Red River Rifles (Wilderness Dawning—the Texas Wyllie Brothers Series Book 1)

by Dorothy Wiley

  Samuel grabbed hold of her hand and took her aside. “Happy?” he asked. He gave her a warm affectionate smile that made him even more handsome.

  “You know I am. Not just for me, but for Adam too.” She glanced over at her brother who sat on the floor, in front of the cheery hearth fire, playing with the pup. “Adam has never known happiness and comfort like this. For the first time I can remember, neither one of us is hungry or worried about our next meal. We’re wearing clean clothes, thanks to you, and we’re warm, and surrounded by our new family and friends. I feel incredibly blessed.”

  “Me too. I never expected to marry, much less marry a woman as fine as you, Louisa. Every time I gaze into your eyes, I am overcome by your goodness. By your inner strength. And by your beauty. I promise I’ll move heaven and earth for you, just tell me where you want it.”

  She giggled and said, “Samuel, you make me so happy.”

  “I want to dress you in happiness and wrap you in a cloak of love. I’ll spend the rest of my days striving to make you even happier than you are now.”

  “I am looking forward to each and every one of those days.”

  He smiled with joy and hugged her to him.

  The feel of his strong arms wrapped around her and his fresh, clean scent reminded her of something she wanted to ask. “Samuel, I’ve been a bit worried about something. Is Adam going to spend the night here, in your bunk? I assume you’ll be joining me in my bed at the apothecary.” The thought sent shivers rippling down her back and a flush racing up her neck and onto her face, but she forced herself to continue. “We obviously can’t have Adam there too. And it’s an awfully little bed, but I suppose we could sleep on our sides. However, it’s not terribly private since its part of Baldy’s clinic.”

  “No and no,” he chuckled, “although the idea of curling up next to you in a small bed actually holds a good deal of appeal. We will have a room all to ourselves.”

  “Where?”

  “Above the horse shed. Remember the door at the top of the stairs? It leads to a rather large room. Melly and the others have prepared it for us. We're going to live there until we get our home built.”

  Louisa exhaled with relief. “Thank goodness!” She wasn’t exactly sure what went on in the marriage bed, but she had a good idea, and she knew it required privacy. A strange heat surged through her as she thought about loving Samuel up there. In fact, just standing close to him was making her pulse quicken and her lashes flap against her still flushed cheeks.

  “I want to start building our home this week. Just as soon as my brothers and I can get the timber cut and hauled here. In the morning we can discuss the design and sketch it out. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll go to the trading post and order windows and boards for the floor to be shipped from Natchitoches. You can go with me and order whatever furniture you want and anything else you’ll need. The owners of the trading posts accumulate orders for traveling furniture salesmen. It might take many months to get it here, but it will all arrive eventually.”

  She’d just learned something about her new husband. He certainly wasn’t a procrastinator.

  “Do you have the funds for all that?” she asked. “Windows and floorboards must be expensive. And I can’t even imagine the cost of a cabin full of furniture.”

  “Yes, I have the funds. Remember, I’ve been saving for a long time. And once I deliver the cattle to the Arkansas Post, I’ll have even more.”

  “I remember. I believe it was $14.00 a head profit.”

  “That’s right.” He frowned for a moment. “I was looking forward to that cattle drive, but not anymore. I’ll hate being away from you.”

  “You’ll be so busy the time will pass quickly. And while you’re there at the Post, you can buy us pots, linens, other necessities, and…”

  Samuel chuckled. “I can see I’ll have to hire an extra hand just to drive our supply wagon.”

  She could hardly contain her excitement at the prospect of having a home and furniture of her own. “Will I have a kitchen like Melly has? And a hearth? Will we have a porch to sit on and watch the sun rise or set? Will Adam have his own room?”

  Samuel smiled down at her. “You may have whatever you want. And Adam certainly can have a room with us if you want him to. But I’ve given it some thought, and I would advise against moving Adam in with us. I spoke to him and gave him a choice between staying with the Grants or moving in with us. He’s content to stay with the Grants, especially now that he has a puppy to keep him company. He needs stability in his life, and the Grants are both growing terribly close to him.”

