Chapter Seven
The next three weeks spent waiting for a house to be built passed in a whirlwind of activity. Rachel and Tillie had ridden to the trading post and talked it over with George Singer. The man agreed that their plan was an excellent idea and looked forward to selling her goods. They’d come back and set about implementing the plan they’d drawn up. They made potato bread, churned butter, made prickly pear jelly, and carrot cakes. Rachel had delivered the first batch to the trading post several days ago.
It made her feel good to be doing something. She wanted, no needed, to be in control of her life. Not that she wasn’t grateful for what Heath and Sally had done. Truth was, she owed them far more than she could ever repay. But for the first time in her life, she was truly independent and free to make her own way.
While she still grieved for her precious Alice and Jane, she was getting stronger and feeling more capable with each sunrise. It had only been a month since she’d buried Alice and at times she could barely breathe for the pain.
True to Heath’s promise, he and his small army finished Rachel’s house in three weeks. She moved in on Saturday, September 16, 1882, amid a hotbed of activity with men and women unloading furnishings from their wagons.
She stepped aside to let Sally by with kitchen chairs. Men carried in the table, a rocker, and a kitchen cookstove. Her heart swelled as tears filled her eyes.
Despite her constant heartache, she loved the feeling of being home. She was at last back on the land where she’d grown into a woman and where she’d laid her family to rest.
It wasn’t much but it was hers and she counted each blessing.
The house consisted of two rooms. The combined kitchen and sitting area was small but big enough and a door led to the bedroom. The rough, planked floor was far better than dirt. In short order, a rocker and two cane-bottomed chairs stood in front of the stone fireplace she’d always loved.
Memories flooded of holding Alice, rocking her to sleep. She remembered how the girl’s small fingers curled in her hair. She blinked hard and swallowed. It didn’t matter that smoke now stained the rock. How she’d loved those times and those old stones brought comfort now.
Maybe in time the grief would ease.
A table and black iron cook stove made up the kitchen part. The structure had two windows, one by the front door and one in the bedroom. Friends and neighbors had even slapped a coat of whitewash on the exterior.
“It’s perfect. I’m…” She looked at Heath through her tears. “Thank you.”
He shifted the iron bed frame he carried. “You’re welcome. If there’s anything you need to add let me know.”
“It’s perfect, Heath. What more could I need?”
Her gaze landed on the braided rag rug that covered the trap door leading to the room underneath.
Despite Heath reassuring her things were safe, she couldn’t wait until she was alone so she could check for herself to see if the padlocked strong box was still there.
He gave her a crooked grin and continued into the small bedroom.
She hugged herself. Tonight, she would sleep in her own bed and hopefully dream of better times to come.
Except for the crumpled note Heath had found in her father’s handwriting and the deep suspicion that Isaac Malloy was a criminal. Her gut told her he’d done some bad things. Strange disappearances and the note along with his mumbling talk on his deathbed pretty much confirmed that he robbed stagecoaches. And if he’d done that, maybe he’d also killed.
She released a deep, troubled sigh.
Worry churned. If others found out about him, they’d turn on her. That’s just the way it worked. They’d say she had to have known and she could lose everything she’d gained.
Something else troubled her. Could she cope with the dreadful silence once everyone left and returned home?
How odd that silence was the one thing she’d most yearned for when her brothers and sister were alive. Now that she had it, she’d give anything for the noise and bustle that had been part of her life as long as she could remember.
Tillie entered with an armful of quilts and bedding. “We had more than enough of these. They need to be used.”
Rachel took a deep breath and blinked back sudden tears. “I don’t know how or why I ended up with so many friends. I’m truly grateful.”
“You’ll find that people around here have some mighty big hearts.” Tillie blew a tendril of hair off her face. “I’m sure it’s difficult for you to believe right now. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. You’ll see.”
The heaviness that still sat on Rachel’s chest didn’t feel temporary in the least. But maybe Tillie was right. Maybe life could hold some joy again. And maybe she could find a measure of happiness in the coming days and months.
Since she didn’t have much choice in the matter, she’d try to find peace.
Tillie shifted her load. “Are you ready to resume baking bread and making butter tomorrow?”
“Sure am.”
