The Following Morning

They began the trip to pick up the cattle early that morning just as the sun rose, eating warm muffins and hot coffee as the cool morning breeze chilled their skin. They’d returned home late the evening before, gotten a few hours’ sleep, and it was now mid-morning. The sun beat down on them as they traveled to Checotah and the Colyer’s ranch, passing the time with laughter and jokes. The dust puffed up from their horses’ hooves, as the sweat trickled down spines and dripped along the sides of everyone’s faces, the sickly sweet scent of wildflowers and other flora filling the air.

What in the world was her husband thinking? Mia slapped the lines to keep the horse moving behind the others who rode just ahead of her. What made him believe she would be able to drive the wagon all the way to Colyer’s ranch? Did he and the children really need to ride the horses? They were almost fifteen miles from their home for goodness’ sakes, and she’d never driven a wagon before in her life. Surely a few cows wouldn’t stray—not with two of them on horses and someone driving the wagon? Someone other than herself.

He’d given her a few pointers, showed her how to hold the leather lines attached to the collar and ultimately the bridle and the bit, which was what went in the horse’s mouth. Poor horse. She would hate having something equivalent to a metal rod between her teeth for hours.

The alternative, Josiah had reminded her, was for her to ride a horse. She quickly changed her mind about driving the wagon, although she still had no idea why it was necessary for her to be there. All Josiah told her was that it would be the perfect family event, so she gave in and followed.

Mia watched Josiah’s easy way with Billy. He managed to stop the youngster’s prodding and divert his attention to other things. Summer, on the other hand, remained quiet and listened. She would occasionally answer a question but, for the most part, she rode in silence, her gaze on the terrain around them.

Mia couldn’t help but wonder what was in the girl’s mind. What did she want from life? What were her dreams? She still hadn’t had a chance to figure out what had triggered Summer’s negative reaction and why she’d thrown the slate the day before. Billy mentioned the teacher had made fun of her in front of the class, but had that been the only reason? She tried to put herself in Summer’s place. How would she have felt if a teacher had ridiculed her once, or more than once, in front of fellow classmates? Would she have become withdrawn or angry like Summer?

Thoughtfully chewing on her bottom lip, Mia tried to mull over the possibilities and figure out how to deal with the issue at hand. She wanted to understand Summer, not drive her further away. Both she and Billy already had a distrust of white people because of previous treatment. In fact, if she were honest, their acceptance of her so far had gone surprisingly well.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Josiah’s low voice beside her startled her, and she chomped down on her bottom lip. She let out a pained cry and sucked her sore lip into her mouth, scowling at her husband. “A warning would be nice.”

He chuckled. “I could have danced in front of you with a bucket on my head and you wouldn’t have noticed. You were miles away. What had you so preoccupied?”

She glanced over at Summer, who rode beside Billy. She pointed to something off in the distance and wasn’t paying attention to them. “Summer got frustrated with me yesterday. I guess I pushed her a bit too hard with a math problem, and she threw the slate across the room. Billy told me after she ran outside that the teacher used to make fun of her because she couldn’t add.”

He let out a low whistle. “No wonder you were so upset. I’m glad you didn’t tell me why or I would have gone in with you and probably said something regrettable.”

“Oh, I made myself look enough of a fool for the both of us. Billy told me after we got home that the teacher who did that was a man and is no longer employed here. The woman I laid into had only just arrived and taken over the teaching position about a month ago. Although, I can’t say I would send any child to be taught by her with her attitude toward the Creeks. She actually had the audacity to call them riff raff!”

“I was called a lot worse in school by my teachers. Riff raff is actually not horrible.”

“Josiah!”

He shrugged. “Truly, it isn’t. I know that sounds complacent and uncaring, but it isn’t. When you grow up isolated and treated as a stranger in your own home—not by your family, but by everyone around you, you become accustomed to the name calling. It is up to you how you deal with it and perceive yourself. I chose to not listen. My faith grounded me, and I accepted that no one is right or wrong because of his or her culture or outward appearance.

“We all have the same ambitions, regrets, and the need for acceptance. At least, most of us, anyway. There are always a few who break that mold and go their own way.”

