Texas Pride: Night Riders (12 page)

“Maybe that is how they do things in Mexico.”

“I never chased bandits before so I don’t know.” Danny flopped back on his bed, apparently losing interest. “Riley said I could ride with him again. He said some ranchers pay a reward for getting their cows back. He said I’d get a share. If we find enough cows, maybe I can earn enough money to buy back my half of the ranch.”

“I thought the government was supposed to pay to get the cows back.”

Danny shrugged. “Maybe they don’t pay enough. I don’t know.” He yawned again. “I’m really tired. You’d better head to the house before Carla comes after you.”

By the time Ivan had put on his boots, the boy was asleep, but his comments had started Ivan thinking. Thieves didn’t give up that easily. Nor were they so stupid. Anyone desperate or lawless enough to steal was prepared to fight to keep what they took. The whole country had just fought a war over an ideal, a principle. How much more would people be willing to fight for food? If that was true, why were the bandits so easily foiled when they tried to raid Kesney’s herd? He could accept one instance of inept bandits but not two. He couldn’t get it out of his mind that there was something wrong here, but his head hurt too much to worry about that now. It was more important to see what he could do to help people in Overlin.

***

“Overlin has two heroes today,” Maxwell Dodge declared. “William Riley for returning Wilbur Joiner’s stolen cows, and Ivan Nikolai for practically putting Overlin back together by himself.”

“Everybody is a hero,” Ivan said. “Every citizen of Overlin did what they could.”

Carla smiled to herself at Ivan’s efforts to refuse any credit for the work that had been done that day, but he couldn’t deny that he’d singlehandedly lifted the beam that had kept Sally Wynn pinned for hours. Nor could he deny that he’d inspected every house that was damaged, assessed what could be saved and what couldn’t, and told people how to make the best use of what they had left. They’d never had an engineer in Overlin. If he accepted all the jobs that were being offered him, all at more pay than he could make riding herd, Ivan would be spending most of his time in Overlin. Carla didn’t pretend to be enthusiastic about that.

She was even less pleased when Eve Lawrence latched on to Ivan like she was drowning, and he was the only one who could save her. Eve had lost her clothes that had been hanging out to dry. Unfortunately, that hadn’t included any of the scandalous dresses she wore when she worked in the One Horse Saloon.

“That is the Texas spirit,” Maxwell Dodge was saying. “Let it not be said that anyone in Overlin suffered and the rest of us stood aside.”

“I don’t know why Maxwell is taking it upon himself to act like the mayor and speak for all of us,” Myrtle Jenkins said to Carla. “He’s no more a Texan than Ivan.”

“He’s not half as nice,” Sadie Lowell added.

“I doubt there’s a man in Texas with Ivan’s manners,” Myrtle declared. “He is an example to us all.”

Carla was pretty impressed by Ivan herself, but she was having a hard time listening to people turn him into a larger than life hero. Everybody had worked hard all day. Men, women, and children. Young and old. Ivan was just bigger, stronger, and smarter than anybody else. And the only one who never seemed to lose patience.

Whether dealing with someone suffering from shock, despair, anger, or frustration, Ivan never got upset, never became impatient, was never at a loss to know what to say to give reassurance, offer hope. And he did it all with an accent that brought a smile to many faces that were streaked with tears.

“I offered to fix anything he’d like to eat,” Myrtle said, “but he insisted I feed the children.” Myrtle looked like she couldn’t decide whether her admiration for Ivan was greater than her dislike of children.

“That Eve woman is running around telling everybody all he’s eaten today is a piece of chicken she gave him.” Sadie snorted in disgust. “Like she knows how to do anything in a kitchen harder than boil water.”

“You can tell Eve she doesn’t have to worry about Ivan,” Carla said. “He had a good breakfast, and he’ll get a good supper tonight.”

“I have nothing to do with women like Eve,” Myrtle said.

“I don’t like her, either,” Sadie said, “but she’s a customer.”

“If I had a dress shop, she wouldn’t be a customer of mine.”

“She would if you hadn’t had two husbands die and leave you more money than anybody else in town.”

The two women considered themselves the leaders of Overlin society. Since neither could establish a position of leadership above the other, they’d joined in an antagonistic alliance against all newcomers. Carla was the only woman willing to stand up to either of them. “What are you two fixing for the supper tonight?” Carla asked before the women could get at daggers drawn.

