by Caryl McAdoo
She knew exactly what he talked about, but only on the scared part. The cash proved to be the only joy she derived from cheating at cards. Well, and after it was over. She solely loved those times the best. When she knew it would be several days before she had to perform, lie, and cheat again.
“Just how much money do you have?”
“Is that a yes?”
“Not yet. I’m still pondering. Answer my question.”
“Over two hundred thousand in this county, another fifty or so overseas.”
“Why?”
“My darling, what we do is illegal. If I have to run, I’d need a grubstake.”
Well, that made sense. Except she hated thinking of herself as a common criminal, though truth was still truth. Seemed that’s exactly what she’d become. A lawless felon, except Harold Longstreet was the king.
And he was asking her to be his queen.
“What about children? Do you want babies?”
He shook his head. “Not particularly. I certainly wouldn’t require them, but if you do, why not?”
“I suppose one day….”
“Traveling with a nannie might be difficult. Not impossible though, and it would enhance the tale you tell.”
“Would I have my own money?”
“Darling, you can have it all.”
She went back to studying the fire, but it held no answers. Facing him again, she studied his face. “Let me sleep on it. I’ll tell you my heart’s decision in the morning.”
The older gentleman returned; a white towel hung over his arm. “Supper is served, sir.”
Chapter Eleven
Scouts brought word of the Cavalry’s rout to San Antonio the day after the victory in Laredo, but Charley couldn’t find it in himself to celebrate.
Even their report of the Yanks leaving a trail of discarded equipment and blood signs didn’t bolster his foul mood. The surgeon couldn’t save Wallace’s leg.
And as yet, Uncle Henry hadn’t been able to talk him into letting the doc cut it off.
“Sergeant Nightingale, the general has need of you.” Uncle’s clerk sure put on airs.
Charley set his mug down and stood. “He say what for?”
“No, but he requested your presence, post haste.”
Though he followed the man out of the mess hall, he passed him on the way to headquarters. Only so much dawdling a man could take. He found the General in his office, came to attention, and saluted. “You wanted me, sir?”
“Yes, Son. The stage leaves in an hour. Take Wallace home.”
“Sir, is that a good idea?”
“No, but the stubborn oaf refuses the amputation, and he begged me to send him home. Asked if I could spare you.”
“Doc got plenty of that medicine?”
“Yes, and whiskey. Give Wallace all he wants. And doc’s sending bandages.” Henry handed over four Double Eagles. “That should be enough. Buy him two seats if he needs them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Besides Wallace and his medicine, Henry loaded Charley down with all the mail not posted, and a bear hug.
It’d been a long while since the man had acted like an uncle…way too long. Charley hated this war, had from that first dust up.
Even with the room separating them, Harold heard the first whining moan in the middle of the night. The second drove him to her door. The third, louder and more urgent, convinced him to open it, but the handle wouldn’t turn.
“Lacey?” He rapped lightly with one knuckle. “Are you alright?”
Receiving no response, he sprinted to his room to retrieve the master. He stopped again at her room and listened, but heard nothing. Was she sick? Or just a bad dream? Should he fetch the doctor?
No, he hated the thought of leaving her alone. Another whinny moan sounded.
By the fifth, he inserted the key. Knocking again, louder that time, he rose his voice. “Lacey Rose! I’m coming in.”
After a quick peek, he walked in and stood beside her bed. All twisted up in her covers, she struggled and flailed the air. “Please! Don’t go.” Her sleep talking faded to a whisper. “Come back.” She reached up, grabbed him, pulled him to herself, and kissed him hard. “Oh, Charley! You came for me!”
Harold kissed her back then eased to one knee and stroked her hair until she calmed. He stayed with her until her breathing slowed.
The same little sleep puffs started—the ones she’d made that night he’d wormed his way into her bed. He wanted to stay, but not being that Charley guy, he’d rather not jeopardize his bargain.
The more he thought about it that night and the next morning while he waited for her to rise, it pleased him she dreamed of Charley—whoever he was—instead of Jack. For such a bad dream and poor night’s sleep, she looked remarkably radiant that morning.
Must have been the chill in the air.
He jumped to his feet and held her chair. “Coffee black with honey, right?”
She sat then raised slightly as he scooted the chair in. “Yes, please, and thank you for remembering. We haven’t taken too many meals together.”
Pouring her cup full, he added the honey then set it in front of her. “True, but that can change if…”
More than anything, he wanted to ask for her decision. Took the chair across from her, and started to, but he hated the idea of it being a no so bad…he just stared with what he hoped were lovesick, puppy dog eyes.
Lacey Rose sipped her coffee and avoided looking his way. So pitiful. Poor thing. Bad form to laugh at the first man who’d proposed. Her boys didn’t count. “Here’s what I’ve decided.”
She pulled her bottom lip in somewhat to tease him, but more, she wanted a few more heartbeats to be certain of her decision.
“Spit it out, girl.” His eyes flashed, a bit of temper she’d not seen before.
“Yes, sir.” She matched his tone and volume, adding a touch of snitz.
“Sorry. Though I hate to admit it, I’ve been anxious. Please, won’t you continue?”