“There you are, Miss Malloy,” said Susan Slaughter, wife of rancher Skeet Slaughter whose ranch was on the rim next to Heath’s. “We have everything from our wagon. I suppose we’ll head home.” The woman with strands of silver in her dark hair put her arms around Rachel and hugged her. “Again, I’m sorry about your folks. If you need anything or if I can do anything to help you, you have but to say the word. Out here we all have to stick together to get by. If you ever get lonely come see me.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Slaughter. I’ll keep that in mind.” Rachel had the urge to snuggle deep in the woman’s generous arms. It would feel almost as good as hugging her stepmother Jane.
“Please call me Susan.”
“Only if you’ll use my given name of Rachel.”
“It’s a deal. I’m really glad we could help. I never got a chance to know your parents, but I sure want to change that with you.”
“Then we’ll plan on having tea sometime, Susan.”
One by one, everyone left until it was down to Heath and Sally.
Heath stood with his hat in his hands. “I was going to bring your animals back today but it’s getting too late in the afternoon. I’ll do it first thing tomorrow.”
“That’ll be fine,” she said quietly.
“I have a feeling you’re too tired to worry with them now anyway. You’ve had a long day and you’re still puny.”
A wry smile formed. “I am a little worse for wear.”
Without a word, Sally Lassiter marched to the stove and began to sling pots and pans around as though she was slaying a herd of fire-breathing dragons.
Curious, Rachel covered the steps to the small kitchen area. “Sally, can I help you do something?”
“No, you go sit down. I’ll have a meal fixed in two shakes.”
“You don’t have to do this. Really.”
Putting her hands on her hips, Sally faced her. “It’s my duty to put some meat on your bones. You’re too thin by half. Besides, I’m spending the night. Can’t leave you by yourself on the first night in your new house.”
Rachel smothered a groan and cast a glance at the trapdoor in the floor. She chafed at interruptions that kept her unable to satisfy her curiosity.
Heath studied Rachel and the different emotions playing across her face. Something was bothering her. Her knuckles were white, relaying the tightness of her grip on her apron. And why had she been worried that he’d removed something from the room beneath the trapdoor?
Rachel Malloy harbored a secret.
Wishing he had some answers, he crossed the room and gently took her elbow. “It’s best to get out of her way when she’s on a mission to save the world against sinners and sorrow.” He led her to a rocking chair the Slaughters had brought then took a seat on the hearth in front of the fireplace. Jax gave a huff and stretched out at Rachel’s feet.
“Now, tell me what’s troubling you. Don’t deny it I see it in your face.”
It took a long moment for her to answer. “I’m tired and need some time alone except that’s very difficult to find.”
“I think you’ll be safe enough during the day, but I’m afraid you’re stuck with Sally at night.” He happened to think the arrangement was necessary. Though he hadn’t seen any other signs of a trespasser, he didn’t want to risk being wrong. He’d do what he must to keep her safe. “What else?”
“I am grateful for this house and able to live here again, I truly am, but what if I lose what little I have again?” Her bottom lip quivered. “I don’t think I can start over.”
The anguish in her quiet tone tore through him. It was all he could do not to take her in his arms, protect her from everything that created insurmountable barriers for her.
“It’s futile to worry about something that hasn’t happened yet.” He laid a light hand on her shoulder. “I’ve learned we’re not tested during the good times. It’s during the dark night of our soul’s despair that we discover what we’re truly made of and find the strength we need. Every person on this earth has trials and tribulations. It’s not just you.”
“I know but it seems like it.”
He took her hand in his. “You have amazing strength. And you have me and Sally and your friends to help you. We’re not going to let you give up. Now, what else?”
Her green eyes became guarded. “I may have lost something. Something that…”
“Tell me what it is, and I’ll help you find it.”
Indecision flickered in her face. Something told him she’d been betrayed before.
“Rachel, you can trust me with your secrets. They won’t go any further.”
Finally, she said, “You remember that crumpled note you found?”
He nodded.
She lowered her voice. “I don’t know for sure, but I suspect my father was an outlaw and robbed stagecoaches. He kept something very important in a strong box in the root cellar. If someone took it or discovered it during the construction, things could get bad. Real bad.”
“I understand. I think we should go look and put your mind at ease.” He glanced toward Sally. “After supper. Okay?”
Rachel nodded, looking relieved. It had been hard for her to confide in him. What a sad life she must’ve had and from what he could gather, her father had not treated her well.
“Time to eat,” Sally bellowed as though her voice needed to carry across several miles to reach them.
