Tracie Peterson (8 page)

“You don’t have to put on a show for him, Maggie,” Garrett replied. “Your father is a very simple and very compassionate man. He only asks for honesty.”

Maggie stared out the window. The train engine was straining to pull the cars through the tunnel at Raton Pass. They were barely moving.

“I think he expects a bit more than that,” Maggie finally said.

“But he won’t expect you to put on airs. Just be honest with him, Maggie. He’ll want it that way.”

The day grew quite warm, and in spite of her excitement, Maggie dozed off and on as they drew nearer her new home.

“Wake up Maggie,” Garrett was shaking her shoulder. “We’re in Springer.”

Maggie jumped up quickly. “I must have fallen asleep.”

“I’ll say,” Garrett drawled in mock sarcasm. “Pert near a three hour nap, little lady.”

Maggie laughed. The sound warmed Garrett’s heart. It was good to be at peace with Maggie, even though the peace was fragile.

“Will my father be here to greet us?” Maggie questioned, realizing she didn’t know.

“He’ll be back at the ranch, waiting. He’ll have sent the wagons for our gear and some other things we’ve ordered shipped here,” Garrett answered as he pulled his black Stetson on. “Of course, most of the shipment was picked up a couple weeks ago due to our little delay to put you back in order.”

Maggie felt a twinge of embarrassment for the detainment. She started to say something but was stopped by Garrett’s appearance. She’d never seen him in blue jeans before. His white cotton shirt was open at the neck, and his neatly trimmed beard gave him a mysterious air. Garrett had considered shaving his beard before they left the dugout, but Maggie had protested, telling him it gave him character. Not that Garrett Lucas didn’t already have plenty of that, Maggie decided.

When they stepped off the train, Garrett was quickly surrounded by men. They laughed and slapped each other on the back, all talking at once for several minutes. Maggie was certain she’d overheard one of them say congratulations. She wondered if they’d betted on whether Garrett would make it back to New Mexico with her.

Garrett turned quickly to motion Maggie to join them. “Maggie, this is Bill. He’s one of your father’s right-hand men.”

Maggie smiled shyly. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said softly. The man
smiled from ear to ear, revealing several missing teeth. His hair, from what Maggie could see as it peeked out from under a grimy hat, was gray fading to white.

“Pleasure’s mine, Miss Maggie!”

He seemed so pleased to meet Maggie that she almost didn’t catch the name of the next cowboy as Garrett had her meet the entire crew.

“This is Mack, this tall, scraggly looking guy is Cactus Jack, and this old good-for-nothing is Pike.” Garrett whirled Maggie around the circle. They all seemed happy to meet her and so genuine in their greetings and best wishes that Maggie felt warmly welcomed.

“Joe and Willy are waiting for us at Five Mile Junction,” Bill announced to Garrett.

“Well, it’s nearly noon, and I’d imagine if we’re going to make Five Mile Junction by night, we’d better get a move on,” Garrett announced. It was clear to Maggie from the response of the cowboys that Garrett was in charge.

Maggie tried to take everything in: the countryside, the town, the people. Springer was the county seat, but it was much smaller than Topeka.

She stood to one side watching a hired carriage pull away with a distinguished looking man and woman. The woman was fussing with her ill-fitting traveling clothes, and the bored man was studying the head of his cane. It appeared life was the same all over. Maggie couldn’t help but smile to herself.

“Do you need to stop for anything before we get on the road?” Garrett was asking.

“No, I don’t think so,” Maggie replied, trying to think of anything she might need.

“There’s a small trading post north of the ranch. We usually get supplies and anything else we need from there. If you think of something once you get home, let somebody know and we can add it to the list. Someone is always heading over to the post office every few weeks,” Garrett explained.

“We’ll be that far removed from civilization?” Maggie questioned, not realizing her look of astonishment.

“I never thought of it that way,” Garrett answered thoughtfully. “I guess I never needed anything more, so it didn’t seem so uncivilized.”

“I didn’t mean to insult the place,” Maggie said apologetically. “I just presumed we’d live near town. I never thought much about my father’s place.”

Garrett helped Maggie into the wagon and easily jumped in to take a seat beside her.

“Well, you’ll have a few days’ ride to consider it.” With that, Garrett gave the reins a flick and the horses took their place behind Mack’s wagon.

The wagon wasn’t nearly as comfortable as the train had been, and while the scenery was of intense interest, Maggie’s backside was sorely abused from the rocky pathway they called a road.

Two hours later, they stopped to eat. The rest was quite brief, however, and Maggie soon found herself back on the dusty trail headed into the mountains of the Sangre de Cristo.

Maggie was disappointed with the countryside. From the train, the land had seemed greener and less sandy. Up close, it looked like the edge of a desert. Maggie hoped her father’s ranch would be different.

