Startled, I spun around and saw the old man leaning against a far corner, hidden in shadow. The old man cast his eyes toward the front door and then slowly walked over to me. To my shock, he began speaking in Spanish. “She is a good woman,” he said again and pointed to the kitchen.
“Oh, si,” I replied and then smiled. “You speak my language.”
“Si,” the old man said and pointed at the front door. “That woman outside is poison, just like Jack. Both of them are no good, ma’am. Please, stay far away from them. Joshua is a smart boy. He knows what kind of woman Veronica is and what kind of dark heart beats in Jack's chest.”
“Why does Joshua tolerate such a woman?” I asked confused.
The old man shoved his hands down into the pockets of his pants and looked down at his feet. “Her parents rent water to Mr. Garner.”
“Rent water?” I asked confused.
“In this territory, we call it 'water rights',” the old man explained. “Mr. Garner needs the water rights for his cattle and Andrew Cooper wants his daughter to marry Joshua.”
I stared into the old man's kind and honest eyes. I understood. “Oh si, I understand.”
The old man looked up at me. “Without those water rights, this ranch will dry up in no time. So please, Maria, stay away from Veronica Cooper. Joshua will handle her. I mean, he's been able to dodge the wedding bullet for four years now.”
The old man tossed a smile at me and walked away toward the kitchen, leaving me standing alone in the living room. I walked back to the fireplace and for a few minutes imagined that a powerful snowstorm was raging outside and a warm, endless, fire was crackling in the fireplace. Then Joshua appeared with Veronica and the fire went out.
Chapter 2
Honey and Roses
Veronica didn't like it one bit that Mrs. Hernandez and I came along on the picnic. Joshua didn't like it one bit that his adopted brother Jack had decided to tag along, too. I didn't like seeing Joshua so worried. He sat on a white and red checked blanket nibbling in a chicken leg with nervous eyes as Veronica and Jack stood under a tree in the distance talking and laughing.
“He is worried,” I told Mrs. Hernandez. I was standing next to the buggy holding a piece of bread in my left hand. I wasn't very hungry but I, like Joshua, nibbled on my food absently.
Mrs. Hernandez watched a warm breeze play in my black hair and gently removed a bang from my eye. “You are so lovely,” she told me in a caring voice. “The men in this land will be asking for you very soon.”
I felt my cheeks turn warm. “No,” I said and looked at Joshua. “I am not wanting to be a wife right now.”
“No?” Mrs. Hernandez asked me with eyes that were reading my heart.
“Oh,” I said, “like any woman, I want to love. But God will put love in my path when He knows I am ready. The heart can't be rushed.”
“God has brought you here to be Joshua's wife,” Mrs. Hernandez told me and then held up a loving hand before I could object. “I see. I have eyes. I listen. I have ears. But it is my heart that knows.”
I wasn't sure what to say. Shocked and confused, I stared at Mrs. Hernandez. “I traveled to this land because I wanted to be close to people who cared for me. I was so lonely in Spain. I didn't travel to this land seeking a husband. I understood that the chance of marrying a foreigner was possible when I was sailing across the mighty ocean, but my heart was set on being accepted into a caring family first. Mr. and Mrs. Garner have always been so very kind to me, Mrs. Hernandez. The letters I received from them always warmed my heart in the loneliest hours of the night.”
“Si,” Mrs. Hernandez said and patted my hand. “God will choose who you will marry,” she promised me and pointed at Joshua. “God will have you marry a man that will honor you.”
I looked at Joshua. Joshua stood up, dusted off his pants, slapped on a brown hat, and walked over to me. “Ready?”
“He wants to know if you're ready to leave,” Mrs. Hernandez told me.
I let another breeze play in my hair before answering. I didn't want to leave. The water in the nearby stream giggled over rocks as it flowed beneath a line of lazy trees in a rugged yet beautiful land. The air was warm and fresh, filled with the sounds of singing birds and the smell of wildflowers. Leaving the picnic area seemed foolish and sad to me. Why would I want to leave such a peaceful, comforting spot? But Joshua's eyes told me he was ready to leave. “Si,” I said and tossed the bread in my hands over to a green bush and made a bird sound at Joshua. “For the birds,” I said.
