White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  Addy got up and joined her sister. “Don’t you love Mr. Jack? I do.”

  “Well, of course I love everyone, Addy. But that’s not the kind of love married people have. Now let’s go see what we can have for our supper.”

  But a thrill coursed through Lexie, and she couldn’t prevent the smile that tipped her lips.

  Chapter 14

  The drone of cicadas and the chirping of crickets filled the air as Lexie drove the horses through thick woods on the way to the Flanigan cabin. Tuck, with Addy adding her appeals, had begged for the last week, since they’d been staying at the Sullivan farm, to go fetch their grandfather’s violin. Finally Lexie had decided she should probably acquiesce. With the cabin deserted, it would be simple for thieves to break in and take anything they pleased. And Tuck had her heart set on that violin.

  Lexie had been surprised to hear that one of Jack’s boat hands had given the girl a few lessons. And it had surprised her even more that Tuck was interested. She’d have thought Addy would be more likely to take to a musical instrument. Just another example of judging someone by outward appearance and actions, she supposed.

  “It’s just a little ways now, Miss Lexie.” Addy’s eyes were bright with excitement, but at least she wasn’t bouncing up and down on the seat like Tuck.

  “Tuck, please sit down before you fall.” That child wasn’t afraid of anything.

  “Sorry, Miss Lexie. Oh. Over there!” She pointed to an opening in the tree line.

  The wagon rattled over some huge, exposed tree roots. Then they were out of the thick woods. A small but well-built log cabin stood in the middle of a clearing. Chickens hopped around the yard, pecking at the ground. They would need to do something about them.

  “What did you do with the livestock?” She should have asked about that weeks ago. Too late now if they’d been deserted.

  “Weren’t any but old Buzzard Bait, and we rode him when we left. I don’t know where that old stupid mule ran off to.” Tuck shook her head in disgust.

  “We had a milk cow,” Addy piped up. “But when she went dry, Pa sold her and the calf.”

  At least they wouldn’t be coming across dead animals. The chickens seemed to have held their own.

  Tuck jumped down and tied the horses to a low branch, and she and Addy ran inside. By the time Lexie followed them, she could hear their excited voices coming from a back room.

  The cabin wasn’t dirty. Not the neatest she’d ever seen, but not too bad. It was merely lacking those little touches of comfort that made a house a home. Sadness washed over Lexie. What about the stepmother who’d lived there for a while? Had there been a reason she couldn’t add those touches, or did she simply not care?

  A squeal proceeded from the back room, and the girls came running. Tuck cradled a lovely old violin. Addy watched her sister, a wistful look on her face. The case dangled from her hand.

  Tuck placed the instrument under her chin and ran the bow across the strings for a few minutes.

  “That’s very nice, Tuck, and the violin is beautiful. But I think it more than likely needs tuning. How about we find someone to take a look at it?”

  “Okay.” She handed the violin to Addy, who placed it gently into the case and covered it with a soft, faded cloth.

  Lexie glanced around the room. “Is there anything else you’d like to take with you?”

  They looked at each other, sending some silent message. Now what were they up to?

  “Just Mama’s Bible and her books. Is that all right?” Addy’s eyes searched hers.

  “Of course. Nothing else?” Lexie’s glance rested on a carved box on top of the mantel.

  Tuck’s eyes followed hers. “Naw, that’s just Pa’s old tobacco box.”

  “Then let’s throw some corn out for the chickens. We’ll have to come back for them another day. I don’t want to get caught in the woods in the dark. And they turn dark long before sundown.”

  With Addy carrying their mother’s Bible and two worn children’s books and Tuck holding the violin case close to her chest, they all got back into the wagon and left.

  “When can we find someone to fix the violin?” Tuck was bouncing again.

  “We can inquire of Mr. Hawkins. He may know someone nearby. Otherwise, we’ll ask Walt Packard next time we have a church service. He’s very good on the fiddle, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind tuning yours for you.”

  “Well, just so he don’t ruin it.” She ran her hand protectively over the old leather case.

  Lexie suppressed a smile. “Doesn’t ruin it. And you can stand there and watch every move he makes.”

