A Sweet Misfortune, page 11
“I did, but I’m not sure Wyatt believed me.” Rachel sighed and her shoulders sagged. “Why should he? In hindsight, my working there was not a smart thing to do, but I had to survive somehow after Preston left and my parents died. I had few skills other than ranching. I don’t know anyone willing to hire a woman for that job, do you?”
Molly walked over and gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry. Things have been so hard for you, but trust me, I do understand. We both know God is watching over us, right? Things could always be much worse.”
“Yes, that’s true, but I’m human and can’t help but wonder why things have worked out the way they have for me. I did receive a letter from Preston yesterday.”
“What?” Molly drew back. “How can that be?”
Rachel took a few moments to explain about the box and the letter, and Molly clapped her hands together.
“How wonderful! It’s like a gift from God! Don’t you see?”
Rachel walked over to the front door, turned the sign over, then pivoted to smile at her friend. “I guess you’re right. I’m looking at it the wrong way. I should be considering it as guidance for the next step in my life. Thank you, Molly, for helping me to see that.”
“I’m glad I can encourage you for a change!” Molly smiled, and it hit Rachel that she was becoming more like the sister she’d always wanted.
“Looks like we have some customers.” With a smile, Rachel turned to assist a lady as she entered the shop.
21
The week flew by with Rachel and Molly managing the shop while Estelle made great improvement with her health. On Saturday after the shop closed, Rachel returned to the ranch to find Curtis waiting for her on the porch, standing around talking with a couple of ranch hands.
Curtis clambered down the steps as she parked the buggy by the barn. “I hope I’m not imposing on you, Miss Rachel,” he said as he approached the buggy then assisted her down. “Clay will take care of the horse and buggy for you.”
Rachel wasn’t sure what to make of his waiting for her. “Hello, Curtis. Is there something I can do for you?”
Curtis cleared his throat. “Could you spare some time? Or I can come back later. I’d like to talk to you.”
He was clearly nervous and Rachel was definitely curious about his visit. She could smell his aftershave and he’d donned a fresh shirt. “All right, Curtis, but I must check on Estelle first.”
Red-faced, Curtis nodded. “I can wait on the porch for you, is that okay?”
Rachel removed her driving gloves. “Why, yes, you can. I won’t be long.” He followed her up the steps and took a seat on the swing at the end of the porch.
She went straight to Estelle, who was sitting in the parlor laboring over her needlepoint. When she heard Rachel enter, she looked up and laid her needlework in her lap. “You’re a breath of fresh air, Rachel. It’s getting a little lonely without you here, and I must confess I don’t like being idle for long.” Estelle gave her a bright smile, her eyes crinkling at the edges.
Rachel walked over to her and bent to give her a quick hug. “Honestly, I feel the same, but if you keep improving, you’ll be back in the shop in no time giving me and Molly orders. Not sure if we want that,” she teased.
“Everything good today at the shop?” Estelle cocked her head up to Rachel.
“Perfect! So don’t give the shop another thought. How was your day?”
The older lady chuckled. “Not bad—Annabelle fusses over me and John stops his work to check on me constantly!” She tilted her head toward the porch. “I couldn’t help but notice that Curtis was out in the yard talking to you.”
“He wanted to talk to me, but I told him I wanted to check on you first. I’m not sure what he wants to talk about.”
Estelle tapped her fingers against the arm of her chair. “I think I can guess.”
Rachel drew back with a quick glance to her. “You can’t mean—”
“Yes, I can, and it’s not surprising,” she said with a grin. “You’re a very eligible woman, and there’re not many of them in Paradise Valley.”
Rachel blew out a deep breath through a slanted lip. “Then I suppose I need to go speak with him.”
“You give him a chance, Rachel. He’s a good man, and so is the preacher. It’s nice to have several men vying for one’s attention.”
“I’ll see, Estelle. I want to talk to you later about something. Perhaps after supper?”
“Of course, dear. Now you run along and see that young man who’s waiting for you.”
“Can I get you something to drink, Curtis?” Rachel asked.
