Xenia’s Renegade (14 page)

She frowned. “What?”

He took a deep breath. “A little over five years ago I was married to an Indian woman named Juanita. Our marriage lasted only a few months because she caught the fever that was going around. She died. I decided then and there I’d never give my heart to another woman. I kept that vow until the day I met you.”

Mea Ann started to say something, but he stopped her. “There’s more. Shortly after Juanita died, Ty met a woman he thought he loved…and he also thought she loved him. It turned out she only wanted his money. When she realized he couldn’t take his fortune with him if he left Arizona with her, she turned on him. Told him no white woman could ever love a breed like him. He believed her, and I guess—in a way, his feelings rubbed off on me.”

“I don’t understand what Ty’s bad experience or your first wife have to do with me.”

“I didn’t realize how much his feelings had affected me.” He reached for her hand again. This time, she let him hold it. “When I climbed into that stagecoach that day, I’ve never been as attracted to a woman as I was to you, but I knew nothing could ever come of it. There you sat with Johnny in your lap, and I thought you must be married. Then, I heard your story—and though it took a little while, I realized you weren’t looking after that baby because you were doing your Christian duty, you were doing it because you really cared for him.”

“I love Johnny with all my heart.”

“I don’t doubt that. Still, I didn’t think you could ever care for me. A man who was part Indian. A man who had been married. A man who, because of his cousin’s experience, didn’t fully trust white women.” He paused and took another deep breath. “Oh, I knew you liked me, or I was pretty sure you did, but that was all I thought you felt. It didn’t matter that I was falling in love with you. I couldn’t imagine anything ever coming of it. I didn’t feel worthy of your love.” He sighed. “Then you asked me to kiss you…and when I looked in your eyes, I knew you meant it. I was so stunned by your caring that I messed the whole thing up.”

“Are you saying you do care about me?”

He looked directly at her. “I don’t just
care
about you, Mea Ann. I
love
you. You may never feel that way about me, but I can’t hold it back any longer. I love you, and I want you to love me back more than anything in this world.”

She looked into his eyes and tears welled up in hers. Then, she did something that again stunned him. She reached up and brushed her lips against his. “None of what you told me affects what I feel. I love you, Wilt. I love you with all my being.”

He knew the smart thing to do would be to push her away from him and tell her it could never work out. They were from two different worlds, and neither would fit in the other’s life. If they became a couple, things around here wouldn’t be too hard on them. His money and the investments he had in town would see to that. But that was only true in Deer Meadow. Other towns wouldn’t be so forgiving. Society in the west wasn’t ready for white women to marry men with Indian blood.  If she had ideas of being more to him than a hopeful dream she would soon learn it could never be. Not only would society be against them, but what about her family? He was sure her father and mother and whoever else she was close to would never accept a breed into their midst. As for Xenia, she would probably support her sister, but was that enough?

Even as these thoughts tumbled through his mind, he couldn’t resist his feelings for her any longer. Without further hesitation, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. He felt every inch of his body being surrounded by her presence and her love. It was too late to think of other things. Mea Ann Poindexter was the love he’d waited all his life to find. A love he had begun to doubt existed. But he was wrong. Here she was in his arms, and no matter what happened in the future, there was no way he would ever let this woman leave his life. He’d found his destiny, and nobody in his life or hers was going to deny him the pleasure of loving Mea Ann for the rest of his life.

Wilt pulled away and looked down at her and whispered, “You know what this means, don’t you?”

“What?” she whispered back.

“It means I’m asking you to marry me, Mea Ann. I may not be the kind of man you expected to spend your life with. I may not be the kind you want as a husband, but I love you and I’ll always love you. I’ll be good to you and I’ll try my best to make you happy, because I want us to be together forever. Will you marry me?”

She gave him a big smile. “I want to say yes right away, but I have to consider what you feel about Johnny. As far as I’m concerned, he’s my son and he’ll always be my son.”

He slid his finger down her cheek. “No, Mea Ann. Johnny’s not only your son. He’s
our
son.”

