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Old Amarillo
“I THINK, NO, I KNOW, Rockwood is the perfect name, Peter.” Katie examined the shingle as Peter nailed it to the eave of their little, borrowed house. “But do you think that your parents will like the name? After all, this is yours and your father’s furniture store.” She flashed her beau a grin.
“We leaned on The Rock all the way down here.” Peter grinned. “Now, we can make some stuff out of wood for Him. Pa’ll love it.” Extending his hand to Katie, they stepped to admire their handiwork.
A flash of movement caught Katie’s eye. It only took a moment for the Texan’s build to register with her, even though this time, he was on horseback. “J.B. Smith,” Katie exclaimed. “Looks like he’s still Just Bull to me!” Lifting an arm, she waved wildly.
Trotting in on his tall horse from the dusty trail, Katie could see Bull’s smile, wide and sincere, just as it had been the last time they’d met. “Welcome to Texas, Katie Knepp.” J.B. swung down from his horse and extended a hand to Peter, all in one fluid motion. “Howdy Mister, I’m J.B. Smith. But you can call me Bull.”
Peter mirrored the likable Texan’s smile. “Many thanks to you, Bull. I understand Katie’s meeting you was the inspiration for this trip.”
Bull ducked his head and adjusted his stance on the dirt clods of the Goetz farm. “Is that so?” He glanced up to Katie. “Lil’ Sister, you may not have been born south of the Red River, but you have a Texan’s soul. I could tell right off. Glad you made it home, lil’ darlin’.”
Fiddling with her dress pocket, Katie worked hard to contain her excitement. “What brings you out, Mr. Smith?”
Bull’s blue eyes sparkled. “How well are you reading nowadays, Katie?”
She flushed. “I’ve improved over the course of the trip, I believe. Why?”
Three pieces of yellow paper fluttered in Bull’s front shirt pocket. Taking them out along with a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, he examined the telegram papers. Selecting one, he held it out to her. “Here you go, try your eyes at this one.”
Shifting his attention back to Peter, Bull spoke like the two were old friends. “Joseph Goetz told me of you guys setting up housekeeping here on his spread, so when I was in town getting my messages I took the liberty of picking up yours, too.”
Peter nodded. “Thank you kindly. How was Amarillo?”
“Growing faster than anyone figured. Up to 482 people in town.” Bull shook his head. “Founders of this place said we’d do good to set up by the Fort Worth–Denver City railroad, but no one figured on the population explosion, what with the Topeka–Santa Fe line crossing right in the middle of town too.”
Peter looked at Katie as she puzzled over the telegram. “I suppose we’re some of those folks raising the population, though we didn’t come for the cattle business that uses the railroad.” Peter gestured over his shoulder to the shingle. “My parents are going to be joining us soon and Rockwood Furniture will be our mark.”
Bull grinned. “Goetz told me that, too. Lots of businesses springing up. Shipping in furniture from the east is expensive. So, like I said, since I was already in town, I talked to a few friends.”
Katie took a break from deciphering the thin telegram and ventured a peek at wide-eyed Peter, her ear for news tweaked. “Oh?”
Bull nodded. “Just so happens that several of the 200 new businesses that have gone up so far this year would love to carry your authentic, handmade Amish furniture. Exclusive like.”
Katie smiled. Even I know what that means.
It was Peter’s turn to puzzle. “Several? Exclusive?”
“Yes, sir. You can sell to the highest bidder. Cash money will get you through this drought till your crops come in.” Bull examined the sky. “Or you can make a deal and sell to all of ’em, whatever you want to do. But the opportunity’s there, you just got to go grab it.”
There was no hiding Peter’s gratitude. Grabbing Bull’s thickset hand, he shook hard. “Oh thank you, Mr. Bull. Thank you! Katie? Did you hear?” Turning from the Amarillo cowman, Peter held out his arms.
In a rush of Texas attitude, Katie dashed forward and flung herself into Peter’s arms. He spun her around twice before setting her down. “I did! Oh, Peter, we’re going to make it down here just fine.” Resisting the urge to press her lips to his, Katie forced her attention to return to Bull.
“Well now, will you two also be in need of a preacher soon? Just so happens I know one in town that owes me a favor.”
Katie tried to will the smile not to melt from her face, but she couldn’t help it. Her zeal turned to sadness in an instant, drawing down the corners of Bull’s mouth, too.
