by Kari Trumbo
“Can I help you with that, ma’am?”
Rose stopped. She turned slowly. The voice was too much like a voice from the past for her not to look. She gasped and her knees went weak.
“Glad to see me, Rose?” Pete tipped his hat at her.
He wore a typical cotton work shirt, jeans, and boots. He’d chopped his hair off and it had the look as if he’d done it with a knife, leaving it curled under his hat and around his face. She wanted to touch it, just to make sure she wasn’t imagining it. Without the long hair, Morgan had been right, he easily passed for a well-tanned handsome man that no one would question.
“Pete, where have you been? How did you get here?” She touched her own hair, certain she looked a sight.
He ignored her questions and took the towel from her hands, lifting the bread from the oven, and placing it on top. He touched his hat and left to sit with the others at the table just on the other side of the room.
Rose shook. Pete was back. Her heart raced. She couldn’t seem to remember what she had to do in the series of things she needed to. He’d somehow ended up here, just as she’d prayed he would. She dared a glance at the table and Pete’s large brown eyes followed her every movement around the kitchen. She tripped over the front hem of her dress and she caught herself before falling to the floor. Did the man have to stare?
She placed the stew and bread on the table, avoiding Pete and his eyes. She brought a pitcher of water next and turned to walk away.
“Aren’t you going to join us, Miss Rose?” She heard the smile teasing her in his voice, though her back was to him.
She turned and faced him, her hands dropped to her hips. “No, I think I’ll eat after all you men are out of my kitchen.”
“We could make room. We aren’t so scary.” He moved his chair over to make room and patted the table to his right. His eyes twinkled and his mouth lifted on one side, mischief written all over his face.
As much as she missed him, he wasn’t getting off that easy. He’d left her, sick and with a stranger he didn’t even like or trust. For good or bad, he’d walked away and that stung. She turned on her heel and walked back over to the stove. The jeers and guffaws of the men around the table followed her.
The men ate quickly and Rose had only swept the work area when they finished and exited out the front door, walking over where she’d just swept.
“Can I help you with these?” Her head flew up and there he stood, balancing eight bowls and cups in his hands.
“Oh, don’t drop those. I could never pay for them.” She reached for the teetering stack, putting them on the butcher block preparation table. “Why are you here, Pete?” She rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand in fatigue and frustration.
He looked down at the floor. “I was never very far behind you. Sometimes, I was sure you knew it. I saw you look around like you could hear me, or sense me.”
Rose gasped. The river. It was Pete who had been there when she washed by the river. It was the only explanation of why she’d felt someone watching her the whole time and why her horse was here.
“You were there...by the river.” Her hand touched the neck of her dress. She couldn’t get her breathing under control. He stood too close and though she wasn’t near the stove, heat blossomed in her cheeks and spread.
“Let me run some water for you and we can talk.” He put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
“No.” She shrugged out of his grasp. “You left. You mocked me and made me feel like my father used to, like I wasn’t worth anything. I don’t want anything to do with you.”
Pete shrank back at the accusation, as if she’d physically hit him. She knew he’d seen her bruised face after the fact enough to know she wasn’t speaking lightly. Without another word, he nodded and left her to the dishes, and if she could find her appetite, her own dinner.
~~~
That night, she lay in her bed listening to the odd sounds of her new home. Meg was in the room right next door to her and the one at the end of the hall had been chosen for the new baby, though it wouldn’t come for some time.
Rose had grown up sharing a small space with her entire family, so this family, with each member having their own room for sleeping, seemed incredibly strange. The evening had proven to be one of the most strenuous she’d even encountered. The house hadn’t been cleaned in some time and she’d dug into the work. At least she’d been too busy to think for more than a few minutes about Pete.
As much as she wanted to sleep, needed to sleep, she couldn’t stop her mind from going back to him. His broad shoulders and comforting arms, those intense eyes, and the smile that had haunted her dreams since he’d left.
Morgan’s solid voice vibrated through her soul. ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.’ That means if someone does you a wrong, you need to forgive them, just as you would hope someone you have wronged would forgive you. She’d thought at the time it was sound advice. But, now that she was faced with forgiving Pete, she wanted nothing more than to hold onto the anger and hurt. A tear coursed its way down the side of her face and into her hair. Morgan had been right. Her path was destined to cross with Pete, but if they were meant to be together, why did she hurt so badly?
Chapter Thirteen
The rooster crowed and Rose, already awake, dressed in her one dress. She would have to use some of her pay for some fabric right away. One dress was fine on the trail when you didn’t want to get undressed with men around you. In a home, it just wouldn’t do. She felt grimy after only one day.
She prepared the morning meal and Meg bounced into the kitchen as she moved the coffee to the back burner to stay warm.
“Papa said you make better coffee than he does.” She giggled.
“Good morning, little one. Are you ready to start your day?”
She nodded, her face turning serious. She looked like her father.
“I will get the table.” Little Meg strode with confidence to the hutch. Rose realized that job was most likely the one her father had taught her to do so she wasn’t underfoot in the kitchen. If she wanted to help and learn more, Rose certainly wouldn’t hold her back.