“You will make a fantastic father one day.”

He gave her a crooked grin and glanced at the two nearby children. “I think that day is already here. I’m glad one of us has faith in me.”

Mia chuckled. “Quit fishing for compliments. You will do just fine and you know it.” She shaded her eyes with her hand as the wagon topped the hill. “I believe we’ve reached our destination. I hope you know what you’re doing because I know nothing about cattle.”

“If I’d bought a herd, I would have hired some men, but with only six cows and one steer, we will be fine for the fifteen-mile trip home.”

She watched her husband as he moved up to ride beside Summer and Billy. He cut a fine figure as he sat tall and proud, looking as if he belonged in the saddle. In truth, he probably belonged more in the saddle than he did behind a pulpit. Josiah was definitely a man of faith, but she sensed a wildness in him that no matter how finely dressed he was or how cultured he talked, would always make him a part of the natural world around him. She loved him all the more for it.

He turned and caught her gaze, his eyes bright with laughter, causing her heart to pound in her chest like a drumbeat. For the first time, she realized that she loved this man beyond all thought and reason. He made her a better person. Growing up without a family had always bothered her, but with Josiah by her side, it no longer mattered.

She gave him a quick wave as the wagon rolled down the hill behind them. Now, though, she had to figure out if he loved her back. She knew he cared for her. It was in everything he did and said, but that wasn’t love. She wanted him to love her. Their relationship was still new, and simply because she had fallen in love with him didn’t mean he’d had the time to do the same with her.

As she watched Mr. Calyer’s men separate the cows, she pondered over what she knew about men, which in truth was limited. She hadn’t gotten out much. Her life had consisted of church and teaching. She had attended a few church socials and loved walking through Central Park and the city zoo; however, none of these afforded her much knowledge regarding men.

What little she did know about the differences between men and women came from the small bakery one street over from the orphanage. Mia smiled as she recalled the older Italian couple. Annetta Abbattini made the most delicious sweet breads. Her husband, Franco, doted on his wife and did all sorts of sweet things for her: singing to her, dancing with her through the store, and bringing her flowers. In turn, the wife would lecture him about all the small jobs he hadn’t done because his head was in the clouds.

One morning, the husband wasn’t in the store with her. When Mia asked where he was, the woman’s eyes filled with tears and she said he was very sick. While the older woman put together her order, Mia asked why she always seemed so irritated with her husband. Annetta handed her a box of sweet rolls and explained it was so he would feel needed. She was afraid that if he ever felt as if she no longer needed him, with his advancing years, he might get tired of living, and she didn’t want to live life without him.

Mia smiled, feeling as if she’d just discovered, at least, part of the secret. Like the Abbattini’s, who were happily fussing at one another the morning she left New York City, she would make certain Josiah felt needed. And in time, she would earn his love.

The return trip was almost as uneventful as the trip to the Calyer ranch. The only bit of excitement was when the steer decided he wanted to go down a side trail instead of the road back to Eufaula. After a little prodding and running him down, Josiah managed to tire him out and get him back with the cows, who thankfully stayed by the wagon, munching on the bunch of grass the cowhands had thrown in the back to keep them focused.

The lazy sway of the wagon lulled Mia to completely relax. Her eyes refused to stay open and her head slowly tilted forward. The constant wood creaking along with the occasional calls of birds flying overhead were the only sounds she heard until Summer’s horse plodded up beside her.

“Mia?”

Mia’s eyes snapped open and she sat up straight. Her back popped in several places, and she let out a low groan. “I don’t know if that hurt or felt good, but I’m not sure I want to sit on this seat for much longer and have it happen again.” She glanced at Summer and wrinkled her nose at the girl’s worried expression. “What’s wrong?”

“You should have worn a bonnet instead of that silly hat. The brim isn’t wide enough. Your nose is bright red.”

Mia scowled and touched her nose with her fingers, pressing gently and noticed how tender the skin was. “Oh, dear.”

“I know of a plant that will help. I’ll find it after we get the cows taken care of.”

