So, before leaving from that place he called home, he grinned at the mountains that were beyond town, taking a good look at them. With his heart now free from its burdens, Brian started his trip to the front lines.
Until I see you again, my love.
The End
Bonus Story 3 of 20
Uncivil Discord
Desperate Times
Texas, June 1890
Kale Preston looks exactly like he should, being a cowboy and all. He fits the cliché of tall, dark and handsome after spending countless hours in the Texas sun. Richly thick and sun-streaked hair sat tucked under a nice cowboy hat and he was accustomed to fitting his tall, lanky frame into a set of hip hugging jeans, a long-sleeved, button down shirt, and a sturdy pair of boots. He was handsome enough to notice, but the real kicker to that second glance came when he smiled. If his face wasn’t pleasant enough, add in two perfectly placed dimples, beautiful teeth, and a well-kept goatee and any woman would look twice. Even if all you could catch were those mysterious blue eyes, it wasn’t a disappointing view.
Most mornings he spent time sitting on his porch, sipping coffee and greeting the day. Today was no different as he looked out across his cattle ranch and sighed. He’d never seen prettier country. The one thing his farm was lacking was a beautiful woman to share his life with. The state of marriage in Texas was about the only thing the state was lacking. Having three times as many single men as women was a good day. A bad day boast nearly six times the amount of men for every woman. That put Kale’s odds of getting married lower than slim to none.
He hated the idea of advertising for a wife. It made him feel as if he was shopping for particular ingredients when all he really wanted was to find a woman he could live with, who could in turn live with him. He didn’t expect her to be outrageously stunning or anything, although he wouldn’t complain if she was. He wanted a simple life with a wife who would talk to him, a woman who would enjoy living on a ranch and would bask in the beauty of God’s country. If he could only say one thing about Texas, it was that God had truly put his thumbprint on the Lone Star State. Kale sighed and finished off the rest of his coffee.
Going into town, Kale headed for the only newspaper and hitched his horse, Mack, to a post outside. Stomping the dust from his boots and chaps, Kale opened the door. “Morning Bill, Dale.” Both men looked up and smiled at Kale. He returned the smile and tipped his hat.
“Morning Kale,” Bill said first. “How’s the ranch treatin’ ya?”
He nodded and replied, “Just fine. It’s a mite lonely out there, but other than that I’m doing well.”
Bill removed his spectacles and made eye contact. “That’s always good to hear. What can we do for you today?”
Kale was nervous. He didn’t want these men knowing his business but there was no way around it. He would make it fast, and no more small talk. “I came to inquire about placing an ad in newspapers back east.”
“Back east ya say? Well, it depends on the type of ad, how long you want it to run and how many newspapers you want to put it in.”
“Well, I’d like it to go into papers in New York, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, if it’s doable.”
“Oh, it’s doable alright, for a pretty penny.”
“I’ve got a few pretty pennies to go around,” Kale chuckled. “If I write out what I want, can you make sure it gets where it needs to go?”
“Sure can,” Dale said, coming to stand by his brother.
Kale put his words on paper, paid the fee, avoided the brother’s eyes and quickly stepped out into the sunshine of another hot summer day in Texas.
***
Mercy Thompson wiped off another table as her day dragged on. She dodged young children as she took dirty plates, cups and utensils to the kitchen wash basin and then she stuck her hands in the sudsy water. After washing, rinsing and drying every plate, every cup and ever spoon and fork; Mercy was whipped. Cleaning up after fifty people was insane most of the time. She was thankful, however, that she always had a bed to sleep in, despite sharing her “bedroom” with forty-nine other people, mostly women and children.
Tonight she despaired that she’d live here forever, imprisoned by her poverty and chained to this shelter for eternity. She called for lights out at nine-thirty and climbed into bed, too tired to care about the crying baby three cots over. She fell asleep with hope in her heart that tomorrow would bring some sort of relief. Three more days passed before Mercy had a day off. It wasn’t a whole day, but she was able to take the morning for herself, something she never took for granted.
