Maybe, just maybe.
Chapter Twelve
Autumn began to give way to winter. Abe felt as though he was working overtime, chopping wood to warm his home and Aunt Ethel’s, shoring up both homes for the coming winter. But then Aunt Ethel would usher him inside for a hot coffee and Laura would set some sweet buns on the table, and he was ready to cross the earth for both of them.
“If ya’ll keep feeding me, I’ll never leave, like a stray dog,” Abe protested between bites.
“Well, you’re a bit more useful than one, so I don’t think we mind.” Laura said, with a smile. “How are your ribs?”
“Healing faster than I’ve ever seen, thanks to you,” he replied.
“You just collecting invalids, now, my dear?” Aunt Ethel teased.
“They seem to find me,” Laura quipped back.
Abe downed the last bite of sweet bun and walked over to toss another log on the fire.
“I’ll be gone about a week, driving the herd to winter pasture. Are you ladies going to manage without me?” he asked.
“Oh, I think we’ll do just fine,” Aunt Ethel said, with a laugh.
“We might actually have some peace around here without your boots stomping around,” Laura teased.
“No good deed goes unpunished,” Abe sighed. “Well, I'd best be off, I borrowed Ottie for the week to help.”
“Be safe out there,” Laura said sweetly.
“Absolutely, I ain’t about to miss out on that Christmas dinner y’all have planned.”
“You better not!” Aunt Ethel exclaimed.
With that, Abe headed out the door and rode back to the ranch, where Ottie was waiting for him.
“Where you been? We should get these to the river by nightfall, if we don’t want to grow old by the end of this,” Ottie huffed.
“Alright, old man. Let’s do this,” Abe said. He and Ottie separated, and began to whistle and holler as they rode alongside the animals, driving the cattle away from the ranch in an ever-tightening herd.
They rode out across the plains, the thunder of hooves and the lowing of the cattle drowning out all other sound. This left little else to do but think.
I wonder what she thinks of me. She must have plenty of other suitors that are merchants or businessmen. Wonder what she thinks about a rancher, callused hands and long rides.
If there was one thing Abe enjoyed, it was these long cattle drives. The landscape laid out in front of him, the big sky overhead. There was nothing but the feeling of freedom.
Ottie rode up alongside him. “I love being able to get out of the jailhouse for a stretch,” he said.
“You sure the town is going to be alright without you?” Abe asked.
“Oh sure, Deputy Collins can handle throwing the evening drunks into the cell and breaking up the occasional saloon fight,” Ottie said.
“What if something huge happens, like a kidnapping or a bank robbery?” Abe asked.
Ottie burst out laughing. “You’ve always been a funny one. We’re lucky Abe, nice quiet town, nice quiet life.”
“Indeed. Not much new ever happening in Santa Clara,” Abe said.
“Newest things we got, is that new bell in the schoolhouse and your friend Miss Laura, who seems to be a lovely lady,” Ottie said.
“Yup,” Abe replied shortly.
“You been spending quite a bit of time over at Ms. Ethel’s place lately,” Ottie pressed.
“Broke her leg, she needs help around the house,” Abe replied.
“Huh. Good of you,” Ottie remarked.
“I try sometimes,” Abe said.
“No other reason?” Ottie asked.
“Nope,” Abe said, as he pulled Bruce toward a steer who was drifting away from the herd, pressing him back in.
They rode a while in silence, carefully keeping the cattle together until they reached the river. There, they set up camp for the night, keeping a close eye on the herd.
Ottie leaned back against his saddlebag, as Abe stoked the fire, the night sky unfolding above them. He sighed contentedly.
“I’ve never minded this view,” Ottie said.
Abe looked up at the sky. “Yeah, it’s always something. You can get lost in it,” he said, as he sat back against his own saddlebag.
“When are you gonna be an honest man Abe?” Ottie asked.
“Excuse me?” Abe asked, surprised.
“You know, settle down, wife, kids, that sort of thing,” Ottie replied.
“Just haven’t found the right girl. At least not in Santa Clara,” Abe said.
“What about Mr. Clemson’s girl? She’s sweet, and her pies are some of the best in town. She brings them by the station every once in a while,” Ottie said.
“She’s a nice girl but there’s just not much there, I ain’t heard her say more than a few words to anyone,” Abe said.
“Well, you’ve never had a proper conversation with her.”
“Maybe. It just doesn’t seem right,” Abe said.
“Well, what would make a good lady for you then?” Ottie asked.
Abe thought for a beat. “I dunno, someone I can talk to, not just someone who’s gonna keep up the house, but someone who can take rides with me and things like that.”
“Sounds nice,” Ottie said, still staring at the sky.
“How’s your lady?” Abe asked.
“Doing fine, still as gorgeous as ever,” Ottie answered.
“Good to hear.”
