My Heart Will Find Yours (22 page)

The younger man’s face turned red. Royce expected him to take a swing, but instead he ripped the badge from his shirt and slammed it on the desk.

“If you so much as look at my wife wrong again, you’ll regret it.”

Ross clenched his fists and walked from the room.

****

Texanna and Garrett had just finished putting the horses out to graze when Jason and Sally rode up. Garrett ran to his uncle to help him put Sally’s horse in the pasture.

“Good morning. Come in and have a cup of coffee.”

Sally set a basket filled with apples on the table. “Coffee sounds great. I brought some apples, so we can make pies today.”

Wouldn’t Royce be surprised if he came home and found a fresh pie? Texanna grinned at the thought. “I’d like that.”

When Jason came in, Sally got him a cup of coffee and he sat down at the table. “I expect you ladies will have a fine meal fixed for me and Royce when I come pick Sally up tonight.”

Sally fixed him with a cocky stare. “And who said you were invited?”

“My brother, the lord of this here manor.”

Texanna snorted. “Lord, my as...of course, you’re both invited to dinner.” She needed to watch her mouth and no need to get Jason in a debate about women’s rights. “You’ve not forgotten Sally and I will be taking the guns out back for a session after my cooking lesson?”

“No, just remember Royce said no ammunition.”

“Just how do you expect her to learn to load a gun then?”

“All right, load and that’s all. No firing.” He got up to go and took Sally’s hand. “Walk me out.”

Garrett got up to follow.

“Hey, sport. Stay inside with me.” Texanna leaned over and whispered. “Jason might want to kiss Sally good-bye.”

Garrett looked like he’d swallowed a worm. “Really?” At her nod, he added, “Yuck!”

By late afternoon, they had two apple pies cooling on the table. One Texanna made by herself. The crust wasn’t as pretty or flaky as Sally’s, but it tasted good, and Sally showed her how to use biscuit dough to make dumplings. She was proud of her new skills and anxious for Royce to taste her pie.

Texanna went upstairs to collect the Winchester. She dropped several cartridges in her apron pocket. They stood in the shade of the barn, and Texanna showed Sally how to hold the rifle when not in use, how to load and unload the firearm, and finally, how to aim.

“Whew, that’s heavy.” Sally lowered the gun, pointing it at the ground.

“Yes, it is. Remember, keep it pointed skyward whether it’s loaded or not.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” She sighed. “Sure wish I could fire it to see what it feels like.”

Texanna bit her lip, thinking. Royce wouldn’t find out. Of course, Garrett was sure to tell him, and she wouldn’t ask him to lie to his father. Oh hell, she could handle his anger. “Okay, I’ll let you shoot two rounds.”

Garrett looked indignant. “Ahem, Pa said not to. He’s gonna be mighty mad.”

Guilt rushed over her. Here she was being a bad role model for the boy, but Royce was unbending. They weren’t going to hurt anything. He’d let her shoot out here, so what was the difference?

“We’ll just fire two cartridges to let her feel the rifle’s kick, and then I promise we’ll put the gun away.”

He wasn’t mollified, just stuck his hands in his pockets and shuffled his feet.

Texanna made sure the horses and cow were out of the way. She collected a couple of cans from the back porch, and set them a short distance from where Royce had set them up before.

“Pa don’t ever shoot that direction.”

“How come? What’s over there?”

“Don’t know.”

Texanna shielded her eyes with her hand and looked out across the field. A small hill rose about a mile away and made a good backdrop from both positions as far as she could see. Moving their target position just a tad from Royce’s kept them from looking into the sun. “I think we’ll be just fine here, Garrett.”

****

Texanna expected Jason to come in the house with Royce, but he didn’t. Royce stalked in, favored her with a glare, and turned to Sally. “Jason has your horse saddled. Do you need any help carrying your things?”

“Royce, they’re staying—”

He whirled on her, face rigid with anger. She clamped her mouth shut.

“Sally?”

She glanced at Texanna with concern. “No, I don’t have much to carry. Just this basket.” She lifted it across her arm.

“Thank you, Sally. I appreciate your help today.”

The younger woman hugged her. “I had a good time. I hope I see you again soon.”

Royce muttered, “You can count on it.” As soon as she was out the door, he turned to Garrett. “Son, go do your chores.”

