Battered Soul: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Three, page 10
Georgie suggested Button Hills, Texas. They chose the name Rose Lander, and after a tearful goodbye Iris was now Rose, living and working in Button Hills. She asked, but no one seemed to know why the town was named Button Hills, since there wasn’t a hill in sight.
She found a job straight away and a tiny room to let. It fit her needs. She met many of the town’s people at the restaurant. She was told there were plenty of ranches surrounding the area. She had finally gotten what she wanted, to be alone, and it was not at all what she’d thought it would be. It wasn’t calming and serene. It was lonely, the type of lonely that hurt her heart. She’d been alone in the cellar of her house for almost a year, but then she had mostly felt fear.
The people she worked with were friendly enough, but they hadn’t warmed up to her yet. She ate some of her meals at the boarding house, but it was the same thing, no one reached out or offered to be her friend. Well, except for Leon Baker. He was a bank clerk, and he told her she would be his wife someday. He made her skin crawl with the way he stared at her. He ate supper at the restaurant only when she worked there. For a man with a job, he certainly seemed to be everywhere she was.
People asked her if he was courting her. She needed to set him straight, but she didn’t want to draw any attention to herself. She never planned to marry, anyway. She’d had a love that was a lifetime love, and she had thrown it away. How could she have been so foolish?
She took her apron off and left it on a peg in the restaurant’s kitchen then grabbed her coat and hat and walked out into the cool evening. Her mother would have had a fit that she walked home alone late at night. There was no help for it, though, and many times she saw the sheriff standing outside his office watching until she went into the boarding house.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t there when she started her walk home. She heard someone walking behind her and sped up her gait, but to her dismay, it sounded as though the other person sped up too. She needed to carry a weapon. The boarding house was in sight, and she made a mad dash for the lighted porch.
She turned to see who it was, and it was Leon. He was dressed all in black including his hat. What was he doing?
“Mr. Baker, you frightened me. What are you doing here?”
He started at her feet and trailed his stare upward, studying her body, causing her to shiver. He met her eyes and his desire was blatant. “I thought we could get to know each other better, Rose. I see how you look at me.”
“I think you’re mistaken. Goodnight.” She turned toward the door, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her around. “You’re hurting me.”
The door opened and a tenant Mrs. Locke stood in the opening. “Rose, I’m so glad you’re home. Come, I have something to ask you.”
Iris’ frantic heartbeat slowed. She jerked her arm out of Leon’s grasp and went inside without acknowledging him.
“Thank you, Mrs. Locke. He scares me.”
“He scares me too. His intentions are anything but honorable. I swear, since the war there have been too many bad apples about. Maybe you can hire someone to walk you home?”
“I’ll see about doing just that. Thank you again.”
Mrs. Locke started up the stairs. “Goodnight, my dear. Will I see you at services tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.” She waited until she heard Mrs. Locke’s door close before she too went up the steps. She hadn’t been to church in a while. It was time.
The next morning Iris dressed in one of her nicer dresses and accompanied Mrs. Locke to church. There were so many people Iris had never seen before. She listened intently to the minister as he talked about forgiveness. She then realized she had many people she owed apologies to. She’d write to Georgie first, asking for her forgiveness. With that thought, her burdens seemed to lighten.
After the service, she met many women who offered a friendship. They invited her to the quilting bee on Wednesday evening. She happily accepted the invitation. Perhaps she could find some contentment here in Button Hills.
Wednesday took forever to arrive, it seemed. The bee always took place at the house of the town matron, Mrs. Willard. In fact, it sounded as if all activities were at the same place. Iris fixed her hair twice before it satisfied her. Her nerves got to her. How on earth had she ever traveled across the country as a mail-order bride? Taking a deep breath, she left the boarding house. It was still daylight, and the walk wasn’t far. It took all her courage to knock on the door, but soon enough she felt very comfortable.
