by Dee Burks
Ten minutes later they were roaming the house’s ground floor. Somehow Samantha remembered it being bigger too. Strange how everything shrinks as you grow up, everything except Taos.
Her memory of the Williams home rendered a tidier image than the present one too. Dust now hovered in every corner, beckoning a long absent broom. Cob webs dangled here and there, swaying with the occasional draft. She had difficulty determining the original color of a few of the rugs too, as they all seemed to be the same shade of dirt brown. Why didn’t Taos have this house cleaned by the same person he had cleaning her cabin?
She placed the tulips in a large mason jar on the kitchen table. They were bright and cheery and made the rest of the house look that much worse.
Tommy talked, explaining the use of each room and adding other interesting information. Amused and intrigued by his narration, Samantha let him explain every detail to her. A doorway under the stairs was their next stop.
“That goes to my Pa’s office.” He stood aside, allowing her to enter first. “We’re not supposed to be in here for anything ’cause he keeps important papers and special things in here.”
The large, cluttered desk took up most of the room. Samantha strolled slowly around, absorbing every detail. Maybe there were clues that would hint at the changes in Taos. Walking behind the desk, she could feel his essence in the room, her skin rippled with goose bumps as she examined the books on the shelves. It was as if he were watching.
Gardening books, etiquette guides, and a variety of classic novels were among the titles—an eclectic mix to be sure. She pulled one of the many volumes on roses out and blew the dust off the top. The leather spine cracked as she opened the cover. The pages were yellowed, and inside the cover, in sprawling handwriting, “Elizabeth Williams, 1852” was written. Taos’s mother. Samantha had been very young when she’d died, and she couldn’t really remember anything about her. She replaced the book, feeling a little like an intruder, and looked at the mess on the desk. Papers scattered across the entire surface and hung off the sides. There were even some papers littering the floor behind the desk and sticking out of a few of the drawers. If there were clues to Taos’s behavior in that chaos, it would take her a lifetime to find them.
Samantha ran her fingers along the back of the leather chair. The room smelled like him, a combination of leather and spice, a scent uniquely his. Or at least this was the smell of the Taos she remembered. Very masculine, compassionate, and comforting. She longed for the old Taos. The one who carried her home after she fell off a horse and twisted her ankle when she was nine. He talked softly to her the whole way and teased until she was smiling again. He also comforted her when her parents died, sitting with her for hours while she cried. That person had to still be there, somewhere.
Tommy walked over to the small secretary adjacent to the door and opened a small drawer. “This is the ’mergency stuff.”
Samantha peered in. There was a gun and a small box.
“The gun’s loaded and we’re not supposed to touch it. Unless it’s a ’mergency, of course. Do you know how to shoot?”
“No, do you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” His small face radiated with pride.” My pa taught me when I was five.”
“Maybe you could teach me.”
“Sure I could. Everybody needs to know how to shoot.”
“What’s in the box?”
The boy popped open the lid. “Money.”
Her eyes opened wide. A lot of money. What kind of emergencies did Taos expect?
He snapped the box shut and closed the drawer.
“How about something to eat?” she asked, “I’m kind of hungry.”
“Me too.” Tommy disappeared down the hall.
She prepared a small meal for the two of them from left-over bacon and biscuits. They sat at the table together. “I bought some chocolate for cookies at the store.”
The boy listened and chewed, his mouth stuffed.
“I thought I might make some this afternoon.”
He swallowed. “I like cookies. Nate’s momma makes some white ones that are really good.”
“Who’s Nate?”
“My friend in town. I stay with him sometimes and he stays with me sometimes.”
They ate in silence for a while.
“I never had nobody that made cookies just for me. Maybe I could give Nate some.”
The boy was very matter of fact, but moisture threatened Samantha’s eyes. “I’ll make some extra.” She may not be here long, but while she was, Tommy would at least have someone who cared enough to make cookies just for him.
Once the food was devoured, the two spent the afternoon stirring and mixing, and then waiting anxiously as a heavenly chocolate aroma filled the kitchen. Tommy ate most of the first batch and several spoonfuls of dough out of the bowl for the second batch when he thought she wasn’t looking. They piled the last survivors on a plate and covered them with a towel.
“There’s still some stuff you haven’t seen, if you want.” He motioned her outside.
What she really wanted was a nap, but she didn’t dare turn down the invitation. She ignored the dishes in the washtub and followed Tommy out the back door. The tour of the barn was uneventful and hot as the afternoon waned. Except that Jimbo apparently decided that he needed to smell every inch of her new calico dress. The dog almost knocked her down twice in his excitement. Friendly had been an understatement.
A short time later they neared the house again. Tommy said, “That’s pretty much it, except for the flower garden.”
“Flower garden?” The type of flower garden these men would have created conjured the vision of a single mound with one dirty daisy sticking out of the parched earth.
“I have to water it every day so they don’t die, with the water being so low and all.” He started off toward the creek.