“The bread is for the birds,” Mrs. Hernandez told Joshua and walked away to gather up the picnic blanket and brown picnic basket.
Joshua glanced over his shoulder and studied Jack and Veronica. He bit down on his lower lip and shook his head. “Pa will leave me the ranch. But if I'm dead, the ranch will go to Jack, and maybe that's what those two want.”
I couldn't understand Joshua but the worry in his eyes told me what he was thinking. He didn't say any more until we were back at the house.
“Well, Josh,” Jack said sitting on his horse, “I guess I'll go work on the corral now.” Jack's tone was mocking and disrespectful.
“See to it that you do,” Joshua told Jack and helped me down from the buggy. Veronica was sitting next to Jack on a pretty light brown horse. She rolled her eyes at Joshua as he helped me down from the buggy.
“Take me for a ride, Joshua,” she begged. Of course, she knew Joshua was going to turn her down, and maybe, I began to realize, that was her plan. I began to wonder if Jack had shown up at the picnic by design rather than coincidence.
“Not today,” Joshua told Veronica and looked up at the sun. “The day is getting old on itself. I'll be taking Maria back into town soon.”
“I'll take you for a ride,” Jack told Veronica and grinned at Joshua. “Don't worry about the corral. It'll still be falling apart tomorrow.”
“At least someone is a gentleman around here,” Veronica told Jack and gave Joshua a pouty face. “Goodbye, Joshua darling. I will see you tomorrow.”
Joshua waved at Veronica and watched her ride off with Jack.
“Two scorpions,” Mrs. Hernandez old me and held out her toward Joshua. Joshua quickly helped Mrs. Hernandez down from the buggy. He looked up at the sun again. “Si, the day is getting late,” she told Joshua. “Take Maria back to town.”
Joshua nodded his head. “Tell Maria that we'll be leaving for town in a few minutes. I need to check the foal first.”
“What did he say?” I asked Mrs. Hernandez.
“The horse that died has a baby,” Mrs. Hernandez explained. “Joshua wants to check on the baby before taking you back into town.”
“Oh, si, can I see the baby?” I pleaded.
“Maria wants to see the foal,” Mrs. Hernandez told Joshua.
“Oh,” Joshua said as his warm smile reappeared on his face. “Well, sure. Come on, the both of you.”
Mrs. Hernandez grabbed my hand and smiled into my eyes. “Si, he wants us to see the baby with him.”
Mrs. Hernandez walked me to the large barn. Joshua led the way, talking as he walked. “What is he saying?”
“Joshua is telling us that the horse is still very weak without it’s mother to care for it so we need to be very quiet,” Mrs. Hernandez explained as she walked me across a yard filled with flower beds and green grass.
“Si, I'll be quiet,” I promised.
Joshua stopped at the entrance to the barn. The powerful smell of hay burst past him into my nose. The hay smelled fresh and inviting. “Let's get inside,” Joshua smiled.
I walked into the barn and let my fascinated eyes wonder around. Animal stalls that were home to milk cows and prized horses lined both sides of the barn. At the very end of the row, down a long dirt lane lined with hay, sitting by itself, was a small stall holding a small baby horse. The animal was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in my life. “So beautiful,” I whispered admiring the soft brown and white hide.
“Si,” Mrs. Hernandez whispered as Joshua opened the stall and carefully stepped inside.
“Very quiet,” Joshua told us and touched his lips.
“Si,” I promised. I watched Joshua walk across the hay toward the foal who was laying down and appeared to be sleeping. But as soon as Joshua got close enough the animal shot to her feet, scared. I raised my hands in alarm. Mrs. Hernandez shook her head and at me and told me to be silent and watch.
Joshua raised his hands and began making soothing, loving, sounds with his voice. “Easy now, girl,” he said, “I know today is a sad day for you, but I have to check on your leg. Your Ma took a hard fall on you the other day.”
To my amazement, the foal immediately calmed down and allowed Joshua to approach her. Joshua reached out his right hand and gently caressed the side of the foal’s face and then bent down and checked her right leg. “Not so bad,” he promised the animal. “Not so bad at all. You're going to be okay, girl.” The horse seemed to understand Joshua and slowly lifted her head up and then down, as if to confirm she did understand what was being said to her.
Joshua leaned up and ran his hand over the horses back for a minute and then fed her some hay. “Thats a girl, you eat, now. You need your strength.”
