Battered Soul: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Three, page 3
Iris made it to the other side and laughed as he followed her, jumping from stone to stone. She had made it look so easy when she had gracefully hopped from one to the other. He made one last leap to the ground and almost toppled into her.
There was her laugh again, and it warmed him like nothing else. She hopped back, sat on the bank, and dangled her feet in the water. He sat next to her but declined to put his feet in the water unless he had to.
There was something almost reverent about the way she tipped her face to the sun and closed her eyes. Was she praying? He’d prayed in this place more than once. He watched the swirling water for a moment, unwilling to examine his reason for bringing her here. No one else had known it existed until now. Willis glanced at her. What was it about her that interested him? If he solved that question, maybe he could just forget about her.
“What was that sigh for?” she asked.
He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t even realize I sighed. It’s just such a quiet place.”
“Yes, it is. Lots of fresh air and sunshine!”
“Is the air so different in Virginia? You’ve mentioned the fresh air before.” It was hard to miss the panic in her eyes. What was she hiding? Had she run away from something or someone? Or was it bad memories? The war had changed most.
“You never forget the smell of dead bodies.”
He took her hand in his. “No, you don’t. Did you grow up on a farm?”
“Yes, and no. It wasn’t a farm like the ones I’ve seen while traveling here. We had a big house, not quite a plantation, mind you, but it was nicer than most. We had slaves, and I hated their plight. It seemed to be wrong on so many levels. But my opinions weren’t welcome. Right before the war started Daddy gave the slaves their freedom papers and enough money to go north. Our neighbors became suspicious, but Daddy said it was so none of those Yankee Soldiers would target his property. As soon as shortages and rationing happened we had enough share croppers willing to work our land.”
“Did it work? Was your property spared?”
She stared across the creek. “We fared better than most.”
She took her feet out of the water and grabbed her hose and shoes. “I bet Sondra is having a fit by now.”
Willis laughed. “It’s not like she’s had to make the last couple of meals.”
Her eyes grew larger. “You knew?”
“I knew.” He angled his gaze in her direction. “Sondra is a decent cook, but she’s not as good as you.”
He enjoyed watching her blush. Her face was nice and rosy.
“Still, I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot. I have a job I need to get back to. But I thank you for bringing me here. It’s a place that revives one's soul.”
“That’s what it is.”
After they got their shoes on, he lifted her onto Salt’s back. He liked her more and more. He’d have to keep reminding himself that he had no plans to get married. Freedom was a nice thing.
They didn’t say much as they rode to Parker’s house but they shared a few more smiles. When they got back, he jumped down and then lifted her off the horse. He held his hands around her waist longer than necessary and she blushed again.
“I’ll… ah… I’ll see you around.” He took the reins of both horses and walked toward the barn.
* * *
“It’s about time you got back. I don’t know where you’re from, but having a job means you work.” Sondra huffed and walked away. She stopped and stared. “Willis has no intention of getting married, so you can stop your plan of having him for a husband.”
Iris’ jaw dropped, but she held her tongue. It would do no good to spar with Sondra. Iris went into the kitchen to see what needed doing. From the look of it everything needed cleaning. Had they eaten their noon meal? The dirty breakfast dishes sat on the counter. Sighing, she rolled up her sleeves and put on an apron she’d found hanging on a peg.
Georgie came through the back door with Douglas in her arms. She looked at the dishes and frowned. “Is there something to eat for the noon meal?”
“No, and I apologize. Lex took me on a tour of the place, and I guess it went too long. I’ll get something made in a hurry. I really am sorry. I’ll tell him not to come around while I’m working.”
“Listen, if Willis took you, I’m sure he cleared it with Parker.”
Iris nodded. “Yes to both, he and Sondra knew. I’ll get busy cooking.”
“If you have any of those cinnamons rolls left, I’d just as soon have one,” Georgie said as she smiled. “I would love a cup of tea too.”
“Coming right up.” Iris moved quickly. She needed this job too much to mess things up.
She heard Sondra and Georgie murmuring, and she cringed.
“I’ll have a roll and tea if that’s all you have,” Sondra told her.
Sondra was a thorn in her side. Iris would need to watch her back; Sondra wouldn’t hesitate to stab her.
Iris walked into the main room. “Would you like me to serve you in here or at the table,” she only looked at Georgie.
“In here would be great. Don’t forget to make one for yourself. I’d love to get to know you better.”
“Thank you for the invitation but the kitchen is still a mess from breakfast, and I have started nothing for supper. Would later this afternoon be all right?”
“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.”
Iris smiled and left. Sondra had it out for her, and she didn’t know what she’d done to get on her bad side. She didn’t have to do all the work. She did none.
“I’ll take the rolls now and the pot of tea. Put it all on that nice try and be quick about it,” Sondra commanded. Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t think you can tell on me and get away with it, Iris. Those were your dishes to clean and well you know it.”
Iris put everything on the tray. “I’ll just carry it in.”
“No, you won’t. I’ll take it. You have too much work to do.”