“No, nothing for me, thank you.” His smile seemed forced, making Rachel confident he was nervous. He gazed at her, and Rachel decided he was handsome in his own rugged way, with deeply tanned skin and crow’s feet around the edges of his brown eyes.
She sat at the end of the swing, turning slightly to see him. She was glad she’d kept her wrap on. Though the sun was bright, a breeze rustled through the leaves, swirling them in the yard.
“Was there something you wanted to talk about, Curtis?” she asked when he didn’t speak.
He shifted against the back of the swing and placed his arm on the top of its back. “Rachel, this may come as a surprise, but I’ve wanted to ask if I might court you,” he blurted out, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Estelle had hit the nail on the head. “I don’t know what to say . . .” She glanced down at the toes of her shoes.
“Say yes,” he said. He dropped his arm to finger the brim of the hat he held on his knee. “Unless the preacher’s your beau now?”
She gave a nervous laugh. “No, we hardly know each other.”
“Tell you what—I’ll come Sunday afternoon and take you for a ride in the country while the leaves are a’turnin’. What do you say?”
He wasn’t wasting any time, Rachel thought. While she didn’t have any interest in anyone currently, a ride would be a refreshing pastime.
Liar. You know you are interested in John.
Yes! But he’s not interested in me! she countered back to her conscience. And an afternoon ride couldn’t hurt either of them. “I think that would be a nice change, but let’s don’t call it courting, Curtis—at least not yet.”
“I understand. Then Sunday it is.” He stood to leave about the same time as John rode into the yard.
John had a curious smile on his face as he stepped onto the porch, and he paused to give Curtis a clap on the back. “Things are looking good for you when you can spend time with a pretty lady.” He tipped his hat to Rachel.
Curtis chuckled, red-faced. “Yes, it sure is. I’ll be on my way, now,” he told Rachel as she rose. “See you Sunday afternoon, then.”
She nodded her agreement, then watched as he lumbered off toward the bunkhouse before turning to John. “Hello, John.”
“I’m glad to see you’re getting out more. You can’t work all the time.” He folded his arms and leaned against the porch railing, hat slung low and steely eyes resting on her.
Rachel’s tongue felt thick and dry. “Yes, well . . . I’ve found that I enjoy working at the millinery shop. I was about to go freshen up before supper. How about you?”
“Headin’ right in.” He leaned across her to open the door, brushing her arm momentarily. Rachel caught a scent of sunshine with a woodsy smell of pine that clung to him, and her breath caught in her throat. She drew back a step, suddenly wishing it was John taking her out for a Sunday ride instead of Curtis. When did I suddenly start noticing things like this?
“Sorry,” he said, then swung the door wide, moving aside.
“Oh, John, I may be taking a day off with Estelle’s approval to ride to Lewistown and wondered if I might have use of the buggy and horse.”
He stood in the hallway and cocked a brow upward. “No problem at all. Just let me know what day. Not to be nosy, but why are you going to Lewistown?”
She drew her shoulders up and expelled a breath. “It has something to do with the letter Preston wrote me.” She fingered the locket around her neck.
“I see. Was that locket in there as well?”
“It was.” She snapped it open for him to see. “It has a daguerreotype of our parents.”
He leaned in and looked, then surveyed her face closely. “Beautiful mother. I can see that’s where you get your looks.”
Rachel blushed and murmured, “Thank you. I only hope to be as lovely as she was—inside and out.” She snapped the locket closed, the nearness of his face causing her hand to tremble.
He grinned openly. “Have no fear, Rachel. You’re already like her.” He left her standing in the living room and walked toward the direction of Estelle’s voice in the parlor.
———
His grandmother was sitting in a chair by the window, half asleep, her Bible in her lap. The sun drenched her wrinkled face and made her skin glow. She opened her eyes and turned to smile at him when she heard him enter.
“You look mighty comfortable napping there, Grams. Who were you talking to?” John strode over to her side to give her a kiss on her brow. “And your color is much better, so you’re improving.”
“I must have been talking in my sleep. The sun is good for one’s health as well as the soul. I have regained much of my energy, praise the good Lord!” She gave him a bright smile.