The boy shot Texanna a sympathetic look as he walked out the door. “I tried to tell her, Pa.”

Hands on his hips, Royce glared at Texanna. “What the hell did I tell you about firing that rifle today?” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, woman. You disobeyed my orders. I ought to blister your butt.”

“Blister my...how dare you? You’re not my boss. I don’t take orders from you.”

“You think not?” He removed his gun belt and hung it on the peg by the back door. Next came his hat and coat. “You’ll learn when I give an order, I expect it to be obeyed.”

“Well, get ready to be disappointed, Mister.”

“Texanna, you’re stubborn and think you know it all. I’m here to tell you different. Your impulsiveness could get you or someone else killed.”

She started backing away toward the stairs. “No need to run. I won’t lift a hand to you. I’ve got a much better punishment for you and Sally.”

She relaxed and a small smile curled her lips. “Look, I’m sorry we went against your directive, but we didn’t hurt anything. It won’t happen again.”

“Didn’t hurt anything, huh? Don’t think Mr. Thompson’s sow thinks so. As a matter of fact, Mr. Thompson is hopping mad, and the only way I could pacify him was to tell him you two gun-toting ladies would be out tomorrow to help him slaughter and dress his hog.”

****

Royce cast side-ways glances at Texanna as they returned home from the Thompson’s. His first reaction upon seeing her had been to laugh, but then she’d turned, and he’d seen her face. All humor died a quick death. Her damp hair was plastered to her pale face. Bloodstains marred her dress. She slumped in the saddle and looked ready to collapse any minute.

“Pa, you shouldda seen her. She’d work awhile and then run puke. Work, puke, work—”

“Okay, Son. I get the picture.”

“Mrs. Thompson tried to get her to lie down but, no, she kept on aworkin’ and pukin’.”

Before they’d left, Texanna had apologized again to Ed Thompson, she wouldn’t let Sally take the blame. Sally may have fired the rifle, but Texanna was the one who bore responsibility for the incident. Royce was proud of her for owning up to her mistake.

The minute they stopped inside the barn, Texanna started struggling with Strawberry’s saddle. Royce stilled her hand. “I’ll take care of her. You go on and get cleaned up. Don’t worry about dinner, we’ll eat something cold.”

Texanna was too numb to speak. She nodded and started toward the creek. She heard him holler, “That water is cold.” But she didn’t care, she wanted out of her blood-stained dress and the stink washed off her body. Without undressing, she walked into the water and sat down. The water reached her neck and felt like heaven.

Garrett’s voice echoed across the field. “Are you decent? Pa had me bring you some soap, towels, and a blanket.”

She turned around. “I’m decent.”

He gaped. “You’re in the water with your clothes on?”

“Toss me the soap and leave the linens on the rock.” She caught the lilac-scented bar. “Thank you, Garrett. I’ll be in after awhile.” She stripped and scrubbed her hair and body. At last she felt she’d survive.

The hot air quickly dried her body, so she wrapped the towel around her hair and folded the blanket around her body. Still wearing her tennis shoes, she squished her way back to the house. Royce had coffee boiling on the stove. He and Garrett sat at the table eating a ham sandwich and peaches from a can.

“I think I’ll lie down for just a minute.”

Two hours later Royce walked upstairs to the spare room to check on her. She’d dropped the quilt and towel across the chair and crawled under the sheet. The room was hot with the door closed. He opened the transom above it and raised both windows higher. Hopefully, there’d be enough of a breeze to keep her comfortable.

He wanted her in his bed, but neither wanted to confuse Garrett by seeing them sleeping together. Something needed to be settled between them soon.

****

Texanna woke the next morning feeling refreshed. The smell of coffee drew her downstairs. Royce turned when she entered the room, but didn’t speak. They eyed each other for several moments. Finally, he asked. “Do I need to worry about my life?”

“Nah, I had it coming.” She walked into his arms.

He buried his face in her neck. “Thank goodness. I’m sorry you got so sick yesterday. Feel okay now?”

“Yeah. I’m hungry, but it’ll be a while before I can choke down a piece of sausage.” She shuddered.

“Let’s hurry and get ready for the picnic. We don’t want to miss Jason in the horse race.”