Iris didn’t say a word as she turned back to the dishes. Her body tensed as she heard Sondra talk about how lazy the new woman was. There wasn’t much Iris could do about it. She’d get used to it.
After she washed the dishes, she eyed a piece of beef left on the counter. Pot roast would be easy enough to make for supper. She’d just put it on the cookstove when there was an urgent knock on the front door. She wiped her hands and hurried to open it but Sondra had gotten there first.
Captain McGregor pushed his way past Sondra and then he narrowed his eyes on Iris. Georgie stood and stepped directly in front of him.
“What can I do for you?” Her voice was strong.
“I’m here to arrest Lex Willis.”
Georgie put her hand to her chest. “Whatever for?”
“For striking me to save that piece right there.” He pointed at Iris as he smirked.
“He doesn’t live here. You must check the barn or wherever the men might be. Now I’m asking you to leave. You have no business in my home.” Georgie stared at him until he turned to go. He turned back and smirked again at Iris before he left.
“What was that all about?” Sondra demanded.
Iris faced Georgie. “When I was waiting for my intended groom, the Union Soldiers grabbed me and threw me from one to another. One ripped my bodice and threw me to Sergeant Hollanda. Lex was there, and he helped me. He had to hit McGregor in the nose to do it.”
Georgie nodded. “They can’t hold him if he was defending you.”
“Only if they tell the truth. Them Yankees are nothin’ but liars.” Sondra went back to sipping her tea.
Georgie patted Iris’ shoulder. “He’ll be fine. Parker, Sandler, and Max will make sure he’s home for supper.” Georgie walked over to her chair and sat down. “Sondra, what are we having for supper?”
“I have a pot roast cooking as we speak.”
Iris turned and went back into the kitchen. Lies and more lies. She had grown up with lies, and they’d cost her everything.
Chapter Three
Willis watched Iris throughout dinner. Something was bothering her, and it wasn’t because Sondra had taken all the credit for the wonderful meal again. She seemed pensive and sad. He didn’t know much about her except that she came from Virginia and her family was dead.
“Willis, if you don’t mind, what happened in town?” Sondra asked.
“Nothing much.” He shrugged. “McGregor threw me into a jail cell playing hero. Cooke wasn’t around so I guess he thought he could do what he wanted. Cooke came back to town early and wasn’t happy at all. He let me go just as our men galloped into town.”
“Sondra, I already told you what happened,” Walter Green admonished.
Sondra’s face flashed scarlet. Willis hated being quiet about Sondra taking all the compliments that should have gone to Iris. It was nice to know he could embarrass her.
“I know you did, Walter, but sometimes it’s more exciting to hear it from the person it happened to.”
Iris wasn’t even paying attention. She stared out the window.
“Iris, is something wrong?” Georgie asked.
“No. I suppose it’s upsetting that the army is still here in Texas and think they are the law.”
“Cooke is a fair man,” Parker said. “It’s the rest of them I can’t abide. Though there is a new man from Virginia. Richmond I believe. A Captain McGregor. From his actions I have a feeling he’s a troublemaker.”
Iris barely shivered but Willis noticed it. Bad memories of the war, perhaps. It must have been hard for her to lose all of her family.
“Since last time Sondra and Green got to go on a moonlight walk, I think Iris and I should take a turn,” Willis said, staring at Sondra. She narrowed her eyes but didn’t say a word.
“Don’t get lost,” Parker teased.
“Miss. Sands, would you do me the honor of walking with me?”
Iris laughed. “Yes, I will do you the honor, kind sir.”
Willis stood and pulled Iris’ chair out for her. He offered his arm, and she took it. Mindful of Sondra’s glare, he escorted Iris out the door and down the steps.
“Well done, Lex. Sondra isn’t happy.”
“Too bad. How can she continue to say she cooked the meals?”
“Don’t worry, Parker knows the truth.” A thoughtful expression settled on her face. “I’m not sure if he told Georgie, though.”
“It didn’t look like it, but he might not want to upset her. She’s carrying.”
Iris stopped and smiled. “I thought she might be. Before the war I imagined being married with children but I’m past my prime now, and my mail-order groom died. I’m just not lucky I guess.” She stopped at the pasture fence and watched the horses.
“Iris, do you know Major Cooke?”
Her body stiffened. “Why would you think?”
“He had a strange reaction when your name came up. It was as though it startled him.”
“I’m sure there are more than one Iris Sands out there.”
“You must be right. It was worth it all to see the look on McGregor’s face when Major Cooke walked through the door. McGregor knew he had no authority to arrest me.”
“It didn’t worry you at all?” Her brow furrowed.
“No, those boys don’t seem to have much to do. Few people go into Spring Water these days. No one likes seeing the Union Army. The only problems we have are the Pale Faces. You might know them as the Hooded Men. They are out of control, but we have extra guards here at the ranch.”
“Where had Major Cooke been? Did he say?”
“No, he didn’t.” She knew him, he could tell. Why pretend? Something suspicious was going on.
“The moon is beautiful,” she murmured, staring into the night sky.