I watched Joshua care for the horse with amazed eyes. He spoke softly and reassuringly as one would to a frightened child. His voice and hands held such tenderness and love and in that instant, I knew that he was the man that I was meant to marry. How did I know? I wasn't sure, but I knew. I smiled to myself when I thought how we would communicate to each other as husband and wife. I vowed that I would learn to speak English as quickly as possible.
“Si,” Mrs. Hernandez said reading my eyes. “God does not forsake His children, Maria. Your heart brought to this land, and God will fill your heart with joy and love if you let Him.”
“I can't even speak his language,” I told Mrs. Hernandez as Joshua eased back out of the stall and locked the door behind him.
“Well,” Joshua smiled, “it seems like Silver Lining is going to be okay.”
“What did he say?” I asked.
Mrs. Hernandez took my hand. “Joshua named the baby Silver Lining because there is always hope even in a storm of despair. He said the baby is going to be okay.”
“Si,” I smiled and looked at Joshua. “I'm ready to go back into town.”
Joshua glanced over his shoulder at the foal and then walked Mrs. Hernandez and me back outside into the bright sunlight. The inside of the barn had been cool and dark and the bright sunlight nearly blinded me. I suddenly felt as if I was seeing things for the very first time, like a newborn on its first day of life.
“Si Maria, you are seeing the truth now,” Mrs. Hernandez said with a smile.
On the way to town, Joshua didn't say much. His mind seemed to be on the foal, or so I believed. He was actually thinking about me I found out later. When we arrived at the hotel Joshua walked me inside and, because it was close to dinner, he decided to eat with me again. The dining room slowly filled with the same faces I had seen the night before. And, of course, the same faces stared at me with curious, eyes. Jon didn't seem particular pleased that Joshua was having dinner with me for a second time, either.
“I'll just have a steak and baked potato,” Joshua told Jon.
“Mrs. Finner has cooked a delicious stew,” Jon told me in a voice that said he was not pleased with Joshua.
“Si, fine,” I smiled at Jon. Jon drew in a deep breath and walked away.
Joshua folded his arms and looked around at all the staring faces. “You folks are going to wear down your eyes if you keep staring at us long enough. Now go on and eat your meal and act like decent folk.”
All the dining patrons quickly cast their eyes downward. Some people made offended grunts but didn't dare say a word to Joshua. The two old ladies I had seen the night before smiled and went back to sipping on a warm, delicious stew.
“Folks around here are set on me marrying Veronica,” Joshua told me in an upset voice. “I don't love that girl, never did. She's no good. All she wants is my Pa's money.”
I touched my lips and shrugged my shoulders. I wanted so desperately to understand what Joshua was saying to me. My heart broke.
“Oh, yeah,” Joshua told me and grew silent for a few minutes. “Hey,” he said and nodded his head toward the window, “I think it's starting to rain.” He started wiggling his fingers downward toward the floor.
I turned my head and focused on the window. I began hearing the sound of falling rain. I smiled. “Si.”
Joshua smiled back at me. “I'm going to get wet going back to the ranch and--” Joshua stopped smiling when he saw Jack walk into the dining room. Jack spotted Joshua and stormed over to the table.
“There's been some trouble,” Jack told Joshua in an upset voice that might have fooled most people but didn't fool me. I may not have understood what he was saying but I did understand his eyes.
“What trouble,” Joshua asked.
Jack shook a rainwater off his shirt. “I was out at the corral with Veronica. We were just sitting and talking. Josh, I swear I didn't see it.”
“See what?” Joshua asked and stood up.
“The snake,” Jack told Joshua and shook his head. “The snake spooked Veronica's horse and threw her off. I didn't know what to do. I dragged her under a tree and raced back to the ranch. Mrs. Hernandez told me you were in town. You have to help me.”
“Why didn't you get a doctor?” Joshua snapped in a low voice.
“You know Mr. Cooper doesn't like Veronica being with me. If he found out that I was with Veronica again he might pull the water rights from Pa,” Jack snapped back. “Josh, you have to think of something.”
Jack didn't know that Jon was eavesdropping, hearing every single word spoken. Joshua put a hand on Jack's shoulder and led him out of the dining room as quickly as he could, leaving me alone. He returned a few minutes later and waved Jon over to our table.