“Yes. An answer to prayers.” He settled down in a chair opposite her with a loud sigh.
“What’s the matter, dear? Something troubling you?” Her keen eyes didn’t miss much, he thought.
“No, I’m just a little tired today. I completed the purchase of another thousand acres and more cattle west of our property line today. The land will be great open range for grazing.”
“More property, John?” She gave him a skeptical gaze.
“Grams, land is the best investment a man can make, and I intend to invest as much as I can from the sale of cattle. ‘Strike while the iron is hot’ is the saying—your very own son taught me that.”
“As long as you don’t forget God looks at a man’s heart and not his possessions. They are meaningless in the broader picture of life.”
John squirmed in his chair. “Grams, you sound like the preacher. I see no problem with a man having land or possessions. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. In fact, I’m meeting with someone soon about buying their property. It’ll be another good investment.”
She leaned over and patted his arm. “I don’t mean to sound like him, but it concerns me sometimes when I think of all the land you’ve acquired. I wonder when it will be enough for you. Make sure you leave time for matters of the heart.”
“Which really means find a wife and have a passel of kids.”
Estelle pulled back, clasping her hands. “Would that be so bad, John?”
He flattened his palms on both knees. “Maybe not, if the right one were to come along.” He stood, suddenly feeling weary. “I’m going to go clean up. I’ll see you at supper.” He didn’t like the way the conversation was headed. Plus he was tired. Early to bed seemed appealing tonight.
———
Estelle watched her beloved grandson go, quietly shutting the door behind him. That boy—or man, as he really was—gave her much to pray about. She’d hoped by now he would be settled with a family. But not with Beatrice! She shuddered. Something about that girl didn’t sit well with her. He needed someone like Rachel who had a good head on her shoulders and wasn’t afraid of work. Too bad they’d gotten off to a bad start. She wondered if the fact that both Curtis and Jeffrey were hanging around bothered him, or if it was the notion that he couldn’t let go of her dealings with the Wild Horse. She’d pray God’s blessing on his future and try to keep her opinions to herself.
Sometime during the night, John woke to the sound of rain hitting his windowpane. Dampness had crept in, and he buried himself deep beneath the heavy quilts for warmth. Was he getting old? His usual energy was lagging and his legs felt heavy.
22
On Monday morning, Rachel slipped on an old traveling dress with fuzzy brown polka dots on a tan background of heavy cotton. The skirt was set in vertical panels with pink roses and vines, with an added darker shade of brown appliqué along all the edges and paneled cuffs in the same brown at the wrist. The bodice was set in a V-neck insert with delicate brown trim at the throat and shoulders. She looked at her reflection, thinking someone would have to look closely to notice the fraying at the cuffs and skirt edges. She hardly thought that would be an issue as she knew no one in Lewistown. To complete her outfit she wore her bonnet trimmed in wide brown ribbon tied under her chin.
Rachel waited in the yard for Levi to bring the buggy around after breakfast. The dark clouds and a few stray raindrops boasted a gloomy day, to be sure. She planned to be home before nightfall and was looking forward to a drive to Lewistown alone with her thoughts. She hoped the safe-deposit box would make the trip worth her while. But she had to trust that Preston had saved something. She tried not to get excited that it might be enough to buy back her place, but anything would help out along with what she had saved. Estelle had been generous with her salary, especially while she’d been under doctor’s orders not to go near the shop until he gave the approval. Estelle had cheerfully given permission for her to take the day off last night when they’d talked after supper.
Levi walked the horse and buggy to where she stood in the yard. “I gave ya the best horse for your trip to Lewistown, Miz Rachel. The only time Sal can be ornery is when she takes a notion to stop for a nibble on her favorite plants. You’d do well to let her have her way—it won’t last long,” he said with a big grin as he helped her into the buggy. “The whip is next to you on the seat should you need it.”
Rachel chuckled. “Thanks, but don’t worry about me. I grew up on a ranch, remember?”
He nodded. “Right you are.” He tipped his hat as she waved goodbye.