Charlotte glided in and the tension in the room became palpable. She wore a pastel pink and soft blue walking dress, with brown half-boots and white gloves.
“Really, Rose.” She shook her head. “I don’t eat flapjacks. I will need to have scones and butter with tea. I certainly don’t drink coffee.” She looked down her nose at Rose and sat daintily at the table waiting to be served.
“I-I-I’ve never made scones before, ma’am.” She wasn’t even sure what a scone was.
“I’ll teach you,” Meg whispered, hiding behind Rose’s skirt.
“You are also going to need more clothes. I’ll not have anyone in my house who isn’t properly dressed. I’ve already talked to Augustus about having one of the men take you into town later for some fabric. Pick up whatever you need but don’t be too extravagant. You are only a housekeeper.”
She picked up a tiny bag and touched her hat to make sure it was still in place and her hair perfect.
“I’ll just eat in town today.” She stood and left the house.
“I had no idea I had to make different things for everyone,” Rose said, her eyebrows rose into her forehead.
Meg smiled, taking her hand. “You don’t. Just for Mother. She is particular about just about everything.”
Rose looked at the immaculate table and brought the flapjacks out for Meg and Augustus.
Augustus motioned for her to sit in Charlotte’s place. “You might as well join us, Rose. No sense in these going to waste. They’ll be too cold by the time the others come in.”
“Are you sure?” Rose flushed. The mere idea of sitting with her boss made her queasy.
He again indicated the empty chair and she sat. After her lack of dinner last night, her stomach was indeed empty and warm breakfast was so much better than cold.
The second meal
shift went off without a hitch and now Rose fidgeted, waiting for the third group to come in. Pete was last. He tipped his hat to her, but didn’t look directly at her or say anything. Each man set his hat on a long table by the wall before choosing a chair. She brought the men their food and coffee and she turned to leave when one of the men grabbed her hand.
“If Pete can’t get you to stay, I betcha I can.” The young man smiled at her and crooked his finger like he wanted her to come sit with him.
He stood and pulled out the empty chair next to his. Sitting back down, he draped his arm over it leisurely. Rose looked at Pete, sitting across from him at the table, and she heard his boot connect with the boy’s knee. The poor fool yowled and jumped back from the table. Pete jumped just as fast. He rounded the table before Rose even understood completely what had happened.
Pete took the young man’s face and slammed it into the table, smashing flapjacks and syrup all over him.
“Don’t you ever say more to her than ‘yes, ma’am.’ You hear?” Pete growled through gritted teeth.
“What’s going on in here?” Augustus came in from the sitting room. He leveled his gaze right on Pete.
“It was my fault.” Rose spoke up before she even thought about what she should say. “I...tripped...and the plate hit his face.” She looked at the floor to hide her lie. Guilt ate at her immediately, but Pete couldn’t get fired. “I’m really very sorry.” She cowered.
Mr. Whitte was nice, but his size still intimidated her. She wasn’t sure what kind of punishment she would get, but it couldn’t be worse than her father had already done. Pete couldn’t lose his job. He needed it more than she did.
She pressed the toe of her worn moccasin around in a circle on the floor. “I’ll go pack my things. I’m sorry.”
“What are you talking about? You can’t leave! It was an accident. Help him clean it up and get him some more.” Augustus left the room without another word. As soon as he’d left, the man flung the flapjacks and plate at her.
“Don’t bother. I ain’t staying on no ranch where the Indians stick together to do whatever they want against the white folk.” He pointed at her. “Your time will come, little missy. Mark my words.”
Pete came to her side and pulled bits of sticky cake out of her hair. At least she’d managed to catch the plate.
He whispered as he pulled bits of food off her. “I’m taking you into town after the meal is cleaned up. As soon as you’re ready, come find me. I’ll be in the barn.” He strode out, his plate still full and untouched. The others ate in silence and left without saying anything to Rose as she cleaned up the mess.
She finished the kitchen and eating area with Meg standing by asking questions.
“Who’s going to watch me while you go to town?”
Rose stopped only long enough to wring the water out of her rag. “Whoever watched you before yesterday, I’m sure.”
“Couldn’t I just come with you?”
Rose scrubbed a spot on the floor. “No, child, but I will hurry back.”
Satisfied, Meg left to play. Rose watched the poor thing walk away. She almost wished she could bring little Meg with, just to postpone talking with Pete. It would have to come though. At some point they would have to get out what was on their minds.
Rose hurried to the barn, and Pete already had a rig hitched for them. He helped her climb into it, and then he sat next to her. He released the break and drove the team as if he’d done it his whole life.
“Where’d you learn to drive a wagon?” She looked at him, but he only looked forward.
His shoulders squared and he sat up. “I didn’t offer to drive you to town to talk about horses.” He glanced at her and the pain there made her breath catch. “Why did you lie to Augustus today?”
She took a deep breath. “I was trying to make sure you didn’t get hauled off the ranch! We have to be very careful.”
