Land of My Heart (40 page)
Dianne felt all of her calm diminish. “By nightfall? You said soon, but I didn’t think you meant today.” There was an edge of hysteria to Dianne’s tone and she fought to keep it down.
Koko patted Dianne’s shoulder. “I didn’t want to frighten you. My pains started in the night and my water passed this morning. Now the pains are getting stronger.”
“How can you just stand there and tell me this?” Dianne questioned. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
Koko laughed but allowed Dianne to help her. “Lying about waiting for the baby is not the way of the real people. My mother was making a buffalo robe when my brother decided to be born. I remember it. She put the robe aside, then gathered her birthing tools and had my brother.”
“You must have been quite young,” Dianne said, leaving Koko’s side to pull down the covers of the bed.
“I was only three, but I remember it well.”
Koko sat on the edge of the bed while Dianne fetched her nightgown. “I’ll help you get this on, then gather the things we’ll need. Should I send someone for Uncle Bram?”
“No. He has his work and I have mine. He’ll be here soon enough.”
Dianne put Koko to bed despite the woman’s protests. A woman having a baby deserved to do it in the comfort of her own bed, Dianne believed. After all, it was hard work, and rest would not come easy.
Koko napped throughout the afternoon and into early evening. When the men returned from their chores, Dianne had supper ready but shooed them all outside to enjoy it in the great outdoors.
“We don’t need you fellas underfoot,” Dianne declared. “We have important work to do.”
Bram seemed stunned to be put out of his own house, but then he laughed at her bossy attitude. “You’ll make a good wife someday,” he teased. “Or else a good trail boss.”
Dianne didn’t take offense at his joke. She smiled and handed him his plate. “If we need you, we’ll call.” He went without protest.
Dianne came back inside and drew up hot water from the stove. Koko had explained they would need it for cleaning up. When she brought it to the room, Dianne nearly dropped it at the door. She found Koko squatted on the floor at the end of the bed, bearing down for all she was worth.
“What are you doing?” Dianne questioned, her tone almost accusing.
“Having the baby,” Koko said between gritted teeth.
And then before Dianne could ask her anything more, Koko gave birth to a squalling baby boy. The baby’s lusty cry brought Bram from outside. He respected the closed door but called out, “Boy or girl?”
“It’s a boy,” Dianne declared.
Bram gave a loud whoop and yelled, “It’s a boy!”
Koko gave a laugh that sounded more like a moan. “He told me it would be a boy.”
“Well, I wonder what he would have done if he’d been a girl—sent her back?” Dianne said, washing the baby gently with warm water.
The baby calmed and looked up at Dianne with wide dark eyes. She couldn’t help but smile. “Aren’t you a wonder?” Something inside Dianne came alive in that moment. The softness of the baby’s skin, the delicate structure of his little body … it was all so appealing—so marvelous.
Hours after James Nicolaas Vandyke’s birth, Dianne sat on the porch, rocking. Thoughts of the baby and his birth were still heavy on her mind. She longed for a family of her own—for a husband to care for and share her life with. She longed for Cole Selby to return.
How can I feel this way about him when I know he cares nothing for me? How can I spend the rest of my life wondering what it would be like to share his life and love?
She hadn’t seen him since that day in May two years earlier. There was no way to know where he’d gone or what he was doing. Uncle Bram had offered him a job, but he’d refused and that had been the end of it. Cole had gone back to Virginia City to meet his father, and Dianne had never seen him again.
Gazing out across the moonlit valley to the snow-capped mountains, Dianne tried not to think of her misery. A new life had just come into the household—there was no reason for sorrow. In fact, there was no reason to continue pining over Cole Selby. If Dianne wanted a husband and family, then she needed to put Cole out of her mind and heart and redirect her attention elsewhere.
“That’s a mighty fine boy you helped bring into the world,” Uncle Bram said as he came to sit beside Dianne.
“None better.” Dianne grinned at the beaming look of pride on her uncle’s face.
“So why are you out here all by your lonesome?”
“I’ve just been thinking. Little Jamie is so sweet, so special.”
“Jamie, is it?” Bram said, rubbing his chin.
“I hope you don’t mind. James sounded much too grown-up for such a little guy.”