“That Laura girl seems sharp. Ever thought about it?” Ottie asked.
“City girls like her don’t go for cowboys. Besides, she’ll be back in Tucson, soon as Aunt Ethel’s healed,” Abe said, as he lit his pipe.
“You never know,” Ottie said, as he lit his own pipe.
Abe leaned back and looked into the sky, dotted with stars. He puffed away thoughtfully.
You never know.
* * *
December came, and Abe surprised both Laura and Aunt Ethel with something incredibly special: a Christmas tree.
“Abe! Where did you get it?” Laura exclaimed, as he dragged the stout pine tree through the door.
“Cut this down up in the mountains. Figured such a fine cabin deserved a bit of holiday cheer.”
“Such a lovely idea, Abe. Thank you,” Aunt Ethel smiled at him, as he nailed wooden boards to its base to get it to stand up. He righted the stout tree and placed it in the corner, just across from the window.
“Hm, seems a bit bare,” Laura remarked.
“It does at that, was hoping you could work some of your magic on it, Miss Laura,” Abe said, with a wink.
With that, Laura disappeared into her room. She came back with a soft, red velvet sash that must have come off of one of her dresses, along with several shiny earrings and bracelets.
“It’s not Mother’s ornaments but these may just do,” she said, as she gently draped the sash around the tree and hung the delicate earrings and bracelets off the branches.
“I’ll say, they do at that,” Aunt Ethel replied.
“It’s going to be strange, being away from Tucson for Christmas,” Laura sighed, staring at the makeshift tree.
“I know, my dear, I’m sorry I have kept you away so long,” Aunt Ethel looked quite distraught, as she tried to ease herself up from the chair, on her cane. Abe instinctively offered her an arm, which she gratefully accepted.
“Well, strange doesn’t always mean bad, I’ve quite liked my time here, truthfully. Spending time with you. And we’ve been quite the trio, with Abe around so much,” Laura flashed a smile at Abe, then turned back to the tree. “It’s missing a star.”
* * *
Christmas Day arrived, and Laura and Aunt Ethel had insisted Abe join them, as if there had been any option at all. Laura busied herself cooking up a fat chicken that the Coopers had saved just for her, as Abe stoked the fire in the hearth. They had both implored Aunt Ethel to stay off her feet, as she had already, several times, attempted to help each of them.
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As Laura cooked, Abe sat with Aunt Ethel, whittling away at a bit of wood. Aunt Ethel told stories about the Christmases her and Laura’s mother had enjoyed growing up.
“We barely had two pennies to rub together many of those years, but my Ma and Pa, they managed to make it special no matter what. There were always candies and nuts, and other little trinkets. And they could make Christmas dinner from what little we could afford,” she reminisced.
The beautifully dressed bird was set in the middle of the table, accompanied by a delightful plum pudding for dessert. The fire in the hearth crackled away, dancing off the faces of the three people sitting around the table.
Laura looked at Abe, whose cowboy face seemed softer now than it ever had. His grey eyes were lit with the warm firelight, like a candle cutting through fog. His chestnut hair was washed clean and hung roughly around his ears.
“Miss Laura, you’ve certainly outdone yourself,” he sighed, as he looked over the table. “I can’t remember the last time I had a Christmas dinner so fine.”
“Well, that’s a tragedy, that is.” Laura replied, “How could that be?”
Abe’s eyes darkened a bit, like he went inside himself. Aunt Ethel cut in.
“Abe, would you do the honors of carving this lovely bird, dear?” she interjected. As if a switch flipped, Abe’s eyes cleared, and he obliged with a smile and a nod, skillfully slicing into the piping hot meat. Laura couldn’t take her eyes off him.
What’s going on in there? What is he hiding?
Soon, the last of the plum pudding had been licked clean off the plates and they sat in front of the fire, Abe still whittling away at the small wooden object in his hand. Laura was reading from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Aunt Ethel’s eyelids began to lower as she sat in her chair. Soon she was snoring loudly.
Laura leaned over to Abe.
“What are you carving there?”
He flashed her a smile as he opened up his palm, revealing a small, wooden star.
“Every tree needs a star, right?”
“Quite right,” Laura replied, smiling at him
The firelight continued to dance across their faces, as they sat quietly, engrossed in their tasks. Abe’s rough hands worked as nimbly as they did at everything else. Laura found herself looking at them, more than her book.
He’s so quiet tonight. I wonder what’s haunting him.
She felt her heart begin to beat a bit faster as he placed the finished star in her hand. “I think you should do the honors Miss Laura,” he said softly to her. She stood up and gently placed the star at the top of the tree. She felt Abe standing just behind her. “Not bad at all,” she said, quietly.
She turned around to face Abe, whose tall, broad figure made her feel so very small in the dark cabin, lit only by firelight. “Happy Christmas, Abe,” she smiled at him, trying to swallow the knot in her throat.