  “I think the feeling is mutual.”

  “I’m sure you don’t know,” Samuel said with a lowered voice, “but Baldy and Melly’s only daughter died. Hopefully, since they have no other children of their own, they will come to think of Adam as a son. A son God sent to them.”

  She did know about their loss. Melly had told her that first day they were together. Louisa nodded, a mixture of sorrow and joy filling her. Sadness for the tragedy the Grants had experienced and joyfulness that Adam would have a home with Melly and Baldy. A home where he would be close to her and she would be able to see him every day. She glanced over at the Grants. They were both petting the puppy with Adam. As the two gazed down at Adam, the lines of sorrow etched on both their faces seemed to fade. “Adam loves both of them. And he’s learning so much from the good doctor. Baldy makes him study something every day.”

  “They are good people,” he said. “I’m so thankful the two of them decided to make the journey to the Province of Texas with us. My uncles and my sisters were all beside themselves with worry about my father coming here with four young sons. When Baldy and Melly, who were even then my father’s closest friends, decided to go along to help protect and care for us, it thrilled everyone, including me.”

  “Someday, I hope to meet the rest of your family, especially your sisters.”

  “You will, and Martha and Polly are going to love you. You’ll also meet Captain Sam and Catherine, William and Kelly, Bear and Artis, and Edward and Dora. And all their children and grandchildren. Not this Christmas, but next Christmas Father promises we will all return for a visit.”

  “That sounds so exciting. Adam and I have never really had a Christmas celebration.”

  “Aunt Catherine makes Christmas a merry, festive affair with lots of presents while Captain Sam makes sure we remember why we’re celebrating.”

  “I can’t wait! Speaking of presents, thank you for finding a pup for Adam. Sometimes you astound me with how kind you are. You are so good to both of us.”

  “I’ve only just begun to be good to you. Come with me.” He took her hand and hurried toward the horse shed. Just outside of it he said, “Wait here and close your eyes.”

  She did as he told her and waited, wondering what on earth he was up to. Surely he didn’t intend to go for a ride during their wedding celebration. Or maybe he had another pup hidden in the shed.

  “Open your eyes,” he said. She could hear the excitement in his voice.

  She opened her eyes and right in front of her was the prettiest little filly she had ever seen. The horse’s chestnut coat glowed, and her eyes looked kind. “Is she…”

  “Yes, she’s yours. All yours.”

  “Truly? Oh, Samuel. I didn’t think I could ever be any happier. But you just keep making me happier.” Her voice broke on the last few words.

  “Get used to it, my darling.”

  She first let the filly smell her hand and then Louisa hugged the mare’s neck. “I will cherish her. Thank you, Samuel.”

  “She’s extremely well-trained already. You can ride her into the settlement tomorrow and you’ll see.”

  “Oh Samuel, I can’t wait,” she said. “I’ll have to think of a good name for her.”

  He led the mare back inside to her stall.

  While he was gone, Louisa stood there shaking her head in amazement. Her life seemed so perfect now. A peace she’d never k
nown filled her. And she would swear her heart was smiling. Would it always be like this?

  Samuel hurried out of the shed and took her hand. “Let’s join the others and toast to our future.”

  “I’ve never toasted before.” There were so many things she’d never experienced before.

  He gave her that roguish look that always made her heart flutter. “Tonight, you’ll do something else you’ve never done before.”

  Chapter 24

  With their heads still on their pillows, Samuel turned toward Louisa the next morning and smiled at her. He’d shaved just before the wedding, but now a dark shadow of whiskers covered his strong jaw giving him a rugged, roguish look.

  Having slept better than she could ever remember, she sighed contentedly and marveled at how much her life had changed for the better.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Wyllie.” He breathed her name into the sensitive spot behind her ear.

  “Good morning, husband.”