“Oh, Wilt. It thrills me to hear you say that. I can’t wait to marry you, because I love you and want to be with you forever, too. I want to be your wife, and I want to have your children.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, because I want us to give Johnny some brothers and sisters.”

The smile she gave him was so brilliant he thought his heart would burst. He pulled her back in his arms and got lost in her kisses.

As Chapa walked into Xenia’s room, Johnny let out a yell. She laughed and turned to Ty. “Maybe I better check the wee one since Wilt and Mea Ann aren’t back. How about you seeing if Xenia is awake, or if the was moaning in her sleep?”

“I’ll do it. What should I do if she continues to moan?”

“Just watch her. If she wakes up and is in a lot of pain, give her a spoonful of laudanum. It’s on the table beside the bed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ty entered Xenia’s room and moved to the bed. Her eyes were closed, but she tossed her head and let out a little moan.

“Xenia,” he whispered. “Are you in pain?”

Her eyes fluttered.

“Are you trying to wake up?”

They fluttered again.

“Do you hurt? Do you want some medicine?”

He was sure she shook her head.

“Then I’m going to sit right here beside you and wait until you either open your eyes or you fall back asleep.”

A smile crossed her lips.

Ty dropped to the chair and watched Xenia. She would frown, then smile. Later she muttered, but it was unintelligible. She turned her head and opened her eyes. Then closed them again. With each movement, she became more awake.

Finally, she muttered, “What’s going on, Ty?”

This time, he understood her. “I was just checking on you. How are you feeling?”

“Better, but I’m a little hungry.”

“That’s a good sign. I’m sure Aunt Chapa has something you can eat.”

“What time is it?”

He pulled his gold watch out of his vest pocket. “Quarter to nine.”

“In the morning?”

He shook his head. “Evening.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“You sure are full of questions, pretty lady. Why don’t you relax and I’ll go check in the kitchen for you something to eat?”

“Wait. I want to talk to you. Is there anyone else around?”

“Wilt and Mea Ann went for a walk, and Aunt Chapa is taking care of Johnny.”

She reached up and rubbed her eyes. “Oh, that hurts.”

“Be careful. You have a bruise over your eye and I’m sure your face is still sore.”

She frowned and nodded. “He can’t get to me now, can he, Ty?”

“No, Xenia. He’ll never be able to get you again.”

“What happened to him?” She was whispering now.

Ty moved closer to the bed. “Xenia, don’t worry about him anymore. You need to rest and get strong. Bullins is taken care of.”

“Thank you for saving me, Ty.”

He was a little embarrassed, but he reached over and patted her arm. “I’m glad I could do it. Now, I’m going to go see what Aunt Chapa has in the kitchen, and I’ll be right back.”

He found Chapa at the big kitchen table feeding Johnny.

She looked up. “He acted hungry and I remembered he didn’t have anything except milk for supper. I’m giving him some of the chicken stew and he seems to like it.”

“Is it still warm?”

“Warm enough, if you want a bowl.”

“It’s not for me. Xenia said she was hungry. I thought I’d take her some.”

“I’ve just finished feeding Johnny. Why don’t you take him and sit in one of the rocking chairs? I’ll take it to her. I might need to help her with something.”

“I can help her.”

“Don’t make me embarrass you, Ty. I thought she might need the thunder pot.”

“Oh.” A little embarrassed, he reached for the baby, though he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to hold him.

Chapa laughed. “He won’t bite you, Ty, but go into the parlor and have a seat. I’ll put him in your lap. I know you’re not used to babies, but don’t worry. You’ll be fine—and I’m sure Mea Ann will be back soon.”

He sat in one of the rocking chairs and looked down at the baby in his lap. Johnny looked back at him with his shiny black eyes. He gurgled, smiled and waved his little brown arms. Ty couldn’t help thinking the baby was a handsome lad. He would probably grow into a handsome man. It even crossed his mind that he’d like to have one of these of his own one day. He couldn’t help wondering, if he ever had a son, would its Indian heritage show the way Johnny’s did? Of course, if he married an Indian maiden, it would, but if he married Xenia, it might not be as noticeable in the child.

