Tom's Angel (24 page)

They finished tucking in the counterpane, then folded the covers back.
Rosalie climbed into bed. The sheets felt heavenly cool. Trina checked on Hannah once more, blew out the lamp, then crawled in on the other side.

They talked about being married, the companionship, the quiet times.
About Hannah and what a blessing she'd already been to their lives.

“
Tom really likes that boy.”

“
I think Josh will be going to Denver with him to work on the ranch. Tom has taken a real shine to him.”

“
Someday, you'll have a son, and a daughter, too. Such wondrous times are ahead of you. So much love.”

Rosalie basked in the sunny images in her mind.
No matter what hardships they might face, they'd be together. All the difference in the world from coping with life alone.

“
Is my brother as good a lover as he is a kisser?”

“
Trina! What a question!”

“
Gabriel is a kind, gentle lover. I'd guess my brother is like that, too. I'll bet he knows exactly what you like.”

“
I think it's time we went to sleep. Good night.” Rosalie turned her back to Trina, trying not to laugh.

“
I'll take that as a yes.”

“
Yes,” she whispered, and closed her eyes.

Rosalie could imagine
Trina grinning like a possum.

Gabriel took Rusty for another run the next morning.
Then, pockets stuffed with rocks, Josh took him out again, just after lunch. Gabriel advised Tom not to work him again before the race.

“
Did you see how much faster he was with Josh?”

“
About as fast as the first time I rode him, I reckon.” Josh puffed out his chest, hooking his thumbs in the top of his pants. “How could that be, with so much more weight?”

“
In time, he'd be faster, still. I suspect he could beat every horse in Fort Worth, so Kincannon never pushed him.”

“
You think he'll be lots faster tomorrow?” Josh patted the horse's neck affectionately.

“
Stands to reason.”

Tom found Rosalie in the front room with Hannah.
They cooed back and forth to each other, filling Tom with love. “You and that baby look good together.”

She smiled the most contented smile he'd ever seen from her.

“She's incredible, Tom. So tiny, yet strong. See how hard she can grip my finger? Try it.”

Tom gave Hannah his little finger to squeeze.
Even though Rosalie exclaimed, he could hardly feel the pressure. If Hannah was strong, then he must be Hercules.

Trina
came from the kitchen. “Dishes are done. I asked Rosalie to baby-sit one last time before I have to give her up. Liza will be coming to get Hannah early in the morning so she can get used to a new place before bedtime. Gabriel and I will be at the El Paso by eleven.”

Tom hugged his sister and kissed her on the cheek.

Her eyes wide, lashes fluttering, she gasped a little. “My goodness, what did I do to deserve that from my big brother?”

“
You had a beautiful baby, you married a good man, and, you're a decent cook.”

“
Only decent?”

“
Tolerable.”

She punched his arm.
“Brothers never change. You'll have a lot of training to do with this one, I'm afraid.”

Rosalie
laced her arms around Tom's waist. “I love him just the way he is.”

Trina
's grin widened. “Every woman has her own taste, I suppose.”

“
Gabriel has the wagon ready. It's time to go.” He winked at his sister. We'll see you tomorrow.”

“
I like the sound of that a lot better than good-bye.”

Outside, standing with shoulders squared,
Josh told Trina and Gabriel, “Thank you for your hospitality. I'm much obliged.”

Tom decided having that boy on the
McCabe Ranch sounded better all the time.

Josh
chattered all the way home. Rosalie sat with hands folded, lost in thought.

Tom focused on
Trina and Gabriel and what a good home and marriage they had. If he and Rosalie could have a home like that, Tom would be the happiest he'd ever been in his life.

<><><><>

Back at the hotel, Tom told Mrs. Winslow that Josh had conducted himself like a true gentleman at all times. Josh beamed along with his mother.

At the restaurant, everyone talked about the race, pointing at Rosalie with no manners at all, talking loud enough for her to hear their opinion of Rusty's poor chances at winning.
Tom couldn't wait to get her away and alone. He wanted this last night together to be the best he could make it.

After supper, they went straight to the hotel, to bed.

Rosalie tried to wipe all memory of what she'd heard from her mind and concentrated on pleasuring Tom. He seemed to have the same idea.

Afterward, lying in each other's arms, she whispered,
“No matter what happens, I’ll love you forever.”

“
He's going to win.”

She lay awake a long time, listening to his quiet snoring, matching the rhythm of her breathing to his, grateful for these two days.
She prayed they'd have a lifetime more.

Chapter 18

Race day.

It seemed everyone in town and from the surrounding area knew about the race and had come to attend. Streets teemed with people, laughing, talking, placing bets, arguing about whether Rusty had even a slim chance of winning.

Before the race track and grandstands had been constructed at Cold Spring, it had been the site of the May Day, Fourth of July
, and other holiday celebrations. Barbecue was consumed by the pound, along with potato salad, cakes, pies and cobblers, and, of course, cold beer for the gentlemen, and lemonade for the ladies.

Rosalie
had attended a few of these celebrations, but she couldn’t accumulate any excitement for this one. Her life depended on the outcome. The idea brought only anxiety and fear.

