Moses probably should have waited, but he was back in the saddle and riding the range by mid-August. His ankle had healed, although he still had an occasional moment when it pained him or proved weak. Boone’s days were longer than his, often from before dawn until near dark or after, so Moses started each day by heading over to draw water for Rachel. He would spend a few sweet minutes with his niece and nephew. Most days, Rachel would fix him breakfast before he began his duties. On wash day, he lingered longer to fill the heavy kettles for her and often to help. Liam knew and didn’t protest.
For now, Mattie remained on the ranch, which was dandy, but each day that passed brought them closer to the inevitable parting. In the evenings, he often spent time with Mattie, enough that it was no secret to anyone that they were courting. Moses wasn’t sure if Liam approved because the man said little.
Rachel walked up to the main ranch house each morning to give little Grace Rafferty a few lessons in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Once a school marm, always a school marm, Moses thought. Rachel had also been teaching Mima a few words, so he planned to get her a slate board and pencil so she could practice for her birthday come September. That would require a trip to Laredo, but once Mattie left, he would have time heavy on his hands.
The heat they’d experienced in July continued into August and became hotter. The wind blew hard most days, delivering clouds of dust that almost made Rachel cuss since it was difficult to keep the dust out. On laundry day, the blown dust could and often did dirty the fresh washed clothes, so Moses rigged up a clothesline to the side of the cabin, which served as a windbreak.
Liam hired two new hands, a young, slender fellow from north Texas named Jim and a stocky Civil War veteran who’d served with Boone and Liam. The former Confederate’s name was Beau and he originally hailed from southern Virginia. Liam meant to hire a third, although the bunkhouse was already crowded.
On a rare day when rain spit from the sky, Moses rode back in early, washed off, and sought Mattie. He found her in the garden and managed to steal a kiss. She wore a scowl, though, so he asked, “What’s amiss?”
“Liam said this morning I’m leaving at the end of the month, and that’s less than three weeks,” she told him. “My father wrote and asked why I haven’t returned, so Liam is set on it.”
His cheerful mood fizzled, but he did his best to rally. “It won’t be forever, and I’m hopin’ I’ll be one of the hands who will escort you back. It won’t be Liam, not with a new baby nor Boone, not when Rachel’s in a family way.”
“He’s already asked that Beau and Jim to do it,” Mattie replied with a frown. “I asked why it couldn’t be you and Zeke, but Liam says you’re needed here.”
“Well, that sours my milk,” he told her. “I’ve been counting on being there. I’d rather go, not just so I can have those few more days with you but to make sure you travel safe.”
“I’d prefer your company myself. Oh, Moses, I’m going to miss you so.”
That required another kiss, a longer one this time. “Just remember it ain’t gonna be forever,” he told her. “And I plan to come to see you whilst you’re in town.”
“It’s a long way for that.”
“I will, though.”
“I doubt Liam will allow you to be gone for days. To go there and back will take almost two weeks!”
“That’s by wagon. I can travel quicker on horseback, and if he doesn’t like it, I’ll kick up a row.”
“Moses, you’re a caution,” she said.
Her tiny smile encouraged him, and he said, “I strive for it, my heart.”
He lingered a little longer, then headed to Boone’s. He’d rather take the evening meal there than at the bunkhouse. The time spent with family had become more precious to him, and he’d rather not listen to the new hands talk of their upcoming trip to escort Mattie home. Ezekiel joined them, too, and after they ate, he sat out on the porch with his brothers. Boone fired a smoke and said, “Liam come to talk to me today.”
“I reckon he told you he’s asked Jim and Beau to take Mattie home.”
“He did, but that wasn’t all,” Boone said. “I know well that you’d rather be going on that trip, but this might perk you up a tad.”
“I doubt it, but go ahead and tell me.”
“Since the bunkhouse is crowded, Liam said you and Ezekiel can move into the other side of the cabin,” Boone told him. “Might be someday I’ll want to use it as well as my family grows, but for now, I like the notion of having the two of you close.”
So did Moses. “It’s a fine idea.”
“I’m ready – can we move in tonight?” Zeke asked with a huge grin.
