Follow The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “Come away now, Jessie. Don’t look any more.”

  Jessie turned to her husband and smiled to let him know she was all right. She was fortunate that morning sickness had not attacked her on this challenging day. She reached for his hand and curled her fingers around his. After what had happened between them last night, she felt a little shy with him. To cover it, she behaved more boldly than usual. “It’s over here, Matt. Let’s go home.”

  A broad smile made creases near his brown eyes and enticing mouth. He guided her to the wagon and helped her aboard. He fetched Gran and Tom. When all were ready, he flicked the reins and off they went.

  Jessie put away their clothes in Wilbur Fletcher’s old bedroom. Gran and Tom did the same in the.two guestrooms across the hall. After warning his wife to take it slow and easy, Matt returned to the other ranch to give orders.

  Hours passed as the two women took inventory of their new possessions. The windows were open wide to air the stuffy place. Jessie had men move the billiard table to the old foreman’s dwelling, a large one-room structure on the other side of the bunkhouse, to the left of the hacienda-style home. Other furniture was moved by the men as the women rearranged the large parlor.

  Jessie checked every area for fire safety. There were plenty of windows for quick escape. Yet she knew the stucco facade and the flat roof with canales for drainage wouldn’t catch fire, so that eased her fears of another dangerous blaze. Jessie recalled the terror and helplessness that had overwhelmed her during the fire, and she never wanted to feel that way again. She would make certain everyone was careful with the lamps and candles—anything that could ignite.

  After a bath and shampoo to remove the smell of last night’s disaster and the sweat from her labors today, Jessie donned a simple cotton dress. As she brushed her hair, her gaze slid to her flat stomach. She tried to imagine it protruding with a child. “Ouch,” she muttered as the brush was ensnared in her tresses.

  As she worked with the auburn tangles, she walked to a small extra room beside hers that would be nice for the baby. She looked into the area and tried to envision a cradle and rocker there, and her child playing. She wondered what sex it would be and how it would look. Jessie admitted to herself that she was anxious about giving birth and about raising a child. She was glad she had Matt’s help and love, as he would make a wonderful parent.

  More so than the troubled Navarro, she admitted, as he had had poor experiences with his home life. She was glad she wasn’t on the run in her condition, that she was safe and comfortable here. She knew that Navarro still had bitterness to resolve, something only he could do for himself, so it was probably best they had parted. The trouble that had drawn them together could have made them too dependent upon each other. Months ago, they had needed each other desperately. Now Matt could fill her needs. She and Matt were so similar, whereas she and Navarro had been so different. Yet Navarro had opened her heart and life so Matt could enter them. Yes, Matt would be a better father than—

  “Anything the matter, Jessie?” Matt asked from the stairs.

  She leaned against his strong body after he joined her in the doorway and kissed her cheek. “I was just thinking about what a good father you’ll be.”

  The answer delighted Matt. He couldn’t forget how she had felt in his arms last night, how she had responded to him. “You’ll be a good mother, Jessie.”

  “I hope so. This new job is a scary one,” she admitted.

  “I agree. We’ll work hard to do it right. Have you given any thought to whether you’d prefer to live here or try to rebuild on the other property before spring?”

  Her husband followed her into their new bedroom. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about that all afternoon. We’ve got broncbusting, fall roundup, and the cattle drive soon. When you and the boys get back from Dodge, it’ll be only a few months before the baby’s due. That isn’t the best time for construction or moving, or for spending a lot of money on materials and extra men. I don’t think we should make any decisions until next spring, after roundup and branding. Let’s see how we like it here this winter. It’s a lovely, safe house, and large enough for our family. We have so much to do between now and March.”

  “Sounds good to me. I don’t want you working so hard. You have to be careful of lifting heavy things.”

  “You worry about me too much,” she teased with a grin, glad he did.

  “That’s a new job I’m loving, Jessie.”

  “Me, too,” she concurred, knowing deep inside it was true.