“I like Jamie. It’s got a good ring to it.”
“I’m sure Mama would have been pleased that you gave him Grandfather Nicolaas’s name as well. You know my brother Trenton has the same middle name.”
“Yes, I recall that now. Our father was a fine man and he deserves the honor,” Uncle Bram said thoughtfully.
“You’re a fine man too. I want to thank you for letting us come to live with you. I love it here. I love this ranch and the land. I love working with the animals. But most of all, I love you and Koko. Losing Mama and Papa was so hard, but you’ve made that much easier to handle.”
“I’m glad you’re here. Koko loves you so. I’ve often wanted to thank you for being so kind to her. She’s got such a gentle heart. I knew your mother would break it over and over, and I just couldn’t let that happen.”
“I don’t blame you,” Dianne said softly, remembering her mother’s anger. “I think Mama was afraid—afraid of what she didn’t understand or know to be familiar.”
“Yes, I believe you’re right. Susannah never did abide those who were different. Be they people with skin of a different color or people of higher means or lesser.”
“But she loved you, Uncle Bram. No doubting that. She used to talk about you all the time. Your letters were like cold water on a hot day.”
“I loved her too. I’m sorry we parted on bad terms. I never meant to hurt her, and I feel responsible for what happened.” He paused for a moment, as if seeking the right words. “I don’t know if you will understand this or not, but when a man marries, I believe he owes his allegiance to his wife. I believe that’s what God calls us to do—calls us to leave our mother and father—or sisters, for that matter. Your ma wanted me to put Koko aside, to hold my blood family in higher esteem. I couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t have been fitting in the eyes of God. I hope one day you’ll understand and forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Uncle Bram. I already understand, and I can only hope that I will one day find a man as loving and devoted as you.”
Bram leaned forward and grew serious. “Promise me something.”
“If I can.”
“Promise that if anything happens to me, you’ll be there for Koko and James.”
“Of course,” she said, not understanding his concern. “They’re family now and family endures together.”
Bram let out a heavy sigh. “I just need to know that you won’t let them … well … that they won’t have to resort to … going back to the Pikuni.”
Dianne shook her head. “No, not unless Koko honestly felt that was better. But why would she? She’ll have this wonderful ranch and the new house you plan to build her.”
Bram said nothing, so Dianne took the opportunity to ask him a favor in return. “I’d like to go to Virginia City with you next week. If you aren’t worried about Koko being here without me, I’d appreciate getting to come along.”
“I think that can be arranged. It has been a long time since you’ve been away from here. Do you miss the big cities back East?”
Dianne chuckled. “Not really. Sometimes I miss the convenience, but nothing more. I love my life here. I can’t imagine ever wanting to live anywhere else. I hope, if and when I find a man to marry me, that he’ll be content to remain right here. In fact, maybe I’ll find a man in Virginia City. One who will work for you and show an interest in me all at the same time.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, missy, I’ve got a whole crew of men who’d do nothing but show you interest if you gave them the time of day.”
Dianne laughed and got to her feet. “I’ve looked that herd over, Uncle Bram. There’s nothing there that strikes my fancy.”
Bram stood and gave Dianne a gentle hug. “Then we’ll go looking elsewhere. If you find one that fits the bill, we’ll bring him home and get him molded into shape.”
Dianne leaned up on tiptoe as Bram bent down. Kissing him gently on the cheek, Dianne whispered a prayer of thanks for her uncle’s love.
“I love you, Uncle Bram.”
“And I love you, darlin’. Now you’d best get to bed. We’re gonna start working with that sorrel gelding in the morning, and I know you want to be a part of that.”
“Absolutely. I’ll see you in the morning.” Dianne headed into the house, the trip to Virginia City rapidly overrunning her thoughts.
I’ll put flowers on Mama’s grave, and I’ll look into buying some more fabric. Then I’ll find me a husband of first-rate quality
.
V
IRGINIA CITY HAD GROWN SOME IN BUILDINGS AND CIVILITY
, BUT to Dianne it seemed that the population had diminished considerably. She couldn’t help but wonder if the lure of goldfields farther north had robbed the territorial capital of its residents. It was to be expected, she thought. After all, most of the people had wandered in from the California goldfields, restless and desperate to find that place where they might get rich easily—without ever having to work for it. It seemed only natural that they should wander once again after learning that the tales weren’t true.