“Happy Christmas, Laura,” he said, in almost a whisper.
“No Miss?” she asked sweetly.
At that moment, his grey eyes met hers and seemed almost to grab hold of her. He took her hands in his. So rough, but so comforting. “I…Laura…I just wanted to say. I think you’re extraordinary. And I care for you, quite a lot in fact.”
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
“Abe…”
“I’m sorry, you got a life back in Tucson, I know that. I just…I wanted you to know how I felt.” His stormy eyes were alight with fire and emotion. Laura felt her whole face flush.
“Well…perhaps Aunt Ethel could use a bit more help around here,” Laura said, with a coy smile. “She’s all by herself and as long as she’s on that cane, there’s plenty I could help her out with. I’ll talk to my parents when they arrive. Perhaps, they’ll agree, I should stay for a while longer.”
Laura squeezed Abe’s hands and he reached out and touched her face.
“You’re so lovely, Laura,” he said softly.
Laura could feel a grin spread across her face as they stared at each other.
“Tell me, Abe, what’s the cloud hanging over you at Christmas time?” Laura saw the words land on him hard, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. His hand fell away from her face and he looked like he was contemplating running.
After what seemed like an eternity, he sighed.
“I lost my mother on Christmas. Father was never the same after she died, so we never celebrated Christmas after that. It was more of a memorial than a holiday. It still hangs on me.” The words came out in a low, sad baritone, and his eyes were cast down.
“I’m sorry, Abe,” Laura said gently.
His eyes turned back to her.
“Don’t be, tonight’s been the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” he said, with a smile.
They stood there for a moment, as if both were afraid to break the spell. A loud snore from Aunt Ethel pierced through the silence and they both burst out laughing, still hand in hand.
“Well Laura, I believe it’s time for me to get home. Thank you, again, for a lovely Christmas,” Abe said, finally releasing his hold on her hands, “and tell Aunt Ethel thank you for me as well.”
“I will.”
And with that, Abe strode out into the cold night, Laura watching him ride away as she always did. As he disappeared, she felt the weight of the moment wash over her like a tidal wave. I love you too, Abe…
Chapter Thirteen
With her parents’ visit just a couple weeks away, Laura and Aunt Ethel went into town together to gather some more supplies for the house. Aunt Ethel was getting more and more skilled with the cane, but it was becoming apparent she may never regain all of her speed.
The town buzzed with new electricity. Despite the cold, it seemed everyone was out and about. Ladies chatted in groups and men were talking in excited tones. As they walked into the butcher shop, Mr. Reynolds deep baritone voice boomed over the counter as he talked to a customer.
“About damn time! Now we’ll have some proper resources out here and maybe quite a bit more law and order,” he said proudly.
Laura approached the counter. “Good morning Mr. Reynolds, what’s that you’re going on about now?” she asked.
“Miss Laura, you haven’t heard the news? They’ve admitted Utah to the Union. Forty-fifth state. It’s in all the papers.” He nodded to the paperboy pacing up and down the street.
“Well that’s quite exciting now, isn’t it?” Aunt Ethel exclaimed.
“It does seem to be, at that,” Laura replied.
“Same as usual then today, Miss?” Mr. Reynolds inquired.
“Oh, yes please, thank you, and add an extra portion of bacon, if you please,” she replied.
“Of course, I’ll wrap it up for you,” he said, pulling a length of paper and quickly wrapping up the meat. She paid him, and they walked back out onto the street, where the paperboy was hollering and waving his papers.
“UTAH NOW A PART OF THE UNION, MAYOR PLANS CELEBRATION. GET YOUR PAPER AND READ ALL ABOUT IT,” he bellowed in his young voice.
Laura approached him with a penny and he smiled, handing her a copy of The Santa Clara Gazette. She scanned the headlines, which detailed how Utah had renounced its religious and polygamist laws, in favor of being admitted to the Union of States, now to share all the privileges that came along with that.
The second headline read:
MAYOR TO THROW GREAT JUBILEE CELEBRATION AT THE END OF THE MONTH IN HONOR OF STATEHOOD
“My, my, won’t that be fun!” Aunt Ethel exclaimed, reading over Laura’s shoulder.
“Yes, that sounds absolutely lovely. And just a spell after my parents arrive, perhaps they will stay and celebrate,” Laura replied. And perhaps they can meet Abe. They can see how strong and talented he is. And then…maybe… Laura delightedly entertained the idea that just maybe, there would be quite a bit more for her and Abe Mavor in the future.
“I wonder if there will be a roping competition.” Laura mentioned.
“Oh, I�
�m sure there will be. Any chance for Abe and the boys to show off.” Aunt Ethel replied.
The Salvation 0f A Runaway Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 9