The Visitor_Texas 1863_1869

by Barbara Svetlick

  “Does that cat follow her all the time?” They both were watching her as she stood up and the cat followed her around the corner.

  “Everywhere except when I am in the room. He gives me a lot of berth.”

  Mirisa came through the door and Minnie gave her a look like she had already been told to stay out of the kitchen. “I need to find out about lunch.” She reached over and picked up a sliced cucumber off the plate.

  “It will be served on the veranda in a few minutes. Do you want fresh tea today?”

  “I think so. I miss working in the kitchen.”

  “Then you need to speak to your husband for he is like a brick wall when it comes to you. Never met a more stubborn man in my life or one who is so old fashion. One would think he would be thankful.” Minnie looked at Mirisa seriously. “You have decided to have children?”

  “Dominic thinks it is time.”

  “Mr. Lanfear sees his time fleeing though he shall live long despite his fever for death. He will be a better father than his own for he wishes to give what he never received.”

  Mirisa sighed before she headed to the library to look for something new to read. She pulled down a book and went back out onto the veranda where they were setting out lunch. James had gone into town so it was just the four of them.

  Meeks raised his glass. “Here’s to being home and for the beautiful company on the ride.”

  Garnett raised his as did Dominic. She thanked them and told them that she wouldn’t give up a moment of the last year nor would she ever be able to thank them for being part of it.

  “Did you bury something?” She pointed to the mound of dirt in the middle of the yard.

  “We’re slow roasting a couple of pigs.”

  “Why do you bury them?”

  “They cook slower that way and it requires no work except to occasionally put on more coals from the firewood.”

  “Are they the big pigs?”

  “No, the smaller pigs.”

  “The baby pigs?”

  “They are a lot more succulent.”

  She wrinkled her nose at her husband. “Dominic, they are just babies.”

  “Then if it were left up to you we would eat nothing but vegetables?”

  “I am not even going to ask who you are cooking out there.” She took in her breath. “Even if it smells good.”

  “Mirisa?”

  “Yes Dominic.”

  “You are a true contradiction but if you are going to take a position you must not only be able to argue your side but you must remain committed to it. You can’t object to something if you are going to eat it.”

  “Is that a military rule?”

  Meeks started laughing as he raised his glass to her. “You, darling, are a breath of fresh air.”

  “Meeks stop encouraging her.”

  “Garnett.” He looked up at her and his eyes held her for a moment. “Thank you for buying the Bay for me and thank you for rescuing me from those god awful ugly men.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Mirisa you are aware we were all there to rescue you?”

  “Dominic, I already thanked you.” She turned to Meeks. “Meeks, thank you for feeding the alligators.”

  Meeks laughed. “It was my pleasure.”

  Unable to make a decision, Mirisa changed clothes several time before deciding to wear a long skirt with a silk blouse. She was sitting on the bed lacing up her boots when Dominic came in to change. He walked over pushing her down on the bed holding her arms at the wrists which didn’t allow her to resist. She loved the passion when he could think of nothing other than her. Mirisa never said no but she was slowly starting to realize how easy it was to manipulate him away from a lecture about something she had done. Even though Dominic was very aware of her tactics, he loved that Mirisa truly believed she was being clever.

  The night was filled with the fragrance of magnolias and roses. The gardens were lit with torches along the wall and a roaring bonfire in the pit where the pigs had been roasted. Tables were set out in the lawn with hurricane candles in the center. Dominic had hired musicians who walked through the guests serenading the women. Mirisa’s beauty was so stunning that even those who saw her every day were taken back by the radiance of her face as she stood on the veranda with her hand wrapped around Dominic’s forearm as she talked to him.

  James was standing on the last step and turned to her voice. She touched James lightly as they walked out onto the lawn where everyone was gathered in groups talking and laughing. Mirisa listened to the conversations and when asked about her joining them on a ride she allowed Dominic to respond. Enormous amounts of food were laid out on the tables and everyone found a seat for the smell of the fresh pork and pickled cabbage was enticing.

  The Judge had just filled his plate with an enormous amount of food and intended to eat it all since his wife had put him on a ridiculous diet to trim his waistline. “Mirisa, I see you still refuse to sit at the opposite end of the table from Dominic.”

  “My place is always at his side not across the room. Plus he would get awfully tired getting up to kiss me when I beckoned him and I do beckon him often.” She batted her eyes and James thought she was more fun in a public setting where she knew the people. The Judge chuckled and his wife gave him a knowing look.

  Mrs. Ross told Mirisa that they had finally agreed to allow Charlotte to marry Tom though they still were not real happy with her decision since he didn’t seem to have a social standing. Tom Ross rolled his eyes which made Mirisa smile because he was so much like her father. Mirisa told them that she thought Charlotte and Tom would be very happy together and give them a lot of beautiful grandchildren.

  “Speaking of children, when do you and Dominic plan to start a family.” Everyone at the table stopped to listen to the answer. She looked over at Dominic and back at Mrs. Ross.