The stories Dianne had heard on the trail west had been enough to keep people entertained for hours. The very idea of picking up nuggets the size of your fist had people changing their destinations from Oregon to Montana in a heartbeat.
“Looks like they’ve gone and got citified,” Bram mused as he eased the wagon along Wallace Street. “Less of the riffraff in the streets to be sure, although I see they’ve added a new saloon.”
Sitting beside her uncle, Dianne looked left and right, taking in the sights and making mental comparisons. He was right. The streets seemed much more orderly, and there were many lovely clapboard homes, homes that certainly hadn’t been there when she had lived in town.
“Looks like the sawmill is doing a booming business,” Morgan said, seeming to note the focus of Dianne’s thoughts. Zane and Morgan had accompanied them, Zane to get information regarding army enlistment and Morgan to hear all the news that could be had about the territory.
“We’d best check out the hotel and see if we can get some rooms,” Bram said. He then motioned to the back of the wagon. “I know you’re anxious to get those flowers on your mother’s grave, so why don’t you go ahead on up to the cemetery and I’ll take care of the hotel.”
Dianne nodded. “Should I take the wagon or ride Dolly?”
“The road’s pretty steep. I’d take Dolly if I were you. You boys go with her so she’s not alone.”
Zane and Morgan nodded. “We’d figured to pay our respects,” Zane added.
“Good. Then I won’t worry about our girl. Who knows what kind of ruffians she might run into.” Dianne wasn’t all that concerned. The town seemed much calmer than when she’d lived here and spent considerable time by herself. “You boys go on down to the livery and let them know what we’ll need.”
“Sure thing, Uncle Bram.” They turned their horses in unison and headed to the stable.
Uncle Bram pulled the wagon up in front of the hotel. “I’ll check on whether they have any rooms available while you get Dolly saddled,” he told Dianne as he helped her down from the wagon.
Dianne went immediately to work, hoisting her saddle from the back of the wagon as if it were no heavier than a picnic basket. She’d grown strong over the past years. She was able to do a great many things that she’d found impossible when they’d first arrived. Saddling her own horse was just one of them.
“They have plenty of space,” Bram announced, coming back just as Dianne was gathering up the wildflowers she’d picked for her mother’s grave. “You go ahead, and when you come back, just ask for your room. It’ll adjoin the room the boys and I will share.”
Dianne took up Dolly’s reins. “We won’t be long. I’m getting pretty hungry, so I’m betting the boys are feeling fairly done in. I notice the hotel also has an eatery; do you suppose it would be all right to get our supper there tonight?”
Bram grinned. “I had the same thought myself. How about you see to your delivery, then come back and wash up. I’ll let them know we’ll be planning on a meal posthaste.” He glanced down the road. “Ah, good. Here come Zane and Morgan.”
Dianne mounted Dolly. “Come on, boys, we’d best get to it.”
They rode to the cemetery, commenting about the town and all its changes. Dianne found the place a bit more appealing than when they’d lived there, but only marginally. There still weren’t any trees of substance, although it appeared several folks had planted small saplings in the hopes of regrowing the forest that had once surrounded the town.
The tiny cemetery was nestled up in the hills north of town. The roads there were indeed steep and not very accommodating. Dolly, as surefooted as ever, handled the trip easily, however, and Dianne had little trouble keeping her seat and balancing the flowers across her lap.
“It’s such a lonely place,” Morgan said as they approached the collection of graves.
“Yes, but the view is quite impressive from this high up,” Dianne said as she dismounted. Dolly whinnied softly as if agreeing. Dianne dropped Dolly’s reins, knowing the mare would not wander. Dianne had worked hard for two years to teach Dolly this was her signal to stay put. The mare had learned quite well.
Morgan and Zane, taking the hats from their heads, remained mounted and quiet as Dianne took the flowers to their mother’s grave. She brushed away the bits of debris and noted that the new headstone, ordered on their previous fall trip, had been put into place.
“It looks nice, doesn’t it?” Dianne asked, looking to her brothers.
“It looks good,” Zane murmured and Morgan nodded in agreement. Both seemed most uncomfortable with their task.
