“This young lady is Annie, Rachel’s daughter,” Matt said.”
“Ma died and went up to heaven,” Annie whispered with tears filling her eyes.
Matt picked her up and sat her on his knee. “She’s happy where she is, I’m sure of it.”
“God has a beautiful garden up in heaven,” Steve said. “She’ll be sweetest flower of all.”
“Lily said she was an angel.”
“Well, that too, sweetheart.” Steve’s voice was so full of compassion Lily felt her eyes moisten. There was something special about this man. He was indeed God’s messenger. She didn’t doubt it for a single moment.
The bread was delicious, still warm enough for the butter to melt. Ruth had added a generous amount of cream to the coffee, leaving Lily to put in her own sugar.
Matt drank his coffee black and unsweetened. His white teeth flashed against his tanned skin as he bit into his bread. “Beautiful, your wife makes the best bread in the whole of Texas.”
“I know, there’s nothing my darling woman can’t do.” The loving glances exchanged by the couple caused Lily’s heart to ache. No man would ever look at her that way. After the six months with Matt was up, she would have no more to do with men; she would remain a spinster for the rest of her days.
After two cups of coffee and two slices of bread Freddie said. “How about we get Matt and Lily hitched. I’ll need to be leaving soon. Pa will have my hide if I’m late.”
Chapter Ten
They adjourned to the parlor and waited while Steve went to get his bible. Standing next to Matt in front of Steve, Lily felt like a hypocrite, and Matt appeared equally ill at ease.
It was a farce, which had to be done for Annie’s sake. The child would have been happy with Ruth and Steve, who were good people like Matt had said, when he told her about his initial plan to leave Annie with them. They were still young enough to have children of their own, whereas Matt was blood, and no matter how loving these people would be, it wasn’t the same.
“Do you have a ring?” Steve asked.
Matt nodded.
“Place it on the bible so I can bless it.”
Matt fumbled around in his pocket, retrieved a shiny gold band and placed it on the open bible.
“Lord, bless this ring and the groom who is offering it, and the bride who is accepting it. May they have many years of happiness.”
Lily had to force herself not to bolt from the room. It was a short, sweet ceremony given to imposters by a caring man of God. She was the one who had laid down the terms of their marriage. Matt’s only sin was agreeing to them.
Matt’s hands were warm as he slipped the narrow gold band on to her finger. He must have bought it in Houston, she decided.
After they were pronounced man and wife, Steve said. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Matt lowered his head and kissed Lily on the mouth. When she didn’t draw back he deepened the kiss and heat shot through her body. It wasn’t distasteful, in fact she liked it.
“Hey, that’s enough you two,” Freddie said. “There’s plenty of time for that later.” They quickly separated at Freddie’s words.
Lily couldn’t believe how bereft she felt when Matt stepped away.
“I got to be off, where do I sign?” Freddie asked.
Mathias Albert Brayshaw and Lily Sarah Reardon were now man and wife.
After the signing was completed everyone hugged and kissed. Matt picked Annie up and swung her around.
“You’ve got a good man there, Lily. Make sure you look after him,” Freddie said. “If Pa didn’t keep me so busy I would have got hitched to him myself.”
Everyone laughed, although Lily wondered if there had ever been anything between them. Dressed in feminine clothes, Freddie would be a beautiful young woman.
“Well, I’m off. I’ll see you on the way back.” She glanced at Steve and Ruth. “Look after Lily won’t you, cowboy?” She gave a saucy grin and walked off with a slight sway of her buckskin covered hips.
“She’s a nice girl,” Ruth said. “It’s a shame Sam doesn’t appreciate her more.”
“He’s a strange man.” Steve stroked his chin.
“He’s as hard as nails on those girls,” Matt said. “I think Billy getting injured sent him a bit loco.”
“Well, Sam did return home from the war with a son who’d had some of his brain blown away and blubbering like a baby.” Ruth bustled around pouring another round of coffee. “He found his wife sick and the three girls running wild. It would be enough to send any man loco.”