“I’m fixing chicken,” Sadie said. “The tornado knocked over my coop and killed several of my hens.”

“I’ve got a roast on right now,” Myrtle said. “I’m also bringing potatoes and gravy. With all the work they have to do, the men need something that will stick to their ribs. What are you doing?”

“I’m not fixing anything. Ivan has invited Sally Wynn and her boys to stay with us until her house can be fixed. I’ve never cooked for so many.”

Inviting the Wynn family to stay at the ranch hadn’t been Ivan’s idea. It had been the idea of Sally’s two sons. They were two of the boys who’d been fascinated by Ivan when he fixed Sadie’s doors. They remembered his invitation to visit whenever they wanted. They’d asked if they could come until their house was fixed. Naturally Ivan had said they could. Which meant Carla had to convince Sally Wynn it really was all right for them to stay, that she wasn’t saying that just because her boys had asked.

“I’m willing to do my part,” Myrtle said, “but I could never endure having two boys in my house.”

“I offered to let Sally stay with me,” Sadie said, “but she said she couldn’t leave Carla alone with her two hellions.”

“I should think not,” Myrtle declared. “Put them in the bunkhouse,” she told Carla, “and feed them outside.”

“I don’t think they’re that bad.”

“They’re boys, aren’t they?” Myrtle said. “You were raised with a brother. You ought to know what they’re like.”

Until the card game, Carla had always defended Danny against Myrtle’s attacks. Now it was easier to ignore them. “I’d better head back if I’m going to have everything ready by the time Ivan gets home.”

“Don’t let those boys eat you out for house and home,” Myrtle advised.

“They’re only seven and eight. How much can they eat?”

“Wait and see,” Myrtle cautioned. “Wait and see.”

***

“It was so kind of you to invite us to stay with you,” Sally Wynn said to Carla. “I don’t know what I would have done. I hope it’s not too much trouble.”

“Not at all,” Carla said. “It’ll be nice to have a woman to talk to.”

Sally’s husband had been killed in one of the last battles of the war. She had a job in the bank, and everybody helped look after her boys.

“I don’t know what would have happened to my boys if Ivan hadn’t lifted that beam off me.” Sally teared up as she did every time she mentioned Ivan. “It’s bad enough not having a father. I can’t bear to think of them as orphans.”

“Then don’t,” Carla said. “You’re fine, the boys are happy as larks being with Ivan and Danny, and supper is almost done. Why don’t you tell them to get ready?”

“Thank you so much. Everybody has been so good to us since Tom was killed.”

“That’s because everybody loves you and the boys. Now call the boys to supper. I expect they’re starving by now.”

Carla didn’t mind giving Sally and her boys a place to stay until their house was fixed, but she was uncomfortable with the repeated thanks and expressions of gratitude. Most of all she disliked the tears. Why did women have to cry so often? And what was wrong with her that she never felt like that? Well, there was that one time, but it was an exception.

Before Sally could call the men, a knock sounded at the door, and a little boy’s voice asked, “May we come in?”

Thinking this might be a game of Danny’s invention, Carla replied, “What’s the password?”

“Ivan didn’t say nothing about no password, and I’m hungry.” The boy sounded miffed.

Carla opened the door immediately. Tim, Sally’s older son, was standing on the steps. Lew was behind him between Danny and Ivan. “
I’m hungry
will always work for a password at suppertime,” Carla told the boy. “Now come in and find a chair.”

Rather than dash in and take the first chairs they came to, the boys walked in, moved to the chairs Ivan indicated, and waited.

“Ivan said we had to wait for the ladies to be seated,” Lew announced. “He said that meant Mama, too.”

“He made us wash,” Tim said, holding up his hands for his mother to see.

“He said where he grew up he had to put on special clothes before he could eat supper.” Lew looked up at Ivan with adoration in his eyes. “He said we didn’t have to because the wind blew ours away.”

Between the tornado and the rain, there wasn’t much Sally could salvage from her home. Carla took her seat. Sally was quick to follow.

“Can we sit down now?” Tim asked Ivan.

“Yes.” As soon as the boys were seated, he asked, “What would you like your mother to pass to you?”

Lew looked over a table laden with food, and his eyes grew wide with excitement. “Can we have some of everything?”