  On Monday, Jessie had some of the men begin work on a new smithy. She didn’t like the location of the old site next to one of the two barns. It was a fire hazard that Fletcher had overlooked, one she didn’t want. Her husband had agreed that the structure should be in a clearing by itself, as on the Lane property.

  Matt left early that morning for town to buy supplies, things the women needed in their new home, and to hire seasonal workers for the impending tasks.

  In bed alone that night, Jessie realized it felt strange not to have him at her side. She was already accustomed to his presence after only a week of marriage. The bed seemed larger with only her to occupy it. She missed his company and the sense of security it gave her. She was glad she had never shared this bed with Navarro. Nothing in this house could remind her of the missing desperado, except the child she carried. She told herself this was the last night, last time, she would think of him. She owed Matt her life, Tom’s twice, her family name, her love, her earnest attempts to make him happy, and her fidelity of heart and mind and body.

  You have to leave me in all ways, Navarro. I can’t keep thinking about you. I must be true to Matt, he deserves that and more from me. Good-bye, my love.

  When Matt returned late Tuesday, he found Jessie and Martha in the kitchen preparing supper. “I’m home, love,” he called from the doorway.

  Jessie dried her hands and hurried to greet him with a hug and kiss.

  “I have several surprises for you,” he hinted.

  “What?” she asked. Excitement and anticipation brightened her pale face. She had been ill again both mornings during his absence, but was better by now.

  “This is first.” He pulled a gold band from his pocket and slipped it on her finger. “There, Mrs. Cordell. It’s my brand,” he teased.

  Jessie eyed the wedding ring with delight. “It’s beautiful, Matt. Thank you.” She hugged him again. “What else?” she inquired, recalling he had mentioned several surprises.

  “I hired wranglers for the roundup and drive. Had to offer ’em top dollar, forty a month. They’ll be here a week from Sunday.” Matt knew the long drive to market meant they would be separated for months, and he dreaded that time alone on the trail. Even more, he hated leaving Jessie in her condition to run the ranch and in new surroundings that might tempt her to do more work than she should. But mostly he was anxious over the possibility of Navarro’s return during his absence. Yet Jessie had vowed she was his wife forever…To conceal his lingering worry, Matt continued with his news. “I got two broncbusters coming Sunday to break in the cavvy. I promised ’em five dollars a head. Between them, Jimmy Joe, Miguel, and Carlos, we’ll have the horses ready in a week or less.”

  “That’s wonderful, Matt. Papa would be proud of us. Things are finally getting back to normal. I’m glad.”

  “Me, too. Word spread about Fletcher’s death, so drovers headed this way again. We have a big job before us, and I didn’t want to lose ’em to other ranchers. I wired our old trail boss, and he accepted my offer. I promised him a bonus if he gets us there on time and without much trouble. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Certainly not. He’s worth every dollar. We need him.” Jessie stroked Matt’s stubbled chin and said, “This is our ranch now, Matt, so you don’t have to check everything with me. Besides, you were the best foreman any ranch could have. Marriage hasn’t made you lose that magic touch. We have plenty of stock ready for market, so we can afford the best hands. I want
you, the boys, and our herd safe on the trail. And back home as soon as possible,” she added.

  Matt grinned in pleasure. “My last surprise is for you and Gran. With me taking both cooks, that’ll leave you two tending the boys left behind for chores and protection. I don’t want either of you working that hard so I hired extra help for the house and hands. She’s waiting outside.”

  “She?” Jessie echoed.

  “Margaret Anne James. She’s all alone, Jessie, an orphan. Just eighteen. You know what jobs are around for women on their own. Annie is nice and kind. They were letting her go at the hotel. Most men will be gone for months this time of year, so they don’t need two girls. I heard Annie pleading to stay on just for meals and board until business picked up again; she said there weren’t any other jobs around and she didn’t have money to travel to another town where there might not be any, either. I felt sorry for her, Jessie, and we can use her. I figured we could move the billiard table into one of the barns and let her have the old foreman’s house. We need a strong back and extra hands to take the load off you and Gran. Annie can help with the housework and cooking, and whatever else has to be done. This way, you and your grandmother can get more rest—and especially you, love. You’ll need it in the coming months. You’ve also got a lot of sewing and planning to do for the baby. Annie can help you tend him after he’s born.”