  Addy giggled. “He wouldn’t dare ruin your violin with you standing by his elbow glaring at him, Tuck.”

  Tuck laughed, but she pulled the case with the instrument close to her body, and she didn’t bounce again the rest of the way.

  Just as they were coming out of the woods by the Sullivan farm, Lexie thought she heard hoofbeats. She reined in the horses. “Shhh, girls. Be still and quiet.”

  She jumped out of the wagon and tiptoed forward until she could see the house. Nothing seemed to be amiss and there was no sign of anyone. “It’s okay, girls. I thought I heard hoofbeats. But if I did, they must have been merely passing by.”

  Still, an uneasiness settled over her.

  She stepped cautiously into the house. Nothing seemed out of order, but was that a slight odor hanging in the air?

  “Something stinks in here.” Leave it to Tuck to get to the point.

  “Perhaps we overlooked some garbage?” Lexie peered into the kitchen. It didn’t smell like garbage. It smelled like unwashed body odor.

  “Nope. I threw it out to the pig after breakfast.” Tuck frowned. “I don’t think I missed anything.”

  A careful search of the kitchen revealed nothing that shouldn’t be there and nothing spoiled. “Let’s open the windows and air things out. It’s probably nothing.”

  Lexie’s uneasiness grew. Should she say something to Will when he came over? Maybe some drifter had come in to search for food. But in the back of her mind lay the memory of Billy Joe Maxwell’s seeming fixation on her. Did he know she and the girls were staying here alone?

  She shivered. If only Jack were here. Yes, she had to tell Will as soon as he came.

  The Julia Dawn slipped into its designated berth. Jack felt a bump. Then several crewmen jumped down and secured her.

  The dock here in St. Louis was noisy and crowded. Stevedores yelled up to the boats of their availability to work. But painted women with skirts pulled up and tied up above their knees called out even louder.

  Jack hardly saw any of it. He just wanted to unload, reload, and then get back home as soon as possible. He sighed. That wasn’t likely to be very soon though. They’d already been in and out of this port three times since he’d left the farm. Left Lexie and Tuck and Addy.

  He’d almost made a complete fool of himself as he was saying good-bye. He’d made the mistake of glancing at Lexie’s perfect, soft, pink lips, and for a moment the thought of pressing his own lips against hers was so strong he had to force himself to look away. She probably never would have forgiven him.

  A pang of loneliness shot through him. But if there was another load going into Illinois he’d have to take it. After all, winter would be here before he knew it, and he had mouths to feed besides his own.

  Bright orange pumpkins and yellow and gold winter squash lined the tables outside the store. Lexie eyed them, the taste of pumpkin pie and baked Hubbard squash almost tangible on her tongue. She realized Aunt Kate had plenty and would throw a fit if she knew Lexie had spent money on something they’d grown in the garden. But Lexie’s newfound independence rose up inside her. After all, she was a grown woman and had money put away from several years of tomatoes as well as the work she’d done for Mr. Hawkins.

  She chose two medium-sized pumpkins and several squash then followed the twins inside where she deposited the squash on the counter. The twins waved
at Mr. Hawkins and made a beeline for the back door. Lexie didn’t know why they’d bothered to come in at all.

  “Morning, Lexie. I’ve missed seeing you.” Mr. Hawkins put the vegetables in a box and set it aside.

  “I’ve missed working here, too, Mr. Hawkins. But the girls and I keep pretty busy these days.”

  Tuck shot back inside and sidled up to Lexie. “Don’t forget to ask,” she said then hurried back out.

  Lexie shook her head and laughed. “Mr. Hawkins, do you know anyone close by who can tune Tuck’s violin? It has to be someone who has experience and knows what he’s doing. The violin has been in their family for many years.”

  He grinned. “I think I know just the right person for the job. Name’s Willie Van Schultz. Not sure the Van is real. He told me he added it because it sounds good. But he may’ve been joking. He makes his fiddle sing. I can tell you that much.”

  “Do you know where we can find him?”