“Of course,” Carla said. “Your mother and I fixed it for you.”

Carla watched as Ivan guided the boys through the meal in a manner she was certain they’d never experienced. Even more amazing, the boys seemed to like it. Even Danny behaved better. Much to her surprise, Carla found her eyes watering. Ivan was going to make a perfect father. But where in a country filled with insipid women concerned only with their looks was he going to find a wife worthy of him? Just then, Lew opened his mouth and asked a question that nearly floored Carla.

“Mama, would you marry Ivan?”

Danny sputtered with laughter, then sent Carla a look that was so impudent she itched to slap him.

Flushed with embarrassment, Sally asked her son, “Why ever would you ask that?”

“I want Ivan to live with us. Danny says you would have to marry him, or old Myrtle would fall down in a fit.”

“I don’t like old Myrtle,” Tim announced. “I hope she has a big fit.”

That was too much for Danny. He burst into full-blown laughter.

“If you can’t behave any better, you can leave the table,” Carla told her brother.

“And miss what these two brats might say next? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“It is very nice of you to want me to live with you,” Ivan said to Lew, “but I have to live here with Danny and Miss Carla.”

Carla could feel what was coming next just as clearly as if it had been written on the wall.

“Are you married to Miss Carla?”

“No.”

“Does that mean old Myrtle is going to have a fit?”

“Can I watch?” Tim asked. “I’ve never seen anybody have a fit.”

“You can watch me,” declared Carla. “I’m just about to have a fit and beat my brother to death.”

Despite her irritation, Carla couldn’t suppress a laugh at Lew’s open-mouth stare. Since Danny was already in the grip of helpless laughter, it needed only Ivan’s grin to encourage Sally’s laughter. The children, not sure why everybody was laughing, joined nevertheless. That served to clear the air of tension.

“Now that’s over, you’d better eat your supper so you can get to bed early,” Carla said to the boys. “Ivan is going back to Overlin tomorrow. He’ll take you with him if it’s okay with your mother.”

“I’m going, too,” Sally said. “I can’t let other people work on my house and me not be there.”

“I’ll help,” Carla volunteered.

“I’ll help Ivan,” Danny said.

“Somebody has to stay here,” his sister said.

“I was here yesterday.”

“And spent nearly all of it in bed.”

“I would stay,” Ivan said, “but I can be more useful in town.”

“Mr. Dodge said Ivan was a hero,” Tim announced.

“He said the men who found Mr. Joiner’s herd were heroes, too,” Ivan reminded the boy.

“When I get big, I’m going to chase bandits,” Lew declared.

“I hope there won’t be any more bandits by the time you’re grown,” Carla said.

Her hopes were not shared by the boys.

***

It turned out to be one of those rare days people remember years later. A mixture of clouds and cool breezes from a distant thunderstorm brought the temperature down twenty degrees below average. The welcome rain that followed the tornado had invigorated people as much as it refreshed the earth. Plants and trees, washing clean of the dust and grit that had covered them for the last month, waved proudly in the breeze. Flower buds that had threatened to wither in the heat had burst open in bright color. Honeybees and fluttering butterflies hurried to harvest the gifts from the flowers before the heat withered their brilliance.

Yet Earth’s newly polished beauty was badly tarnished by the debris left in the storm’s wake. Broken boards lay scattered between buildings, across the open prairie, even caught in branches of trees. Household items and pieces of clothing had been tossed in all directions, some snagged on the thorns of cactuses, others deposited in depressions or streambeds, some broken into bits, others apparently unharmed.

The children ranged far and wide, returning with arms and wagons loaded with mounds of life’s necessities to be sorted through by families that had lost part or most of their possessions. Men and boys labored to clear away debris, throw out what couldn’t be fixed, and start the process of rebuilding. Women and girls labored to feed everyone in-between who were struggling to restore some order to badly shattered lives. Those fortunate enough to have been out of the path of the storm shared with their neighbors, knowing that only chance had kept them from being among the less fortunate.

“I’ve never seen people so happy with each other,” Sadie said to Carla. Food was set out on a series of tables. People stopped to eat when they had a few minutes. Carla and Sadie had been designated to replenish the empty bowls and plates.

“Trouble brings out either the best or worst in people. Today it was the best.”

“I think most people are just glad it wasn’t their house that was scattered from here to the Rio Grande.”