Since many of the women were unwed, the topic of bachelors was a popular one. Most knew every one of the single men who lived nearby except for one man who didn’t come to town much. They’d spotted him at church a few times and observed him at the general store. He was courting Mary Beth Winters, and his first name was Lex.
Iris heard the name and stuck herself with the needle. No, it couldn’t be. It wasn’t her Lex, not that he was hers anymore. She listened intently, but that was all the information she gleaned from the others. She smiled and was friendly, but she really wanted to run and keep running until it exhausted her pent-up feelings. She knew by now her feelings for Lex would never dim.
Mrs. Willard warned her to stay as far away from Leon as she could. He’d hurt more than one woman. Iris promised to be careful.
The whole walk home Iris wondered how to find out who Mary Beth Winters was. It wasn’t her Lex, couldn’t be, but she was curious.
As soon as she arrived home, she wrote her letter to Georgie asking for forgiveness. It wasn’t an easy letter to write, but when she put her feelings on the paper it became easier. She told her about her new life as Rose Lander and her job. She mentioned the sewing bee, and she mentioned the man named Lex, admitting how selfish and wrong she’d been. It was almost like a cleansing of her battered soul.
The next day before work, she went into the general store and mailed the letter.
* * *
Willis waited while the workers at the saw mill loaded his wagon full of wood. It had been slow going, but he was making progress on his house. It hadn’t fallen down, but it was on the verge. He wasn’t sure how long he’d stay in Button Hills. He’d been right about his land. It was a couple acres of dust. He was looking around at other land, but his heart wasn’t in it.
He’d asked a fine woman named Mary Beth Winters to marry him. She wanted to think it over. He’d told her he thought they’d get on well together, and they’d have children. He didn’t love her, and he never said he did. He had a feeling she knew it though. However, he liked her and planned to be a good husband to her. He didn’t want to be alone.
He went to the front of his wagon and a woman coming out of the general store caught his attention. She sure looked a lot like his Iris. So much so his heart pounded. It wasn’t her. It couldn’t be. A wave of sadness washed over him. Mary Beth needed to say yes and soon.
A few nights later, he was driving Mary Beth home when he saw Leon following a woman. That man was scum. He felt bad for the woman. “Let’s make sure Leon doesn’t try anything.”
“I agree. He thinks he can get away with anything. Carpetbaggers are that way you know.”
“I didn’t realize. I never heard him speak, but I have heard of his actions.” Willis slowly followed the man. He stopped the wagon. “Take the lines. I’m getting out.” After he was on the sidewalk, he kept better pace with the leach. The air seemed filled with tension, and he realized the woman knew she was being followed. She walked faster and faster, and then Leon took off running after her.
Willis ran when he heard her scream. Leon pulled the woman into an alleyway. Willis raced toward them and knocked both Leon and the woman down. After grabbing Leon by the collar he punched him in the face. Satisfaction filled Willis when he saw that Leon was bleeding.
Before he knew it, the sheriff was there arresting the other man. The woman sat huddled against the side of a building. She got up and ran. But not before he got a good look at her. It was Iris, he was sure. He raced after her, but she’d disappeared. What was Iris doing in Button Hills? Why hadn’t she contacted him? The old hurt came back, leaving him reeling.
He didn’t have time to run after a woman who threw him away. He had Mary Beth to worry about.
“That sure was scary,” Mary Beth enthused when Willis returned to the wagon.
“Leon will go to jail. Probably not for long.” He flicked the lines, and the horses moved forward, jolting the wagon. “I need to get you home. It’s getting late.”
“Pa will understand. He’ll probably think you’re a hero for what you did. Who was the woman? I’ve seen her before.”
Willis shrugged. “I didn’t get a good look at her.” He turned his face away. He wasn’t sure if he could hide his feelings for Iris. One thing was clear. If she’d had a man in her life, he’d have been walking her home.