“Of course. First, I want to thank you for not taking advantage of me last night, and for filling in for Charley.”
He nodded, but didn’t seem too pleased with her delay. “My pleasure. Please get to it. Your decision?”
“I want to see Jack first. I’m thinking I’ll be more mad than happy when I do. If I am, I say we pay the scumbag his cut then find us a judge…or a preacher. Whichever you please.”
He snickered, then his entire face broke into a giant grin. He stuck out his hand. “Deal.”
She held her hand back. “What happened to the one knee?”
He slipped out of his chair and knelt in front of her. “Lacey Rose, will you be my wife?”
“Yes. Yes, I will. With sincere inclination, I’d like to add. And of course, with the afore mentioned stipulation.”
He stood and extended both hands. “How about we seal our new deal with a kiss?”
She let him pull her to her feet, then held her ground as he gently pressed his lips to hers. She scooched in a little and kissed him back. He wrapped her in a bear hug, but not too tight. She let him go on for a bit then put her hands on his chest and eased him back.
“I do like the way you kiss, sir.”
He smiled. “And I like everything about you.”
“Sit down and tell me about yourself, especially where all the money is hidden.”
“Fair request. But first, won’t you please tell me about this Charley in your dreams.”
An extra deep pit jolted the coach something awful. Wallace gritted his teeth, then forced his good eye open. A Charley-sized blur sat next to him holding onto his arm. “Where are we, Son?”
“Almost there. Chester and Jean Paul met us at the stage.”
“Good. Hand me that bottle.”
“You sure? Told me a ways back, you wanted your wits when we got there.”
He patted the boy’s leg. “You’re right, but best give it to me anyway. I need a little sip. Wouldn’t want the ladi
es to get the wrong impression.”
“Yes, sir.”
The boy handed over the pint bottle. Wallace only slugged one gulp. Of late, been taking three to put him out. If his leg hurt any worse, he might cut the thing off himself.
“Give me strength, Lord. Let me see her one last time before you take me home.”
“Amen.”
He looked over and smiled. “I love you, Boy.”
“I know. I love you, too, Uncle.”
“We still partners?”
“Yes, sir. Always.”
“Promise me then. No matter what. Do not let them cut off my leg.”
“Yes, sir. Already have promised, but you rest assured, I’ll never let them. No matter what Aunt Rebecca or Aunt May or anyone says. I will not let them.”
“Good.” He nodded toward the bag where the whiskey and laudanum hid. “Give me the whiskey bottle. How far now?”
Charley complied then looked out the surrey’s window, “About another mile. We just passed the smoke house.”
Wallace pulled the cork and swallowed a good gulp. “Keep that stuff handy. Once I kiss my wife, I figure I’ll need a good pull on both of them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Whoever was driving slowed the team and rounded the last corner before the big house. Wallace loved the place, always figured he and Rebecca would live there once Henry built his mansion on the Llano, but short of a miracle, that wasn’t going to happen.
Hated leaving her. He stiffened his back.
The team slowed and finally came to a complete stop. Charley jumped out, then came around and opened the door. Wallace grabbed hold of the boy’s extended forearm and climbed down.
He hung on there for a second as his bride ran to him, tears streaming down her face.
“Oh, Wallace! Why didn’t you–”
He kissed her quiet. “I love you so much. Best get me to bed. I don’t think I can stand much longer.” His good knee buckled, but strong hands grabbed him.
His littlest partner lifted him like a sleeping child and carried him inside to Henry’s bed. He started to protest, but sweet darkness engulfed him as Rebecca worked on getting his clothes off.
Charley sat at the kitchen table while Aunt May read Uncle Henry’s latest letter to her babies, except Crockett and Charlotte had shot up since the last time he’d seen them. Didn’t even seem like babies anymore.
Horrible war had stolen so much from everyone. He hardly recognized his little cousins.
Miss Jewel hustled into the room with his aunt hot on her heels. Both glared, sending daggers his way, but Rebecca was the one who spoke up.
“Wallace said you were under orders to stop us from taking that leg. That between the both of you, we couldn’t have it.”
“That’s right, Auntie. I gave him my word.”
Rebecca sat next to him and took his hand into hers. “Now, Charley. You listen to me, and listen well. You need to help your uncle. Help me. You’ve got to understand that he’s not in his right mind. Now Miss Jewel says we might still save him. But the leg has got to go. That’s all there is to it. You do understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Charley, you cannot let my husband die.”
“But it isn’t right.”
“What do you mean by that? Of course, I’m right!”
He filled his lungs, blew it all out, then faced her.
“That first day, the doc in Laredo wanted to take it. He said there’s nothing to do but amputate. But he wouldn’t let him. I’m telling you true. Your pa argued with him—over and again—until he finally give up and told me to get him home. So, you see, ma’am, Uncle’s in the same mind he’s had all along, and I gave him my word.”
Tears welled then overflowed, wetting her cheeks then her dress. He wrapped his arm around her, but she pushed back and glared at him through blood-shot eyes.
“Why!” She stood and twirled on him. “Did he tell you his reason? It makes no sense! All I could get out of him was because he loved me.” She went to the window and stood there, her back to all. “That’s no reason to die.”