“Whenever you want,” Boone said. “You don’t need much house plunder. Liam offered to send a table and chairs over. If one of you will make the trip to Laredo, he’ll loan the wagon and I’ll spot you each a bedstead, a couple pots and pans, a dish or two. Till you can go, you can bunk with your bedrolls or even out here while the weather’s fine.”
“I’d rather have escorted Mattie,” Moses said. “But there’s something to be said for bunking close, too, at least while we’re all here. Still thinking on getting a ranch of our own one day?”
While Moses had been down with his ankle, Boone had mentioned that maybe they should investigate the possibility of homesteading their own place. With the three of them, the potential was there to get a large bit of land to build a ranch.
“I am, and I’m not,” his brother replied. “Take a lot of doing to start from scratch. That leads to the other thing – Liam asked if we might want to buy into the Double B, put up some stakes, and be partners with him. He has big dreams for this place, and I told him I’d study on it awhile. Besides, I wanted to see what the pair of you think. It’d be all of us if we do it.”
Zeke whistled sharp and long. “We’d be in tall cotton.”
“We would,” Boone said. “But it’s something we cain’t walk away from, so there’s no changing our minds later. It’ll put us in Texas for good.”
“Where else would we be?” Zeke asked. Moses kept silent as he mulled over the possibilities.
Boone shrugged. “There’s always Kentucky. I recollect we first planned to head home once I got out of the hoosegow, but because Rachel was with child, we couldn’t make the trip. Or there’s more places than this if we ever should get itchy feet.”
“I didn’t know you still thought about going back home,” Moses said. Sometimes, he did – or had until he met Mattie. Kentucky had some positives, but he missed his folks, especially Ma, more than he cared for the land.
“I don’t much,” Boone said and echoed Moses’ thought. “I’d surely like to see Ma again, though, along with the rest of our brood.”
“I’m good to stay or go,” Zeke said. “Thought I favor Texas a good bit.”
Boone drew the last drag of his smoke. “Well, we don’t have to decide any time soon. Liam’s in no hurry. I’m tuckered out, so I’m calling it a night. Sleep tight.”
“G’night, Boone,” they said in unison.
Moses looked at Ezekiel. “Let’s go get our gear and bedrolls tonight. I’ve had about enough of the close quarters over there.”
“That and talk that we get favored because we’re Boone’s brothers.”
“I hadn’t heard that said.”
“It’s come up a few times. Come on, let’s do it before I get sleepy.”
Hauling up their bedrolls, packs, and gear took time, and so did hauling it all over on horseback. Then, they had to put their mounts up for the night.
“Boone needs to build us a stable,” Ezekiel said on their way back on foot.
“It’s a thought,” Moses said. Maybe in the winter season, they could.
Although the floor was hard, once he stretched out, Moses soon slept. He liked the privacy of not sharing space with a dozen other men who were often fitful in their sleep and known to pass gas so that the whole place stunk like an outhouse. Instead of rising to catcalls and men’s morning nonsense, Moses woke to find Mima kneeling beside his bedroll.
“Mo Mo, there’s coffee made, and Mama says come eat.”
Rachel’s biscuits were lighter and tastier than anything Cookie had ever made, and the bacon was fried to a nice crisp, not half-burned or half-raw. He enjoyed drinking coffee with his brothers and Mima’s chatter. Rob didn’t talk as much as his sister, but he could now hold his own. So far, his favorite seemed to be “Da,” which delighted Boone. Although they rose with dawn and left early, breakfast was far more pleasant with family than in the raucous atmosphere of the bunkhouse. If it wasn’t for Mattie’s upcoming departure, Moses would have been as content as he’d ever been.
On the Saturday before Mattie’s return to San Antonio, Liam agreed that both Moses and Zeke could have the day off and make the trip to Laredo for furniture. He also said that Mattie could ride along. Although it would make for a long day’s trip, Moses anticipated it with pleasure. In polite society, probably up in San Antonio, there would be a chaperone, but with only two women on the ranch, it wasn’t possible. Maggie was a new mother, and Rachel was in the family way. Liam conceded that Mattie would be safe with two of the Wilson brothers, and so, on the next to last Saturday in August, they set out just after first light.
Since they would be hauling back supplies from a list Liam provided along with money and Rachel’s long list as well as furniture, they used the covered wagon, the same one used to make the move from Laredo a few years earlier.