Climbing out of bed, she wrapped a worn out shawl over her shoulders and stepped out into the warm sunshine. Despite the bright beating of the sun and the humidity in the air, Mercy never left her shawl on her cot, afraid it wouldn’t be there when she got back. Not to mention it was the only reminder she had of her father. He’d died suddenly a year ago and her stepmother, Melissa Black Thompson, had kicked her out of her home almost immediately. She’d robbed her of her inheritance, claiming that she didn’t deserve money just for being born. Ever since that day, Mercy had worked at the shelter relentlessly to ensure she always had a place to stay.
She walked down to the library and greeted Frannie when she entered the building. The young librarian always wore a smile on her face but this morning her smile was beaming. “You should check out this morning’s paper.”
“Yeah?” Mercy replied. “Anything good?”
“There’s a man advertising for a bride, if you can believe that. Apparently everything’s bigger in Texas, except their rate of available women.” Frannie giggled. Mercy took the paper, went to a quiet corner and looked up the ad, her hands shaking the entire time. Finding the ad she read:
Dear Prospective Woman:
My name is Kale Preston. I am a cattle rancher in the great state of Texas. Unfortunately, that has left me without much of a choice on being single. As there are nearly twenty men to every available woman, the odds of finding a good, strong match are less than nil. I am seeking a woman with a strong sense of faith. A woman who isn’t afraid of hard work and who would like to be a mother someday. I am willing to pay all traveling costs, and room and board, if you would be willing to come to Texas, in hopes of turning this acquaintance into a marriageable relationship. I kindly await your response.
Kale Preston,
Westin, Texas.
Mercy couldn’t stop her heart from practically beating out of her chest. Her hands were shaking and a smile had, at some time during her reading, fixed itself on her face. She was going to use the little money she had to send a reply to Mr. Preston. God willing, he’d choose her. Perhaps there was a light at the end of the dark tunnel of her life after all.
***
Kale poured a second cup of coffee and sat back on his porch. His ranch hands were just waking up to start the day as the sun streaked hot across the sky, like it had to race the horizon to the other side. He stared across his thriving land. It had been a lot of hard word but was definitely paying off and worth all the sweat, and still worth it every day.
“Mornin’ boss,” Jose Pena said. Kale was pulled from his reflecting by the greeting. He smiled at his most-trusted ranch-hand, Jose. He had been with Kale and Jack, his childhood best friend, since the beginning when all they’d had was a dream and a couple thousand dollars. The money had bought the land, but there’d been nothing left over. Jose, desperate for a job, had been willing to work with Kale and Jack for no pay. He lived on the promise that they would, with a lot of help from the Almighty, would make it up to him.
Sitting here now, Kale was eternally grateful he’d been able to do that. It was a testament to God’s faithfulness and Kale never wanted the young man to forget it. “Mornin’ Jose. You get those young bucks up and moving yet?”
Jose nodded. “Yes, sir. They’re finishing breakfast as we speak.”
Kale nodded. “Excellent. I want you to bring Dolly to Sioux toda
y. She’s ready and they’ll make a good match.” Dolly was heading into her fourth year. She was in her third day of the Estrus cycle and this was when she would be most receptive to mating. Kale was hopeful for a first foal on the farm.
Jose took his hat off, wiped his brow and re-affixed his hat. “Anything else sir?”
“Their mating it of the utmost importance so I want to make sure it’s done right. Just the usual chores for the boys will do for the morning. But if you find they need a distraction, send them out to mend the fences. That should take them the rest of the day.”
Jose grinned and turned to head toward the corral to turn Sioux out. Kale knew the stallion would need to be relaxed to approach Dolly. It was the young mare’s first mating and Sioux would need all the help he could get. The horse snorted and galloped around the corral. His pleasure at being loose was evident in his grunts and speed.