As the sun passed behind the mountain peaks and the sky took on a purple hue, Maggie grew quite chilly. As if reading her mind, Garrett halted the wagon long enough to take a blanket out from under the wagon seat.

“Here, this ought to help. We’re almost to Five Mile Junction.” Garrett helped Maggie pull the blanket around her shoulders.

Little more than a gathering of shacks and corrals, Five Mile Junction looked wonderful to Maggie. After a delicious supper of steak, potatoes, biscuits, and pie, Maggie was shown to a small room. She’d changed into her nightgown and was brushing out her waist-long hair when a knock sounded at the door.

“Yes?”

“It’s me, Maggie,” Garrett announced. “May I come in?”

“Of course, just one minute,” she said as she pulled on her robe. “Alright, come ahead.”

Garrett sucked his breath in hard as he caught sight of Maggie illuminated by candle. She was so delicate, yet her strength astounded him. And if all went well, one day she’d be his.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said in a husky whisper.

Maggie lowered her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. She could feel a blush coloring her cheeks.

Garrett closed the space between them in two strides. He stood directly in front of Maggie without touching her. Maggie lifted her eyes to meet his. Words seemed inadequate, yet both felt captive to a spell. A spell that needed to be broken.

Garrett took a step back. “This trip is getting rougher all the time.” Maggie nodded. “Tomorrow, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover in a short time. Are you up to it?” Again Maggie nodded, finding it hard to speak.

“Good. I’ll have the cook wake you at five.”

Garrett took another step back. He wanted so much to hold Maggie in his arms. No one would have to know, no one but them—and God. The thought caused Garrett to remember their future depended on more than physical attraction. He walked to the door and, with one last glance, pulled it shut behind him and breathed a sigh of relief.

Chapter 10

M
aggie couldn’t remember a rougher ride or a more desolate land. Aside from sagebrush and scrawny trees, Maggie could see nothing to break the monotonous, dusty brown earth. How could her father love this country?

Garrett concentrated on steering the team through the narrow, rocky pass. He was growing painfully aware of Maggie’s presence as she bounced back and forth in the wagon seat. He needed a way to distance himself from her long enough for Jason to have a chance to get to know his daughter.

“Is this all there is to it?” Maggie questioned disappointedly as she gazed from side to side.

“What do you mean?” Garrett asked.

“All of this,” Maggie said, motioning to the landscape. “I thought you said it was beautiful.”

“Your home is beautiful. You’ll see. This is just the way we get there,” Garrett answered stiffly. The lead teams were slowing to a stop, and Garrett reined back on his team. “Whoa, whoa boys,” he called softly.

“Why are we stopping?” Maggie inquired, forgetting the scenery.

“We’ll water the horses here. They’ve had a long, hard haul,” Garrett answered rather curtly.

“Garrett?” Maggie said his name, and Garrett swallowed hard. She was charming without being aware of it. Her cheeks were red from the wind, and her hair had come loose and hung in curled wisps around her face.

“Have I done something wrong?” Maggie questioned earnestly. “Is it because I don’t like the land?”

Lifting Maggie from the wagon, Garrett looked deep into her sapphire eyes framed by long, sooty lashes. Why did he notice every detail about her? How could she be more beautiful out here than she’d been back in Kansas?

“Wrong? The land?” he whispered hoarsely. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied and instantly regretted it. His hands lingered around her waist for a moment. Then he turned as if to leave.

“You’ve hardly said two words to me all day. If I’ve done something wrong, I have a right to know it.” Maggie’s words were a little harsher than she’d intended.

Garrett fought to control his emotions. How could he wait a year or more for Maggie to grow up and marry him? What if some other young man swept her heart away before he had a chance to insure that it belonged to him?

“I have to water the horses,” Garrett said and walked away.

“Well!” Maggie huffed and turned to go for a walk. She climbed up the rocky ledge and became so winded that she had to sit down and catch her breath. Garrett had warned her about the altitude and how it would take time to get used to.

As she regained normal breathing, Maggie climbed the rock and marveled at the dainty wildflowers that sprinkled the ground around her. From the wagon, she’d been sure this land was devoid of any beauty.

She reached down and picked a frilly yellow flower that matched the gown she was wearing. After fingering the lacy edges of the flower, she tucked it in the lace lining the yoke of her bodice. She loved the feel of the mountain breeze through her hair and pulled loose the ribbon that tied back the bulk of her auburn hair. What a feeling! Perhaps this arid land had something to offer.

As she reached a small rocky ledge, Maggie was rewarded with a splendid view of the Sangre de Cristo. The snowcapped summit of the highest peak glistened and beckoned to her. She almost felt like she was coming home.

“Maggie!” Garrett’s voice intruded on her thoughts.