“Why the hell did you think that, you fool?” he muttered, and glanced toward the hall. He wanted his aunt to hurry. He needed to get rid of this baby before he had any more idiotic thoughts. There was no way in the world he’d ever marry a white woman, even if he cared for her. Which he didn’t. Not enough to think about marrying her, anyway.

“Look at him, Wilt,” Mea Ann said when they entered the room. “Doesn’t he look natural sitting there mumbling to my baby?”

Wilt laughed. “There’s a lot of things Ty is natural about, but taking care of a baby isn’t one task I’d ever guessed he could do.”

Ty shook his head. “I’m as awkward as they come with a baby. Come here and get him before I drop him, Mea Ann.”

She walked up beside him. “Looks like he’s enjoying being in your lap, Ty. See how he’s cooing and looking up at you?”

Wilt chuckled. “He’ll make a good uncle, won’t he?”

“He’ll also make a good father, someday.” Mea Ann reached down and took Johnny from Ty’s lap. “You can practice with Johnny any time you want to, Ty.”

Ty stood. “I’m going outside for a smoke.” He started out of the room, but paused before he got to the door when it registered with him what Wilt had said earlier. “What was that remark about me being an uncle?”

Before Wilt could answer Chapa came back into the room with an empty bowl in her hand. “Xenia is looking much better. She ate every bit of the chicken stew I took her.”

“How wonderful. I think Johnny and I will go sit with her a bit. I want to talk to her about something.”

“I think she’d like that, Mea Ann.”

“Why don’t you come with me, Chapa? I’d like to discuss something with the both of you.”

Wilt turned toward the door. “I’ll go with you and have a smoke, too, Ty. I think we need to talk.” 

****

“I’m glad you brought Johnny to see me, Mea Ann. He looks like he’s thriving under your care.”

“He is, Xenia and what about you? Are you really feeling better?”

“Much better. I’m so thankful Ty got me out of that hotel and brought me here.”

“I am, too.” She sat in the rocking chair. “It’s still hard for me to believe Lou Bullins did this to you. I knew he wasn’t a nice man, but I never dreamed he was so evil.”

“Neither did I, Mea Ann, but it’s over now, thanks to the Good Lord and Ty.”

“Yes, it is over, and it’s good to see you looking so much better today. Even some of the swelling has gone down.”

“I owe it all to Chapa’s good care.”

“You’re an easy person to look after, Xenia. You’ve slept almost all the time since Ty brought you home.”

“As I said, I’m glad he brought me here. I don’t think I could’ve stayed in that horrible hotel after...” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t want to think about it.”

“You don’t have to think about it, dear.” Chapa smiled at her. “I tell you what. Why don’t I go fix us all a nice cup of tea? Ladies can always have a nice talk over a good cup of tea.”

“Wait a minute, Chapa. I have to say something first.”

“What is it, Mea Ann?”

She took a big breath and smiled broadly. “Wilt has asked me to marry him…and I said yes.”

Chapa looked a little surprised, but Xenia was stunned. “What?”

“You heard me, sister. I’m going to marry Wilt.”

“But…Mea Ann, you hardly know him.”

“I know all I need to know about him. He loves me, and he wants to marry me. He also wants to be a father to Johnny. And the Good Lord knows I love Wilt more than I ever thought I could ever love a man.”

“You know Father will have a fit. I can hear him now forbidding you to marry a cowboy.”

“I don’t care what he says. I’m going to marry Wilt, and there’s nothing he can do about it. I’ll wire him and tell him after the wedding.”

“Wouldn’t you want to invite your parents to the wedding, Mea Ann?”

“If I thought he and Mother would be happy for me, I’d like for them to come, but I’m afraid they’d never accept my marrying Wilt, Chapa.”

“Would they object because of Wilt’s Indian blood?”

Mea Ann shrugged. “They’ll probably not like the idea of it much, but it wouldn’t be the main reason they wouldn’t approve the marriage.”