After breakfast, Royce fried two chickens while she made biscuits and another apple pie. With a recipe from the cookbook, she made potato salad, and then filled large jars with sweet tea.

As soon as the food basket was packed, she ran upstairs to change clothes. At the back of the chifforobe she located a yellow gingham dress. The sleeves were short, and though fitted at the bodice, it wasn’t confining. Her tennis shoes weren’t dry so she found a pair of Pearl’s button-up shoes. She knew they required a hook but couldn’t find it, so stomped around in them flopping around her ankles. They pinched like the devil but would have to do.

Just before she left the room, she remembered the locket. It wasn’t on top of the dresser where she’d left it last time she’d worn it. Panic washed over her, making her gasp for breath. It had to be here somewhere, it had to. She yanked open drawers and tossed items on the bed in her frantic search. The blue dress, maybe it had caught on something inside. Searching inside the chifforobe, she located the blue dress, threw it across the bed, and checked every fold.

Resigned, horror clouding her brain, she sat down on the bed and sobbed.

Chapter Sixteen

Unable to contain her misery, she called, “Royce, Royce!”

He bounded up the stairs and rushed through the door. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Hands on her shoulders, he looked her up and down.

“The locket, Pearl’s locket is gone. I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find it.” How could she have lost it? That it was her trip back home wasn’t as important anymore, but it was hers and held a great deal of sentimental value for her as well as Royce.

“Lord have mercy, woman. I thought you were hurt.”

“You don’t know how important the locket is to me. It’s my tie to Pearl. It’s also my ticket home, the key to time-travel.”

His face hardened. “I thought there was something between us, Texanna—something permanent. Do you still intend to return to your time?”

She threw her arms around his neck, and his arms wrapped around her waist. “No, love, I’ve been battling with my conscience and have decided to stay. I love you and Garrett.”

He groaned and pulled her closer. “Thank God. I want a life with you, Texanna, to have babies and grow old together.”

“I want that too, but I worry about my father, what he’ll think if I don’t come back.” It was terrible to have to choose between her father or Royce and Garrett. In her heart she believed her daddy would be happy for her if he knew, but he’d suffer not knowing her fate. Right now, she wanted the locket back. “I have to find the locket. I feel incomplete without it.”

“When was the last time you wore it?”

She thought back. “Sunday at church. I specifically remember putting it on.” She’d been so anxious to get out of that damn corset she’d forgotten all about the locket. It hadn’t been around her neck when she’d changed clothes. “I must have lost it at church or at the restaurant.” It could be lying in the churchyard, or maybe Maybell found it and was holding it, not knowing who it belonged to.

“We’ll find it. It’s easily identifiable with your initials and Garrett’s picture.”

Texanna nodded in misery. Losing the heirloom hung over her like a dark cloud.

Royce cupped her cheek. “Come on. Let’s get those shoes buttoned and on the road. Don’t let this spoil your day. The locket will turn up.”

****

That evening, with Garrett sound asleep from the exciting July Fourth festivities, Texanna lay with her head on Royce’s shoulder, one leg thrown across his thigh. He stroked her arm enjoying the softness of her skin. She twirled her fingers in the hair on his chest. Royce pushed up to his elbow to study her. His heart thumped. Damned if he wasn’t nervous.

“I have something I want to show you.” Her brow furrowed with questions. He tapped her nose. “Just a minute. I’ll be right back.”

He ran downstairs to the pile of clothes he’d dropped on the kitchen floor and fished in his pants pocket for the small box. Texanna was sitting up in bed, arms wrapped around her raised knees, when he returned to the bedroom. He sat at her feet and cleared his throat.

“I love you, Texanna. I want us to be married. I know it’s awkward to ask Brother Riley to marry us, but...”

“We could tell him we want to renew our vows. It’s a growing custom in the twenty-first century, and since Pearl was gone so long, and I don’t remember my
prior
life, maybe he’ll see our reasoning.”

“That sounds perfect.”

He opened the box and showed her the two gold bands inside, one delicate, one bolder, less fragile. “I want us to have new rings for a new beginning.”

She reached out and stroked his face. “Oh, Royce, nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.” He didn’t realize he’d been holding his breath until it left him with a whoosh. He pulled Texanna to him and pressed her face to his chest.