Carla handed Sadie a plate that had been emptied of fried chicken and picked up a bowl with only a few spoonfuls of succotash left. “Don’t be so cynical. Even Riley and his men are helping.”

Riley’s men had been turned into carpenters and handymen. Everyone was so grateful for the quick return of Wilbur Joiner’s herd that they gave his men the easiest jobs, the choicest pieces of meat, the best places in the shade, and generally showered them with so many compliments even Bricker managed to smile. It didn’t hurt that several young women, having learned the men were unmarried, favored them with special attention. Sadie cast a glance at one young woman who’d been concentrating her attention on the youngest and most attractive of Riley’s men.

“Look at that! The foolish girl can’t have any respect for herself, not with throwing herself at a man that way.”

“You can’t blame Sueanne for trying to draw attention to herself,” Carla said. “There aren’t many single men in the county.”

“Drawing attention to yourself is one thing. Practically throwing yourself at a man is another. If she’s got to make a spectacle of herself, she could at least direct her attentions to Ivan. Now that’s a man worth having.”

Carla kept an eye on Ivan throughout the day. Nearly every man in Overlin had some experience in building, but none of them had Ivan’s training. In a short time he’d been promoted to supervising all the building projects. During the course of the day, nearly every woman found at least one opportunity to consult his opinion on everything from how to pipe water into a kitchen to what to do about a skinned knee. It infuriated Carla that he treated every question with equal gravity.

“Not every single man is looking to get married,” Carla told Sadie. “Everybody might as well know Ivan means to go back to Poland.”

“Why ever would he want to do that?”

“Because that’s where he was born, where his family is. He’s a prince there.”

“I thought that was a silly tale Beth Kesney had made up. Everyone knows she’s been after Ivan ever since she set eyes on him. You mean it’s true?”

“His family has been important in Poland for more than five hundred years. They’ve got castles, and I don’t know what else. His sister married a very rich man so he’ll be an important person when he goes back. I’m sure he’ll expect his wife to have an equally impressive background.”

“Golly,” Sadie gushed. “A prince. Wait ’til I tell Myrtle. She’ll be furious that I knew before her.”

Carla probably shouldn’t have told Sadie about Ivan. Sadie would repeat it to everyone she met as quickly as she could, probably with embellishments, but people might as well know Ivan didn’t mean to stay in Texas. He would treat every woman with flattering graciousness then head off to Poland like nothing had happened.

Carla was in the habit of being honest with herself so she had to admit she wasn’t doing this for unselfish reasons. She didn’t like that she was jealous of the attention Ivan showered on other women. For some reason she couldn’t understand—or didn’t
want
to understand—she felt he belonged to her. Every time she saw a woman approach Ivan, she wanted to push her away. Every time he smiled at them, she wanted to tell him to stop. If he wasn’t going to focus on helping people rebuild their homes, he ought to be back at the ranch with Danny. If he intended to take ownership of the land in a year, the least he could do was work for it.

She was nearly as annoyed with herself as she was with Ivan for coming into her life and confusing her. Never before had she had been unsure of what to do. Everything went back to Mr. diViere. If he hadn’t come to Overlin, Danny wouldn’t have lost half the ranch. If diViere hadn’t found himself with half of a ranch, he wouldn’t have told Ivan he could have it if he worked it for a year. Without that offer, Ivan would never have come to Overlin. If Ivan hadn’t come to Overlin, her life wouldn’t be in such turmoil.

If she ever met diViere, she’d be sorely tempted to put a bullet in him.

“I wonder if Sueanne knows Ivan’s going back to Poland,” Sadie said. “It’s not like her to ignore a handsome man.”

“She didn’t ignore him earlier,” Myrtle said. “And what’s this about Ivan going to Poland?”

Within minutes, Sadie had poured out the whole story, turning to Carla for corroboration or elaboration. Myrtle’s response was unexpected.

“We can’t let him go back to Poland,” Myrtle said to Carla. “You’ve got to marry him and keep him here.”

Carla was bereft of speech.

“Don’t gape at me like a landed fish,” Myrtle snapped. “I know you like him. Any woman with sense would, and you’ve got plenty of sense. He’s worth two of your Kesney Hardin. Probably three or four of that grandstanding Maxwell Dodge.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carla managed to sputter.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Myrtle said. “I’ve seen you watching him all morning. I’ve also seen how you act when one of those silly women sidles up to him, grinning like a saphead, and asking her half-witted question.”