Once out of the yard, Sal took off at a nice steady trot down the dirt road. It felt nice for a change not to be at the shop. She was glad Molly was capable of handling things by herself for one day. It wouldn’t be long before Estelle would be allowed to return to supervise. She’d be glad to have her back since she’d grown fond of the older lady.
It wasn’t long before her thoughts turned to Curtis and their outing after church on Sunday. He’d been all spruced up, his hair slicked down with pomade and the heavy smell of aftershave lingering about him. His mustache had been waxed to smooth perfection and curled up at the ends.
He’d had Slim prepare a snack for them that they shared under a stand of brilliant gold aspen trees whose heart-shaped leaves trembled in the cool breeze along Mill Creek. A very nice setting for a picnic.
“Tell me about your days as a cowboy, Curtis,” Rachel asked since she knew nothing about him.
“I’ve been a cowboy since I was fifteen. I’ve worked in places like Texas and Kansas,” he said. “When I got older I drifted up here to Paradise Valley, and with my experience handling Longhorns, I quickly signed on to work for John as his foreman. I’ve never had a better man as my boss,” Curtis told her. “So here I am.” He talked as they strolled along the banks of Mill Creek.
“Do you have plans to have your own ranch like the other drovers?” Rachel had tried to sound interested, but she had her mind on the drive to Lewistown. When he gazed at her, his eyes filled with hopeful intentions while hers skittered away.
“I like working for John and I’m happy with what I do. ’Course, someday I wouldn’t mind having a little cabin close by to call my own where I could have a wife and maybe a kid or two. And you?”
Rachel thought a moment before answering. Somehow she knew what he wanted to hear. “I haven’t given it too much thought. You know I lost my brother recently and our ranch. I’m grateful for the job Estelle provided me, and that’s enough for now.” They’d paused by the creek, listening to the sounds of its water rushing over the smooth rocks.
Curtis boldly took her hand in his large calloused one. “Well, I hope we can spend more time together soon—maybe next Sunday?”
She pulled her hand away a little too hastily. “Let’s just enjoy this glorious fall afternoon. Okay?”
He had seemed a little miffed and took a step back. “All right, but I’m not giving up. I can be a little stubborn at times. So I’m giving you fair warning.” He chuckled.
Rachel had forced a smile. “We’ll see. I think I need to go now, if you don’t mind.” As soon as they returned to the ranch she hurried inside to check on Estelle. She could feel his eyes on her back as she left.
Now, as she and Sal continued rumbling down the road to Lewistown, her thoughts were all a jumble. What was she going to do about him? She’d have to think about it later. Right now her mind needed to focus on getting to the bank in Lewistown. The damp morning sent a chill up her back, but the blanket across her legs kept her warm. She encountered a stray shower or two, and for certain there’d be no sun today. It’d be so much better sitting by the fire with a good book, she mused with a sigh.
She thought of Molly, wondering how the morning at the shop was going. Rachel found herself looking after the girl like a big sister. She couldn’t help but notice Molly had a deep affection for Estelle, and it warmed Rachel’s heart. Molly could benefit from a little mothering, and Estelle liked nothing more than to think she was being helpful to folks. It was a virtue that Rachel admired in her. Some people had the gift of putting others before themselves.
The Bridger Mountains to the northeast were a formidable sight, the gray clouds hanging over them with the promise of more rain. The breathtaking beauty of the mountains and surrounding slopes of conifers and aspen trees reminded Rachel that God created this vast, unbelievable landscape. Up ahead, Lewistown was coming into view.
She maneuvered the horse and buggy through busy Main Street and managed to avoid the muddy potholes, stopping in front of the town’s bank. Several gentlemen walking about greeted her or tipped their hats with obvious interest. But she only smiled back and tied Sal to a hitching post, whispering in her ear, “I won’t be long, so here’s a treat for you.” She held out an apple and Sal snorted before swiping it from her hand, her soft muzzle tickling Rachel’s palm. She gave Sal a pat on the neck, took the steps to the bank, then entered the busy place filled with midday customers.