He pulled in front of Mary Beth’s house and reined in the horses. After getting down, he rounded the wagon and lifted his hands to help Mary Beth off the wagon. She weighed almost nothing. Her features and body seemed to be very angular as though she didn’t have a soft spot on her. Gazing down at her, he didn’t feel much. Should he kiss her? He’d proposed, he probably should. As he took her into his arms, she smiled and turned.
“Good night, Lexington. When can I expect you next?”
“I have a lot of work to do on the cabin. I’ll be by Sunday to take you to church.”
“I don’t know why you’re fussing with that shack. There will be plenty of room here at the house for the two of us.”
“I’d much rather—”
“We’ll see what Papa says… if I accept.” She turned and hurried inside.
After returning to the wagon, he gazed at the big fancy house. He was a man grown, and he had no intention of living with anyone’s daddy. He enjoyed Mary Beth’s company. Did she realize what ranch work involved? He hadn’t given his proposal as much thought as he should have. But it was too late now. He’d never embarrass Mary Beth by taking his proposal back.
Maybe she’d say no. She did a few things that were wearing thin with him. For one, she insisted on calling him Lexington. He cringed whenever she said it. He turned the horses and headed back to his ranch. Trying to put Iris out of his mind was like putting out a house fire with a basin of water. The need to know why she was here became uppermost in his mind.
For the next few days, he stayed away from town and worked on his house. It wasn’t the nicest house, but it would keep a person warm and dry. He’d driven Mary Beth to his land once, and she wasn’t at all impressed. He’d need to hash a few things out with her, like where they would live and what she expected him to do if they lived in town.
He’d talk to her after church tomorrow.
* * *
Iris didn’t care about Leon and his foiled attack. All she could think about was Lex. Georgie had known where he was when she suggested a town for Iris to move to. Why had she done that? It would most likely prove to be disastrous. She barely got a look at his girl, Mary Beth, but she looked pretty and well dressed. Envy invaded Iris, and she didn’t like it one bit.
She took extra care with her appearance that morning. She needed to show the town that Leon hadn’t put his hands on her. Unfortunately, she had cut her palm with a knife at work last night, and her bandaged hand lent no credibility to her claim. People whispered about her, and they weren’t very discreet about it either.
She patted her hair in place before she put on her blue bonnet. She hated the color of her hair. The red always attracted attention. After taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she left her room and walked down the stairs. Mrs. Locke was waiting for her.
It was a beautiful day for a walk to church, and Iris enjoyed every moment. Her memories of being stuck in her cellar lingered still and being outdoors always lightened her spirits. Inside the church, Iris was intent on just finding a pew and sitting down. She hated the speculation in people’s eyes.
“Oh look, there are Mary Beth and her new beau, Lexington,” Mrs. Locke said as she nodded her head toward the aisle.
Lexington? Iris smiled. She glanced over and there he was, her Lex, with the beautiful woman from the other night. She had a fair complexion and dark hair. Her bonnet had more ribbons adorning it than Iris had ever seen before. Slumping down, she hoped she could hide behind Mrs. Locke’s bulk, but when she glanced back over Lex’s gaze was on her.
His expression could be only described as stormy. Not overjoyed to see her. A sense of loss rolled through her, and she quickly glanced away. She bit her lip and closed her eyes when they sat right in front of her. It was bound to be a long service.
The scent of him hurt her heart. He smelled like leather, horses, and him. His dark hair could have used a trim, but otherwise he looked too good. He shared his hymn book with Mary Beth, and that pierced her heart. Rumor had it he was building a house for the two to live in. Iris shook her head. No matter how hard she tried, she could not pay attention to the sermon.
Oh, Lord, help me stay strong. I’m grateful Lex is safe and happy. Really, I am. I’m also grateful for the friendships that I have been able to make. If it’s fine with you, I must miss coming to church for a bit. It hurts too much. Lead me in the direction I’m supposed to go. I think it might be time to find a new place to live. I just don’t know.
She needed to spend more time reading her Bible. It was her true comfort.
“Rose, Rose, it’s time to go,” Mrs. Locke told her.