  “We hope that we will be blessed soon but at the moment we are enjoying our time alone.” Dominic smiled at her but the women just nodded wondering whether or not he was incapable of fathering a child. After all, with his dalliances there has been nary an accusation.

  “Well, I would think at Dominic’s age that is a very wise decision.”

  “His enthusiasm belies his age.”

  James excused himself and Meeks raised his glass to Dominic. Mrs. Ross told Meeks that she found all of them to have been an extremely bad influence on this poor sweet child. Garnett said he took exception to that since he didn’t believe they had any influence on her at all.

  “Well, don’t you think teaching a lady to drink is bad? Or wearing pants? I mean no lady should dress like a man. And you dragged her into the wilderness. Do you have no respect for a gentle born lady?”

  “It’s not like she gives us a choice since she is very persuasive in getting what she wants but we have agreed that she will never be allowed back in a saloon.” Mrs. Ross gasped and Mr. Ross began to laugh like a hyena. The Judge’s wife who was the oldest woman at the dinner just shook her head. Wait until her mother found out what they had done to her daughter. Good heavens.

  After the food was cleared from the tables, the musicians started playing again and the desserts were set out on the veranda but the liquor began to flow in earnest. She was talking to James when she realized he was not paying attention to her. She turned to see what had stolen his attention and standing next to Dominic was Captain McPharson with her father. She didn’t move and, in fact, she couldn’t move but her bottom lip was quivering. Her father smiled as he walked towards her but she still couldn’t move until he actually pulled her into his arms. The look on her face at seeing her father needed no words to understand. She held on to him as tears ran down her cheeks.

  Dominic turned to McPharson and handed him a cigar. “How long can you stay?”

  “We only have a few hours to get back across the line safely. I had to go around channels to do this.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I heard that you went to Texas for a while.”


  “We felt the need to ride.”

  “Yeah, I would have really liked to have joined you. This has been the most stressful year I have ever experienced. You took Mirisa with you?”

  “She’s the reason we went.”

  “Very much like her father that one.” He lit his cigar and Garnett handed him a shot of whisky.

  Dominic stepped in closer. “We ran into Jess Calhoun in Dallas.”

  McPharson looked at him seriously. “Are you aware that he deserted after an altercation that they believe ended in the death of his commanding officer? It is rumored that he was fleeing west but there has been no concrete information before this. I think his questionable actions while serving under you should have been sufficient for discharge but with the war the Army decided to keep him. There has been a lot of behavior overlooked and even encouraged in this war. Be very careful.”

  “I don’t think we’ll cross paths again but I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I’m sorry to say that this war has brought out the worst in bad people.”

  Dr. Eppes pulled her back and looked at her. “I don’t think I would recognize you if I passed you on the street. You have become such a beautiful young woman and I have missed having you constantly under my feet.” He reached up and wiped the tears off of her cheeks and kissed her forehead. Richard walked her over to Dominic. “I am still trying to decide whether or not to shoot you. The only thing that stops me is that you have kept her safe as you promised but I can assure you if she comes to me at any time, I will handle the problem whatever it may be.” She looked at Dominic who didn’t seem to take the threat seriously but she found men to be able to convey things without showing emotions.

  Dominic handed him a cigar. “She cries a lot.”

  “She always did. Cried when she was happy, cried when she was scared, cried when she was hurt but never cried when she got her own way though she got her way when she cried.”

  Dominic turned to Mirisa. “Darling, he only has a few hours do you wish to be alone with your father?” She looked at Dominic.

  “No. There’s nothing I need to share with him that can’t be said in front of everyone.”

  “Well Mirisa I think that’s just your way of trying to avoid a serious talk.” Richard took her hand and told Dominic he would bring her back. He shut the library door and she curled up on the chair knowing what was coming.

  “Mirisa.” He sat down across from her and put his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. He was so much thinner and his hair was turning grey. She got up, which surprised him, picked up two glasses and the decanter of whisky and poured two shots and slid one over to him and put the decanter down.“How much don’t I know?”

  “You are going to lecture me because like the other men in my life you don’t think I am capable of making any decisions about my own life but I am going to save you the trouble.

  I came here against my will, I was cut off from all that I loved and knew. I was abandoned in a large home with just the staff and after I accepted it I adjusted.” Mirisa picked up her drink and sipped on it as she softened her tone. “It would have been easier had I known this is where you were born or had some idea why you sent me away by myself.

  I dealt with the guilt ridden letters from my mother and the fear of not knowing when death would knock on my door. Father, I cannot ever judge you or your decisions for I have been here safe from this war and you have been selflessly caring for so many injured and dying young men. It would be wrong for me to not thank you for your dedication.

  I have discovered that I was very sheltered and there is so much I have yet to learn, so very much but you can’t shelter me anymore. If I make mistakes then I alone must fix them and take responsibility for them. You have chosen your path in life and I must find mine.” Mirisa sipped on her whisky.