  “He lives in a shack downriver somewhere. Lives off the river and the land. But he meets a couple of other old men here every Saturday from just after sunup until sundown. They’re quite a lively bunch. Squeeze-box Tanner plays an accordion. Tom Black, the banjo. They’re here to have fun, but they end up entertaining my customers, so it doesn’t bother me a bit. Bring the violin some Saturday, and I’m sure he’ll fix it up for her.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. We’ll come this Saturday. Now I’d better finish my shopping.”

  Twenty minutes later she had everything laid out on the counter. “I think that’s everything, Mr. Hawkins.”

  “All right then. I’ll just tally these up and put it on Jack Sullivan’s line of credit.”

  “What?” Lexie’s face flamed and she glared at him. “Why would you do that?”

  “Er, Jack said anything you and those girls need, I should put on his tab.” A puzzled look crossed his face.

  “Mr. Hawkins, I plainly told Mr. Sullivan before he left that if we needed anything that wasn’t already stocked at his farm I would purchase it myself.” She took a deep breath. “Now please add these up, and tell me what I owe you.”

  “Yes, ma’am. If that’s your wish.” He totaled the order and told her the amount.

  “Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.”

  “You’re welcome, Miss Lexie.” He winked.

  “I sort of overreacted, didn’t I?” She smiled at him.

  “Well…maybe just a little. But that’s a lady’s prerogative, now isn’t it?”

  She sighed. “I do need to learn to control my anger.”

  He nodded. “I don’t think Jack meant any harm. He feels responsible for Tuck and Addy. Being as he found them at his house and all.”

  “Yes, I know. But I did tell him.” And he’d ignored her wishes. But he had been so kind lately. And he was only making sure they had everything they needed. “Mr. Hawkins, I’ve changed my mind. I believe I will let you put my purchases on Mr. Sullivan’s tab.” She was surprised at the peace she’d felt once she made the decision. Being independent was fine, but a woman needed to be willing to accept help, too.

  They arrived back at the farm just as Will rode up.

  “Need some help?” He grinned as he vaulted off Jolly and came over to the wagon.

  “Yes, I believe I do, brother dear. By the way, I want to thank you for coming over every day to make sure we’re all right.”

  A surprised but pleased look crossed his face. “It’s my honor, Lexie. You’re my sister. I love you, you know.”

  “I know you do, Will. And I love you, too.”

  Chapter 15

  The squeal of the violin pierced Lexie’s ears, and she slammed her hands against the side of her head. Willie Schultz had been twisting and turning little knobs and running the bow across the strings over and over for at least twenty minutes. Lexie didn’t know how he could get anything done with Tuck almost in his lap. Addy stood close by, but at least she didn’t crowd him.

  Mr. Schultz lifted his head, yelping as it slammed into Tuck’s chin. Sputtering, he rubbed his head and glared at her. “Listen here, young’un. If you want this here fiddle in working order today, you’d better quit crowding me. I can jes’ barely see what I’m a’doin’.”

  Tuck scooted backward a few inches. “Sorry, Mr. Willie. Are you almost done?”

  He breathed in and out loudly. “Well, let me see here. I think I might jes’ about have it.”

  He made another twist on the instrument then handed it to Tuck with the bow. “Let’s see how she sounds now.”

  Almost reverently, Tuck took the violin from his hands and placed it under her chin. She licked her lips and glanced at her sister, who sent her a smile of encouragement.

  Lexie listened in amazement. It was obvious the child hadn’t been playing long, but still, to play that well after only a few lessons showed talent.

  She finished her little song and darted a look at Mr. Schultz. Lexie only hoped he wouldn’t discourage Tuck by saying something negative about her efforts.

  “Well now, little gal, that ain’t half bad.” He nodded and narrowed his eyes at her. “If it’s all right with your ma here, mebbe you could sit in with us next Saturday.”

  “You mean it?” Tuck’s eyes were round with excitement. “I can play with you?”

  Lexie stared at the old man and then at Tuck. He’d thought Lexie was the girls’ mother. She needed to correct that right away. But she hated to interrupt when Tuck was so happy.

  “Wal, now. You gotta promise you’ll listen when I tell you something. I’ll jes’ be trying to help, you see.” He peered at Tuck.