“It’s tragic,” Lily said.
“Yeah well, he didn’t need to be as hard on them as he was. Billy isn’t too bad now, a bit slow witted, but such a hard and willing worker he could let up on them a little. All three of those girls will be old maids if he isn’t careful,” Matt said.
“There’s three daughters?” Lily asked.
“Yes.” Ruth pointed to the coffee as she spoke. “Winifred, Freddie, who just witnessed your marriage, Alexandra known as Alex and Alfreda known as Alfie.”
“What a pity they have to answer to men’s names.” Lily was shocked. It wasn’t right.
“I suppose they’re used to it,” Matt said. “I tell you this, they shoot and cuss better than any man I know.”
Once they finished their coffee they readied themselves to leave.
“Thank you so much for your kindness.” Lily hugged Ruth “and you, too.” She smiled at Steve.
“Our pleasure, beautiful lady.” Steve shook her hand. “Look after each other. Goodbye little Princess.” Steve squatted down next to Annie who had been strangely quiet, obviously overwhelmed with the happenings around her.
“I’m not a princess, I’m a girl.” She pouted as she spoke.
“And a mighty pretty one.” Steve patted her cheek.
“Goodbye, darling. Make sure Uncle Matt brings you over soon.” Ruth kissed Annie’s cheek.
“I sure will, thanks for everything. Lily and I are much obliged.”
Steve and Ruth walked on to the porch with them. “Think about what I said, Matt, I’ve got a preacher friend who would help.”
“I will.” Matt lifted Annie up and turned to get Lily who had already started to climb up by herself. She didn’t want him touching her in case he realized what effect his strong, warm hands had on her body. It would be so easy to fall in love with him. It wouldn’t do. She would be leaving him in six months. Why make things harder for herself?
She turned and waved to the McDonalds. “How long will it take to get to your place?”
“We should be home before supper.”
“I liked your friends.”
“Me too, me too,” Annie piped up.
“They’re good people. Maybe I could have....”
“No, she wants you, Matt.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she said so.”
“When?”
“You were talking with Steve, and Freddie asked if she’d like to live with Ruth. And she said. No, I want to live with Uncle Matt and Lily.”
“I only want what’s best for her.”
They drove along in silence for a time. When Annie slumped against her, Lily knew it was time for the little girl to have a lie down in the back of the wagon. For one so young she had been through so much tragedy.
Matt slowed the horses down to a walk and Lily helped Annie climb into the back.
“Have a rest, darling, then you’ll be refreshed for when we get to Uncle Matt’s ranch.
After Annie was settled, Lily twisted in her seat so she could face Matt. “What did Steve want you to think about?”
He didn’t answer for a minute or two. “I told him how bad I felt about leaving Rachel’s body in New Orleans. I hated it, but I had to get Annie away.”
Lily unclenched his hand. “It must have been awful for you. Maybe you could bring her back home to rest among friends.”
“That’s what Steve said, and I am thinking a
bout it.”
“You should do it in my opinion, not only for yourself, also for Annie, who can then visit her mother’s grave whenever she feels the need.”
“You’re a good person, Lily.” He squeezed her hand.
“I don’t know about that.”
“Yes, you are.”
They lapsed into silence.
At about the half way mark, they stopped to rest the horses and to share the buttered biscuits Ruth had supplied.
“I could light us a fire,” Matt said.
She knew he was anxious to get home. “No, this cold tea is all I need.” She took hold of Annie’s hand and they walked over to a large tree to get the benefit of the shade. Lily hadn’t looked in the mirror, but her face would probably be sunburnt.
Chapter Eleven
The sun was setting like a giant red ball behind the hills when they passed through the wooden archway leading to Matt’s ranch. A battered sign nailed across the top simply read ‘Brayshaw Ranch’
In the distance Lily saw several wooden buildings all weathered to grey by the years and the elements. Cattle and horses dotted the paddocks.