“I was praying, I’m sorry.” She stood and to her dismay she found herself eye to eye with Lex.
“Mary Beth, this is my friend Rose,” Mrs. Locke said.
Mary Beth smiled, and it only made her more beautiful. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Rose. This is Lexington Willis. We’re courting.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Iris said as pleasantly as she could.
“Lexington, I’ve wanted to meet you. I’ve seen you about town.” Mrs. Locke said.
“This is Mrs. Locke,” Iris told him.
“It’s my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Locke and you too, Rose. Tell me, Rose, have you lived here long?” Lex seemed to enjoy her discomfort.
“Not that long, Mr. Willis. What about you?” As soon as she asked she wanted to bite her tongue.
“I moved back three months ago. I grew up on a ranch near here. I needed a fresh start.” His eyes glittered.
She bowed her head and followed Mrs. Locke out of the pew. She felt the heat of his stare and knew he was right behind her in the aisle. Mrs. Locke came to an abrupt halt when a child cut in front of her, and Iris had to stop quickly. Lex walked into her and immediately put his hands around her to steady her.
Her world stopped. She wasn’t even sure she was still breathing. A jolt of awareness hit her, and she wanted his hands off her, but it seemed to take forever for him to let go. When he did, she quickly sidestepped and got out of the church. She didn’t stop to wait for Mrs. Locke, and she didn’t want to go back to the boarding house to answer Mrs. Locke’s questions.
She turned and walked into the cemetery and found a bench under a live oak tree to sit on. Maybe it would have been easier all around if the hanging had happened. Oh, Georgie what have you done?
The wind kicked up and storm clouds blew in but Iris didn’t move. Life was so hard. She’d say goodbye to Button Hills, the town without hills, and start fresh again. She’d ask someone at work where to go. Her stomach growled. She’s must have been sitting here longer than she thought.
The crack of thunder sounded overhead and streaks of lightning gleamed, followed by more rumbling right after. Fat drops of rain fell. In moments it drenched her. But it didn’t matter. This whole situation was her doing, and she was so sorry for her pain and Lex’s. He was mad and probably even hated her. She’d survived so much, and she had thrown away her chance at happiness. Now she only existed. She’d been so wrong about being able to protect her heart by distancing herself from him.
Lifting her face to the heavens, she let the rain wash over her. If only it could take away her agony. After several moments, she sighed. She needed to go back to the boarding house to change and pack. The stage didn’t run in Button Hills as often as it did in other towns. She needed to catch the next one out. Lex and Mary Beth were a good match, but it would be awhile before she could be happy for him.
She stood and was startled to see Lex standing across the cemetery watching her. He probably had a few choice words for her, and she just wasn’t up to it. She kept her head bowed and watched the ground as she walked. He cut her off, and she stopped but just stared at his boots. She wasn’t strong enough to spar with him.
He didn’t move, so finally she raised her head and looked at him. He still wore the same stormy expression. Her stomach clenched, and tears filled her eyes.
“I didn’t move here to be near you. I didn’t even know you lived here. Don’t worry, I’ll be gone in a day or two—as soon as the stage comes. It’s good that you’ve been able to find someone to love. I wronged you, and I’m sorry.” Iris tried to walk around him, but he grabbed both her arms.
“Don’t go just yet. It hurts to see you unhappy, Iris. I thought you’d be better off if I left. But it looks like neither of us benefited by leaving the ranch.” He stared into her eyes.
She reached up and touched his jaw, tracing it with her finger, and then snatched her hand away. “I must be going. It was nice to see you, Lex.”
“Has it? Has it been nice to see me? Maybe you’ll see me around sometime. Maybe you think I’ll just go and have a nice life.” The anger in his voice took her by surprise.
“I deserve that. I deserve your wrath. I wish I had someone to guide me; someone to tell me that I’ve been crazy. I pray and pray, but I still don’t know what the right thing to do is. But I do know one thing; I need to allow you and Mary Beth to be happy. You have a chance to have the life you wanted.”