  Jessie was moved by her husband’s thoughtfulness. But a twinge of jealousy pricked her. She had never heard Matt talk so much about another woman…and so caringly. She admonished herself for her foolishness. Matt had a tender heart, and great concern for his wife. She didn’t care to have another woman, a stranger, in the house, but the girl was needed. She hoped this Annie would work out for everyone, as she didn’t want Matt disappointed. “Bring her in so we can meet her.”

  “Did I make a bad decision?” he asked, as she had hesitated a while. For a moment, he suspected he read jealousy in her gaze. Was that—

  Jessie broke into his thoughts, “No, Matt, a good one. You’re right, and you’re the kindest man I’ve ever known. I’m a lucky woman to have you.”

  While Matt was fetching the girl, Jessie told her grandmother, “If we don’t like her and she doesn’t work out, Gran, wait until Matt’s gone before we handle the matter. I don’t want him hurt or embarassed.”

  “You’re a good-hearted woman, Jessie.”

  Matt returned with Annie, who looked a little shy and worried. She had thick brown hair, grass-green eyes and dimples set in a lovely face. At five seven, she was taller than Jessie and had a fuller figure. The girl appeared to be older than eighteen, but Jessie assumed a hard life had aged and matured her beyond her years. Those unbidden twinges pricked her again as she eyed the young beauty at her smiling husband’s side.

  After Matt introduced them, the girl dipped at the knee, nodded her head, and said in a southern accent, “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am. I want to thank you for this job, Mrs. Cordell. I need it badly. I promise I’ll work hard. I don’t drink strong spirits, use bad talk, steal, or sneak off to play.”

  Jessie warmed to the blushing female with trembly voice and earnest gaze. She smiled to relax her. Annie’s green eyes were clear and honest. She spoke well and had good manners. She deserved a chance to prove herself. “Welcome to our home, Annie. I’m sure you’ll do fine here. Matt will have the boys prepare your place for you. I’m sure you’re tired after your long journey, so go along with him to get settled in. We’ll go over your chores in the morning. Did you and Matt discuss wages?”

  “Yes, ma’am. He offered the same as the hotel, twelve dollars a month. If that’s too much, you can pay me less. I had to use my earnings for boarding and meals, so it’s more than I was making in town.”

  “No, that’s fine. I think you’ll like it here, Annie. Just remember we have lots of men around who can be tempted by a pretty face. I wouldn’t want to lose you and one of them about the time I get used to having good help.”

  The girl smiled at Jessie’s teasing tone. “Yes, ma’am. You have a beautiful home. I’ve only seen a few as grand.”

  “Thank you. We’ve only been here a few days. Ours burned last Friday. We owned this one, too, so we moved here. Gran and I have some changes we want to make. You can help us with them later. Matt, see that Annie’s settled in, then return for supper. I’ll bring you a plate after we eat. If you need anything, you can tell me when I come over.”

  “You’re all very kind. I’ll do my best here.”

  “I’m sure you will, Annie.”

  The girl left with Matt. Jessie and her grandmother exchanged smiles of acceptance. They returned to their chore, chatting about Matt’s actions. Tom joined them soon, and Jessie sent him to wash up for the evening meal. By the time the food was on the table, Matt walked in and took his place at one end.

  “What do you think of her?” he asked the two women.

  Tom replied first. “She’s mighty pretty. I like her.”

  “We do, too, Matt,” Jessie said reassuringly. “We’re glad you brought her home with you. She’ll be a big help, and you spared her from a terrible fate in the saloon.”

  “That should make her even more loyal and hardworking,” Gran added.