“That’s it, Auntie. It’s what he told me, too. Plain and simple, it’s because he loves you so much. Can’t stand the thought of saddling you with a cripple.”
Facing the ceiling, she shook her head. “Oh, merciful Father in Heaven!”
Aunt May joined her. She draped an arm around Rebecca’s shoulder and hugged her tight. “Stubborn pride kills many a man, my sweet.”
“It’s crazy talk! Doesn’t want to strap me with a cripple, so he’d rather die? I hate that! Why would he want to leave me a widow?”
Charley nodded. “Got to admit, doesn’t sound so logical coming from you.”
“There’s nothing logical about this whole horrible situation!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Didn’t figure there was any reason to add the part about Wallace knowing all along he’d loved her way more than she ever cared for him.
His partner’s words echoed in his heart. ‘I just wore her down, Son. Never let up; I couldn’t. She’s been a fine wife, the best kind, and I loved that woman enough for the both of us to live a lifetime on, but not as a cripple.’
The last thing he said though…Charley would never forget.
‘Now she’ll be at liberty to love again. Maybe her true soulmate will come around.’
The women returned to their seats, and the debate around the table continued.
Again and again he assured them all, he would not allow anyone to cut on his partner. Finally, he’d heard more than enough. He stood and glanced at each one before speaking.
“I know it’s hard. Isn’t easy for no one. But a man’s word is his bond. I’ll not break mine. No matter what any of you say.”
Marching out, he headed straight into Henry’s bedroom. Wallace slept peacefully. Charley lifted one of the wingbacks out of his uncle’s library and set it softly next to the bed. He eased down into it.
Shortly, sleep found him, but not the deep kind that did a man good. Instead, he slumbered through the hair trigger, don’t-try-to-sneak-up-on-me kind.
He’d given his word and meant to keep it.
Chapter Twelve
“Charley, wake up.”
He pried one eye open. May stood in front of him, holding a cup of coffee; seemed he’d slept the night through. “Morning, Auntie.”
“Here.” She handed him the mug. “Let me tend to Wallace. Miss Jewel has breakfast and a bath ready. Do you a world of good.”
He took the coffee then eased up, careful not to spill the hot liquid. “Thank you. He only woke once, but Aunt Rebecca saw to him that time.”
“I know. She’s in the kitchen now.”
Didn’t much cotton to a real bath, but washing up some sounded reasonable.
Once clean with a fresh shirt, he moseyed on to the kitchen, grabbed a plate and went to heaping it full with biscuits slathered with cream gravy and a nice slab of fried ham. She’d scrambled his eggs just like he liked them, and before he needed it, a tall glass of sweet milk materialized.
How he had missed Miss Jewel’s cooking. He grinned. “Thank you, ma’am.”
She returned the nod but not the smile.
He avoided looking at his Aunt Rebecca while he wolfed down the best breakfast he’d had since leaving that very table. Once finished, he washed and rinsed his plate, dried it, then put it away. He’d taken too many meals here not to honor his uncle’s rules.
“Charley, I need a word with you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He followed May to the front porch. She took the smaller rocker, and he sat in Henry’s.
She handed him an opened envelope. “I’ve only showed this to Chester before today.”
He pulled out the letter.
Greetings Mrs. Buckmeyer,
Each day from noon until one, on the 8th to the 10th of April, I will make myself available in the lobby of the Hampton hotel in Saint Louis, Miss
ouri. Send your man Chester or Lacey’s step-father, with five thousand in gold, and I’ll inform you of the whereabouts of Wallace Rusk’s and Sassy Baylor’s namesake. Tell him to ask the clerk for the room number to the King of Diamonds. We’ll proceed from there. Send a Pinkerton man, or anyone else, and…well… you’ll never see the half-breed again.
Until then,
King
P.S. Tell Laura her baby girl has bloomed into a lovely young lady, but alas, she has fallen into sordid company. Without my intervention, I’m afraid her future appears bleak.
Charley handed the note back. “I thought she was going to find Bear Fang’s people.”
“So did we, but apparently, she got waylaid.”
“Jean Paul going?”
“No, I don’t think he could talk her into coming home.”
“Why not?”
May leaned back and looked off.
Shortly she rocked forward and turned toward him. “She ran off the very night she got your letter, dear. I don’t think she’ll come back if anyone but you fetches her.”
Tears welled. Why had he written that stupid letter? He’d ruined Lacey Rose’s life. His, too. Hadn’t a day or night gone by he hadn’t thought of her kissing him. She was so much more than just kin, and he needed to tell her. Beseech her to come home. “Oh, Lord.”
“What?”
“I can’t go. I promised Uncle Henry I’d come back. The Yankees are in Brownsville, and they already attacked Laredo once. Far as I know, they could be marching on San Antonio as we speak.”
Gasping, she placed her hand on her heart and bowed her head. “Father God in Heaven, faithful protector, dispatch your angels to keep our men safe. Rout the enemy and chase them all the way out of Texas. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” She looked up and took his hand. “We thought you might say as much.”