  “You know, love is a grand thing. But making love is a magnificent thing.” He pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her.

  She had to agree. She couldn’t get enough of kissing his soft, warm lips and caressing his hard, muscular body. When he finished the long, deep kiss, she grinned happily and entwined a hand in his.

  Samuel sat up and drew her head against his chest. “Love inspires musicians to compose and sing songs. Love moves the quills of poets, playwrights, and novelists. And love inspires the paint strokes of artists. And nearly everyone else hopes love will find them. But you and I, Mrs. Wyllie, we have found love.”

  “I feel as though I am feasting on love,” she said.

  Samuel moved a strand of hair out of her eyes. “We are so fortunate to find such pleasure in each other’s arms. And I will never take that love for granted or the amazing feeling of joining with you.”

  “It’s almost a sacred act of sharing. Like giving yourself wholly and completely to the other person. We became two bodies linked by one soul.”

  “I know what you mean,” Samuel said. “It’s an expression of absolute trust and devotion. A special gift.”

  “And sometimes we get a gift back. Sometimes life is created,” she said. Even now she could have a life growing inside of her. The beautiful thought made her heart skip a beat. She looked forward to being a mother. A good mother.

  He kissed her again. “Yes, though I hope not too soon. I want sons and daughters, but I want you all to myself for a while.” He playfully nuzzled her neck.

  It tickled and made her giggle. Life with Samuel was going to be so much fun. And passionate. And loving. Last night, a surging tide of passion raced through both of them the first time they joined. They’d made love at a gallop, a thrilling ride that she would remember forever. Later, the second time, it was more of a slow, gentle lope, touchingly tender and unhurried. They’d learned, and explored, and caressed. But most of all, they’d loved.

  Both times, though, it was utterly exquisite.

  Her body still craved him, but it was time to begin preparations for their married life together. She’d come awake earlier than Samuel and lain there thinking about the layout of the home they would soon build. Samuel had said they would work on the plans for the cabin this morning and she wanted to be ready with her ideas. She would like the view from their kitchen window to be of the sunrise so she could see morning’s dawn spread across the sky as she began her day. And she wanted the view from their front porch to be of the sunset so they could sit together at the end of each day and watch the sun go down. There was something so special about the last light at day’s end. As though God saved the best for last.

  Below them, she heard the high-pitched nickering and neighing of hungry horses that seemed to be saying, get in here and feed me now! Steve, who usually fed and cared for the horses, must be approaching. He would give them some grain and then let them out to graze.

  “We need to dress and then, after breakfast, sketch out the house plans,” Samuel said, sitting up.

  “I already have some ideas,” she said.

  “Good. I’ll get ready first and meet you outside. We can sketch it out in the mud with a stick first. Then we have a desk with paper and quill in the upstairs loft.”

  “I’ll join you as soon as I wash up a bit and fix my hair.”

  “Here’s how I fix my hair.” Smiling broadly, he combed his fingers through his hair and plopped his hat on his head.

  Louisa shook her head. “Men have it so much easier than women.”

  Samuel and Louisa glanced up from their house plans when they heard the drumming of hoofbeats approaching at a rapid gait. Samuel stood and glanced down over the loft rail.

  Everyone, including Old Bill, had been having a second cup of coffee at the table. At the sound of the riders drawing near they all stood at once and went to the front portals.

  “What is it?” he asked them. “Who’s coming?”

  His father and Baldy peered out the two left front portholes. His brothers jostled for positions in front of the other slits on the right side of the front wall.

  “Spanish soldiers, riding at a gallop,” his father said. “About twenty of them. Arm yourselves!”

  Samuel’s heart raced. Spanish soldiers often meant trouble for settlers. In San Antonio de Bexar, Arredondo’s forces arrested three hundred of the townspeople suspected of being revolutionaries. They were crowded into a single adobe building on a hot August night and then shot the next morning without trial.

  He hurried down the stairs, followed by Louisa. He peered out the portal where his father stood.