  “I’m sure it will, Gran.” Jessie turned to Matt and asked, “What else did she tell you about herself? I didn’t want to ply her with questions she’d already answered for you. She was a mite skittish, but I don’t blame her. If I had refused her the job, she would have been in for a bad time.”

  Matt buttered his bread as he responded. “Her parents moved from South Carolina to El Paso when she was twelve. They died two years back when she was sixteen. Annie doesn’t have any other family, and didn’t know many people in town. Seems her father wasn’t liked much and died in heavy debt. Men he owed took most of what she had to settle his accounts.”

  “That’s awful, Matt. How did she live, alone and so young?”

  “She helped a seamstress for over a year until the lady closed shop and left town; Annie had been living in her back room. The woman gave her enough money to survive on until she got another job. She worked in the El Paso Hotel until five months ago. The owner was mean and…demanding,” he said, choosing the word carefully for Tom’s adolescent ears. He knew the two women would understand his meaning. “She’d saved enough to take the stage as far as Davis. She was about out of money when she was hired at the hotel. Didn’t last long with business going down.”

  “Why haven’t I see her in town? How long was she there?”

  “She worked at Morley’s place at the far end of town. We never stayed there. Annie came about four months ago. She tried to get another job in El Paso first, but that spiteful man made certain nobody hired her.”

  “I’m sure he was trying to force her back into his employ.” With her young brother sitting there with keen ears, Jessie didn’t say what she felt about the wicked man and his doings. Yet it angered her to think of a young girl in such a helpless situation. She was glad Annie was a good girl and hadn’t given in to the lustful beast. “Most women are vulnerable if they don’t have a family.”

  “Unless they’re strong and smart like my wife, who has her own ranch.”

  Jessie laughed and retorted, “Unless they have wonderful husbands who keep them from losing their…skins to men like that hotel owner and Fletcher.”

  “You could run this ranch without me, woman, and we both know it.”

  “Perhaps, but I wouldn’t want to find out. I like being married to you, Mathew Cordell, and we shouldn’t have waited so long to have so much fun.”

  Matt’s eyes glinted with pleasure and desire. “We haven’t had much of that since our marriage last Tuesday, but we will.”

  “Last Tuesday?” she repeated in amazement. “It seems so much longer.”

  Matt laughed heartily at her expression. “Because so much has happened. I guess I’m already like a comfortable old shoe. I’ve been around a long time.”

&nb
sp; Jessie was seated to her husband’s right, with Tom across from her and with Gran at the other end. As Jessie turned toward Matt it was easy to forget the others were there as she lost herself in their teasing conversation. “Better that, Mr. Cordell, than a tight and painful new boot that doesn’t fit and is paid for.”

  Matt grinned and grasped her left hand. He gazed at the gold band on her finger, his heart swelling with pride and love. Jessie had never seemed more relaxed and happy than she did tonight. It was apparent she had accepted him in her new life, and that she was trying her hardest to be a good wife. In time, their marriage could only get better. If Navarro didn’t return and spoil it.

  Jessie observed the tormented look that flashed in Matt’s brown eyes like lightning before a storm. His grip on her hand tightened for a moment as something distracted and alarmed him. Her astute mind went over the clues—marriage, ring, claim on her—and realized what her husband feared could happen to his new life. Jessie squeezed his hand, capturing his attention, and gazed into his troubled eyes. “I love you, Matt,” she said, “and I’m glad I said yes to your proposal.”

  “Oh, no, Gran, they’re gonna get squishy on us. Wait till after supper.”

  Everyone looked at Tom’s wrinkled nose and comical expression, and laughed.

  “Sorry, little brother, but I am a new bride. We act crazy like this.”

  “He’ll understand when the love chigger digs into his hide like it did mine.”

  “Oh no, they never will,” the boy vowed with wide eyes enlarged by thick glasses.

  “I’ll remind you of that claim one day, young man, when you’re chasing some lucky girl’s skirt,” Jessie warned in a playful tone.

  Tom shook his auburn head. “I ain’t gonna act loco over no girl.”