What was bothering him?
Maggie worked her way down the rocky path again. “I’ve done nothing to cause him grief,” she muttered to herself as she checked her steps, remembering to walk from side to side as Garrett had taught her.

“Where have you been?” Garrett snapped. His eyes narrowed and grew darker. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

“I just took a walk, that’s all,” Maggie answered calmly. She wasn’t going to let Garrett Lucas cause her to lose her temper.

“You make sure somebody knows where you’re going before you go heading off somewhere.” Maggie bit her lower lip until she tasted blood. Garrett continued to scold her as if she were a child. “This isn’t like Topeka. This country is wild and unpredictable.”

“It’s not alone,” Maggie muttered.

“Just what’s that supposed to mean?” Garrett questioned. He was already mad at himself for allowing his frustration to distance Maggie.

“It means you’ve never answered my question, and I don’t understand why you’re treating me so cruelly.” Maggie stood against the sun, her jaw set. “Now are you going to give me an answer?”

Garrett reached out and took Maggie in his arms. He bent his lips to hers and had barely touched them when he pulled back and walked away. A few feet down the path, he turned on his heel, returned to Maggie, and kissed her soundly. Maggie could feel the dampness of his sweat-soaked shirt and the powerful muscles of his protective arms. Suddenly, Garrett pulled himself away and strode back to the team.

Maggie stared at his retreating back.
I guess that’s the only answer I’ll get
, she thought
. But what an answer.
After a few minutes, she joined Garrett at the wagon and allowed him to help her up.

“Mack’s going to drive you,” Garrett said and walked away.

Maggie was truly confused. If her company was so unpleasant, why had Garrett kissed her? And if it wasn’t because of a distaste for her company, why had he sent Mack to drive the team?

Mack turned out to be a pleasant traveling companion. He was young and energetic like Garrett, but he wasn’t Garrett. Mack told Maggie stories about cattle drives and growing up in Texas.

Maggie felt badly that she only half-listened. She was still consumed by questions about Garrett’s attitude. She asked Mack why Garrett had requested him to trade wagons, but Mack only shrugged his shoulders and told her he was just following orders.

The day passed quickly, and when evening came, Maggie asked Mack, “Where will we stay the night?”

“Out here under the stars, Miss Maggie,” he answered, surprised that she didn’t already know.

“Oh, I see,” she said, looking around her.

Moments later they stopped for the night. The men quickly unharnessed the horses, rubbing them down and giving them feed and water. Bill made a supper fire while Mack and Cactus Jack unloaded food and water.

Maggie felt totally useless. She didn’t know the first thing about camping, and she couldn’t find out where Garrett had gone. After about an hour, Bill announced supper was as fit as it was going to get, and the party gathered around the fire to eat.

“Where is Garrett?” Maggie questioned, unable to contain her curiosity.

“He’s on the ridge, Miss Maggie,” Bill offered the words along with a tin plate of beans and warm spiced apples. “He’ll keep the first watch of the night.”

“Oh,” Maggie whispered. She wondered what he was keeping watch over, but she was too fearful of the answer to ask. Was it animals or people? Perhaps it was the banditos Mack had told her of. Maggie shivered.

“You’d better sit here by the fire, Miss Maggie,” Bill directed, motioning her to a blanket. “I’ll bring you some biscuits and dried beef to go with that. How ’bout some coffee to wash it all down with?” The older man worried over her like a father.

“No, thank you. Water would be fine.”

“Whatever you like, little lady,” Bill said and was on the move to bring Maggie her water.

Supper passed quickly, and much to Maggie’s surprise, the men went about cleaning up the dishes and leftovers without looking once in Maggie’s direction for help. When she offered to dry the plates, Bill waved her off.

It was growing cold when Maggie realized she’d left her shawl in the wagon. She remembered Garrett’s earlier rebuke about not announcing her whereabouts and decided she’d better tell Bill where she was headed.

“Bill, I’m going to the wagon to get my shawl.”

“Better take some light. There’s hardly enough moon to see by tonight,” Bill replied, looking up at the starry sky. Maggie nodded.

“Just grab ya some fire.” Bill motioned to the campfire and went about his business.

In her seventeen years, Maggie had never had to pull a stick from a fire, and she wasn’t sure how to go about it. She stood by the fire, wanting to ask one of the hands for help, but they were busy. She finally gave up and went to the wagon in the dark.

Maggie had just reached the wagon when she heard the lonely howl of a coyote. Maggie thought of her home in Topeka and wondered if her grandmother was lonely. She had Two Moons, but it wouldn’t be the same. Grandmother loved conversation, and Two Moons rarely spoke.

There was also Lillie. Maggie missed her badly. It would be fun to share her adventures with Lillie when she got a chance to write.

Maggie carefully placed her foot on a wheel spoke and pulled herself to the top of the wagon. She climbed in back with little effort and was feeling rather proud of herself when she heard a low growling sound somewhere behind her.