Mattie, pretty in a wide-brimmed straw hat decorated with silk flowers and ribbons that tied beneath her chin, perched on the seat beside Moses. She wore a dark green damask dress worn with a white lace fichu pinned in place with a cameo brooch. He figured it had to be the best dress she’d brought to the ranch and found it quite fetching.
Ezekiel could have squeezed onto the seat and flanked Mattie like bookends but had chosen to ride his favorite horse, Licorice, alongside the wagon.
“How long will it take to get there?” Mattie asked as she gazed about, admiring the scenery.
“Five hours, maybe,” Moses said. “Reckon, we’ll get there by ten o’clock in the morning or so. It’ll give us time to get all the supplies. Both Liam and Rachel gave me long lists. Then we got to pick out a couple of beds and a few other things. I thought you might want to do a little shopping, too.”
She turned toward him with a bright smile. “I would, Moses.”
“And I figured we might get a bite to eat in a restaurant before we head back to the ranch.”
He’d seldom dined in any establishment, but Moses figured it would be a treat for his lady, and her response pleased him. Mattie gave a little cry of delight and leaned against him on the seat, close enough he could smell her lavender fragrance.
Zeke rode close and said, “I’ll be hungry enough to eat a horse by then. We won’t get back to the ranch until late, though.”
“As long as we home by dark, it’s all good,” Moses said. “I’ve every confidence we’ll manage it.”
Laredo, when they arrived, seemed uglier than he remembered. Maybe it was because he’d seen San Antonio since he’d been here, but the streets seemed muddier, the buildings more faded and in poor repair. The saloon, The Out of Luck, where Boone had been shot, still stood but appeared seedier.
If Mattie found the place a poor second to her hometown, she didn’t mention it. Instead, she sat straight on the edge of the wagon seat, her eyes darting to and fro to take it all in. Moses wondered if any town seemed thrilling after a summer spent on the ranch.
Once he found a place for the wagon, he lifted her down from the seat and set her on the sidewalk with care. His ankle twinged a little, but he ignored it. At the mercantile they’d patronized before, Moses swept her inside. He pulled the lists he carried from a pocket, and as she perused the selection of ladies’ finery, everything from lace to ready-made dress goods and jewelry, he stepped up to the counter.
“Moses, I’m gonna step over and say hidy-do to Mary over at the saloon,” Zeke said. “Then I’ll head over to the livery for a spell.”
“Give her my regards,” Moses said. Mary, the saloonkeeper and the madam for a small bevy of painted ladies, had given Boone shelter after he’d been shot. She probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t been expected to die, he figured. Still, she’d had a small input that aided his quest to prove his brother’s innocence. “If Graciela’s about, see if you can buy some tamales that we can take back with us. Boone favors ‘em, and Rachel’s got frijoles down well, but she’s never caught the knack of the tamales.”
Ezekiel nodded and touched the brim of his hat to Mattie, then departed.
The storekeeper, Klaus Zimmerman, remembered that Moses was Boone’s brother and that Boone had been a good customer. Mattie spoke to him in German, and when she did, he lit up like a church on Christmas Eve. Their conversation seemed to please them both, which made Moses glad.
At the counter, Moses began the order, that included many items that the ranch couldn’t provide, including sugar, gunpowder, salt, coffee, flour, cornmeal, tobacco and cigarette papers, and various spices. Some items duplicated on Liam’s and Boone’s list. Boone wanted some dress goods for Rachel and some flannel, plus a trinket or two. Rachel requested some raisins and dried apples if any were to be had.
Once those necessary items had been procured and loaded into the wagon, he picked out two of the simplest beds in the place. There was no need for mattresses, just some cloth to make straw ticks for both. He added some blankets. He also, with Mattie’s able assistance, chose two frying pans, a couple of pots, some tinware including cups, plates, and silverware, and a few other household items.
She had chosen a few sewing notions, a bit of lace, some scented soap, and some candy sticks, which she said were for the little ones. Since it wasn’t long until Boone’s birthday, Moses had it in mind to get him some small gift. Boone had several good knives, but he found a fine Bowie knife and bought it for his brother. Although Jim Bowie died at the Alamo, the style of knives that carried his name continued to be made, and he thought Boone would like it.