Kale had decided that he was going to put the horses’ together and let nature take its course. When Dolly was released into the corral with Sioux, she galloped around and snorted. Sioux immediately approached her. They sniffed each other’s noses and Sioux stomped his front hoof. Dolly whinnied and turned away from Sioux. She began urinating near the stallion. Sioux grunted and stomped his hoof again. They seemed to be getting along just fine. Kale waited around and oversaw their first joining and relieved that it had gone so well. Only a few more times and she could be pregnant. Kale smiled. “I’m gonna head into town Jose. Give Sioux and Dolly an extra portion tonight.” Jose nodded. “Sure boss. See ya later.”
Saddling Mack, Kale headed into town to see if any replies had come in for the advertisement he’d put in the papers back east.
“Good Morning Mr. Preston,” Billy Buckley, the post office worker greeted him.
“Mornin’, Billy.”
“You have a parcel of mail. If you will wait right here, I’ll get it for you.”
“Alright.” Kale started to smile and stopped himself. When Billy came back with a ribbon wrapped packet of letters, Kale couldn’t help his eyes from nearly bugging out of his face. He’d imaged one or two responses if he was lucky, not this many. Not in his wildest imaginings. “Thank you Billy.”
“You’re welcome Mr. Preston,” Billy replied. The young man waved and then disappeared behind the service counter as Kale stepped back outside. He took the bundle, and walked down the street and headed into Cynthia’s Café.
“Hello Mr. Preston,” Cynthia, the owner, said as she waited on him. “What can I get for you today?”
“Coffee, please. And a slice of peach pie if you would.”
“Certainly,” she smiled. Once she’d headed off behind the counter, he opened the first letter. By the time Cynthia returned, he’d read through to letter five and although the women all seemed intriguing, none of them had truly caught his eye, let alone snared his interest. Sipping his coffee, infused with cream and sugar, Kale lifted the next letter so he could read its contents.
Dear Mr. Kale Preston,
My name is Mercy Elizabeth Thompson. I am twenty years old. I live in Marne, Florida. I have to admit that upon first reading your advertisement I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. You seem the sort of gentleman who knows the value of hard work and a dollar earned. I too, was brought up to appreciate hard work. My father, God rest his soul, was killed in a work accident just over a year ago and my stepmother didn’t take too kindly to my presence. I have been working and living at a shelter near my father’s home since his death.
Truth be told Mr. Preston, I saw your ad as a ray of hope. I do hope, should you want to meet me that love might grow between us in time.
I look forward to your response kind sir.
~Mercy Thompson
Kale set the letter down and noted that his hand was trembling. He reread the letter and set it aside from the others. If none of the remaining letters moved him as Miss Thompson’s had, he’d definitely know then who he should send for. He spent another hour at the café enjoying his pie and coffee as he read the letters. Later that night he reread through the one’s that had piqued his interest. He found only one other letter that moved him like Mercy Thompson’s. He wrote each young woman back and asked how they’d feel about coming to Texas to meet him. Within two weeks he received replies and it seemed both women, Mercy Thompson and Alicia Meyers were both anxious to see some of the “wild” west and the chance to meet him. Mercy, in particular, seemed anxiously excited.
Dear Mr. Preston,
Your letter filled me with such hope. Although I have never been outside the small town I now live in, I feel an expectant excitement about coming to Westin to meet with you. If nothing else, it is an opportunity which I will likely not have again. If you still see fit to meet me, to see about our matching as a couple, I am more than ready to board the next train.
Already dreaming of Texas,
~Miss Mercy Elizabeth Thompson
Kale couldn’t stop thinking about the two women. They seemed, in their letters at least, as genuine as any young woman he’d ever met. He hoped that bringing them in at the same time was the right thing to do. He wanted to give them both a chance to meet him and he also wanted to tell the woman he didn’t choose, why, to her face. The next day he sent passage for each woman and then anxiously awaited their arrivals.