She turned to see two greenish yellow eyes staring back at her. Maggie felt a scream in her throat, but it wouldn’t release. Motionless, she watched and waited as the growling intensified. Her breath came in quick gasps, and her heart pounded.

“Garrett!” She managed to scream the name, causing the growling to stop for a moment. “Garrett!”

Maggie saw the eyes lunge at the wagon. She heard the impact of the animal as it hit the wooden side and the commotion of the men at the campfire.

Maggie had never been given to fainting, but she had never faced such fear. As she passed into unconsciousness, she heard a single gunshot ring out, then nothing.

“Maggie? Maggie, are you alright?” Garrett called as he held her against his chest. Maggie felt herself floating. Finally, she opened her eyes. Someone had brought a lantern, and she heard Garrett assure the other men she was okay.

“It’s alright, Bill. She’s not hurt,” Garrett announced. “I think that coyote might be rabid or elsewise she got into some loco weed. Better check it out.” Bill took the hint and motioned the rest of the ranch hands to follow him.

“Come on, boys. We’ve got a coyote to skin.” Bill continued to talk to his companions as they walked back to camp, but Maggie was only aware of Garrett and the protection she felt.

“I’m beginning to wonder if I’m going to get you to your father alive,” Garrett said as he held Maggie.

“I’m sorry. I told Bill where I was going. Honest, I did,” Maggie said, struggling to met Garrett’s eyes.

“I know, Bill told me. But he also told you to take a light.”

“I didn’t know how to get the stick out of the fire,” Maggie admitted in a defeated voice. “I didn’t want to be a bother.”

Garrett threw back his head and laughed. “That coyote didn’t mind the bother,” he finally said. “The fire would’ve kept him at his distance.”

“I didn’t know,” Maggie said, feeling utterly dejected. How could she know what was expected of her in this new world?

“Oh,
mi querida,
you are a prize,” Garrett whispered as he ran a finger along
her jaw. “I wish I could go straight to Pastor David and have him marry us.”

Maggie sat up rather abruptly. “But I thought you and Father planned for me, I mean us, to marry right away.”

Garrett grinned. “I’d like that more than I can say, but that isn’t the plan.”

“What then?” Maggie questioned.

“You need to get to know your father, and—” He paused for a moment. “You need to do some growing up.”

“Growing up? Well, I never. I wouldn’t be the first woman to get married at seventeen. Besides, on July 24th I’ll be eighteen!” Maggie exclaimed, squaring her shoulders.

“Maggie, you need to learn about life, and you need to be a daughter before you become a wife.” Garrett noticed the disappointment in Maggie’s expression. “It’s funny how just a few weeks ago you were all spit and fire, hating me with your eyes if not your words. Now you can’t understand why you can’t be my wife. Maggie, have you ever thought of the responsibilities of a wife?”

Maggie blushed deeply. Garrett smiled as if reading her mind.

“I know how to cook, clean, sew, and most everything else a good wife would need to know,” Maggie said, avoiding Garrett’s eyes. “I hardly see what being a daughter has to do with being a good wife.”

“It has a great deal to do with it, Maggie. Why wouldn’t you have much to do with gentlemen callers?”

“How dare you delve into my personal life!” Maggie was indignant.

“Don’t you think a husband should know such things?” Garrett inquired softly.

“But you aren’t my husband, and it doesn’t sound like you want to be,” Maggie pouted. A spark of hope flared as she wondered if she could entice Garrett to marry her immediately. If she arrived on the ranch as Mrs. Garrett Lucas, perhaps she wouldn’t have to deal so intensely with her father.

Garrett looked seriously at Maggie as he turned her to face him.
“Magdelena Intissar, you’d better knock off the little girl theatrics and listen up. You will never be the woman you were meant to be as long as you don’t reconcile your relationship with your Heavenly Father. You’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, and you’ll never be happy without Him. But, just like with your father, that relationship is a personal one. One that I can’t interfere with or get for you. You’ll have to take it one step at a time, on your own.”

Maggie lowered her eyes. “I just don’t know if I can, Garrett.” Garrett pulled her tightly against him.

“I know you can,” he breathed against her soft hair.

“Will you help me?”

Garrett was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, Maggie felt her heart nearly break. “No, I can’t. I won’t be there.”

Maggie tore herself from his grasp. “You won’t be there? Then where will you be?” she demanded.

“I’m going away. That way you’ll have to deal with your father and with God. I’ll be nearby, but I won’t be influencing your decisions and actions. You won’t be so confused then.”

“Just how do you know what I’ll be and won’t be? Garrett Lucas, I think you’re a cruel man. How could you take me away from my home, thrust me into the presence of someone I don’t know, and expect me to handle the situation alone?”