Chapter 12
Gieselle sat in the parlor with Aunt Liddy, nervous as a girl at her first dance. To keep her from wearing out the rug with her pacing, Aunt Liddy suggested they work on their crocheting, creating granny squares for a new sofa blanket for Gieselle’s hope chest.
“Oh, I’ve added too many rounds. It’s too big, isn’t it?” she asked, holding up the soft blue granny square, or at least, that’s what it was supposed to be.
Aunt Liddy glanced up from her work. “Yes, dear. I’d say you need to rip out two rounds and start on another square. Try the tan yarn. Switching colors helps avoid mistakes, I’ve found.”
Gieselle plucked the ball of tan yarn from the basket sitting between them and made a short chain. “I don’t know how you can be so calm with all the excitement that happened in town last night.”
Since Aaron hadn’t returned last night, they didn’t know how his experiment had gone. He’d told her he would have to stay in town overnight. That would have been sensible, but she couldn’t find a sensible nerve in her body. She’d found sleep hard to come by last night since she’d kept straining to hear his return.
Aunt Liddy looked pensive for several moments. “I prayed about it last night and this morning. Then I left it with God. He always works things out for our good, does He not? Took me a long time to realize that.”
Gieselle had prayed, too, way into the night, but she’d always had trouble leaving it with God and putting it out of her mind like Aunt Liddy suggested. “Of course you’re right. It’s just I’d hoped that Aaron would have returned by now. It’s past one o’clock and if he’d left after breakfast this morning, he should have gotten here by now. That big stallion he rode is fast and has long endurance.”
Aunt Liddy laid her crochet piece aside and, finding her crutches, ambled to the window. She didn’t show the least bit of pain, so she was healing rapidly. Gieselle sent up a little prayer of praise for that.
Her aunt stopped at the window and stared at the pastures. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
She referred to the cattle grazing in the far meadows. “They are indeed, Auntie. I’m so happy for you and Wally. The ranch is already returning to prosperity. We have Aaron to thank for that.”
“Yes, and you don’t worry. That boy will find his brother’s killer and within the law.”
Gieselle dropped her crochet hook, savoring how noble Aaron was. He’d come to Rattlesnake Ridge to find revenge, but instead of hunting down the man he suspected and shooting him, as so many rough men out here would have, he’d investigated his suspicions and turned his findings over to the law.
He was a man so tender-hearted, he hated to wring a chicken’s neck, and his heart loved her. He was a wonderful, godly man. She was blessed beyond measure that God brought them together.
The smell of savory beef stew filled the whole house with its aroma and made Gieselle’s stomach tighten. But she and Aunt Liddy had decided to wait until Wally had served the men out in the bunkhouse.
Gieselle had made a blueberry cobbler this morning and it had probably cooled too much. She’d shove it back in the oven when they sat down to eat, so it would be warm when she served it with the clotted cream resting in the icebox. She hadn’t made enough for the cowhands, but had sent them the last of the oatmeal cookies she’d baked yesterday.
She’d made both of them with Aaron in mind. He like both desserts and a lot of other things she hoped to cook for him. After traveling all over the country, eating in restaurants and cafes, he appreciated home cooking, and she was glad Maydell had taught her how.
Wally came in from the back. “Thought I heard someone coming over the hill.”
Gieselle dropped the yarn and hook back in the basket and bounded from her chair. She came up on the other side of Aunt Liddy and pulled the curtain wide. “It must be Aaron coming home.”
She dashed out the door and down the steps as the big, black stallion, Midnight, came into view. Aaron slid out of the saddle before the horse fully stopped. Skipper ran into the yard and grabbed the reins, pulling the tired horse to the barn for water and oats.
For one moment Gieselle wondered if she should act demure, but when Aaron held his arms open, she ran into them. He picked her up and swung her around. They were both laughing when he put her down. Oh, this must mean he had good news.
“What happened?” The question burst from her.
“Oh no, I’ll wait until we sit down to eat. I don’t want to repeat myself several times.” He cocked both brows. “You’ve probably already eaten the midday meal, the one you call dinner, but I’ve got to tell you I’m hungry as a bear.”
She giggled. “I am, too. Can’t you hear my stomach growling like a bear’s? You kept us waiting until I’m having to reheat the cobbler, but I think the stew is still hot.”
Arms hooked around each other’s waists, they strode across the yard and into the house. Wally had already set the table and stood beside Aunt Liddy. Her wheelchair was in place at the end of the table.
“It won’t take me but a moment to wash up,” Aaron said on his way to the pump on the back porch where the cowboys’ cleaning supplies were kept.
Gieselle caught her aunt’s sly wink as she took her place. “What? Has my bun fallen down?” She reached up to pat her hair. Seemed all right to her, but clearly Aunt Liddy had something to say.
“No, dear, you look fine—a little flushed, perhaps. It’s just I’m surprised that you and Aaron have gotten…so…shall I say…close.” She must have seen Gieselle and Aaron embracing longer than necessary.
Gieselle huffed. “I was happy to see he didn’t come to any harm in town. That’s all. Isn’t that something to be happy about?”