  The soldiers rode two across until they neared the cabin. Then, with a hand signal from their leader, the troops spread out and formed a semi-circle in front of the cabin before bringing their horses to an abrupt halt.

  Samuel swiftly loaded his flintlock weapons with fresh powder. Then he loaded a pistol for Louisa and gave it to her. “If the need arises, use it.”

  She nodded. “Take care, Samuel. I can’t lose you.”

  “Let me talk to them,” Old Bill said. “I speak Spanish.”

  Father nodded. “We’ll be right behind you.”

  Old Bill stepped out onto the porch, and the rest of the men stood behind him, just inside the door.

  The trapper cheerfully greeted the soldiers in Spanish, but their demeanor remained unfriendly.

  The heavily armed soldiers held bayonet-tipped rifles. The bayonets glinted menacingly in the bright early morning sun. The primary benefit of bayonets was often its impact on morale, a clear signal to a foe of a willingness to kill brutally at close quarters. Long swords also hung from their sides. They wore fine blue uniforms trimmed with red. White shoulder straps crisscrossed the front of their uniforms, and large feathered hats sat upon their heads.

  Despite their splendid uniforms, they all appeared to be men who had not stepped across the line of gallantry. He suspected some wouldn’t even know the meaning of the word much less live by it. They were just about the roughest looking bunch of men he’d seen anywhere. They looked more like bandits than soldiers. He wouldn’t doubt that many of them chose service in the Spanish army over imprisonment or were poorly trained peasants. Even so, they presented two extremely real threats—weapons and numbers.

  Their leader spoke up and Old Bill translated, speaking loudly so they could all hear.

  “We have just come from Nacogdoches. We are here investigating the treachery of one Herman H. Long, Commander of insurgent forces at Camp Freeman at Nacogdoches. He is an agent of political discord and illicit trade. His insurgents in Nacogdoches just suffered a disastrous defeat and we, of course, were victorious. And now, we want to bring Commander Long to justice as well.”

  Justice! Samuel sneered. Their idea of justice was a firing squad without benefit of a trial.

  Old Bill translated and then paused to allow the leader to speak again.

  “Commander Long was seen recently in this settlement, often in the company of a man named P
ate. They were both committing treason by seeking to recruit followers to their cause of revolution.”

  Samuel glanced at Louisa whose face had gone pale.

  He wondered who in the settlement had informed on Pate and Long to the Spanish Royalist officials. Likely it was someone they bribed to be their informant.

  After Old Bill translated, the Spaniard asked, “Where is Commander Long?” The man’s horse stomped a front hoof into the mud.

  “I have never spoken to or seen Commander Long,” Old Bill said, “although I have heard of his harassment of this family.”

  Clever answer, Samuel thought. It was the truth, after all.

  The Spaniard, however, seemed displeased with that answer. His face grew angry and his voice grew hotter as he said, “We are told Mr. Pate’s daughter and son live here and he may be here as well.”

  Old Bill said, “Mr. Pate was killed by a Caddo Indian brave two days ago. We can show you his fresh grave. It is about an hour away. His daughter and young son are here. But they had nothing to do with their father’s activities. They have been working here at the Wyllie ranchero for some time.”

  “I will see to Señorita Pate later.”

  Old Bill said, “She’s a Señora now. Mrs. Wyllie.”

  The leader shrugged dismissively after Old Bill translated. “We are also here to question a man by the name of Dr. Grant. We have been informed that he is preaching the protestant faith on Spanish soil. Again, that is treasonous, and it is also sacrilegious.”

  Behind him, Samuel heard Melly gasp.

  “Dear God,” she said.

  Baldy’s eyes grew wide. “I feared this day might come.”

  “You’re not going out there,” Father said. “Without a second thought, they will put you up against a wall and shoot you.”

  “Stephen, I won’t put you and all of your sons at risk to protect me,” Baldy declared. “I’m going out to face them and defend my faith. I won’t be the first Christian or the last to be persecuted for my beliefs. Or to die for them.”