“Thank you. I guess I’ll be sewing myself a bonnet as well. Was there something else you wanted to talk about? Surely, you didn’t want to just tell me my nose was as red as a berry?”

Summer glanced down at her hands, clasped over the saddle horn and white knuckled. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her words so soft Mia barely heard them.

“Did you say—?”

“I said I was sorry!”

“There’s no need to shout, Summer. I just wanted to make certain I heard you. Your voice was so quiet and the wind carried it away.” Mia wanted to feel guilty for making the girl squirm, but she didn’t. “Now, please tell me why you are sorry.”

Summer raised her head. If her dark gaze had been a weapon, Mia would have been bleeding. She definitely felt uncomfortable under the girl’s pointed stare. “You know why.”

Mia nodded and kept a straight face, thankful for the years of practice in the orphanage. “Yes, I do. But, you need to say the words out loud. Believe me or not, voicing them will make you feel better.”

Summer turned her icy gaze away and stared across the prairie. The slight slumping of her shoulders told Mia she’d won this round. Unfortunately, as proud as Summer’s spirit was, she knew there would be many more to come.

“I’m sorry I lost my temper and broke the slate. I don’t like math.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t.”

“There are many reasons we don’t like things. Sometimes it’s because we don’t understand them. Other times it’s because people make fun of our inability to learn like they do. Would you like to know a secret?” Mia patiently waited for Summer to decide, knowing the girl’s curiosity would eventually win out. A few minutes passed and, sure enough, her shoulders slumped a bit more as she relaxed into the easy sway of her horse’s gait.

“What secret?”

“Everyone is unique. We all learn different things at our own speed. You and I can listen to Josiah tell us the same story, but at the end we will hear different things. It’s those differences that make us who we are, and who each of us are is special. You, Summer, are special. Faults and all, because they make up who you are. And I like you very much.”

Summer stared straight ahead, her lips pinched together and her chin quivered. “You do?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I do.”

Several minutes passed, the horses’ hooves plodding along the hard-packed dirt. The sound of the tall grasses rubbing together grew louder as the wind picked up. In the distance, Mia caught sight of several deer, a small fawn peeking out between them.

“Mia?”

“Hmmm?”

“What would you do if I told you there was another boy living in the woods by himself?”

Mia’s heart turned to stone and fell into her stomach. How many more children were living alone without anyone to care for them? She closed her eyes, sorrow filling her.

“I would want you to show me where he’s staying so I can bring him home.”

Billy rode up on the other side of the wagon, his face lit up with joy. “Summer, betcha this is what Johnny was talkin’ about when he told us about riding across the prairie with his friends. He said the wind was hitting his face and the horse was running so fast, he couldn’t breathe. He told me it was the most exciting time of his life. He’s even learned how to shoot a gun!”

“Billy, what did I tell you? Johnny is a good-for-nothing. You stay away from him. He’s gonna end up in jail or dead and he might take you with him. He only cares about hurting people,” Summer said.

Billy’s face closed up in a dark scowl. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Summer! You’ve never liked him just cuz he’s not your friend and he is mine.” Billy dug his heels into his horse’s flanks, and the horse took off in a quick run then slowed back to a stop when Josiah let out a whistle.

Mia drove into the yard and stopped in front of the barn, setting the brake like Josiah had shown her. Now that she had driven most of the afternoon, she was fairly comfortable with everything but hitching up the horse. That would be her next lesson.

She climbed down from the wagon and pressed on the small of her back with her hands, stretching out the tight muscles from sitting so long. As Josiah and the children headed the cows and steer into the small corral, the galloping of a horse caught her attention. She turned as the same lighthorseman who’d accompanied Harjo the other morning rode into the yard. Josiah dropped the leather cord over the gatepost, securing it to the fence gate, and stepped away.

“Jacob?”

“It’s Harjo. We need you, Josiah. He’s in a bad way. Ran into the outlaws south of here about ten miles.”

Josiah didn’t say a word but ran into the house. He was gone about a minute, and then reappeared with a leather pouch in his hands. He jogged to Mia. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She laid her hand against his cheek. “Go. We’ll be fine here. Take care of Harjo—and yourself. Not one scratch, you hear. I don’t want to see a single wound.”