Tom tried, without success, to tease her into a lighter frame of mind, then
gave up and settled into his own silence. She knew he must be suffering as much as she, but nothing could be done to alleviate the distress of not knowing their future.

Josh
came by early, displaying no lack of excitement.

“
Can I carry your picnic basket to Cold Spring, ma'am?”

“
No, thank you, Josh. We'll take care of it. I haven't packed one yet.”

“
No need. My ma's got your basket all ready to go. She said to stop at the kitchen when you're ready for it.”

“
But we didn't ask her to pack a basket for us.”

“
She did it 'cause she's nice.”

Tom tousled the boy's unruly hair.
“Tell her we appreciate it. I'll pick it up when we leave for the race.”

“
See you there! Can I tell the guys yet?”

“
Not yet! Don't tell anyone, or I'll ride Rusty myself. You hear?”

He ducked his head momentarily.
“I hear. The guys are gonna be mad at me for not telling.”

“
Not as mad as I'll be if you do.”

“
I won't tell nobody. Are we gonna tell my ma?”

“
I'm going to talk to her now. She'll be cheering for you, I’m sure. Just see to Rusty. I want him warmed up and ready to run at one o'clock. Don’t take your eyes off him.” Tom put his arm around Josh’s shoulders and spoke quietly in his ear. “Imagine how the guys are going to cheer when you show up riding Rusty and win the race.”

“
Yes, sir!” The boy raced down the stairs.

Trina
and Gabriel arrived a little after ten thirty.

“
I swear, Trina didn't sleep a wink all night.” Gabriel rubbed his eyes tiredly. “Tossing and turning, mumbling when she did manage to sleep, she woke Hannah twice more than usual. I'll be glad when this day is over.”

Trina
punched his arm. “Hannah will sleep really well today and tonight. Why don't you grumble a little more, Gabriel. We aren't all sick to death of it yet.” She gave him a peck on the lips to quiet his protests.

Rosalie hugged
Trina. “We'll all be glad when it's settled. Not knowing is worse than dealing with whatever comes.”

Gabriel and
Trina had come in a buggy. They set out for Cold Spring, promising to find a good place for a picnic prior to the race.

“
It'll be all right, Rosalie. You'll see.” Trina waved until they were completely out of sight.

“
I hope she's right.”

They headed for the kitchen to get the basket.

“Well, Mrs. Winslow, the secret will soon be out. We've asked Josh to ride Rusty in the race today. If it's all right with you, of course.”

“
I don't pretend to understand why you'd want a boy to ride in a race drawing so much attention, but it's fine with me if he does. No wonder he's been squirming so. It's been one of his dreams, to someday race on the track in front of a grandstand full of people.”

“
He'll get his wish today.”

“
I hope you like fried chicken.” Mrs. Winslow stuffed some handkerchiefs into the basket to use for napkins, pushed each package aside to peer into the depths, making sure nothing had been omitted, then handed it to Tom.

“
We're much obliged. Just add the cost to what I owe you.”

“
You don't owe me for the basket. I’m glad to do it. I haven't seen that boy of mine so happy since his paw died, God rest his soul.” She swiped a tear with her apron. “I hope you enjoy it.”

Rosalie hugged her briefly.
“I'm sure we will. Thanks again.” She waited on the porch while Tom brought a buggy from the livery. He loaded the basket in the back, then helped her into the front seat. She felt like a watch, wound too tightly, unable to run properly. Every muscle in her back ached with pressure from her poker-stiff position. Her hands, clasped in her lap, paled with the strain of fingers laced too tightly together.

Tom reached for her hands and pulled one away to hold.
“I know it's hard, but you need to relax. You'll make yourself sick before we ever get there.”

She nodded tersely, unable to admit he was right.
Yet, she couldn't let down even a fraction for fear she'd go all to pieces and not be able to find her way back again. If Rusty lost, she’d have to tell Tom good-bye, no matter how much he protested. How could she live without him, though? She’d be only a shell of a person.

Tom finally gave up trying to get her to talk and pointed the horse
s toward Cold Spring.

The race track lay two miles north of Fort Worth, just off the Cold Spring Road.
Built in 1877, the track had taken some of the racing from the streets of Fort Worth, along with some of the spontaneity accompanying those races. Yet, neither the frenzy of betting nor the excitement of watching horses running to outdistance the competitor had suffered in the least. Men still paid out their meager wages in the case of the trail hand, or hundreds of dollars in the case of the richer residents of the city, to emphasize their knowledge of horse flesh and which horse would be victor over the other.

Rosalie shivered when t
hey passed the tree where Sol Bragg had been hanged in 1875. Sol, a black man, had been accused of molesting a white woman traveling on a prairie schooner, heading west. A group of vigilantes hauled him to the tree, stood him on a platform and hung him. Rumor had it Sheriff Bill Henderson participated in the lynching.              Rosalie had heard the story many times, yet seeing the tree always gave her the shivers, thinking about a man being hanged for something he may not have done. Just as she might have to pay a debt that wasn’t hers.