Chapa frowned. “Then, why?”

“I can answer that,” Xenia said. “It’s because Father wants both Mea Ann and me to marry one of those slick-haired city boys he’s picked out as our future husbands. The kind of man who doesn’t know how to love a woman. One who only wants to put his wife on display in her fancy gowns to show all his friends how well he’s doing. It doesn’t matter if there’s love in the marriage or not. Her husband can always find his pleasure elsewhere.”  

“Xenia’s right. That’s one reason we left Richmond to see if we could help Uncle Seymour. Father was pushing me to marry Jasper Newman, one of the men who works in the bank he does business with.”

“And did you want to marry this man?”

“Not at all, Chapa. I don’t even like the man, and I could hardly stand to be in the same room with him.”

Xenia looked at her sister. “But you like being in the room with Wilt?”

“Yes, Xenia. My heart beats faster every time he enters the room. I’ve felt that way almost from the time he climbed into the stage and sat down on the seat in front of us. His smile captured my heart when he tipped his hat and looked at me.”

“I agree, you should send Father a wire after the wedding and tell him about it. I know you’d like to have Mother at the ceremony, but you know how she is. If Father told her he was taking you home without letting you get married, she’d go along with it, no matter what you want. She loves her daughters, but she’ll always side with Father.”

Chapa shook her head, but said nothing.

“You’re right, Xenia, but that’s not going to deter me from marrying the man I love.”

“If you’ll wait a couple of days to let the rest of this awful swelling on my face go down, I’ll be there for you, big sister. I can’t be a bridesmaid with all these bruises showing.”

“Oh, Xenia I’m so glad you’ll support me.” Mea Ann leaned over and hugged her sister, and Johnny let out a little cry.

Mea Ann laughed and looked down at him. “Sorry, little fellow. I didn’t mean to mash you between your Aunt Xenia and me.”

Johnny cooed.

“And I’ll support you, too, Mea Ann.” Chapa smiled at her. “The only thing I ask is that you make my nephew a good wife.”

“I will, Chapa, and I’m going to depend on you to teach me how to be a good ranch wife. I’ll be the first to admit I have a lot to learn.”

“I’ll be happy to help you.” Chapa stood. “Now, let me go get that tea and we’ll celebrate.”

****

The next afternoon Seymour Longstreet frowned as he came down the stairs to the main area of the saloon. There was an Indian standing on the outside of the swinging doors looking in. Stomping across the wooden floor he glared at the man. “Get the hell away from my door. Don’t you see the sign?”

“I see it.”

“I know you probably can’t read, but it says ‘
No Injuns allowed
.’ Now, get away from here. You’re blocking the door for the good men of this town who want to come in here for a drink or two, and maybe be entertained by one of the pretty ladies. None of that is available for men like you.”

“I didn’t come for liquor or a woman.”

“Then why are you standing there?”

“Waitin’ to see you come down the stairs in there.”

Seymour lifted an eyebrow. “Well, I’m down. What do you want?”

“To talk to you.”

“There’s no need. I told that bigshot Eldridge breed that Injuns were not welcome here anymore. Him, included.”

“I have some information for you.”

“What in the hell information could a redskin have for me?”

A man walked up. “Hey, is this place open or not? I need a drink.”

“Of course it’s open. Step aside, Injun, and let the man come in.”

The Indian moved to the left and the man pushed open the bat doors and went in as he muttered, “I’ve never been kept waiting at a saloon door by some dirty Indian before.”

“See how you’re interrupting my business? Now, I’ve heard enough. It’s time you got on down the street.” Seymour turned to walk away.

“Even if’n I’ve got news about your nieces?”

He whirled around. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“How could you know anything about my nieces?”

A couple of cowboys came up, and again the Indian moved to the side so they could go through the door. “An open window and careless conversation by a gaggle of loose-tongued women can tell a man whatever he needs to know. And I know plenty from standin’ just outside that window as long as I needed to. Is there somewhere we can talk?”