They walked a few hundred yards along the bank, coming to a protected area with several trees surrounded on three sides by a small bluff. As they pushed through a row of low bushes; Samantha caught her breath and stared. She was surrounded by roses just starting their fall bloom. Some red, some pink, even a few yellow. Honeysuckle ringed the area, infusing the air with sweet freshness. Wildflowers bloomed in the open patches by the dozens. The air buzzed with the hum of insect wings as sweet fragrances wafted toward her. “Who planted this?”
“My pa.”
“When?”
“When I was little.”
“Why?”
“Don’t know.”
Why would he do something like this? It was beautiful. Taos couldn’t have done this. Could he? She had a hard time even imagining the possibility. Her parents’ headstones flashed through her mind. The tulips. Charlie said he had done that too. Why?
She walked around the small garden, stopping to smell the various roses. She admired each one, from the climbing vines, to the small bushes. Tommy followed her patiently, like a nanny with his charge. At the end of the garden stood a wooden cross and a small white statue of an angel.
“Tommy, what’s this?”
He peered around her at the angel and shrugged. “An angel. Ain’t you ever seen one of those?”
“Yes, but why is it here?”
“Don’t know. Want to see the swimming hole?”
She nodded, still staring at the angel. Barely larger than a man’s hand, it was beautifully carved out of a white stone. The intricate work didn’t look like simple ornamentation, especially with the cross next to it. No inscription on the cross or on the angel statue offered any clues. Taos had to have put it here. She would ask Charlie about it.
Tommy had already started toward the swimming hole, and she had to run a few steps to catch up to him. He continued to chatter the whole way. “I don’t get to come to the swimming hole by myself.” He glanced back at her. “’Course, I ain’t by myself today.”
“I’m not by myself,” she corrected.
“’Course you ain’t. I’m here.”
She laughed. They’d have to work on that. She glanced down at the boy. He seemed thrilled to have a temporary playmate. Taos, Charlie, and Darren had done a good job. He had some manners and was polite. He just needed a little polish. They all did. Well, maybe a lot of polish.
The path was as familiar as if she had walked it yesterday. She and Darren had spent hours swimming here when she was little. As they entered the clearing, it was just as she remembered. The small pond was about fifty feet across with deep clear water, constantly fed from the creek. The largest tree leaned out over the water’s edge. A long rope from one thick limb tempted even the most hesitant person on a hot summer day.
Small dark black tadpoles wiggled at the water’s edge and the pointed nose of a turtle appeared then disappeared out of sight under one of the overhanging tree limbs. The pool drew a large number of animals, and three-toed bird tracks mingled with cattle hooves in the surrounding mud.
“I used to swim here almost every day with your Uncle Darren when I was little.”
Tommy looked shocked. “You can swim?”
“Sure, can’t you?”
“Pa always says he’ll teach me every summer, but he never does.” He hung his head.
Samantha thought for a moment. “Well, there’s a reason he had to wait, you know.”
“For what?”
She had his full attention. “For the magic of seven. I’m sure you’ve heard about it.”
His small head shook no.
“Well, when a boy . . . er, man, is seven, there is a special magic that happens.”
“What kind of magic?”
“The kind of magic that lets you float on the water. So it’s easier to learn to swim.”
“Really?” His voice squeaked with excitement.
“Really. I can prove it if you want to learn right now.”
Tommy shed clothes, throwing them to the left and right until he stood in front of her in his underwear.
He’s certainly not shy, she thought. Samantha grinned and caught the back the hem of her dress, tucking it into her waistband. She pulled off her shoes and stockings and they waded out together to knee-deep water. The mud squished between her toes and the cool water lapped against her bare calves. She felt the slight tickle of a fish nibbling on her leg. It had been years since she waded into a pond, but it was tremendous. She stopped a few yards from shore. “This is a good place to start.”
Tommy nodded, eyeing the deeper water warily.
She instructed him to lie back, and he followed her every word. She talked smoothly as she supported him in the water and gradually let go until he was floating on his own. “See, you’re doing it!”
He popped up out of the water, splashing wildly. “I did it, I did it!”
They spent the better part of an hour going through the basics of dog paddling until he felt comfortable going in the deep water. Jimbo joined them, splashing and celebrating each of Tommy’s accomplishments. As the sun slid toward the horizon Tommy dressed, and they walked back to the house hand in hand.
Samantha spotted Taos leaning against the porch railing. She had that urge to be nice again, but squelched it. She had a few words for him concerning Tommy first. The boy ran up the steps when he spotted his father.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the magic of seven?”
Taos turned a confused frown toward Samantha. “What magic?”
The boy heaved a frustrated sigh that said grownups were a few bricks shy sometimes. “The magic that lets you float so you can learn to swim. She told me,” he jutted a thumb at Samantha, “and sure enough I can swim just fine. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Uh, forgot I guess.” Taos raised a questioning eyebrow and smiled a little when she shrugged.
“Old people sure forget a lot.” The boy trouped through the back door. Charlie and Darren both dodged him on their way out.
Taos stared at her. How did she go and do in one afternoon what he had put off for two years? He was impressed, and a little annoyed. Teaching a boy to swim was something a father did. She didn’t even ask if he would mind. Not to mention the fact that they had been missing for the better part of the afternoon. He had paced the porch for more than half an hour, wondering where they could be. Her nose had a little color and small wispy strands of hair floated across her face.