“There are no Amish elders to provide the ceremony,” Peter explained. “We hoped to keep as close to traditional Amish as possible.”
“Mennonite ceremony maybe?” Bull offered, ever helpful. “You kids don’t worry about it, I’ll talk to Goetz.” He nodded at his own suggestion. “Maybe your pa when he gets here, he can help. Or your father-in-law.”
Katie perked up. “Did you say Peter’s father... in-law?”
The sparkle returned to Bull’s blue eyes. “Didn’t you read the telegram, Katie Knepp?”
To excited to be embarrassed, Katie shook her head. “Couldn’t make it out. Every other word was stop, though.”
Remembering his regular business, Bull took the telegram from Katie’s fingers. “When I stopped to get my messages, as I told Peter, I brought yours too. Shoot, you folks had more messages waiting there than I did!”
“Annie,” Katie called. “Come out here, we’ve got word from Pa!”
Replacing his spectacles on his nose, Bull steadied the telegram in front of him. A sudden gust of that wild west Texas wind, an occurrence to which Katie was slowly becoming accustomed, made Bull grip the little paper tighter.
“Annie, come on, he’s about to read,” Katie shrieked.
The older Knepp sister, wiping her floured hands on her apron, dashed out and stood next to Katie.
“First one comes from Montgomery, Indiana,” Bull relayed. “Your parents have left Gasthof and will be joining y’all just as soon as they can get here.”
Katie squealed. “They’re on their way!” Grabbing Annie, the sisters embraced and spun around, their plain dresses flying out in a fan and their gauzy covering strings flipping about in a happy dance. “I hope they’re not coming the same way we did, though.”
J.B. studied the paper. “It says here they’ll be coming by rail. All the way to Amarillo.”
The Knepp sisters shared another squeal of relieved glee.
“Next one here,” J.B. said, squinting down through the glass lenses at the next yellow telegram paper, “is for you, Katie.”
A hush fell over the lot of them as Bull began to read. Annie reached and took Katie’s hand.
Bull cleared his throat. “Greetings from the Dawson family, Powder River Ranch, Montana Territory. From Logan, Michaela, and Jake. Says here that they hope to hear word of your safe travels soon and hope you find what you’re looking for in Texas. Also, to watch out for coyotes.” Bull’s eyes widened. “You befriended the Dawson family?”
The repressed thought of handsome Logan swirled in her mind. They are still thinking of me. I wonder if Logan thinks of me, too.
Peter’s voice cut into her churning daydream. “Katie? Are you going to answer Mr. Bull?”
Heat creeping up her neck, Katie sucked in a cleansing breath before trusting her tongue. “They took care of me my first night on what I hoped was the trail.” Katie giggled nervously, remembering the hungry coyotes.
Admiration cloaked Bull’s weathered face. “Heir to a cattle fortune, they are. How interesting you not only made their acquaintance, but befriended them as well.”
Katie averted her eyes. If anyone knew how close she had been to going with them to their Montana ranch—to exploring what might have been with sweet young Logan—guilt swam where moments before had been contentment and pleasure.
Bull shook his head. “There’s a postscript here from Michaela Dawson. Says she hopes the guide she hired for you in Elizabethtown got you safely to your destination.”
Glancing at Peter, she let him take her other hand. “I’ll have to assure her that he did that, and so much more,” Katie whispered, pushing the thoughts of Logan away again. Deep down to the darkest and most remote areas of my mind is where they belong and where they’ll stay. She squeezed Peter’s hand and offered a shy smile.
J.B. adjusted his glasses, which had slid considerably down his nose. “And the third message is for you, Annie.”
Katie grinned as her sister flushed. “Who is it from?” she asked quietly.
“I bet I know,” Katie chided, causing Annie’s hue to deepen even further.
“Oh, a certain young man in Santa Fe sends word to you, Annie. Says he hopes you enjoy Old Amarillo. He also hopes you received the gift and can send word soon. Signed here, Crackerjack Guthrie.”
A lone tear slid down Annie’s cheek. Releasing Peter’s hand, Katie reached over and took her sister in her arms. “I’ll have to send word back,” Annie sobbed into her shoulder. Reaching into her pocket, Annie pulled out the gold pocket watch and held it tenderly, as one might hold an irreplaceable antique heirloom.