While Mercy was heading his way from Florida, Alicia Meyers was coming from a much closer, Louisiana. Her train would arrive in just two days. Mercy’s wouldn’t be there for three days after that. The first Saturday of September, Kale headed to the train station to welcome Alicia to Westin. People poured off the train in droves so that he couldn’t tell anything or anyone apart. Eventually though, the crowd thinned and a pretty young girl stood there looking around.
“Are you, Miss Meyers, by chance?”
“Mr. Preston?” the young woman asked. Kale smiled and extended his hand, nearly stumbling over his own feet. Alicia Meyers was beautiful. Her long wavy hair was the color of rich wheat that was just coming to maturity. Thick and shining, it lay clear to her waist, pouring over her shoulders; a style that most women would find contradictory to say the least. She wore a pretty bonnet to keep the intense sun off her face and Kale thought it seemed appropriate, as it matched her lovely dress. It hid her eyes well, but could do nothing to hide her pretty smile or the rosy color of her cheeks. Kale thought himself extremely lucky indeed to host such a lovely young lady. As she carried her luggage from the train, however, he wondered for a moment about the way she huffed and puffed over a bag that didn’t seem as heavy as she wanted to make it seem.
“Kale at your service,” he said. Once Alicia had taken his arm, he led her to his buggy and helped her up. “How was your trip?”
“Tiring,” Alicia said, her dark eyes darting every which way. “I’m famished as well. The train, for being a cross-country run, didn’t offer the best amenities.”
“Would you like something to eat before I show you the boarding house?”
“I’d love something to eat and a huge cup of coffee,” Alicia sighed. Kale drove her to the end of town where the Tin Spoons Café was feeding the masses who’d stopped in for an early dinner.
“Well hello, Kale!” Daisy Clark smiled. She came around the counter and hugged him. “About time you came in to see me.”
“Good to see you too Daisy. May I introduce Miss Alicia Meyers? She’s come all the way from Louisiana to visit me for a time.”
“That right?” Daisy smiled. “That’s terrific.”
“Don’t get that look Daisy,” Kale chided. “She’s staying at Clara’s boarding house until we’ve made up our minds about whether to move a relationship forward.”
“If you say so,” Daisy chuckled. “What can I get you two to start with?”
“Coffee!” Alicia nearly screamed. “Please bring coffee and leave the pot.”
Kale felt like someone had punched him. It wasn’t that he minded a woman speaking for herself. It was more that Alicia had made it sound as if she’d
die without coffee. He’d have to ask her if that was customary for women in Louisiana.
“So,” Kale started, after helping Alicia to her seat. “Tell me a little about yourself.”
“I’m the youngest of seven. I just turned twenty-one a week ago and I have to be honest, seeing Texas sounded like a wonderful way to treat myself for my birthday.”
Kale ground his teeth. If this woman, a term he used lightly, had spent his money to see the world for her birthday, she’d see herself on the first train back to civilization come the next day. “Is that the only reason you decided to accept my offer to come out here to Westin?”
“Oh no!” Alicia smiled. “My daddy’s got this idea that I should get married and settle down. Except I don’t want to marry anyone in my home town. When I read your advertisement, I knew it was fate. I must say it’s smaller here than I’d thought originally. Everyone always says everything’s bigger in Texas. There is tons of potential here though, so that’s good.”
“Tons of potential?”
“For expansion of course. What with the ideas I have running around in my mind, I could get Westin its own place on the map within the decade.”
Kale didn’t respond as his stomach and heart sank. Clearly Alicia was not ready for the type of marriage he was looking for. He knew everyone had their own idea of what makes a marriage work but their differences would probably cause more conflict than anything else. Kale decided to enjoy his time but not to invest his heart. It was still nice to have some female companionship.
After Alicia had drank a pot of coffee and barely touched her homemade stew, and Kale had stuffed himself with the homemade meal, he stood and asked Alicia, “If you’re ready, Miss Meyers, I can show you to Clara’s boarding house now.”
Sunlight and Shadows Page 10