Chapter 9
Gieselle tucked the last pin into Aunt Liddy’s shining hair and stepped back to view her work. Since leaving Louisiana she’d learned a great deal about doing her own hair, with some annoyance along the way. She almost felt like Aunt Liddy’s fairy godmother today, helping her get ready for the ball. This was the first day the ranch would receive dinner guests since before Uncle Morris had died. But those snatched glances between Aunt Liddy and Wally made her suspect something else was going on.
Aunt Liddy was dressed up in a real dress, probably the first time since her accident. It had been difficult getting the stays in place, calling for a great deal of tugs and huffs, but all the work was well worth it, Gieselle supposed. She’d never known her aunt to be so fastidious, having to have everything just so. You’d have thought she was preparing for a real ball when it was just dinner with Reverend Brown and his wife, Adeline.
People had led her to believe Adeline was strident, but Gieselle hadn’t found that to be true. From her experience, Mrs. Brown was as sweet as honey dripping from the comb.
“Everything is perfect, Gieselle,” Aunt Liddy said. “Sit down and rest a spell before our guests arrive.”
As if on cue, Wally dragged up a chair and sat beside Aunt Liddy’s wheelchair. He took her hand and they shared a glance, goofy smiles on their faces.
“What’s going on?”
Wally cleared his throat. “This morning your aunt did me the honor of agreeing to become my wife.”
“And I said yes.” Aunt Liddy’s cheeks pinked and she tittered behind her free hand.
Gieselle hadn’t sat before now, but her knees buckled and she found the chair with her hands, then lowered herself to the edge. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t expected this—actually, she’d prayed about it—but shock still had her mouth hanging open.
“I’m happy for you both. When?”
“That’s what we wanted to tell you,” Aunt Liddy said. “Since Reverend Brown is coming this afternoon, we decided to exchange our vows while he’s here.”
“What?” Gieselle squeaked.
“I went into town yesterday and asked him if he’d perform the ceremony today,” Wally said.
Gieselle bounded from the chair and got between Aunt Liddy and Wally, hugging them both. She kissed her aunt first and then on the top of Wally’s head, much to his surprise. He turned red in the face. “We should have told you sooner, but your aunt wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It sure is, but a wonderful surprise.” She scooted back from between them. “Goodness, I’d better find something suitable to dress up in. Thankfully, I baked a cake.”
The fragrance of roast beef caught her attention. “I’d better go check the roast first.” She was good and truly addled. At the kitchen entrance, she looked back. Aunt Liddy and Wally had their foreheads touching.
Thank you, Lord. I knew You’d answer my prayers for Aunt Liddy before I left. Now, if You don’t mind, please take care of Aaron.
She dressed in her best spring dress, a blue and white print of fine cotton with white lace at the neckline and sleeves. After tidying her hair, she returned to the kitchen to set the table for the five of them.
The door knocker sounded and she untied her apron, tossing it on the countertop.
Wally had already opened the door for the Browns. The men shook hands and Gieselle hugged Mrs. Brown. They all gathered around Aunt Liddy.
“You’re looking well, Liddy,” Adeline Brown said. “Like the beautiful bride you are.”
Aunt Liddy laughed, color heightening her features. “I might not look like a bride, but I sure feel like one.” She glanced at Gieselle. “Perhaps we should go directly to supper. I think Gieselle has everything ready.”
After everyone had found their seats and Reverend Brown rendered the grace, Gieselle began to pass the dishes, beginning with the sliced roast. “Everything smells mighty good,” Adeline said. “Where did a young thing like you learn to cook, Gieselle?”
“My parents’ cook, Maydell. From the time I was little, and a nuisance I’m sure, I loved helping her cook.”
“Well, she taught you well, my dear,” Reverence Brown said, lifting his fork of mashed potatoes to her like it was a toast.
For the next few minutes, the pleasant sound of silver clinking against china amid mundane conversation sounded. Then Adeline asked, “Where is Mr. Bainbridge? He lives here now, does he not?”
Gieselle dropped her head, letting Aunt Liddy explain Aaron’s absence. She couldn’t get it out of her head that he was entering dangerous waters somewhere, somehow. Dare she voice her concerns with the Browns? Ask them to pray for him?
As if she’d read Gieselle’s mind, Adeline said, “We’ve been praying for Mr. Bainbridge. He must have heard something new if he took a crew of men to investigate the location where the Circle A cattle disappeared last year.”
“He’s like the rest of us,” Wally said. “Finds it awfully hard to believe seventy-five hundred head of cattle could disappear without a trace.”
“I wonder if he knows Mr. Winthrop fired the Coley cousins.” Reverend Brown set his water glass down. “Said he couldn’t have a murderer working for him. They’ve been spending most of their time at the saloon. Makes the whole town nervous.”
“Why would Mr. Winthrop think one of them is a murderer?” Gieselle asked.
Everyone stopped eating and stared at her like she’d just dropped in from the ceiling. “Dear, Aaron’s brother was killed by one of the Coleys. Didn’t he tell you?”
Aaron’s brother was murdered? “He told me his younger brother had died but not that he was killed.” Why hadn’t he told her that? She’d thought he trusted her enough to share anything. Suddenly, she’d lost her appetite. “Why isn’t the murderer in prison?” Or hanged?
Wally cleared his throat. “Aaron probably didn’t want you to get worried about him because he wants to expose the killer.”
“Yes, dear,” Aunt Liddy said. “That’s what brought him to the Circle A. He found out the Coley cousins worked for the ranch until Morris fired them.”