  “Well, I guess that saved a lot of time.” He was agitated with her but he understood how difficult it had been. “I sent you to Natchez because these men were capable of assuring me of your safety. They were willing to lay down their lives to make sure you fell under no harm. They are not the type that a father would wish to marry his daughter but they are the very ones that a father would trust with something as precious as you are to me. I don’t agree with your choice of husbands but given the alternative it is preferable. I can only pray that you will never regret it.”

  “Father, I love him. I don’t know how to convince you or make you happy about what I did but it was the right choice for me at the time I made it.”

  “I know but you lead with your heart and not your head. I just have a problem letting go of the one soft spot in my life especially to another man. You don’t know his history darling.”

  “I know everything and more.”

  He studied her and finally stood knowing she knew only what he allowed for if she knew everything she would have never married him. This was the simple fact that everyone but her knew. “Fair enough. I am sorry that I sent you away. At the time I thought it was the right thing.”

  “Father, it was the right thing. I have fallen in love with Natchez and the people on the plantation.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I have missed you so much and I want to know everything about my brothers.”

  “We were together in Fredericksburg and afterwards went different directions. They are doing well, their attitudes are good but I think that is because there are three of them and nothing ever seemed to weigh heavily on them even when they were young boys. They are very thankful for your packages that made life just a little more bearable. I haven’t had any communication from Tom but…” Dr. Eppes reached in his pocket and handed her a folded envelope. “Charlie asked me to give this to you. He is doing well and drives up to visit your mother when he can.”

  Mirisa took the envelope which was worn. “I’ll read it later. Now I think we should enjoy the evening because I am sure you have not seen friends in a long time.”

  The next couple of hours went by fast with a lot of catching up and talking between the men. McPharson looked at his watch and said they had to leave to make it back through the line. Everyone said good bye and before Captain McPharson mounted his horse Mirisa walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck thanking him sincerely. She turned to her father and he held her for a long time. He shook hands with everyone and looked at Dominic. “I don't share her well.” Her father mounted his horse and looked back at them. He didn’t need to worry about her but these four men had no idea what they had bitten off when they let her into their personal life.

  Mirisa changed into a cotton chemise and climbed into bed with a glass of milk and her brother’s letter. Dominic was undressing as she admired the muscles of his arms as he took off his shirt laying it across the chair. He turned as he unbuttoned his jeans and caught the look on her face. He climbed into bed and she leaned up against him opening the letter.

  My dearest sister,

  I have been so remise in my correspondence with you since leaving home. I will not nor could I offer a reasonable explanation as to my dereliction of my duties as your brother but I have thought of you often and more of late than usual.

  My life has been good with a loving family and surrounded by the things I love the most but my heart has been heavy with the troubles of war as I seek out news of our father and brothers. If you are reading this, you have seen father for I asked him to deliver it personally so that it does not slip under some cabinet somewhere never to find its way to you.

  I visit mother as often as work allows and am distressed that she spends more time in the sanitarium but I fear she may find this time very taxing. She has told me that father sent you away. I must trust that father would take all steps to ensure your safety though I would have happily extended my home, I do understand his over protectiveness.

  I pray you are well and happy during these times. As your favorite brother, I shall not let time and distance keep me from remaining your loving brother. Charlie

  “Which brother is
this?”

  “He’s younger than Tom.” She looked the envelope. She put it on the table and sat up talking to Dominic before falling asleep.

  The quiet weeks slid by without notice. Garnett and James were gone more than at the Plantation and Meeks spent the days helping break in the new horses. Mirisa sat down and wrote a long letter to her mother. She tried to keep it light and upbeat as though they had a normal relationship.

  It was a beautiful summer night when Mirisa came down stairs before dinner thinking she would be alone with her husband only to find all of them in the library. They had a large map on the desk and were discussing it. She looked over Meeks shoulder and asked what they were doing.

  James responded as he took in the way she was dressed. “We’re discussing the new ranch.”

  “What new ranch?” She squeezed between Meeks who was sitting on the edge of the desk and Garnett who was leaning over the map marking it with a grease pencil. Her hand was resting lightly on Meek’s thigh as she brushed against Garnett. They both reacted to her but she was oblivious since touching was something she did without thinking. “You bought a ranch? Aren’t ranches out west?”

  “We bought over 5,000 acres between Austin and Dallas.” She looked at James in surprise then looked at Dominic who was sitting behind the desk.

  “Are you leaving us?” James could see the panic in her face.

  “Mirisa.”

  “Yes darling.” Dominic raised his eyebrows because from his angle there was an awful lot tantalizing him. James was hoping he wouldn’t say anything but Dominic was still very protective of her when they were around.

  “Um, can you come around here so I can explain it?” Dominic got up and pointed to his chair and she came around sitting down so that she was lower and didn’t have to bend over the map. Dominic was standing between Garnett and James and realized that it didn’t help because the blouse was just too low cut for any angle.

  “Okay. Now this is the acreage we bought.” He pointed to the jagged block in the middle of the map.