A Heart Renewed (4 page)

June 3, 1864

Dear Mr. Adam Larson,

I was pleased to receive your letter inquiring about the possibility of starting horse breeding operations at Colter Ranch.  I had been thinking on the idea before receiving your recent letter—although as mail goes in the West, nothing seems to be recent.

While you were just barely eighteen when I left Texas last year, your father mentioned more than once that you have a natural talent with horses and that you have been, as you confirmed in your letter, the primary breeder and trainer for the past few years.  I know well the quality of horseflesh produced from Larson’s stables, as Jackson, the stallion I brought from Texas, is still the best animal I have ever owned.

With so many settlers and ranchers arriving in the Prescott area, that is what they call the nearby town, and with the cavalry stationed at Fort Whipple, there is a great need here for quality horses.  I have already begun plans for building a larger barn and have made arrangements to purchase a few additional studs, hoping to position Colter Ranch in such a way as to meet that need.

Please consider this my formal request to employ you as the breeder and trainer at Colter Ranch.  I realize that you may need time to make arrangements and say goodbye to your family.  I also realize that the mail is incredibly slow here.  Would it be possible for you to leave Texas by September?  If you follow the same route that I did, you should be here by early November at the latest.  Perhaps you could send me a brief letter in reply letting me know your plans, although you may very well arrive before it does.

I am looking forward to your arrival.

Sincerely,

William Colter

Adam could not believe his eyes.  Will Colter hired him!  He was moving to the Arizona Territory!

There was much to do in the next few weeks to get ready.  He would need to purchase supplies for the trip.  He would also need to speak with his father.  Folding the letter neatly, Adam stood and went to find his parents.

After a quick peek in the kitchen to confirm his mother was there, he went in search of his father.  George Larson was in the stables having just finished rubbing down the mare he rode that morning.  A pang of nostalgia hit as he watched his pa.  Both father and son were roughly the same height and build, short but well-muscled.  Pa ran his hands through his golden blonde hair—the same hair Adam sported.  When he cleared his throat, his pa looked up.  Sometimes when he looked at his father, it was almost as if he was looking at himself in the future. 
Will I start to show signs of gray hair at that age?

“Pa, I have some news.”  Adam hesitated, suddenly very nervous.  “But, I want to tell you and Ma together.”

“Of course, son.  Why don’t you go in and see if your Ma has some coffee on.  I’m almost finished here.”

Adam did as requested.  His mother’s questioning look did not help his nervousness, but he was relieved his father didn’t make him wait too long before joining them.

“Now, why don’t you tell us what this is all about?”  Ma asked as she handed each of them a cup of black coffee.

Taking the seat across from his parents, Adam took a quick sip of the beverage, considering how he might explain his plan, his dream, and the move it would entail.

“Pa, Ma, you know how much I love you and Georgie, and Caroline, and the girls…”  He smiled at his own reference to his three youngest sisters as his parents nodded.  “And you know how you’ve always encouraged me to find my own dream.”

Ma’s green eyes misted with unshed tears.  Pa nodded again, fidgeting with his untouched coffee.

“I have made the decision to move to the Arizona Territory,” he blurted out, mentally kicking himself for his lack of finesse and the whimper it caused to escape from his mother’s lips.

“A while ago, I sent Will Colter a letter asking about setting up horse breeding and training operations on his ranch.  I received his answer this afternoon and he said that he wants to hire me.”

The pride in his father’s eyes was almost too much.  Glancing away, Adam continued, “I know it is a long way from home, but I need to be able to make my own way. Be my own man.”

“Son, you have our blessing,” his father said softly, reaching across the table to grasp his hand in an uncharacteristic move.

A few of the tears escaped the brim of his mother’s eyes as she asked, “When will you leave?”

“The first of September.  Maybe a little earlier if I can gather everything I need by then.”

“So, soon?”  Her voice caught.

Adam nodded.

“Now dear, it will be just fine,” Pa said turning to his wife.  “Adam is a fine young man and he will make us proud… Already has.”

“But, I will miss you so.”

“I know, Ma. I will miss you both… All of you… But, I believe this is the direction I am to take.”

“Son, I know you have prayed about your future for some time, and we have as well.”  His pa stood, moving to his side.  “We will miss you greatly, but you’re right, I believe this is God’s calling for your life.  And God willing, someday travel between our two homes will be easier and we will get to see you again.”

Moisture collected in the corner of Adam’s eyes as his pa pulled him into a giant bear hug.  Blinking quickly, he regained control.  It was going to be harder than he thought to leave his family.

That evening following supper, Pa broached the subject to the entire family.  “Adam has something he wants to tell us.”

Clearing his throat of a sudden lump, Adam took a deep breath.  “I’m moving to the Arizona Territory to work with the horses at Will Colter’s ranch.”

Nine year old Helen jumped up from her chair without asking permission to leave her seat.  Launching herself into his arms, she cried, “I don’t want you to go!”

Bethie, just a year older than Helen, stayed in her seat, but echoed her sister’s complaint.  Fiery red-headed Missy flashed blue eyes of shock his direction—for once speechless.

“When will you leave?” Caroline asked.  Her normally jubilant smile vanished.

“First of September.”

“So soon?” the fourteen year old Missy asked.  “Can’t you wait until the first of the year?”

Adam smiled.  “Then I suppose at the first of the year you’ll be asking me to stay just until summer.”

Missy’s wild mass of red curls bounced as she nodded her head.  Oh, how he would miss the girls—his sweet, adorable, sometimes troublesome sisters.