Bull grinned and held out the telegrams to Peter, who accepted them with a grin. “You people certainly make some interesting friends.”
An echo of thunder rolled ominously across the Llano as Bull readied his horse to mount. As he swung himself up into the saddle, he gave a pointed glance to the ever-darkening sky. “Best take cover folks, looks like this draught might break today.”
Joseph Goetz emerged from his house with a Texas-sized wave to Mr. Smith.
“See you, Joe,” Bull called, turning his horse’s face back toward Old Amarillo.
“See you!” Joseph called in reply, cupping his hands around his mouth to be heard over the wind that had just begun to howl.
“Goodbye,” called Annie and Katie in unison. Peter waved, too.
Seizing the opportunity for a teaching moment, Joseph spoke directly to Peter. “Look at the horizon.” Sure enough, black clouds were beginning to roll in, fast and low, from the north. “It is now time to go below,” he said matter-of-factly.
Peter looked more than a bit puzzled. “Below?”
Stepping over near a sprawling mesquite, Joseph began to crank open a thick wooden door.
Katie glanced at Peter. “It opened right out of the ground.”
“Family,” Joseph called through his cupped hands. No sooner was the word clear of his mouth, another deafening clap of thunder sounded. Katie shuttered at the lingering echo that seemed to roll on forever. At once, the Goetz family filed out of the house and into the cellar, all ten children in a single-file line behind their mother. To them, it’s as though nothing out of the ordinary is happening. I wonder why the hurry? That storm won’t be here for— Katie’s eyes widened as the storm clouds, so far away just moments before, were already rolling upon them.
“Clouds like this often bring twisters.” Goetz gestured for them to hurry into the cellar. Peter helped Annie to the stairs. She shoved a paper-wrapped package at Katie. “I forgot to give you this. A gift from Minerva.”
Katie looked at the package and back to Annie, who grinned. “It’s your wedding dress, in a new style she created just for you. She calls it Gypsy-Amish. She made sure it was blue. I might have helped a bit.” Turning, Annie descended the stairs into the cellar behind the Goetz’s.
Peter offered his arm to Katie. “Shall we?”
Katie crossed her arms across her chest and tilted her chin. “On one condition.”
“Alright...”
Katie gave him a sideways glance, much like a schoolmarm might eye a troublesome class of students. “No interruptions?”
Peter licked his lips. “I promise. No interruptions.” He made a motion like he was locking his lips together.
She stepped closer, staring deeply into his spring green eyes. “I love you, Peter Wagler. I always have, and I always will.”
Peter stared back at her, silent. Her insides quaked. Sure, he’d professed his love for her several times, but now, to stand silent? Widening her eyes, she cocked her head. “Well?”
Peter pointed to his lips and shrugged his shoulders. Katie rolled her eyes, a smile creeping onto her lips. “Unlock your lips. You can speak now.”
Making the joking move to unlock his lips, Peter pretended to throw away the imaginary key. “Ahh, there now. And I love you, Katie Knepp.”
“Come on, you two!” Joseph’s voice was insistent from down in the cellar. “If a twister comes, it’ll carry you plumb back to Indiana!”
With eyebrows raised, Peter offered his arm again. “Miss Knepp?”
Linking her arm through his, Katie weaved their fingers together in a tight grip. When their eyes met, she returned Peter’s adoring smile. Thank you, God, for sending me Peter. And for sending us on this journey to Old Amarillo together.
“Ready for another adventure, Katie?” His voice was so strong and warm that Katie knew she could take refuge in it for the rest of her days.
“As long as we do our adventuring together.” She crinkled her nose at him as the icy rain started to fall.
“Of course.” He gave her hand a squeeze as she started down the cellar steps. “Hey, Katie?”
Pausing, she glanced at him over her shoulder. “Yes?”
Reaching with his free hand, Peter fingered her gauzy white covering string. “Welcome to Texas, my love.”
Katie’s lips spread into a wide grin. “Indeed. I’ll be needing my black covering of a married woman soon, I hope.” Ignoring the flush that burned in her neck, she stood on her tiptoes and met her fiancé’s lips in a fiery kiss. “And wilkommen to our home, Peter. A New Order and a fresh adventure.” Katie paused as another ominous rumble of thunder rolled out of the dark, looming clouds and across the northern plains. “Texas style.”