An idea brewed in Heath’s head as he watched Rachel throughout the meal. If she accepted his plan, he had it in his power to make her life a bit easier. But he had to put it to her in such a way that it kept her pride intact. Easier said than done.
After Rachel washed and dried the supper dishes, she turned to Sally, “Heath and I are going to see what remains in the root cellar under the trapdoor.”
“Good idea. I’ll just go rest my bones for a minute,” Sally answered and moved to sit in front of the fireplace.
Health reached for the kerosene lamp and took Rachel’s hand. Carefully, they made their way down into the cool storage space. At the bottom, he held the light high.
The little space was empty. Someone had cleaned everything out.
“It’s gone! Oh no.” Rachel wrung her hands.
“Now, don’t panic. We’ll find it. I’ll go to every worker and see what they know. It’ll turn up,” he assured her.
They made their way up the short stairs to the kitchen. Sally was waiting. “I just remembered that the men took everything out to the barn to be sorted.”
“See, Rachel? It’s probably safe in the barn.”
She brightened. “Oh, thank goodness. Let’s go.”
Heath grabbed her arm. “Hold on. We can’t see anything in the dark and that’s a big barn. Best to wait until daylight. Besides, you’re dead on your feet.”
“I guess you’re right,” she conceded.
“I’ll return early. I promise.” He tried to read Sally’s hand signals from behind Rachel’s back. Finally, he understood. “Would some fresh air interest you?”
She allowed a wan smile. “As you pointed out, I’m a little tired. But maybe for just a moment.”
“We won’t be long.”
“Take your shawl,” Sally ordered. “The night air is cool.”
Heath caught Rachel’s low murmur. He knew Sally grated on Rachel’s nerves for his sister seemed to have assumed the role of mother. That she bossed around someone else for a change was a welcome relief for him. But he knew Rachel found it more than a tad unbearable.
At least Rachel waited until they’d shut the door behind them before she spewed. “I know Sally has a big heart and I love her dearly. She cared for me when I had no one. But does her bossiness ever end?” Rachel jerked the shawl around her shoulders and slipped her hand in the crook of his arm. Jax padded along beside them happy to be outdoors.
“Best to just accept it. She does care about you even if it’s a bit too much.”
The chirps of crickets amid the croaking of frogs blended in a song of the night. And off in the distance he heard the howl of a lone coyote. Each sound affirmed how very alive not only he was but everything around him.
Rachel tilted her face to take a long look at the brilliant full moon. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed softly.
His throat tightened. He certainly could agree, and he wasn’t talking entirely about the moon.
“That it is. I love how the shimmering lake reflects its light. The night air smells so clean and fresh. This is the most favorite part of my day.” They strolled down to the water’s edge. “Rachel, I have something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Am I going to like it?”
“I hope so.” However, he wouldn’t bet good money on it. “Would you loan me your bull for a little while?”
“Whatever for? I was planning to sell it so I won’t have to feed the ugly thing.”
“I want to breed it with my heifers. I’ve talked to Skeet Slaughter and he tells me your bull is a black Angus and very valuable. It’ll improve the quality of my herd.” He let that sink in before he continued. “And, in exchange, I’ll give you ten calves when they’re weaned. It’ll be nice start to a herd of your own.”
She released his arm and knelt to drag her fingers in the tranquil water. She seemed pensive. He rested against the bark of a cottonwood to wait.
Finally, she spoke. “If you’re just doing this because you feel sorry for me, forget it.”
He should’ve known his offer wouldn’t come out right.
“No, Rachel,” he said quietly. “That’s not the way of it. I’d purely take it as a favor if you let me breed the bull with my heifers. I’d have one of the best herds you ever saw here in Texas.”
“In that case, keep the bull as long as you like.”
The breath he’d been holding came out in a rush. “You should know that Slaughter and some of the other ranchers will ask for the same deal. Before this thing is through, no telling what size herd you’ll end up with and give you some long-term independence.”
She rose and faced him. Silvery moonlight bathed her pretty features and created a glorious halo around her. “I don’t know what to say.”
An angel sent from heaven couldn’t have looked lovelier.
Heath couldn’t say a word if his life depended on it. His tongue got stuck to the roof of his mouth. She seemed to have put him in a spell of some kind.
Before he could stop himself, he lowered his head and covered her soft lips with his.