“
What are you thinking about? Your expression is different.” Tom kissed the back of her hand.

She told him about the tree and Sol Bragg.
The grass under the hanging limb still hadn't completely returned after being covered with the platform for so many years.

“
Why did they leave the platform there after the hanging?”

“
As a warning, I guess. Who knows why some men do the things they do?” She lapsed into silence again.

Tom had a sudden urge to turn the buggy around, head straight for the railway station and climb aboard, taking Rosalie with him.
Running away wouldn't solve anything, though. They had to see it through to the end.

The picnic grounds near the race track hummed with the excitement of people arriving on horseback, in buggies and wagons.
Children ran to the spring and back, taking jars of lemonade and watermelons to chill in the cool water, while their mothers spread blankets and unpacked brimming baskets. Before long, the fragrance of delicious food wafted over the grounds.

Tom spread a blanket next to
Trina's. Josh spied them and came running.

“
Rusty's ready to run, but I ain't never seen him so jittery. He must know who he's up against.”

“
Are you sure someone didn't give him something to make him wild?” Rosalie couldn't help suspecting Zane of such a despicable act.

“
No ma'am. I stayed with Rusty all night. He lay down and I rested against him. We both slept good. My friend, Roy, is with him now.”

“
You've done a good job, son. How about some fried chicken?”

“
You bet. My ma makes the best fried chicken in the world.” He grabbed a drumstick and bit into the crunchy crust, licking the grease from his lips as he chewed.

Rosalie bit into a piece.
It had no taste that she could detect. But then, she suspected anything she ate would be the same.

Ladies arriving in buggies and carriages had dressed in their frilliest clothing,
most of them carrying matching parasols to defeat the blistering effects of the sun. The colors created a moving rainbow across the grounds. Children laughed and ran back and forth, playing tag, hide and seek, kicking cans and wrestling in the grass, such as it was. With no rain these past weeks, all vegetation had tinged brown except for the mesquite.

Phillip and Marietta arrived and spread their blanket nearby.
“Morning, Tom, Rosalie, Gabriel. How's that baby doing, Trina?”

“
Getting bigger by the minute. We’re glad you came.”

“
We wouldn't miss it.”

“
Any word yet from Jeb?” Tom knew better, but hoped anyway for some news.

“
Not yet. I'm expecting him today. I sent Nate on my fastest horse. He might've been back if he'd been riding Rusty.”

“
Thanks, Phillip. I'm obliged for everything.”

“
Let's hope he shows up before this shindig is over.” Phillip grinned, then offered to help Marietta unload their basket.

Trina
and Gabriel ate hungrily and talked mostly about missing Hannah and how they wished they'd brought her with them. Numerous other babies dozed in baskets or on blankets beside their mothers, under the trees.

“
Liza will take good care of her. She doesn't need to be exposed to this heat.” Gabriel reached for another piece of chicken.

“
I know. I just miss her so.”

Rosalie knew she should reassure
Trina, too, but couldn't find the words. Tension and fear threatened to eat her alive, from the inside out.

“
Don't worry, Rosalie. It'll all turn out the way it's supposed to.” Trina reached into her basket and pulled out a bag of cookies. “How about one of these? Oatmeal raisin.”

Rosalie shook her head and smiled.
Her stomach would accept no food right now.

Tom finished eating, then stood to stretch his back muscles.
“I'm going to check on Rusty. Josh won't need to eat again until after the race, so don't let him have more than a cookie after that chicken. Eating a big meal now might make him sick when he rides.”

Josh
nodded, licked his fingers, and ran off toward the stables.

Tom combed his fingers through Rosalie's hair
which shone with dappled sunlight streaming through a sycamore tree. “You didn't eat much.”

He seemed
determined to get her to speak, but she only shook her head.

He leaned to kiss her.
“I'll be back soon.”

“
We'll be right here.” Trina patted Rosalie's arm.

Gabriel unfolded his long legs and stood.
“I'll go with Tom. Save some of those cookies for me, please.”

“
I baked twelve dozen. I doubt we'll eat them all before you get back.”

Tom glanced back twice on their way to the corrals behind the grandstand.
“Damn, but I'll be glad when this nightmare is over.”

“
You and me both.” Gabriel's long strides matched Tom's exactly.

Two corrals.
Two horses. Josh sat on the rails of Rusty's pen, staring at him as though he might disappear if he looked away for even an instant, taking his responsibility dead seriously. There was no sign of Roy. He’d probably run to join his friends in the stands. Tom clapped Josh on the shoulder.

“
How's it going?”

“
He's still a little nervous, but not too much. Doing better'n that sorry piece of horse flesh over there.”

Tom grinned at the boy's use of the phrase previously aimed at Rusty.
Zane's remark had been repeated so many times, everyone in Fort Worth had heard it by now.

Gabriel approached the corral where Triumph danced around, puffing and snorting, punishing the ground with his hooves.
His eyes, wide and wild, testified to his fancy breeding.

Tom stared at the horse with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Rusty was no match for this professional runner.

Gabriel let out a long breath.
“I think we may have trouble, Tom.”