“Yes, dear. I’m happy about that. I’m also happy you and Aaron have developed feeling for each other, but I expected a period of courtship. After all, your mother doesn’t even know.”
“I’ll write her. Aaron hasn’t officially proposed yet, but he did ask to court me.” Heat rushed into her cheeks. Might as well let Aunt Liddy know. “He also said he’d order my ring when he was in town. I can’t wait until it comes in.”
Aunt Liddy laughed and sent her gaze to Wally. “Gieselle waited four years for a ring from a gentleman back in New Orleans, and I don’t think she really cared. Here, she’s known Aaron for less than a month and she can’t wait for the ring.”
“Make fun of me, if you must. Just because you took your sweet time to wrangle Wally, doesn’t mean I wish to wait.” Both Wally and Aunt Liddy roared.
Aaron came in and took his place beside Gieselle. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, dear,” Aunt Liddy said between sputters. “Will you lead our grace, Aaron?”
His hand felt cool as he squeezed Gieselle’s fingers. Maybe that’s why the touch sent tingles all the way to the pit of her.
The stew was delicious, but she couldn’t appreciate it. She sat in rapt attention as Aaron told of the happenings in town. “So, Marsh Coley confessed?” Wally asked after Aaron finished his story to shove in a great bite of cornbread.
He nodded his head until he’d swallowed and drank from his water glass. “Yes, the deputy is taking Marsh back to Carson City to stand trial for murder. Sheriff McCullough is holding Boney and Dack for suspicion of rustling.”
“Rustling our cattle?” Aunt Liddy asked, all merriment gone from her voice.
Aaron set his glass down. “Yes, those cattle went somewhere and the Coleys were responsible. Sheriff McCullough is going to contact the rail company to see if they had any large herd shipments last year.” He scooped up another spoon of stew. “We thought they’d have driven the cattle to Reno, but they could’ve sent them anywhere. With forged documents, they could’ve taken the pay.”
“Except none of the Coleys have any money,” Gieselle mused. “Mrs. Handley said Miz May at the boarding house took pity on them before they got the job at the mines and let them eat at her place a couple of times.”
Aaron dropped his spoon. “That is strange. Could be they were working for some big crook and he swindled them.” He chuckled. “There’s no honor among thieves, they say.”
“Well, I’m sure the sheriff will get to the bottom of it. Anyone want coffee?” Wally got up and went to the sound of the perking coffee pot.
Everyone did. Gieselle jumped up to get the cups. “Coffee will go well with the cobbler.” She’d already set the dessert plates out with a generous serving of cobbler. After setting a cup by each plate, she retrieved the clotted cream and dropped a dollop on each dessert while Wally poured the coffee.
“This looks mighty good, Gieselle. You’re a good cook. Did I ever tell you that?” Aaron winked at her, sending heat up her neck.
She took her place, giving him a side look. “You have but you can keep doing it, if you wish.”
“I don’t know what we’d have done if Gieselle hadn’t cook for us,” Aunt Liddy said. “Aaron, you got me thinking when you mentioned the Coleys might have been working with a partner. They asked me to give them a bill of sale when they set out with the cattle. They already had proof of ownership papers. I didn’t think anything about it at the time, but it looked funny the way it was written.” She paused a few seconds as if collecting her memories. “But I didn’t know anything about such things. I’m sure it identified the purchasers and I kept a copy. I learned that from Morris.”
“If your purchase order identifies the buyer, the sheriff could use that information,” Aaron said. “I suppose I’ll have to go back to Rattlesnake Ridge tomorrow and give him your copy. I sure am travel weary, though.”
“I could go,” Wally said.
Aunt Liddy blew on her coffee. “That’s a wonderful idea, Wally. You can stop by Doctor Gracie and tell her I think I can now do without her wheelchair, if she’s needing it. Gieselle has helped me with those crutches you bought me, Aaron, and I didn’t have a bit of trouble with them. I thank you both for helping me through this ordeal.”
Gieselle had to admit Aunt Liddy’s progress was astonishing. As she and Aaron acknowledged her thanks, Aunt Liddy drank a sip of her coffee and caught Gieselle’s gaze. “And you can take Gieselle’s letter to her mother to the post office. She’s going to write it tonight, aren’t you, dear?”
There was no way out of it. Gieselle nodded. Her aunt knew her so well. She dreaded writing that letter. She’d have to tell Mama about Aaron. Would she demand Gieselle return home forthwith? Or, more likely, would she be on her way out here? Probably, Papa would come, too.
Her plans for tonight were shattered. She’d been looking forward to spending time out on the porch with Aaron. It would be a fine night, just warm enough not to need a wrap. When would they have some private time?
Aaron finished his dessert. “That was delicious—the whole meal. I appreciate your offer, Wally. I didn’t want to impose on you since you’re newly married, but I won’t argue against it.” His chair scraped as he moved sideways to face Gieselle. “Would you go with me to inspect the herds tomorrow?”
He must have been reading her mind. He wanted some private time, but could they do that inspecting the herd? She’d make sure they could get off by themselves sometimes. In fact, she’d make sure to squeeze in some time on the porch tonight. Perhaps he’d kiss her again.