Ezekiel turned up just after the wagon was loaded, bearing tamales and town gossip. Little of it had any interest to Moses or Mattie since she wasn’t familiar. By then, it was past noon, so they headed for the closest café. Although he had a suspicion that Mattie had dined in far finer establishments with a larger variety, Moses liked the place. It was small but clean. The tables were topped with red and white checked cloths, and the curtains at the windows matched.
Each table held salt and pepper shakers as well as a sugar bowl. The trio settled down at a table near the front windows and looked at the bill of fare. The choices were few, beef steak, beef stew, fried river carp, or bacon with cabbage. After a steady diet that consisted of primarily beef, augmented by the occasional chicken or the game Ezekiel hunted, Moses chose the carp. Some called it a trash fish, true, but he’d eaten it in the past and found it tasty. Mattie also chose carp, noting it was a popular fish among Germans. Their dinners came with a side of fried potatoes and some hominy. Zeke asked for beef stew, and when it was served, Moses almost wished he’d chosen it. The stew was thick with carrots, chunks of potatoes, green peas, and onion as well as beef. The fish, however, was fried to a golden crisp and proved to be delicious, a welcome change from beef.
The meal sat well in his belly, and although Moses would have liked to linger, maybe enjoy a smoke, they returned to the wagon for the long trip back to the ranch. After lifting Mattie onto the seat once more, he did roll and light a cigarette, which surprised her.
“I didn’t know you had the habit,” she said.
“Do you mind?” If she did, he would give it up.
“I don’t,” Mattie said. “It came as a surprise, though. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you smoke.”
Moses laughed. “I don’t as much as Boone, that’s for sure. I never did until I came to Laredo. I seldom get a smoke, but after a fine meal, it can be a pleasure.”
She held out her hand. “May I try?”
Her request shocked him. “Mattie, love, nice women don’t smoke.”
He had only seen a few who did, Mary over at the Out of Luck among them. She smoked thin cigars, and a few of her ladies did as well.
Mattie sighed. “It’s just as well if I don’t. Papa would have me in the woodshed, I imagine, and I doubt Liam would feel much different.”
The trek back to the Double B seemed to take longer, but that was because they didn’t have the same anticipation they had when they headed into town. Heat beat down from the full sun onto the wagon, intense enough to see the shimmer in the air. More than once, Moses could have sworn he saw puddles ahead, but they were mirages, nothing but an optical illusion. They stopped more than once so Mattie could relieve herself, and all could drink some water.
Each time, he lifted her down from the wagon. By the time they were in the last stretch, his ankle twinged with pain. Moses realized he’d taxed it too much with the journey, loading the wagon and assisting Mattie. Once home, they would have to lug their purchases from the wagon, but there should be plenty of hands to help with that. He’d rest it once he settled for the evening, he thought, maybe rub it with a little witch hazel or arnica.
Dusk had begun to gather before they reached the ranch. Ezekiel had ridden ahead but returned. “If you turn around, you’ll see a mighty fine sunset,” he told them. “You ought to look. It’s purty.”
The western sky was bright with vivid orange and a few silhouetted clouds that appeared almost black. It was glorious and Moses was glad he took time to view it. By the time he rolled the wagon to a stop near the main house, it was all but dark. Both Liam and Boone were waiting. Zeke rode to get the hands to help unload, and when Moses climbed down, he stepped wrong, and his ankle hurt more. He winced and hoped no one noticed in the dark, but Boone did.
“Looks like your trip didn’t do the ankle much good,” he commented.
“It’s a mite tender, that’s all,” Moses replied. “I’ll be right as rain come morning.”
His brother snorted. “Best rest it a bit tomorrow so you don’t get laid up again,” Boone said. “Hurt?”
“Like the devil,” he admitted.
As the supplies were unloaded and most taken to the storehouse Liam had built, Moses limped alongside Mattie and delivered her to the front porch. Glad of the darkness, out of the circle of lanterns that illuminated the work, he kissed her sweet and slow.
“I enjoyed your company today,” he told her. “I hope you found the trip to be good.”
“I did, but I wish your ankle wasn’t troubling you.”
“I’ll do,” he said. “Good night, Mattie.”
“Sleep well, Moses.”
He began a slow, tedious walk home, and despite his aching ankle, he was happy.
For now, he ignored the fact Mattie would soon be gone and savored the day.