“Yes, and your careful got you into even more trouble.” He flicked the lines. “Even after just meeting him, I feel like I know Mr. Whitte. He wouldn’t have let me go. He knew that boy was a powder keg. He had no right to talk to you that way. Mr. Whitte is a good, honest man, Rose. I could see myself staying here for the rest of my life. Maybe.”
“Why maybe?” she whispered. Anything to avoid talking about the real topic that they needed to discuss.
“I’m not going to come to work every day and pretend I don’t know you.” The honesty wrenched open her wounded heart. “Pretend I don’t need you just to breathe. This isn’t living, Rose.”
No, he couldn’t have just said that. Those were the words she’d needed to hear a month ago...but now?
“Pete, you were so—”
“Foolish? Stupid? Arrogant? Yeah, I know. I’ve had some time to think about that. I can’t tell you how angry I was. Angry you would trust that white man over me. Me. The one who has always been next to you, always cared about you. You let him take my place, Rose. You let him lead our journey. This was supposed to be for us, Rose.”
He still would not look at her and her stomach twisted in a painful knot.
“Pete, I wanted to trust you, but you were so angry and when you started sounding like my father—”
“No. Don’t say that. I could never be like him, and you know it.” He turned to her and pulled the horses to a stop. “Please, don’t ever compare me to that useless animal of a man. I may have made some mistakes, but I would never hit you or curse you. You know that much is true, right?”
“I’m sorry, Pete.” she looked down. Her hurt wouldn’t allow her to look in his eyes.
“That’s twice now you’ve said I was like him, so let’s deal with this. I did a lot of thinking while I followed you and Morgan on that trail. He beat me pretty hard and I suspect you were the reason why.” He scrubbed his hand down his face.
“I’m sorry, Rose. I don’t deserve you after I did and said those things, and I certainly don’t deserve you after I left you alone with Morgan.” He turned to face her and looked in her eyes. “But I’d like to hope I have a chance to be with you, to try? I’m hoping that book you read with him every night was true and you can forgive me, too.”
“You heard us?” She couldn’t contain her shock. He had to have been close to be able to hear them reading.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Morgan did a good job with you.”
“Morgan isn’t for me and he never will be. I never looked to him as I’ve looked to you. I don’t want anyone else, Pete. My heart has only ever wanted you.”
“But Morgan...you wanted to be with him.”
“No, Pete. Only you. He is a doctor, did you know? I only just found out. Of all the people you could have left me with, you chose a good one.” She gave a weak smile. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you. I prayed for you. I wanted so much for you to be the Pete I knew back on the reservation, who cared about me and watched over me.”
Pete touched her chin and she looked up at him.
“That man is gone. Dead. I threw him away to the wind before coming to Whitte ranch. He had too many things to run from and hide from others.” Pete dropped his hand, but they couldn’t stop looking into each other’s eyes. “I was pretty selfish, but after a few nights of wandering on my own, following your trail, I saw signs of you everywhere I turned. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Thought I’d gone mad.” He scrubbed his face with both hands. “I opened the medicine man’s pouch after you prayed for me. Your God wouldn’t have taken heed of a medicine man. You know what was in it?” He waited as she shook her head. “It was dried rose petals and lavender. There was no way the medicine man could have known the name I’d chosen for you or understood what you went through with your mother, but your God could. I left it and my old life behind.”
He turned in the seat to face her. “I thought I could leave Santee and stay the man I was. I thought being who I was, was good enough. And it could have been, for that life. But out here, I need to fit in. Even though I don’t want
to, I must.” He touched her hand and looked at it. “I’ve never ached so bad to be near you and to tell you I was sorry. To hold you and never let go. I won’t hide or run anymore. My Rose-Petal, please? Give me a chance? Let me be the husband I promised you I would be through those stories long ago, before we left.”
He didn’t have to say another word, she wrapped her arms around him and he gently kissed her lips. Pete was home.
“I’ll never leave you again, Rose, never.”
Epilogue
Gus looked first to Pete, then to Rose. “By the power vested in me, by the great state of Kansas, and a reverend who was too busy, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He paused and raised his hands. “Pete, you may kiss your lovely bride.”
Pete stepped close to her. She only reached his chest, her face delicate and lovely in the sun. He leaned forward, wrapped his arms around her small waist, and lifted her so they were face to face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he kissed her, first slow, then with more passion, finally swinging her around in a circle. He set her down to the applause of little Meg and all the hands on the ranch.
Gus cleared his throat. “I’ve already spoken to the bank and though you both are trustworthy by my account, the bank was not so forthcoming. So I avoided them altogether.” He paused, letting his words sink in. Pete put his arm around Rose, worried that the house he’d wanted to build for his bride would be a mere dream. “I gave the mill the money for the lumber and I’ve deeded a spot of land to you just up the drive by the river. You can pay me back each month like you would have paid the bank.”
Pete swung her around again. “Do you hear that, Rose? We will have a home!”
Rose touched his cheek and stretched to kiss his lips. “As long as we’re together, we will have a home. I love you, Pete.”
He put his forehead to her own. “I love you, my Rose-Petal.”
I hope you enjoyed Forsaking All Others. If you did, please take a minute to leave a review at the retailer you purchased it from.