The ranch house was what she was most interested in. It was a single story wooden structure with two dormer windows peeping out from a shingle covered roof. There was a red brick chimney at one side and a matching one at the back. As far as she could ascertain, a porch ran across the front and along either side. There were no flower beds, only scattered bushes and a few trees.
“A rocking chair, Uncle Matt!” Annie said excitedly. “We had one once. Ma used to sit in it holding me and singing songs.”
“Well, darlin’, I can hold you in the rocking chair. Even for you I wouldn’t sing.”
Lily laughed, feeling relieved now their journey was over. “What you’re saying is you can’t sing.”
“Yes.” He grinned.
Once they pulled up in the front yard, Matt jumped down and lifted Annie out. He turned to help Lily who had already climbed down by herself. He dropped the luggage on the ground. “You two go into the house, I’ll be back later. I want to check in with the men and see to the horses.”
Grasping Annie’s hand Lily marched toward the house. Surely she wasn’t upset because Matt hadn’t offered to carry her across the threshold of her new home? Well, her temporary home.
She pushed open the front door and entered straight into a small parlor. The interior was similar to Steve and Ruth’s place, except for the large fireplace down one end. How cozy it would be here in winter. There were no mats covering the bare boards, which were stained to a rich honey color.
A deer’s head with long antlers was fixed above the fireplace. A couple of tanned cow hides were fastened to one wall. It was tidy although dusty and masculine looking, desperately in need of a woman’s touch.
She removed Annie’s bonnet, then her own, and placed them on a brown leather armchair. As they proceeded further into the house she checked each room they passed. There was a large main bedroom with a huge double bed, and a smaller room with a single bed. The temptation to check the contents of the large chest of drawers in the main bedroom was almost beyond endurance. It would be a gross invasion of Matt’s privacy and she couldn’t do it.
“I like it here,” Annie said giving a couple of excited little skips. “Ma used to live here once.” The child’s eyes clouded over, and her face fell at the realization her mother was gone. Lily inwardly wept for the little girl.
“How about we get a fire going in the kitchen and get the coffee pot on for Uncle Matt. I’m sure he could do with a drink.”
The kitchen was large enough to hold a pine table with six matching chairs and a dresser. A few pots and pans hung from a board above the fire. Once again the place was dusty. Did the old timers who worked for Matt usually eat here she wondered.
An iron box sitting on the hearth held kindling wood and fire tongs. The stove had been laid out ready, all she had to do was light it.
“I wonder if there is any wood cut up outside. Let’s go have a look. If there are chickens we might be able to gather a few eggs for supper.” Chances were there would be some foodstuffs in the kitchen dresser. Maybe Matt had a root cellar?
A pile of neatly cut logs rested outside the door. There was also a well close by. No garden, just like the front. Numerous chickens scratched around in the dirt in a large wire enclosure. She could do a lot of things with eggs, and without vanity knew she was a good housekeeper. I’ve had plenty of practice and from a young age she thought with a tinge of bitterness. Aunt Mildred demanded high standards and she herself was a great believer in the quote – if you can’t do a job properly, what’s the point in doing it at all.
By the time she heard Matt’s booted feet on the back porch, the coffee was ready and she had made pancakes. Beans were simmering in a pan and eggs, collected by Annie, were ready to be cracked and fried.
“Something smells good,” Matt said. “My two girls have been busy.”
“I got the eggs from the chickens, Uncle Matt. Lily showed me how to find them.”
“Clever Annie and clever Lily.” He grinned broadly, obviously happy to be home.
“Come in boys, don’t be shy. They don’t bite.”
An elderly, slightly stooped man, with grey whiskers stepped into the kitchen.
“Ladies, meet Harry he used to be the best wrangler in Texas.”
“Howdy, Ma’am, young ‘un.”
“Good evening, Harry, I’m pleased to meet you. You’ll have supper with us won’t you?”