“Tell Maria that there's been a problem at the ranch and I have to leave. Tell her I'll be back tomorrow morning.”
Jon translated Joshua's message. “Si,” I said in a worried voice.
Joshua looked at me with troubled eyes and then dashed away. Jon eased down in his seat and stared at me with eyes that were filled with great worry. “Joshua's brother, Jack, do you know him?” he asked me.
“Si, we met,” I replied and folded my hands together. “What is the matter?”
Jon studied the dining room and, when he was satisfied no one was listening to him, he leaned forward and spoke: “Jack claimed that Veronica Cooper suffered an accident on her horse. That is why Joshua left so suddenly.”
“Oh my,” I said. Though I did not care for the woman, I would never wish anyone harm.
Jon shook his head. “I saw Veronica Cooper in town shortly after you arrived. I saw her walk into the Cattlemen meeting building across the street. Only Mr. Garner and Mr. Cooper have keys to the building.”
I felt panic enter my heart. “What does this mean?” I asked.
Jon stared into my eyes. “My daughter was a very brave young woman. She died rescuing a drowning child. The child lived, my daughter drowned. Oh, it was a horrible night and the rain was falling terribly. My daughter was returning to town when she saw the child in the river. She immediately sacrificed her life to save another without thought.”
“I'm so sorry,” I told Jon and reached across the table and took his hand. “Heaven is brighter because of her soul.”
Jon kept his eyes low. “Yes, my wife and I are sure of that truth,” he told me and then looked up into my eyes. “Maria, I fear that the time has come.”
“Come for what?” I asked, wondering what any of this had to do with Veronica or Jack.
Jon looked around the dining room again and then said: “I hear Jack talking when he comes into the hotel to play poker sometimes. He doesn't think I hear, but I do. He drinks too much liquor and then lets his tong
ue loose.”
Grateful that Jon was speaking in my native tongue, I felt confident in asking a fateful question: “Does Jack want to kill Joshua?”
Jon nodded his head. “Veronica Cooper knows that Joshua will never marry her kind. She wants Mr. and Mrs. Garner's ranch and money. The only way that can happen is if Joshua dies. But please, don't think ill of Mr. Copper. Mr. Cooper is a fine man who is a very close friend to Joshua and his family. But,” Jon closed his eyes, “he is a father and all fathers will do anything to protect their daughters.”
“What can I do?” I begged Jon. “Please, tell me what I can do to save Joshua.”
“It may be too late,” Jon said in a miserable voice. “Tomorrow we may be having a funeral.”
“No,” I exclaimed and grabbed Jon's hand. “Please, there must be a way.”
Jon listened to the rain fall outside. “I will send the Sheriff over to the Cattlemen building and have him wait for you to talk with Veronica.”
“She doesn't speak my language,” I told Jon in a desperate voice.
Jon patted my hand. “Make her speak your language,” he told me and stood up.
“What about Joshua?” I nearly cried. “I must save him.”
“He is in God's Hands,” Jon told me. “Tonight, God will choose who will be the victor and who will sleep in the grave. Now, you must hurry. I will go get the Sheriff.”
I slowly stood up on trembling legs. Jon pointed to the dining room door. I nodded my head and walked out into the rainy night. As I did, thunder exploded over my head and shook the earth.
<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>
The door to the Cattlemen building was unlocked. I eased open the door, drenched right down to my skin from the rain, and stepped into a small, dark front office. A second door was at the back of the office, and I saw a dim light flashing under the door and heard the sound of someone singing in a voice that sounded clumsy. I closed the front door, pushed out my hands, and felt my way across the small office.
“Please, Lord, be with me,” I whispered.
When my hands touched the second door I stopped. For a few seconds, I let my ears soak in the sound of the heavy falling rain. Somewhere out in the rain, Joshua was either dead or alive. “Please, Lord Jesus,” I begged and drew in a deep breath that smelled of dust and hay. With shaky hands, I reached down and slowly opened the door and stepped into a large meeting room decorated with a long wooden table surrounded by wooden chairs sitting on a glossy hardwood floor. Fancy paintings covered walls lined with overcrowded bookshelves.
The Thanksgiving Day Bride: Mail Order Bride Novels Page 41