“It sure is. There’s nothing like Texas.” He was out of conversation. She wasn’t telling him the truth, so why bother? She was hiding something, and he wasn’t sure he even wanted to know.
“You’ve been a good friend, Lex,” Iris whispered. “It’s always been hard for me to make friends. Georgie is very nice, but we haven’t gotten to the friend stage yet.”
“You haven’t met Glory or Veronica yet. Glory married Sandler and Veronica is Max’s wife.”
“I’ll look forward to meeting them.” She paused, as though considering her next words. “What about the people of Joy? The Freedmen? They have their whole families here on the ranch?”
“Why?” he asked. “Does it bother you?”
“No, just the opposite. It’s a wonderful thing, and I hope I get to meet them too.” She sounded sincere.
“Well, you’ll see them on Sunday if you’re a churchgoing woman.” He glanced at her to see her reaction. Her smile looked real.
“Yes, I am. I’ll look forward to it. I don’t think there are many places that have a church where everyone is welcome.”
“What do you know? There are some nice, decent Southerners.” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
She continued along the fence line without him and when he caught up, he could see the hurt in her eyes.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
She didn’t look at him, but she nodded and stared at the horses. Silence fell over them for a while, broken only by the night sounds, critters rustling in nearby grass, the soft chirp of crickets.
“I spent a year trapped in the cellar of my house,” she admitted. “I suppose I don’t know how to converse with people anymore.”
That gave him pause. “What? In Richmond?”
“Yes. Well near there. It was dark, and it could get very cold. My parents stocked it in case we had to hide during a battle or raid. I had enough supplies.”
“You survived there alone?”
She nodded and then tilted her head. “The soldiers came and my mother made me go into the cellar. I heard my family pleading for their lives as soldiers shot them one by one for—” She swallowed hard. “—spying. Then the soldiers decided it would be a fine place to live. The stairs to the cellar were hidden behind a wall panel so they never found it.”
He reached for her and took her into his arms, wrapped them around her and pulled her against him. From the first he’d wanted to kiss her, but now wasn’t the time. As he held her he rocked her back and forth waiting for her to cry, but she didn’t. Without a word or even a sound, she snuggled against him.
“No one else knows,” she said after a moment. “This is the first time I’ve found comfort in over a year. You can’t know how it feels. I want to stay like this forever and never let go.”
He said nothing. He’d have to be patient. Some people didn’t like to talk about the whole story all at once, and there must have been much more that she hadn’t told him yet. He was caring about her a little too much, but he couldn’t seem to stop. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to stop. She felt so right in his arms. It was as though she fit against him, as though she was made for him.
He’d go mad if he was alone for a year. How she could pick up and continue to live her life was amazing to him.
* * *
It was as though she’d never felt comfort before. It embraced her and then wrapped around her until she felt safe. But she wasn’t safe. Cooke knew about her family and she didn’t stand a chance. She hadn’t been involved. In fact, her family had kept her in the dark as to their activities. They’d used her, and she hadn’t known what she was doing.
They had paid with their lives, but she had heard what the soldiers said about her family. It made her sick to the pit of her stomach that whole year. She’d thought of herself and family as Confederates, and all along they had been spying for the Union Army.
They perfectly kept up appearances. She’d heard her father curse the North many times. Many things started to make sense to her while she sat in the dark. She’d made deliveries of socks and food to the Union Soldiers in Libby Prison “as a good Christian,” her mother had said. Iris had hated it. The guards ogled her, but she did it because it was her duty.
Her parents, along with her sister, Julie were always attending parties. There had been a good many at her house too. Iris hadn’t had her coming out yet, so her mother refused to allow her to dance for the first year of the war. But as the war went on and on, her mother relented and allowed her to fill her dance card with invitations from the soldiers.
Her mother and sister had told her who to dance or converse with. They then wanted to know everything she’d heard. Iris had thought they were looking for a suitable husband for her, but it had been to gather information. She had sobbed silently when she heard what they had done, and she understood why they were murdered. They were also looking for her. She’d danced with Major Cooke on one occasion.
“You’re shaking,” Lex whispered into her ear. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No, not yet,” she answered in a low voice filled with emotion. “I’m still trying to come to terms with what happened. It appears everyone I knew were liars. There must be something wrong with me to have believed the lies for years. One of the reasons I accepted Lee’s proposal was to come to a quiet town and start over.”
“I know the ranch seems big, but we’re a small community.”
She nodded against his shoulder. “Having a place to live means so much. I’m one of the lucky ones. Sondra’s lies are hateful, but I don’t want to cause trouble.”
“Understandable. You know if you ever need anything, I’m here.”
I need your arms around me forever. I need you to make me forget. I need you to keep me safe and I need you to love me. “Thank you, Lex.”
They stayed in their embrace much longer than was proper but she didn’t care. It felt like coming home. She took a deep breath and stepped back. “Thank you. It’s been a while since anyone listened. You make me feel safe.”
“Do you know which Union officers were in your home for that year?”
She turned away and closed her eyes. He’d hate her, but she needed to be truthful. “They weren’t Union, they were Confederate,” she whispered.