He smiled and leaned closer, his lips caressing hers. The warmth of his breath chased away the chill that had stolen over her when she’d heard Jacob’s ominous words. She wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around her husband’s neck and hold him to her, feel his heart beating against hers, but knew he couldn’t stay.

His friend needed him, and she couldn’t be that selfish. She was stronger than that, even with outlaws running around shooting up the countryside. She would prove to him just how strong she was and make him proud.

With tears in her eyes, she pulled away, breaking the kiss. She crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back, trying to rub away the chill of fear as it returned. She smiled. “Come home safe.”

He held her gaze a moment longer then reached over and took the reins from Billy, who held his horse for him. In one smooth motion, he swung into the saddle and galloped from the yard behind Jacob.

“Well, I hope that’s the end of today’s excitement because I’m about tuckered out. How about you two?” She turned and found two pairs of eyes solemnly staring at her. Unease blossomed somewhere deep inside. “What?”

Summer glanced at Billy and gave him a subtle nod. He nodded back and took their horses. “While Billy takes care of the horses, you and I will unhitch the wagon and rub down the horse. Afterward, we’ll take you to Elias’s.”

“Who’s Elias?”

“He’s the boy I mentioned earlier who lives alone in the woods. He shouldn’t be out there anymore. Not by himself.” She undid the last line and moved the horse away from the wagon while Mia set the tongue on the ground and glanced toward the barn. “Especially if Johnny is hanging around again. It’s not safe for Elias or Billy to be out there.”

“Josiah mentioned Johnny. Is he really as bad as Harjo says he is?”

Summer met Mia’s gaze. “He’s worse.” She led the horse into the barn to the last stall where Mia quickly brushed him down while Summer put some grain in his bucket. After attaching the rope across the front of the stall, they met Billy out front.

“His house isn’t far from here, but we need to get going. The woods get dark fast, and there are snakes.”

“Snakes?" Mia frowned. “Surely we can wait until the morning?”

Summer shook her head. “You realize the snakes will be there whether it’s morning, afternoon, or night, don't you? It’s just easier to see where you’re walking if the sun is out. You don’t want to step on one and make it mad enough to bite you.”

“Oh, well…if you say so. I just don’t like snakes.”

"Nobody does, I think," Summer answered and set off at a brisk pace.

Mia followed them through the woods, winding through the oak, pecan, and elm trees as they walked along a branch of the North Canadian River. The stream twisted and turned, turning back on itself several times before joining against the main body of water. Just before them stood a wall of trees and in the center was a makeshift shack.

She had never seen anything quite like it before. The four corners of the shack were actually the trunks of four larger trees. Boards had been placed between each tree to form the walls. Overhead, more planks of wood covered by sod made up the roof. She could only imagine the insects making their home inside the ceiling area. She shivered. This was no place for a young boy.

“Elias?” Summer called out.

One of the planks opened and a young boy stuck out his head. From what she could tell, he looked to be about Summer’s age. His skin was a little bit darker than Summer’s and Billy’s, and his hair wasn’t as straight and fine. His curled, which she had never seen before. He waved his hand, and they moved toward the shack. He gave her a shy smile, and she noticed his beautiful moss-green eyes.

Inside, she was shocked at how clean everything was. Next to them were two uneven stumps with a board on top. A can of cut wild flowers had been placed in the middle of the makeshift table. Scraps of faded material had been nailed over crudely cut-out sections in two of the walls. Underneath one sat an old rocking chair with one of its arms missing. There were several chipped plates and cups stacked on a box next to three unidentifiable jars of food. Along the far wall was a bare cot with only a folded sheet and no pillow or quilt.

Mia smiled at the young boy. “My name is Mia West. What’s your name?”

“Elias.”

“Where are your parents, Elias?”

“Don’t know where my pa is. Never knew him. My Ma is out back.”

“Can you take me to her?”

He shrugged and went outside. Mia glanced at Summer, then followed as the boy walked around to the back of the house and stopped in front of a grave.