  “Oh yes, sir.” She turned to Lexie, eagerness in her eyes. “Can I, Miss Lexie? I mean, may I?”

  Lexie bit her lip and thought. Coming into town every week would be an added chore to their already busy schedule. But she couldn’t prevent Tuck from pursuing something she loved so much. “I think we can manage that, at least until the weather turns bad.”

  “Woohoooo.” Tuck did an Indian dance up and down the porch.

  Addy stepped forward, worry on her face. “Tuck, be careful of Great-Grandpa’s violin.”

  Tuck handed the instrument to Addy, who placed it carefully into the case while Tuck continued to dance.

  Lexie glanced at Addy. She seemed happy for Tuck, but there was pensiveness about her when she looked at the violin. Had she harbored a secret desire to play the instrument herself? A sudden idea came to Lexie. “Girls, we need to get going. I want to go by Aunt Kate’s before we go home.”

  She turned to the old man, who was grinning at Tuck’s antics. “Mr. Schultz, thank you so much. What is your fee for tuning the violin?”

  A dour expression shadowed the man’s countenance. “Ain’t no fee, ma’am. Ain’t like it’s work. And that’s Van Schultz.”

  “Then I thank you very much, Mr. Van Schultz.” She reached her hand to him.

  He took it and shook it gently with his calloused one. “Guess you ain’t their ma after all, are you?”

  “No, but it was a natural mistake. And it would be an honor for any woman to be their mother.”

  The smile he gave her replaced the shadow from the moment before, and good humor filled his eyes. “I reckon I’ll see you’uns on Saturday then.”

  They found Aunt Kate outside hanging overalls and shirts on the clothesline. A fire was built beneath the large iron pot at the side of the house. Towels and other whites would boil there. Lexie and the girls joined Aunt Kate and helped to finish hanging the colored things.

  “What are you three gadding about for?” Aunt Kate’s words were tempered with a gentle tone and a smile.

  Lexie told her aunt about the man who’d tuned the violin and his offer to help Tuck.

  “That was right kind of him,” Aunt Kate said. “I hope you thanked him nicely, Abigail.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I sure did.”

  “That’s a good girl. Now, who wants something cold to drink?” She headed for the house, motioning for them to
follow.

  Lexie poured lemonade in tall glasses and placed the girls at the kitchen table while she followed her aunt into the parlor.

  “What’s on your mind, Alexandra?” Aunt Kate peered at her. She always seemed to know when Lexie needed to talk.

  “I’m sure you’ve noticed how Addy gives in to Tuck about everything.” She hastened to add, “Only because she loves her sister so much. And I’m not even sure Tuck is aware of it because she loves Addy, too.”

  “Yes, of course I’ve noticed how Addy never speaks up for herself. Which is good Christian character to an extent. But to be honest, I don’t think it’s that healthy when carried too far.”

  Lexie frowned. “I know. And I think the situation with Tuck getting the violin and lessons may be another example.”

  “Do you mean that Addy wanted to play the violin?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling I get sometimes. And if it’s so, this may be one of those things that you referred to as going too far.”

  “What do you intend to do about it?”

  “I was thinking if Addy had an instrument of her own she was good at, perhaps the violin wouldn’t matter so much.” She looked at the organ in the corner.

  “You want to teach her to play the organ?”

  “I want to give her the chance to learn if she wants to. But only, of course, if it’s all right with you. We will have to come here for lessons and practice.”

  “Not necessarily. I don’t play. As you know, the organ was my mother’s, your grandmother’s. I always intended you to have it because you play so well. We can move it to the Sullivan farm.”

  “Oh, Aunt Kate, are you sure?” Lexie hadn’t had any idea her grandmother’s organ would ever belong to her.

  “Of course I’m sure. Will can get a couple of the hands that helped him with harvest. I’m sure they’ll be happy for a little extra money in their pockets.”

  “I suppose I need to make sure first that Addy is even interested.”

  Aunt Kate rose and picked up her glass. “Nonsense. The music will be nice on cold winter nights in any case.”