disrespect and took every chance he could to make Juan's life hell.
Jones had tried making advances at Brook Song, which did not work. Brook was not interested at all, and she made sure to calm the turbulent waters between her husband and his nemesis. Jones tried cutting off Juan's income, which did not work because the people of the town loved Juan's craftsmanship and continued to patronize him.
So for the past few years, Jones had been quiet on that front, and Juan and his family had enjoyed a bit of a peaceful existence.
Juan continued to hand craft furniture, Brook created wares to sell at the market, and Lily went to the market each day to sell the family's produce and products from their garden.
Lily was a dreamer. She hated the mundane habit of rising each day to go to market. She wanted more from life. There just had to be more. As far as Lily was concerned,
living at home with her parents could not be all that there was to life.
She wanted a family. She wanted to be married. She wanted the love that she saw between her parents for herself. At times, she did not even think that was possible. Although the people of her town coexisted relatively peacefully, there was still that underlying current of racial tension that kept everyone in their own space. So it was hard for Lily to find any suitors when she was considered a "half-breed". She had heard the term so many times, she was almost sure of what it meant, but not totally in tune with it.
The term seemed so harsh and hurtful. It was the kind of thing that lingered in one's soul when it was spoken. Her parents encouraged her not to accept that kind of hatred, but it was difficult because it was all around.
Lily was fully aware of the way that others stared at her. She knew that they called her names. Anyone like her was tolerated in Owen's Bluff. Tolerated but not respected.
Her parents had found love, but she was not sure if that was even a possibility for her. Men often commented on how beautiful she was. How exotic her features were. It was as if they thought she was more of a trophy or a centerpiece. Something treasured to look at, something that was coveted and shown off only in private. But she was not the type of treasure that would be paraded around in front of others.
For a brief moment, she considered leaving Owen's Bluff. Maybe going to live with her aunt in Mexico would be better. But whenever they visited, she was never Mexican enough. Her mother's family was scattered and her maternal grandparents had passed away, so the only family she knew of was her father's family.
She knew that she was destined to live here in Owen's Bluff. It was where she was born and raised and where her parents lived. And where she belonged at this point in her life.
Lily had to contend with the fact that she had to be content living the life she had now. Going to the market to sell her family's wares. Living in the small community she had known her entire life.
She did have a few good friends but no beau to speak of. Even though she was always surrounded by friends and family, she could never shake the tinge of loneliness she felt in her heart. A hopeless romantic, she hoped that one day, there would be a man who could fill that void she felt, but it seemed that so far, that day would never come.
Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) Page 2