“It happened in Carson City, which you know is near here.” Adeline picked up the story. “The Coleys and Aaron’s brother—Anthony, I believe his name was—were in a card game. Apparently, a disagreement broke out over the game and one of the Coleys shot young Anthony.”
Silence fell over the table until Reverend Brown continued. “Unfortunately, the sheriff over in Carson City couldn’t charge anyone because none of the witnesses could identify which man shot Anthony.”
“So how can Aaron prove which one of them pulled the trigger?” Gieselle asked. “Wait, the Coleys were driving the cattle you lost, Aunt Liddy?” She truly was addled or she’d have already put two-and-two together.
“Yes. Aaron thinks they might have rustled them. I suppose he feels if he can prove they stole the cattle, the law will jail them for that and maybe that will be some justice for his brother.” Aunt Liddy pushed back from the table. “I believe we’re ready for the cake, dear.”
The time was getting late and Aunt Liddy was doubtless anxious to get the wedding underway. Gieselle rose. “Let’s save the cake to celebrate your wedding ceremony. The reverend and Mrs. Brown want to leave before dark.”
Talk about the murder had cast a pall over the dinner, and Gieselle didn’t want that for her aunt, not for the world. She went straight to the piano in the parlor as the others followed. Playing softly a litany of hymns, she waited for the others to ready themselves for the vows.
When the murmur of voices fell silent, she twirled around on the piano bench. Aunt Liddy and Wally were positioned in front of Reverend Brown, looking into each other’s eyes. Adeline stood off to the side of Aunt Liddy.
Gieselle cleared her throat to push the emotion back down. If she didn’t, she knew she’d start bawling. “In the interest of time, we’ll have only one song. Would you sing it, Wally? You know the one. It’s Aunt Liddy’s favorite hymn.” And Wally had a beautiful tenor voice.
When it came to the refrain, they all joined in. I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; Oh, bless me now, my Savior! I come to Thee.
Gieselle covered the piano keys and joined the wedding group. She’d be the second witness to Aunt Liddy’s wedding. What would Mama think about that? Before she lay down tonight, she’d have to write a long, overdue letter to her parents. They would now know the real reason Aunt Liddy didn’t return to Louisiana after Uncle Morris’s death. She’d secretly fallen in love with her hired man.
In the New Orleans social world, people, maybe her parents included, would be scandalized that Aunt Liddy would marry a servant, but out here in this isolated, wild country, it seemed perfect to Gieselle. Because, a union could only have come about through true love.
Instead of being scandalized, the people of Rattlesnake Ridge would sigh in relief that the rumors of a clandestine relationship could be put to rest. Most of them, anyway. Happiness struggled with sadness within Gieselle. Tears of joy rose in her eyes for this couple who deserved the love they’d found. Wally was such a quiet man, she didn’t know much about him yet, but her affection and respect went out to him as was due her new uncle.
She was glad he’d have Aaron to help him manage the ranch and get it built back up. It was thoughts of Aaron that made her sad. He clearly didn’t know she’d developed feelings for him, though how he wouldn’t know after they’d kissed, she couldn’t fathom.
He didn’t realize it was her first kiss. Or what it did to her.
After Wally bent down to kiss his bride, Gieselle forced herself to smile as she rushed to them and hugged them together. She signed the marriage certificate, and thanked the reverend and Adeline for coming this great way and invited them to come again in true southern fashion.
The Browns left as soon as they’d partaken of the strawberry shortcake and coffee Gieselle served immediately after the ceremony. She left the bride and groom so she could wash the dishes. They wouldn’t know she was present, anyway, since they had their heads together, reading a book of poems.
After cleaning the kitchen, Gieselle found Aunt Liddy and Wally still reading and whispering. She felt as out of place as the odd dancer at a waltz. “Aunt Liddy, I’m going out on the porch for a little while.”
Aunt Liddy didn’t even hear her, apparently. She pulled the door closed after her and trekked the length of the porch to the side that pointed west. But the sun had already set. Only a soft purple glow showed over the mountains.
This was such beautiful country. She wasn’t ready to go home; although, with Aunt Liddy married, Wally could take care of all her aunt’s needs now. He could cook as well as Gieselle could, too. Better, and with Aaron running the ranch, Wally could devote all his time to the house.
Gieselle wasn’t needed here anymore. Besides Mama would want her to come home and help with her large brood. But Mama had servants, and Gieselle wanted to stay here on the Circle A.
She propped her elbows on the railing and looked up at the stars as they brightened against the inky sky. Aaron would likely be in his bedroll by now, looking up at the same sky. Was he giving a thought to her? Or was he so consumed with the desire to avenge his brother’s killing, he didn’t have space in his heart for her?
As she was accustomed to do when pensive, she fell into prayer.
“Father, why did you make me wait until I came out here to find the man I could fall in love with? Out here to a little town called Rattlesnake Ridge, on the Circle A Ranch, in the wilds of Neveda?” No answer came but the cricket’s song.
She bowed her head. “I know your plans for me are good. If Aaron is truly the man You want for my husband, please help me find a way to make him love me.”
The front door opened and Wally’s voice pulled her attention. “Gieselle, your aunt and I are ready to…retire for the night, and she wants you to come in so we can lock up.”
“Tell her I’m coming, Wally. I’ll lock the door after me.”
She sent one last look up at the sky. The almost full moon rode low on the western mountains. Are you watching the moon tonight, Aaron? Somehow, she must find a chance to get him to sit out here on the porch and watch the moon with her.