Georgie, four years his senior, normally rather well composed, seemed caught off guard by the announcement as well.  “Didn’t figure you’d ever leave Larson Ranch,” he said, shaking his head.

Adam shrugged.

“We certainly wish you well.  Will’s lucky to have you,” Georgie added.

Another glance around the table and Adam knew just how deeply his family loved him.  Not an eye was clear—each shaded with at least a hint of moisture, though some cried unashamed.  As his gaze moved back towards the patriarch of this brood, his pa stood.

 “When you leave, son, I want you to take one of the best studs and one of the best mares with you.”  Adam’s jaw dropped.  His father could not be serious.

“It is the least we can do to get you started on your own.  And you deserve the best, because you have always given us your best.  Our horse business will sorely miss your talent, as we will miss you.”  His father stopped abruptly and went to embrace his son for the second time that day.  When he pulled back, Adam saw the moisture in his pa’s eyes.

It was going to be very hard to leave his family behind.

Chapter 3

On Sunday morning, Julia woke from a fitful sleep.  The dream had been so real—too real.  She saw herself standing at the front of the church, screaming hysterically at Hiram, accusing him of all manner of lies.  Then she left, riding from town on a pure white horse, glowing in the sunlight.  Instead of being free, like Caroline’s plan, she had been dragged to the ground with heavy chains weighing her down.  Hiram chased after her and forced her to wed him that day.  As her dream took her in shackles to his ranch house, to his bed chamber, she blessedly woke, spared from the dreadful scene.

As she washed for the day, her hands shook uncontrollably, making it difficult to pin the stylish ringlets into place.  Eventually she gave up, asking for Mary’s assistance.  Despite her anxiety, she would go through with Caroline’s plan.  She had to. 
Lord, please give me the strength.
  She prayed while securing her hat to her head.

Reuben pulled the wagon around front and helped Julia into the back like every Sunday morning.  Patting her lap, her niece, Elizabeth snuggled close.  Eddie, her nephew, took his customary place at her side, while Reuben and Mary shared the front seat.

On the ride in, she rehearsed the scene in her mind.  She reminded herself to pay close attention to which horse Adam Larson rode so she did not take the wrong one.  She thought she would recognize his horse, but wanted to be sure she did.

As Reuben pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the church, Julia’s stomach lurched.  At breakfast, she ate just a few bites of toast.  Regardless, she thought she might dump that little bit out on the steps of the church as agitated as she was.

Before she managed to step out of the wagon, Hiram Norton arrived to assist her.  His possessive hold around her waist lingered as he helped her down from the wagon.  Offering his arm to her, she obediently slipped her hand in the crook.  Her throat constricted even more as he led her up the steps.  She tried to smile, thinking it must have looked rather strained.  Caroline would probably say that was perfect for the coming theatrics.  To Julia, it was the reflection of her nerves and no acting was involved.  As Hiram ushered her to his pew, away from the other Colters, she longed to be free from his presence—forever.

During the service, she did not have to pretend to be distraught, for she truly was.  What if she fainted before she could go through with this?  What if Hiram chased her down and declared her to be insane?  What if he smoothly talked his way around the pending scene?  Before she knew it, the time was upon her as the last refrain of the last hymn echoed in the small church.

Julia’s heart pounded so loudly in her chest she was certain Hiram could hear it.  Standing, she allowed him to escort her from the pew.  When he stopped just before reaching the doorway, she stifled a groan, her fear rising.  She was hoping to wait until they were outside.

“My dear, you look unwell.  Is everything alright?” Hiram asked, appearing genuine.

She knew this was her chance, even if they were not quite outside yet.  She fought past the constricting of her throat.  “No!” she shouted.  Her voice reverberated loudly throughout the church.  All conversation stopped and everyone looked at her, so she plowed forward.  Taking her hand from his, she slapped his face—something she had wanted to do for some time now.

“Everything is not alright.  I cannot believe you slept with that woman!  Have you no regard for me that you would do such a thing?”

Further words caught in her throat when she saw Reuben’s face go brilliant red with anger.  Hiram, on the other hand, appeared genuinely shocked.  She had to seal this now before she lost all courage.

“I cannot marry you.  I cannot marry a man with no regard for the sanctity of marriage.  It is over, Hiram.  I never want to see you again!” she screamed at full volume while stepping away from his reach.  Turning on her heel, she ran out the front of the church, down the steps and headlong into Adam Larson as he untied his horse from the hitching post. 
Thank you, Lord.

The stunned look on his face etched in her mind as she grabbed the reins from his hand and mounted the horse.  Forcing the mare into a hard gallop for effect, Julia refused to glance over her shoulder.  As soon as she was out of sight, she dropped the mare to a gentle lope.

She had to breathe.  Her hands were shaking, her heart pounding in her ears.  She felt lightheaded as spots danced before her eyes. 
I will not swoon. I cannot swoon.
 

Sliding off the mare, she rested her forehead against the saddle, closing her eyes.  The smell of horseflesh and leather helped calm her nerves.  For a moment she thought she might be sick, but the feeling soon passed.  Climbing back into the saddle, she pointed the mare toward home.

Once at the ranch house, she knew she should care for the mare, but tied her to the front hitching post instead.  That would certainly appear the more flighty and distraught action.  As she walked down the hall to her room, she unpinned her hat.  Throwing it to the floor, she fell face down onto the bed and sobbed. 
Lord, forgive me for the deception.  Please, let this be done.
  Whether it was the emotion draining from her or the lack of sleep from the night before, Julia fell fast asleep.