“What made you decide to take it up on yourself to—” His voice had an irritated edge, but he couldn’t help it. Anything could have happened to them.
“What?” She climbed the steps and stood less than a foot away, intentionally crowding him. “Spend time with your son?”
He opened his mouth, but she cut him off again.
“The son you left here by himself so he wouldn’t get in your way?” She poked a finger at his chest.
He backed up as she moved forward.
“The son you have made numerous promises to, only to welch on them?”
“My son is my business, and I don’t welch on anything.” He stopped his retreat and growled, “If I wanted your help—”
“You’re getting it anyway.” She whispered harshly, not wanting Tommy to hear. “Whether you want it or not, Tommy needs me. Even if I’m only his friend, it’s more than you have apparently been lately.”
Charlie and Darren stood perfectly still, and watched like spectators at a gun fight. Under normal circumstances, they would be the first to jump to Taos’s defense. The risk of drawing that kind of female wrath, however, kept them both quiet.
“What makes you think you can just go off and not tell anyone where you’re going?”
Samantha smiled and stepped closer. “Why, were you worried?”
“No,” he lied. “It’s just inconsiderate and irresponsible.”
“Kind of like a man that makes promises to a boy and doesn’t follow through?”
Darren finally offered the first olive branch. “S-So how was town?”
His attempt to change the subject was met with three glares of varying intensity.
“I found it highly educational.” Samantha said saucily and brushed past Taos into the house.
Taos stared at Charlie, who refused to meet his gaze. The door banged as Taos followed her in.
“Wh-What did she mean educational?” Darren’s question seemed to bounce off his brother.
Charlie looked out at the sunset and heaved a deep sigh. “God hates me today. That’s what she meant.” The back door slammed behind him.
Jimbo bounded up the stairs, and Darren bent down to scratch the dog’s large ears. “Why is it I never know what’s going on around here?”
Chapter 10
Tension battled with the mouthwatering aromas that soon filled the kitchen. Everyone waited with a combination of dread and anticipation, like spectators at a hanging. Tommy didn’t seem to notice, and he babbled incessantly at Samantha.
“Tomorrow we can go fishin’ if you want. I know where to find the biggest worms anywhere.” He pulled a chair up next to her as she mixed up some cornbread.
“Where’s that?” She asked, smiling at his excitement.
“Under the cow patties.”
She laughed and glanced sideways at the table where all three men sat. The unasked questions were having an effect. One man simmered, one was confused, and one looked like he was headed to the gallows. Aunt Mattie always said that sometimes silence screams louder than words. Right again. Let ’em stew a while.
Samantha turned her attention back to Tommy.
“Did you really used to get into lots of trouble?” He waited for an answer.
“Oh yes. I was sent to my room all the time.” She slid the cornbread into the oven and wiped her hands on a towel. “Sometimes it was worth it, though.”
His mouth dropped open. “You mean you got in trouble on purpose?”
“Sometimes.”
“Why?”
“Well, if I was doing something to help someone else feel better, or keep them out of trouble, that was usually worth the punishment.” She paused fo
r a moment then turned toward him to make sure that everyone in the room could hear her. “Of course, there are other times it’s okay to get into trouble, too.”
“Like when?”
“When it’s the only way to make someone realize they’re wrong about something.”
Taos frowned, Charlie sank lower. Darren glanced back and forth between the brothers.
“Why wouldn’t you just tell them they were wrong?” Tommy’s logic was so simple it hurt.
“Some people just refuse to listen. If they won’t listen, that doesn’t leave much choice.”
The muscle in Taos’s cheek twitched and his teeth ground together. He watched Samantha’s skirts sway as she turned to heap mashed potatoes in one bowl and green beans flavored with bacon and onions in another. She had something to say and it was obvious that she was making him squirm on purpose. He had to gain control of this tendency she had of tuning every situation against him. Taos purposely practiced patience in his dealings with people and used it to his advantage many times.
Why didn’t it work with her? Well, maybe it would work, but he couldn’t seem to scrape together enough coherent thoughts around her to find out. One look, even one word and she had him playing her game. His gaze bored into her back then slid down over her hips. Closing his eyes, he inhaled a long breath. It would be much easier if she wasn’t so . . . distracting. He rubbed his chest where her finger had poked him. He had to stop letting her touch him. It scrambled his brain until all he wanted to do was touch her back.
He’d already decided she wasn’t leaving, no matter what, until he found out what she was up to. At least that’s what he told himself. But it was more than that. When he came home and she wasn’t there it bothered him much more than he’d let on—and not just because of Tommy. But being in the same house presented some issues. They needed to talk about some rules, maybe. Establish some boundaries and distance between the two of them.
Taos half-listened as his son explained the finer points of fishing. Samantha smiled and nodded at the little chatterbox. Taos would pay good money to see her smile like that at him. The lilac dress highlighted every curve and stretched tight over the most interesting parts. He closed his eyes again. A dip in the creek and a stiff shot of whiskey were the only things that were going to help him at this rate.