“If it’s not too much bother, Ma’am, thanking you kindly. I’m sick of cooking.”
“Cooking? Is that what you call it? Howdy Ma’am I’m Pedro. And who’s this pretty little gal?”
“Good evening Pedro.”
He was a short wiry looking man obviously of Mexican descent.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Matt. Didn’t think you’d ever get yourself hog tied.”
“It’s not much of a meal, although there’s plenty of it,” Lily said apologetically. “Just eggs, beans and pancakes. There wasn’t time for anything else. Do you have a root cellar, Matt?”
“Yes, I do. It’s on the back porch, I’ll show you in the morning. It’s dark out now.”
“You men sit down. Now, I don’t want you to change anything because I’m here. It’s to be business as usual, understand?”
The men nodded. She sensed their approval was tempered with wariness. She realized it might take a little time to get their wholehearted support.
“See, boys, hitched for only a couple of days and she rules me with an iron fist.”
Everyone laughed, even Annie who wouldn’t understand what he meant. It would be easy to grow fond of this place and the men. She couldn’t allow herself the luxury. Six months, she inwardly reminded herself, then you’ll be gone. It broke her heart thinking about it.
After Pedro and Harry left to return to the bunkhouse, Lily cleared up the dishes. Matt hovered around, moving from one foot to the other, obviously not knowing whether to offer to help or not.
“I’m all right here, Annie can help me. You go off and do some bookwork or whatever else you normally do.”
“I can help. I can dry dishes, Uncle Matt.”
“I’m sure you can. Thanks, I do have a bit of catching up to do. Oh, you and Annie have the main bedroom I’ll move my stuff into the single room.”
“It doesn’t seem fair forcing you out of your room.”
“There’s no other choice except.” He snapped his fingers. “You and I share the double bed and Annie has the single one.” He laughed at her shocked gasp.
“I don’t mind sleeping alone, I’m used to it.” He strode out of the room leaving her fuming. He had baited her on purpose.
“Are you angry with Uncle Matt?”
“Of course not, I’ve just got a few things to think about. Will you mind sharing a double bed with me?”
“No, Ma and I slept together after Pa left. I
didn’t like him even if he was my Pa coz he made Ma cry. Sometimes he hit her.” Annie’s eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, darling.” Lily leaned down and took hold of the little girl’s hand. “You don’t have to worry anymore. Uncle Matt is a good kind man, he’d never hurt you or let anyone else hurt you, either.”
That night Lily slept soundly in the large, comfortable bed with Annie curled up beside her. She loved this sweet child as much as if she was her own flesh and blood.
She heard Matt prowling around at first light. He was obviously preparing for an early day. Carefully, she eased herself out of bed. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she tip-toed out of the room and padded into the kitchen.
Matt was at the table eating a left over pancake from last night.
“You should have told me you were getting up early, I could have had breakfast ready.
“Oh, Lily.” He jumped up from the chair. “I didn’t want to bother you.” He stared at her and his eyes blazed. “Er, um, can’t you cover yourself a little more?”
She glanced down at her lace trimmed cotton nightgown and clutched the shawl a little closer to her breasts. “Sorry.” She stood in the doorway ready to do what? Run? She couldn’t move to save her life.
Matt had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up, and the top two buttons undone, allowing her to see the strong column of his throat and the start of a sprinkling of body hair. She had never seen this much of his bare skin before.
“Your shirt is unbuttoned.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t expect to be entertaining a beautiful woman, did I?” He quickly did up the buttons.
“I’ll cook you breakfast.”
“Don’t bother thanks, Pedro always brings some grub with him. We’ll be back late for supper. Help yourself to anything in the root cellar. Can you milk a cow?”
“Yes. Of course.” She was affronted he thought otherwise.
“Good, I’ll be off then.”
Lily stepped back to let him pass, but their bodies touched and awareness shot through her.
“Hell and damnation,” he muttered. He had obviously felt the connection also.
Lily Page 6