“I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

Myrtle ignored her interruption. “I was afraid for a time you were going to fall for Kesney’s flash and money. I wouldn’t blame another girl for being taken in, but I always knew you had too much sense.”

“Thank you. I think,” Carla managed to say.

Myrtle lost patience. “Don’t give me any pretense. If you don’t yet like him enough to want to marry him, get going and do it. It’s not going to be easy to convince him to stay in this godforsaken corner of the world rather than some fancy palace filled with painted women falling over themselves to do what you won’t.” Myrtle was notorious for plain speaking, but today she was breaking new ground.

“I think Ivan likes me, but he’s not interested in me that way.”

“Then make him. You’re a beautiful woman, and you’re smart. I managed to get two husbands without half your looks or money. He’s worth more than both my husbands together.”

“I didn’t know you liked Ivan,” Sadie said to Carla, her expression one of surprise mixed with confusion.

“I don’t. I mean, not the way Myrtle thinks.”

“I don’t
think
,” Myrtle said. “I
know
.”

Sadie brightened. “Well, I think you ought to do what Myrtle says.” Her expression darkened. “He’d be better off with you than that flighty daughter of Kesney.”

“He’s not interested in children,” Myrtle declared. “Ivan is a man who needs a woman.”

Carla was tempted to tell Myrtle there were few men who’d turn their backs on a pretty child bride who was rich into the bargain, but she was too busy trying to grapple with the maelstrom of emotions Myrtle’s suggestion had set off.

“Does he like being a rancher?” Sadie asked. “I never knew a rancher who liked being cooped up indoors.”

“Princes don’t stay cooped up,” Myrtle said. “They have huge estates and spend all day on horseback chasing foxes and deer.”

Carla didn’t know how Myrtle could know anything about Polish aristocracy, but she was relieved when one of the cooks shouted she had a plate of barbecued beef ready for the table. Another called that she had a bowl of potatoes ready.

“Don’t forget what I said,” Myrtle called to Carla as she rushed away. “The whole town is depending on you.”

Carla didn’t know how Myrtle should think that. Nor did she know how she’d come up with the idea that Carla should marry Ivan. Myrtle didn’t know much about Ivan if she thought he could be swayed so easily. If Ivan said he was going back to Poland, that’s what he was going to do.

Even if Carla
did
decide she wanted to marry him.

***

Danny took one look at his sister and whistled through his teeth. “Damn, Sis, you look great. There won’t be a female at the dance who can come within a mile of you tonight.”

After a week of hard work, houses damaged by the tornado had been repaired, furnishings had been found, borrowed, or rebuilt, and clothes had been retrieved, washed, and put back in wardrobes. Families were sleeping in their own beds, and children were playing in yards free of debris. Life was so nearly back to normal it was hard to believe a tornado had passed through just eight days ago.

The dance that had been postponed was on again. Maxwell Dodge had taken it upon himself to declare that this time it would be a victory dance to celebrate the recovery of the town. He’d topped that by saying it would be a chance for the ladies to thank the men for working so hard by making sure they had partners for every dance. Myrtle had asked why it wasn’t equally important for the men to thank the women. Carla had said she thought Myrtle had made a good point, but Maxwell had ignored both of them.

This would be the biggest dance in Overlin’s short history. People would come from miles around. Some would come in wagons with their whole families and stay for a day or two. Single cowhands would ride as much as twenty-five miles just for the chance of dancing with a pretty girl. There would be food and drink for everyone. The musicians would play as long as anyone wanted to dance. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, would attempt to pack as much fun as possible in a few hours.

“I hope you’ve got lots of energy,” Danny said to his sister. “Every man there is going to want to dance with you.”

Carla blushed with pleasure. “I don’t want to stand out that much.”

“Then take off that red dress.” Danny shook his head and grinned broadly. “I can’t believe Widow Lowell would have something like that in her shop.”

“She didn’t want to sell it to me.”

“Who did she expect to buy it? She probably got it by mistake. I bet it gave her heart palpitations.”

Carla laughed at her brother’s nonsense. He was so handsome he would be surrounded by giggling girls from the minute he arrived. “I doubt everybody will be begging me for dances. Wait until you see Kesney’s daughter.”